photo courtesy of Jake Van Ness Photography

The gorgeous clubhouse at Saratoga Polo Association was filling up before the ponies even took the field on Friday night for the season opener match. Sundresses and seersucker mingled with polo jerseys and Lilly Pulitzer prints as polo spectators and enthusiasts gathered to watch Buckleigh Farms take on Fort Christopher. Tom Brockley from RBC Wealth Management had the first bowl in of the 2012 Tournament Season and the match was underway. As the hooves thundered down the historic Whitney Field, friends, players and supporters could be seen chatting and cheering along the sidelines.

Guests taking in the views of the exciting match.

James Williams-Ness, Rachel Stewart and Shane Williams-Ness.

photo courtesy of Jake Van Ness Photography

If there is one word to describe the clubhouse at Saratoga Polo it is accommodating. Waitstaff from the Old Daley Inn whisked seamlessly in between seats to take orders and deliver cool drinks and light fare for guests. Want a full cheese board and a glass of wine while you watch the chukkers? No problem. It’s a full service treatment at Saratoga Polo and the service delivered is impeccable. We chatted with accomplished horsewoman Tamie Ehinger and husband George sitting front and center to take in the action and were filled in on all the rules for polo by the charming announcer Bob Bullock.

Divot stomping time gave the Tattlers full reign to take to the lush green field for some mingling and people watching. The Tattlers wore our heels with abandon on the grass thanks to the ingenious high heel caps provided by Saratoga Polo Association sponsor SoleMates. The always lovely Elizabeth Macy of Image Photo snapped candids of stompers as we bumped into polo supporters Melissa Warran, Will Orthwein, Deupree Yancey, Dr. Lael Peters and Ann Bullock. The Tattlers awarded Richard Lovrich and his adorable pooch Max our unofficial Best Dressed Award for the evening and were very impressed with his dapper look including hat, pin stripes and white pants, very polo appropriate. Sabine Rodgers and Maryanne Moerschell were also seen looking very cool and glamorous in the setting July sun.

McKenzie Fell, Case Fell, Lindsay Fell and Adam and Colleen Doig.

Sabine Rodgers and Maryanne Moerschell.

The Tattlers Best Dressed Award for Polo Opening Day goes to Richard Lovrich and his adorable pooch Max.

The match heated up as the sun began to set and in the end Buckleigh Farms won to great applause. Kim Ireland took the saber in hand for the ceremonial sabrage and did an impressive job as she lopped off the top of the Veuve Clicquot. Up next was the trophy presentation and afterward all of the guests and players met in the clubhouse for some post-match revelry. The Tattlers chatted with Saratoga Polo sponsor Tom Thibeault from Adirondack Appliance and Jake Van Ness about the action packed match. Spotted in the crowd were party goers from the event under the tent at Saratoga Polo, the GenNext event with Debi Oliveri, Rebecca Marino, Gloria Ford and Domenica Newell-Amato; as well as Jennifer Evans Hennessy, Rich White, and executive director of the Adult & Senior Center of Saratoga Lois Celeste. The Tattlers caught up with players Julian Aguilar and Jose Rodriguez from the winning team of the night and Saratoga Polo Association Partner Mike Bucci and Saratoga Polo Association Managing Partner Jim Rossi. Alan Edstrom, Manager of Sponsorship and Events at Saratoga Polo recapped the match with players and the room was abuzz with talk about the winning team.

Kim Ireland doing an amazing job at sabrage. Photo courtesy of Jake Van Ness Photography.

POP! Photo courtesy of Jake Van Ness Photography.

Saratoga Polo Association Partner Mike Bucci, player Chris Shelli, Saratoga Polo Association Managing Partner Jim Rossi, Will Orthwein (who also plays for the Bloomfield team) and player Avery Chapman.

As the night came to a close the Tattlers were already planning more forays into the world of polo with the help of Saratoga Polo Association. Put a private lesson by new Saratoga Polo Manager Vincent Mesker on our list, and their lineup of matches for the summer promises many events that cannot be missed. The excitement at Saratoga Polo fits perfectly into our social calendar for the summer with matches every Friday and Sunday night at 5:30 and the Tattlers will be there all season to see who we can spot in the well dressed summer crowd.

You can find the live feed from this event on our Twitter page here, and check out the full gallery from the evening on our facebook page here. If you have an event you’d like us to come Tattle on, email us at TogaTattlers@saratogian.com. Check back to find out where the Tattlers will be mingling next…