Opening Day: Mercedes-Benz Bridgehampton Polo Challenge

July 18th commenced the midsummer highlight at Blue Star Jets Field, the ultimate Hamptons experience: Opening day of the Mercedes-Benz Polo matches. The season will continue for another five consecutive Saturdays, ending August 22nd.
The tents were filled with fashionable young and savvy ladies, accompanied by dashing men to complete the East End style. One seersucker clad man stopped a passing tall blond in a white silk dress, to inquire about her choice of cherry red stilettos (not to mention that they were suede...). She looked at him through her metallic aviators and quipped, "Hey, I can stomp divots like it's nobody's business." Well, in that case...

As the woman filtered into the fab crowd under the VIP tent, I thought it best to peruse the sponsor booths while checking out the jet-set dress code du jour. My first stop- the sunglasses display: OPTYX by Gruen. The collections comprised of the latest en vogue styles from Tom Ford, Oliver Peoples, Ray-Ban, and others. Then it was on to check out this summer's exclusive retailer featuring, Ralph Lauren's Black Watch Collection and the World of Polo Fragrance. FYI: Polo Ralph Lauren became an official sponsor of the Black Watch Polo team in 2007, and the players rock apparel created just for them.

I decided to do a quick sweep of the VIP tent and snag a Stoli Elit bevy that somewhat resembled a Mojito, but what I found was a pretty cool ice sculpture of the "Super-Luxury Vodka" and a work force of servers, buzzing about with silver platters of noshables. However, there was no time for nibblies, it's a must to watch the first throw-in.

Then this breathtaking match began between Certified and Cinque Terre/Heathcote. I must admit, it was difficult to divide my attention between the polo and the going-ons under the tent. I suppose the term "specator" is all inclusive... and was it ever. Between the outfits, the socializing, the gorgeous weather, the horses, the players, the drinks,an introduction to Riva Yachts, taking a peek at some fine Piaget pieces, and meeting the debonair Todd Rome, President of Blue Star Jets- Exclusive Private Air Travel, I realized I was in Hamptons Heaven.
Notable Scene: A portion of the proceeds from the Mercedes-Benz Bridgehampton Polo Challenge will got to South Fork Breast Cancer Coalition.

Notables Seen: Chace Crawford, Kyle MacLachlan, Beth Ostrosky, Kourtney Kardashian (posing for photo above), Star Jones, Nacho Figueras, Jill Zarin, Anne V.- Victoria’s Secret Model, Ben Silverman- Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment & Universal Media Studios, and designer Alex Bezam