Stars turn out for Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in Los Angeles
The Event: The fourth annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic on Saturday, Oct. 5.
The crowd: Fashionable and a family affair. Famed polo player and Ralph Lauren model Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras and wife Delfina Blaquier brought all four children, including 8-month-old Alba and 13-year-old Hilario, who played in the match alongside his father for the first time.
Co-hosts Rachel Zoe, pregnant with baby No. 2, and husband Rodger Berman showed up with 2-year-old son Skyler. All three donned hats, the quintessential accessory for any haute horse event. Before the match, actor Owen Wilson checked out the horses with his son, Ford, while model Alessandra Ambrosio toted her children, Noah and Anja.
The Champagne picnic attracted couples, who made it a date: Dianna Agron of “Glee” with boyfriend Nick Mathers, Lauren Conrad and boyfriend William Tell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson of “Modern Family” and husband Justin Mikita, and Kathy Cuoco of “Big Bang Theory,” who was spotted kissing fiancé Ryan Sweeting. Also in attendance were actresses Minnie Driver, Mandy Moore, Aimee Garcia, Ahna O’Reilly, Jessica Lowndes and Ashley Madekwe.
The setting: The pastoral Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades served as a backdrop for the match. Holders of V.I.P. tickets were treated to a four-course gourmet luncheon prepared by Good Gracious catering on one side of the field, while other spectators lounged on blankets and nibbled on fare from a variety of Los Angeles food trucks. Veuve Clicquot bubbly flowed, and Nespresso drinks were served for those who preferred their day drink to be a cup of joe.
By the numbers: More than 5,000 fans turned out to watch Figueras’ Black Watch team prevail in an 8-7 win over the Nespresso team. Veuve Cliquot would not disclose the amount of money raised; the sold-out event benefited the park and Will Rogers Polo Club.
Fun fact: Figueras started playing polo at age 9, and his son, Hilario, began learning the game at age 6; this was the first big match that father and son have played together.
Notable Quote: “I read about the history of this place, and I’m in love with the story of Will Rogers, Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy and all these guys playing polo here,” said Figueras. “So I said, we need to do something to make sure this park stays open and bring that glamorous era back. I want to make sure that everybody in L.A. can enjoy polo and knows the history of polo. There used to be 22 polo fields in Los Angeles in the 1930s and this one’s the only one left...I am happy and honored to be able to help a little bit.”
Expert Advice: “There are clubs all over the world, all over America, all over California with lessons, and you can rent horses,” said Figueras, encouraging more people to try the game. “If you play polo in Palm Beach in the U.S. Open, you need a lot of horses, a lot of money. But if you play some chukkers at Will Rogers Park on Saturday afternoons and rent the horse, you [maybe] pay a couple hundred dollars. It’s not free, but it’s not impossible.”
For information on polo lessons, contact the Will Rogers Polo Club, (818) 509-9965
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