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England edges US 10-9 to win Westchester Cup at Palm Beach Polo Club By Augustus Mayhew Polo fans may never number in the same legions as horse racing, soccer or NASCAR but this past weekend's 2009 Westchester Cup, staged at the exclusive International Polo Club Palm Beach as a benefit for the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, showcased the polo world's often delicate balance of popularizing a sport that some still regard only to be enjoyed by the royal and the wealthy. While there was no Harry or Fergie or Madonna, the afternoon was a mix of ardent polistas, the never-seen with the see-and-be-seen, some of the horse world's dynastic families as well as social personalities, there to witness the revived showdown between the US and UK featuring the sport's best players who provided the 2,000 spectators with a final half exciting enough to fill a stadium ten times as large as the IPCPB's Wellington venue. |
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Whatever high spirits and exuberance surrounded the weekend's event, there was a subdued undertone, considering the recent tragic fatal fall by Millbrook resident Tracey Mactaggert while playing on a polo league at a Wellington field. Then, USA high-goaler Mike Azzaro was sidelined from play after a fall left him with a broken collarbone. Beyond the gentlemanly rivalry, these accidents are a reminder that for all its incomparable social allure and its repute as a sport of kings, polo is as dangerous as it is thrilling. |
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Because IPCPB is a private club, I was restricted as to who,what,where I could take photographs. I was permitted to snap people as they arrived and during the divot stomp at halftime. Since many entered through the private club area or were whisked up an elevator directly to their boxes, and since I was not allowed to photograph anyone in a reserved box, I was slightly handicapped. The press box was in the lower NE corner, far from the prime center boxes. |
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I was fortunate sitting next to polo savant, Alex Webbe, whose knowledge of the sport increased my appreciation for more than just the history of it. Also, interestingly, I had complete access to both teams pre-match where I would have thought security would have kept cameras and microphones at a distance. Nonetheless, except for a wind-chilled sunburn, it was an historic day for polo. |
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Meanwhile at the south end of the field, the US and UK teams were encamped in their respective tents prepping for the match, mapping strategy, doing press interviews and having some one-on-one with their trainers. |
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Scenes from on the field at the 2009 Westchester Cup ... |
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Photographs by Augustus Mayhew. Graphics courtesy of Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame |
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