Christmas was cancelled, well the pageant anyway, so what about the Landrover Polo In The City event? Would the event go ahead and if so would we be watching polo or water polo?

As women hurriedly rethought their outfits, the final touches were put to the marques and the horse floats started arriving. At 11am with the clouds still a dark shade of purple, patrons started arriving to the strains of Somewhere Over The Rainbow being played over the loudspeakers.

Strangely some of the women tottered across the grass pitch in high heels, even though the dress code suggested flats. Some were also clasping large brimmed sunhats looking every bit like extras from The Flying Nun. I could only imagine that they’d bought the outfit as a job lot and damn it they were going to wear the hat regardless.

As the first game began the fashionably late couples arrived, one man in a pink jacket that looked two sizes too small. He was soon upstaged though by an even more tardy couple both dressed head to toe in white.

During the break in play patrons were invited onto the pitch to replace the divots. Thankfully the rain held off for the pitch repair.

Later on we saw the human … race in all it’s glory … twice. First the women, a false start leaving several punters waiting at the gate.

Then the men, a far cleaner race (photo on The Ponder Room).

The polo players arrived for the second game. This one was played at a much higher level as the players and their charges showed how skilful the game could be.

After the race the party kicked on until 6pm. A live band playing Walking On Sunshine as the clouds amassed and I pondered … cheers to the women racing in gumboots. Racing barefoot on a wet pitch after a handful of nervous horses had frequently done what horses do, left me pondering. … how soon after the footrace did these women slip their feet back into their designer shoes? Was there a foot spa tucked away in a far corner of the corporate tent? But mostly I pondered whatever happened to the couple in white … we never saw them again.

Hopefully the sun will come out next year. For a couple more photos go to The Ponder Room. For more information about the event go to Polo In The City.