For the second year in a row, Polo America presents Beach Polo at the Hotel Del Coronado. While considered to be the unofficial end of summer, Labor Day weekend is being celebrated in style at the Del! With polo matches scheduled for September 1st-3rd, the oldest recorded team sport in known history will be played right on the sands of the iconic hotel’s beach, where Marilyn Monroe once frolicked while she filmed Some Like It Hot in 1959. For a full schedule of the weekend festivities as well as ticket options, click here.
The Hotel del Coronado’s new General Manager, Harold Rapoza, Jr., recently relocated to the Crown City from Dallas, Texas. Rapoza shared, “I’m excited to see the tradition of polo in Coronado continue. It’s the Del’s second year hosting Beach Polo Cup, but it began here in 1906 by Del owner John D. Spreckels, bringing worldwide attention. Times may have changed, but the polo action has not. It is just as thrilling today as it was a hundred years ago watching the polo players and horses travel at 35 miles per hour as they try to score a goal. They play polo in Texas, but it’s obviously not played in the sand. That’s what makes this so unique and special. I’m really looking forward to watching it this year!”
On Friday, September 1, 2017 weekend festivities officially kicked off at 5:00 pm, followed by a skydiving show fifteen minutes later. As polo enthusiasts and those new to the sport prepared for the evening’s match to begin, a men’s fashion contest was held. From the waist up, gentlemen who chose to participate in the contest dressed in elegant white coats and black ties while from the waist down, they donned colorful board shorts and flip flops. The James Bond-At-The-Beach look may have been eclectic, but they pulled it off effortlessly!
This year seating has doubled from last year’s 1,500 seats. From 5:45-7:00 pm a cocktail reception was held under a lavish VIP tent known as Millionaire’s Row. The tent, gorgeously decorated with chandeliers, was abuzz as guests, who hailed from all over the country, mingled, anxious for the match to start.
Susan, a guest at the Hotel del Coronado who’s visiting from Texas, said, “It wasn’t until I arrived that I found out about the polo matches this weekend. I thought I should take advantage of this opportunity so I decided to come tonight. I’ve watched polo matches before, but never beach polo so it will be interesting for sure. I’m even thinking about signing up for a lesson tomorrow so that might be fun! I’m not an accomplished equestrian, but I’ve been on a horse before, and would love to try it out.”
The Curtis family, returning Hotel del Coronado guests from New Jersey, shared, “While we’re here for the week, we thought this would be something fun for our entire family to enjoy together. The last time we stayed here, the Del wasn’t hosting beach polo so it’s really exciting that we came back to visit at the perfect time! We’re here tonight mainly out of pure curiosity. We’ve never been to any type of polo match before.” Mrs. Curtis laughed as she added, “The only polo we’ve ever seen were glimpses of it from the movie Pretty Woman.”
The Vigil family, who live right here in the Crown City, were eager to watch their first polo match. Their daughter Marina gleefully exclaimed, “I love horses!” Mom Ana said, “We were disappointed that we weren’t able to come the event last year because we heard how wonderful it was. We’re thankful we are able to be here tonight. It’s so interesting watching polo, especially on the beach.”
Scott Walker, fashionably wearing a white jacket, black tie, and shorts festooned with images of shaka signs, was returning to Beach Polo at the Hotel del Coronado for the second year in a row. Walker, a Governor-At-Large of the United States Polo Association, shared, “This is a great event with tremendous history, and we’re very supportive of it.”
While people came to Friday night’s event to watch the U.S. Polo Association team compete against the Porsche San Diego team, they also came out to help raise money for a good cause. In attendance was Penny Rothschild, owner of Emerald C Gallery in Coronado. At the cocktail reception held under the Millionaire’s Row tent, pieces of artwork from her gallery were up for silent auction, benefiting Rady Children’s Hospital. She said, “I was invited this evening, and it’s just a thrill to see the horses and feel the excitement in the air.” Among the pieces her gallery donated was a colorful fiberglass polo horse that Penny created with a few other artists from Emerald C.
In addition to those watching the polo match from Millionaire’s Row, others watched from the grandstands at either end zone. Regardless where people chose to watch the polo action, a good time was had by all! Beach polo at the Hotel del Coronado is just another reason why this charming city is like no other. With another two days of polo at the Del, don’t miss out!
Additional Information
For a full schedule of the weekend festivities as well as ticket options, click here.
To reserve tickets by phone: 619.522.8525
To reserve tickets by email: [email protected]
