Credit Moon Lai Photographer
Polo Club Hosts Annual Twin City Polo Classic
August 1, 2011 1:36 PM
By Nicole Crosbie
MAPLE PLAIN, Minn. (WCCO) – The Twin City Polo Club in Maple Plain drew a large crowd Sunday as it hosted its 22nd Annual Twin City Polo Classic.
For attendees, the fashions were almost as important as the polo
match. Even in the sweltering heat, the women looked stylish in gorgeous
sundresses and stunning hats.
Mae Nies, who has attended the polo event for the past two years,
said that seeing all of the hats is one of the best parts of the event.
“We like getting dressed up and we love horses,” Nies said. “We get
to watch the horses and the polo match, and we love to see all of the
fancy hats.”
From vintage fascinators, to floppy sun hats, to traditional derby hats, finding the perfect hat is all part of the fun.
(credit: Allison Crosbie)
Some women, like Shayne Barsness, were crafty enough to make their
own hats. Using hats, ribbon and flowers that she found at local thrift
shops, Barsness made hats for her whole group of friends. Barsness used
vintage pearls in her jewelry line, Shayne & Coco, and she
incorporated pearls into each polo hat for a beautiful finish.
Not to be upstaged by the fashions, the polo players showed off their
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Horses, Hats and Heat
Polo tournament proceeds benefit University of Minnesota Equine Center.
By
Ken Smith
With temperatures in the 90s, an estimated 2,000 people and a few
dozen horses gathered in Maple Plain yesterday for the 22nd annual Polo
Classic—which organizers say is Minnesota’s longest running charity
event. “I was worried how the horses would react to the heat,”
said Optum Health player David Allen. “I just wanted them to be
alright.”
Horses are substituted out after each chukker, or periods. Six chuckers make a full game. The
match between U.S. Trust and Optum Health was played with traditional
rules. Equipped with a mallet made of a bamboo handle and a hardwood
head, helmet and riding boots, players readied the horses to run on the
300-yard field.
It was time to play polo... READ MORE
