Hamptons Magazine polo summary, 2000 season
It was high goal all the way. H.S.H. Crown Prince Albert of Monaco threw in the ball to kick off the sixth annual Mercedes Benz Polo Challenge. Security and paparazzi notwithstanding, he then moved with ease and elegance through the tent, mingling with a crowd that included Kate Capshaw, Nicole Miller, Betsey Johnson, Luke Perry, Joy Behar, Star Jones, Aerin Lauder Zinterhoffer, Kelly Klein, Traylor Howard, Samantha Cole and Randolph Duke. Moguls and models, fashionistas and club kids—all wanted their brush with this informal royal, and the Prince, for his part, was there to accommodate and raise money.
A benefit for the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, which awards grants to deserving young artists in theater, dance and film, the afternoon event raised over $50,000. In an exclusive television interview with this reporter, Prince Albert explained how after the death of his mother, the foundation was formed by her family and friends as a tribute to her lifelong interest in the performing arts and other creative activities. Over the years the foundation, which is based in New York, has distributed $2,000,000 in grants.
On the lush green field, in a highly physical match, speed, concentration and polished teamwork resulted in a hard-fought victory for White Birch over Mercedes Benz. A quick series of goals in the sixth chukker hoisted the final score to 18 to 12 for a spectacular opening day of the 2000 season at Bridgehampton Polo.
The diamonds from Van Cleef & Arpels were nearly as big as the Burberry plaid bikinis on the leggy young models. Luxury goods abounding, the rest of us grabbed our Gruen Optika sunglasses when the light flashed off those solitaires and baguettes. It was just another jiggy Hamptons afternoon with a sumptuous display of affluence under the tent and a fierce athletic contest on the grass. Town & Country hosted the event, with editor Pamela Fiori and publisher Jim Taylor keeping their eyes on the indulged classes attending the party. Claude Arpels kept an eye on his diamonds, and the heat-seeking younger women kept an eye on Baywatch hunk, David Hasselhoff. Adding more sparkle to the crowd: Kate Capshaw, Stephanie Seymour and Samantha Cole. This reporter kept his eyes on the field, where White Birch edged out Mega on a controversial call in the last seconds of the last chukker to win the Butler Hampton Cup.
A buffeting east wind scattered hats and whirled skirts, but shielded us from the stormy weather front to the west. So contrary to predictions of showers, we were blessed with a sunny, high-spirited afternoon of polo. Christy Turlington pitched in the ball, and then with partners, Ayla and Cavin, did a little low-keyed pitch for Sundãri, their new line of skin care products inspired by trips to India. Prudential Securities’ Marilyn Crawford organized a benefit afternoon for Soho’s Museum of African Art that brought out Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, actor and director Bill Duke, and industrialist Earl Graves. Play on the field was frisky and buoyant, with some good power plays by both teams—but AIG/Rubin Group’s succession of offensive moves in the second half secured their win over La Caracas by a score of 18 to 8.
Rumors flew about her return. After two weeks away from the Hamptons, causing cancellations of weekday round-robin qualifiers, and changes in plans for numerous other events, she came back in a blaze of glory on Saturday—the sun! Field conditions were tricky after the week’s drenching, and the game was almost called off several times prior to the 4PM start time. But the moon and stars finally lined up with the sun, our luck recovered, and we had polo back on a lustrous afternoon of sunshine and breezes.
Leading Hotels of the World hosted a large crowd—including Micky Tarnapol, Ashley and Christian Currey, and Beth Massey—at a benefit for City Harvest. On a splendid green field, Broward Yachts defeated Park Strategies, 12 to 8. The few soft spots in the grass did not interfere with long passes and hard riding. The score was very close until the fifth chukker, when Broward Yachts surged ahead.
It all appeared to be happening: The crowds, including Marisa Berenson, Kelly Klein, Star Jones, Nicky Hilton plus mom, Sean Combs, and Francesco Scavullo showed up and showed off. The players for Park Strategies and White Birch entered on handsomely groomed mounts, moving in rocking-horse canters. The Dolce & Gabbana models were radiant in the Fall 2000 collection. Shortly before game time the sun finally came out after a day behind clouds. The field looked magnificent, a rich and fertile green. But the lush appearance concealed a flaw: rain from the previous 48 hours had created some dangerous soft spots. So, for safety’s sake, a three-chukker practice match was played instead of a full competition. The action was mellow and graceful; for one afternoon, concentration and sportsmanship replaced speed and aggression. For the casual viewer, it was easier to follow, and so remained a superb spectator sport.
Gotham Magazine dispatch: No bikini too small, no diamond too big, no model too young. Marketing luxury goods at Bridgehampton Polo.
Documentation that the laws of physics have their own application in the Hamptons: no bikini can be too small and no diamond can be too big. Raging exhibitionism is nothing new to us, but even this honored tradition was ratcheted up a notch this summer at Bridgehampton Polo.
On a lovely, sunny afternoon four leggy young models were dressed as follows (please keep reading; it’s a very short list):
Mini bikinis in Burberry plaid
Burberry rain coats in case of sudden storms or chilly Martinis
Necklaces, rings and earring of amply proportioned Van Cleef & Arpels diamonds
High spike heels, seemingly unbranded.
I interviewed the girls during my television broadcast of the polo match, and when I found out their ages, I realized we were on a razor thin edge between a fashion spectacle and kiddy porn.