The Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge July 14
Opening Day at the Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge was everything we love: A brilliant clear afternoon, the newest CLK, SL and G 500 models sparkling in the sunshine, leggy beauties sipping champagne through straws, and unrelenting competition on the playing field. Still coming together as a team, and even with power hitter Tommy Biddle, the new lineup of players for Mercedes-Benz couldn’t defend against a strong and polished White Birch team, propelled to victory by top-rated Mariano Aguerre.
Spectators at the match included Kate Capshaw, Sex and the City’s John Corbett, Peter Boyle, singer Deborah Gibson, and The Sopranos’ Jason Cerbone and Oksana Babiy. Polo regulars Francesco Scavullo, Kelly Klein, Patricia Burnham and singer Samantha Cole attended. Lenny Clarke of ABC’s The Job, Star Jones of The View, Dawson Creek’s Brittany Daniels, designers Jill Stuart and Betsey Johnson were all under the tent as Elizabeth Hurley and Dennis Leary hosted a benefit for the Leary Firefighters Foundation.
The Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge July 21
Ashley Schiff, leading the Northwood team, was proving you can win them all. Going into the second Saturday of the Mercedes Benz Polo Challenge with two victories behind them, Northwood narrowly defeated Adam Lindemann’s Mega, a strong team hobbled by Lucas Criado’s injury early in the match.
Harvey Spevak, CEO of Equinox Fitness Clubs, pitched in the opening ball. Heath Slane and Landon Slane showcased their signature line of architecturally inspired jewelry. Betsy McCoughey, looking terrific, brought brains and beauty to the tent. Dog lovers CeCe Cord and Elisabeth Kisselstein-Cord brought Tiger Lily, and Elle Creative Director Gilles Bensimon brought his daughter Sea as well as his camera. Also gliding through the crowd: Kelly Rutherford of Melrose Place, actress Isabella Miko and regular Margorie Gubelmann.
The Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge July 28
It began as a face-off between two well matched, undefeated teams. It ended when Mariano Aguerre scored in the very last second of the last chukker, breaking a tie with Northwood and securing the Butler Hampton Trophy for White Birch.
Nothing but happiness was permitted at Two Trees as Chopard brought us an afternoon of “Happy Diamonds” and “Happy Beach” watches. Julia van Hees and Thierry Moret, along with a slew of models, showcased the sparklers. Jane Holzer wore her Chopard sunglasses with the floating diamond, and Candy Udell, of London Jewelers, sported her Chopard watch. Joy Marks wore large Harry Winston diamonds, which certainly made her happy. Modern jewelry designer Greg Wolf cheerfully looked at all the gems. Stephanie Seymour, Paris and Nicky Hilton, Heather Cohane, Jon and Joan Gruen, Ginny Bond and Dr. Howard Sobel were among the regulars under the tent. Michael Butler, polo great of an earlier time, presented the cup bearing his family name to the victorious White Birch team.
The Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge August 4
Strong defensive action on the part of both teams kept the score in the low numbers through most of the match. Speed, concentration and some polished teamwork, particularly by Adam Lindemann and Lucas Monteverde, finally enabled Mega to win by one point over the Rubin Group.
Equally polished teamwork under the tent, during a cool and cloudy afternoon hosted by Deutsch Advertising and Hamptons Magazine, produced one more in a series of stylish celebrations of summer. Jazz musician Jimmy Sommers attended, as did former wife of Steven Tyler, Cyrinda Fox, who was the recent beneficiary of a fund raiser to help her with medical bills. She is now working on a book about the Worhol women. Cookbook author and caterer, Pamela Morgan, who recently sold Flavors, her food store in the Flatiron District, was accompanied by Michael Trokel. Retired polo player and patron of the great Revlon team, Mickey Tarnapol watched the younger players. Polo regulars Steven Gaines, Couri Hay, and Carol Goll were under the tent.
The Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge August 11
The Mercedes-Benz team, led by Mike Caruso, climbed up from the cellar—they were trailing by 6 points in the third chukker—to tie the game and then go on to win in sudden death overtime. It was another electrifying match in a season of highly competitive and intensely played polo.
The day was dedicated to the Princess Grace Foundation, and continuing a tradition from last year, Prince Albert of Monaco gave an exclusive interview to this reporter in which in he brought us up to date on the work of the foundation in the performing arts. Town & Country Magazine, continuing their tradition, hosted the afternoon, represented by Editor-in-Chief Pamela Fiori and Publisher Jim Taylor. Melrose Place’s Johnny Enos, who just completed an independent film, attended, as did Mort Zuckerman, Tim and Helen Schifter, and Toby Boshak.
The Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge August 18
Well-matched, dedicated teams and the finest group of ponies we’ve seen in years gave us a glorious polo season. The Closing Day match saw a powerful White Birch team, led by Peter Brandt and Neil Hirsch, fight hard to capture the lead—but not hard enough to defend against the formidable teamwork that finally brought victory to the Rubin Group.
The end of summer crowd included Denise Rich, who, in an interview with this reporter, sang a few lines of her newest composition, destined to be a single by Luther Vandross. The great Olympian Bruce Jenner was there with wife, Kris, but not accompanied by their ten children. Kathy and Rick Hilton, Paris Hilton, Jonathan Tisch, and Frederic Fekkai attended, as did regulars Stephanie Seymour, Samantha Cole and Gilles and Kelly Killoren Bensimon. Managing Director of Bridgehampton Polo, Leighton Jordan, brought his son Leighton for Family Day, which was hosted by Schonfeld Securities and the children’s clothier Petit Patapon.