Polo Anyone?

Polo anyone? Good bit of fresh air and a couple of chukkas. What more could you want? Some hip parties and stunning locations perhaps? Well, here are some seriously sexy ways to enjoy this fiercely competitive sport – and I bet you haven’t thought of at least one of them.

So horses (well, polo ponies). You can’t really go anywhere else for some thoroughbred action than Argentina. Old school luxury mixed with new school glamour makes this the ultimate way to experience Buenos Aires. The Argentine Open Polo finals held at Campo de Polo in November has a literally throbbing atmosphere. Hedonism hits new highs as you party with world class DJs and stomp divots with international jet setters. There’s nothing quite like it.

Come September time, head a bit further east and you’ll encounter the next big polo trend. The annual Kings Cup Elephant Polo tournament on the Gulf Coast of Thailand has been described as 'the biggest, weirdest, slowest, and most expensive game in Thailand'. And it’s true. But it’s a sight to behold. The event is one of tropical glamour where the onus is very much on partying to the max in a scintillating setting. It’s hard to think of a more exclusive sport than elephant polo.

For the other extreme, head to St. Moritz in January. Cold? Yes. Worth it? Definitely. The frozen lake glitters in the sunlight as players gallop through the snow of the Cartier Snow Polo Championships. And the nightlife that surrounds it is unreal. This year, expect nothing less than the best as it’s the 25th World Cup. Prepare to be dazzled.
Claire Saumarez