I went to a polo match on Saturday and here's a picture of me starting the game:
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| Photo by Clint Spaulding, Bridgehampton, Connecticut |
Just kidding. That's not really me, and that's not where I was.
I was here in Kings Valley, Oregon. To be honest, I'm more at home in a place like this than in the Hamptons, or at least how I imagine the Hamptons to be, since I've never actually been there.
Kings Valley is where the OSU Polo Club plays, and I tagged along with my friend Mary to watch.
We're not fancy people here in Oregon.
We don't mind playing on the dirt floor of a dumpy arena.
It was hard taking pictures of fast-moving animals galloping in the dark, but I tried. The ref paused his sweating horse for a second, creating a brief opportunity for a focused shot.
Mostly it was a blur of colors and action, which is kind of cool too.
OSU's varsity women won their match over Idaho.
On a patch of grass outside, a separate match was happening, this one played with croquet mallets and imaginary horses: the future team of Oregon State University polo?
Hey, it wasn't fancy but it was fun.
i think i prefer your dressed-down version. i'd not know how to act at the other place. :)
ReplyDeleteDressed-down is my middle name. Although I did take a fancy British-style hat to the polo match, just in case.
DeleteYep: that looks like Oregon weather alright. I think the blur adds to those pictures, creating a wonderful sense of motion.
ReplyDeleteI like the blur too, but it would have been nice to have a few more focused pics than I did. Oh well.
DeletePolo looks like fun although there is no doubt that I would get hurt if I tried to play it.
ReplyDeleteIt does look like fun. Some of the junior varsity players had never ridden before joining the club; it's nice to have a college sport in which a complete beginner can participate. (So you see, you COULD play if you wanted!) There is a fair amount of body checking though, and one girl was knocked to the ground. And that would hurt.
DeleteI love the blurry pictures of the horses and players. And the little girls with their croquet mallets.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ellen. The little girls were classic.
DeleteLOVE the action shots .. the motion/blur makes them all the better
ReplyDeleteI have at least 60 more blurry shots!
DeleteYour posts always make me smile. My daughter lives in OR because she feels she can be herself and relax in the natural beauty. She's too far away from me, tho! In the third shot, I am seeing such pretty autumnal colors in the trees. Wish we had that here. Blurry shots and all, these were great!
ReplyDeleteI guess I live in OR for the same reasons as your daughter. Well, also b/c this is where John got a job 14 years ago, I guess that counts as a reason.
DeleteWhen we lived in the South (Alabama) the trees did turn, but certainly not like they do here, and ours aren't as awesome as the trees in the upper midwest or New England. I do love autumn.
I am quite enjoying your photos as I sit here in my silk smoking jacket with my cigarette in a jeweled-inlaid holder, and my 1981 Jacque Flores Bordeaux catching the sparkle of elegant fine-cystal.
DeleteThat's just how I picture you Snow, just so! Quite. I say, you should head out in your Rolls for a smashing good time in Kings Valley.
DeleteI had fun just looking at the photos! I like the blurry ones and how cute that the kids played outside on imaginary horses, just the way kids should!
ReplyDeleteThanks Barbara! If I were 8 years old, that's where I would be too, out there with a croquet stick. They were having a really good time.
DeleteWouldn't it be super if the ref had to ride a zebra?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Stripes all around!
DeleteThat first piece made me laugh out loud and spray myself with my current mouthful of porridge - i though you'd had your hair done for a second!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for bringing some light into my life today
Saul x
My hair done, as well as a boob job? Almost as likely as me wearing a dress like that!
DeletePolo is such a cool game to watch. Very dangerous at times, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and putting up with my rant :-)
The riders crash into each other; I bet they're sore after the game.
DeleteYour rant was pretty good 'n loud; I could hear you all the way in Oregon.:)
I am desperately disappointed, I always saw you as a very fancy lady, dressed in ermine and pearls.
ReplyDeleteI know all about the Hamptons, I watch Revenge! So there.
Ha! Then you know more about the Hamptons than I! I need to start watching more TV!
DeleteIt would be so uncomfortable being a fancy lady. And so expensive what with all of the fur and jewels.
Haha the bumper sticker you took at the OSU polo match is the one that I made! Great pictures of the match! Thanks for watching and supporting Oregon State Polo :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Your bumper sticker is famous!
DeleteCaity, I hope you saw the link I sent to polo@oregonstate. Lots more photos there.
I'd like to go to another match.