Hitting up your local polo club this weekend to catch a match or two or three? Tailgate in style with Stick & Ball’s latest tailgate collection.

I know you’ve been in this situation: you’re headed out for a romantic long-weekend getaway with the man (or woman) of your dreams, and you’re driving the roadster, which has enough packing room in that tiny trunk for a mini-cooler stocked to the rim with yummy food and drink and one bag. Maybe you can squeeze the umbrella in the far back of the trunk. Maybe.

The plans are to sleep late, peruse the local restaurant scene, stroll along the shore of the lake, take a dip if the water is warm enough, do a little winery hopping, and then wrap up the weekend at the local polo club and enjoy a picnic field-side. Going through your closet and selecting your wardrobe, you realize that the only bag you have that can tote all your weekend essentials (change of shoes included), is easy to carry, will fit in the trunk, and is sensibly chic enough to go from restaurant to shore to polo field is your Stick & Ball Wellington Weekender bag.

You love that it is so versatile, timelessly classic, and goes with everything (including your man, if he happens to be carrying it for you).

You’ll also love the buttery-soft leather and suede lining, the brass hardware accents, that it’s vegetable tanned (appeals to your environmental sensibility and love of traditional craftsmanship), and that it’s made right here in the good ‘ol U.S. of A. You do, after all, support locally made goods and businesses as much as possible. And you take pride knowing that the company you purchased the bag from also holds social responsibility as a core value. You know this will be a weekend to remember. (Okay, so maybe you haven’t been in this situation - yet. Mark my words: you will be. Oh yes, you will be.)

Welcome to Stick & Ball’s latest luxurious leather collection. The entire line is hand-crafted in the U.S.A. of fine, vegetable-tanned leather, sourced from the best tanneries in Italy that use the highest quality tanning and environmental standards, which ties directly into the company’s principles.    

Did you know that vegetable tanning is an old-world, traditional craft process that European tanneries have handed down from father to son for well over 200 years? Vegetable tanning today utilizes both old-time recipes and state of the art technology. The process happens slowly in wooden drums, while respecting the surrounding environment using natural tannins found in plant species of barks, branches, leaves and even fruits. Vegetable tanning is the true “chromium-free” tanning method and does not utilize harmful chemicals. Each piece, therefore, develops its own patina with the passage of time. The transformation from raw hides into tanned leather is really remarkable - creating a beautiful and totally natural, traditional, and environmentally friendly product that, with quality care, will last a lifetime.

Other key pieces of the 2016 collection include: original hand woven and knitted baby alpaca ponchos, equestrian inspired, jewelry, classic, hand-sewn, alpaca blankets, horse and geometric embroidered socks and silk screened t-shirts. The entire collection is available online as well as in select stores.

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Above: Audi’s Marc Ganzi and KIG’s Pelon Escapite compete for possession of the ball. Photo by Bob Lubash.

This coming Sunday, June 5th, the Greenwich Polo Club (GPC) will kick off its 35th season of high-goal polo with the first sanctioned match of the United States Polo Association – the Monty Waterbury Cup. Teams competing in the cup include GPC founder Peter Brant’s White Birch team, as well as the Airstream, Postage Stamp Farm and Goose Creek teams.

WHO TO WATCH From those teams, keep an eye on Annabelle Gundlach (Postage Stamp Farm) and Maureen Brennan (Goose Creek). While they may not be as well known (yet) as that other guy (polo player and face of Ralph Lauren, Nacho Figueras.), both are both incredibly talented female players and also Patrons of their teams.

Above: Annabelle Grundlach recently at Greenwich Polo Club. Photo by Alex Pacheco.

Annabelle is fairly new to the sport, playing for a couple of years, but has an obvious talent and infectious love of the game. She is also an accomplished show jumper. Maureen, on the other hand, has been a fixture in women’s polo for some time as a team owner, player and breeder of top polo ponies.  Both are sure to be front and center, showing us all how technically and solidly women play the game.

In polo, amateurs and professionals (and men and women) regularly play together and against each other. An amateur player that puts together a team with one or more polo professional players is called a Patron.

Nacho fans will also have the opportunity to meet Mr. Figueras during pre-game festivities. He’ll be signing copies of the first book in the romantic novel series The Polo Season, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. If you left your copy of High Season at home, they will be available for purchase onsite at the Greenwich Polo Club from Diane’s Books of Greenwich.

Above: Stick & Ball’s Ombre Stripe Woven Poncho. Photo courtesy of Stick & Ball.

POLO STYLE But what to wear? When I think of the sport of polo and what polo matches are like, I automatically think of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, where her character, Vivian, wears a very lovely, but traditional dress with hat and gloves and it’s all about who’s seen and who’s not. The truth is, a majority of polo games seem to be fairly casual, family-oriented events, with a mix of styles with one rule: get dressed (no pajamas!). To find out what works, what doesn’t and how to create a style that would be suitable to go from tailgaiting to VIP and into evening, I went right to our TSGE source, Elizabeth Goodwin Welborn, owner of Stick & Ball, for her suggestions.

"What to wear to polo is, many times, a perplexing task for guests. Polo is played throughout the world and smart-chic with an international flare is lately the constant. For women, this can range from a linen dress to a gorgeous embroidered tunic or kaftan, to beautiful denim pieces paired with a South American inspired poncho, like our hand woven pieces. If there is a charity component, many times hat contests set the stage for dressier, cocktail-attire combinations. For men, the style also ranges depending on whether attendance will be as a tailgate or in the VIP tents. Linen shorts or pants are smart choices for hot days and fun socks and ties are always a great accessory for guys wanting to make a style statement.”  

 Smart-chic with an International Flare is Lately the Constant

Basically, once cannot be overdressed. Aim to be fashionable, but also comfortable. Wearing pieces that are easy to transition from day to evening (think layers) are a must, as the fun lasts for many hours, from pre-game festivities to the start of the match to the trophy presentation. And don’t be afraid to be playful with your accessories. Elizabeth recommends, “incorporating unique, equestrian inspired accessories such as belts, scarves/wraps and jewelry adds sophistication and your personal style to your outfit.”  Another style tip: since polo is an event on the grass and outdoors, leave the stiletto heels at home!

Above: Stick & Ball’s Alzaga designed Inca Symbol Bronze Cuff and Inca Belt with Coral Stitch. Photo courtesy of Stick & Ball.

Be sure to swing by Stick & Ball’s pop-up store on Sunday to shop their fabulous line of polo-inspired apparel and accessories, say hi to Elizabeth, and get her suggestions for your current and future polo style needs.

THE VENUE Though the focus is always on the game, Greenwich Polo Club continues to elevate the polo experience to make every match an event to remember. Whether fans choose to picnic on the sidelines or go the VIP route by purchasing grandstand boxes or private cabanas, there are plenty of options to delight even the most discerning guests.

Above: A beautiful day to sit in the grandstands. Photo by Chichi Ubina.

Take a moment to peruse and experience the food trucks offering delicacies from Caffe Bon, Dough Girls, Follow That Cupcake, and more. Geoffrey Zakarian's restaurant, The National, will have a pop-up bar on the polo grounds serving polo inspired cocktails made with fine liquors, including Beluga Noble Russian Vodka – the official vodka of Greenwich Polo Club. Beluga Noble Russian Vodka will also be hosting tastings for polo fans. Conveniently located nearby, The National will be the official before or after polo destination for brunch and dinner.

Nestled in the beautiful backcountry of Connecticut, Greenwich Polo Club is less than an hour away by train or car from New York City. Greenwich Polo Club is once again partnering with Uber to offer travel deals from New York City, from the Greenwich Train station, or points in between to the club and back.

Polo matches at GPC are open to the public every Sunday from June 5th through July 17th (there’s no match on July 3rd) and later on in the summer on Sundays from August 28th through September 11th. Tickets may be purchased online and range from $40 per car for lawn seating, $60 per car for grandstand seating, $300 for box seats (seats 4) and $500-$600 for VIP private cabanas (seats 8).

Gates open at 1:00 p.m. and matches start at 3:00 p.m. The field address is 1 Hurlingham Drive, Greenwich, CT 06831. Dogs on leashes are allowed.

MORE INFORMATION Established in 1981 by Peter Brant, the Greenwich Polo Club is the venue for high-goal polo in the Northeast. The Club is internationally recognized for its rosters of legendary teams and players. For more information, images, player information and team stats about Greenwich Polo Club, please visit greenwichpoloclub.com