A Polo Match, Darling...

How many times in life do you get an opportunity to enjoy a Sunday picnic lunch while watching polo... Even writing that sounds pretentious.

Actually, it was a very friendly and comfortable setting. Lael and I had packed plenty of food and even getting there late, we were able to find a good spot from which to watch the events on the field.

Had we called ahead, we could have enjoyed a table under the tent. The view was better from there and I don't think there is a charge. No matter where people sat, they sipped a beverage of choice and munched while watching.

Prior to the women's match, we had a chance to check things out. The mallets used in polo are made of bamboo for flexibility. One of the gals told us that she had begun playing in college at USC. Gals of all ages compete together on the same team. She also told us that any kind of horse could be used and that most of the ones at this field would be thoroughbreds. Because I don't know much about horses, that really didn't mean alot to me but it did erase the idea that polo was played only using one kind of "pony".

As with all athletic endeavors, the National Anthem and the presentation of the colors preceded the event. A few minutes before 2 pm, the flag bearer was mounted and posing with teammates.

She circled the entire field,

increasing in speed as she rode. Notice the hat is gone.

What an impressive horse and rider. And what a fabulous backdrop.

We did get to see a bit of the men's competition. And I thought it was pretty funny that one of the pictures I captured happened when there was a "foul" (not sure of the right word, but you get the idea). Notice the one fellow pointing as if to say, "Honest ref, it wasn't me, it was him."

The goal is to get the ball/puck thingie through the goalposts at which point your team earns a point.

The women's teams quickly showed a lopsided score; I think the final at "halftime" was 7 to 3. There was some great teamwork

and individual riding.

After we had enjoyed a couple of hours of "The Polo Experience", we headed to The Jackalope Ranch. A few years back when this restaurant had just opened, Mike and I enjoyed cocktails here and the ladies wore the smallest, tightest, most "uplifting" outfits I had ever seen. So, of course, he wanted to share the spot with Doug. Well, shoot, they now have older and more clad wait staff. Ah, but it is still a very nice, typical Palm Springs, location. (And they have a male host that was delicious eye candy!)

The horse theme of the day carried on in the lighting of the restaurant.

The grounds are beautifully maintained and provided a fine setting for a couple shot.

It is gonna feel kinda empty around here when Lael and Doug head north on Wednesday.