More than 3500 people enjoyed a day in the sun at the Barnbougle Polo on Saturday.
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In its fourth year, organiser Penny Sattler said attendance and interest in the event had more than doubled since the first event.
“People have been fantastic around the horses,” she said. “They were really responsible and thoughtful of the horses and respectful of having no glass around the field.
“There are always difficulties with people drinking outside and in the sun, but everyone seemed to be really responsible.
Hundreds made use of the buses so they could enjoy a few beers and brews in the sunshine and took part in the event’s extra activities.
“We had a tug-of-war, which is something quite unique to Barnbougle Polo,” Ms Sattler said.
“We figured it would be something that everyone would enjoy and everyone has been really involved in the events and that made it a great success.
“We also had a deviot stomp and a dash for Champagne.”
Former New Zealand captain Sam Hopkinson took part in the event’s main match and said he was thrilled to be part of the day.
Hopkinson joined forces with players from all around the nation, including polo Australian world championship squad member Thomas Martin.
Local polo player Aiden Nunn umpired the day’s first match before playing in the second.
"We have some great contacts with people that work within polo and they organised the players for us – basically to be the best that are available from all around the world. We’re very fortunate,” Ms Sattler said.
"Polo is very difficult, but they make it look so easy. They’re so graceful and it’s just great to watch. It’s so much harder than you think it’s going to be.”
About 20 ‘influencer celebrities’ attended the day as part of Bonamy’s Cider.
“They’ve flown them in to cover the event and just to spend a couple of days in Tasmania,” Ms Sattler said.
"I think between them there are millions of followers on social media, which is fantastic for us.”
Inaugural Fashions on the Field a success
What started as a joke between mates escalated into winning a night’s accommodation and access to Barnbougle’s golf course.
Brisbane’s John O’Riordan entered The Examiner’s inaugural fashions on the field and took home the top prize.
“My friend put me in as a joke. He is an influencer and has a big Instagram following and he thought it would be funny to put me in, and it was worth it obviously,” Mr O’Riordan said.
“When I’m with my mate Sean you can’t dress down, he’s always dressed well so I had to try and out dress him and I think I did that. He didn’t even enter.”
In the female competition, Bek Tyler, of Quamby Brook, took out the section while celebrating her hens day. Neither winner expected to enter fashions, but joined about 60 entrants.
Miss Tyler is a regular at the Barnbougle event and while she admits she does not know much about polo, she loves watching it.
“I’m a showjumper so horses are of interest to me,” she said.
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The winning outfit was Miss Tyler’s fourth dress option.
“Because it’s my hens day I was a bit fussy with my outfit. I just didn’t like the others or they didn’t fit properly because I buy a lot online,” she said.
“I purchased this dress from a boutique in South Yarra called Stop Staring. I had originally planned different shoes.”
She described the shoes as “old Witchery wedges” and completed her outfit with a hat borrowed from her mother because it matched the wedges.
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The event judges – local model and Examiner employee Kate Greaves, stylist John McCoy and local personality Manika Dadson – said the competition was tough.
Mr McCoy said it was Miss Tyler’s “oversized” hat and shoes that got her across the line.
“It just stood out. It was extremely difficult though because everyone looked fabulous,” he said.
“[In the men’s] the clincher for me was the linen shirt and jacket was amazing. The trousers fitted perfectly and there was a little break at the ankle. The loafers were just a very cool look for the polo without being over the top.”
Injured player voices games
Spectators at this year’s Barnbougle Polo were treated to the knowledge of Scott Kennedy-Green.
He is a professional polo player, who has been sidelined due to injury.
“I normally play with a lot of these fellows and was injured at the end of 2017 ... [Former Australian captain] Andrew Williams asked me to come down and commentate,” Kennedy-Green said.
“It’s a great event … I like doing it. It’s not my profession but I understand the game and the rules and I know the players, so it makes it easier.”
He commentated the day’s two games.
“The first game was a bit of a pro-am challenge. It had a couple of pros and some amateurs on the paddock. The second game was all professional polo players of a high-goal ranking,” Kennedy-Green said.
“We saw some fast-paced polo and a great competition in the second game.”
He said being at Barnbougle was sensational, with the event’s success evident with its high attendance.