By Cristina Boydell

MINT Polo in the Park is a leading outdoor polo and lifestyle event in South West London that offers a mix of sport, food and drink, shopping, entertainment, games and VIP experiences. A two-time winner of “London Sport Attraction of the Year” at The London Lifestyle Awards (2010 and 2011), this event has been on my British “must do” list for the past few years.

Spectators await the polo game’s start.

Since 2008, polo players from across the globe have travelled to Hurlington Park in Fulham, London, to celebrate high-class ponies and compete in the best display of polo in the world over the course of three days.

I headed there on the last day, Sunday, June 9, to attend the finals of the old-fashioned, traditional sport, while also taking in the fancy street-style of the attendees.

Who can forget the polo scene in the classic rom-com Pretty Woman with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere when Roberts emerges onto the scene wearing a brown and white polka dot dress and a big matching hat? Just as depicted in the film, the event is best known as a gathering of the upper class rather than for the sport itself.

And with this social status, a certain dress code and etiquette is still seen at polo matches in London. Girls dress up in their finest sundresses, blazers and heels or wedges, while boys prep in tailored suit jackets, trousers (often coloured) and dress shoes.

Let the games begin!

I planted myself at the famous Mayfair tropical club Mahiki’s tent, sipping on cocktails served in pineapples and coconuts, while glancing at polo players on the field and trying to wrap my head around the game.

Of course, I was more interested in people-watching and seeing what everyone was wearing! While trying to take in all the fashion, I managed to find out that IG Index Team Sydney won the 2013 polo competition.

Congrats to the winners and thank you to MINT Polo for a great British day out that made me forget about the cloudy London summer!

Stylish guests