The Coronation Cup

On Saturday Emma (Harry’s girlfriend, which sort of makes her my Outlaw-Sister) and I escaped London.

While everyone else slept soundly, we slipped into a car and out towards Windsor.

All the way to The Guard’s Polo Club for The Royal Salute Coronation Cup.

There’s just nothing like that first glimpse of countryside after a little while in the city…

We had expected to go right to the stands to watch the match, so were mildly alarmed when we were abandoned in a field flanked by riderless ponies.

It soon became clear that we were not here to spectate, we were here to play!

But if you think The Guards let Londoners loose on ponies, while swinging large sticks, you must be crazy!

First, you start on a practice horse.

I named mine Blue Beauty, and he was a real goer.

The boys gave us pointers and off we went.

Swinging away!

Essentially playing fetch, with the rather fetching instructors.

Finally, everyone who had received the “you’re having a polo lesson so dress accordingly” memo were invited to jump into a saddle.

Emma and I were told to sit out and watch.

There was no way that was going to happen.

Before anyone could stop us, we hopped on up and were raring to go!

I’ll leave you to decide what he was telling me here ^.

Instructions were bellowed and off we raced!

At, admittedly, quite a leisurely pace.

We headed off on our own tangent, with a ball and a stick each.

The sensation of chasing a ball and controlling a pony is much like patting your head and rubbing your tummy, while jogging.

Though significantly more satisfying, and a little addictive.

We only got up to a gentle trot, can you imagine playing at full speed while other players ride into you?

It’s safe to say we climbed down with a whole new appreciation for the game!

We waddled back over the wildflower meadow.

Attempted to tame our hair, slipped our heels back on, patted down our dresses and poured ourselves into our new rides.

Rolling to the game in old school luxury.

Finally arriving at the polo match, just in time for the sunshine!

Blue checked dress (I know, it’s a bargain and I knew you’d be pleased!)

It has petticoats sewn in to give the wonderful Betty Draper shape, and a bow at the back which you can tie as tight or as loose as you please.

I’ve popped a couple of their other vintage styles below.

Red shoes // Straw boater // Blue tote

We made our way through the little woodland, and into the Royal Salute Secret Garden.

Followed by our instructors…

Here we found deck chairs, cashmere blankets, and hampers with our names written on their luggage tags.

We all oooh’d ahh’d clapped and made ourselves very much at home!

Before finding our picnic baskets and getting stuck into some hard earned lunch!

 

The guests mixed and chatted, and we all turned to watch the brass band march by.

Before getting back to our mingling.

The horns sounded, Prince Charles took his seat, the national anthem was belted out by all, and it was time for the games to begin!

The best of England vs The best of South America.

With a new, and rather fresh, understanding of the game, the skills and the rules, Emma and I watched with baited breath.

Gasping and grabbing onto each other as players raced by, trying to kill each other, in the most gentlemanly way possible of course.

After one hell of a match, England were victorious.

We could recover from sitting on the very edge of our seats, and go back to The Garden for some R’n’R.

And just a little bit of a snooze.

It does take it out of you all this horsing around!