Polo Back On The Sands Of South Beach
MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) -- From Art Basel to Fashion Week, Miami Beach is no stranger to glamorous, eye catching events, but starting Thursday, there's really something to see as the world's top polo players mount their rides and compete mallot-to-mallot right on the beautiful sands of South Beach.
The 7th annual AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup brings some of the world's top men and women players, as well as an estimated 8,000 spectators, to the sand behind the Setai between 20th and 22nd streets. The event opened Thursday morning with two women's teams battling it out on the beach.
Under the VIP tent, well-dressed polo fans sipped fancy grey goose cocktails, socialized, and watched The Raleigh Hotel team play The Gilt City team.
"We have some of the best players in the world and they come in from around the world. It's truly amazing," said Bruse Orosz, producer of the 4 day event.
Abby Beaux played for The Gilt City team while model Paula Chermont traded haute couture for horses.
"It's not only that the event is spectacular, it's the best polo event in the world," exclaimed Paula. "There's nothing better than this."
"This is my first year playing, I have a great polo coach. I'm really excited," said Abby.
The event will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami and the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children. TV host John Walsh will also play this weekend.
"I've played polo for years and I've played all over the world," said Walsh. "You're going to see some of the best players in the world team up with amateurs like me for charities."
This will be the seventh year that the sport of kings in being marketed to the masses on Miami Beach.
IF YOU GO
The Miami Beach Polo World Cup runs through Sunday on the beach between 20th and 22nd streets on Miami Beach.
Matches are 2-5 p.m. Friday, 2-5 p.m. Saturday and 2-5 p.m. Sunday.
It's free to the general public or $100 per person for those under the VIP tent where there is fancy food and cocktails.
For more information, click on www.miamipolo.com.
