Tailgating Makes Polo So Much More Than A Spectator Sport
Tailgating is one of the oldest and most traditional ways to view the excitement of a polo match in a festive and social manner. Before grandstands and tents were set up, players and spectators often parked their cars on the sidelines and let down their tailgates for sitting or setting up food stations and bars.
Fast-forward a few decades and you’ll find that tailgates have been elevated to an upscale art form at Sunday polo matches. The International Polo Club Palm Beach features 50 white tents lining the emerald-green field. Servers set up elaborate spreads under the shade, champagne is chilled in silver buckets, fresh flowers adorn linen-covered tables, and guests often enjoy the match in color-coordinated, monogrammed director’s chairs. It’s the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon outdoors watching the exciting and heated competition on the field.
Here’s the inside scoop on throwing the ultimate tailgate party from a few passionate polo enthusiasts who set the pace every Sunday during the season.
Palm Beach attorney Don Dufresne is not only an expert in all legal matters concerning the equestrian industry, he is also a former polo player and a consummate Sunday tailgater, with eight seasons under his belt. Dufresne starts procuring his supplies months prior to opening day and has created a savvy system to make the most of every match. “My law practice keeps me busy during the week, so I’ve learned to minimize the amount of time spent planning during the week to be ready for Sunday,” Dufresne said.
He has dedicated shelves in his garage with different colored bins that hold his supplies — from the copper bucket for champagne and wine to the silver ice bucket. For his upscale setup, he loads his Suburban with two tables; 12 director’s chairs of varying heights; two coolers; two bins that hold liquor, wine and champagne; and one bin for plates, glasses, linens and utensils. His signature statement is two flagpoles with hurricane flags waving in the wind, as a tip of the hat to his law school alma mater, the University of Miami.
What is his mix of guests? “I entertain clients, friends, elected officials, a few neighbors and business colleagues,” Dufresne said. “It’s a great way to catch up with folks, and it’s the perfect way for me to entertain and enjoy a day outdoors. My tailgate neighbors are former polo players, so we visit back and forth, and guests are always welcome to stop by.”
You can usually catch an NFL football player at his well-stocked bar, a polo player or two, and maybe a couple of MLB players.
George DuPont, executive director of the Museum of Polo, and his wife, Brenda, call themselves “seasoned tailgaters,” since they have been on the scene at IPC since opening day 13 years ago.
Brenda DuPont loves the relaxed atmosphere for entertaining, as it suits the novice spectator as well as the avid polo fan. Her system kicks into gear on Wednesday, when she starts cooking and preparing for the Sunday match. “I craft every dish from scratch,” DuPont said. “We don’t pull out bags of chips, or platters from the deli. Everything is a culinary statement, and I mix it up from week to week.”
Look for caviar pie, mini quiches, beef tenderloin, shrimp cocktail, and fruit and cheese platters, as well as DuPont’s key lime cheesecake and kitchen sink cookies.
Toni May and her husband, Tim Garman, love introducing the thrill of a polo match to friends, business associates and potential clients.
“People are mesmerized at the field action. The ground moves under your feet when the horses are thundering down the field,” May said. “Other than front-row seats at an NBA basketball game, there is no other sport where you are so close. You can actually see the facial expressions of players and feel the emotion.”
May loves to theme every Sunday, adding décor touches to match the select food choices. Opening day is “glam,” with shrimp platters, filet mignon sliders, cheese and crackers, and fresh trays of fruit and crudités. Veuve Clicquot Champagne and bloody marys are her must-have favorites every Sunday, but special cocktails are also whipped up in keeping with each theme.
As a busy, working professional, May finds that advance planning and good organizational skills are the key to making their Sunday tailgate the ultimate scene. “We keep it fun, portable, colorful and flavorful,” she said.
Val Stanley and her husband are also passionate about tailgating and have renewed their spot every season since the club opened. “We love the laughter, the social interaction, and the up-front and close proximity to the players and horses,” Stanley said.
They do all the setup each week, with chairs, tables and a grill, keeping the menu pretty casual. To mix it up a bit, guests are encouraged to share a favorite dish. Essentials for Sunday matches are Tito’s Vodka and chicken wings. For big game days such as the Super Bowl or the Masters, Paul Stanley sets up a flat-screen TV in the back of his pickup truck, and with lighted lanterns and extra food, they stay until the televised finish.
The International Polo Club Palm Beach has 50 reserved and tented tailgate spots that are rented for the entire season. There’s usually a short waiting list from year to year, but if you want to join the field-side polo parties with a tailgate of your own, call the box office at (561) 282-5334.
