Spring in Miami is always an exciting time. It is the transition time when the snowbirds descend for one last trip south before temperatures begin to warm and the ice thaws back home. It’s also the time for polo in Miami Beach where the sexy South Beach crowd goes to see and be seen while taking in the excitement and thrills of polo on the beach. To the delight of the international beau monde, the World Polo League Beach Polo, Miami Beach holds a three-day event that combines the best of polo with entertainment, luxury and tons of fun. This event is always a crowd-pleaser and attracts a hip and happening audience, polo aficionados as well as a healthy sprinkling of celebs.

The scene at World Polo League Beach Polo, Miami Beach is electric. There is a VIP tent that rocks for three days with a DJ pumping great tunes while the polo commentator makes pointers about the gameplay on the field. The food is for foodies who like their grilled meats and sausages along with delish fish and side salads galore. All is washed down by plenty of liquid libations at numerous bar stations offering a wide variety of ways to get buzzed. From Whispering Angel rose by Chateau d’Eclans to Liquore Strega, Casa Noble tequila and lots of rum cocktails, spectators were kept smiling all afternoon.

As the sun was setting, the evening parties began with polo players mixing and mingling with the hipsters. A pop-up of retail shops set up on the beach next to the polo field where polo gear and artisan accessories were on sale. Bikini-clad locals could watch for free around the polo field parameters on the beach in the sand. In the background, colorful parasailers filled the blue ski filled with lots of sunshine.

The sold-out tournament featured some of the best polo players in the world including Nic Roldan, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Melissa Ganzi, Jason Crowder and Juan Bollini who played in front of thousands of spectators (throughout the three days) that included Jeremy Shockey, Ines Rivero, Caroline Vreeland, Alexis Stoudemire, Jocelyn Wildenstein, Louis Aguirre and Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, among many others.

“This year’s World Polo League Beach Polo, Miami Beach was an incredible multi-day event that truly showcased the best of the best in the sport of polo,” said Tito Gaudenzi, Founder of Beach Polo and President of Lifestyle Companies. “The synergy and energy between all of our partners, sponsors & activations combined with all of our professional athletes and the thousands of fans in attendance was phenomenal and we can’t wait to be back next year!”

The winning team, U.S. Polo Assn. consisted of Grant Ganzi, Juan Bollini Jr. and Carlitos Gracida. On Sunday,  Ines Rivero (Model), Jeremy Shockey (Former Professional Football Player); Sterling Jones (Actor); and Louis Aguirre (News Anchor) competed in the Neiman Marcus Cup celebrity polo match for charity.

We bid adieu until next year when the polo ponies and players return to our sunny shoreline.