Ocean House Beach Polo Classic

More than 600 guests and spectators enjoyed the first and historic Ocean House Beach Polo Classic on Sunday, September 10. Harvard University claimed the victory with a 5-3 win over Yale University. Produced by Cavison Polo Group, in partnership with Ocean House, the luxurious Relais & Chateaux seaside resort in Watch Hill, Rhode Island was the ideal relaxed and inspiring setting.

Harvard and Yale’s horses and riders charged along Watch Hill’s stunning, sandy waterfront before an enthralled crowd, with Ocean House framing the picturesque scene in the background. The rivalry between two renowned Ivy League colleges dates back more than100 years ago, and is one of the oldest and fiercest of any college rivalry in the country.

Playing on sand provided new challenges to both teams in an unchartered territory at this new setting. Swiss watch maker Carl F. Bucherer’s logo took pride of place on the event scoreboard, which declared the Harvard University victory after a vigorous afternoon match commentated by William Crisp, former English polo player and author of “A Guide to Polo Commentary.”

“For the Harvard team and I’m sure for Yale, it was a special day of white sands, blue sky and fresh sea in abundance, along with sweaty polo players and ponies,” said Crocker Snow Jr., coach of the Harvard team after the first Beach Polo Classic. “It was a brand new and fun experience for all our players and horses to play the sport we love before an attentive crowd many of whom were seeing it for the first time. That we prevailed against an ancient rival made it a touch better. Thanks for the Ocean House for hosting it.”

Guests of sponsors including Ocean House, Land Rover, Lilly Pulitzer, Tiffany & Co., Veuve Clicquot, Whispering Angel, Stubbs & Wootton, Lila Delman International Real Estate, KEEL Vodka, Mizzen+Main, Citizens Bank Wealth Management, Carl F. Bucherer, Barton & Gray Mariners Club, and HHH Properties who were spotted on the sidelines cheering their favorite team.

Before the match, Crocker Snow, Harvard Polo Coach and veteran foreign affairs journalist who was first introduced to the rivalry as an ice hockey player during his undergraduate years at Harvard, briefed guests on the basics of polo rules accompanied by a demonstration from the Harvard and Yale Polo captains. “Ocean House was proud to be the host and scenic setting this prestigious and dynamic event, said Daniel A. Hostettler, President and Group Managing Director of Ocean House Management, LLC. “The Ocean House Beach Polo Classic was a natural fit for our guests who value bespoke unique and memorable experiences.”

A fleet of boats spectated from 100 yards offshore, including guests from maritime sponsor Barton & Gray Mariners Club, a fractional Hinckley Yacht charter service. HHH Properties hosted prominent guests and Yale dignitaries in their center field cabana as they cheered on their alma mater. “We are honored to bring teams from Harvard and Yale together to compete and face each other in a new venue for the noble Sport of Polo,” said Cavison co founder, Steven Edward Courville.

KEEL Vodka teamed up with Lilly Pulitzer and Cavison Polo to serve up 1,200 of the event’s signature cocktail. Magnums of Veuve Clicquot were being popped in every patron cabana and Chateau D’Esclans’ Whispering Angel Rose was flowing at the Ocean House on Sunday.

Land Rover, the Official Vehicle of the Ocean House Beach Polo Classic and, sent their newest release, the Range Rover Velar, which nearly attracted as much attention as the Harvard and Yale ponies on the beach.

Mizzen+Main, our men’s style sponsor, designed ‘throwback’ jerseys from their performance fabric button downs. The button-down collar was originally called a ‘polo collar’ and was worn exclusively by polo players in England in the late 19th century. Brooks Brothers took note of this style and brought the influence to the American public in the 1890s.

Representatives from Tiffany & Co donning white gloves delivered a stunning sterling silver ‘Revere Bowl’ with ‘Ocean House Beach Polo Classic’ proudly engraved to the triumphant Harvard Polo Team at the prize giving ceremony. The annual trophy will soon have Harvard victory etched in for eternity and then return to the Ocean House, where it will live for years to come. Land Rover, a brand with a rich history of supporting the sport of polo, gifted the best playing Pony an embroidered horse blanket. William Rudolf Lobkowicz., a legacy senior at Harvard and son of Prince William Lobkowicz of Czech Republic, was named the Lila Delman International Real Estate the MVP of the historic match.

“We were thrilled to welcome the most iconic rivalry in collegiate sporting history, in the most iconic venue New England has to offer, supported by some of the most iconic brands on the market today.”, said Cavison Polo Group Co-Founder, Sean Burke. After the match, the celebrations continued at Lilly Pulitzer’s new seaside Watch Hill store.

A portion of the proceeds from the shopping event were donated to the self-funded Harvard and Yale Polo Clubs.