Portsea Polo – Has Anyone Actually Seen A Horse?

With a household of girls and guys in a tizz over what to wear, what goes with what and of course which shoes to go for – the practical flats or the heels that give you height and make you feel like a supermodel? Of course, it has to be flats or wedges with only women who have no idea donning stillettos in 34 degree heat and on a field that really ensures that any pair of shoes will walk out filthy and bin-able!

We’ve all watched Pretty Woman and wished it was us who padded down the divets with our shoes on the arm of Richard Gere, so going down to the Portsea Polo is in fact as good as it gets when it comes to down under Polo.

I noticed the match was missing Australia’s star player, Ruki Ballieu, to much dismay for the 20-something young ladies. To be frank, the only name in Polo I know other than James Packer, but I am assuming the latter isn’t anywhere in the league of Mr Ballieu.

As I walked to the uber glam corporate marquee run by Me Three’s Elle Roux, I spotted all the trendy socialites, sporting identities and television stars drinking mainly french champagne and enjoying the perfect weather.

Mercedes, Range Rover, Kay and Burton, the Murdoch Foundation, Laurent Perrier, Reschke, The Age, Lavazza Torino, La Martina, Stella Artois and many more big names and not for profits were there hosting Melbourne’s powerful and most glamorous 5000 people in style overlooking the bay.

As we drank champagne, ate delicious nibblies from big catering companies like Rowlands, and chatted about the fashionable and fabulous, the day really could not get much better.

I asked a few friends if they had seen much of the match, and they all laughed. “You are not here to see the match, you are here to have a good time” – and that we did!

As the rich and famous mingled with the uber trendies and wannabe’s, the day was once again a roaring sold out success.

How does one event become such a ‘must go to’ event? Why does this crowd feel that paying $200 or more for a ticket to a marquee is value for money. There are no bands playing, no real entertainment and the food and champagne is something you can pay alot less for at say… a local restaurant. I have to be honest, I only go for the ‘dress up’ and to hang out with my friends and if I didn’t go, I would have felt like I was missing out on something big. The day was delightful with everyone having a brilliant time overlooking the ocean and enjoying one another’s company. It all felt a little bit elegant being so dressed up and sipping champagne and pims. Similar to the races but a bit more sophisticated, less drunken riff raff and a better view.

Portsea Polo is the number one Polo event in Australia and it helps that it is being held in Victoria’s rich little pocket of Portsea and so many people make such an effort to look good and have a great time without any ridiculous untidiness.

Polo is a global sport known to be loved by the rich and successful. People like top end brands for the same reason.

Thank you to Elle Roux for her very stylish and well organised marquee. Good luck with your new business.

Join Marketing Eye on Twitter and Facebook today!

P.S. If you like this marketing blog, then please feel free to share it on whatever social network medium you see fit. We love facebook, twitter and linkedin!