Polo event draws record crowd
A record crowd of 2,000 spectators surrounded the Oakwood Farms Polo Field in Barrington Hills last Saturday for the 11th annual LeCompte Kalaway Cup, the largest - and still growing - polo event in the Chicago area.
Started in 2005 as a small, casual polo match and picnic, the event honors residents of Barrington Hills who allow for equestrian riding trails across their private property.
Barrington Hills relishes its open space, its forest preserve district land and the emphasis on horses and equestrian life.
The trail system in Barrington Hills still allows for visiting every resident by horseback, making the village a truly unique community in Illinois and the nation. It really is the last bastion of open space and equestrian lifestyles left near a large urban area.
The Cup has grown over the years to become a full day of fun and activities for the community and beyond. It is like a huge block party, where neighbors, horse people and non-horse people come out and enjoy a day of fun.
The Riding Club of Barrington Hills and the Barrington Hills Polo Club host the Cup. Proceeds cover the expenses of putting on such a large and varied event, with any remaining funds used for the maintenance and development of riding trails throughout Barrington Hills, and to assist in the maintenance of the polo field.
The event is run by an all-volunteer committee and a host of hardworking volunteers. It is a huge undertaking that encompasses parking, bathroom facilities, security, tents, food, refuse retrieval, courtesy golf carts to take people who need assistance out to the field, etc.
The event simply could not happen without the support of local and regional businesses who sponsor various components. We want to thank every sponsor and advertiser who supported the event through sponsorships and advertising in the Game Day program.
Among the highlights of this year's Cup:
• National anthem sung by young Barrington Hills resident Grace Boque
• Color guard provided by BraveHearts
• Running of the hounds by the Fox River Valley Hunt Club
• Patch 22 hayrides, provided by Barrington Saddlery
• Young riders from the Fox River Valley Pony Club performing an equestrian Quadrille routine
• The Champagne Divot Stomp, a polo tradition where spectators enter the field and stomp down divots from the horses. This year hundreds of spectators had great fun on the polo field, which is the size of nine football fields.
• A ladies hat contest and a best tailgate competition. Dozens of personal tailgates along the field were decorated with elaborate themes, and there was an array of interesting hats.
Polo acts as a great backdrop to all of this fun. This year's event included a rare competition in the first match - The Battle of the Sexes, pitting an all-female team vs. an all-male team. The female team bested the boys.
The LeCompte Kalaway Cup takes place every year on the Saturday after Labor Day.