Polo matches and associated fun returning Saturday to Barrington Hills
Barrington Hills will be the epicenter of suburban polo Saturday with the return of the LeCompte/Kalaway Trailowners Cup that offers action on and off the field.
Provided the weather cooperates, the LeCompte/Kalaway will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Barrington Hills Polo Club on the Oakwood Farms estate, 250 Deepwood Court. The LeCompte/Kalaway was rained out for the first time in its 14-year run in 2018.
Two polo matches and many other activities will fill the day.
The first match set for 12:30 p.m. will feature an all-women team against a squad of men. The men will represent the United Kingdom and the women are from the United States, with the Chicago-based British consulate general scheduled to throw in the first ball.
A three-team round-robin format will be used in the second match for the LeCompte/Kalaway Trailowners Cup sanctioned by the United States Polo Association. The cup honors the late Ben Kalaway, who was a well-known horseman in Barrington Hills, and the LeCompte family, which provides the venue for the event.
Tailgate parties will get the day revved up. The best of the bunch will receive the Peter Wessel Memorial Tailgate Award.
"Literally, it's just like going to the Bears games," Barrington Hills resident Patty Meroni said.
The always popular "Parade of Hounds" returns Saturday. A pack of foxhounds will enter the polo field controlled by riders from Fox River Valley Hunt.
Also scheduled are miniature horses from Soul Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program, a free vodka cocktail tasting and displays of luxury and sports cars, including Lamborghinis and Maseratis.
Chairman Karen Selman of Barrington Hills said new this year will be a precision riding performance by Timmermann's Drill Team. The team also will serve as color guard for the national anthem.
LeCompte/Kalaway was conceived as a way to recognize the private homeowners in Barrington Hills who allow riding trails across their property. The private land links to Cook County Forest Preserve trails to form a network of nearly 200 miles of bridle paths through the area.
General admission tickets are $20. Children 12 and younger are free