Striding horses. Stunning hats. Pony rides. And upscale tailgating.
Those elements collided Aug. 1 at the 21st annual Twin City Polo Classic in Maple Plain on an idyllic Sunday afternoon.
For the first time, the event benefited the soon-to-open Ronald McDonald House inside Children's Hospital of Minneapolis. Charity executive director Meg Katzman said the "family-oriented" aspects of the affair -- which included kite making, face painting, games and a medallion hunt -- made it a perfect match for the organization.
The long-standing Polo Classic has true devotees, such as tent host John Faricy, a Minneapolis attorney. He treated his guests to a full spread of cheese, wine and bubbly, along with a massive bouquet of flowers and tufts of feathers for embellishing their hats.
"It's the most pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon," Faricy said. "It's life as it should be."
