Friday, September 30
7-9 PM: Grey Goose Chicago Beach Polo World
Cup 1 press conference and cocktail hour
(by invitation only)
9 PM–midnight: Kick-off party

Saturday, October 1
11:30 AM: Doors open, horse
parade, national anthem
12 PM–5 PM: Match play and fashion show
7 PM–11 PM: Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
After Hours: Players Night

Sunday, October 2
11 AM: Doors open, national anthem
12 PM–4 PM: Match play and fi nals
4 PM–5 PM: Awards ceremony
6 PM–9 PM: Closing party

The falling leaves of autumn herald many constants: Temperatures drop, action on the gridiron heats up and the beach becomes a deserted, well, desert. But an army of steeds and the affluent sport of kings hope to make North Avenue Beach the place to be this October, when the Grey Goose Chicago Beach Polo World Cup 1 gallops onto shore.

Running September 30–October 2, the Grey Goose Chicago Polo World Cup 1 is the second leg of a larger series of events in which teams qualify to compete in the World Cup final. Although the event marks the debut of beach polo in Chicago, there’s no shortage of internationally known superstars. Argentinians Guillermo and Tavi Usandizaga will join Chad Middendorf and Chicago’s own Ben Rosenfield on a team, and the 2011 South Beach Women’s Polo Cup champion unit of Angela York, Melissa Hornung and Tara Lordi will be making their first team appearance since the Florida event.

While those names might not have the hometown following of a Jonathan Toews or Joakim Noah, Alex Webbe, director of polo for the Grey Goose Chicago Polo World Cup 1 and chairman of the International Beach Polo Association, feels that even though it’s been a while since the sport has appeared in town, polo still has an upscale appeal that will draw many locals.

“It’s been decades since truly competitive world-class polo was offered to the citizens of Chicago,” Webbe says. “Powerful horses, exotic drinks and an atmosphere that is rarely duplicated outside of Hollywood will make the most unfamiliar visitor feel comfortable.”

In the early days, when polo was a staple in the Windy City, the game was played in Grant Park, the Chicago Avenue Armory and the 124th Field Artillery Armory. Given the change in venue, however, a custom-built arena will be erected on the beach to host the matches. Various lavish events are also scheduled for the weekend, among them a horse parade and fashion show, plus polo soireés and cocktail hours.

While the Grey Goose Chicago Polo World Cup 1 looks to extend beach life a little further into the year, Mother Nature often has other plans in the Midwest. But Webbe isn’t worried. Regardless of frigid temperatures or early blizzards, the games will go on.

“Weather shouldn’t be a concern,” Webbe says. “If we get unseasonable flurries, we play snow polo!”