Bekah has her east coast, Anne loves the blue grass state, but I’m here to tell you that Florida is where it’s at. This past weekend I partied like a rockstar at the 111th U.S. Open Polo Championship, an event that absolutely needs to be on your bucket list. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all things great in Florida.
Salsa Dancing in West Palm Beach
South Florida loves to dance. The best part is you don’t have to search out an exclusive salsa club. The party is, literally, everywhere. Take for instance this random outdoor concert we happened upon outside a movie theatre. Did we go see that movie? Nope. Did we dance our little Texan hearts out? Yep.
The U.S. Open at the International Polo Club
No trip to Florida would be complete without visiting Wellington, the “Winter Equestrian Capital of the World.” I was ecstatic when we scored tickets to the 111th U.S. Open Polo Championship final, one of the three most prestigious polo matches in the world. The day of the match, we ate Sunday Brunch at the poolside Mallet Grille.
The all-you-can-eat buffet included steak, lamb, lobster tails, shrimp, caviar, exotic salads and more fruit than I could name. It was all delicious, especially when washed down by mimosas and whiskey sours from the free bar.
The match was a joy to watch since the #1 and #2 ranked polo players in the world were on opposing teams. The thundering sound of hooves racing down the 300 yard long grass field will get anyone’s heart racing. During the divot stomp … polo’s version of a halftime show … all the spectators are welcomed onto the field for champagne and ice cream. This also gives everyone a chance to spy the latest polo fashions. Sundresses, pant suits, and denim shorts all made appearances. There were only two golden rules. 1. Bright colors. 2. Aviators.
Everyone is invited down to the field again at the end of the match. The whole atmosphere feels electric, complete with revelers in pickup trucks chanting, “We the champions!” in Spanish. Adorable kids even had the chance to score autographs from the winning team, Valiente.
https://youtu.be/U0HpuSBBtb0
After the business side of the day is complete, it’s time to get down and party. A polo after-party is a spectacle in itself and one that nobody ever expects. This one included Conga lines being led by performers on stilts…
Mermaids in “bubbles,” fire dancers and robots.
I closed out the day with way too much Argentinean asado (the best BBQ you will ever taste) and yet more free drinks. My conclusion is that the “sport of kings” can make anyone feel like royalty.
The Beach
Finally, I give you Florida’s natural beauty. The waters are warm and blue, the sand is clean and the beaches (at least in April) aren’t crowded.
It’s enough to make you ‘gram one of those smooching selfies that makes all your friend’s gag and say, ‘Awww!’ simultaneously.
So there you have it … horses, beaches, music and all-you-can-eat buffets. What’s not to love?
Have you been to Wellington or West Palm Beach? Were you shamed by all the 90-year-old Latino ladies who could dance better than you too? Would you be surprised to hear that most of the horses that played in the match cost more than my mortgage? Shout out in the comments!