University of St Andrews Charity Polo Tournament Reviewed

An afternoon encapsulating the St Andrews experience, the Charity Polo Tournament was the perfect day outside of the Bubble.


​It is rare for a St Andrews student to rise earlier than noon following a Friday night out, but this Saturday morning was a notable exception. Lured by the polo team’s promises of food and alcohol, we boarded the buses promptly at 11 and set off for Perth, where, at the Errol Park Estate, the 2015 Charity Polo Tournament would soon be underway. Excited at the prospect of what was for many attendees their first polo match, the forty-five minute bus ride passed quickly.

Upon our arrival, we were guided to a long spread of chairs and tables lining the pitch, providing a comfortable location from which to watch the action for the guests lucky enough to get to the seats first. As VIP guests, we were also given access to a tent that contained a fully-stocked bar, Jo Malone hand massages, and a larger assortment of tables. The latter luxury was used sparingly; despite an ominous weather forecast, there was never the slightest implication that we were in danger of being rained upon. Quite the contrary: throughout the six hour event, we were treated to warm temperatures and clear, sunny skies.

​With a twenty pound difference between standard and VIP tickets, guests were hard-pressed as to deciding which to purchase. Standard tickets, priced at a reasonable 15 quid, afforded the attendees pitch-side views and, naturally, access to the bar. VIP ticket holders were given unique wristbands that came with five “tokens,” numbered squares that could be torn off the wristband and presented at the bar in exchange for one drink each. The VIP section was also home to canapés courtesy of the Fairmont, as well as hand massages that left our wrists smelling like an assortment of Jo Malone perfumes, if not a bit slippery from the lotion. With that extra twenty pounds paying for some food (we were given popcorn in addition to the canapés), the massages, comfortable seating, and five free drinks, a VIP polo ticket was unquestionably worth the 35 quid price tag.

​Every guest, standard and VIP alike, was given access to the assortment of food trucks, from which the primary complaint – one that so many events are susceptible to – arose: the queueing. Although the wait at the bar was never long, likely due to the convenient token system, queues for everything from bratwurst to Blackhorn stretched far past the twenty-minute mark. Waiting nearly forty minutes for a hotdog meant that a significant portion of the afternoon had been spent in line, without even a view of the polo to distract oneself. The purchase of some of St Andrews Brewing Company’s famous Thistly Cross Cider, fortunately, helped to alleviate the general mood, making the queuing ultimately a minor blip on the radar. And with various levels of polo being played throughout the day, guests had plenty of time to see a few fantastic matches.

​With such an abundance of tweed, Maseratis, and Hunter wellies, the tournament was jokingly described throughout the day as the quintessential St Andrews experience. It was, however, far better than the average ball. While at most events we must rely on booze and banter for entertainment, here the polo itself acted as a centrepiece to the party, offering us something to watch while we sipped our G&Ts and snapchatted friends from home. Coupled with a performance from The Other Guys and an enthusiastic commentator, there was never a dull moment to be had. The polo tournament has certainly earned its spot as a staple of the St Andrews social scene.

All images courtesy of Lightbox Creative St Andrews.