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Polo, pageantry and pastel pants: a day at Morven Park
By Jana Renn
Times-Mirror Staff Writer

Ever since I was a little girl, I've loved big, fancy hats.

I don't know if it's because my mother dressed me in a matching dress and hat every Easter when I was a toddler, or if maybe her fascination for the British Monarchy rubbed off on me. I've always wanted to attend an event where I could wear a fancy hat.

So, when I learned in December that the America's Cup of Polo was coming to Morven Park on May 12 and I would be covering it, I started counting down the days - not only because I could wear a fancy hat, but also because rock band Journey would be performing. I may be only 23, but I love Journey.

As the event drew nearer, I started getting invitations to lots of events - a luncheon and press conference at the National Press Club in D.C., a media day at Morven Park where I could actually ride a polo pony, and last but not least, a cocktail party with all of the event's major players, including members of Journey.
I got to know Tareq and Michaele Salahi, the co-chairs of the event and owners of Oasis Winery in Hume. They are truly genuine people with huge hearts. To put so much hard work into a charitable event really shows character.

The event raised money for the Journey for the Cure, specifically the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Charlie Muldoon, a lymphoma survivor and director of polo operations for the event, said the money raised is still being tallied and he doesn't expect to have a final count until May 17.

At the cocktail party the night before the big polo match, I got to hear the Loudoun Symphony for the first time. The professionalism and quality sound of this group blew me away. It is certainly Loudoun's hidden gem. At one point in the program, Sheila Johnson, whose Market Salamander is the official founding caterer for the event, conducted the symphony in a rousing rendition of "Hail to the Chief."

I also got to taste the signature drinks of the America's Cup of Polo - the PoloRita and Oasis' American Tradition shiraz. Both were delightful.

After a good night's sleep, I set out Saturday in a black-and-white dress with a big black floppy hat (on which I got a lot of compliments) with feathers coming out one side. My mother, Rhonda, and our cousin Shirley came along because they were just as excited as I was about Journey and the chance to take part in a big social event.

The day proved to be even more than I expected. There was something for everyone to enjoy, including parachuting and helicopter demonstrations, fireworks, good music, good food and spectacular polo.

I knew nothing about polo until I started reading up on it last week, and it really is fascinating. The athleticism of the ponies is something to admire. I'm a fan now, and so is my mom.

Muldoon, who also played for the U.S. team, seemed to be in control of the ball a lot, so his name was announced frequently. My mom liked the sound of his name, so she's decided that he's her favorite polo player. Maybe I can get her an autograph.

One thing that perplexed me throughout the event was the pastel-pants phenomenon. It seemed like every male attendee in his early 20s was wearing a pair of pastel-colored pants. One even had on blue-and-green flowered pants, an exact match to his date's skirt.

One of the highlights of the day for me was watching three little girls, who appeared to be sisters, dancing on the polo field during the halftime show, which featured a performance by the Webb Sisters. This was definitely an event for all ages.

And, of course, there was the Journey concert, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. At the cocktail party, I asked Neal Schon, who helped found Journey and is the only member who has performed on every album, what it's like to have so many generations of fans.

He said it's awesome, and added that he catches his 5-year-old daughter singing some of his songs every now and then.

When I talked to Muldoon on Tuesday, he was very happy with the way the event unfolded. The organizers are meeting May 17 to plan next year's America's Cup of Polo, where the United States will take on Italy on May 10, 2008.

Muldoon wanted to thank the Town of Leesburg, Loudoun County and the community for embracing the event, he said. He also wanted to thank all the public safety personnel, who made sure the day went by smoothly.

I'm sure all who attended Morven Park Saturday would like to thank Muldoon and the Salahis for putting on such a wonderful event.

Contact the reporter at jrenn@timespapers.com

Tracy J. Gillespie
Director of Historical Operations
Morven Park
17263 Southern Planter Lane
Leesburg, Virginia 20176
703-777-6034
tgillespie@morvenpark.org