Few of us will ever get to attend a posh polo event, but if you are lucky enough to be invited to a top equestrian event you will need to know what to wear and how to behave.
Horsey folk —
Few of us will ever get to attend a posh polo event, but if you are lucky enough to be invited to a top equestrian event you will need to know what to wear and how to behave.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Audi/file
Treading the turf at a polo match is something everyone is expected to do, says Celestria Noel, a expert on the rituals and manners expected at Britain's swanky social events. "It would be a faux pas to say: 'oh, why should I do something so menial,'" she says. "Women should wear wear wedges or flat shoes -- it's a faux pas to wear high heels." Clearly no one told the women in this image who were attending the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup at Cowdray Park in West Sussex.
Tread carefully —
Treading the turf at a polo match is something everyone is expected to do, says Celestria Noel, a expert on the rituals and manners expected at Britain's swanky social events. "It would be a faux pas to say: 'oh, why should I do something so menial,'" she says. "Women should wear wear wedges or flat shoes -- it's a faux pas to wear high heels." Clearly no one told the women in this image who were attending the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup at Cowdray Park in West Sussex.
Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II always presents the prizes at the Cartier Queen's Cup at Guards Polo Club near Windsor. The British Royal family are great supporters of equestrian events.
A breed apart —
Queen Elizabeth II always presents the prizes at the Cartier Queen's Cup at Guards Polo Club near Windsor. The British Royal family are great supporters of equestrian events.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images/file
Contrary to popular perceptions, polo matches are not all champagne and caviar occasions, says Noel. "Most polo is very, very casual and not a great spectator sport. But two or three times a year there are big social events which are the finals of major tournaments."
Champagne lifestyle —
Contrary to popular perceptions, polo matches are not all champagne and caviar occasions, says Noel. "Most polo is very, very casual and not a great spectator sport. But two or three times a year there are big social events which are the finals of major tournaments."
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images/file
Spectators at this year's Badminton Horse Trials enjoy a bite to eat during the six day event in Gloucestershire in the west of England. "At most horse trials it's a burger van, a sit-down tea or anything like that," says Noel. "There isn't any particular etiquette."
Posh nosh or greasy grub? —
Spectators at this year's Badminton Horse Trials enjoy a bite to eat during the six day event in Gloucestershire in the west of England. "At most horse trials it's a burger van, a sit-down tea or anything like that," says Noel. "There isn't any particular etiquette."
Oli Scarff/Getty Images/file
Princess Anne is a great supporter of British equestrianism. Her 200-acre country residence, Gatcombe Park, regularly hosts eventing competitions.
Blood lines —
Princess Anne is a great supporter of British equestrianism. Her 200-acre country residence, Gatcombe Park, regularly hosts eventing competitions.
MJ Kim/Getty Images/file
Noel says one of the worst faux pas you can make at a horse trials is to let your dog off its lead and out of control. "You'd get into a lot of trouble," she says.
In the dog house —
Noel says one of the worst faux pas you can make at a horse trials is to let your dog off its lead and out of control. "You'd get into a lot of trouble," she says.
Oli Scarff/Getty Images/file
There are plenty of ways to put a horse off its task, so beware of making sudden movements and wearing inappropriate clothing or accessories -- like jangly bangles and things like scarves that could fly off suddenly.
Don't frighten the horses! —
There are plenty of ways to put a horse off its task, so beware of making sudden movements and wearing inappropriate clothing or accessories -- like jangly bangles and things like scarves that could fly off suddenly.
Denis Doyle/Getty Images/file