An afternoon of polo is about more than what happens during the match. It is also about the rituals, the atmosphere around the field, and the moments that are part of the experience of the sport.
That was the spirit of the friendly match between St. Regis Cap Cana and Barceló Imperial at the Los Establos polo field. The match ended in an 8–8 tie and also featured a few special moments beyond the game itself.
The first throw-in
The day began with one of polo’s signature moments: the throw-in, when the ball is put into play. On this occasion, Laura Santoni, General Manager of St. Regis Cap Cana, had the honor of making the ceremonial throw-in.
From there, the teams played a closely contested match that remained tight until the end, finishing with eight goals apiece.
Barceló Imperial was represented by team captain Robbie García, Ricardo Tirado, Mauricio Bogaert, and Rafa García. St. Regis Cap Cana’s team included Pedro Castillo Jr., José Cedano, team captain R. García, and José Calazans.
From the field to sabrage
The experience extended beyond the game itself. St. Regis brought one of the brand’s signature traditions to the polo field: sabrage, the ceremonial opening of a bottle of champagne with a saber.
The ceremony was followed by a champagne toast courtesy of St. Regis Cap Cana. Barceló Imperial also hosted a bar for guests to enjoy throughout the event.
Pedro Castillo Jr. produced the event, while Reyson Pimentel oversaw the coordination and match commentary.
The result was a relaxed gathering centered around polo, where a friendly match also offered a closer look at the rituals and atmosphere that surround the sport.
