WELLINGTON, Florida – Polo royalty partied all night at the annual U.S. Open Polo Ball, the equestrian social season finale at the Grand Marquee overlooking the majestic stadium field at the new International Polo Club Palm Beach.

The sold-out, glamorous black-tie gala celebrated the 100th anniversary of the most prestigious polo tournament in the United States. Colorful tiered imitation birthday cakes adorned each table as centerpieces. A Marilyn Monroe impersonator sang a husky rendition of Happy Birthday to the guests and concluded her performance by sitting on the lap of Jack Shelton, Chairman of the USPA, much to the delight of the crowd.

International Polo Club Palm Beach owners John and Carroll Goodman were the U.S. Open Polo Ball Chairmen. Numerous high-goal patrons and players attended including 10-goalers Miguel Novillo Astrada, Mike Azzaro and Adam Snow as well as patrons Scott Devon, Tommy Lee Jones, Gillian Johnston, Tim Gannon, Norman Brinker and Bob Daniels. Many other high-goal players such as Memo Gracida, Carlos Gracida, Lucas Criado, Pancho Bensadon, Sugar Erskine, Jeff Hall, Hector Galindo, Nicolas Roldan, Kris Kampsen, Del Walton and Luis Escobar also attended.

The event attracted celebrities and sponsors, who were in town for the U.S. Open final. TV personality Star Jones of ABC’s “The View” and her fiancé, Al Scales Reynolds, as well as actress Nicolette Sheridan (“Knots Landing”) also helped celebrate the 100th birthday party. Jay Comeaux, president of The Stanford Group, representing U.S. Open title sponsor Stanford Financial Group, and his wife Linda, also attended the festivities.

The committee consisted of well-respected equestrian community members Louise Armour, Olexa Celine, Jessie Coppola, Carmen Gracida, Dawn Jones, Linda Mansfield and Lynn Moore.

The popular dance band Euphoria, known for their ability to rock the house with covers of numerous 1970s hits as well as more recent top songs, kept the crowd on its feet most of the night. International special events planner Bruce Sutka of Sutka Productions transformed the white marquee into an optical paradise and shaped the Winner’s Circle into an intimate cocktail area, fittingly making this the most memorable Polo Balls of all time.

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