Kalway Cup Returns to Barrington Hills

Kalway Cup Returns to Barrington Hills

  • Posted by Barrington Hills
  • On July 19, 2022

The 2022 LeCompte Kalaway Cup Polo Matches will take place Saturday, September 10 in Barrington Hills with two exciting matches along with a host of other attractions to appeal to spectators of all ages. 

“This is Chicagoland’s largest, best-attended polo event every year,” said event chairman, Karen Selman of Barrington Hills.  “This year we’re showcasing some wonderful attractions including a performance of precision riding by the military veterans from BraveHearts who will also provide a mounted color guard for the National Anthem.”

The event will include the popular “Parade of Hounds,” where a pack of baying Foxhounds floods onto the polo field controlled by riders from the Fox River Valley Hunt, wearing their traditional red hunting coats.

The opening match pits an all-female team against an all-male team in the “Battle of the Sexes,” a confrontation rarely seen in this country.  This year, the men’s team will be sponsored by Los Algarrobos Polo Club of Argentina while the women’s team will be sponsored by Quintessential Barrington Magazine

The second match is the Kalaway Cup, named for the late Ben Kalaway, a well-known horseman in Barrington Hills.  This match will be a unique three-team “round robin” format sanctioned by the United States Polo Association (USPA).

The event promises fun for the entire family.  The popular Patch 22 hay wagons will give free rides and the young riders of the Fox River Valley Pony Club will demonstrate their skills.  A “Shoppers Midway” will feature vendors selling food, apparel, arts and crafts. 

Soul Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program will bring its herd of miniature horses for children to pet and play with. 

Tailgaters can compete for the Peter Wessel Memorial Tailgate Award for the best tailgate parties, and ladies will compete for the most elegant and the most outrageous hats sponsored by Charles Schwab of Barrington.

The Barrington Hills Polo Club will host the event.  The Riding Club of Barrington Hills will sponsor a private tent and free admission for Barrington Hills trail landowners who allow riding trails across their properties.   

The event will take place at the Oakwood Farms Polo Field on Deepwood Road just west of Bateman Road in Barrington Hills.  General admission is $20.  Children under 12 are free.  Tailgate reservations may be reserved at BarringtonHillsKalaway@gmail.com .  Gates will open to the public at 11:00 AM with the first match scheduled for 12:30 PM.

Photo courtesy of John Quick