Medfield's Farmers' Day Draws Hundreds to Norfolk Hunt Club

The Ninth Annual “Polo in the Country” Farmers' Day was held at Medfield's Sunday with all proceeds benefiting the preservation and protection of recreational space.

Hundreds of people were there to enjoy the event, which fashioned after the original “Farmers Day,” which used to draw thousands of people in the early 1900’s from all walks of life. 

The history of “Farmers Day” states both men and women came dressed in their finest. In comparison, many that attended this polo event were dressed in themed costumes, in hopes of winning the tailgate contest.

Moms, dads, grandparents and children of all ages (as well as many dogs) were on hand to enjoy the beautiful weather, the sport of polo, pony rides, face painting and the amazing half-time shows. 

Jenny Elkus and Teri Bennett, two of the polo players for the Dedham Polo Club, have been playing for three years.  They said they each love the sport.

“[It's the perfect sport for little girls,” Elkus said. "If you are soccer crazy and horse crazy, polo is the perfect combination team sport.” 

She and Bennett both wished they had learned the sport at an earlier age. Last year they were spectators, but this year they were excited to be watching from the field. 

The polo match between the Norfolk Hunt Club and the Dedham Polo Club was a close one exhibition full of excitement. The half-time show proved to be just as exciting. 

The lady riders from the Barnstable Barn Burners Precision Equestrian Team entertained, followed by the Norfolk Hunt Club foxhounds. Children were encouraged to walk onto the field to pat the hounds and the horses during half-time.

Many in attendance spoke fondly of it being a great family day. Jim and Carol Generoso, from Needham, sat on the sidelines and said this was their first time at this event.

Jim, having played polo briefly at Harvard said they were out to enjoy a “fun afternoon.” 

George Davey of Middleboro and his grandson, Benjamin Pulminskas of Brockton, were also first timers at this event but knew of it from friends in the Norfolk Hunt Club. 

The sidelines were filled with tailgaters, who went out of their way to have fun the entire time. They prepared banquet-like food and beverage to compliment the theme of their tailgate tent. 

The “Dover Schnitzels” were dressed in Oktoberfest garb (dirndl dresses and lederhosen), while enjoying their food and beer. They chose this theme in honor of a boys' trip that didn’t happen said one of the women, referring to her husband and his friends.

The Guarracino sisters and their extended families from Tewksbury, Medway and Lowell, were dressed for Halloween. This was their fourth year at this event and they chose Halloween because they hadn’t seen it done before and being a family day, the kids would enjoy it.

A group of tailgaters from Medfield represented “World Wide Polo” and were dressed in costume from Japan, France, UK, Hungary, Australia and the United States.  

These five families from Medfield have been getting together for this event for the past few years. Karyn Cousens said she could see the energy around town as people were talking up this event.  She supports protecting recreational space.

“It’s in our backyard," Cousens said, reffering to the Norfolk Hunt Club. "To protect open space is a concept that can’t be introduced early enough.” 

She and her family, along with the Sinnetts, Girards, Kincaids, and Cahills said attending the event was absolutely wonderful.

Al Roderick lives near the hunt club, so he came by to watch. Roderick played polo in his late 20’s, but currently spends his time raising racing pigeons. After watching the match for a short while, he recited the famous line:

“The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.” 

It was a perfect ending to a perfect day of polo and activities at the Norfolk Hunt Club.