Nothing says “summer in the Hamptons” like some royal horses and A-listers—the recipe for the Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge, held at Blue Star Jets Field at the Bridgehampton Polo Club. Of course, everyone knows that the horses are mere backdrops for elite schmoozing, boozing, and networking.

A star-studded opening day set the socializing tone for six consecutive Saturdays of matches as Chace Crawford hosted the exciting initial match where Team White Birch defeated Team Jumeirah Culu Culu. Yup, there were actual polo matches amongst the photo op’s and the all-encompassing fog of cigar smoke. Other celebs who came out to watch throughout the weeks of giddy-up madness included AJ Calloway, Caridee English, Gregg Bello, Nicky Hilton, Lizzie Grubman, Eric Villency, Jamison Ernst, Samantha Cole, Sky Nellor, Stephanie Seymour, Richard Johnson, Alex McCord, Holly Dunlap, and Kristin Cavallari.

On one of the days following a torrential downpour, diehard polo … um, party enthusiasts galloped out to the muddy field (never missing a party beat), despite the fact that the horses couldn’t make it, but hey, who even noticed? One valiant gal braved through the mud—in heels, no less—like a trouper and when asked how she did that so well she responded, “I’m used to walking in s--t!”

A season full of Ralph Lauren models-turned-players, designer uniforms, gaggles of celebs and socialites—we’re already looking forward to next summer.