IT WAS the start of the fifth annual Sandbanks Beach Polo event yesterday, where persistent rain failed to dampen the spirits.

The polo ponies might have been the only ones who enjoyed the weather – but in traditional British fashion it didn’t put off the supporters who braved wet sand in high heels and accessorised with umbrellas.

The gates opened at noon and international model Katia Elizarova opened the beach fashion show at 1pm, then some of the sport’s top players battled it out on the sand as the first of four polo matches over the two days got underway at 3pm with Wales v England.

The hospitality area was buzzing as diners tucked into celebrated chef Mark Hix’s local seafood dishes, including oysters from Brownsea Island. He told the Echo he expected to do 500 covers in two days, offering dishes of “simple sophistication”.

The VIP and hospitality tickets completely sold out over both days, and standard tickets were still selling on the gate. There was also have a go polo for a brave few, beach volleyball, and a charity race between a polo pony and an Audi Q7 with former England Rugby star Josh Lewsey in the saddle.

The evening’s entertainments were set to include a beach party with live music and, for the first time, a floodlit beach polo exhibition.

Event spokesman Caron Khan said; “We have additional covering brought in for this year. So you can come in high heels and go from the VIP area to the hospitality to the party without getting your toes wet.”

Organiser Johnny Wheeler said the event was now well established and his principle of bringing polo to a wider audience remained the same. But this year brought a few firsts.

“The first year I tried to get the four nations playing and I’ve been trying ever since – but they are here for one and only time,” he added.

“And we have the first ever in the world night time polo.”

He added: “We will continue to come back and support Poole. We work really well with the council. Four years ago they took a real leap of faith allowing us to use a public beach do this and it has paid off.”

Today the event theme is white jeans, with Sandpolo Events donating £1 to Help for Heroes for every pair donned.

The final teams go head-to-head this afternoon, before live music and international house DJ Colin ‘StarRocker’ Pereira entertain at the evening party.