Bridgehampton - A long line of cars kicked up the dust again this week as they made their way down a dirt driveway just off Hayground Road headed for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge At Blue Star Jets Field in Bridgehampton.

Todd Rome, President of Blue Star Jets, was cool in a white linen shirt despite the heat and humidity on Saturday afternoon as he held court on the sidelines in the shade near the VIP tent prior to the match being held on the field named after his airline. Blue Star, Mercedes-Benz, Piaget, Coca-Cola, Stoli, Elit, Riva Yachts, Diamond Teak, Rose Mojito Cocktail Mix and OPTYX by gruen are sponsoring the event this season.

Nacho Feugera of Black Watch talks to fans after the match.

Week three featured a match between Black Watch and Equuleus, and was sponsored by illy issimo. The match ended in a victory for team Equuleus over Black Watch with a final score of 14 to 8. All eyes were on Black Watch star player Nacho Figueras. The dashing polo player is easy to spot thanks to the high profile he keeps as a model for Ralph Lauren POLO. He is a 6 goaler, a ranking that places him below the game's ultimate ranking of a 10 goaler. Only a handful of players in the world rank as 10 goalers.

The ranking is based on a player's horsemanship and skill at the game, rather than on the number of goals scored in a match. A six goaler is nothing to make light of, especially when that player is Figueras. He takes the game seriously and plays with dignity and composure.

From the sidelines all the players are impressive as they handle their ponies and wield their mallets hoping to score and win the match for their team. The crowd was exuberant. Many latecomers continued to arrive making their way along the dirt drive to the parking area long after the match started.

Some of the action is on the field, and some of the highlights of the afternoon are in the tent where invited guests mix and mingle on a hot summer afternoon.

The running commentary of Alex Rolden from his high perch on the sidelines keeps it moving for the crowd whether they understand the game or not. Rolden manages the Bridgehampton Polo Club and its sister club in Greenwich, CT where the season starts in June before moving to Bridgehampton in the middle of July.

"We have a race," Rolden says," as two ponies run neck in neck. "You don't have to go to Kentucky." When the action gets thick, Rolden launches into one of his "ticky, ticky, ticky" riffs as he quips, "back and forth, back and forth." When the chukka ends and the sides retire Rolden changes the mood for the crowd. "Musica" he shouts, and then the music starts as he sways to the beat from his vantage point atop his chair on the sidelines.

The crowd lingered after the match until the clean-up crew eager to wrap-up their day's work started to hustle people out of the tents. "People, we have to clear the tent," they said as the stragglers reluctantly made their way off the field.

Week four begins Saturday when another match will be played from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Access to the VIP tent is by invitation only. Members of the general public are invited to watch the game and tailgate from the sidelines. All that is required is a $20 parking fee. If you haven't been to a match yet, it is worth making an effort to go. Pack a picnic lunch, research the rules of the game if you want to be able to follow the action and head over to the field - it is an afternoon well spent.

On the field at half time to stomp the divets, stretch your legs and talk to your friends.