HIGH-heels and mini dresses were covered with plastic bags and ponchos as VIP guests took a soaking at the Duke of Essex Polo Trophy on Saturday.
Singer Anthony Costa was joined by long-running children’s charity supporters Avril Mills, founder of The Dream Factory, and ‘Allo ‘Allo star Vicky Michelle, patron of Haven House Children’s Hospice in Woodford Green at the event in Gaynes Park, near Epping.
Rob Nathan, marketing manager for the event’s organisers, Media 10, said: “People had a great time and we were delighted it went ahead.
“We tried to provide as many plastic bags as possible and we bought shoe covers for 1,000 people.”
He added that Great Britain had beaten South America in the Duke of Essex Trophy polo match.
While some visitors enjoyed red carpet treatment, others got stuck in and helped vehicles stranded in the muddy car park.
Simone Barnett, of the Woodredon Equestrian Centre near Waltham Abbey, helped run pony rides at the event.
“We started off busy, but as the weather progressed, the children went home,” she said. “The weather did not let off throughout the day and gradually the area got wetter and wetter until it was impossible for anyone to drive through it, let alone walk.”
Helpers from the pony ride stand posed with an Olympic Torch in aid of The Dream Factory and found time to help rescue a Range Rover from the car park.
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