Celebs attend Paspaley Polo in the City at Centennial Park

MOVE over Melbourne Cup, there is a new horsey festival in town. Polo is the latest A-list event and Sunrise's Sam Armytage tells us what we need to know about the day.

Polo guest, TV host and model Kris Smith.

MOVE over Melbourne Cup, there is a new Festival of The Hoof.

The Paspaley Polo is a glamour-fuelled series which started in Sydney on the weekend and will head to Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide over the next few weeks.

And it is one incredible event.

All eyes in Sydney were on a Zebra-painted pony which was organised through The Classic Safari Company to promote safari tours to South Africa.

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Just as eye-catching as the painted pony was polo guest, Sussan Moraud, who wore a slashed-to-the-waist jacket, the gorgeous social gal channelling a 70s, Studio 54 look. Only problem? Where to look!

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She wasn't the only VIP out to have fun. Sunrise co-host and horse enthusiast, Sam Armytage couldn't stop gushing about the day to news.com.au.

"Being a country girl I adore the polo as it is a little more relaxed than the races, but anything to do with horses I love,'' she said.

Armytage also gave everyone a user's guide to the stomping of the divots - a ritual that sees onlookers take to the field to pat-down the turf.

News_Image_File: SAM ARMYTAGE AT POLO IN THE CITY.

The Ten Network's Angela Bishop told news.com.au she is always taken by polo players', umm, "magnificent thighs" and The Daily Edition's Sally Obermeder said she always puts the day in her must-go-to event list.

The Polo in the City series is a highlight on the social calendar.

First held in Centennial Park in 2006, Paspaley Polo in the City has grown into a major national sporting series now played in five capital cities.

The Paspaley VIP marquee took centre stage. The double story marquee was dressed in signature yellow with New York style awnings and topiary hedges. It also featured a gallery of Paspaley pearl jewellery and glamorous Megan Hess illustrations. Just in case you wanted to have a quick shop.

As for the glam corporate marquees, recycled shipping containers were converted into a seafood bar serving Paspaley pearl meat canapés and oysters, and some guests had a birdseye view of the action from a 'penthouse'.

News_Image_File: ANNA HEINRICH AT PASPALEY POLO IN THE CITY

Guests included Tom and Hoda Waterhouse.

Not just an invite-only event, this year Kirin beer sold tickets to a public marquee, the brand realising the rise in popularity of sport loved by the late Kerry Packer. Names like Woodford Reserve, Waterford Crystal and Hilton Hotels also took to corporate marquee land.

Meanwhile, the Land Rover crew took on a cool safari theme and hosted guests such as Phil Waugh, Andrew Fagan, Stephen Symonds and Ed Smith, Bridget Holmes a Court, Rebecca and James Rothwell and Patrick Johnson.

Another top shelf corporate entertainer, Veuve Clicquot added a twist to its day with the launch of their 50s diner "Clicquot Airstream", complete with waitresses dressed in Clicquot yellow uniforms. Guests (some wearing Clicquot gumboots) included Michael Dorman, Nikki Phillips and Dane Rumble, Laura Csortan and Chris Joannou, Daimon Downey and Georgia Gorman, Sarah Stinson, Michael Pell and Adene Cassidy all barracking for the Veuve polo team.

Take a look at www.polointhecity.com for more info on the upcoming national polo series.