WELLINGTON, FL - The polo season finished with a flourish with a star-studded record crowd of 7,138 spectators watching the thrilling final of the Stanford Financial Group U.S. Open amid pomp and circumstance.

Peter Brant's White Birch, the most dominant polo team in recent history, won its first U.S. Open with an 11-10 overtime triumph over Skeeterville.

Before the game, more than 400 guests enjoyed brunch by renowned restaurateur Barton G. in the Grand Marquee while hundreds of others took advantage of the shopping opportunities and the delicious Pitmasters BBQ in the fieldside Vendor Village, which featured a million-dollar Liberty Coach bus and mock-up of a new Bombardier private jet.

Some 20 past U.S. Open champions were honored in a pre-game ceremony, including 2004 champions John Goodman, Memo Gracida and Sugar Erskine of Isla Carroll.

Television personality Star Jones Reynolds of ABC's "The View" and Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson conducted the pre-match coin toss and presented awards to the teams after the game.

At halftime, a pair of helicopters landed near midfield to dispense the complimentary Roederer Estate champagne, a chorus sang a patriotic medley and a team of Clydesdales trotted around the field to the delight of the crowd stomping divots.

In addition to Star Jones Reynolds and Sarah Ferguson, Ethel Kennedy, John Walsh of "America's Most Wanted" TV program and former Miss Universe Barbara Palacios of Venezuela as well as a who's who in the polo world were among the VIPs in attendance.

The 2006 high-goal polo season is expected to begin in early January. For details, contact International Polo Club Palm Beach at (561) 204-5687.