Thad Hedgpeth, a bartender for the Saratoga Polo Association, left, teaches Brenda Birken of Clifton Park how to open a bottle of Brut champagne with a sword at the opening match of the annual polo season on Friday.
The Saratoga Polo Association kicked off its annual summer season Friday. the season runs through Sept. 4, with matches at 5:30 p.m. Fridays and Sundays.