Covid

North America, Polo News

Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation Summer Polo Benefit Returns To Aspen Valley Polo Club

23. August 2021

By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: ChukkerTV

CARBONDALE, Colo., August 20, 2021— The annual Summer Polo Benefit fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation is set for Sunday August 22nd.

After a year’s hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Aspen Valley Polo Club will host the annual Summer Polo Benefit fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday August 22nd.

As the club’s premier event of the summer season, Sunday’s match is expected to draw a large crowd, although this year’s format will be slightly different given the continuing necessity for Covid precautions. Only reserved VIP tables will be available, and all guests must demonstrate proof of vaccine or present a negative Covid test.

The day will kick off at with the first match at 11 am, to be followed by a live auction and the next match at 1 pm. Caribou Catering of Aspen will be serving an elegant luncheon, while Beverly Hills Caviar will provide the caviar. Following the second match, guests will be treated to an exciting equestrian performance by John Payne, the One-Armed Bandit.

Players signing auction items for guests.

From Friday, August 20th through Monday, August 24, there will be an online silent auction to benefit the AVHF. Up for bid are a number of spectacular offerings to suit any taste, including a 6 day/6 night stay for up to 10 adults at a stunning chateau in the Bordeaux region of France. Also featured in the auction will be a 5-night stay for two in Iceland, a private tour of Nacho Figueras’ award winning stable in Argentina, and a one- year membership to the Snowmass Mountain Club as well as gift certificates for local restaurants and an assortment of jewelry and other attractive offerings.

Says Deborah Breen, President & CEO of the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation, “After a year off for Covid, we are grateful to the Ganzi‘s and the Aspen Valley Polo Club for once again hosting this event. Things may look different this year with advance reserved seating and vaccination/testing requirements. However, as a hospital, we‘re holding ourselves to a higher standard and we are taking every precaution to ensure a safe and successful event.“

„The One-Armed bandit „ John Payne.

The most recent Summer Polo Benefit, titled „Chukkers, Champagne, and Caviar“, in 2019, raised $600,000, compared to $537.200 in 2018 and $366,000 in 2017.

Melissa Ganzi, co-owner of the Aspen Valley Polo Club with husband Marc, says “We’re delighted to be able to host this spectacular event once again, and we hope to continue the trend of setting a new fundraising record each year.”

Guests enjoying the match in the VIP tent before the player auction in 2019.

Aspen Valley Hospital has been an integral part of the Aspen community for 127 years, boasting high ratings for patient satisfaction and the quality of care. In order to provide the highest quality of care, the hospital continues to expand facilities and improve technology.

With 75 physicians on staff, the hospital provides services in more than 25 specializations. The Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, supervises all charitable fundraising for the hospital, including through the Summer Polo Benefit, to support the hospital in its ongoing efforts to provide an exceptional level of care.

2021 Aspen Valley Summer Polo Series

August
The Carbondale Classic 8/18-8/22
World Polo League Triple Crown of Polo 8/25-8/29

Arena Tournaments & Asado – Tuesday Evenings
Kidz Uni-Wheel games during select tournament halftimes

Summer Polo Benefit
for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation
Sunday August 22, 2021

Visit www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com for more details.
Games live-streamed on www.chukkertv.com

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: ChukkerTV CARBONDALE, Colo., August 20, 2021— The annual Summer Polo Benefit fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation is set for Sunday August 22nd. After…

Personalities & Clubs, Polo News

2021… a Series of “Unprecedented” Events.

18. August 2021

By Kim McDougall, Australia

Windsor Polo Club had a successful 2020 Spring Season after recovering from bushfires and COVID, and with events slowly returning to “normal”, everyone thought that brighter days were ahead in 2021. Boy, how we were so wrong.

2021 kicked off, horses were brought back in and the Autumn Season was underway. It was Windsor Polo Club’s 50^th Anniversary. Celebrations and parties were planned and we were also set to host the Countess of Dudley Cup – There was a buzz in the basin.

Then on the 20^th March an “unprecedented” one in thirty year flood hit NSW and greatly impacted the Hawkesbury Basin. It was devastating and heartbreaking to see. Many friends, family and much of our community were impacted by floodwaters that you had only ever heard stories about or seen in old photographs. It was surreal to see it happen right in front of our eyes and made the stories told by parents and grandparents about the flooding in the area in 1964, 1986 and 1990 come alive.

Cue the series of “unprecedented” events in the history of Windsor Polo Club.
Unprecedented community spirit.
Unprecedented generosity.
Unprecedented optimism.

For that week when our fields, clubhouse and outbuildings were underwater all we could do was sit and wait to see what damage had been done. In the meantime, the Countess of Dudley was to be relocated to Garangula. When the floodwater finally receded all we could see was the mud, the mess and that smell… Oh that smell. The clean up was swiftly underway with multiple flood working bees organised. Members, friends of members and family members showed up to get Windsor Polo Club tidied up. It was the most wonderful unprecedented show of community spirit we had ever seen.

Even though everyone was thinking that the rest of the Autumn Season in the Hawkesbury wouldn’t go ahead/shouldn’t go ahead – It did.

The fields were inspected and deemed safe. The basic things like toilets and electricity were fixed. The Windsor Polo Club was back, albeit in a limited capacity with basic amenities. On the 24^th April polo was once again played in the Hawkesbury after Kurri Burri Polo Club gave the all clear for Windsor to run a tournament on their weekend, as they weren’t ready just yet to host a tournament.

9 teams across 3 grades competed and the positive atmosphere was infectious. We were back playing polo. We even had Allan serving lunch and refreshments outside under a little marquee using a BBQ for some hot food and eskies to keep the drinks cold, as our clubhouse wasn’t operational. The post flood season highlight was even managing to get crowds back at the Off the Track Thoroughbred Event, which was run by Thoroughbred Events Australia.

Thank you Sharon Lenton for organising such a successful event.

©Freddy Dowling

This led us to our next chapter in the series of unprecedented events. The Windsor Polo Club Flood Relief GoFundMe page and the unprecedented generosity of the polo community Australia-wide.

Even though we were back playing polo there was still a massive damage and clean up bill. Things like the electronic gate motor, pumps for the irrigator, AV equipment and clubhouse fridges that still needed replacing. A GoFundMe page was set up with an original aim of $50,000. This was quickly surpassed and just kept on rising and rising. We ended up raising $120,000! The Windsor Polo Club Committee was blown away and still is in awe of the amazing generosity from the Australian Polo community.

A plaque is currently being commissioned with everyone’s name that donated. It will be hung proudly in the clubhouse. The Windsor Polo Club Committee would like to acknowledge and say thank you to one and all, especially the following:

Firstly as some are aware Windsor Polo Club has gained a major sponsor in the past year – The Royal Richmond Hotel. We like to thank Karen Anderson, Peter Wynn and Todd Garratt for their unwavering support of the club through all these unprecedented times we’ve faced. We can’t wait until we’re out of lockdown so we can return and show our support. The best times were spent at The Royal after polo to celebrate, commiserate, laugh and tell stories about what happened on the field, off the field and across the weekend over a beer or two.

Next, we would like to personally thank Johnny Kahlbetzer. Johnny single handily managed to get our donations to above $100k by matching everyone’s donations once he heard about Windsor Polo Club’s cause. It made a massive difference and the donations literally doubled overnight. Thank you Johnny.

The Windsor Polo Club Committee would also like to send a whole-hearted thank you to everyone else who donated to our Flood Relief. Every single dollar made a difference. You made a difference.

Windsor Polo Club has now found ourselves in a unique “unprecedented” position allowing us to conduct major capital and maintenance improvements around the club and complete projects that were always limited due to funding. The flood in some respects was a blessing in disguise and it has allowed us to make the club a much better facility because of it.

The biggest capital improvement of note was installing a new bore and pump, which has just been completed. This means we can irrigate our fields more effectively and efficiently, always keeping them in the best condition possible for everyone to enjoy.

Even though all of NSW is currently in lockdown there still is unprecedented optimism at Windsor Polo Club. Yes we might be facing another season cancelled but do you know what? After everything that everyone has gone through together – droughts, fires, floods and now COVID the little spark of brightness that we all share is this amazing sport of polo. No matter what, we shall always reinvent new ways to play within restrictions or pivot in a new direction to find a way to play the game we all love. At the moment a revised spring calendar is being worked on. The Windsor Polo Club Committee is optimistic that we can play some sort of Spring Polo.

Even if that doesn’t happen, and we get out of lockdown after the official season is over, Windsor Polo Club is flagging the idea of playing twilight polo. Why not enjoy those balmy summer evenings playing polo even though polo isn’t traditionally played that time of year. Watch this space.

The Windsor Polo Club Committee.

Left to right: Kirrily Smith, Andrew Bridson, Julie McIntosh, Kim McDougall, Adam Meally, Jessica Sprenger, Adam Buchert. Absent: Nick Wayland. © Erin Meally

By Kim McDougall, Australia Windsor Polo Club had a successful 2020 Spring Season after recovering from bushfires and COVID, and with events slowly returning to “normal”, everyone thought that brighter…

Europe, Polo News

Snow Polo St. Moritz cancelled!

5. October 2020

Upon careful consideration of the matter, attentively monitoring the course of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and the figures published by the Swiss Office of Public Health (FOPH), whilst looking for ways to implement the protective measures and directives imposed, the Board of Directors has decided to postpone the Snow Polo World Cup 2021 by one year. The event that was to be held at the end of January 2021 will now take place from 28 to 30 January 2022.

Several factors all contributed to the decision to cancel the tournament. Above all, the organisers of the Snow Polo World Cup take their responsibility towards visitors, partners, players, their staff and volunteers very seriously, all the more so in these difficult times marked by the pandemic. The global uncertainty surrounding the freedom to travel adds to the complexity. Sound planning has become all but impossible given the ever-changing entry restrictions and quarantine regulations, which would have rendered it equally difficult for partners, sponsors and guests from around the world to travel to St. Moritz for the tournament. Shifting consumer patterns and a marked booking reluctancy combined with unprecedented planning insecurity make it impracticable for the organisers to stage this event.

Polo News

Newport Polo Hosts Davitt Classic: Father’s Day Polo Match

19. June 2020

The Davitt Classic replaces USA vs. Argentina this Saturday, June 20 at 5pm in the Newport International Polo Series, to the pleasure of a loyal and significantly reduced audience of spectators that will witness the only live sporting event in the Northeast since the pandemic lockdown.

The players are primed, the field is in mint condition and the forecast is ideal for a 6-chukker Father’s Day special. Nearly sold out, tickets are available online only at www.nptpolo.com.

Safety being a top priority, RI State approved COVID-19 safety measures are in effect at the polo grounds this season including online sales, masks required when not seated, social distancing and greatly reduced capacity. The full details can be found at https://bit.ly/2AZDTGi

On hand for the Official Coin Toss to start the match will be Dave Whitney, VP, General Manager of Davitt Inc – New England’s award-winning pioneer design/build firm and industry leader since the 1980’s, credited with the enhancements to the Pavilion & Patio Bar last season, and renown for hundreds of distinctive homes created or restored throughout the Northeast region.

During the match, beverage service will be offered for patrons seated within the Davitt Pavilion, and carry-out service will be available for patrons in Tailgates & Chalets from the Patio Bar. See Hospitality & Amenities for details and menus. Specialty vendors in the Vendor Village at the polo grounds include the Newport Polo Pro Shop. See Hospitality & Amenities for details and menus.

After 6 periods, called chukkers, the match will conclude with the Newport Polo Fan Salute around the perimeter (no hand slapping), a unique tradition originating at the Newport International Polo Series in 2003, and now emulated around the world, and the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Toast & Trophy Presentation of prizes shown on the Jumbotron.

Jumbotron messages can be requested through the online portal. Submit Now

Dating back to 1876, the polo matches are one of Newport’s grandest & most popular traditions, a living legacy from the Gilded Age, and open to the public. Spectator audiences enjoy the contests and festive atmosphere at the picturesque polo grounds, on the 140-year old, restored acreage of historic Glen Farm, where the home team – Newport/USA – meets challengers each season from around the world and as well as teams representing major US cities.

The Polo Series is scheduled to continue for the next 15 weeks, every Saturday in June through September. The schedule of teams is subject to change, per State mandates in effect on international travel and Adult Sports competition.

Newport Polo’s unique spectator experience involves Tailgating in a system of assigned seating at its exhibition venue that it developed several years ago on its proprietary website & box office, which provides online reservations for parking spaces around the polo field from which to observe the polo match. Those parking spaces are now separated by safe social distancing to a limited capacity which is a modest subset of its regular audience, to comply with COVID-19 safety measures that have been approved by the State of Rhode Island. The venue also has an outdoor seating Pavilion that has been revised to comply with the State’s guidelines for outdoor seating with wait service.

Minutes from downtown Newport, the International Polo Grounds are located at historic Glen Farm, 250 Linden Lane (off of Rte. 138) in Portsmouth, RI. This bucolic setting is the last 100 acres of what was once a 700-acre manorial farm whose settlement dates back to the 1600’s. Its classical stone barns from the Gilded Age and its park-like grounds were rehabilitated by polo series founder, Dan Keating, and thrive today as an equestrian & community recreational property, and home of the Polo Series.

The Newport International Polo Series is proud to present its 2020 sponsors including Gallo|Thomas Insurance, Davitt, Boston Common, Hotel Viking, The Chanler, The Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina, Vanderbilt International Properties, Veuve Clicquot, Clarke Cooke House, Stella Artois, ROCKSTAR Limo, Atria Senior Living, Goslings, McGrath Clambakes and Catering, and promotional partners including The Cocktail Guru, Newport Jaguar Tours, Newport Helicopter Tours, America’s Cup Charters, International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport Mansions, Island Surf and Sport, Newport Sport Fishing Charters, Providence River Boat Company, and Newport Harbor Guide. Special thanks to Schultz Marketing Partnerships, Van Liew Trust, Tanglewood, and WCRI Classical Rhode Island. “Our sponsors have been with us since the beginning. Without their support, the Series would not be as extensive as it is,” explains Dan Keating, Polo Series founder.

For specific details about the players, concessions & amenities for this match, plus venue information and other details, sign up to receive the Game Day Briefing on Saturday, by private subscription (sign up). Stay current with all 2020 season announcements, latest news & event invitations, and more by subscription to our monthly eMagazine (sign up). Both subscriptions are private and spam-free.

RAIN DATE: If a regularly scheduled match is canceled prior to its start (due to weather/field conditions), the match will be postponed to the following day, Sunday at the same time. All original polo match tickets & seating reservations will be transferred to the rain date. For more details on our ticket policies, please follow this link. In inclement weather, always check the Match Status recording on our Info Hotline (401) 846-0200 x2 and for Alerts published on our website, both of which are updated with any status change for the impending match.

This is the 29th season of Newport International Polo Series, which has hosted teams from 34 nations including, Ireland, Germany, Spain, England, Argentina, France, Egypt, India, Australia, Costa Rica, Ghana, Canada, Chile, Jamaica, Nigeria, Portugal, New Zealand, Barbados, Scotland, South Africa, Hungary, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Kenya, Brazil, China, Italy, Mexico, Sweden, Singapore, Monaco, Morocco, Peru, and Poland.

Polo, since 600 b.c. Polo is, without doubt the oldest ball game in the world today. First recorded in the 6th century b.c. when the Turkomans beat the Persians in a diplomatic tournament, the alluring game caught on with equestrian royalty and cavalry, and took off with globalization, withstanding the tests of time. By the time Polo arrived on Newport’s shores during the Gilded Age, the sport was nearly 2500 years steeped in tradition, captivating newcomers like Newport’s summer sporting set who embraced the new pastime, establishing America’s first polo club in 1876. A charter member of the United States Polo Association the club today is still a trailblazing model polo club, hosting the Newport International Polo Series public exhibition matches, supporting philanthropic causes, organizing USPA tournaments, polo club member services and polo instruction year-round. Experience the king of games in its American landing at Newport Polo.

www.nptpolo.com