One of the world’s most fascinating sports will gallop into Plant City for the second Charity Polo Classic Feb. 23, at DI Polo Club.
This year’s event will include all the sport’s on- and off-field traditions — the stomping of the divots, women dolled up in sun dresses and derby hats and a full exhibition game featuring talented players.
Last year’s inaugural event attracted about 450 people and raised $75,000 in total revenue, with all net proceeds — about 70% last year — benefiting the Children’s Cancer Center and other charities.
According to Chris Gannon, a former professional polo player and one of the event organizers, this year’s event expects to bring in $150,000, with proceeds once again going to the Children’s Cancer Center — the event’s title sponsor — along with Wheels for Success and Starting Right Now, all Tampa Bay-area charities.
“Our goal for our second year was to double the net revenue from our first year, and we’re already close to that,” Gannon said, noting that around $110,000 already has been raised.
Last year’s event was planned in just three months.
“We didn’t know if we were even going to break even, but it turned out to be a huge success,” he said.
According to Gannon, this year’s event is already nearly sold out.
This year’s event also will feature celebrity appearances from John Walsh, host of “America’s Most Wanted,” and Lauren Thompson, from the Golf Channel. Walsh, an avid polo player himself, is set to play in the match.
UNIQUE EVENT
When a group of young professionals from Tampa Bay got together to brainstorm for a charity event, they wanted to take a different approach.
“You see so many golf tournaments and banquets, but we thought that having a polo match would be something unique,” said board member Kelly Ross, CFO of Morgan Auto Group.
Ross also thought the idea would appeal to women, giving them a chance to dress up for the occasion.
“I think of movies like ‘Pretty Woman,’ and I had recently gone to the Kentucky Derby and remembered seeing all the pretty dresses and big hats and thought that a polo match would give women here a chance to dress the part,” she said.
With the event attracting so many professionals, from doctors and lawyers to CEOs of small and large businesses, the classic also has become a great networking event.
“There’s a lot of small-business owners who attend, and being able to raise money for local charities is something that hits home to a lot of people,” Ross said.
THE MATCH
The sport of polo has been around for thousands of years, dating back to the Chinese and Persian empires. Nicknamed the “sport of kings,” polo is played on horseback and consists of two teams of four players. Each player is assigned a position, designated by Nos. 1 through 4.
Players score by driving a small ball into the opposing team’s goal using a long-handled mallet.
“It’s a much rougher and intense sport than what you sometimes see on TV and in movies,” Gannon said, noting that horses will run up to 35 mph and the ball can travel over 90 mph. “There’s a lot of strategy involved. It really is an exciting game.”
Players ride on what are called ponies, but polo horses are full-sized and often thoroughbreds.
Matches are played on a field that is 300 yards long by 160 yards wide, about the size of nine football fields. Unlike American football or baseball, tailgating for polo occurs on the sidelines of the field before and during the match, making it a social affair.
The sport also encourages fan interaction, including the tradition of stomping the divots at halftime, where spectators go onto the field and fill in holes made by the horses.
“It’s a great tradition and fun for the fans, and it actually really does help the players as it helps the footing of the horses,” Gannon said.
This year’s classic will feature plenty of gourmet food, signature cocktails, beer and wine, and spectator activities, including a silent auction.
“The women really get into it,” Gannon said. “It’s a fun event.”
Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver.com.
IF YOU GO
Charity Polo Classic
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 23
WHERE: DI Polo Club, 1003 Cowart Road, Plant City
SPECIAL GUESTS: John Walsh, host of “America Most Wanted,” and the Golf Channel’s Lauren Thompson
BENEFICIARIES: The exhibition polo match raises money for three Tampa Bay area charities: Children’s Cancer Center, Wheels of Success and Starting Right Now.
INFORMATION: charitypoloclassic.com or (813) 833-1644