INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — There was an unmistakable feeling of whimsical magic in the air on Saturday afternoon at the Charity Polo Cup at Windsor event, which benefitted three causes including The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County and Saint Edward’s School Financial Aid Fund. The Honorable Hilary M. Weston, Windsor co-founder and resident, along with Vero Beach’s own John Walsh, host of America’s Most Wanted, served as this year’s honorary co-chairs.
The setting for this inaugural event was the posh community of Windsor, which has a long and distinguished tradition of hosting memorable world class polo matches. Following in that custom, the 2012 Charity Polo Cup at Windsor was an afternoon of thrilling, fast-paced polo, together with other fun-filled activities.
One side of the field was lined with magnificent tents with high vaulted ceilings that gave an impression of majestic splendor for guests to enjoy the sprawling vista of the breathtaking polo field. The setting was made only more brilliant by the surrounding village of Windsor, known for its unique atmosphere of casual elegance.
Reminiscent of a scene right out of the Great Gatsby, an elegant crowd was surrounded by the impeccable polo field and cloudless sunlit sky. The great tradition of polo and the spirit of charitable giving created a timeless sense of history in the making.
The history being made was this was the first Charity Polo Cup at Windsor and it was a resounding success.
The co-chairs of the first Windsor Charity Polo Cup were Kelly Holm and Mary Mullan.
“We are thrilled,” Kelly Holm, event co-chair said. “We exceeded our goals. The local businesses and residents have been abundantly generous. One hundred percent of the proceeds of this day will go to the charities.”
The day began with a elegant tented field-side champagne luncheon. Guests enjoyed tables topped with magnificent rose floral arrangements and a refined and lovely luncheon that included gazpacho sips, thinly sliced prime beef tenderloin and marinated jumbo shrimp, shaved fingerling potatoes, fennel salad and crispy crostini.
On the other side of the field, as far as the eye could see, was a large crowd of equally elegant and enthusiastic polo supporters having picnics on the festive field-side tailgating area.
Fun and creativity was abundant as the long standing tradition of polo tailgating had an added spin by including a “Best Tailgate Competition.”
Popular children’s book author, Leslie McGuirk, served as Head Judge, along with Steve Weagle, Chief Meteorologist NBC5/FOX29 and Alex von Bidder, Managing Partner of The Four Seasons Restaurant, New York, as a Tailgate Judges.
Tailgate competitors ranged from Country Western themed tailgates from St. Edwards families, to 1950s “Pink Ladies and Greasers Rock at the Charity Polo Hip Hop” from the Hill Group, to the elegant “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” ladies and gentlemen dressed in evening gowns and formal black tie from the Hibiscus Guild.
“My kids went to St. Eds,” said “Pink Lady” Marsha Sherry, Broker at the Moorings Reality Sales Company, as she stood in a pink wig among her Tang, Spam and vinyl record 1950s display. “So we are thrilled to participate in this day in support of these important charitable causes.”
Robyn Nolan, mother of St. Edward’s students, said as she passed out country cookin’ goodies from her tailgate. “This has been a great family day. We all came together, had fun doing this as a group, and the kids got to see their first polo match.”
The thrill of polo filled the air almost immediately as the Junior Polo Match demonstration opened the day creating gasps from the crowd as they absorbed the youthful enthusiasm and impressive talent of the players.
Soon thereafter, the Charity Polo Match began and the spirited crowd of pure polo enthusiasts cheered on their favorite players. The field was joined by John Walsh with an impressive international lineup that included Salvatore Ferragamo, the grandson of the esteemed Italian footwear designer and leader of his family’s expanding wine business, who has played polo against the likes of Prince Charles and Prince Harry.
Walsh, who played in the match as well as served as honorary co-chair of the event, said he had been eagerly awaiting this event because of his love of the sport and because it is benefiting local charities.
“This is a wonderful family day and an opportunity to see world-class polo inside of Windsor,” Walsh said. “Best of all, people will have an opportunity to learn more about these special charities.”
