50 Years of Hair Fashion: From Sassoon to Arrojo

 

 

Palm Beach Equine Clinic Vets Support Vinceremos

Story by Y.A. Teitelbaum

Photos by Abner Pedraza

It’s very common to see one of the Palm Beach Equine Clinic veterinarians at the 15-acre Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center facility in Loxahatchee Groves.

Many of the 30 vets have been there, checking the health of the horses that provide equine-assisted therapies for clients with varying physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities.

The visits and services are donated by Palm Beach Equine Clinic and would cost the nonprofit more than $50,000 per year for the veterinary care.

“Any care our horses need, they take care of it, whether it’s routine like vaccinations, or something serious, such as surgery,” said Ruth Menor, who founded Vinceremos in 1982 and is the chief program director. “The really special aspect of our relationship is our access. They are right there to help us with anything we need. It never seems to be too big of an ask.”

The amount of donated services doesn’t concern Dr. Scott Swerdlin, president of the Wellington-based equine clinic.

“As it increases, it makes our doctors feel even better knowing that Vinceremos is growing,” said Swerdlin, who first began donating services to Vinceremos in 2011. “We’ve been fortunate to be the veterinarians for such a great cause.”

Palm Beach Equine Clinic started out with three veterinarians in 1981 and has grown into one of the country’s largest equine hospitals, with more than 28 veterinarians using state-of-the-art equipment and innovative techniques. They are a leader in sport horse medicine, whether it’s for an Olympic dressage horse, a Grand Prix jumper, a high-goal polo pony or a trail horse and companion friend.

The practice is the longstanding official veterinarians of the Winter Equestrian Festival and have served in the same capacity for the Adequan Global Dressage Festival since its inception.

Palm Beach Equine Clinic provides 24-hour emergency coverage, complete surgical services and intensive care 365 days a year. There is an on-site pharmacy, a full laboratory and advanced diagnostic imaging equipment, including a MiE Nuclear Scintigraphy gamma ray camera and a Hallmarq standing MRI.

Community service is important to Swerdlin. “I try to instill in all the veterinarians how fortunate we are to be in an area where we have the quality of horses,” Swerdlin said. “It’s also very important to give back to the community.”

Swerdlin noted that there are many worthy organizations, and it is difficult to decide which ones to support. One of the factors he prefers is an organization that has an immediate impact on people’s lives.

“That’s Vinceremos — you see immediate results and see the joy in these kids’ eyes; it’s amazing,” said Swerdlin, who serves on the nonprofit’s board of directors.

That was evident when Swerdlin accepted an invitation to play polo with the children in the Vinceremos program. He arrived in traditional polo attire — white pants, knee pads and boots. The kids were playing in regular clothes.

“We were playing the boys against the girls; I was playing with the girls,” said Swerdlin, smiling at the memory. “We’re playing with this big old rubber ball, and I was trying to pass it downfield. I accidently hit one of these young boys in the face. I felt terrible! He had the biggest smile and all he did was come at me and try to take the ball away. When they’re on that horse, their whole personality changes. It’s remarkable!”

Swerdlin said he learned the value and importance of giving back from his mother.

“Just being in this community, seeing the growth and opportunities we have, you feel compelled to give back,” Swerdlin explained. “Everybody who has the opportunity to work with horses has that same feeling. I felt personally so compelled to be able to do something besides what we do, fixing horses, improving horses’ performance, that I wanted to see some kind of accountability for each and every veterinarian that is here. The fun thing is that they all volunteered.”

In addition to their significant contributions to Vinceremos, Palm Beach Equine Clinic also supports Just World International, which helps children who live in poverty, donating food and clothing while focusing on long-term solutions that include education. The clinic also supports the Great Charity Challenge and serves as an advisor to the county’s animal control department when it concerns horses and their welfare.

Dr. Janet Greenfield is the lead vet for Vinceremos and chairs the Horse Care Committee. She volunteers to educate young minds about veterinarians on career days at local elementary schools and 4-H clubs. Palm Beach Equine Clinic has worked closely with Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue to teach protocols on the safe and proper technique of rescuing loose horses.

“We like to give back. Vinceremos is a wonderful organization,” Greenfield said. “I’ve learned a whole lot from that program. There are many different cases. As Scott always says, it’s not about the individual, it’s about the group… It gives us a sense of pride that we can help.”

Menor noted that Palm Beach Equine clinic veterinarians also make Vinceremos a priority.

“If we need them, they’re here,” she said. “Even if it’s after hours or Saturday, they fit it in. Their commitment to the horses is 110 percent.”

And that’s exactly how Swerdlin believes it should be. “We’re obligated to give back, not for ourselves, but for the horse, too,” he said.

For more information about Palm Beach Equine Clinic, visit www.equineclinic.com. To learn more about Vinceremos, visit www.vinceremos.org.

Chiropractor Beverly Gordon, Creator Of Equi-Tape

Story by Deborah Welky

Photos by Abner Pedraza

With a background in exercise physiology and biomechanics, Dr. Beverly Gordon had worked for years as a chiropractor when she had a startling realization — the kinesiology tape that works so well on humans could probably be adapted for use on horses.

Gordon spends seven months of the year in Wellington, the winter equestrian capital of the world, so she vowed to give it a try.

After an intense period of research and development by her company, the Horse in Motion, Equi-Tape was ready for market in early 2005. Since then, it has been increasingly embraced by horse owners and trainers.

“The tape has so much application for performance horses here,” Gordon said. “It really helps horses train harder and stay sounder. It has a lot of applications on injured backyard horses as well.”

That is something Gordon has expertise in. Her chiropractic practice includes consulting for a number of veterinary facilities regarding chiropractics and equine movement.

Equi-Tape is an elastic cotton, two-way stretch tape with advanced adhesive properties for ease of application, removal and placement longevity. The way Equi-Tape affects the body is completely different from what non-elastic athletic tape does, and is based on its ability to interact with the skin and associated neurosensory and mechanoreceptors.

Equi-Tape does not compress the tissue as do other types of taping methods. Its design characteristics and application techniques decompress tissue, allowing for increased circulation. The lifting principle behind the decompression also affects how pain receptors respond to the messages associated with swelling and inflammation.

Depending on how the tape is applied, it can decrease pain and swelling; increase circulation; support joints, ligaments and tendons; speed the recovery of injured tissue; and/or reduce spasm and tension in tight muscles.

The caveat is making sure that the tape is applied correctly. As with any health aid, a certain degree of knowledge is required to achieve optimum results. To that end, Gordon created Equi-Tape Educational Services, offered through RSB Animal Health, a company headed up by CEO James Ruder that also markets and distributes Equi-Tape.

Equi-Tape and its accompanying Continuing Education Unit-accredited educational courses are now available throughout the world. Used in conjunction with other modalities, it can give competition horses an edge.

“We’ve been using kinesiology tape for 30 years in humans,” Gordon said. “You can’t watch a tennis match, basketball game or golf tournament without seeing someone with the tape on. It became particularly popular after being seen in use by Olympians in the 2012 Summer Games.”

Equi-Tape is the first and only elastic kinesiology tape designed specifically for horses. “That’s what makes it so special,” she said. “I tape horses from every discipline at every level — polo, jumpers — it increases circulation, which increases healing and decreases recovery time. Massage, magnets and lasers are all used to bring blood to an area. If you do those modalities and then put the tape on, it makes the effects last much longer. Plus, you can leave the tape on for up to four days.”

Gordon said that while Equi-Tape is easy and safe, a certified Equi-Tape professional will come out to properly assess each horse, then show the trainer, owner and rider how to use it, so they know exactly where to place the tape to get the results they are trying to achieve.

Equi-Tape can aid the equine athlete in both training and conditioning, as well as in rehabilitation and clinical recovery.

“When they warm up, it improves the warmup,” Gordon said. “When training, it supports the joints. It helps them train with less stress. And, after they show, the horses sometimes are sore, particularly jumpers. Performance horses need to stay sound to perform better. Equi-Tape brings blood and oxygen to the muscles and takes away toxins so they stay sore for less time and recover quicker.”

Ruder, the product’s distributor, agreed.

“I have spent my entire life immersed in the equestrian industry as a trainer, master farrier and businessman,” he said. “I have partnered with many equestrian companies since the early 1980s, successfully leading their sales and marketing efforts on a global scale. Late in 2012, I was introduced to the work that Dr. Beverly Gordon was doing in the area of equine kinesiology and, in particular, the effect of kinesiology tape on the equine athlete.”

To Ruder, Equi-Tape stood out as a quality product.

“I was fascinated with the effect that this simple modality had on the wellness of the equine athlete, not only in training preparation, but in therapy and recovery from injury,” Ruder said. “This fascination has evolved into a partnership with Dr. Gordon. Bev is an industry visionary. The good work that she has done will forever change the nature and approach to equine wellness.”

Gordon urged equine professionals who have not used Equi-Tape to give it a try.

“To me, it makes no sense for people not to be using the tape,” she said. “It’s safe, inexpensive, easy to use and works great.”

To learn more about Equi-Tape, visit www.equi-tape.com.

 

What Are They Wearing? A Look At Young Rider Style

Story and Photos by Emily Riden

When Sami Senft first started riding in Wellington with trainer Alan Korotkin of Castlewood Farm, she was a 4-year-old who Senft jokes fell off of her pony nearly as often as she stayed on.

“Alan will tell you to this day, I was the loosest child he has ever seen,” Senft smiled. “He kept saying, ‘Is she ever going to get tight? Is she ever going to stop flopping around on top of the pony?’”

Today, more than 20 years later, Senft has not only come a long way from flopping around on ponies, she is dressed in the latest equestrian styles and making a name for herself in the show ring as a rising young professional.

With Korotkin’s tutelage and guidance, Senft has ridden to great success, including team gold and individual silver at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, among numerous other accomplishments.

As a professional, Senft rides for Castlewood Farm, as well as running her own S&S Farm and competing her 8-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Azzaro Z.

“I’m so lucky. It’s my dream to have a barn in my backyard, and Alan has made this even more possible by giving me horses, entrusting me with his horses and believing in me,” Senft said. “I’ve worked my entire life for this. It’s kind of surreal that it’s happening. I’m extremely appreciative to Alan and to my parents, as well as to my grandpa.”

When it comes to clothes, Senft, like most young up-and-coming riders, needs durable breeches and shirts, suitable for riding numerous horses a day, that simultaneously look good for the show ring and don’t break the bank with their price tag.

“I am not the type of person who goes out and buys $300, $400, $900 breeches. I can’t afford it; I show almost every weekend,” Senft said. “And for me, it’s not like I show up perfectly clean, get on my horse, show and go home. I show up; I ride six or seven horses on top of showing. I’m helping tack horses up; I’m setting jumps. I get really dirty. I can’t justify spending that amount of money on pants that I’m going to get dirty in, but I still want high-quality breeches. When I came across Equine Couture, I loved the material and the price.”

Equine Couture, and sister brand TuffRider, are now two of Senft’s go-to brands when it comes to riding apparel, and she shared a few looks that showcase what she, and young riders like her, are wearing today.

 

IMAGE CAPTIONS

 

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For the show ring, Sami Senft is wearing new Equine Couture Ladies Beatta Breeches and an Equine Couture Ladies Stars & Stripes Show Coat.

 

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Sami Senft is currently competing her 8-year-old gelding, Azzaro Z, in the 1.30m-1.35m jumpers at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

 

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Under her show coat, Sami Senft is wearing the Equine Couture Ladies Fiona Show Shirt, made with super breathable tech fabric, which makes it ideal for riding numerous horses in the Florida heat and humidity.

 

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While Sami Senft generally elects for more conservative options, riding at home gives her the opportunity to try some of the bolder, fashion-forward looks that are very popular among young riders. At home with Azzaro Z, she is wearing the Equine Couture Schooner Breeches.

 

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For cooler mornings, Senft reaches for the Equine Couture Kendall Quilted Jacket. Its quilted style is extremely popular among riders. Here, she has paired it with TuffRider Sierra Denim Knee Patch Breeches.

Marysue Jacobs Enjoys Helping Children And Horses

By Kendall Bierer

Marysue Jacobs has been a fixture in Wellington for more than 20 years. With her love of animals and children, she is forging a path for success and positivity in the local community.

Most recently, Jacobs has shown her support for Wellington through her work with actor Quinton Aaron and the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. Drawn to Aaron’s anti-bullying message, Jacobs has donated time and money to further the goals of the Quinton Aaron Foundation, including an all-new riding camp for at-risk children.

In her day job, Jacobs is one of the region’s most sought-after real estate professionals as the broker at Destiny International Properties. For Jacobs, her passion for children, founded in her love for her daughter and her desire to help create a better future, is what guided her to the equestrian mecca of Wellington two decades ago.

In the early 1990s, Palm Beach Polo & Country Club was thriving in Wellington with such celebrities as Prince Charles, Princess Diana and Zsa Zsa Gábor making it a regular stop on their polo tours. Jacobs was hired to put on an event called the Da Vinci Horse Project during the Rolex Cup, and at that time, she fell in love with the world of Wellington, making the decision to move here from Maryland.

“We were able to bring all these different people together, and it was great,” Jacobs smiled. “I fell in love with Wellington, and I stayed. I realized that I could be so effective here with the multitude of people I could get in front of to help charities.”

Channeling her passion for nonprofits, and combining it with her love for all things equestrian, Jacobs opened her own marketing company in 1994. It was such a success that it stemmed into a national magazine, The Horseman, and two television shows, The Florida Horseman and Real Angels, which ran back-to-back on a local ABC station.

Such celebrities as Tommy Lee Jones, Julianne Hough, Dr. Ben Carson, Gregg Allman, the band Sister Hazel, Disney star Cody Linley and Amber Marshall of the hit Canadian television show Heartland have worked with Jacobs to promote charities and continue her mission to teach and encourage children that success is a result of hard work and honesty.

“We did this to encourage kids that good behavior can get good results, and that fame is not instant and neither is wealth — if you work hard for it, it comes,” Jacob said.

She lives by the practice she preaches.

“I love what I do in real estate, and I enjoy having a company that prides itself on 24-hour service,” Jacobs said. “You don’t get my assistant, you don’t get a voicemail, you get me. I like the fact that my clients become my friends, and that my business thrives on referrals.”

Jacobs has more than 30 years of experience buying and selling equestrian farms, luxury estate homes, land development, new construction, investment properties and foreclosures. With her skilled team, they have been in the top one percent of the nation in sales for nine consecutive years. She has accrued more than $900 million in sales since the company’s inception.

Destiny International Properties has donated time and money to many local organizations, including her work with Aaron, an acclaimed actor most notably known for his leading role in the 2009 film The Blind Side. He came to Wellington in November for Horses Healing Hearts’ inaugural Cowboy Up for a Cause event, as well as to visit local schools to share uplifting and inspiring speeches to children affected by bullying.

At Cowboy Up for a Cause, which Jacobs sponsored, the introduction was made between Aaron and Jacobs. It was Jacobs’ passion for the children, and her own understanding as a loving mother and generous supporter of Wellington-area nonprofits, that she made a connection with Aaron and began formulating the concept with Ruth Menor of Vinceremos for an all-new riding camp for at-risk children.

It was Aaron’s affiliation with helping children that led to him to launch the Quinton Aaron Foundation, an anti-bullying and childhood obesity prevention program that promotes positivity and teaches coping skills to children who are negatively targeted by their peers. He has helped numerous children overcome the struggles of bullying, depression and low self-worth through his talks and the time he takes to correspond and make special visits that can change the course of their lives.

With the help of Aaron and his foundation, Jacobs teamed up as a sponsor with Vinceremos to host the first-ever “Taking the Reins” summer camp for at-risk youth. It will be held for three days during the summer of 2016, and Aaron will interact with the kids as a role model for them to be able to identify and relate to.

For Jacobs, lending a helping hand to both people and animals whenever she can is simply a part of who she is. More than 200 rescue animals call her farm their home, including dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, rabbits, turtles, tortoises, peacocks and 10 different varieties of parrots.

“I’ve been here for more than 20 years, and I love this town and love what I do,” Jacobs said. “I can mix work with my dream to help people.”

Jacobs continues to improve the lives of both the people and animals of the Wellington equestrian community through her philanthropic efforts and big heart.

For more information about Marysue Jacobs and Destiny International Properties, visit www.destinyinter.com. To learn more about the Quinton Aaron Foundation, visit www.quintonaaron.org. Learn more about Vinceremos by visiting www.vinceremos.org.

Gay Polo Attracts Global Audience To Wellington

By Jamie Saults

By moving the annual International Gay Polo Tournament to the International Polo Club Palm Beach two years ago, founder Chip McKenney expanded Wellington’s global reach beyond the polo mecca of Argentina, which has made the community its seasonal base for many years.

As the popularity of the tournament and social event-packed Gay Polo Week grew, word spread to regions of the world not normally associated with polo. Recent participants have come from Russia (including the president of the Moscow Polo Club), France (including the top-rated female pro), Canada, Algeria and Australia, as well as from more than a dozen states spanning California to Maine.

The allure of the seventh annual International Gay Polo Tournament, presented by Discover the Palm Beaches and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission is its uniqueness. The week, which takes place from March 31 through April 3, melds a serious high-intensity sport with lighthearted fanfare — a combo not frequently seen.

“For me, the most fun thing was being able to play polo with different people with a fresh perspective,” said professional polo player Nic Roldan, who competed in the tournament for five years. “It’s as much fun on the field as off it. How often do you get to play a game and find yourself surrounded by drag queens at halftime?”

Organized and produced by the Gay Polo League, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, the annual tournament and social events attract a widely diverse group from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender polo community and friends. The GPL began with one member in one city and now represents a worldwide network of players. It was created as a vehicle for the gay community to enjoy the challenging sport of polo.

Representing a wide range of ages, backgrounds and skill levels, the GPL community shares a love for adventure, travel and fun, complemented by a passion for sport. The league is noted for its camaraderie and creating a fun and exciting environment for LGBT community members and their friends to experience the sport of polo.

“When I founded the Gay Polo League 10 years ago, I believed polo had all the ingredients to become a great sport for LBGT people to participate in,” McKenney said. “It is so exciting to be celebrating our 10th anniversary, plus I am confident we have so much more coming up in the next decade. Plans are underway for creating and producing international gay polo tournaments in other countries. In fact, we are currently planning a GPL tournament in Argentina.”

Gay Polo Week has become one of the most sensational events in Wellington. In addition to a world-class polo tournament, the event features an extraordinary tailgate competition with elaborately decorated tailgates that are months in the making.

In 2015, the Best in Show winner was “Gert’s Salon” with “Gert,” a well-known social event personality in Los Angeles, plus a bevy of “hair stylists” working their magic on customers. In previous years, there was a Titanic tailgate with a string quartet, which included the exact brunch served on the ill-fated ship the day it sank. Another winner was a local wild animal conservation organization showcasing a jungle-themed tailgate booth with a live cheetah.

This year, the tournament offers spectators the opportunity to enjoy the Cherry Knoll Farm VIP tent, which is located field side at midfield, offering an open bar and delectable gourmet selections from the official caterer, Aaron’s Catering of the Palm Beaches.

The events kick off Friday evening, April 1, with the Polotini Party, hosted by Patricia Quick at the Mallet Grille at IPC; moving on the tournament itself on Saturday, April 2; and wrapping up with the GPL Brunch on Sunday afternoon, April 3, also at the Mallet Grille. Patrons who attend the brunch have a premier location from which to watch the action of the 2016 U.S. Open Polo Championships.

The Gay Polo League welcomes everybody to participate, on and off the field, in the exciting future of the league. For more information, contact McKenney at chip@gaypolo.com or visit www.gaypolo.com.

 

Faces Of polo 2016: Players Bring The Sport To Life

Each winter, the many facets of the perfect polo experience come together right here in Wellington — people watching, high fashion, tailgating, divot stomping, Sunday brunch and more — but it’s the amazing athletes who bring the sport to life. With nearly every top player in the world competing in this year’s 20-goal and 26-goal tournaments, the International Polo Club Palm Beach will once again be home to the world’s best polo action. As we do every year, Wellington The Magazine highlights just a few of the elite players who will gallantly lead their steeds down the fields at IPC in pursuit of eternal glory. We invite you to turn the page to start enjoying Faces of Polo 2016.

 

ADOLFO CAMBIASO

Adolfo Cambiaso, the Argentine 10-goaler, has been considered to be the top player in the game for the past 20 years. He has played on six U.S. Open Polo Championship teams and won nine USPA Gold Cup tournaments and a USPA C.V. Whitney Cup tournament. Cambiaso continues to awe and amaze spectators and players alike, and you can watch his aggressive style of play on the Valiente/Dubai team this year at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

 

JULIO ARELLANO

Julio Arellano is one of the highest-rated American players at 8 goals. Now 42, he has been playing the sport since the age of 9. Arellano played on the only U.S. team to win the Federation of International Polo World Championship, and he is a leading goal scorer and a key player on the Coca-Cola team at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. He won the U.S. Open Polo Championship no less than three times, is known as a pressure player. Arellano is considered the bedrock of any team.

 

FACUNDO PIERES

Facundo Pieres is currently the No. 2-ranked player in the world. As a member of the Zacara polo team, he won the U.S. Open Polo Championship in 2012 and 2013, followed by a sweep of the English season (the Queen’s Cup and the British Open). One of only six 10-goal players in the game, the talented South American player continues to dazzle the crowd with his expert stickwork and horsemanship. He will be playing on the 26-goal Orchard Hill polo team in 2016.

 

NIC ROLDAN

Nic Roldan was born in Argentina but grew up in Wellington. He became the youngest player in history to win the U.S. Open Polo Championship in 1998. Great hand-eye coordination and exceptional accuracy allowed this talented athlete to excel in both golf and hockey before selecting polo as his career path. He has twice represented the United States in international play, and at 8 goals, he is one of America’s top players. You can look for his stickwork magic this year on the 20-goal Audi team at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

 

RASHID ALDWARDY

Rashid Aldwardy debuts his 20-goal Dubai team this season at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. The team has dominated the United Kingdom high-goal polo scene for more than a decade, winning the Queens Cup and the Gold Cup more times than any other team in recent years. The Dubai team cinched wins for both the 2015 Sotogrande High-Goal Silver Cup and the Gold Cup. A tenacious and high-scoring player, Aldwardy will also be playing on the 26-goal Valiente team, which won the U.S. Open Polo Championship in 2015.

 

SAPO CASET

Guillermo “Sapo” Caset Jr., the son of an accomplished, professional Argentine polo player, earned a 6-goal handicap by the time he was barely 16. In his tenure in Wellington, Caset has won the USPA C.V. Whitney Cup (2011 and 2014), the Piaget Gold Cup (2009 and 2014) and the U.S. Open Polo Championship (2011). He is currently ranked as the No. 8 polo player in the world.

 

SUGAR ERSKINE

Sugar Erskine, a 6-goal South African player, started playing polo at the age of 9. He made his way to the United States in 1993 and is a favorite on the American polo circuit. He has won the U.S. Open Polo Championship three times, and has recently celebrated a number of wins in the 20-goal competition with Gillian Johnston’s Coca-Cola polo team.

 

JEFF HALL

Jeff Hall comes from a polo-playing family that split its time between Santa Barbara, Calif., and Houston. Among his more important victories, Hall counts wins in the U.S. Open Polo Championship, the America’s Cup, the East Coast Open and several Silver Cups. As a member of the 2009 U.S. Westchester Cup team, he played against England and has been a regular on the international polo scene for years. Hall is known as a powerful hitter and an accomplished horseman. He has a 7-goal handicap.

 

HILARIO ULLOA

Hilario Ulloa, competing on the field with a 9-goal handicap, began playing at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in 2010 for the Crab Orchard polo team, which swept the high-goal season that year by winning the USPA C.V. Whitney Cup, the Piaget Gold Cup and the U.S. Open Polo Championship. Competing on the Alegria team at IPC in 2014, his wide-open style helped capture the U.S. Open Polo Championship by defeating Valiente in the final match.

 

SEBASTIAN MERLOS

Sebastian Merlos is one of only six polo players in the world to achieve the highest ranking of 10 goals. He has captured the titles of every major tournament in more than 18 countries. He counts three U.S. Opens at the International Polo Club Palm Beach among his successes. Merlos has a fierce passion for horses and the sport he loves, making him one of the strongest horsemen playing polo today. He holds a 9-goal handicap in the U.S. and will be playing on the 20-goal Tonkawa team this year at IPC.

 

GONZALITO PIERES

Gonzalito Pieres, rated at 9 goals, is the older brother of Facundo Pieres. He has won major tournaments all over the world and has helped pilot Marc Ganzi’s Audi team to wins in the U.S. Open Polo Championship, the USPA Gold Cup and the USPA C.V. Whitney Cup. A classic-style player, Pieres has been the mainstay of the Audi team, providing leadership and direction on the field.

 

POLITO PIERES

Polito Pieres is another member of the famous Pieres polo family. He plays in Wellington alongside his cousins, Facundo and Nico Pieres, and has a 9-goal handicap. Born in the United States, Pieres has played on winning teams in the British Open, the Deauville Gold Cup in France, and the USPA C.V. Whitney Cup and the Piaget Gold Cup at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. This year, you can watch him compete at the 26-goal level on Steve Van Andel’s Orchard Hill team.

 

TOMMY BIDDLE

Tommy Biddle, a Wellington favorite in arena polo, cut his teeth in the sport and began competing and winning at the age of 12. His 6-foot, 2-inch frame looms large on the polo field, and his strong defensive play and decisive mental focus keep his opponents at bay. Although he proudly gained 10-goal status in arena play, he has a 5-goal outdoor handicap. He takes to the polo field this season for La Indiana, a newcomer to the 2016 20-goal team lineup at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Funky Buddha, Beerstream And IPC Get Crafty For The 2016 Polo Season

 

The 1968 vintage “Beerstream” trailer made its debut at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in 2015 and is now a welcoming mainstay at IPC’s Sunday Brunch. The decked out Airstream is the hub for Veuve Clicquot and VIP brunch check-ins, and also offers cocktails, frozen drinks, a tap tower and craft beers to all polo guests.

Now, in partnership with Funky Buddha Brewery, the Beerstream and new Beer Garden brew up beer-tastic, funky fun with the addition of the exclusive Funky Buddha Polo Blonde Beer, only available at IPC. Also included is a lounge area with picnic tables and umbrellas, and cornhole and Jenga games.

The Beer Garden is open to the public, and private servers will offer pints and flights of beer, refillable growlers, and giant pretzels stuffed with cheeses and charcuterie. Each growler contains six beers and is refillable week after week. This potent “portable” will be appealing to tailgaters and divot stompers alike.

In addition to the polo-centric ale, Funky Buddha is known for its creative and innovative approach to craft beers, with fun and seasonal flavors like blueberry and grapefruit, and fan favorites such as Rum-Soaked Oak-Aged Red Ale, Orange-Creamsicle Wheat, Ginger Lemongrass, and their blockbuster brew, Maple Bacon Coffee Porter. It is breakfast in a glass — and a perfect start to a day of Sunday polo brunching.

The Funky Buddha street team will also offer guests gifts, swag bags, and invitations to tour the brewery and enjoy tastings of the company’s craft beers. Get your funk on and head over to Sunday polo to check it out!

World’s Best Equestrian Competition At 2016 WEF

The 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival is now underway at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The 37th annual show series opened Jan. 13 and continues through April 3. The 12-week circuit is world-renowned for its size, scope and caliber of competition, featuring more than $9 million in prize money. While WEF brings the best equestrians in the world to Wellington each winter, the festival also welcomes everyone from the local area to enjoy everything that the show grounds has to offer.

WEF is the largest and longest-running circuit in equestrian sports, with riders from 33 countries and all 50 U.S. states represented. WEF hosts the nation’s premier events for children, juniors, adults and amateurs — for riders from age 2 to age 70 — in more than 70 unique divisions of competition. More than 6,000 horses compete within the circuit.

PBIEC is one of the finest venues in the world for equestrian sports, and its growth has ushered in a new level of competition in the United States. The expansive facility features 500 acres, 12 competition arenas, 256 permanent stalls for horses, horse trails, pedestrian paths, dedicated shopping areas, food vendors and more, making it a place anyone can appreciate, whether an equestrian or a spectator.

WEF has stepped up its visibility worldwide with major cable sports network broadcasts of the biggest events of the season. Last year’s television coverage included shows on NBC Sports. More television will be included for this year’s circuit, and people from around the world can watch all the major events at WEF online at www.coth.com. Live streaming has become an ideal way for equestrian sport fans to follow along with the competition.

Highlights of this year’s WEF include four weeks of CSI 5* competition. The first five-star class of the season is the $380,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix CSI 5* on Feb. 13 during WEF Week 5. Following that are the $380,000 Suncast Grand Prix CSI 5* on Feb. 27 in WEF Week 7 and the $380,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix CSI 5* on March 12 during WEF Week 9. The final five-star is the culminating event of the season, the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5* on April 2.

International competition will also feature the popular $150,000 FEI Nations Cup on Friday, March 4, during week eight’s CSIO 4* competition, as well as 52 FEI World Ranking classes throughout the circuit.

WEF hosts the best competition in the country, with 73 professional and amateur divisions for hunters, jumpers and equitation. Special hunter and equitation events include the USHJA/WCHR Peter Wetherill Hunter Spectacular on Saturday, Feb. 20 in WEF Week 6; the George Morris Excellence in Equitation presented by Alessandro Albanese on Friday, March 25 in WEF Week 11; and the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Dietrich Insurance and hosted by Tailored Sportsman, on April 2-3 in WEF Week 12.

Other top jumper events include the $170,000 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series, with seven classes for the best young show jumpers throughout the circuit; the Hollow Creek Farm Children’s/Junior/Young Rider Nations Cups on Saturday, March 5; and the $10,000 Holtgers 5 Year Old Jumper Classic, $15,000 Adequan 6 Year Old Jumper Classic and $20,000 Adequan 7 Year Old Jumper Classic, all held during WEF Week 12.

The Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments, an exciting pro-am show jumping event, will take place for the seventh year on Saturday, Feb. 6. The event has raised more than $7.5 million for more than 150 Palm Beach County charities over the past six years, becoming the largest single-day net charitable event in Florida.

Friday nights will feature action in the main arena at the Stadium at PBIEC throughout the circuit. The Stadium, built on almost 60 acres, features a beautifully manicured grass derby field with natural obstacles adjacent to the Adequan Global Dressage Festival grounds, which house a main arena surrounded by grandstand seating and the Global Pavilion, 200 permanent stalls, the Wellington Equestrian Realty Arena that can fit three regulation-size dressage arenas, and the Van Kampen Arena, one of the world’s largest covered arenas.

In addition to the facility being home to world-class dressage, it will also host exciting grand prix events, horse exhibitions and equestrian clinics. It is the home to the Palm Beach Riding Academy, where everyone is welcome to take lessons or make a weekend experience at PBIEC. Horses are available for lease to ride and to show.

During WEF Week 6, six different show jumping events will be staged at the Stadium, both in the International Ring and on the grass derby field. Both venues offer variety for horses and riders. Spectators will get to enjoy a Sunday afternoon sitting on the grass berm watching show jumping in the sunny Florida weather. One of these featured events is the $216,000 Ariat Grand Prix CSI 4* on Feb. 7, during WEF Week 4.

Also held at the Stadium is the WEF Sport Horse Auction on March 3, hosted at night in the International Ring. Spectators can see some of the most amazing young horses from The Netherlands and see how the bids add up to take home these talented mounts.

The Asheville Regional Airport Wellington Eventing Showcase, presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty, is another thrilling event staged at the Stadium, featuring the Olympic sport of eventing. Spectators can watch a new discipline as it expands in popularity in Wellington.

The Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series and Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series each feature increased prize money and more opportunities for international riders to earn valuable world ranking points throughout the circuit. They are an easy way to see the top riders in the world competing against up-and-coming stars in a relaxed daytime setting.

Thousands of equestrians call Wellington home each winter, and it’s no surprise, since opportunities abound for competition, training, gaining experience, selling horses and more at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The world is welcome to visit PBIEC to learn more about equestrian sports and appreciate the beauty and strength of horses in action.

To learn more about the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival, visit www.pbiec.com.