Story by Scott Roy | Photos courtesy the Buoniconti Fund
The third annual Equestrian Legends Celebrity Polo Match & Gala to benefit the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis at the National Polo Center in Wellington is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. Tim Gannon, a Buoniconti Fund board member and co-founder of Outback Steakhouse, will chair the event with co-chairs Victoria Ranger Nunez and Diana Morrison, both Buoniconti Fund board members. Polo legend Nacho Figueras and Argentine businesswoman and equestrian Delfina Blaquier will serve as honorary co-chairs for this inspirational evening.
The Celebrity Polo Match & Gala will begin at 4:30 p.m. with a world-class equestrian demonstration from Olympic and world champions in the disciplines of show jumping, dressage and polo on the National Polo Center’s grounds. A spectacular cocktail reception will follow on the terrace with a silent auction that includes unique, one-of-a-kind items. The adjoining pavilion will play host to a meal with specialty Penfolds wine pairings. The event will also include a special presentation of awards and inspiring words from Marc Buoniconti, president of the Buoniconti Fund and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. The event will conclude with live music, dancing and dessert on the terrace. Valentino will be the evening’s fashion sponsor.
Tony Coppola will announce the equestrian show. Past equestrians and polo players have included father-and-son polo legends Luis and Lucas Escobar; decorated polo player Dawn Jones, who with her husband, Academy Award-winning actor Tommy Lee Jones, have served as the event’s honorary chairs; Kris Kampsen, three-time U.S. Open arena champion; polo icon Stephen Orthwein; Grand Prix jumper Riley Delbecq; multi-award-winning show jumper Todd Minikus; Olympian and champion dressage trainer Jan Ebeling; polo player Michael Armour; entrepreneur and second youngest person to win the U.S. Polo Open Chris Gannon; world renowned Australian show jumper Ben Meredith; Olympic and World Cup jumping course designer Leopoldo Palacios; and Argentinian professional polo player Martin Valent.
Past event awardees have included Tim Gannon receiving the Buoniconti Fund Award; Dawn Jones the Philanthropy Award; and Irish equestrian Kevin Babington, who was paralyzed in a fall from a horse, received the Inspiration Award. Equestrian Legends awardees have been Robert Dover, the most honored dressage rider in the United States; Jeff Hall winner of every high-goal trophy in U.S. polo; and Kris Kampsen, an internationally decorated polo player who has maintained a handicap of six goals for more than 20 years.
The unique and impressive list of auction items at past events have included a priceless Taylor Swift Eras Tour VIP concert experience for one of her concerts in Paris, a Penfolds Experience in the Napa Valley, a Celebrity Concierge Service VIP cruise, a 14-karat white gold diamond tennis bracelet; and an original acrylic painting by artist Kyle Lucks created onsite during the polo match. This year’s Equestrian Legends event will be sure to feature more one-of-a-kind items and exclusive experiences.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to “stand up for those who can’t.” Purchase tables and sponsorships by visiting www.bidpal.net/polo25 or by contacting Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard for more information at ssayfieaagaard@miami.edu or (305) 243-4656.
