By Lori Draz
Sept. 13 was a great day to be out in fresh air as the Colts Neck Business Association (CNBA) hosted its first annual Colts Neck Polo Classic. The sold-out event was a fun-filled, family-friendly afternoon of tailgating and exciting polo. The proceeds from the classic will help fund the restoration and preservation of the Bucks Mill Park walking and horse trails. They also supported the Colts Neck first responders.
The polo match pitted the Delicious Orchards team against the team from Huddy’s Inn. At the end of a well-played game, Delicious Orchards walked off with the crystal perpetual trophy as the winner with a final score of 12-9.
Both polo teams were composed of members of the Tinicum Park Polo Club (Bucks County, Pennsylvania), managed by Hesham El-Gharby and included several hometown players.
Committeewoman Sue Fitzpatrick and her husband, Jim
The winning players received plaques and saddle pads embroidered with the event logo. The MVP received a special plaque, and the Best Polo Pony received a hunter green blanket. The Huddy’s Inn players were given butcher block-style wine bottle holders and bottles of wine for their efforts.
The day’s festivities included special half-time entertainment by the Colts Neck Trail Riders as well as a best hat contest, won by Karen Matzel and Ginna Turnamian. There was also a best tailgate contest, won by Abbey Feiler and the Shed Girls.
The event drew a big crown, including CNBA member Connie DeMaio, a lifelong equestrian and professional rider, and Allison Malenfant, a retail merchandising and product development expert. The two are the co-founders of REDINGOTE, which makes fashionable, high performance outerwear for equestrians.
The CNBA thanks everyone for a spectacular event including their VIP Sponsor Tourelay Farm, Greg and Karen Matzel; Presenting Sponsors Carol Stillwell, Stillwell-Hanson and Joe Wadja, World Jeep; and the many other sponsors and everyone who came out to tailgate.
To learn more about the polo match and the CNBA, visit ColtsNeckBusiness.org.
From left: JP Bartolomeo, committeeman; Thomas Hennessey, director of recreation; and Mike Viola, deputy mayor
*Best Polo Pony. Photo by Rose Marie Zagami.