The New Orleans Polo Club and National Alliance on Mental Illness – St. Tammany are hosting the Autumn Polo Classic on Oct. 29 at Summergrove Farm in Folsom. So grab the glorious hats, the derby attired and pony up for tickets while they last.
Some 500 guests are expected to see two polo matches, dine on local cuisine, sip specialty drinks and mingle from noon to 5 p.m. at 16192 La. 40.
Event proceeds will benefit NAMI St. Tammany and its work on behalf of individuals and families affected by mental illness.
Guests are invited to arrive between 11:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m., which gives them time to enjoy the fashion spectacle of a polo event before the opening ceremony begins. And at halftime, there will be unique photo ops when spectators are invited onto the grass field to help replace divots kicked up by the horses.
The schedule includes: opening ceremony, 12:30 p.m.; first match, 1 p.m.; hat contest and silent auction, 2:30 p.m.; last match, 3 p.m.; and awards ceremony, 4:30 p.m.
The New Orleans Polo Club has male and female players united by their passion for one of the world’s oldest, most exciting and least understood athletic games. It is the only active polo club in Louisiana (recognized by the United States Polo Association), and The Autumn Polo Classic is their premier charitable fundraiser of the year.
“Charity is a big part of polo tradition, and as a club, we are delighted to fundraise for NAMI. Polo players are farmers at heart; we train outdoors, we raise livestock, we support local workers. We believe in healthy communities, and mental health is a fundamental part of this,” said Dr. Sebastian Koga, president of New Orleans Polo Club.
Get Autumn Polo Classic tickets at nolapolo.org.