The 4th Annual Charity Polo Match was a huge success, raising $95,000 for the Endangered Wolf Center and its vital mission of preserving endangered wolves, foxes and other canids. (If anyone would like to help us round the total up to $100,000, we welcome your call at 636-938-9306.)

More than 500 people were present at the Saturday, Aug. 29, event hosted by the St. Louis Polo Club at the Blue Heron Farms Polo Club in Defiance, Missouri. Guests were treated to an exciting polo match, in which Team Red Wolves topped Team Mexican Wolves 6-4.

In addition to Event Sponsors Kevin and Betty, sponsors included:

Beau and Suzy Brauer
Steve and Kimmy Brauer
Brio Tuscan Grille
Brncic Engineering
August A. Busch III Charitable Trust
The Commerce Trust Company
Dogfish Custom Graphic Apparel
David and Lelia Farr
Fifth Third Investment Advisors – Jeremiah Dellas
The Hager Family
Gerry Hufker and Celeste Ruwwe
The E. Walter Hausstette Charitable Foundation
Steve and Betsey Johnson — Foxbrook Farm
Krey Distributing
Jim Kuchar
Lohr Distributing Company
The Private Client Reserve U.S. Bank
The Ryan Tradition – Coldwell Banker Gundaker
St. Charles Animal Hospital and Harvest Plaza Animal Hospital
Jay Smith
Grenville and Dianne Sutcliffe
Eugene J. Tichacek Family Trust
Virgil and Sandra VanTrease
Betty White
The Winnick Family Foundation

Polo 2015 MS9In addition to seeing the action-packed sport of polo, visitors were also treated to many fun attractions on the sidelines, including Admiral the Clydesdale, the Longmeadow Rescue Ranch Barn Buddies, a climbing wall, bounce house and photo booth. There was also a champagne toast, kids parade and divot stomp at halftime.

Admission was just $25 a carload. About 100 people upgraded to VIP tickets at $75 a person. VIPs had access to elevated seating, and enjoyed free food and drinks, including Anheuser-Busch beer and specialty cocktails for adults. VIPs also had free access to all activities. Next year, be sure to call our Development Office and sign up as a VIP.

Longmeadow Rescue Ranch’s lineup of Barn Buddies featured Teddy (miniature horse), Miss Molly (llama), Wilma (goat), Betty (goat), Tanner (duck), Pom Pom (duck), Spike (rooster) and Cameo (hen).

JKMGuests had the opportunity to meet and photograph the polo players, and get their autographs. Playing as team Red Wolves were Doug Sansone, Peter VonGontard, Horacio Onnetto and Billy Busch. The lineup for team Mexican Wolves was Austin Figge, Gaston Raimonda, Brent Mirikitini and Tomas Obregon.

Whether you’re a polo aficionado or a first-time fan, the sport is simply amazing to watch:
• The regulation size of an outdoor polo field is 300 yards by 160 yards – the size of 8 football fields.
• An average polo pony weighs 1,000 pounds.
• The average speed of a polo pony in play is 35 miles an hour.

Please visit our Facebook page to view a Photo Album of the 4th Annual Charity Polo Match.