NEWS

Story and photos © www.pspolo.com

This year's Lucchese 40-goal Challenge will take place on Saturday, February 17, at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida. The event, which is the only 40-goal event in North America, will benefit the Polo Players Support Group (PPSG). Not only will the event feature an exhibition of the sport's most famed and accomplished players, but the event will culminate with a dinner and silent and live auctions.

You won't want to miss this impressive array of items donated graciously by various members of the polo community! Thanks to this year's event sponsor, there will be a $2500 gift certificate for men and women's custom boots from Lucchese. In addition, when you shop on lucchese.com and enter the promo code LUC40GOAL, 20% of proceeds will go to the PPSG.

Some of the highlights of the live auction include an amazing trip to Costa Rica, which has been donated by Francisco Escobar and family. This luxurious vacation offers two nights in Hotel San Jose Park Inn, five nights in a luxury three-bedroom condominium in Los Sueños Resort and Marina and two days on board in a 60' yacht.

Another feature of the auction will be a unique getaway to Folded Hill Vineyard in the heart of wine and horse country near Santa Barbara. The trip will include a two-night stay in private housing that sleeps 8-10 on an idyllic property with a night of a farm-to-table dinner that is prepared by renowned chef Mark Gonzales. Also, Andy and Kim Busch will host a private wine tasting and tour of the vineyard. For more information on the property please visit foldedhills.com and follow their social media @foldedhills.

Live Auction items include:

• Trip to Costa Rica
• Folded Hills Vineyard and polo getaway
• An original piece of artwork painted live during the event by Alejandro Moy
• Custom Lucchese boots
• A party for up to 100 people catered by Bolay, with entertainment provided by Tom Blake
• Autographed player jerseys

Silent Auction items include:

• Original jewelry
• Rich Roenische Bronze
• Original artwork
• Tackeria saddle
• Stick & Ball collection
• Mallet Couture collection
• La Martina collection
• Casablanca collection

The money that is collected from the auction will be donated to the Polo Players Support Group, which uses the money to aid all members of the polo community including players and grooms that have fallen ill or are seriously injured. Since the start of the organization in 2002, PPSG has raised more than $2,200,000 that has gone to over 71 members of the polo community that are in need.

See something you like but can't attend the event? Bids for the live auction will be accepted by phone. Call Dave Offen at 516-528-3821. Contact Offen early to assure your call will be taken at the time of bidding. More information is available at: polosupport.com.