March 22nd, 2024
Danny O'Leary
Head of Partnerships, McCormick Place (OVG) | President, Friends of Oak Brook Polo and Chicago Polo Association | Founder, Outside The Boards?
HAPPY BELATED ST. PATRICK'S DAY
Hope you all had a wonderful safe and responsible St. Patrick's Day weekend. While I am very lucky to be born on this Holiday as an O'Leary, I am more grateful for the excuse to get together with good friends and family while immersing ourselves into good Irish music, bagpipes, conversation, dancing, parades and an occasional glass of whiskey. I hope you all had the opportunity to enjoy this beloved Holiday....especially if you reside or were visiting Chicago.
It is great to be back in the "Beyond the Boards" driver seat after some time off. Outside The Boards? has been involved in some exciting projects and is expanding its resources to help advance the global polo community. More news to come! Slainte!
TOP TOURNAMENT NEWS
MARYLAND DOMINATES GIRLS' NATIONAL INTERSCHOLASTIC CHAMPIONSHIP FOR TENTH TITLE
The Girls’ division of the National Interscholastic Championship concluded at Brookshire Polo Club in Brookshire, Texas, with Maryland defeating Hillside in the final to claim their tenth national title with a score of 23-1. Maryland's players Kylie Beard, Sierra Blevins, Aurora Knox, and Isabelle Brockett delivered a stunning performance, with Blevins emerging as the top scorer in the final. Maryland's victory was a culmination of years of hard work and preparation, marking a significant achievement for the team and Coach Kelly Wells , who now holds the record for the most Girl’s National Interscholastic Championship wins. Additionally, awards such as the Sportsmanship Award, Horsemanship Award, and Best Playing Pony were presented to standout individuals and teams during the championship.
Click here to read the full recap!
HOUSTON'S REIGN CONTINUES FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE OPEN NATIONAL INTERSCHOLASTIC CHAMPIONSHIP
The Open National Interscholastic Championship took place at Brookshire Polo Club in Texas, with six teams competing for the title. Houston emerged victorious for the third consecutive year, defeating St. Croix in the final. Led by players like Joe Bob and Lily Lequerica, Houston's strong performance secured them the championship with a score of 13-7. The tournament featured intense matches, with teams showcasing their skills and strategies developed throughout the season. Individual awards were also presented, recognizing players for their sportsmanship, horsemanship, and performance on the field.
Click here to read the full recap
MUST ATTEND EXHIBITION EVENTS
NIC ROLDAN'S SUNSET POLO WHITE PARTY
The 6th Annual Nic Roldan's Sunset Polo White Party, a night of philanthropy and polo like no other! Hosted by Grant Ganzi, the event combines the excitement of polo, great music, secret performances, and delicious food, all while raising funds for local charities in Palm Beach County.
Save the Date: Friday, March 22, from 5:30-11 p.m. at Grand Champions Polo Club
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a welcome drink, snacks, and DJ music, followed by the National Anthem. Witness the thrilling four-chukker Sunset Polo Match featuring top players like 10-goaler Polito Pieres and 8-goaler Nic Roldan.
Ticket prices range from $450 to $10,000, with donations of any amount welcome. Your support goes directly to Sunset Polo International, a non-profit 501C3 foundation, benefiting children and families in need through various programs and organizations.
Don't miss out on this unforgettable evening of giving back and celebrating the spirit of polo! For tickets and information, visit [email protected] and www.sunsetpolo.com.
#SunsetPolo #WhiteParty #PoloFundraiser #Philanthropy #PalmBeachCounty #CommunitySupport
To read about the entire event, click here.
领英推荐
POLO CONTENT
USPA PRESENTS MARISSA WELLS: ARENA IS MY GAME
Marissa Wells has a long history with arena polo starting in the interscholastic program and continuing to her current 9-goal women’s arena handicap. Learn more about her journey in the arena and what fuels her drive to win.
Click the above image to watch!
POLO MARKETING & PARTNERSHIPS
Outside The Boards ? (OTB?) is excited to launch Season Four of their podcast, presented by Hive2O Hard Honey?. The podcast aims to provide a unique behind-the-scenes look at the sport of polo, challenging stereotypes and discussing key issues affecting the sport globally. Season Four will feature nine episodes with interviews of prominent personalities and industry leaders in the polo community.
Season #4 Episode Schedule:
Each episode will run for approximately 60 to 70 minutes. The podcast will be available on popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, as well as on the OTB? website.
Hive?O Hard Honey? is the presenting sponsor of Season Four. The brand will offer special promotions for listeners of the podcast. Podcast inquiries can be directed to OTB? via email at [email protected].
OTB? PODCAST EPISODE TO LISTEN
URBAN POLO VISIONARY: THE SIMON WILSON STORY
In this episode, we embark on a journey to the southern hemisphere as we connect with Simon Wilson , the visionary Founder and Managing Director of Urban Events NZ , a New Zealand-based company renowned for orchestrating the thriving Lexus Urban Polo series in New Zealand and the captivating Singapore Urban Polo by FWD Insurance, set against the stunning backdrop of Marina Bay, Singapore.
Our conversation with Simon is set to delve into the triumphs of grassroots polo events set within an urban context. With a resolute mission, Simon birthed Urban Polo to deliver a top-tier polo experience, both on and off the field, aimed at introducing the exhilarating sport and the alluring polo lifestyle to a wider audience—where people work, reside, and play.
Simon's profile extends far beyond polo; he is a thriving business entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in national and international ventures. In 2016, he established Urban Events, a venture that saw a successful capital raise in 2018, paving the way for the international expansion of Urban Polo, including the resounding success of the inaugural Singapore event in 2019.
Simon's vision encompasses the broadening of Urban Polo's footprint across multiple markets, all united by a shared mission: enhancing the visibility, lifestyle, and participation in the sport. In this episode, we'll unveil how Simon skillfully strikes a balance between the sport and lifestyle, offering patrons an extraordinary and unforgettable polo experience while showcasing excellence on the field. Join us as we unravel the fascinating journey of Simon Wilson and the urban polo revolution.
THANK YOU & SUBSCRIBE
Thank you for taking the time to visit Beyond the Boards and subscribe. I am thrilled to take my friends, colleagues and industry professionals on a polo journey and showcasing the beautiful people, places and things that make this sport truly great. I cannot believe I have spent nearly a decade in this game and to see how it has flourished globally is incredible and there is so much opportunity out there. If you have news you would like to share or are interest in navigate this complex sport of kings, please do not hesitate to reach out - [email protected].