Ride to Thrive Polo Classic 2020
The Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program (NVTRP) held its 14th Annual Ride to Thrive Polo Classic on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Great Meadow in The Plains, VA.
The event was a huge success – with a net income of more than $156,000 to support program operations – while complying with all safety standards and protocols for a safe, in-person fundraiser in light of COVID-19.
This year’s event had to be completely reformatted and reimagined to create a safe atmosphere which included limiting attendance to less than 200 guests, individual guest tents (for up to 10 people) with private lawn and deck space to allow for social distancing, self-serve bar area, boxed or plated meals, increased restroom facilities and contactless registration.
Guests were treated to a beautiful afternoon of polo, food and drinks. Special events included music by Sweet Something Jazz, the Color Guard of St. Andrew’s Society of Washington, DC accompanied by NVTRP military riders and NVTRP therapeutic riding clients participating in a half-time quadrille—a choreographed drill pattern set to Katy Perry’s hit song, “Roar”.
Will Thomas, NVTRP Board Member and Realtor at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, and Sherrie Beckstead, partner at Liljenquist & Beckstead Jewelers, expertly co-chaired the event.
Many individuals and local businesses donated approximately 160 items to this year’s live and online silent auctions, including trips, airline tickets, autographed sports memorabilia and more. Proceeds from the auctions totalled $58,000.
A special thank you to the lead 2020 Ride to Thrive Polo Classic sponsors: ITCON, AT&T, Gary Cubbage, The Peterson Family Foundation, Bentley, Alla and Barry Cline, and Crescent City Charities.
Thanks also go to NVTRP Board Member Jean Edelman and her husband Ric for donating a successful $25,000 dollar-for-dollar match in support of the Polo Classic.
This event benefits NVTRP’s mission to provide equine-assisted activities to children and adults with disabilities, youth-at-risk, military service personnel and their families. All proceeds are used to subsidize lessons for NVTRP riders and assist with general operations at the farm.