The world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and traditions of the sport, the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame is gearing up to hold its most important fundraising event of the year, the 31st annual Hall of Fame Awards Gala. On Friday, Feb. 14, the museum will proudly welcome four outstanding horsemen and two horses into the Hall of Fame to commemorate their outstanding achievements and contributions to the “sport of kings.”
Joey Casey – Living Hall of Fame Inductee — Casey is a world-class polo player, polo pony breeder and trainer. He has won many American tournaments, which include USPA Sunshine League Championship six times, the International Gold Cup four times and the 1988 Westchester Cup, just to name a few. Casey is the owner of Palm City Polo, where newcomers and seasoned players alike enjoy coming to play.
Cyril R. Harrison – Posthumous Hall of Fame Inductee — Known for his exquisite hitting style and skillful team play, Harrison is also being celebrated for his dedicated efforts to teach and encourage others to play. He created polo schools for young players all over the country, becoming one of the USPA’s first polo instructors of the modern game.
Pat Dix – Living Iglehart Award Inductee — Dix has more than 60 years of service to polo in many different positions within the USPA. He also enjoyed a notable record on the polo field, received the 1986 Hugo Dalmar National Sportsmanship Award and was inducted in 2004 to Cornell University’s Polo Hall of Fame.
George C. Sherman Sr. – Posthumous Iglehart Award Inductee — Dubbed the “father of indoor polo,” Sherman is most well-known for his efforts in organizing and refining indoor polo, as well as being the founder and first president of the Indoor Polo Association. His biggest impact is said to be for collegiate and scholastic polo, as that is now played indoors.
Wembley – Horses to Remember Award — An iconic black Thoroughbred owned by Bob Jornayvaz, Wembley is a 26-year-old veteran polo pony that has participated in competitive polo around the world. He has been given numerous Best Playing Pony awards and was presented with Horse of the Year in 2004.
Gargantilla – Horses to Remember Award — Gargantilla is well known for her efforts in the U.S. Open Championships and Monty Waterbury matches from 1923 to 1927. Gargantilla won the Prince Friarstown Cup in 1923, the most prestigious award of the era.
The 31st annual Hall of Fame Awards Gala promises to be a night full of glamour, history and celebration as some of the sport’s most notable figures, both human and equine, will be recognized. RSVP to Brenda Lynn at the Museum of Polo, who can be reached at (561) 969-3210 or polomuseum@att.net. Reservations are $250 per person, with $125 eligible for a tax deduction. For more info., visit www.polomuseum.com.
