NEWS

The Board of Directors of the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame have confirmed the selection of the 2021 inductees for the Hall of Fame, Iglehart Award and Horses to Remember. Chosen for 2021, Julio Arellano and the late John F. “Jack” Ivory have been selected as the newest members of the Hall of Fame. Receiving the Philip Iglehart Award are Dr. Paul Wollenman and the posthumous inductee Bert Beveridge, given to recognize exceptional lifetime contributions to the sport of polo. Finally, Silverada and Little Mary have been named the newest Horses to Remember.

The Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame is very happy to announce that for the first time in history, the gala will honor two induction classes in one unforgettable night on Friday, February 18, 2022. Join The Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame in celebrating the 2021 Inductees Julio Arellano, John F. “Jack” Ivory, Dr. Paul Wollenman, Bert B. Beveridge, horses Silverada and Little Mary – and for 2022 Thomas J. ‘Tommy” Biddle Jr., Cornelius Vanderbilt “Sonny” Whitney, Daniel M. “Danny” Scheraga, Dr. Horace A. Laffaye, and horses Cynthia Lola and Jacobs. Save the date and make your plans early!

The Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame are able to hold the ticket price at $250.00 per person at a time when all expenses have gone up considerably. All thanks to the Museum's generous dinner sponsors Marc and Melissa Ganzi for making it possible to keep the dinner affordable for all to enjoy.

To further help with fundraising efforts, there are a limited number of Sponsor tables with premium seating available for $25,000.00 each (table of 10). They are offered on a first come, first serve basis - if you are interested in one of these tables or know someone who would like to sponsor, please call for additional details and to make arrangements as soon as possible.

The Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame are also making some changes to ensure the comfort and safety of guests: the attendance will be capped at 400 people and the size of the tent will be enlarged considerably to allow for adequate social distancing during the cocktail hour and for distance between the dining tables once seated.

There are 12 Inductees – a historic celebration of two years in one night, and to streamline the program, it will start earlier and move faster than in prior years. The doors open at 6:30pm and guests will check in at the main entry of the Museum to receive table assignments then proceed to the tent for the cocktail hour. Tables will be available to sit immediately upon arrival, if desired. All guests will be asked to be seated at 7:30pm to start dinner with the Induction ceremony to begin at 8:00pm.

Safety for COVID Protocols – at this time, the Museum recommends all attendees be vaccinated, and those who are unvaccinated to have a negative test within 24 hours of the event and to wear a mask when not seated at the event. The protocols may change with any evolving CDC recommendations. The Museum will try to advise of any changes, but recommend attendees check the CDC guidelines the day of the event for the most current information.

The dress is “Black Tie” – it is your time to shine. To make reservations please call Brenda or Madeline at the Museum (561) 969-3210 or if busy (561) 969-7015, or send your request by email: polomuseum@att.net.

Julio Arellano – Growing up in the polo mecca of Wellington, Florida, Arellano played alongside the best players in world. Fighting his way to the top echelon of polo, he rose to a 9-goal handicap in 2003 and maintained a handicap between seven and nine goals for decades. He competed in and won the most coveted major American tournaments, winning the U.S. Open Polo Championship® three times (1992, 1995, 2010) and countless others that include the USPA Gold Cup®, C. V. Whitney Cup, Monty Waterbury, Northrup Knox Cup®, Silver Cup®, Butler Handicap and more. In international competition Arellano represented his country twice playing in the Westchester Cup and the 1997 Coronation Cup. Owned and played by Arellano, his mares Mulan, Malia and True were awarded the Hartman Trophy for Best Playing Pony of the U.S. Open Polo Championship® in 2001, 2005 and 2010 respectively. Arellano is being recognized not only for his skill as a player and horseman, but for his efforts to give back to the sport as a sought-after coach. Also serving the USPA, Arellano has been elected twice to the Board of Governors and is currently serving as a Governor-at-Large. Julio has also been a mentor to many up-and-coming-players including his siblings, as well as his own children Hope, Lucas and Agustin.

John F. “Jack” Ivory (1924-2004) Jack began playing polo at the age of 10, but put his polo career on hold during the war and enlisted. After the war in 1946 Jack became captain of the team known as the Ivory Rangers. He attained an outdoor rating of 7 goals in 1955 and maintained that rating until 1971 also making a reputation as a handy 8-goal arena polo player. Throughout the 1940s and 50s as a hard working polo-professional, Ivory played nearly non-stop polo while also owning his own club and managing and co-managing several others. During that time he played for the West in the East-West Series in 1947, and won two National Senior Indoor Championships. Ivory trained horses, served as an instructor, conducted polo clinics and served on various USPA committees in the 1950s and 60s. His passion for the sport also drove him to do as much as he could to promote it, which he did by writing numerous stories for newspapers and publications and making appearances on radio and television.

Dr. Paul Wollenman – During a career that spans 45 years, Dr. Wollenman’s expertise as a veterinarian caring for the horses of some of the nation’s finest polo teams has been a factor in helping the sport. Noted for his sound and practical advice as well as ingenious solutions to complicated injuries, Dr. Wollenman has spent most of his life striving to improve the care and welfare of the horses that make polo possible. He has knowledge of the sport as an amateur player, reaching a 2-goal handicap. He has worked in an advisory capacity for the Equine Welfare Committee for the USPA and mentored Team USPA participants and the National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS) teams in Sheridan, Wyoming, giving lectures and counseling young members on horse care in addition to helping with their veterinary issues.

Bert Beveridge (1902–1987) Starting in polo in the 1940s, Beveridge was committed to the sport for 30 years. He founded Boca Raton Polo Club (now defunct) with his brother A. D. Beveridge and rejuvenated San Antonio Polo Club (San Antonio, Texas) in the early 1950s. As a sponsor for teams in the National Open, Silver Cup®, Butler Handicap, Inter-Circuit and Twelve Goal as well as high-goal polo in Florida, Beveridge helped invigorate the sport while giving several noted players their start in polo. He also served on the USPA Board of Governors from 1953 to 1957. As a 3-goal player, Beveridge claimed major American tournament wins in the 20 Goal (Silver Cup®) 1960, 1961, 12-Goal Inter-Circuit Cup (1953), Butler National Handicap (1957) and was a finalist in the U.S. Open Polo Championship®. His son, Robert D. Beveridge, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

Silverada – Bred to be a race horse, the stunning gray mare Silverada was originally named High Hope Silver, a Thoroughbred by Current Hope x Flower Plot, foaled in 1990. A racing career was not in the cards for her and she crossed paths with Judith Baker who purchased her and started the handy mare in polo where she caught the attention of noted polo professionals, trainers and players alike. Vicki Armour was impressed with the mare and arranged for Raul Roldan to try her for Bob Daniels. Daniels purchased her for himself and renamed her Silverada, but she had caught the eye of Gonzalo Heguy who asked to play her in the East Coast Open. She won Best Playing Pony in the 1994 East Coast Open, the 1996 Sterling Cup and then went on to gain international acclaim under Heguy. Playing three chukkers for him in the 1996 Argentine Open, the petite powerhouse was awarded the Lady Susan Townley Cup for Best Playing Pony of the Argentine Open, (only the second American horse ever to win it, with Norty Knox’s Ragamuffin being the first in 1969 and Chocolate the third, winning in 2015). Silverada also won the Best Type Mare trophy and the award as part of the Best Mounted Player string in that ’69 series, a truly triumphant moment in polo history.

Little Mary – The celebrated mare Little Mary was one of two "priceless imported mares" owned by August Belmont and loaned to the American team, and played by Larry Waterbury as part of The Big Four of 1909, winners of the International matches against Great Britain. A grand looking pony, there was certainly nothing diminutive about “Little Mary” – she was a good sized mare, standing well over 15 hands and up to any weight. Played prior to any known awards being established, she was cited by experts of her era as among the trinity of the three greatest polo ponies of that time. She was immortalized in the famed Haseltine bronze “The Big Four” that depicts Larry Waterbury on Little Mary along with the other team members and their famed mounts. This sculpture is used as the emblem for the Museum of Polo.