The private residential sporting club community, Windsor, held its highly-anticipated biennial Windsor Charity Polo Cup on Saturday, February 17, 2024. Represented by Presenting Sponsor PNC Bank, the event kicked off with a Players Cocktail Reception at Windsor’s oceanfront Beach Club on Friday, February 16, followed by Windsor Members and guests viewing the world-class polo match on Saturday.

Returning for the second time, powerhouse female polo player, 20-year-old Hope Arellano, captivated the crowd in the exciting high-goal match. Arellano became the first American woman 10-goaler in 2023 making her the highest-ranked female polo player in the U.S. and Argentina. Joining her in the impressive lineup of international players was Nacho Figueres. Hailed as one of the leading polo players on the field today, Figueres is also well-known for being the face of Ralph Lauren’s Black Label since 2005.

“I want to thank the Weston family for having us all out here today and for promoting the beautiful sport of polo, and raising awareness and funds for three amazing charities,” said Nacho Figueres.

PNC Bank had the honor of naming the two teams, one for PNC Bank and the other for its wealth management services division, PNC Private Bank. Players on the PNC Bank Team were Hope Arellano, Mackenzie Weisz, Manu Calafell, and Finn Secunda. On the PNC Private Bank Team were Nacho Figueres, Lucas Criado, Felipe Viana, and Sebastian Koga.

The fast-paced match was cut short one chukker due to rain and tied with a final score of 6-6. During the closing ceremonies, Hope Arellano was named Most Valuable Player and an 8-year-old Dark Bay named Nicki, who was played by Mackenzie Weisz, was named Best Playing Pony.

Chaired by The Hon. Hilary M. Weston, Windsor’s cofounder, the premier charity sporting event raised funds for three local charities: the Homeless Children’s Foundation of Indian River County, Ballet Vero Beach, and the Indian River Land Trust. Nominated by the Windsor membership, the charities selected offer programs to support the basic, educational and enrichment needs of underprivileged children, and to protect the area’s land for the health and wellbeing of future generations. The total funds raised for the charities will be announced before the end of March.

Celebrated TV personality and Vero Beach resident John Walsh emceed the coveted event luncheon enjoyed by 600 guests. Walsh was one of the founding members of the Windsor Charity Polo Cup and has supported the event since its inception in 2012. His momentous TV career has spanned more than three decades and he is the recipient of the prestigious Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Governors Award for his contributions to society using television. Recently, Walsh returned to Fox Network’s “America’s Most Wanted” as co-host alongside his son Callahan Walsh.

The 2024 Windsor Charity Polo Cup’s weekend festivities included a variety of interactive events and exhibitions including a Specialty Retail Village where Members and guests enjoyed shopping and socializing at the various pop-up boutiques.

Windsor also hosted a sold-out Tailgate section where more than 85 cars filled with eventgoers came out to participate in the themed tailgate competition entitled “Fashion Trends Through The Decades.” The winning tailgate took it back to 1974 with its “Peace, Love and Happiness” tailgate complete with a vintage Volkswagen van. In second place was the “Truman Capote Black & White Ball” tailgate inspired by the legendary 1966 mascaraed ball at the Plaza Hotel in New York. Donning togas, sandals, and gladiator armor, the tailgate “Windsor Acrop-Polo-is of Fashion” came in third place.

Guests also enjoyed participating in a high-end raffle featuring Luxury Jeweler Sponsor Seaman Schepps, and viewing the People’s Choice Concours presented by The Space Coast Region Porsche Club of America. For extra excitement VISTA XO, the event’s Private Aviation Sponsor, and Luxury Automobile Sponsor Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Audi of Melbourne hosted high-energy hospitality areas showcasing their latest offerings.

Before the match, guests were welcomed to an elegant luncheon including a Champagne reception sponsored by Champagne Jeeper followed by a main course of Roasted Tenderloin of Beef with Lobster Cake, a Key Lime Tartlet dessert, all accompanied by wines donated by JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery.

The match’s opening ceremonies included a performance by solo bagpiper Pipe Corporal John Humphry of Vero Beach Pipes & Drums. Performing the National Anthem was Savannah Brown, a 17-year-old St. Edwards School Junior and Rising Star at Vero Beach’s Riverside Theatre. The first ball was thrown out by Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Audi of Melbourne Owner and General Manager Shay Rowe who arrived on the field in a 2024 911 Targa 4 GTS.

Presenting Sponsor PNC Bank was joined by an impressive roster of corporate and luxury sponsors, including Windsor, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Audi of Melbourne, VISTA/XO, Seaman Schepps, Barth Construction, Inc., J.McLaughlin, the Dick & Betsy DeVos Family Foundation, Rehmann, L3Harris Technologies, CBRE Group, Inc., JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, Champagne Jeeper, Casa Dragones, Allen Brothers, Carroll Distributing Company, Palm Beach Coffee Roasters, Saratoga Spring Water, Equestrian Living, and Vero Beach Magazine. Members of the Windsor community were also generous contributors to the event as sponsors and donors.

For additional details on the Windsor Charity Polo Cup, please visit WindsorCharityPoloCup.com.

About Windsor and the Windsor Charitable Foundation:

Windsor

Established in 1989, Windsor is a private residential sporting club community spanning 472 acres of lush barrier island between the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean in Vero Beach, Florida. In the early 1990s, W. Galen Weston and the Hon. Hilary M. Weston of Toronto, Canada visited South Florida in search of a winter home for themselves and their children. In Vero Beach they became enchanted by a property that over the next decades would become a cherished home, passion project and ultimately a critically acclaimed residential community. Windsor was designed by renowned town planners Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk in the New Urbanism style of residential living. It offers public and community spaces framed by timeless architecture and landscape design that celebrates its tropical and unspoiled setting. Windsor is comprised of 350 homesites in various styles, including village homes, cottages and country estates, all remarkable for their signature Anglo-Caribbean architecture and gracious living. Residents enjoy privacy and seclusion combined with the finest amenities, exemplary services and sporting activities. Windsor is embarking on its final development phase with the launch of the North Village, a 47-acre neighborhood featuring 40 residences, new and enhanced amenities and a heightened commitment to sustainability. windsorflorida.com

Windsor Charitable Foundation

The Windsor Charitable Foundation’s primary goal is to use the power of philanthropy to change people’s lives and improve the local community. The Foundation raises funds from within the Windsor community, and through fundraising events for the purpose of making grants to fund programs offered by local charitable organizations. Primarily, grants are awarded to support basic human needs such as food, shelter, assistance with disabilities and health issues, children’s education, medical research, protecting the environment and animal advocacy. In addition, the Foundation provides support to Windsor Properties and Club employees experiencing unforeseen hardship. windsorflorida.com/foundation

About the 2024 Presenting Sponsor and Event Beneficiaries:

PNC Bank

PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. pnc.com

Homeless Children’s Foundation of Indian River County

The Homeless Children’s Foundation of Indian River County (HCF) funds year-round enrichment activities for local homeless children, including after-school programs and summer camp. Founded by Windsor Members in 2015, HCF now serves 375 children annually. Prior to HCF’s existence, most children were left in cars or motels so their parents could work. The support HCF provides assists the entire family unit: children are provided programs which open doors of opportunity, meanwhile parents can work additional hours, save, and come out of homelessness. hcfirc.com

Ballet Vero Beach

Ballet Vero Beach (BVB) challenges the notion of what an arts organization is capable of. The company not only presents a full season of the highest quality productions but has received international attention for its education and community engagement efforts. Fostering a love of our natural world, ensuring access to the arts for all, and combating the early literacy crisis for the children of Indian River County are just some of the ways BVB leverages dance to effect positive change. balletverobeach.org

Indian River Land Trust

The Indian River Land Trust (IRLT) has protected more than 1,200 acres of environmentally sensitive land throughout Indian River County, including 12 miles of Indian River Lagoon shoreline. IRLT remains focused on preserving wildlife habitat, protecting scenic waterfront, and providing access to nature for the public. For nearly a decade, IRLT has partnered with a variety of organizations to provide local youth groups and students with unique educational and research opportunities to engage in nature on IRLT properties. irlt.org