The private residential sporting club community, Windsor, held its highly anticipated 2022 Windsor Charity Polo Cup on February 19, 2022. Presented by PNC Bank, the event kicked off with a Players Cocktail Reception at Windsor’s newly renovated Beach Club Bar and Salon on February 18 followed by Members and guests of Windsor viewing the world-class polo match on February 19.  On the field, fourth-generation polo player, 18-year-old Hope Arellano, captivated the crowd in the exciting high-goal match.

Honoring Windsor’s co-founder, W. Galen Weston who passed away in April 2021, the two teams were named Maple Leafs and Windsor Park. Playing on the Maple Leafs team were Sebastian Koga, Hope Arellano, Mike Azarro and Freddie Mannix. Playing on the Windsor Park team were Salvatore Ferragamo, Fefu Pansillo, Lucitas Criado and Pedro Guttierez.

The Maple Leafs secured the winning title with a score of 7-6. During the closing ceremonies, Hope Arellano was named Most Valuable Player and ChaCha was named Best Playing Pony.

Co-chaired by The Hon. Hilary M. Weston and Salvatore Ferragamo, the premier charity sporting event raised funds for two local, environmentally-focused charities – the Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) and the Environmental Learning Center (ELC). As a result of the 2022 Windsor Charity Polo Cup $350,000 in net proceeds were donated equally to the respective charities in support of their causes.

“This year’s polo event was a triumph. We were honored to have one of the most talented female polo players in the world, Hope Arellano, play in the match and champion our support of two important environmental nonprofits here in Indian River County,” said Betsy Hanley, President of Windsor and member of the event’s Steering Committee.

The 2022 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 an exceptionally well-attended Tailgate section where 90 cars filled with eventgoers came out to celebrate the family friendly event. Prizes were awarded to the tailgaters with the best presentation, creativity and educational messaging. The 2022 Tailgate theme was Celebrating Planet Earth. The tailgate named “Amazon” was the winner with “Noah’s Ark” in second place and “No Plastics” taking third place.

Guests also enjoyed participating in a high-end raffle and viewing the People’s Choice Concours presented by The Space Coast Region Porsche Club of America. For an interactive experience, NetJets, the event’s Private Aviation Sponsor, hosted a hospitality area in the main pavilion and a mock-up of the Cessna Citation Longitude business jet was on display for participants to tour.

As the Luxury Automobile Sponsor, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Audi of Melbourne returned this year to display its notable car brands’ top luxury models during the Player Reception Cocktail Party. At the polo match, Shay Rowe, owner and general manager of Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi of Melbourne led the players onto the field in a 2022 Porsche 911. Sponsor representatives drove a selection of cars onto the field during the iconic half-time Divot Stomp.

Before the match, guests were welcomed to an elegant luncheon including a Champagne Lanson reception with a selection of canapés, a roasted beef tenderloin main course and a Raspberry Swirled New York Style Cheesecake dessert. Following the lunch, the opening ceremonies included a performance by a solo bagpiper from Vero Beach Pipes & Drums and members of Sebastian Area Veterans Honor Guard who presented the colors. Performing the National Anthem was Kristina Gregg, a 16-year-old Vero Beach High School Junior and Rising Star at Vero Beach’s Riverside Theatre.

Signature sponsors of the 2022 Windsor Charity Polo Cup included: PNC Bank, NetJets, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Audi of Melbourne, L3Harris Technologies, Beluga Vodka, Lanson Champagne, JUSTIN Wines, Allen Brothers, Belle Cose, Paul Morelli and artist Dr. Johnson Hagood. Windsor Members also generously contributed to the event as sponsors and donors. Belle Cose and Paul Morelli were this year’s luxury jeweler co-sponsors for the event. The two jointly donated Paul Morelli’s one-of-a-kind Dragonfly Necklace valued at over $23,000. The statement piece served as the feature item in the charity event’s prestigious raffle.

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

About Windsor

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. Established in 1989 by Hilary and W. Galen Weston of Toronto, Canada, Windsor was designed by renowned town planners Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk in the New Urbanism style of residential living, one that 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 several 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. windsorflorida.com

About Hope Arellano

Hope Arellano has taken the game of polo by storm. She is one of the most inspiring female polo players, in addition to being one of the most active players in American polo. She plays in low, medium, and high-goal tournaments in both mixed and women’s tournaments and travels around the country competing. She is the youngest woman to ever win the Women’s U.S. Open in 2017 at the Houston Polo Club at the age of 14.