On Saturday, February 15, 2020, Windsor co-founder The Hon. Hilary M. Weston, alongside Salvatore Ferragamo, co-hosted the fifth biennial Windsor Charity Polo Cup. Presented by PNC Bank and featuring a world-class roster of international players and an abundance of elegant festivities, the Windsor Charity Polo Cup drew in close to 2,000 people in support of worthy local causes.

Two teams competed in one of the highest scoring matches in the event’s history. With goals coming in waves from both sides, the final score was 11-8 with team Hawthorne PNC Family Wealth, captained by Ferragamo, emerging victorious. The PNC team, captained by Justin Taylor, gave it a valiant effort; however, they could not stop Ferragamo from notching his first win in the event. South African polo player Nachi Du Plessis was awarded Most Valuable Player and Showboat, owned by Charlie Armstrong of the famed King Ranch in Texas, was honored as the Best Playing Pony. Both teams were awarded with fantastic prizes from this year’s event sponsors and donors.

In addition to an exhilarating match, attendees enjoyed an impressive junior match from a roster of talented young players on the Windsor junior team, including Graydon Weston, grandson of Hilary and Galen Weston. The afternoon also included a Specialty Retail Village, luxury automobile concours by The Space Coast Region of Porsche Club of America, and a performance by members of the Vero Beach Pipe & Drums during the half-time Divot Stomp.

A themed tailgate competition was co-judged by National Media Sponsor Town & Country Editor-in-Chief, Stellene Volandes, Vero Beach Museum of Art Executive Director/CEO, Brady Roberts, and Everyday Elegance interior decorator, Alex Papachristidis. They awarded tailgate attendee Leslie Bergstrom with the Best Abstract Version of a Painting prize for her creation of “The Last Tailgate,” a nod to Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. Best Reproduction was awarded to Val Kratky for her recreation of The South African Paintings of Marianne North. The People’s Choice Award was given to Katy and Jim Dyreby for “Renoir’s Luncheon of the The Boating Party.”

More than 800 attendees enjoyed an elegant field-side wine, rosé and champagne luncheon designed by Windsor Executive Chef Robert Meitzer. The luncheon featured a selection of passed canapés and a seated meal of Coriander Crusted Beef Tenderloin, shaved asparagus and tomato salad and poached Maine lobster, and a mini dessert display of macarons, Valhrona chocolate mousse tart, chocolate covered strawberries and a mixed fruit tart. Other spectators enjoyed picnicking in the field-side tailgating area or viewed the match from grandstand seating. Television’s John Walsh, host of ID’s In Pursuit with John Walsh and a regular supporter of the biennial event, served as the luncheon’s Emcee.

“As many of you know, Galen and I founded Windsor, our ‘village by the sea,’ 31 years ago, with polo and equestrian pursuits at the very heart of our community,” said The Hon. Hilary M. Weston during her welcome remarks. “I hope all of you agree that Vero Beach is a very special place – volunteerism is alive and well here – and it is an honor to co-chair this wonderful event,” she added to a rousing applause from the guests at the luncheon.

Also part of the luncheon was a charity raffle featuring an array of extravagant prizes donated by participating sponsors. From expensive wines donated by Bryant Estate and Il Borro to international travel packages, jewelry gifts and more, raffle winners took home exciting prizes. One lucky winner took away the featured prize, a beautiful Paul Morelli 18K yellow gold equestrian necklace, valued at $16,000, donated by the event’s Luxury Jeweler Co-Sponsors, Belle Cose and Paul Morelli.

Located near the luncheon tent, the buzzing Specialty Retail Village featured a curated selection of pop-up boutiques with products available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the benefitting charities. Luxury retailers included high-end clothing from Ala von Auersperg, J. McLaughlin and Stick & Ball, to name a few; jewelry from Paul Morelli and Tamara Comolli; equestrian artwork from featured artist Carrie Nygren; and more. At the center of the Specialty Retail Village was the Chateau d’Esclans Whispering Angel pop-up bar, a popular addition to the shopping experience.

Proceeds from the 2020 Windsor Charity Polo Cup will be donated to the three benefitting charities this year, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County, the Literacy Services of Indian River County and the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County in support of their respective causes. While totals are still being tallied, Windsor anticipates this to be one of the most successful fundraising efforts in the event’s history.

The 2020 Windsor Charity Polo Cup was supported by both national and local sponsors. Luxury brand and corporate sponsors include PNC Bank, Torwest, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Audi of Melbourne, CBRE, Laurent-Perrier, Chateau d’Esclans, Casa Dragones, Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Co., Sysco, Town & Country magazine and Vero Beach magazine, among others.

To view images of the 2020 Windsor Charity Polo Cup, please view the following links:

• Player Reception
• Charity Polo Cup

Media inquiries for high resolution photos can be directed to The Brandman Agency at windsor@brandmanagency.com.

About Windsor
Windsor is a private residential sporting club community spanning 425 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 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.  windsorflorida.com

Media Contact
The Brandman Agency
Michael Gartenlaub | Megan Trivelli
(212) 683-2442
windsor@brandmanagency.com