The 22nd annual Chukkers for Charity polo match was played on Saturday, September 8, 2018, hosted by Lee Ann and Orrin Ingram at their Riverview Farm in Franklin, Tenn.
John and Crispin Menefee’s Ironhorse Farms and Eleanor Menefee Parkes’ Colonial Hill Farm were the team sponsors, thus creating a bit of sibling rivalry, as the opposing farm owners John and Eleanor are brother and sister.
Both teams featured all-female players, with the Ironhorse Farms team including Martha Bennett, Virginia Ingram, Hope Arellano and Gillian Johnston. The Colonial Hill Farm team included Gracie Brown, Lexie Armstrong, Dawn Jones (wife of actor Tommy Lee Jones) and Allie Henderson.
Attendees were provided with green ribbons to wear in honor the memory of the head of the Menefee family, Albert Menefee III, who passed away September 3, 2018. There was also a moment of silence to remember him. Albert had succumbed from injuries sustained from a horseback riding accident. He had been Master of Fox Hounds of the Hillsboro Hounds, and later established his own pack, the Cedar Knob Hounds, which are hunted on his family farm near Lynnville, Tenn. John Menefee is his brother and Eleanor Menefee Parkes, his sister.
This year’s polo event returned with the theme “Diamonds and Divots” to raise funds for Rochelle Center and Saddle Up!, two middle Tennessee organizations that support individuals with disabilities. This year’s event raised over $220,000 for these charities.
The annual polo match featured the usual Classic Car show at “half time,” a petting zoo for the children, a silent auction, and began with some celebrity-provided music. Rising Country music artist Curtis Braly performed “America the Beautiful,” and the Sweet Tea Trio, another Country group from Nashville, rocked the National Anthem. As with many “see and be seen” social events, there were contests for best dressed female, best dressed male, best hat, best bling and a cabana decorating contest.
Champions of the afternoon’s match were the Ironhorse Farms team, with a score of 6 to 5, and the most valuable player award went to Dawn Jones.
Find more information about Chukkers for Charity at: www.chukkersforcharity.net and on facebook at: Chukkers for Charity.
About Rochelle Center
In 1968, educator W.R. Rochelle began the foundation for the agency to offer supports for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. These supports would enhance skills necessary for these individuals to become as independent as possible in the community. Today’s Rochelle Center continues that mission with community integration, employment, in addition to residential services. For more information, visit www.rochellecenter.org.
About Saddle Up!
Saddle Up! is Middle Tennessee’s center for equine therapy, education and advocacy. A PATH Premiere Center, Saddle Up! provides equine therapy services that include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and adaptive recreational riding for children ages 2 through 24 with diagnosed disabilities. The program was incorporated in 1991 to make positive physical, mental and cognitive improvements in children’s lives through the power of the horse.
John and Crispin Menefee’s Ironhorse Farms and Eleanor Menefee Parkes’ Colonial Hill Farm were the team sponsors, thus creating a bit of sibling rivalry, as the opposing farm owners John and Eleanor are brother and sister.
Both teams featured all-female players, with the Ironhorse Farms team including Martha Bennett, Virginia Ingram, Hope Arellano and Gillian Johnston. The Colonial Hill Farm team included Gracie Brown, Lexie Armstrong, Dawn Jones (wife of actor Tommy Lee Jones) and Allie Henderson.
Attendees were provided with green ribbons to wear in honor the memory of the head of the Menefee family, Albert Menefee III, who passed away September 3, 2018. There was also a moment of silence to remember him. Albert had succumbed from injuries sustained from a horseback riding accident. He had been Master of Fox Hounds of the Hillsboro Hounds, and later established his own pack, the Cedar Knob Hounds, which are hunted on his family farm near Lynnville, Tenn. John Menefee is his brother and Eleanor Menefee Parkes, his sister.
This year’s polo event returned with the theme “Diamonds and Divots” to raise funds for Rochelle Center and Saddle Up!, two middle Tennessee organizations that support individuals with disabilities. This year’s event raised over $220,000 for these charities.
The annual polo match featured the usual Classic Car show at “half time,” a petting zoo for the children, a silent auction, and began with some celebrity-provided music. Rising Country music artist Curtis Braly performed “America the Beautiful,” and the Sweet Tea Trio, another Country group from Nashville, rocked the National Anthem. As with many “see and be seen” social events, there were contests for best dressed female, best dressed male, best hat, best bling and a cabana decorating contest.
Champions of the afternoon’s match were the Ironhorse Farms team, with a score of 6 to 5, and the most valuable player award went to Dawn Jones.
Find more information about Chukkers for Charity at: www.chukkersforcharity.net and on facebook at: Chukkers for Charity.
About Rochelle Center
In 1968, educator W.R. Rochelle began the foundation for the agency to offer supports for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. These supports would enhance skills necessary for these individuals to become as independent as possible in the community. Today’s Rochelle Center continues that mission with community integration, employment, in addition to residential services. For more information, visit www.rochellecenter.org.
About Saddle Up!
Saddle Up! is Middle Tennessee’s center for equine therapy, education and advocacy. A PATH Premiere Center, Saddle Up! provides equine therapy services that include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and adaptive recreational riding for children ages 2 through 24 with diagnosed disabilities. The program was incorporated in 1991 to make positive physical, mental and cognitive improvements in children’s lives through the power of the horse.
