It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere: Chukkers for Charity Offers Patrons a Passport to Paradise

Clouds scudded across a temperate breeze, and as guests checked into Riverview Farm’s island escape, all were given a lei for an immersive experience at this year’s Chukkers for Charity. 

Fieldside cabanas were designed with the “passport to paradise” theme in mind, and tropical rock — heavily favoring the rum-soaked ballads of Jimmy Buffett — drifted through the air. Guests enjoyed the signature cocktail — a Polo Paloma — as Saddle Up! riders and Rochelle Center participants presented the flags, and Dan O’Callaghan belted a wonderful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The two teams — representing Ironhorse Farms and Colonial Hill Farm — met on the pitch and gave a good show to the cheering crowds on both sides of the long field. The patrons’ side was lined with cabanas reserved by companies and families, and each one was full of well-dressed polo fans and donors happy to be supporting the goals of two beloved area nonprofits.

At halftime, everyone poured onto the field for the traditional divot stomp, helping smooth out the field again before the second half. While folks were busy stomping, kiddos lined up for the most competitive part of the day: the Stick-horse Race. Afterward, ice cream sandwiches — a welcome treat in the hot afternoon sun — were passed around, and stick-horse rivalries were all but forgotten.

The ponies and riders strode out onto the pitch once again for the second half (the last three chukkers) of the match. Team Colonial Hill Farm, represented by players Orrin Ingram, Wes Finlayson, Armando Huerta and Aaron Barrett, came out on top to claim the trophy. 

Wesley Uys, playing for Ironhorse Farms, received the Most Valuable Player Award. The real winners, though, are the children and adults who are part of the programs at Rochelle Center and Saddle Up! and benefit from this beloved event which has raised over $2.6 million in its history.