And they are off! The polo match begins during the sixth annual Ride to Thrive Polo Classic. Photo by Dancer Burns
The Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program (NVTRP), based in Clifton, hosted its sixth Ride To Thrive Polo Classic on Saturday, Sept. 8, at Chetwood Park in The Plains, Va. The polo match featured Team Chetwood Park/Golden Zebra of Lorton versus Team Los Tigres of Clifton.
About Ride to Thrive
All proceeds from the Ride to Thrive Polo Classic benefit The Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program in Clifton. The NVTRP provides equine-assisted activities for children and adults with disabilities, youth-at-risk, military service personnel and their families in an inclusive, community setting. For more information, please visit: www.nvtrp.org.
The Ride to Thrive Polo Classic also featured a variety of activities, including a visit by the Piedmont Driving Club Carriages, a tug-of-war, the Three Fox Vineyards Foxtrot Race reserved for women, Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. Canter Race for men, the traditional divot stomp and a live performance by The Gingerfunk All-Stars, a band well-known for playing a variety of music from Motown, funk, classic and modern rock.
“It was a wonderful event, as always,” said Breeana G. Bornhorst, executive director of NVTRP. “The event raises money for our nonprofit that provides therapeutic riding and hippotherapy to children and adults with disabilities, youth-at-risk and military service personnel through the challenging, physically active sport of horseback riding.”
Prior to the start of the polo match, artist Barbara Brown signed this year's Ride to Thrive Polo Classic poster. The silent auction included week and weekend getaways, exquisite artwork, local vineyard wine tastings and culinary delights at Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia restaurants.
There were two therapeutic riding demonstrations, including one by Maj. Max Brewer, a military service equestrian from Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program. Prior to the start of the Ride to Thrive Polo Classic, the "Scots 4 Tots" performed a Kilted Color Guard. The American Flag flown during the Kilted Color Guard performance is the flag that flew over Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom on Dec. 25, 2011 and brought back by U.S. Air Force Captain Eric W. Hastings.
Clifton's Paradise Springs Winery supplied red and white wines and Warrenton's Horse Country Cakes provided a variety of cupcakes for guests with a sweet tooth.
Sponsors for this year’s event included the Wounded Warriors Family Support, AmerisourceBergen, Contact Solutions, Flying Colors Polo Team, The Jackson Clinics, Jaleo Restaurant and Ted Britt Ford Lincoln Fisker.