Top American Polo Player and Brooke USA ambassador, Nic Roldan, is excited to announce that on Tuesday, June 20th 2017 the first Global edition of Sunset Polo will take place between 5:00pm – 11:00pm, in the form of “Nic Roldan’s UK Sunset Polo” at the ancestral home of British Polo: Cowdray House in West Sussex. Monty Roberts, world renowned natural horseman, will demonstrate his Join-up technique, whilst Olympic Gold medalist Nick Skelton will make his polo debut alongside Roldan in what is billed to be 2017’s hottest equestrian ticket.
In 2016 the Inaugural Sunset Polo event took place in Wellington, Florida, USA followed recently by a second edition that welcomed over 1000 guests and raised U$D313,000 to benefit Brooke USA. The UK edition will be in aid of both Brooke (Registered Charity No. 1085760) and local charity Chestnut Tree House (Registered Charity No. 256789).
“I’m really proud and excited to be able to announce our first global Sunset Polo event. It’s thanks to my team and our enthusiastic event partners, combined with the local community, that this dream has turned into a reality, which I hope will become an event that will continue for many years to come. I’m excited to have members of different areas of the equestrian community coming together to support two causes very close to my heart. Hope to see you all there on June 20th.” ~ Nic Roldan
Nic is thrilled to be hosting the event on a Midsummer’s afternoon on the old polo field in the grounds of Cowdray House. Brooke is the world’s largest international equine welfare organisation dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules and those who rely on them. Chestnut Tree House is the children’s hospice for East and West Sussex, Brighton and Hove and South East Hampshire and cares for 300 children and young adults from 0-19 years of age with progressive life-shortening conditions.
“We are delighted to be collaborating with Nic Roldan and his team here at Cowdray for the inaugural international edition of their charity equestrian event. Cowdray has long been the home of British polo and it is fitting that Nic’s charity polo match and the other equestrian displays take place on Cowdray’s famous ‘House Ground’.
We are excited to be working together to raise money for the worthy beneficiary charities, including Chestnut Tree House near Chichester – a cause very close to us here at Cowdray”. ~ Jonathan Russell, Cowdray CEO
Roldan’s Sunset Polo will be a momentous show of unity between the various equestrian disciplines, with some of the world’s top equestrians participating. Natural horseman and fellow Brooke ambassador Monty Roberts, will open the event, giving a Horses and Horse Sense demonstration in which he combines his Join-up methods with empowering veterans suffering from post traumatic stress. This will be followed by a dressage to music display by one of the country’s leading riders. A chance to experience and be mesmerised by what in 2012 became known as “horse dancing”.
“I am very much looking forward to assisting The Brooke through an effort by Nic Roldan who is certainly going the extra mile to help horses and other equids globally. It sounds like it will be a lot of fun!” ~ Monty Roberts
The Sunset Polo game will see top professionals, alongside up and coming players with Roldan followed by a much anticipated celebrity chukker, where Skelton will be picking up a mallet for charity. Wocket Woy will be part of this event.
“Nic Woldan is pwetty good player but I am a pwofessional so I will be able to give him and the other players some tips to impwove their game. We look forward to helping waise lots of money for the Bwooke.” ~ Wocket Woy’s Mattie
Event partners include Cowdray Estate, The Lickfold Inn, Jeep, The Spread Eagle Hotel and Tregothnan, the pioneers of growing tea in the UK.
“The new and exclusive Nic Roldan’s Sunset blend is the most adventurous and stimulating tea blend ever. The transatlantic high society are sure to love this incredible tea and working with Nic has been a pleasure. Sample blends have been back and forth across the Atlantic to achieve the perfect finish and we are thrilled to be supporting Nic’s Sunset Polo events.” ~ Jonathon Jones, Tregothnan CEO
A goal of Nic’s, is to ensure the event is accessible to all. Three tiers of tickets are available: General admittance, Luxury Afternoon Tea and All inclusive VIP packages. Details can be found at: www.NicRoldan.com/Events.
The VIP All Inclusive experience incorporates the equestrian displays, afternoon tea and dinner tables for 8 in Cowdray House, food prepared by the The Lickfold Inn, overseen by Michelin Star Chef Tom Sellers. An innovative dinner menu, generously donated, by the Lickfold’s suppliers, will comprise of British dishes in their unique style. Chef Graham Squire brings experience and zest to dishes, with real passion and thought behind them. The evening will culminate with a Gatsby themed party.
There will be both silent and live auctions with five exceptional lots, followed by a firework display.
Equestrian displays of the highest calibre, world class food, a magical venue on a British Midsummer’s night and all for two great causes. This is one date that must not be missed in your summer plans and we very much look forward to welcoming you on June 20th.
When: 5:00pm – 11:00pm, Tuesday 20th June 2017
Where: Cowdray House, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 0AY
Further information and tickets can be found at: www.NicRoldan.com/Events
The Facebook page for the event is: https://www.facebook.com/events/816194645206051/
Tickets:
• £40 General Admittance to the Event and Equestrian displays
• £20 General Admittance for Children aged 12 and under
• £65 Luxury Afternoon Tea (including Pimms, G&T, canapés and general admittance)
• £2000 All Inclusive VIP Experience (including the full afternoon tea package for 8, a table for 8 at the formal dinner in Cowdray House by the Lickfold Inn and Gatsby Party )
• There will be special concession tickets for Cowdray Park Polo Club and Cowdray Golf Club members
Organising committee:
• Nic Roldan
• Clare Milford Haven
• Josh Sagman
• Topher Grubb
• Natascha Baecher
• Nick Kinder
• Abby Newell of Piaffe
• Debbie Loucks of Monty Roberts
• Sally Blackburn of Cowdray
• Sian Boston of Cowdray House
• Charlotte Verdon of the Cowdray Park Polo Academy
• Alexi Harrison of Brooke
Nic Roldan: Fuelled by talent, charisma and passion Nic Roldan is the present leading American polo player with an impressive 8-goal handicap rating. Nic the youngest polo player in the world to win the prestigious US Polo Open title at the age of 15 and is currently Captain of the American Polo Team. Winning on all 5 continents at every goal level, Nic continues to gain worldwide acclaim. His goals are to increase awareness and participation for the sport at all levels, reach the highest accolade 10-goal status, play the Argentine Open, claim a second US Polo Open title, add more worldwide Polo trophies to his cabinet and help America reclaim the infamous Westchester Cup. His commitment to popularise the sport he loves with a wider audience of younger players and new spectators reflects his passionate dedication to Polo. www.NicRoldan.com
Cowdray: Steeped in heritage and history, Cowdray is a 16,500-acre English estate located around Midhurst, West Sussex – approximately an hour’s drive from London. Encompassing a variety of accommodation and activities, the estate is the home of British Polo and boasts a singular exclusive-use events venue: Cowdray House. It is suitable for a range of occasions, from country house parties and corporate retreats, to weddings and celebrations. In addition, the estate features a Heritage site, Wellbeing Centre, Golf Club, Cowdray Park Polo Academy, award-winning Farm Shop & Café, Holiday Cottages and more. www.Cowdray.co.uk
Brooke: Brooke is an international charity that protects and improves the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules. Over 100 million of these animals are the backbone of developing communities and their best means of making a living. Without healthy working horses, donkeys and mules, around 600 million people wouldn’t be able to put food on their tables, send their children to school or build better futures for themselves and their families. Brooke delivers significant and lasting change, even in some of the world’s most challenging areas. They work with owners, communities, service providers, governments and international organisations. Brooke now reaches over two million working horses, donkeys and mules each year. Nic Roldan is donating a substantial part of the net profits from the UK Sunset Polo to the Brooke Hospital for Animals. Nic Roldan receives no payment from Brooke in connection with this fundraising for Brooke; The Brooke Hospital for Animals is a charity registered in England and Wales (No. 1085760) www.TheBrooke.org
Chestnut Tree House: Chestnut Tree House is a children’s charity providing hospice care services and community support for children and young people with progressive life-shortening conditions throughout East and West Sussex, Brighton and Hove and South East Hampshire. Chestnut Tree House offers support for the whole family including psychological and bereavement support, end of life and short break care and sibling support. It currently costs well over £3.5m each year to provide all the care services provided by Chestnut Tree House. Families are never charged for their care and less than 7p in every pound is funded by the government, so we rely heavily on the generosity, help and support of the people of Sussex. Their goal is to provide the best quality of life for children, young people and their families, and to offer a total package of practical, social and spiritual support throughout each child’s life, however short it may be. www.Chestnut-Tree-House.org.uk