August 2009 Newsletter
Our new barns are nearing completion and almost ready for the fall season. The top photo is Barn 1 getting topped off. The middle picture shows Barn 2 just getting started and the bottom photo is the newly refurbished Barn 3 awaiting new doors. All stalls will be available by the weekend, monthly or for the entire season. It’s going to be on a first come – first serve basis so be sure to contact the polo office to make your reservations.
For your convenience an online deposit form is now available on our Web site. Simply print and return it by mail for your fall team reservations. The form is in the Players Only section where you will also find the schedule and a registration form for our weekly practice games.
Barn 2
Barn 3
We have great news for our members: The all time premier player of England has joined our staff, Howard Hipwood, former 9 goaler and Captain of the English Team, will be running our umpire program and he will be in charge of the new Gracida International Polo & Riding Academy.
An on-site conditioning track and stick and ball field will be available at the new VP South location. Use will be limited to VPC members who are boarding at this location. Don’t forget we can now accommodate all your housing needs whether it’s for yourself, your family or grooms. Just give us a call.
We’ve made three major rule changes for this fall which will really enhance your playing experience at VPC.
A: More than one -1 can now play on a team.
B: We have dropped the 75% rule.
C: All minus ones will be allowed to play in all of our tournaments up to 12 goals.
2009 Fall Season Schedule
Opening Day Sunday October 4th
1st practice: Wednesday September 23rd
8 Goal Players Cup: 10/2 – 10/11
8 Goal Silver Cup: 10/16 – 10/25
Carlos Gracida Clinic 10/26 – 11/1
Women’s World Cup: 10/26 – 11/1
10 Goal Florida Cup: 11/6 – 11/15
10 Goal LaMartina Cup: 11/20 – 11/29
12 Goal Morse Cup: 12/4 – 12/6
Membership Fees
Annual Player Membership Fee: $1,500.
Includes practice games for team members only.
No extra charge for umpires or ambulance
Team Entry Fees for each tournament:
8 Goal: $1,000.
10 Goal: $1,000.
12 Goal: $1,200
Gracida Classic: Call for Details
Team entries and practice chukkers are on line.
Click at the top of this page.
Stalls, Turn Out, Grooms & Horses for Hire:
Call Santiago for assistance 352-750-7656 ex2
Club Contacts:
To order game DVDs: Mike 352-816-6013
To purchase photos:Eric 941-685-3086
Ron Allen 352-274-2688
Past Newsletters:
July 2009
Phase three of our field renovation program continues this month with
deep core aeration following the application of 3,000 tons of sand last
month. With the summer rains we are anticipating outstanding playing conditions for the 2009 fall season.
Two new private barns with 24 state of the art stalls are going to be ready in September and are located near the Club. In addition, work on the six refurbished stalls will be complete this month and we’ll be
introducing a conditioning track as well. All of this work is taking
place at VP South which is off CR 466.
Our Video Library now has four videos featuring a tour of the club, the
International $50,000 30 Goal Match, Camacho Cup, and Miami World Cup Beach Polo. They can also be seen on YouTube. VPC is now on Facebook with almost 400 new and long time friends. We will continue to develop our Twitter page as the season gets closer.
Please welcome our new National Sponsorship Sales Director: Mary Kate Donato from ProPolo in New York. She knows the game and has an outstanding background in the corporate sales world.
Our own Carlos Gracida is playing in the 20 goal in Santa Barbara this
month and will return to the Villages in October to begin The Carlos Gracida Polo & Riding Academy featuring instructional clinics which will be available to all of our members. Please call Santiago for more info.
June 2009
New club committees have been appointed:
Handicap:Stuart Campbell, Ron Allen & Jim Parr
Disciplinary:Michael Brown, Carlos Gracida & Don Waggoner
Social:Margot Moran, Susan Fredericks & Lynn Baker
Expansion work continues on the Polo Shoppe. The new store will be ready for business in the fall with 500 square feet of shopping space available.
We have a zero tolerance policy on drug and alcohol use and player misconduct on or off the field; all horses on VPC property must be treated with respect and are subject to random testing.