Not even a pandemic could stop the success of Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County’s World Championship Equestrian Triathlon held on Monday, February 15, 2021. Despite COVID-19, athletes and a limited number of guests came together to raise more than $130,000 in support of the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club of Wellington. Spectators throughout the world joined in on the excitement via Facebook Live as elite polo players, show jumpers, and dressage riders switched their sports of expertise to make for an entertaining afternoon.
“My family and I feel truly honored to have been able to host the 2021 World Championship Equestrian Triathlon! Every single participant was generous, fun and passionate about the mission,” said Team Eye Candy Jumpers Owner and Event Hostess Erica Hatfield. “We hope to continue to be a part of the work that the Boys & Girls Club does, as well as the wonderful community of people that surrounds and supports them. Thank you to everyone involved.”
Neil S. Hirsch Boys & Girls Club of Wellington is one of 17 Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. The Club provides services during non-school hours, as well as summer camp opportunities, to nearly 1000 boys and girls from ages 6 to 18. Over 100 Club members tuned in to watch celebrity polo athletes Nic Roldan, Nacho Figueras and others compete on the field.
Guests watched from the edge of their seats as the competition came to a three-way tie. Team Sebilion defended their three-peat title and encompassed Courtney Muller as team captain, Betsy Van Dyke, Vanessa Mannix and Nic Roldan taking home the win in the jumping competition. Team Eye Candy included Pauline Watterlot as team captain, Andreas Cesar Alvarez, Paul O’Shea and Suzanne Wepplo making their triathlon debut and taking home the title of dressage champions. Ford’s Garage encompassed Tesia De Lange as team captain, Kerstie Allen, Chapin Cheska, Paula Matute and Nacho Figueras taking home the 2021 World Championship Equestrian Triathlon win and taking one final goal in the last chucker to break the tie.
Frank Lyons and Gus Whitelaw entertained guests as the star announcers for the event. International dressage stars PJ Rizvi, Ashley Holzer and Bebe Davis served as judges, and sounds of country artist Tom Blake and SL Events and Productions filled the field during the sunny afternoon. Pro polo player and announcer Brandon Phillips called the last polo goal determining the 2021 World Championship Equestrian Triathlon winners.
Guests thoroughly enjoyed the outdoor lunch provided by Ford’s Garage in Wellington. The private showgrounds at EyeCandyLand featured an unrivaled backdrop to highlight the natural beauty and raw power of the elite equestrian competition and benefit event.
Serving as Co-Chairmen were Neil S. Hirsch & Kathleen Gannon-Ledsome.
Sponsors included Bacardi, Bainbridge Companies, Black Watch Farm, Eye Candy, Fleur De Lis International Realty, Ford’s Garage, Glenbeigh Farm, PNC Bank , Polo Gear, Publix Supermarket Charities, Sebilion Farm, Shelley Paulson Photography, The Dressage Store and Martini & Rossi.
