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FRIENDS IN NEED

Dear Supporter,

Thanks to the incredible generosity of friends like you, since inception in 2002, the PPSG has paid out almost $1,300,000 to 38 seriously injured or ill players and grooms.

Unfortunately, it is likely we will continue to find members of our polo family in need of assistance. Therefore I hope you will be able to attend the annual Outback 40 Goal Games played in February of each year, and share in a fun filled display of the world's best players followed by a fabulous dinner and auction.

If you are unable to attend but would like to help, donations are always welcome or stay tuned for auction items and plan to bid by phone.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PAST SUPPORT!!!!

Best Regards,

David Offen


The efforts of numerous volunteers and the generosity of our sponsors and donors have provided much needed help to many members of our polo family. Since inception, the PPSG has provided financial assistance to:

(click on a gold link to read more...)

  1. Rob Walton*, for ongoing living and therapy expenses.
  2. Gary Rizzo*, for whom we established an education trust.
  3. Brian Murphy*, who requires ongoing care for a serious head injury.
  4. Ruben Repollo*, a groom who miraculously survived multiple stab wounds in 2002. Thanks to Dr. Ian Rubins, Dr. Bruce Molinelli and Greenwich Hospital, Ruben received the cosmetic surgery required to restore his stomach to its original appearance..
  5. Murad Ismael, who bruised his spinal cord in a polo accident in 2002 which kept him out of work for six months..
  6. Justin Pimsner*, who had a terrible truck and trailer accident, resulting in the loss of eight horses and leaving him with serious multiple injuries requiring about twenty surgeries to date.
  7. Bob Stuerzebecher, who was thrown from a horse while umpiring, breaking six ribs and had his spleen removed.
  8. Bobby Barry*, during his successful battle with cancer. Tragically, we lost Bobby to a heart attack.
  9. Mark Gutierrez - whose complications with a broken ankle kept him out of the saddle for six plus months.
  10. Judith Baker - who was unable to work for six months due to a serious back injury which required surgery.
  11. Manuel Romero - long time groom of Memo Gracida who had to stop working after a long battle with untreatable cirrhosis of the liver.
  12. Patricia Torres - a groom who was diagnosed with cancer.
  13. Sebastian Bonorino - unable to work for six months due to acute viral hepatitis.
  14. Brian Middleton - Unable to work for at least six months due to pulmonary embolism.
  15. Miguel Torres* - a longtime pro was diagnosed with malignant brain tumors. Miguel underwent surgery, chemo and radiation.
  16. Gina Wood - a groom who has been working in high-goal for over 15 years, suffered a serious infection in her foot which resulted in blood clots. Despite several surgeries, unfortunately, doctors were forced to amputate the foot.
  17. Paul Hoddy - a player/groom from the Chicago area sufferd a serious fall from a ladder which left him unable to work for 4-6 months.
  18. Agustin Ortiz* - who has been unable to work for over six months due to complications following two knee replacement surgeries to date. Unfortunately Augustine will have to undergo further surgery.
  19. Greg Garvin - was diagnosed with CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy) in April 2004. In May 2005 Greg was hospitalized for four months and diagnosed with POEMS Syndrome, a very rare cancer. Greg refuses to give in and continues physiotherapy to overcome severe neuropathy in his hands and feet.
  20. Salvador Socas* - suffered a serious head injury in a polo accident.
  21. Estabon Panelo - Estabon was a 9 goal player when he suffered a very serious head injury that ended his quest of reaching 10 goals and effectively ended his career as a pro.
  22. Patricio Vasquez* - was unable to work for six months due to serious illness.
  23. David Manuel - was unable to work for six months due to a serious injury, breaking both legs.
  24. Nick Winters - was thrown from a horse and suffered a serious spinal cord injury. He was originally unable to move his legs and arms but his prognosis is good and should make a full recovery after a lengthy rehabilitation.
  25. Estabon Zoppi - suffered a bad hip fracture in a practice game.
  26. Claudio Perez* - a groom who suffered a very serious spinal cord injury and likely will spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
  27. Hugo Nunez - who suffered a serious spinal cord injury while playing.
  28. Laurie Logsdon - a groom who suffered a spinal cord injury during a fall from a horse.
  29. Nestor Fadiga - a groom who is suffering from serious kidney disease and is in need of a transplant.
  30. John Cole - fought a very brave fight against cancer but unfortunately passed away.
  31. Claudio Manfrin - who suffered a life threatening motorcycle accident and faces a very long rehab & recovery.
  32. Luis Funes - was hit head-on by a drunk driver, suffered 2 collapsed lungs, multiple rib fractures and a laceration of the lower lobe of the liver, and has developed acute respiratory distress syndrome from his injuries that may keep him out of work for at least 9 months
  33. Joi Rodriguez - was involved in a serious truck and trailer accident that resulted in the loss of 4 horses and Joi being airlifted to the hospital in critical condition. She will require multiple surgeries.
  34. Dave Roberts - had a serious illness and was unable to work for five months.
  35. Miguel Silvestre - had a serious back injury requiring surgery and was unable to work for 8 months.
  36. Veronica Celis - suffered a very serious illness and was unable to manage the family polo business for 5 months.
  37. Simon Martineau - who is battling cancer.
  38. Marcos Chavez - a groom who had a tumor removed from behind his eye and was unable to work for six months.

The beneficiaries with a star * next to their name have received more than one assistance grant.

The PPSG enables us to make tax deductible donations, to help our friends in need, while at the same time enjoying great polo and great camaraderie.

We appreciate and are very grateful to everyone who has contributed to our success to date. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all our sponsors, donors, ticket and auction items buyers and the volunteers who help make it all happen!

Please join us for the Outback 40 Goal Challenge to benefit the PPSG to be played each year at International Polo Club in February. For tickets, please call The International Polo Club at (561) 204-5687.

To make tax deductible donations, please make checks out to
Polo Players Support Group, Inc.
11924 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 22-287
Wellington, FL 33414

 

 

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