Horses and Hats

On 9 September 2012, Houston’s social circle came out in full force, donning hats and the latest fashion in support of ‘Horses and Hats’, a polo charity match benefiting Snowdrop Foundation. Co-hosts Kevin Kline, president of Snowdrop Foundation and polo-playing Rice University student, Ameer Jumabhoy (above, on horseback), treated VIP guests to an impressive culinary feast by restaurant group Landry’s as well as a silent auction, which featured items such as boxing gloves autographed by Mike Tyson. The event was a complete sell-out, with over 1,000 people in attendance to kick off the autumn polo season at the Houston Polo Club.

Dominique McGhee, founder of Food Monsters, one of Houston’s largest food blogs, was in attendance and said of the event, ‘I think it was very successful in introducing more people to the sport and I would definitely attend a match again. It was great to see everyone dressed in a polo-inspired fashion theme and it was all in good taste.’ Of the actual polo, Dominique remarked, ‘I enjoyed watching La Sarita and Ameer win and I have much respect for the Golden Goals polo programme. I like that it motivates other people to do great things, and it is fantastic to see a young person like Ameer spearheading such an initiative.’

Up for grabs on the polo field was the Bentley Charity Cup, in honour of the luxury automobile maker that was launching the new V8 Continental GT on the day. La Sarita polo team captain Ameer Jumabhoy led his team to a 6-4 win over Snowdrop Foundation Polo. Over $20,000 was raised for Snowdrop and all guests left the event with hugely positive feedback on the day, many promising to return for another afternoon of action-packed polo in the near future. Snowdrop Foundation was started following a chance meeting between Kevin Kline and Chelsey Campbell, a 15-year-old girl who had been diagnosed with undifferentiated sarcoma, an extremely rare type of cancer. With only a one in ten chance of survival, Chelsey told the doctors that she would be that one person. Sadly, Chelsey lost her battle to cancer on 9 December 2006. Snowdrop Foundation was a gift for Chelsey’s 16th birthday in early 2009 . The organisation’s aim is to provide academic scholarships to current and former cancer patients as well as funds towards research of paediatric cancer.

Golden Goals is an international initiative started by Ameer Jumabhoy that aims to firstly, bring a long-term charity aspect to polo and secondly, showcase the sport to as many people as possible. The initiative was started in conjunction with the Texas Children’s Hospital following Ameer’s dad and aunt being diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 2010. Today, the Golden Goals project has branched out to help various social causes internationally and has raised over $70,000 for breast cancer, fertility treatment in women as well as paediatric cancer. Golden Goals events have taken place in Malaysia and the US with an aim to expand to Jordan, Pakistan and Canada within the next year.