Harvest Cup Polo Classic 2018

Polo With a Purpose

The Harvest Cup Polo Classic has been a well-loved event of the Junior League of Greater Covington for 22 years—and it’s growing stronger! Polo With A Purpose was created in 2017 to make the Greater New Orleans area more aware of the Harvest Cup Polo Classic’s benefits. JLGC Fund Development Assistant Vice President and Polo Chair Elizabeth Westervelt says: “We arranged a Polo With A Purpose table last year where representatives from our Community Assistance Grant beneficiaries were seated. It was a great opportunity for Polo patrons to meet the leaders of these organizations that were benefitting from their ticket purchases and silent auction bids. “We awarded seven community grants last year including: Hope House, St. Tammany Art Association, St. Tammany Parenting Center, New Heights Therapeutic Riding Center, St. Tammany Parish Library Foundation, and our signature project, the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany.” The first official Polo With A Purpose Grant was also set aside in 2017. “Last year, we awarded the first grant to Kickin’ Parkinson’s in memory of Huey LaPlace, a local polo legend. Diane LaPlace honored her late husband by walking a pony across the field exhibiting Huey’s bridle and saddle with his boots backward in the stirrups during the opening ceremony. It was very special.” As the primary fundraiser for the JLGC, Polo feeds many grants and projects. Elizabeth says, “Each year we assess the current needs of our community and take action to positively impact these areas, so our projects flex with the needs of the community. The generosity given through Polo is how we are able to fund our projects and the reason we are able to carry out our mission and impact the community.” A fun addition to Polo is the Bourbon Bury. Held exactly a month before the event, the JLGC and Polo sponsors and donors gather to bury the bourbon in hopes of good weather on the day of. This year, the bourbon, provided by the New Orleans Bourbon Festival, will be buried on September 21, with the HCPC following on October 21. As 2018 Polo Chair, Elizabeth is hopeful for another successful year of Polo—especially With A Purpose. “My priority is that everyone attending the HCPC has an incredible experience so that our purpose only grows stronger and our Polo ‘believers’ come together to make the largest impact on the lives of the women, men and children of St. Tammany who need it most.” Join the JLGC on October 21, 2018, at Summergrove Farm for the 22nd Annual Harvest Cup Polo Classic. Rain date is October 28, 2018. For more information, visit jlgc.net. The Junior League of Greater Covington could not produce the beautiful day of Polo without the help of generous donors and supporters.

Your Day at Polo

October 21 Harvest Cup Polo Classic Summergrove Farm, Folsom 11:00 Gates Open 11:30 Opening Ceremony, National Anthem, Polo With A Purpose Grant Presentation 11:45 Round Robin Match 1:00 Divot Stomp 1:30 Featured Match 2:30 Awards Presentation 3:00 Pretty Woman Hat Contest, Parade of Breeds 3:30 Rolex Raffle 3:40 Live Auction/Silent Auction Closes 4:00 Four Unplugged All times and events subject to change.

The Junior League of Greater Covington could not produce the beautiful day of Polo without the help of generous donors and supporters.

2018 Polo Chair Elizabeth Westervelt, Fergie the dog, Laurie McCants of Mercedes-Benz of Covington and 2019 Polo Chair Lillie Parrie.

Chad and Vanessa Berg of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry.

David Fennelly and Carlos Sanchez of Summergrove Farm.

Barry and Priscilla Morse of Latter and Blum.

Lacey Conway, President of Latter and Blum

Tammy O’Shea of Fidelity Bank and Lori Murphy of Inside Northside

The JLGC Harvest Cup Polo Classic Committee

2018 Poster Artist Jan Hubbell

2018 Poster Artist Jan Hubbell.

photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com

The thunder of horse hooves on the verdant grass field stops after several exciting minutes, signaling the end of the first chukka. A hard-riding polo player sits briefly to catch his breath prior to the start of the next one, his helmet resting in his lap while his fingers lightly graze the mallet at his side. Harvest Cup Polo Classic’s 2018 poster artist Jan Hubbell’s painting of the nattily dressed seated player in his white breeches and brown leather boots depicts a rare moment of calm, away from the breakneck activity on the rectangular polo field. Hubbell explains her intent when she created the work of art: “I wanted to do something different than just showing the player on his horse, with the field in the background. So, I focused in on the bottom half of the player, his boots and the straps.” Hubbell, a hairdresser by trade, was always interested in art but as a busy wife, mother and businesswoman couldn’t make it a priority until the past few years. She says, “I didn’t have the luxury of time while I was raising my two boys. My husband was a baseball coach, and I had my own hair salon (she stills does hair one day a week). But when my sons left for college, I began taking art classes and workshops. Then, eight years ago I started taking classes with Gretchen Armbruster at Armbruster Artworks.” Now completely devoted to art, Hubbell takes classes six days a week and has successfully changed her artistry from styling hair to painting on the canvas. The Louisiana native, who has lived on the northshore for over 38 years, works in oils and is most passionate about painting New Orleans scenes, Mardi Gras and landscapes—in particular, trees. “I’m inspired by live oaks, and right now, I’m working on a painting of the Seven Sisters Live Oak.” Hubbell finds painting therapeutic, saying enthusiastically, “Painting blocks out the news and worries of the day. When you have a paintbrush in your hand, you don’t think of anything else, and that’s when I feel the best!” For more information about Jan Hubbell’s paintings or her private commissions, please write to janhubbell@gmail.com.

Bid High, Bid Often!

While there are many silent auction items to bid on during your day at Polo, here’s a handful that we have our eyes on. An Evening Pig Roast for 40 Guests A delicious roast prepared by the reigning Hogs For A Cause Grand Champion Swine Krewe. Private In-home Bourbon Tasting Indugle in an in-home bourbon tasting sponsored by the New Orleans Bourbon Festival. Chef’s Table at Commander’s Palace A decadent food and wine experience specifically geared toward adults with very bold palates. Julia Childs Menu Cooking Class Bring six of your closest pals for a Julia Childs Menu Cooking Class donated by Bella Cucina Designs. Three Night Stay in a Beach Front Condo Relax with ocean views in Romar Beach donated by Tammy Whitehead, Latter & Blum Realtor.

Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry’s Rolex Raffle

Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, a family-owned company, opened in Baton Rouge in 1978. Celebrating its 40th year in business, Lee Michaels is now one of the largest independent established jewelry stores in the United States. Lee Michaels features quality lines such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, David Yurman and Roberto Coin. Now a second-generation business, Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry has attained a level of excellence few first-generation businesses can match. “We have made exceeding our customers’ expectations our tradition. We consider our customers our friends and provide them the personal attention and professional expertise that have become our hallmarks,” says Vice President Chad Berg. “Lee Michaels is proud to be part of the worldwide network of Official Rolex Jewelers. This means we are allowed to sell and maintain Rolex watches. Our team has the necessary skills, technical know-how and special equipment to work with Rolex. We guarantee the authenticity of each and every part of your Rolex purchased at Lee Michaels,” says Berg. This year, this longtime team sponsor and community partner of the Harvest Cup Polo Classic and the Junior League of Greater Covington decided to up their game. “Lee Michaels is proud of our lengthy relationship with JLGC and to be a sponsor for their 22nd annual Harvest Cup Polo Classic. We have donated a beautiful ladies 31mm Oyster Perpetual Date Rolex for the event’s ROLEX RAFFLE,” explains Berg. Tickets for the ROLEX RAFFLE are $20 each, and only 750 will be sold. The drawing will take place at 3:30 p.m. at the Harvest Cup Polo Classic, but the winner need not be present. Tickets are available for purchase from any JLGC member in advance and also at the event until they sell out. All proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Junior League of Greater Covington and its Community Projects. “Polo has consistently been one of our favorite events each year because we love the mission of the Junior League and what they do for the community,” says Berg.

Inside Northside is proud to partner with the Junior League of Greater Covington.