THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS Who helped to make this book happen NATIONAL SPONSORS Egan, Mike
Pennycook, Don & Carol
Mike Egan is a Canadian entrepreneur and businessman. He took up the sport of polo as an adult and has since become an active competitor at his home club in Toronto during the summer, and in Florida and Barbados during the winter. Mike also enjoys travelling and has had the opportunity to play around the world. Passionate about the game, Mike has been involved in many polo initiatives, including being the Chair of Polo For Heart, and the Founder, Executive Producer and Chief fundraiser for “The Sport Of Polo In Canada” book.
Don and Carol Pennycook have a deep-rooted involvement in polo. Aside from their busy careers, they run Club Polo Nacional from their home farm near Montreal. Every summer, they coordinate and host polo charity events and tournaments at the club. Passionate about horses, they also have a successful polo pony breeding program at their farm. Don is the President of Polo Canada and the Canadian delegate for The Federation of International Polo (FIP). As active players and avid polo travellers, Don and Carol have played polo all over the world, and Don has played in Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Chile, Dominican Republic, England, France, Ghana, India, Ireland, Mexico, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, and the U.S.A.
Sifton Family For over 60 years, the Sifton Family has been involved in many aspects of polo, including organizing charitable and community events, and the development and promotion of the sport in Canada. Colonel Michael Sifton was the Toronto Polo Club President until his death in 1995. He was instrumental in building the Canadian Polo Association, and a national team to compete in the FIP World Cup. He also began Polo For Heart, which has just celebrated its 40th anniversary and has raised over $6 million dollars for charity. Colonel Sifton’s three sons have continued to contribute to the sport. Cliff is the current President of the Toronto Polo Club, honorary Chair of Polo For Heart, and a director of the Canadian Polo Association. He is also active with the United States Polo Association. Mike Jr. and Derek have been directors on the board for the Toronto Polo Club and committee members for Polo For Heart. The children of Cliff, Mike Jr. and Derek continue the family legacy and love of the game as they begin to take on more responsibilities within the club.
PATRON SPONSORS Benitz, John John is a 4th generation polo player, and a citizen of Canada and Argentina. He often plays in Argentina and California with his friend and legend Memo Gracida. John was introduced to the game by his father, who spoke often about the Benitz family’s association with polo in Argentina. John’s great-grandfather, John Benitz, was one of the founders of the Argentine Assoc. de Polo and winner of some of the first polo championships. His grandfather, a high-goal player and leading horse breeder, played in multiple Argentine and Hurlingham Opens with fellow Canadian and family friend, Lewis Lacey. The Benitz family continues to love polo today.
Brown, Kevin Kevin Brown is the President and Founder of the media and communications company, MediaEdge. He is an active player with the Toronto Polo Club and enjoys participating in pro leagues and tournaments at Toronto and in Florida. Kevin supports many charitable polo initiatives in Toronto, most recently the design and production of “The Sport Of Polo In Canada” book project.
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Bozzo, Riccardo Riccardo (“Ricky”) Bozzo B.A., LL.B, was born and raised in Toronto. He is the President and CEO of a real estate investment and development company. He is also the owner and operator of a film production studio. Riccardo is the co-founder of Silstar Foundation, a charitable organization that supports lung cancer research and patient care. In addition to his business, community and political engagements, Riccardo supports his wife’s, Dr. Emily Lai, medical career as a cardiologist. Together, they have two enthusiastic young sons, Adriano and Marcello. Riccardo is forever grateful for having been introduced to the sport of polo at the age of 14 by his late best friend and mentor, Frank Vlahovic. As a member of the Toronto Polo Club for over 30 years, Riccardo has played in Canada and the USA and had achieved a 2-goal handicap rating. Having taken a break from polo for several years, Riccardo has returned to actively playing.
