Thank You to the Sponsors

Who helped to make this book happen NATIONAL SPONSORS

Egan, Mike

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.

Pennycook, Don & Carol

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.

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.

Dillane, Bill

Bill Dillane has built a successful career in health care management. He is an active player with the Toronto Polo Club, and also enjoys playing in Barbados during the winters. Bill is an executive member of the Polo For Heart committee, helping to organize and fundraise for this annual event that raises money for heart and stroke related charities.

Emery, John

John Emery, a long-time member of the Toronto Polo Club, played polo for 37 years and was one of the founders of the Canadian Polo Association. He played an active role in the game’s development, travelling across Canada giving clinics, helping kick-start new clubs , and promoting the Mountbatten Series (an early Invitational tournament series). Fielding many competitive teams over the years, John has played all over Canada and the U.S., and enjoyed the pro leagues at the Toronto Polo Club.

Fogarty, Justin

Justin Fogarty is a leading Canadian lawyer, and avid polo player. His many polo attributes include past President of the Canadian Polo Association, Co-founder of Snow Polo Tremblant, and Co-Founder of the International Lawyers Polo Tournament. Justin was an active player at the Toronto Polo Club, and Club Polo Nacional, until his recent move to Europe.

Genovese, Bobby

Bobby Genovese is a successful businessman and a long-time friend and member of the Toronto Polo Club. He played for many years in Toronto and Florida with his team Vancouver International. His interest in polo has led Bobby to create multiple polo and equestrian clubs, including the BG Polo & Equestrian Resort in Ocala, Florida, and the Vero Beach Polo Club, in Vero Beach, Florida.

O’Leary Family

Brian and Wendy O’Leary own and operate Polo Management Services, a large polo school and full-service boarding facility just north of Toronto. Both keen players, their young son Connor has also caught the polo bug and is already an impressive player. Brian is on the Board of Directors of the Toronto Polo Club, and the executive committee for Polo For Heart. He is also Chair of the Toronto Polo Club new membership committee.

Sierra, Baljit

Baljit Sierra is a competitive 1-goal player with the Toronto Polo Club, participating in many tournaments and pro-leagues throughout the years in Toronto and Florida.

Payne, David

David Payne is a recently retired lawyer who plays polo with the Toronto Polo Club. An active hockey player and equestrian all his life, David only recently found the sport that combines them both. Since learning to play polo, David has enjoyed playing competitive tournaments at Toronto. He played in the Snow Polo Tremblant event and has also played internationally in tournaments in Barbados and an FIP tournament in Asia.

Torokvei Family

Bob, his son Max and daughter Asta, are members of the Toronto Polo Club. Asta is an accomplished equestrian in the world of show-jumping, and recently took up polo as well. Bob and Max have been playing polo for the last decade. Max is a competitive player in pro leagues and tournaments in Toronto and Wellington, Florida.

Offen Family

The Offen family has been involved in polo since the early days of the Toronto Polo Club. The family patriarch, Dr. Tom Offen, left a legacy of talented players. His two sons, Dave and Todd, and grandsons, Robert and Brendon, have gone on to become professional players and have represented Canada on many teams. Dave Offen is the President of Polo Players Support Group, and the Vice-President of Polo Canada.

Rivkin, Andrew

Andrew Rivkin is a Canadian entrepreneur and investor. He is an avid polo player and a long-time member of the Toronto Polo Club. Carrying a 1-goal handicap, Andrew enjoys playing in Toronto during the summer, and in Florida and England for the rest of the year.

Van der Burgt Family

Phil and Tammy Van der Burgt own and operate the Greater Niagara Polo Club with their two children Hailey and Hunter. A true polo family, the Van der Burgts travel and compete all over North America. The family has a strong interest in making polo fun and attainable to all, as well as developing young players. They run many lesson programs, camps and tournaments throughout the year.

PATRON SPONSORS

Ward Family

King Ward and his family are active members of the Toronto Polo Club where King has been instrumental in developing and sponsoring significant polo charity events, including the Black & White Polo Ball, Polo In the City, Polo For Heart, and Polo Under The Stars. His sons Kingsley Jr. and Mich have represented Toronto on many interscholastic and intercollegiate teams and are both talented 2-goal players. His daughter Georgia is also an active member of the Club and is rapidly developing her polo skills. Kingsley Jr. has recently been appointed to the Toronto Polo Club Board of Directors.

Watchorn, Derek

Derek Watchorn is a retired businessman and lawyer who remains engaged as a director of several public companies and not-for profit entities. He played polo with the Toronto Polo Club for many years. After hanging up his mallet, Derek continued to stay active with the club as the Chairman of Polo For Heart for eight years. Derek’s grandson Ryan continues the family’s involvement in the sport and is an accomplished 1-goal player.

Wright, Chris

Chris Wright lives in Toronto, Ontario, where he works in the investment management industry. On weekends you can usually find him at the Greater Niagara Polo Club. Chris has ridden since the mid1970s and enjoyed polo since the mid-1990s.

Bobby Genovese. Painting by Melinda Brewer