Polo in the Ozarks is polo for a cause … for 25 years

For the past 25 years when September rolls around, the green hills of the Buell farm outside of Goshen go from a quiet, pastoral setting to the site of a polo match and a festive party, hosting 2,000 people.

The polo players aren’t there to impress or rub shoulders with the elite in the area, instead they come together each September to play at Polo in the Ozarks, a fundraiser for Life Styles Inc., a non-profit organization that serves people with disabilities in Benton and Washington counties. For the past 38 years, Life Styles has been helping people with disabilities achieve the skills and confidence they need to live as independently as possible.

The core principle of the organization, according to their website, is that “community life is for everyone, that all people have value and that when individuals with disabilities are given the opportunity and support to participate and contribute to the community, all of our lives are enriched.”

In order to fulfill this mission, Life Styles has three core focuses: College for Living, Supported Employment and Supported Living. The money raised each year at Polo in the Ozarks goes to help fund these programs.

“This event allows us to raise money to designate to services and programs that might not otherwise be possible,” said Jennifer Maynard, executive director with Life Styles. “There are almost 3,000 people with disabilities on the state waiting list, wanting community based services. These funds help us bridge the gap. Our College for Living program and Supported Employment programs support a number of folks who have no other means of socialization or employment.  We are able to utilize these funds to help them have many opportunities that would not otherwise be available.”

Life Styles has many success stories, such as a man named James, who had been institutionalized for 20 years before coming to Life Styles, Sherry Anderson, finance director for Life Styles, said.

“He’s gone from being wheelchair bound to using a walker. He’s gone from eating food that was always chopped to its finest to just eating. It’s really all about quality of life. We want to make sure they fit into the community just like everyone else.”

The money raised on Saturday will help more people like James.

“All of it is to support people with disabilities,” said Jessie Terry, development coordinator for Life Styles. “Every ticket bought here is another opportunity we can provide for somebody in the community.”

The event was expected to raise well over $100,000.

“Our sponsorships brought in $103,000 alone,” Terry said. After adding gate receipts,  “we should be well over $100,000 this year,” he said.

In addition to the polo match, attendees enjoyed sampling food and drinks at the tailgate parties. Housed in white tents, they were hosted by partnerships between local businesses and eating establishments, such as First Security Bank and Hawaiian Brian’s. 

Children enjoyed such activities as pony rides, camel rides and seeing the Wells Fargo stagecoach pulled by four horses. Contestants also competed in a “best hat” contest and a “best bowtie” contest and guests could bid on over 200 items in the silent auction.

A gala followed the polo match. More than 800 guests paid $100 each to attend. They enjoyed a dinner catered by Spring Street Grill, music by Backroad Anthem and a live auction after dinner. Auction items included a Jimi Hendrix autographed collection; a dinner for 12 hosted by Jane and Chancellor G. David Gearhart and a $2,000 Romance Diamond shopping spree.