Pony Up!

Life Styles saddles up for 25th annual polo match

Life Styles Inc., a local nonprofit providing programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities, is hosting its 25th Polo in the Ozarks polo match this weekend. The event is the primary fundraiser for the charity, welcoming more than 2,000 people to the Buell Farm in Goshen for a polo match, dinner and gala.

Backroad Anthem, a country rock band out of Fayetteville, will provide music for Saturday night's gala and dinner. The six-member band started out as a group of friends playing at a local church, but it quickly morphed into something bigger -- or as lead vocalist Craig Strickland says "the stars are aligning for this band." The release of the first EP last year shot the band to No. 24 on the iTunes Top Country Music Charts.

FAQ

Polo in the Ozarks

WHEN — 4-11 p.m. Saturday

WHERE — The Buell Farm on Arkansas 45 east of Fayetteville near Goshen

COST — $25-$150

INFO — 521-3581, lifestylesinc.org

Before patrons dance the night away, professional polo players from around the world will do what they do best, scoring goals on horseback to the delight of the cheering crowd.

"There's not another event like it, and there's no other sport like polo," says Jennifer Maynard, executive director of Life Styles Inc. "It's a family event, a couples event, a singles event. There's plenty of things for kids to do."

Patrons are welcome to take part in more than just polo. The event features a tailgating competition, food, live and silent auctions and children's activities, says Maynard. "It's extremely festive," she says of the event. "But not stuffy. There's so much going on. It's a happy crowd."

Money raised during the event will go to support three Life Styles programs: College for Living, Supported Employment and Supported Living, all programs which provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to be active members of the community, she says.

"This event brings in over $100,000 for us," Maynard says. "It helps us supplement programs that would otherwise go unfunded."

-- Allison Carter

[email protected]

NAN What's Up on 09/12/2014

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