Polo on the Prairie raises more than $1 million for MD Anderson

HOUSTON ― The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center held its 38th annual Polo on the Prairie on April 27 in West Texas, raising over $1 million for patient care, research and education initiatives. The event drew more than 1,300 attendees to Rancho Verde in Breckenridge, Texas.

“Polo on the Prairie embodies the spirit of West Texans. It is a community dedicated to helping those who have been touched by cancer and the skillful doctors and staff at MD Anderson who care for them,” said Henry Musselman, long-time event host and member of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors (BOV). “We are all a part of Making Cancer History® for MD Anderson’s patients and their loved ones in Texas, across the nation and around the world.”

The event featured a polo tournament, with Midland Polo Club winning the championship. The winning team's players included Jaun “Bauti” Crotto (4 goal), Ulysses Escapite (4 goal), Ulysses Escapite, Jr. (-1 goal) and Molly Smith (0 goal). Following the match, attendees enjoyed a Texas-size chuck wagon barbecue dinner provided by Joe Allen’s Pit Bar-B-Que. Guests also enjoyed a private concert by country music superstars, Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson, with surprise special guest Cowboy Troy. The evening concluded with fireworks by Pyro Shows of Texas.

“Polo on the Prairie is a testament to the incredible generosity and heartfelt support of our friends in West Texas,” said Darrow Zeidenstein, senior vice president and chief philanthropy officer at MD Anderson. “We are grateful to the Musselmans and the many volunteers who make this event a success, year after year.”

A philanthropic tradition with West Texas roots
Before Polo on the Prairie became a longstanding philanthropic tradition, the late Mary Anne McCloud, of Eastland, and Musselman, her son-in-law, planted the seed of the idea with Charles LeMaistre, M.D., then-president of MD Anderson. McCloud served as a BOV member and wanted to spread awareness in West Texas of the innovative cancer research, care and prevention happening at the nation’s top cancer hospital. She also wished to honor those impacted by cancer and to raise funds to save more lives.

Musselman suggested a polo tournament and began transforming a pasture on the family’s Lazy 3 Ranch into a regulation-sized polo field. The first event was held in 1987, and it has been an annual tradition ever since, with rare exceptions due to weather and COVID-19. This year, Polo on the Prairie found a new home at Rancho Verde, a few miles south of the original polo grounds.

The first Polo on the Prairie raised $25,000. Today, the tournament nets many times that amount and attracts amateur and professional athletes from as far away as Argentina, England and South Africa. To date, Polo on the Prairie has raised more than $11 million for patient care, research and education initiatives at MD Anderson.

“My husband was a patient at MD Anderson, so I know firsthand that MD Anderson saves lives,” said Marci Pearson, a long-time volunteer on the event committee. “Polo on the Prairie contributes to the institution’s ability to do that, and I consider it an honor to be able to participate. I know the money raised for this event is used to benefit the programs and research that help improve and save the lives of many people.”

MD Anderson extends special thanks to this year’s presenting sponsor, ConocoPhillips, and event sponsors Melinda and Henry Musselman, as well as the many sponsors and individuals who have contributed to the success of the event.