Despite drought, fans flock to prairie

Robert Earl Keen rocks the stage at the 29th annual Polo on the Prairie

BY Allison Ignacio

Members of the Musselman family gather for the 29th annual West Texas tradition. Photo by Steve Butman.

A year-long drought may have prevented the polo match at the 29th annual Polo on the Prairie, but it didn’t stop more than 1,000 supporters from raising $305,175 for MD Anderson.

As Henry and Melinda Musselman, chairs of this year’s event dubbed “Party” on the Prairie, put it: “The horses get the year off, but the Musselman family does not.”

With little water to irrigate the field and care for the horses necessary for the customary polo match, they put a unique spin on the West Texas tradition.

“So many lives have been touched by the healing powers of MD Anderson,” says Henry Musselman. “We were set on once again gathering on the prairie to be thankful for all at the institution who’ve made a difference.”

Robert Earl Keen entertains the crowd with an exclusive performance of the country music legend's top hits. Photo by Steve Butman.

Country music legend and Houston native Robert Earl Keen took center stage at the Musselman Brothers’ Lazy 3 Ranch, performing top hits such as “Feeling Good Again” and “The Road Goes on Forever.” Ron DePinho, M.D., president of MD Anderson, congratulated the Musselmans on another successful event, which brought total contributions over almost three decades to more than $5.3 million.“Polo on the Prairie plays an enormous role in raising awareness and funds to support our mission to end cancer,” says DePinho. “The generosity of the Musselman family and all who attend makes a real difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families in West Texas and around the world.”

Guests feasted on barbeque by Joe Allen’s Pit Bar-B-Que of Abilene and enjoyed a spectacular fireworks show at the evening’s end. Proceeds benefit research and patient care initiatives including MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program, a bold plan to more rapidly reduce cancer deaths and transform patient care.

"So many lives have been touched by the healing powers of MD Anderson. We were set on once again gathering on the prairie to be thankful for all at the institution who've made a difference."

Henry Musselman

MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors

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