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Summer 2016 : Tradition triumphs in West Texas

Tradition triumphs in West Texas

Polo on the Prairie marks 30 years

BY Allison Schaffer

The U.S. Polo Association-sanctioned tournament is a time-honored tradition. Photo by Adolfo Chavez III.

Tens of thousands have attended Polo on the Prairie at the Musselman Brother's Lazy 3 Ranch in Albany, Texas. Whether it's for the sights or the sounds, the fight to end cancer unites them all.

Polo on the Prairie was first held in 1987. The brainchild of MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors (BOV) member Mary Anne McCloud and her son-in-law, Henry Musselman, also a member of the BOV, the event was intended to spread awareness of MD Anderson, raise funds for the institution and honor those impacted by cancer.

Since then, Polo on the Prairie has evolved to include a barbecue dinner catered by local favorite Joe Allen's Pit Bar B Que, an all-star lineup of country music favorites, including this year's featured artist, Kevin Fowler, and an extraordinary fireworks show.

"Polo on the Prairie is one of the most beloved traditions celebrated by our MD Anderson family," says Ronald DePinho, M.D., president of MD Anderson. "We're grateful for the McCloud and Musselman families and all who attend this Texas-size event to support the lifesaving work of our world-class faculty and staff."

The Musselmans gather family and friends for this year's Polo on the Prairie. Photo by Adolfo Chavez III.

The inaugural event raised $25,000. This spring, Polo welcomed more than 1,200 people and raised more than $305,000 for MD Anderson's Moon Shots Program, bringing the event's total contributions to more than $5.74 million.

"Thirty years ago, we never imagined what a difference we could make," says Musselman. "Every year gets better and better, and we can't wait to see what the next 30 years have in store for us and for MD Anderson."

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