Horses And Hats: Polo Players Saddle Up In Bend

Horses and hats — that was the scene Sunday in Bend for the Pacific Northwest Polo Invitational.

Benefiting four local nonprofits, the Cascade Polo Club’s “Chukkers For Charity” event brought hundreds of people with picnics and hats to watch the match on the grass.

A dozen professional polo players donated their time and effort for Habitat for Humanity, Ten Friends, Healing Reins and Meadowlark Manor.

The field in east Bend is one of the best in the Northwest, organizers say, with a size equal to 12 football fields.

Commentators explained the moves and rules to the audience during the event, which was really about having fun and giving back through polo.

“I think it’s a very cool idea. it’s something unique in Central Oregon — it’s not something I’ve seen here, and I’ve been here for quite a while,” said Mark Quinlan, executive director of Bend Area Habitat for Humanity. “So to involve charities in it is a great idea, and there’s a lot of good charities that are benefiting today.”

Chukkers, in case you were wondering, are like periods in the match — Sunday there were six chukkers.

Prizes for Sunday’s polo match included best tailgate, best men’s hat and best women’s hat.