Fairfield, CT—September 15, 2012— According to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), leukemia is responsible for more deaths in children and young adults under age of 20 than any other cancer. Every four minutes – roughly the time needed to ride an over fences course – someone is diagnosed with blood cancer. Every 10 minutes, someone dies. Enter Hofstra University IHSA alum and former assistant coach, Mindi DeLeary. Each August since 2008, DeLeary and her team of IHSA alum volunteers have hosted an Annual Polo Match to Benefit LLS, at Country Farms Equestrian Center in Medford, NY, training base for the Hofstra IHSA team.
“The mission of LLS is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve quality of life for patients and their family,” said DeLeary, whose IHSA affiliation began as an undergraduate, earning high point and reserve rider of the year titles, riding as an alumni in Zone 2, Region 4, and as former assistant to Hofstra Equestrian team coach, Debbie Rittereiser.
"This year’s event was the biggest yet, raising over six thousand dollars in ticket sales, raffles, and corporate donations,” she said. “Four years ago I hiked the Grand Canyon to raise funds for LLS. At the time, I was at Country Farms, teaching lessons and helping Deb as assistant coach. On Saturday nights the farm hosted indoor arena polo. I thought it would make a fantastic fundraiser. The first year, I cooked all the food. Everyone had a blast and an annual event was born.”
The inaugural event raised $3,000 and continues to increase support and awareness about this health threat to young adults and children. “In 2010, Country Farm built a gorgeous arena and we moved outdoors. While the event is growing, it is still a grassroots effort. Local vineyards Vineyard 48 and Comtesse Therese donated wine, and more than thirty gift baskets were donated by businesses and restaurants.” Hofstra senior, Amanda Hughes, worked with Laura Bergman from LLS to manage the gate and check in guests, and IHSA alum Stacey and Chris Iebba managed children’s pony rides.
“This is a ‘dream team’,” said Debbie Rittereiser, Country Farms barn manager, IHSA Regional president and, for 16 years, equestrian team coach at Hofstra, the largest private college on Long Island, NY. That team’s IHSA alum included DeLeary, current assistant coach Melissa Bosch Talarico (whose graphic design creates its posters and programs); former team captain Courtney Malloy (’12); Chris (’01) and Stacey (’99) Iebba (who met as teammates and married); and Rachel Heisler (’10), whose boyfriend, Brian Suds, proposed this year. “We spent a month planning how their non-horsey families could attend to witness that. It was great.”
DeLeary said, “We would like to grow the event by selling corporate packages. The farm is making improvements that will allow VIP tables along the arena and we will hopefully capitalize on this in 2013.” To participate, email mdeleary@gmail.com. Learn more about IHSA at www.ihsainc.com.
