Walsh and Ferragamo lead top international
polo players in charity match

By Alex Webbe

Although the Outback 40-goal Challenge might have taken the lion’s share of the polo
publicity in the Palm Beach area, the Windsor Charity Polo Tournament at Windsor in
Vero Beach had its share of celebrities and international polo stars.

The Charity Polo Cup at Windsor resulted from the discussions a number of friends
who live at Windsor and their desire to raise funds for some very worthwhile local and
national charitable organizations. And so, with the support of several polo aficionados,
The Charity Polo Cup at Windsor was born.

The sold-out event to benefit national and local charities was co-chaired by Windsor,
Florida’s co-founder, The Honorable Hilary M. Weston and Vero Beach’s John Walsh,
host of America’s Most Wanted.

For years the polo-playing Walsh has donated his time and talent by appearing in
charity matches around the country. This time he was offered the opportunity of
appearing in a local event and he jumped at the chance.

Proceeds from this charity event will directly benefit three worthy causes including the
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the Humane Society of Vero Beach &
Indian River County and Saint Edward's School Financial Aid Program.

The match itself featured John Walsh leading the Seasaw team of Lucas Monteverde
(9), Tommy Biddle (6) and Nick Manifold (5) against the Clemantines team of Salvatore
Ferragamo (the grandson of the esteemed Italian footwear designer and is currently
expanding the Ferragamo family brand portfolio into the wine industry with Il Borro
winery and luxury boutique hotel located in the Tuscan countryside), Julian Daniels (6),
the legendary Memo Gracida (7) and American star, Mike Azzaro (7).

John Walsh scored the opening goal of the game, countered by a goal from Salvatore
Ferragamo. Nick Manifold closed out the first chukker with a goal from the field and a 2-
1 Seasaw lead.

Walsh extended the lead to 3-1 with his second goal of the game in the second
period, but Ferragamo and Daniels responded with single goals to tie it up at 3-3.
Gracida scored to open the third and Ferragamo scored for the third time to extend the
Clemantines lead to two goals, 5-3, to end the first half.

Daniels opened the second half with a goal as Seasaw found themselves trailing by
three goals, 6-3 before righting the ship. A score from Monteverde and a pair of goals
from Nick Manifold deadlocked the game at 6-6 after four chukkers of play.

An uneventful fifth period was a showcase for the defensive abilities of the two teams as
the closest either team came to scoring was a missed penalty shot from Clemantines.
The period ended with the score stalled at 6-6.

Ferragamo’s fourth goal of the game put Clemantines ahead, 7-6, but Seasaw wasn’t
ready to roll over yet. A penalty conversion from Biddle set the stage for Walsh’s game
winning sixth chukker goal as Seasaw rode on to the hard-fought 8-7 win.

Walsh and Manifold led the Seasaw attack with three goals apiece. Monteverde and
Biddle added single goals in the victory.

Ferragamo led all scoring with four goals. Daniels scored twice and Gracida added a
goal in the loss.

“I t was a wonderful day,” offered Walsh, “ and as a resident of Vero Beach, I was
thrilled to see so many people turn out in support of the National Center for Missing &
Exploited Children, the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County and Saint
Edward's School Financial Aid Program.

Friends, polo and funds being raised for worthy, charitable causes - - it doesn’t get
much better than that.