Nissan’s Chukkers for Charity returns on Saturday, Sept. 8 for the 22nd annual polo match and car show held in Franklin, Tenn. This year’s theme, “Diamonds and Divots,” will celebrate an afternoon of polo featuring all female polo players for the first time. Chukkers for Charity raises funds for Rochelle Center and Saddle Up! and has raised $2.1 million over the last 21 years.
“We are thrilled to participate in another year of Chukkers for Charity,” said Debbie Chadwick, president of Rochelle Center. “This wonderful outdoor event directly supports the work of our programs and the programs at Saddle Up!, and it’s an honor to receive funds from this fun, community wide event.”
Chukkers for Charity is the largest polo event in Middle Tennessee and features a vintage car show parade during half time, a silent auction and cabana decorating competition. Guests are encouraged to participate in celebrating the theme through the décor of their individual cabana tailgating headquarters. For the first time ever, Chukkers for Charity will feature a hat contest as well as best dressed in their favorite party attire for the event.
Executive Director of Saddle Up! Laurie Kush added, “For 22 years, Saddle Up! has been honored to be part of one of Middle Tennessee’s favorite fundraising events, Chukkers for Charity. Proceeds from the event support our programs that serve children and youth with disabilities through adaptive equine therapy.”
Co-chairs for the 2018 event are Matt Paco and Nina Lindley. Along with Nissan as Title sponsor, additional sponsors include Ironhorse Farms, LBMC, Williamson Medical Center, D’Andrews Bakery, Jack Daniel Distillery, Jackie and Barry Alexander, Tennessee Equine Hospital, Associated Terminals/Turn Services, Publix Super Markets Charities, Regions Bank, Lipman Brothers – R.S. Lipman Company, Ortale Kelley, Waste Industries, Ingram Entertainment and Lithographics.
The gates for the event will open at 1 p.m. for tailgaters and 2 p.m. for patrons. The opening ceremony will be held at 2:45 p.m. with the polo match beginning around 3 p.m. Following the polo match, dinner will begin in the Patrons Tent at 5:15 p.m.
Fieldside Patron Tables are available for $2,500 per table of 10. Standard Patron Tables are available for $1,750 per table of 10 or $175 per individual ticket. Tailgating cabanas are available for $300, which includes six wristbands and a cabana, two additional wristbands per cabana available for $50 each. To purchase tickets, please visit www.chukkersforcharity.net.
Chukkers for Charity is hosted by Lee Ann and Orrin Ingram at Riverview Farm in Franklin, Tenn. For more information, call 615-794-1150 ex. 320 or visit https://bit.ly/2taeUIv to purchase tickets.
ABOUT ROCHELLE CENTER
In 1968, long time area educator W.R. Rochelle, began the foundation for the agency to offer supports for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. These supports would enhance skills necessary for these individuals to become as independent as possible in our community. Today’s Rochelle Center continues that mission with community integration, employment, in addition to residential services. For more information, call 601.254.0673 or visit www.rochellecenter.org.
ABOUT SADDLE UP!
The mission of Saddle Up! is to provide children and youth with disabilities the opportunity to grow and develop through therapeutic, educational and recreational activities with horses. Saddle Up! offers recreational therapeutic riding, physical and occupational therapy (hippotherapy), a school-based equine assisted learning program, the Saddle Up! Equestrian Club, and workshops/seminars. Saddle Up! is a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center and the only member center in Tennessee of the American Hippotherapy Association. For more information, please visit www.saddleupnashville.org.
