Ten Oaks Polo Club defeats South Side 8-7 in Observer Group Cup

The Ten Oaks Polo Club won the Observer Group Cup Sunday, April 5, against the South Side Polo Club at the Sarasota Polo Club at Lakewood Ranch.

After his team won 8-7, Ten Oaks player Jon Lucas Beck won most valued player of the match. 

The Mall at University Town Center was the field sponsor; Observer Media Group was the media sponsor. 

George Alexander, a part-time resident of Sarasota, provided the flag-bearing rider for the parade at the beginning of the match. During half-time, Alexander gave rides around the field in a wagon pulled by four of his seven Clydesdales. 

Nathalie Mould, who frequently attends the polo matches, said that the Easter Sunday match was a little more quiet because of the holiday. She and her husband, Nigel, live with their daughter, Cecilia, 11, in Sarasota.

"The game is exciting," Nathalie said. "We have horses-we're horse fans."

Robin Cain, founder of Sixteen Hands Horse Sanctuary, set up shop outside the pavilions to raise awareness for the horse rescue in Ona, Florida, in Sarasota County. She said she has tried to have a tent at the past three polo matches because horse lovers would be interested. The 501(c)3 organization, began in 2007, currently has 31 horses in its care.