THOMASVILLE- The “Sport of Kings” is coming back to the region, with the Annual Pebble Hill Polo Classic, honoring the memory of Mrs. Elisabeth “Pansy” Ireland Poe and her contributions as a trailblazer for women in the sport. The event is Saturday, March 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pebble Hill Plantation, 1251 US 319 South, in Thomasville.

In addition to the exciting polo action, patrons may enjoy live music with Blue Burden, a wide variety of food and beverage vendors, hat contest, equestrian art exhibition, Main House tours, fun halftime games, and of course, the time-honored tradition of stomping of the divots.

Other highlights of the event include a parading of the foxhounds and riders of the Live Oak Hounds, free pony rides, and craft activities for children throughout the day. Guests are encouraged to cast their vote for the “People’s Choice” award in the equestrian-themed youth art competition, with entries from students of schools in Thomasville and Thomas County.

“This is truly a family event, with something for everyone,” said Lori Everett, Pebble Hill Plantation’s Development Director. “Proceeds will all benefit the Pebble Hill Preservation Fund, which helps maintain our 3,000 acres of wildlife habitat and more than 100 historic buildings and structures. We appreciate the support of our community and our sponsors.”

“A lot of people ask what they should wear to the event,” said Everett. “We encourage everyone to get into the spirit of the day, as polo is often a fashion spectacle, but really, anything goes, from dressy casual to jeans. We want everyone to be comfortable and have a great time.”

Newly added to the event this year is a hat contest. “For the hat contest, we really hope to see some fun and creative entries,” Everett continued. “We have some great prizes for our winning contestants.” Categories for the hat contest are Most Elegant, Most Creative, and Most Dashing Gent. Children are also encouraged to participate in the hat contest.

Polo guests may bring their own cooler to the event for a $10 fee (no glass containers allowed), but there will be lots of food and beverage choices on site. Vendors for the event include Tail Gators (chicken strips, burgers, gator tail), Hubs & Hops/TVelo (craft beer), Big Jr’s Kitchen (classic southern soul food), The Hen Den (chicken salad, pimento cheese, pasta salad), Taqueria La Cabana (authentic Mexican), Nina’s Creamery (ice cream treats), Kin (wine), and Grassroots (coffee and cookies).

For general admission ticket holders, there is bleacher seating, but portable tents, folding chairs and tables are welcome and may be set up field side. Dogs on leashes are also welcome. For a VIP experience, there are various sponsorship levels offering preferred parking, complimentary food and beverage, and reserved seating under the Sponsor Tent.

“General admission tickets are just $50 per vehicle, so grab your friends and family and join us,” Everett said. “If you are interested in being a sponsor, there are still opportunities available.”

The entire event is centered around the late Elisabeth “Pansy” Ireland Poe, last mistress of Pebble Hill Plantation, who was the first woman in the United States to earn a handicap rating with the United States Polo Association (USPA), more than 50 years before women were allowed membership in that organization.

The young Elisabeth Ireland (later Poe), registered with the USPA using only her first initial and last name. She played on men’s teams and was a powerful player, earning a handicap rating of “1,” before it was discovered that she was a woman. She was then stripped of her USPA membership and her rating. Women were not allowed membership in the USPA until 1972. Poe died in 1978.

In deference to Poe, all of the players in the Pebble Hill Polo Classic will be women from throughout the southeastern United States. “We believe this is the perfect way to honor Mrs. Poe’s contributions to the sport of polo and the women who came after her,” said Pebble Hill Plantation’s Museum Curator, Lori Curtis. “She was a trailblazer for the sport for other women and she deserves to be recognized for her contributions to the sport.”

Gates open at 10 a.m. and activities begin at 11 a.m. The event will end at 4 p.m. Tickets are available by visiting https://pebblehill.com/. The Pebble Hill Polo Classic is presented by the Parker Poe Charitable Trust. More information may be obtained by calling (229) 226-2344.