Hello Polo Players and Fans!
For those of you who aren’t aware, Mario Maldonado was playing in a 6-goal tournament in Aiken, SC a few weeks ago and suffered a terrible injury to his left eye. The ER surgeon tried to repair the damage but ultimately could not save his eye. Despite this setback, Mario has every intention of getting back in the game and he’ll need some help getting there!
First, let us briefly share with you how Mario got here. Mario and his brothers grew up riding and working on horseback with their father on ranches in Mexico. He developed a special talent for breaking young horses. Mario began working with Memo Gracida in 1993 as a groom for professional player JJ Celis. He then worked for nine years with Martin Estrada making and training green horses in Dallas, Boston and Missouri. In 2004, he started making green horses and playing polo at Southampton Polo Club. Mario has also spent time as a “piloto” at Equuleus Polo Team schooling high goal strings.
Polo is Mario’s livelihood and he needs your help to carry on in his career. As you can imagine, the expense that comes with the serious nature of this injury extends beyond the current hospital bills. It will be a long recovery for Mario to adjust to his new vision and be able to work and play again. He is already receiving financial relief from the Polo Players Support Group, Inc., which provides financial assistance to seriously injured or ill polo players and grooms, and we sincerely hope you can contribute to the cause by making an online donation at www.polosupport.com. Please specify that the donation is in Mario Maldonado’s honor. You can also make a donation by phone or mail.
Your donation to Polo Players Support Group, Inc. is needed to help Mario and other players and grooms who suffer a serious injury or illness. Even the smallest contribution will make a difference.
Thank you to those who have already made a donation to Polo Players Support Group, Inc. We appreciate your support!
Sincerely,
Mario’s Friends and Family
Polo Players Support Group, Inc.