Derby Day Bash at Polo Club Raises Record-Setting Amount for Bo's Place. Hats Off!

Daniel Ortiz and Jacob Power
Derby Day Bash at Polo Club Raises Record-Setting Amount for Bo's Place. Hats Off!

Emily Hanley and Whitney Sharman

IT MAY HAVE been hot on Saturday, but that couldn’t stop hat-wearing Houstonians from turning up at a posh Polo Club affair benefiting Bo’s Place.


More than 350 supporters attended the Kentucky Derby watch party, which included an auction, bourbon pull, shopping market and, of course, plenty of mint juleps. Chaired by Carol Lee and Allen Lyons with Sheridan and Robert Plumb, the afternoon raised a record-setting $345,000 for Bo’s Place, a nonprofit offering grief support services and resources to children and families in mourning.

The event — dubbed Hats, Hearts & Horseshoes — honored Rick Smith, the former Texans manager who stepped away from his career to care for his wife, Tiffany, who passed from breast cancer in 2019. After recognizing the good that Bo’s Place can do for the bereaved, he became a member of the Board of Directors.

In addition to picking a lucky horse (for each raffle ticket purchased, a guest could physically place their bet on the “racing wall”), attendees also got to try their luck at a game of heads or tails, and the winners received an IW Marks gift card.

Amy and Jon Heibel

Beth Muecke, Kendra Muecke and Milka Waterland

Tammy Johnson and Kendra Smith

Norman and Donna Lewis

Brent and Mariella DeJong, Ally and Martin Shell Van Koolwijk

Molly Ferguson and Jill Smith

Bill Baldwin and Fady Armanious

Marc and Duyen Nguyen

Chita Craft and Stephen Lewis

Diana and John Tully

Larry and Lindy Neuhaus, Lauren and Rob Gray

Christina and David McAllen

Claudia and Hank Holmes, Kelli and John Weinzierl

People + Places
Chlorophyll Water, Special Spa Treatments, More: Tips for Mom Bods Emerging from Long Winter’s Nap

The author suggests Pilates as part of her plan for ‘mom bods’ to renew for spring.

AS WE SWAP out our warm comfy PJs for swimsuits, the thought of showing off our bodies can stir up all kinds of emotions, especially for us moms. Here are a few strategic steps to stride into the spring and summer months with confidence and feeling your best.

Keep Reading Show less

ARTIST AND ARTS activist Sarah Sudhoff created her vibrant and playful piece The Reading Brain as a response to a San Antonio museum exhibit about dyslexia. She was inspired also by her son, who has dyslexia, loves sculptures, and whose favorite color is red.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

Lisa Foronda, Greg Harper

SINCE ITS FOUNDING by the late catering king and philanthropist Jackson Hicks, Legacy Community Health’s Schmooze has been a holiday bash that hundreds look forward to each year.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties