August 23, 2025 - Catholic Academy of Sussex County Polo Classic

The second Grayfields Polo Club and NJ Polo™ charity event of the 2025 season was the first annual Catholic Academy of Sussex County Polo Classic on August 23.

Proceeds from this event benefitted the Catholic Academy of Sussex County, which provides students at the Sparta-based Reverend Brown Elementary School, Pope John XXIII Middle School and Pope John XXIII High School with a seamless transition from PreK to 12th grade, in a faith-filled, academic environment.

This new fundraising tradition for the Catholic Academy, which the Academy coined “THE Event of Summer,” is expected to happen again in 2026. More than 1,000 attendees, including students, gathered at the scenic Grayfields Polo Club, to take in the day’s festivities.

“Our first ever Polo Classic is in the books and we couldn’t feel more grateful,” the Catholic Academy of Sussex County expressed here on the Pope John Lions Facebook Page. “We were blessed with perfect weather, an incredible turnout, and a community that showed up big for the Academy.”

Guests who attended were dressed in their polo finery, many setting up lavish tailgate food spreads to nibble on as they watched the polo classic. Some elaborate tailgate spots were equipped with grills, couches and elegant area rugs. Unforgettable highlights for the day included the best hat and tailgate contest, a silent auction, petting zoo, pony rides, vendors, traditional halftime divot stomp, specialty crafted polo cocktails served up at The Pony Bar for the 21+ crowd and a post-game after-party with live music.

“I’m so proud of the team from NJ Polo and the Catholic Academy of Sussex County for collaborating on this event,” said Bill Dermody IV, one of the NJ Polo™ trustees. “We look forward to working together next season.”

Official sponsors for the Polo Classic included Planet Networks, the McCarthy Family, Provident Bank®, Acrisure®, Schenck Price, Scari Enterprises Inc, Fairclough Realtors®, WhistlePig Whiskey, Techflex®, Hudson Farm, Econo Pak, Ian Bates, E. William LaVigne and Joseph Perrone.

Stay tuned for the return of the Catholic Academy of Sussex County polo fundraiser in 2026 at www.NJPolo.org.