SARATOGA POLO TO DONATE PROCEEDS FROM MATCH TO INJURED POLO PLAYER

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The Saratoga Polo Association will host a fundraiser for injured polo player Justin Pimsner and his equine teammates on Saturday, August 31 at 5 p.m. Saratoga Polo will donate all proceeds from its scheduled match at the Lodge Field to help Pimsner pay for medical bills and veterinary bills for four of his injured polo ponies, which remain hospitalized at the Saratoga Equine Veterinary Hospital.

Saratoga Polo will also host a $10 raffle at Saturday's match and will be soliciting donations to help Pimsner defray expenses. In addition, the Lily and the Rose will donate all proceeds from concessions sold at the game.

General admission for Saturday's match is $5 per person. "We have been truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of concern for both Justin and his ponies," said Bill Ylvisaker, owner of the Saratoga Polo Association. "We thought this fundraiser would serve as an outlet for residents who want to show their support and make a contribution to the Pimsner fund."

Saratoga Polo also announced two other developments.

The Association decided to postpone its match scheduled for Tuesday evening at the Lodge Field. The match, the finals of the Seabiscuit Cup, will be rescheduled.

In addition, Adirondack Trust announced it would set up the Justin Pimsner Polo Fund. Individuals can donate by stopping by any one of Adirondack Trust's eight branches or can send donations to: The Justin Pimsner Polo Fund, c/o Adirondack Trust, 473 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 12866.

The 32-year-old Pimsner from Aiken, S.C., was injured Monday morning in an accident on the Northway. Pimsner was transporting his polo ponies back to South Carolina after competing Sunday in the consolation match of the Monty Waterbury Cup. Pimsner arrived in Saratoga on July 2, 2002 to compete in a number of polo tournaments, including two of the sport's most prestigious - the Hector Barrantes Tournament and the Monty Waterbury Tournament.

For more information, please call the Polo Office at (518) 584-8108.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Mark Bardack
Ed Lewi Associates . 6 Chelsea Place . Clifton Park, NY 12065 PHONE: (518) 383-6183 . FAX (518) 383-6755
E-mail: mbardack@edlewi.com
8/27/02

I would like to ask your help and suggestions on how to proceed with asking for help from USPA members for some friends who have experienced a terrible tragedy one week ago.

Karen Reese Pimsner, who is a long-time USPA member and originally from Indio, CA, is a very close friend of mine. She now lives in Aiken, SC, with her husband, Justin Pimsner, a professional polo player. Justin has been seriously injured in an accident while returning home from Saratoga, NY, with 10 of his playing horses. Justin's truck and trailer were involved in a serious accident that almost claimed Justin's live and did claim the lives of 6 of their oldest and best-loved horses. Justin has had three extensive surgeries to repair the multiple broken bones and internal injuries he has received. The full extent of his injuries are not yet known.

Karen and their two young children are staying in Albany so Karen can be at the hospital. The polo community and local community have been very supportive and encouraging, and I would like to ask the PCC for their help. Karen and Justin are widely known through the polo community and I know that many people who know them, or don't know them, would like to offer their help.

I have spoken with Karen's mother and sister and have asked what needs Karen's family has at this time. According to her mom, Justin has medical coverage, but there was limited coverage for the truck and trailer and no insurance for the horses. The four horses that survived are in a clinic in Albany. Perhaps they could use some assistance with veterinary costs, or for family support while the family stays in Albany.

Thank you for any help you can give.

Best regards,
Audrey Clifton

Aug. 27 -- Justin Pimsner's surviving horses are being cared for at the Saratoga Equine Veterinary Hospital. John Allen reports.

HALFMOON, N.Y., Aug. 26 - Four of the ten horses involved in the horrible crash on the Northway Monday and their owner are still recovering from their injuries. Six other horses either died in the crash or had to be euthanized later. Now the community is rallying behind 32-year-old Justin Pimsner of Aiken, South Carolina to help him cover his medical and veterinary costs.

ACCORDING TO a spokesperson for the Saratoga Equine Veterinary Hospital, two horses were killed in the crash and two had to be euthanized at the scene. Six others were taken into veterinary care, where two more were euthanized Monday and early Tuesday morning. Four horses are still alive and under constant watch at the veterinary hospital. Dr. Axel Sondhof, the veterinarian treating the animals, says horses involved in trailer accidents are often never the same again. "I think every horse, like people, deals with this very differently," he said. Sondhof says the horses with lacerations will likely recover physically in two to three weeks. Horses with deep tissue injury will take considerably longer.

Justin Pimsner, 32, suffered broken bones and internal injuries in the crash Drivers who were stunned to see the injured and dead horses along the Northway Monday morning came to the rescue in an attempt to stop the horses from running into traffic and to comfort those that were beyond help. Now there is an outpouring from the community with feed and
hay for the surviving horses and offers to help pay veterinary bills. A blown tire on Pimsner's horse trailer caused him to loose control on the Northway southbound between exits 9 and 8A.

NO INSURANCE
Pimsner is in serious condition at Albany Medical Center with many broken bones and internal injuries. It is questionable whether he will be able to play polo again. Several people that know Pimnser say polo and his polo ponies are his life and his sole income. Unlike many involved in the sport of polo that are very wealthy, Pimsner is not. Polo was the way he supported his family. "There are wealthy polo players, but not in this case," Pimsner's friend Jackie Pierce said. "This is a family business. They raise their own horses. It takes many years to get them to this point and they've lost everything -- they have no insurance." Only about ten percent of polo players have their horses insured because the cost is prohibitive The Saratoga Polo Association plans to donate the proceeds from its Aug. 31 match at Lodge Field to help pay for Pimsner's medical and veterinary expenses. The group will also hold a raffle at the match to benefit Pimsner. In addition, Adirondack Trust has set up the Justin Pimsner Polo Fund. Donations can be dropped off at any Adirondack Trust branch or mailed to: The Justin Pimsner Polo Fund, c/o Adirondack Trust, 473 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 12866.