UT MD Anderson’s Polo on the Prairie celebrates 40 years of supporting the mission to end cancer

BRECKENRIDGE, Texas ― The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's annual West Texas fundraising tradition, Polo on the Prairie, reached a milestone Saturday, April 25, celebrating more than $1.4 million in donations this year and more than $13 million raised over its 40-year history.

This year’s event included a U.S. Polo Association-sanctioned tournament, dinner, VIP entertainment featuring country music singer-songwriter Parker McCollum, and a fireworks finale. During the evening celebration, Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of UT MD Anderson, recognized the long-standing dedication and impact of the event founders and hosts Melinda and Henry Musselman and presented them with the Making Cancer History® Award. This special honor, established in 2007, is presented to visionary individuals uniquely dedicated in their commitment to UT MD Anderson’s mission to end cancer.

“Polo on the Prairie stands as a testament to the enduring power of community, generosity and shared purpose. We are deeply grateful to the Musselman family for their continued support of this one-of-a-kind tradition, which has enabled a variety of programs with extraordinary impact for our patients and their families,” Pisters said.

Forty years of giving back and growing
Polo on the Prairie began as an idea shared by the late Mary Anne McCloud and her son-in-law, Henry Musselman. McCloud served as a longtime member of UT MD Anderson’s Board of Visitors, as Musselman does now. Motivated by a shared desire to expand awareness of UT MD Anderson’s groundbreaking work, Musselman proposed hosting a polo tournament in West Texas and transformed an open pasture on his family’s ranch into a regulation polo field.

From $25,000 raised in its inaugural year, the event has evolved into a multigenerational tradition that raises millions. Children who once played along the sidelines now attend with families of their own, and members of the Musselman family continue to work alongside a dedicated committee of volunteers to plan and host the event.

“Reaching our 40th year is a testament to the passion and generosity of this community,” said Henry Musselman. “Polo on the Prairie has always been about more than sport or tradition — it’s about hope, partnership and making a lasting difference for cancer patients and their families. We’re grateful to everyone who’s supported us this far and look forward to the next 40 years.”

Impact beyond the playing field
Proceeds from this year’s event support UT MD Anderson’s Patient Navigation Program, which helps ease one of the most challenging aspects of a cancer diagnosis by guiding patients through care coordination. Oncology nurse navigators assist with scheduling, treatment planning and connections to supportive resources, improving patient outcomes while reducing hospital admissions and emergency care visits.

The program is a key priority of Only Possible Here, The Campaign to End Cancer, UT MD Anderson’s historic $2.5 billion comprehensive philanthropic campaign that has raised more than $2 billion to support groundbreaking innovations and transformative advancements that fuel the institution’s mission.