A Round-Up of Women’s Polo

USPA Women’s Arena Handicap

On Saturday 25 September, Bad Ass Polo (Josie Dorsey, Posey Obrecht & Demitra Hajimihalis) were able to fend off La Jefa’s (Katie Mitcham, Emmie Golkosky & Jessica Schmitt) advances with a strong fourth chukka advance to secure The USPA Women’s Arena Handicap victory, 13-6. Josie Dorsey was named Most Valuable Player and Timone, owned by Virginia Polo and played by Jessica Schmitt, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.

2021 USPA Women’s Arena Handicap Champions, Bad Ass Polo

Photography by Oana Moore 2021 USPA Women’s Arena Open Champions, Ace Sportswear

USPA Women’s Arena Open

On Sunday 26 September, Ace Sportwear enjoyed an 11-10 win against Boothwyn Pharmacy in a competitive USPA Women’s Arena Open Final at Virginia Polo, Inc. thanks to a last-minute goal from Anna Winslow-Palacios. This was the second title win for Ace Sportwear who first took home the trophy in 2017, with 2017 winning team members Winslow-Palacios and Hajimihalis joined by Donnan for 2021. Cindy Halle’s Estrella, a 15-year-old Argentine mare, was awarded Best Playing Pony and Winslow-Palacios was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.

USPA Women’s Arena Open Final Teams:

Ace Sportswear: Demitra Hajimihalis, Ingrid Donnan & Anna Winslow-Palacios Boothwyn Pharmacy: Katie Mitcham, Cindy Halle & Jessica Schmitt

Most Valuable Player, Anna Winslow-Palacios, in action

2021 Pacific Coast Circuit Women’s Challenge

2021 Pacific Coast Circuit Women’s Challenge A-Flight Champions, Topo Chico

Photography by Chantal Hasse

Most Valuable Player, Dawn Jones playing Nicola, the Best Playing Pony.

La Herradura Polo Club LLC in Santa Ynez, hosted their first USPA event with the 20 goal Pacific Coast Circuit Women’s Challenge which was played from Wednesday 25 August – Sunday 29 August. Sunday’s Final saw Topo Chico pitted against Sotheby’s, with Topo Chico claiming the title with their second victory against Sotheby’s and an 8½-7 victory to take home the title. Topo Chico’s Meghan Gracida commented, “We started off with a slightly different strategy than the previous game. We had to change it after the first chukka because it wasn’t quite working, but what’s so fantastic about these ladies is they’re able to adapt and work different positions.”

Dawn Jones was chosen as the Most Valuable Player and Nicola, who she played in the third chukka, was named Best Playing Pony.

2021 Pacific Coast Circuit Women’s Challenge A-Flight Final Teams:

Topo Chico: Maggie Papka, Meghan Gracida, Izzy Parsons & Tiva Gross Sotheby’s: Elizabeth Humphreys, Dawn Jones, Dayelle Fargey & Victoria Grace Day