2021 I/I Magazine

I/I MAGAZINE

2021

A supplement to Polo Players’ Edition A publication of the United States Polo Association®

BEST GAMES. BEST STORIES. ONLY ON

GLOBALPOLO.COM

FOLLOW US @GLOBALPOLO  

LIVE WHERE YOU PLAY POLO World-Class Polo Club and Gated Community Residential and Estate Lots Available Offering Interscholastic Arena to 12 Goal Polo Home of Aiken Youth Polo

888-4NB-POLO Inquiries: Raza Kazmi newbridgepolo.com #newbridgelife

Aiken, South Carolina I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

1

2

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

INTERCOLLEGIATE/INTERSCHOLASTIC

2021 I/I MAGAZINE DEPARTMENTS COVER:

DEDICATION: Cal Poly Alum and Central Coast Polo Club owner Megan Judge has dedicated her life to polo and specifically the I/I program. She is the coach of the Cal Poly Men’s and Women’s Polo Teams, the Central Coast Interscholastic teams, and starts the youngest players in the Middle School League. Central Coast Polo Club is the host to various I/I tournaments, events, and clinics, including the 2020 USPA National I/I Alumni Tournament – The Feldman Cup, where Megan was named MVP. PC: Janelle Ross

6 16 24 30 42 64 68

2020 I/I Tournament Winners 2020 PTF I/I Players of The Year I/I Goes International Life After I/I: Alumni From the Horse’s Mouth View From The Crow’s Nest I/I Team Rosters

FEATURES 38 44 48 52

Man, Man, Man, Line, Ball It Takes a Villiage Maryland Polo Club Middle School League

PASSION. DEDICATION. EXCELLENCE. 2021 I/I Magazine A Publication of the United States Polo Association ® Editor: Amy Fraser Publication Assistant: Emily Dewey Publisher: United States Polo Association ® Prepress: Walsworth USPA I/I Program Director: Amy Fraser USPA I/I Tournament Manager: Emily Dewey USPA I/I Program Coordinator: Ali Davidge USPA I/I Chairman: Liz Brayboy United States Polo Association ® 9011 Lake Worth Road Lake Worth, FL 33467 1-800-232-USPA USPOLO.ORG facebook.com/iipolo No part of this issue may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic or electronic process without written permission of the publisher.

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

3

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to the 2021 I/I Tournament Season!

This may get a few chuckles and a few raised eyebrows, but prior to a few months ago I had never read or watched the Harry Potter series. After much convincing from Emily, I broke down and downloaded the first book in the series. It was free after all with Amazon’s promo for quarantined kids, so I figured, ‘why not? I’ll give it a whirl.’ After several weeks, downloads, and Harry Potter themed GIFs later…

I’m a fan. What does this have to do with I/I, you wonder? The spirit of Harry Potter, the magic, friends sticking together and supporting each other, and the quest for triumph. If there is one thing we have always said about the I/I community, it is that we all have the “get it done” attitude. Whether faced with a blizzard that pops up or shifting strings around because a rig is stuck in traffic or dealing with a global pandemic - the community comes together and does whatever it takes to make the magic happen.

It goes without saying that this year had its up and downs and was one we will be quick to forget.

We began the year with an amazing run at the International Challenge Cup in England where our USA team brought home the win (record stands at 6-2, USA – see page 24) to ending the year with the devastating decision to cancel both the National Interscholastic and National Intercollegiate Championships. Starting the fall of 2020, there was still much uncertainty. Many college programs were not allowed to be active, resulting in turning their horses out for the season and doing what they could to keep members engaged and excited about polo. For many of us, polo and horses are our outlet. It may have been the only sense of ‘normal’ you have had all year.

Most, if not all, of our college programs left for home at Thanksgiving break not to return to campus until after the new year. If they return to campus at all. What do we say to that? Get out there. Find a local polo club. No polo club near you? Go take riding lessons. Any riding lessons. Time in the saddle, riding different types of horses, all of that is going to contribute to your polo. It’s no surprise that the best teams are comprised of the best riders and horsemen. Players who are used to playing all different kinds of horses – the fast ones, the slow ones, the Firebolts to the Cleansweeps (see what I did there?) are the players who are going to have the edge. It is especially important with programs where players supply their own personal horses, be sure to trade and spend more time on the difficult horses than the easy horses.

It might not be easy, but what about 2020 was? Show your grit and your spirit and keep on going! Let us know how we can help – getting reactivated, recruiting, finding a local polo club – we are here and happy to help.

And if no polo or horses – well by golly, start a quidditch team!

See you (hopefully soon!) in the arena, Amy Fraser Director, I/I Polo

4

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

The USA Intercollegiate team with the staff from Druid’s Lodge Polo Club in England, who supplied horses for the USA Team.

Welcome to the 2020-2021 edition of the USPA Intercollegiate and

Interscholastic (I/I) Tournament season!

It is hard to imagine how much has changed since the last version of this I/I Chair letter – penned by David Wenning in November of 2018.

We all miss David and his incredible spirit and passion for I/I polo and share the grief of his loss felt by his family and many friends. One thing that hasn’t changed was reflected in the last paragraph of his letter: “In closing, I would like to recognize I/I Program Director Amy Fraser, I/I Tournament Manager Emily Dewey and I/I Program Coordinator Ali Davidge for their year-round dedication, tireless energy, spirit, and enthusiasm to make the magic happen.”

As a newbie to this position, I have come to rely heavily on this trio of professionals and their ability to drive both the routine aspects of managing I/I polo, but also the project-based work that has become a top priority this year. The need to fill the Chair role led to a Strategic Planning effort that included input from a wide range of folks. The working group devised a new structure for the I/I Committee to include three co-chairs (Cindy Halle, Tournaments and Regular Season, Miranda Luna, Funding and Awards, and Liz Brayboy, Program and Club Sustainability). This group, plus Interscholastic Coaches’ Rep, Tiger Kneece, and Intercollegiate Coaches’ Rep, Lou Lopez, meets with staff weekly to address issues and identify changes as needed. Each sub-group includes volunteers selected to represent the various aspects of the game, some regional representatives and some representing our key partners, including umpires. These volunteers are critical to the success of the program, so many thanks to all of them for their hard work.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has made this a particularly challenging year. The Northeastern Intercollegiate Regional and both the Interscholastic and Intercollegiate Nationals for 2019-2020 were canceled after being postponed to the fall due to concerns about travel restrictions and the spreading virus. This was a major disappointment to the players who had worked so hard to win a spot at the tournament as well as the host sites, horse providers, umpires and others involved in pulling off such large events. In planning for the 20202021 season, it quickly became clear that the college programs would struggle to compete. Many colleges have not allowed players to go to the barn and others are prohibited from traveling even if they can practice. At this writing, we are working through plans for some type of modified collegiate tournament season and hope that we can offer events to those teams that can participate. The silver lining to all of this is that we have seen many of our current players and recent alums competing in USPA events across the country. We continue to see I/I alum dominate the trophy stand in tournaments across the country such as the Pacific Coast Open, the USPA Women’s Arena Open™, the USPA Women’s Arena Handicap®, the Texas Women’s Open and the H. Ben Taub Memorial to name a few. Clearly I/I continues to make things happen!

In comparison, Interscholastic polo is booming. This year, we saw 11 Middle School events with 103 participants!

In addition, we expect to have two new Interscholastic teams. As part of the response to the pandemic, we relaxed the timeline for paperwork submission and did away with the requirement for qualifying games, although teams continue to submit results which will be useful for seeding the tournaments.

Recognition for our student-athletes is important. Our players put in countless hours to improve their skills, along with keeping up their grades. We began to recognize their efforts in high school with the Varsity Letter program six years ago. This year, we have 75 players recognized by their schools and the USPA! Now in its sixth year, the USPA Intercollegiate Scholarship Program has 19 student-athletes receiving scholarship funds this academic year. Those scholarship funds go directly toward the student’s full-time tuition. Funding is also available to programs to support fundraising efforts and the purchase of equipment for the teams and ponies.

Our goal for this year is to Inspire and Infiltrate – expanding the understanding of I/I polo throughout the USPA. The parents, students, coaches, umpires, horse providers and so many others involved with I/I polo understand that this group represents the future and we need to make sure everyone else does as well!

Thanks to everyone for hanging in there this year and making this the best possible season for our players and coaches!

Liz Brayboy Chair, I/I Polo I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

5

2020 Intercollegiate/Interscholastic USPA MEN’S INTERCOLLEGIATE REGIONALS SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL University of Virginia Jack McLean, Brennen Wells, Ignacio Viana, Parker Pearce.

Coach: Lou Lopez

CENTRAL REGIONAL University of North Texas Vance Miller III, Andrew Scott, Vaughn Miller JR. Coach: Vaughn Miller SR.

WESTERN REGIONAL Oregon State University Andrew Hobson Wyatt Weaver, Joel Potyk Coach: Brandon Alcott

6

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

Tournament Champions USPA WOMEN’S INTERCOLLEGIATE REGIONALS SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL University of Virginia Grace Burgert, Demitra Hajimihalis, Maddie Grant Coach: Lou Lopez

CENTRAL REGIONAL Texas A&M University Whitney Walker, Ally Vaughn, Courtney Price, Madison Lange, Hannah Reynolds, Ashley Dillard Coach: Mike McCleary

WESTERN REGIONAL Point Loma University Pricila Villa, Addy Fuller, Molly Agee, Sydney Falk, Samantha Whitley Coach: Nicole Bankhead

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

7

USPA INTERCOLLEGIATE PRELIMINARIES CENTRAL MEN’S PRELIMINARY Texas Tech University Anson Moore, Hiram Gandara, Zachary Francis, Jair De La Pena, Ricky Moore Coach: Walker Rainey

NORTHEASTERN WOMEN’S PRELIMINARY University of Guelph Charlotte Harvie, Natasha Slawnych, Mac Pearsall, Isabella Mauti, Krista Pearce, Brittany Howard, Sara Dwyer Coach: Phil Van der Burgt

SOUTHEASTERN WOMEN’S PRELIMINARY Michigan State University Serena Luplow, Phoebe Moll, Stesha Payne, Elly Schwingel Coach: Paul & Sarah Knapp

CENTRAL WOMEN’S PRELIMINARY Texas Christian University Brianna Wolkober, Morgan McBride, Sarah Hibbitts, Kaylin Bender Coach: Vaughn Miller SR.

8

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

USPA OPEN INTERSCHOLASTIC REGIONALS NORTHEASTERN REGIONAL Gardnertown Polo Club Taylor Palacios, Vlad Tarashansky, Jonathon Wallace, Matteo Chaux Coach: Bill Dencker & Dan Scott

SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL Maryland Polo Club Jordan Peterson, Aurora Knox, Grace Beck, Kevin Horton Coach: Kelly Wells

CENTRAL REGIONAL Houston Polo Club Lance Stefanakis, Charles Fridge, Ashvath Bhatia, Christian Fridge Coach: Mark Prinsloo

WESTERN REGIONAL Central Coast Polo Club Morgan Manos, Josh Falk, Sarah Espy, Taylor Olcott Coach: Megan Judge

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

9

USPA GIRLS’ INTERSCHOLASTIC REGIONALS NORTHEASTERN REGIONAL Boston Polo Club Emerson Bruce, Brynn Roberts, Julia Schaefer, Ariadne Dogani Coach: Mark Tashjian

SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL Aiken Polo Club Robyn Leitner, Reagan Leitner, Summer Kneece, Sophie Grant Coach: Tiger Kneece

CENTRAL REGIONAL Houston Polo Club Cara Kennedy, Bridget Price, Lillian Lequerica, Abigail Benton, Isabel Artzer Coach: Mark Prinsloo

WESTERN REGIONAL Maui Polo Club Maya Miller, Alana Benz, Kaiana Holland, Laura Coflin, Sunny Diller Coach: Herman Louis DeCoite

10

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

USPA INTERSCHOLASTIC PRELIMINARIES SOUTHEASTERN OPEN PRELIM I Franklin Polo Club Jacob Wallace, Allyssa Morgan, Caroline Mooney, Zac Wallace Coach: James Armstrong

SOUTHEASTERN OPEN PRELIM II West Shore Polo Club Cate Godey, Lucy Steele, Victoria Picha, Sarah Lynch Coach: Posey Obrecht

NORTHEASTERN GIRLS’ PRELIM Cornell Polo Club Christina Beebe, Phoebe Whitham, Charlotte Hay, Chloe Chong, Lara Chong, Susanna Manns Coach: Branden Van Loon

SOUTHEASTERN GRILS’ PRELIM Maryland Polo Club Brianna Jordan, Grace Fleischmann, Kylie Beard, Zoey Bivalacqua Coach: Kelly Wells

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

11

USPA MIDDLE SCHOOL LEAGUE NORTHEASTERN REGION Gardnertown Polo Cub GARDNERTOWN: EJ Puch, Ali Cogan, Sammi Iahn

NORTHEASTERN REGION Yale Polo Club LILO: Michael Joseph, Sebastian Komaritsky, Samantha Iahn

NORTHEASTERN REGION Tinicum Park Polo Club AZRA POLO CLUB: Yusuf Chaudhry, PJ DeAngelis, Daniel Arnold

SOUTHEASTERN REGION Marlan Farm Polo Club - I DRUMCLIFFE GREEN: Kylie Beard, Mya Quarcoopome, Ana Grace Karpovich, Kylie Williamson

12

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

SOUTHEASTERN REGION Marlan Farm Polo Club - II MARLAN WHITE: Becca Steele, Lila Falcon, Izzy Brockett, Emma Paternotte

SOUTHEASTERN REGION Battlefield Park Polo Club MARYLAND RED: Kylie Beard, Mallory Marquis, Azlyn Wine

SOUTHEASTERN REGION Liberty Hall Polo Club LIBERTY HALL RED: Daniel Arnold, Julian Degroat, Daniel Coleman

CENTRAL REGION Houston Polo Club HOUSTON ANGELS: Caroline Karvelsson, Trent Florey, Mila Cocco

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

13

WESTERN REGION Central Coast Polo Club - I SYLVESTERS: Miles Jones, Kate Soderin, Morgan Manos

WESTERN REGION Central Coast Polo Club - II CCPC WHITE: Julianna Kong, Kate Soderin, Linnea Johnson

WESTERN REGION Lakeside Polo Club BLACK: Chuck Cunningham, Helena Csiski, Faris Hanna, Ella Molina

14

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

Garrison Forest School Polo Program Garrison Forest School is one of only two schools and the only girls’ school in the United States to offer polo. Our polo players live, learn and excel in their sport on our 110-acre campus in Maryland.

Visit us at: gfs.org/polo

GIRLS’ DAY, K-12 / COED PRESCHOOL GIRLS’ NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL BOARDING, GRADES 8-12 300 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

15

JIM BREMNER 16

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

PTF MALE INTERCOLLEGIATE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Morgan Palacios Cornell University

Polo

has transformed my life in a variety of ways.

I am extremely fortunate to have spent over half of my life participating in this amazing sport and enjoying the community that surrounds it. I have been around horses since before I could walk; however, I wasn’t introduced to polo until I was twelve. Growing up I played a variety of sports, but polo captured my heart and became my passion. The connection with the horses and teammates were reasons why I became engulfed in polo. The dedication polo players have and put into their horses has encouraged me to never stop learning how I can improve myself and my horses.

My polo adventure began with a ball, a mallet, and a wooden horse. As a twelve-year-old, I had a hard time choosing one sport. I drifted away from fox hunting and jumping to play other sports. Fortunately, I was introduced to the wooden horse which led me to polo. My family was visiting Kelly Wells at Marlan Farm to look at a horse for my younger brother, Taylor. While he was riding, I noticed a strange cage on the side of the arena. I was eager to investigate this odd-looking wooden horse and Kelly said I could try it out. I spent the next hour or two hitting the ball in the cage. I was immediately hooked and couldn’t wait to try this on a horse. The thrill and challenge of trying to hit a ball from five feet above, accompanied by my imagination running wild with thoughts of being able to do this on a real horse sparked my early infatuation with polo.

As my interest in the sport grew, my family searched for an instructor to take us to the next level. A family friend mentioned an instructor, Mario Dino, in Saratoga, New York, which was not far from my home. Taylor and I began taking lessons with Mario in exchange for cleaning tack, doing chores, and tacking horses for other lessons. Mario profoundly changed my polo experience. He is one of the most inspirational people I know. From the moment I met him, I could tell there was an infectious positivity about him. Following these initial lessons, he agreed to be our interscholastic coach. We created an interscholastic polo team under Skidmore’s Polo program called EPIC. One of qualities that stood out the most with Mario was his immediate commitment to be the best coach he could be. I remember he downloaded all the top coaching books to listen to in order to coach us to the

“Polo captured my heart and became my passion.”

best of his ability. I’m grateful for this dedication as it became apparent in his coaching style. Instead of yelling constantly from the sidelines or speaking negatively about our plays, he would simply call the team or a single player to the corner and have a quick conversation about improvement or strategy changes. Mario focused on the positives and supported me and my team without regard for the score. Along with his coaching style, Mario never failed to include some polo wisdom from his experiences of working in polo all over the world. Mario shaped my early polo career by providing me with a solid foundation of polo and sportsmanship.

When it came time to explore colleges, I was in search of a school that had an intercollegiate polo program that would further my development as a player. I was looking forward to all the opportunities, people, and horses associated with collegiate polo. Cornell was my top choice and where I chose to attend. The coaches in my college career were beneficial to my later accomplishments in intercollegiate polo. David Eldredge assisted me in transitioning from the interscholastic level to the intercollegiate level by pushing me to improve one thing at every practice.

Following his departure, Branden Van Loon brought a different coaching style to the program. He provided new methods of learning that allowed me to perfect my skills in the arena and excel as a player. Intercollegiate polo gave me a family while I was away from home. I could always count on my teammates to be there for me on and off the field. The upperclassmen on the team had a welcoming nature that helped me adjust to college life.

There were no other people I would have spent my time with; you could always run into a teammate on campus or find a study buddy in the library. My teammates were always there for me when I needed a friend to study with, catch a ride to the barn, or help dealing with schoolwork.

This legacy was important to me and I worked to carry it on through my college career and beyond.

Graduating last year was one of the hardest experiences.

On top of my I/I career coming to a close, we couldn’t experience Intercollegiate Nationals due to the pandemic.

These years will always live on in my memories and propel me forward to always be a part of this program as I grow older.

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

17

JIM BREMNER 18

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

PTF DANIEL J. WALLACE JR. FEMALE INTERCOLLEGIATE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Shariah Harris Cornell University

I

“I loved playing other teams’ horses and trying to figure out how to play them and get the most out of horses that I did not know, which was challenging at times but extremely rewarding when you’re able to get good chukkers on unfamiliar horses.

started playing in the I/I program when I was in seventh grade and being introduced to polo took me out of Pennsylvania and the country for the first time. I have been able to travel to places like Nigeria, Argentina and England, as well as up and down the East Coast more times than I can count because of polo.

My entire polo journey can be traced back to a wrong turn. If my mom had not taken that wrong turn, I never would have found Lezlie Hiner and the Work to Ride program or been introduced to horses. Thankfully she did and it changed my life. When my friends would hang out with each other on Saturdays, I would be at the barn from 8am-5pm, sometimes later, cleaning stalls and doing barn work. In the summers when my friends were going on vacations and relaxing, I would be at the barn all day, every day teaching summer camps and exercising the horses. When my friends would be home doing homework after school, I would be exercising horses at the barn, in the dark, rain, snow or freezing cold. I complained about it then, but looking back on it, all the work and time I dedicated to the Work to Ride program molded me into the person I am today and led me to attend Cornell University and play on its intercollegiate team.

At Work to Ride all our horses were donations, each with their own little, sometimes major, quirks that we had no choice but to ride. I can recall us falling off more times than I can count while trying to train some of our green horses or from getting bucked off, but it made us tough and instilled a fearlessness in us that made us better riders and players. Because we did not have the facilities to host teams, we were always traveling to teams for games, which I loved doing the most. I think that is the best thing about I/I, traveling to other teams, meeting new people and playing different horses all the time. I

loved playing other teams’ horses and trying to figure out how to play them and get the most out of horses that I did not know, which was challenging at times but extremely rewarding when you’re able to get good chukkers on unfamiliar horses.

In high school, all I wanted to do was be able to play polo in college and thankfully it has been as exciting as I’d hoped it would be. My team qualified for Nationals all four years and unfortunately COVID-19 halted my team’s pursuit for a national title this year. Even though I haven’t been able to capture a national title in my college career, I am happy to have even been able to compete every year on a national level, which is always an amazing experience. Though I was not able to compete for a national title this year, I was selected for the Intercollegiate International team to compete against Great Britain in England, where we were able to capture the international title. Being able to travel to a new foreign place and meet and play with amazing teammates was the highlight of my senior experience with a nice way to close out my final year in I/I polo.

Now being a college graduate from the I/I program, it feels like the time has flown by. It feels like Lezlie was just teaching me how to hold a mallet, lean out of my saddle to take a shot, and to rest the mallet against my shoulder because it was too heavy for me to hold straight at the time.

To think that now I am fortunate enough to be named a Collegiate Player of the Year is extremely rewarding. I have Lezlie, Work to Ride, my family, my collegiate coaches, and all my teammates to thank for helping me along the way because it took the guidance and support from all of them to get me here. Polo has definitely been my passport to a world I am grateful to have stumbled into and it’s bittersweet to think that my time in the I/I program has come to an end but it is the start of the next chapter and I am excited to see where it leads to.

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

19

KAYLIE WROE KAYLEE WROE 20

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

PTF FEMALE INTERSCHOLASTIC PLAYER OF THE YEAR Catie Stueck Maryland Polo Club

“I/I polo has been a huge and important part of my life for many years...what I really will take with me for the rest of my life are the friendships that I have made along the way.”

I/I polo has been a huge and important part of my life

for many years. I have had the opportunity to sharpen my skills through clinics and tournaments, but what I really will take with me for the rest of my life are the friendships that I have made along the way.

I started my polo journey when I began in fifth grade at Garrison Forest School. I had graduated from a different lower school and had just left my hunter barn after my trainer was killed in a non-polo related accident. I no longer was interested in hunter equitation, but I missed the camaraderie of a barn and being around horses, so I decided to take polo lessons after school at Garrison Forest. This decision was life changing: it introduced me to the excitement of polo as well as to a huge community of polo players of all ages, many of whom have become life-long friends. I would go down to the barn every day after school to take lessons or, if it wasn’t a lesson day, to sit with my friends and watch the older team players practice. It was fun to see how good the older girls were and how much they enjoyed playing, and it inspired me to try as hard as I could to improve in each lesson.

In sixth grade, I began taking polo lessons with the incredible Kelly Wells at Marlan Farm. That same year, I was introduced to the exciting world of I/I polo through the Middle School Tournaments, which had just been created. I jumped at the chance to play in my first I/I Middle School Tournament! I loved the experience of playing competitively in the arena, and I really loved the fact that I was meeting young players from surrounding states. My circle of polo friends was steadily growing, and through them, I learned about the PTF arena polo clinic at UVA. I signed up as soon as I heard about it, and the threeday clinic with 18 intermediate/advanced players was the absolute highlight of that summer, as well as several summers to follow.

The following year, when I was in seventh grade, I reached a turning point in my I/I journey when I earned a spot on the Maryland Girls’ Varsity team!!! My team of four consisted of me and three amazingly talented sisters: Maddie, Abbie and Sophie Grant. We were an incredibly young team, but we worked extremely hard; and, through an intensive practice and travel schedule, we bonded, hit

our stride, and won the National Championship our first year! The excitement of achieving that accomplishment as such a young team in our first year together is something that none of us will ever forget. It inspired us to continue giving our best to our coach and to each other, and that mindset and work ethic brought us two more National Championship titles!

Polo has taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, commitment, and loyalty. It has filled my life with wonderful coaches, mentors, teammates and supporters. Most importantly, it has allowed me to make lasting friendships with people around the country and throughout the world.

Thank you to the PTF for selecting me as Player of the Year. I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to be part of the I/I program. I would very much like to thank the USPA for providing Interscholastic tournaments and PTF for their comprehensive arena clinics. Both of these organizations provided me opportunities, not only to play at a high level, but also to hone my skills and create friendships with other players throughout the country.

I would like to truly thank my coach, Kelly Wells. She took me into her program when I was in sixth grade and taught me everything I know about polo, from skills to strategies.

She is extremely passionate about the sport and she gives a piece of her heart to each one of her players. She always inspires me and motivates me to work harder, while still supporting the person and player I am. I wouldn’t be the player I am today without her guidance and help over the past several years.

I would like to thank my original Maryland Girls teammates: Maddie, Abbie and Sophie Grant. You all are amazing polo players! I am so honored that I had the opportunity to play on a team with the three of you, and I am especially grateful to be your “fourth sister.” I would also like to thank my most recent teammates: Olivia Reynolds, Josie Dorsey and Madison Jordan. You all became such good friends of mine and I want to thank you for always being there for me, no matter what.

Lastly, I’d like to thank my parents. Without your support, and honestly pushing me, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

You gave me amazing opportunities, and I am so thankful for all that you do for me.

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

21

JAY AUSTIN 22

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

PTF RUSSELL A. SHELDON MALE INTERSCHOLASTIC PLAYER OF THE YEAR Matteo Chaux Gardnertown Polo Club

“The I/I program has helped me, someone who doesn’t come from a family of horses, to be able to feel indefinitely involved in a sport that cares deeply about the game, the animals, and its members.”

“Hi, my name is Matteo Chaux, I play for Gardnertown,

I am a ____ in high school, I have been playing polo for the past _ years, and here is our joke (*Explicit content*).”

For the past four years, as a member of the Gardnertown team, I have stood up at the I/I regional formal dinner in front of parents, officials, and teammates, introducing ourselves and giving a joke that, unfortunately, I am not allowed to write in this article. Weirdly enough, these are the moments I remember the most about my six years competing in I/I. I could say that the best part of polo is the competition, the game, and the amazingly scenic locations you get to travel to, but that would only be half true. While all those things are great, I attribute many of my incredible friends I know to polo. I/I is about countless genuine people who play the sport and help it come to life. It’s those who help with the horses, the parents who drive us everywhere, the coaches who put in all the effort to see you succeed, the organizations that help you get better, the friends you make, and even those who bring the food. Thanks to the endless opportunities that the people in polo have given me, I have accomplished more than I could have ever imagine during my years in I/I. Those individuals who have helped me still look out for me long after my last season is over, and that is as much I can ask for from a sport.

The I/I program has helped me, someone who doesn’t come from a family of horses, to be able to feel indefinitely involved in a sport that cares deeply about the game, the animals, and its members. Before competing, polo was a hobby that I didn’t know how far I could go with. Along with polo, I played soccer and tennis, but when it came to choosing which one I will be continuing for the rest of my life, I decided polo in a heartbeat. Without knowing much about the USPA or high-goal polo, I took a leap of faith and started taking it more seriously. I had the chance to participate in the first-ever middle school tournament. By eighth grade, I participated in my first preliminary tournament and emphasize “participate” because I lost both games.

The following year, I made it to regionals, and the year after that, I made it to Nationals. Even though we had a different team at Gardnertown every year, we are all a close group of friends who have grown up together.

Now, I am moving on to a college with no polo team, and I can already tell you that I miss everything about the interscholastic season. Regardless of whether I am playing in college or not, polo has already given me a leg up in life by making me speak up in front of large crowds, each year with little more confidence, and work hard to achieve my goals.

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

23

24

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

INTERNATIONAL INTERCOLLEGIATE CHALLENGE CUP

USPA I/I vs SUPA Britain Elly Schwingel - Michigan State University - ‘20

For

the last eight years, the United States Polo to explain the slight differences in rules to help us learn Association (USPA) and the Schools and Universities Polo before our big match.

We started our first full day in England by checking an item Association (SUPA) of Britain have come together to hold a match between some of the best collegiate players in off the typical tourist list with a proper English breakfast at their respective countries. The location alternates each a local restaurant. Mealtimes were one of my favorite parts year between the two countries. In 2020, the International of the trip, not only for the fantastic food, but for a moment Intercollegiate Challenge Cup was held on February 8 to stop and really get to know each other and reflect on at Rugby Polo Club in Rugby, England. I was extremely our experiences throughout the trip. The majority of our fortunate, excited, and shocked to have been selected first day was spent exploring Warwick Castle. The castle for the 2020 USPA International Intercollegiate Team. The was packed full of history, which allowed us to keep our USPA was represented by Molly Agee from Point Loma bodies moving and in shape as we climbed over 30 flights of stairs to the castle Nazerene University, towers and walked Shariah Harris from “I’ve learned to always push myself over 10,000 steps Cornell University, Fritz outside of my comfort zone and take touring the inside of the Felhaber from Texas A&M University, and me from advantage of every opportunity that I am castle. We also toured the Castle dungeon Michigan State University. presented with and I encourage you all to which turned out to be Amy Fraser also joined a great team bonding do the same.” team USA on our trip experience after being across the pond and was truly the best mentor, coach, manager, (left-hand side of scared and chased by live actors! After working up an the road) driver, and team mom we could ask for. SUPA appetite, we checked off another essential experience Britain was represented by Tom Coid, Jamie Grayson, and went to a tea house for tea and biscuits. We finished off the day with a practice match that was run just like the Lolly Stanhope-White and Ben Duckworth.

The trip began with all USPA team members meeting in game, which gave us the opportunity to ask the umpire Atlanta to fly to London together. Many of us were meeting specific questions, get familiar with the playing style of our each other for the first time and anxiously awaiting the teammates and opponents, and determine which horses adventure ahead of us. After a long flight to London, we were going to play for the game.

Our next day in England was game day! We made we drove to Rugby to check out the polo grounds and explore the surrounding towns. We spent a lot of time sure to get plenty of rest the night before and even took throughout the week at the polo grounds, since SUPA a pregame nap as we were all still adjusting to the time Britain’s nationals were going on simultaneously. It was change. We had an easy going and relaxing day while awe-inspiring to see so many young athletes take part in exploring some stores and attractions in the towns nearby. such an obscure sport. There were around 200 teams and That evening we arrived at the grounds a bit anxious but over 600 polo players competing at nationals. Between incredibly excited to represent our country. Similar to U.S. two arenas at Onley Grounds Equestrian Complex, there polo, the arena games were played three-on-three. We were over 50 chukkers played each day throughout the all played three chukkers each, resulting in a four-man week. The English players were so welcoming and willing rotation with a different make-up of players for each I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

25

ABOVE: 2020 International Intercollegiate Challenge Cup Champions: USA. Fritz Felhaber (Texas A&M), Elly Schwingel (Michigan State), Shariah Harris (Cornell), and Molly Agee (Point Loma) with USPA I/I Director Amy Fraser and SUPA Sponsor Carol Baker presenting the trophy.

BELOW: Shariah Harris on the attack. PC: EmmPix

chukker. Hundreds of SUPA Britain players were there to watch the big game along with our small but mighty cheering crew from the USA. Personally, I have never played in front of a crowd that really had an impact on the game, and the crowd’s high energy and support for both teams led to an extremely intense and competitive game.

The SUPA Britain team received two goals on handicap and our starting lineup was composed of Shariah, Molly and me. The female SUPA players were incredibly encouraging and blown away that we were taking the field with three women, as many of them were the only female on 26

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

the game was tied up with 2:20 to go. We took the lead for the first time with a penalty 1 and we were able to secure the lead with another goal from the field. The USPA Intercollegiate Team was crowned Champions of the 2020 International Intercollegiate Challenge Cup, 15-13.

We played a very defensive game, adjusted quickly to the four-man rotation, and never let our determination fall.

The quick communication and changes in strategy, along with absolutely incredible mounts, proved to be successful for Team USA. Druids Lodge Polo Club supplied us with our string of horses, and Nigel Mercer and Charles Betz provided us with terrific hospitality and the opportunity to play in an exceptionally well-run match. The awards ceremony followed shortly after the game and we were awarded with a crystal trophy and individual medals. Molly Agee was named Most Valuable Player after scoring nine of our 15 goals. The sportsmanship and respect shown throughout the game by both teams was unmatched in any other game I have been a part of. SUPA Britain hosted a player’s dinner after the awards ceremony which allowed players from both teams to get together and really get to know each other and discuss the differences and similarities of polo across two different countries.

Our final day was spent in London where we experienced a stereotypical rainy day touring the city. We had the opportunity to go inside the Household Calvary Unit and meet the Queen’s horses! We met a big cuddly gray named Wellesley and learned that he was Prince William’s their team or even in their entire polo club. Within a minute of play, we made up the handicap and tied the game. We battled back and forth, and SUPA ended the chukker with a 5-4 lead. Fritz entered the game for the second chukker and Molly rotated out. With a new make-up of players, we took a minute to adjust and find our groove, which allowed SUPA to pull ahead 8-4. By the end of the chukker we were communicating well and were able to add two more points to the board. Shariah sat the third chukker while Molly was eager to get back on the field. We fought hard in the third chukker, but unfortunately were only able to put one point on the board while SUPA brought their lead up to 117. As Shariah took the field again for the final chukker, I took my turn to rotate out. The USA trio quickly found the goal and were able to decrease the deficit.

After being awarded a penalty and an incredible two-point shot from Molly, we were back within one goal. Both teams took advantage of each opportunity and seemed to retaliate on each goal scored.

After SUPA had some penalty trouble, I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

27

favorite horse to ride in the parades. We ended the trip with a final team dinner that allowed us to reflect on our overall experience and celebrate our big win before our departure back to the U.S. The trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all involved. As someone from a relatively small polo club, playing with some of the top-rated players in the country was an extremely valuable experience. I learned so much in such a short amount of time, not only from their advice and communication throughout the match, but also from just watching them play. When I was sent the application to apply for the team, I did not think it was worth my time to apply. Although my parents met while playing polo at Cornell, I was not exposed to the sport until college.

Unfortunately, I tore my ACL and did not even have a chance to start playing until my sophomore year. I decided to pursue a second degree and completed a Bachelor of Science in both Food Science and Packaging Engineering which led to an additional year at Michigan State, and a fourth and final year of polo. Similar to the beginning of my collegiate career, I started my last season with an injury that required surgery on my right hand (of course it was my mallet hand!). I thought there was absolutely no way that I would be chosen since I had been playing less than

three years and I was not able to compete during the fall semester. After some encouragement from my parents and coaches, I decided to apply. I was incredibly shocked when I received the phone call to learn that I had been selected. I’ve learned to always push myself outside of my comfort zone and take advantage of every opportunity that I am presented with and I encourage you all to do the same. USPA Intercollegiate/Interscholastic polo is an incredible program that provides so many young athletes with unique experiences and teaches valuable life lessons both on and off the polo field.

Not only do I have the USPA to thank for this life changing opportunity, but also each and every individual that has had an impact on my polo journey. All my teammates, opponents, clinicians, coaches, family members, and many more, thank you! A special thank you to my parents, my teammate Stesha, and my brother Michael, for making the trip all the way to England to watch! Paul and Sarah Knapp, you guys are amazing coaches and I will never be able to thank you enough for everything you have done for me throughout my years at Michigan State.

Last but certainly not least, Mom and Dad, thank you for introducing me to polo and supporting me every step of the way. Go USA and Go Green!

CHUKKER BREAK Interscholastic Players Ian Campbell and Sophie Corttez give back on a Global Level Last year the I/I Magazine featured Pipa Campbell from Sarasota Polo Club who organized a benefit to raise money to build two wells in a remote village in Zambia. Pipa’s brother, Ian, and their two cousins, Ben and Sophie Corttez, expanded upon Pipa’s work, and decided it would be great to help the villagers use that water source to help them grow more crops.

Ian, Ben and Sophie are planning to host a polo benefit at the Sarasota Polo Club to raise funds to purchase and install solar irrigation systems for the village. The solar irrigation systems will allow the people to grow bigger and better crops which will feed more people. Any excess food they grow they will sell to the safari lodges which will give them money to pay for school, clothing and healthcare.

28

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

Complete Equestrian Shop | Polo Outfitters since 1975

Best Prices & Largest Selection At the Tackeria we strive to bring you the best selection and quality polo items sourced from around the globe at the best prices. The depth and variety of our inventory is unparalleled and designed to meet the needs of players at all levels, from the novice to the professional.

w w w.ta c k e r i a .c o m I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

29

30

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

LIFE AFTER I/I Chloe Carabasi

Hayley Heatley Bray - Southern Methodist University ‘14

Smart, stunning and strong, Chloe Carabasi has created a name for herself in Hollywood as an incredibly skilled equestrian and actor. Flip on your television and watch for Lancôme’s newest fragrance ad featuring superstar Zendaya. Yes, if you were wondering, the talented Carabasi is the stunt double. Faced with the concrete stairs of City Hall in Los Angeles and the hustle and bustle of downtown, she expertly mounted up on the Andalusian stallions used for the shoot, maneuvering them through a liberty rear and a gallop through the streets – all bareback and in a dress! Carabasi has leveraged her skill as a rider to secure unique jobs in a crowded acting market.

Carabasi’s childhood love of horses has flourished over her life. Beginning with hunters in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Carabasi was soon introduced to the sport of polo at Valley Forge Military Academy. At 12 years old, she joined her first interscholastic team coached by Ted Torrey. During high school, Brandywine Polo Academy was her polo home where she learned from Scott and Martha Brown.

The Georgian building of Southern Methodist University caught her attention as she was considering options for college. Carabasi was eager to begin a new adventure, “I was impressed by the high level of academic and loved the idea of going to college in an entirely new city and state.” Just one year before, Pamela Flanagan chartered the SMU Women’s Polo Team, coached by the well-known Tom Goodspeed. “My time at SMU, and specifically with my incredible polo teammates, are some of my most cherished memories of my entire life thus far. I learned so much under the amazing coaching of Mr. Goodspeed,” reflected Carabasi. She was awarded several I/I All-Stars throughout her time in the USPA Intercollegiate/Interscholastic program.

Chloe was the stunt double for Zendaya in Lancôme’s recent fragrance TV commercial.

After an I/I Nationals appearance and graduation, Carabasi moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue her dream to work as an actor. She had previously met Hannah Taylor (HYT Polo) and Felice Densa (Will Rogers) during an internship in Los Angeles. Finding comfort amongst polo friends and horses in her new city, they quickly became her polo family in California. Carabasi used the skills she learned throughout her life to work part-time grooming, working sets and teaching beginner lessons to fill in the gaps between acting jobs. “Aside from being an income source to help with rent and bills, it also was therapy for me to be around horses,” said Carabasi.

After many years of hard work and unwavering faith, she has created what she describes as an “eclectic career” that she is very proud of. Carabasi works as a brand ambassador for Hawaii Polo Life and Stick & Ball Co., two polo-inspired fashion brands. She has also been I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

31

ABOVE: One of the skills Chloe has learned to add to her resume is mounted archery. Here she is with her polo pony Stryker.

BELOW: Chloe still finds time to play and competes in tournaments all across the country.

featured as a model for the U.S. Polo Assn. clothing company.

A few of Carabasi’s notable film credits include a western film called “The Awful Kind,” the lead character in a trailer for the video game Apex Legends and a Netflix movie “Secrets in the Air.” “My dream is to play characters like Wonder Woman or Xena Warrior Princess, so that I can use my equestrian skills and acting skills together to make my performance that much more authentic. Being a polo player and an equestrian has been vital in my career, as it is such a unique skill that sets me apart from the masses and gives me the warrior essence that I need to take on these actionoriented roles.”

32

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

CHUKKER BREAK I’ll Make the Popcorn Kareem Rosser Stunt Doubles In the summer of 2019, Kareem Rosser (Work to Ride/ Colorado State) received a call to participate in the film “Concrete Cowboy” as a stunt double for Idris Elba. The film is about a 15-year-old boy from Detroit who is sent to live with his estranged father in Philadelphia and learns about the local urban cowboys. Rosser writes, “it was an incredible experience doubling for Idris Elba and working closely with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Namely, Caleb McLaughlin, Byron Bowers and Method Man. My role as Idris’ double was to recreate the riding scenes.

Specifically, any scene that required the horse to go beyond a canter. I learned that filming is a tedious process, and the days on set are long. At the same time, I have no interest in becoming a full-time actor or stunt double. I enjoyed watching the actor’s transition into their character.

Particularly, Idris’ ability to switch from his English accent to sounding like a Philadelphian. It was an honor to represent the local cowboys of Philadelphia.” Netflix recently acquired the film and will make it available in the spring of 2021.

TINICUM PARK POLO Proudly Offers Interscholastic Polo

Come join the action & fun of the best equine sport!

Games Played at Azra Equine Club in Allentown, NJ For More Info: Hesham El-Gharby (908) 285-1210 www.TinicumParkPoloClub.org I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

33

U.S. POLO ASSN. Collegiate Brand Ambassadors

USPA Global Licensing continues to support the collegiate programs through their Global Brand Ambassador Program.

For the 2020-2021 I/I season, all participating teams were supplied with U.S. Polo Assn. branded hats and face masks for the teams in addition to receiving a cash grant.

34

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

3

33

3

OSU

OSU

3

POLO TEAM

POLO TEAM

3 SKIDMORE

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

35

TEXAS TECH TM

3

36

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

TEXAS A&M POLO CLUB

TEXAS A&M POLO CLUB

TEXAS A&M POLO CLUB

TEXAS A&M POLO CLUB

MICHIGAN M I

33

C H

I

G A N

3

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

Polo Club at Virginia Tech

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

37

MURRELL JIMDAVID BREMNER 38

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

MAN, MAN, MAN, LINE, BALL Mike McCleary - A Southern Gentleman Hannah Reynolds - Texas A&M University ‘23

Mike McCleary is not just a Texas A&M collegiate

coach who has successfully won and coached many Intercollegiate National Championship titles. He is a friend, a father, a grandfather, a mentor and an Aggie.

Mike McCleary did not grow up in a polo dominant and wealthy family. Mike grew up in Waco, Texas, mowing lawns for 50 cents. And at eleven, Mike purchased his first horse Ginger, a spit fire 14.5 hands bucking and kicking mare, for $146. Part Shetland, Ginger came to be a handy and quick mare who Mike competed on in several barrel racing competitions and won quite a bit of money. Blazing through the competition, Mike was unstoppable with Ginger until it came time for Mike to hang up his saddle and gear up to play football for Texas A&M University.

However, his time apart from Ginger was to be short lived as his high school sweetheart, Diane, was gifted Ginger.

Mike tumbled and roared ahead, competitive in football.

So, how did a lawn mowing, barrel racing, football player come to learn the Sport of Kings? Gymkhana. Texas A&M held a Gymkhana (now called Rec Palooza), where all the sports teams set up booths and activities to try and gain members. Texas A&M had a beautiful polo field set up on the campus and that day the activity was polo puttputt and racing barrels. At the time, Mike McCleary’s best friend, Joe Ed, also rode horses and decided that the westerners were to take on the “goofy people in the flat saddles.” Diane brought Ginger for Mike and he blazed through polo putt-putt and the barrels. He rode with such ease that the Texas A&M Polo Coach called Mike up to ask if the team could use Ginger in their upcoming game against Houston Polo Club. Diane and Mike both agreed that Ginger was only going to be ridden by them, so Mike agreed to play for Texas A&M Polo and Diane agreed to give Ginger back for the price of marriage. Happily married and sitting at his desk with the infamous Bluebook, McCleary studied the game and roped his best friend Joe Ed in with him. They slowly learned to play polo bringing Ginger to practices until the day that they got invited to the Houston Polo Club to play in a tournament. The rookies took on 4-goaler, Jesus Rodriguez, and experienced what exactly a T-bone was and lost the game 8-0.

Ginger

Determined to succeed and quite upset with the loss, Mike signed up for the seven-day polo clinic with Colonel Wilson. Throughout those seven days Mike took what he learned, perfected it, and then came back to Aggieland to improve the polo team at home with the techniques and lessons that he had aquired. David Bird, Joe Ed, and Mike maintained the polo club and the field on campus practicing several times a week chomping at the bit for polo, polo, polo. Mike was invited by Houston sponsor Will Ferris to play in the Friday and Sunday matches and Mike’s skill and knowledge of polo blossomed. The day finally came where TAMU and Houston would duel it out and Texas A&M, captained by Mike, won.

McCleary went on to produce a competitive reputation for Texas A&M and won several National Championships competing against Tom Goodspeed and Danny Scheraga, who today are still influencers and coaches in the polo community.

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

39

MIKE RYAN ABOVE: Mike McCleary coached both the Texas A&M’s Men’s and Women’s teams to a National Title in 2019, a repeat of their feat in 2018.

BELOW: Mike (left) and his TAMU teammates in 1972.

40

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

Not only did Mike McCleary give back to the sport as out of the polo world, whether it be some free riding, a job, or advice. Like many others, I will a player, but he has tremendously always appreciate everything Mike given back to the sport as a coach. and the McCleary family has done Teaching several generations and for me to make me a better rider influencing many polo careers, and person.” -Chris Jordan like Steve Krueger and Cacho “Mike was a great coach and Galindo’s, Mike has not only proven father figure for my time in College his vast knowledge of skill as a Station. I knew his phone number player and coach but continues to by heart and spoke with him every prove his commitment to the polo day. He was a good coach who community by opening up his own emphasized discipline and hard magnificent polo club, River Bend work, but he was a better role Polo. Located in Bryan, Texas model. Man, man, man, line, ball!” where current and former Aggies – Steve Krueger enjoy playing.

There is no coach like Mike Composing his teams with McCleary. From mowing lawns poise and southern charm, Mike for fifty cents and riding an unruly was one of the very first coaches mare bought for $146 dollars, to successfully coach a women’s to being a judge, a father of polo team to the national level. seventeen sons, and a tremendous He continuously proves his strong mentor and coach for Aggies and suit of coaching women as his female players have made it to Mike, (right) with current SMU Coach Tom Goodspeed players everywhere. Mike McCleary embodies the spirit of a true southern the national finals in the past four (center) and Reed Graham (left) in 1974. gentlemen and reflects the Aggie seasons. Along with the success of women’s polo, Mike’s men’s team is a powerhouse, spirit. The Texas A&M Polo Team would like to thank him as he continues to craft each member not only into a for the hard work and dedication he has given them and competitive player but a distinguished individual on and the club overall and we look forward to the years ahead!

Thanks, and Gig ‘Em! off the field.

“Mike isn’t just a coach; he is like your father and friend. Always looking out for the best interest of his players and never hesitating to help. My favorite memory with Mike is that of Thanksgiving Holiday my freshman year, I could not go home due to exams, but Mike invited me over to have Thanksgiving with his family. All 17 sons and grand youngins where there and they welcomed me with January 29-31 open arms. I knew then that not only February 12-14 was I an Aggie, but I was one of his students and that Aggies always take February 26-28 care of their kind. I am proud to call March 19-21 Texas A&M my home and honored to be coached by Coach McCleary.”

-Hannah Reynolds “When I met Coach Mike, I only knew four people in the polo world.

As I moved 1,500 miles away from my friends and family, he opened his arms and home to me and helped to ease the transition and slowly USPA National I/I Alumni - Feldman Cup became the grandfather I did not coming to Legends 2021 have. I quickly learned that I was not the only person he has helped over the years. He has adopted many people. He has always been one to help young men and women in and I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

41

KELLY WELLS 42

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH The Many Lives of Polo Ponies Kelly Wells - Cornell ‘92

They say that cats have nine lives…I believe the same can

be said of polo ponies. A young horse is first selected due to their potential and thoroughly trained to play the sport.

This can be a long process, requiring a good bit of patience that can span a few years. The results are a mature individual that can handle the rigors of the outdoor game.

With this training comes the speed and finesse required to play for adult professional players. Horses playing at the tournament level are sturdy, fast and competent in their skills. Some horses remain at this level for the remainder of their peak years. Others will get deemed too slow or age out of that particular level until they get passed down to players playing at a lower speed on the grass or to arena programs.

Many of the fantastic polo ponies that collegiate players are lucky enough to learn to play on are handed down from the outdoor version of the sport. These horses start the next phase of their life teaching and playing for young college students in the arena. Horses typically transition well to the smaller size space. Horses that are deemed “hot” or a “handful” outdoors tend to figure out pretty quickly how to conserve their excess energy as the walls are never all that far away! College players are extremely lucky and excited when new donations are sent to their programs! The horses have their own stories to tell and more to give to the very eager young adults who are so passionate about learning and playing polo.

For some horses, their college days will go on until they too become labeled “a little too slow” for collegiate play or “getting a little older.” As the coach of several interscholastic teams, I maintain a healthy collaboration with the college programs near me. The next level down for college ponies is guiding young players in the interscholastic (high school) ranks. The speed of the game dips down some for these ponies, but I believe the love and affections garnered certainly rise. Young riders on interscholastic teams develop quite a bond with their mounts as they are truly just beginning to learn the game and establish trust on and with a horse. It is these mature mounts who have been through so many experiences thus far that are without a doubt the best teachers for them. I respect these horses for what they know, what they have done in their life, and for what they are doing to help me to teach the next generation of players.

At Marlan Farm, I focus on teaching riding to young children (often their first time on a horse) all the way up to national champion high school players. The horses that

Butterscotch (LEFT) and Chalupa (ABOVE), teach the next generation of polo players.

I have been fortunate enough to include into my string include many who have done their time for outdoor players and played collegiate polo. Those horses are currently teaching and playing for my I/I teams and will eventually step down another level to my very youngest riders and middle school polo players. These are the true heroes, the saints in polo who have done it ALL! They are the most loved and honored horses at the farm. The children respect what they have achieved, the older kids hold the incredible memories of tournaments won on them, and the young kids find themselves completely trusting these safe and worldly horses.

If you have a special horse in your life and you are looking for a home where they will be cherished - consider making a donation to a program that focuses on teaching youth to play polo. Those horses will feel the love and give so much to the young people who are lucky enough to share in their story!

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

43

44

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

JULIE CORDERO

IT TAKES A VILLIAGE Texas Tech Attributes Their Success to Alumni Support Jair de la Peña - Texas Tech ‘21

Here in West Texas we have a tradition that started

in 1983. It consists of always riding tough, swinging hard,and playing at battle speed. Our club has proudly hoisted one National Championship in our history under the guidance of one of our club’s greatest benefactors, Clyde Waddell. In 1999, he began letting our club use his farm to board our horses, but before long his passion for the sport lead Clyde to become the full-time club coach in 2000. Year by year under his guidance the club saw improvement culminating in the 2006 USPA Men’s National Intercollegiate Championship. Tragically, Clyde Waddell passed away in 2016 leaving a void as a coach, as well as a property owner.

Luckily, our club has an amazing group of alumni and benefactors who are passionate about the game and many still play the sport we all love to this day. In particular, two alumni have promoted the club by going above and beyond the expectations of all the club members, Mr. Walker Rainey and Mrs. Ashley Owen. After Clyde’s passing, Walker assumed the position of coach for the club and his leadership has led both our men’s and women’s teams to consistent contention in well-known tournaments like Fall Fandango, USPA Intercollegiate Preliminaries, as well as the USPA Intercollegiate Regional Championship.

Last year, our men’s team consisting of freshmen Anson Moore and Ricky Moore, and seniors Zach Francis, Jair de la Peña, and Hiram Gandara (captain), went all the way to the Regional Championships. At preliminaries, Jair de la Peña won the Horsemanship Award while Hiram

Gandara and Anson Moore both made the All-Star team.

Our women’s team consisting of junior Sydney Flynt and Casey Collins, and seniors Lexie Harlan and Amelia Fisher (captain), also experienced immense success with Amelia Fisher making the All-Star team at Preliminaries.

“I am so eager to see where our club’s teams can go within these next few years!” exclaimed Fisher. “We’ve set out a name for ourselves and I think the possibilities are limitless for our club’s future. Since I joined this club four years ago, I’ve seen so much improvement not only in how we play but also in our horsemanship and horse care, and how we teach and lead incoming members.

Taking home four individual awards and a Best Playing Pony award against the steep competition we face in our region shows me that Texas Tech Polo has accomplished what we once thought was unimaginable. It shouldn’t go without mention the immense amount of support that we’ve received along the way, from USPA funding and clinics, I/I tournaments and games, and also from Texas Tech and our alumni association. But none of this would’ve been possible without the inner-club leadership and the initiative taken by our many members who truly just have a love and passion for this sport”.

Recently, the club facilities were purchased by Denny Yates whose daughter Ashley Owen is a former member of the club and currently part of the leadership in the Texas Tech Polo Alumni Association.

“The former owner of the property was a very generous man named, Clyde Waddell, who provided the I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

45

Crosswinds Farm is the home to the Texas Tech Polo Club

Coach Clyde Waddell duing halftime at the 2009 Central Intercollegiate Regionals at Brushy Creek

Texas Tech Alum, Walker Rainey, coaches the Texas Tech Polo Team 46

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

Texas Tech Polo Club a home for over 20 years,” remarked Owen. “After his passing, members of the club, the Alumni Association, and the Waddell family pulled together to help keep the club afloat until we were able to purchase the property this past April. I am very excited we were able to acquire the property and provide a home for Texas Tech Polo for years to come.

Playing polo at Tech was the highlight of my college experience and the place where I met my husband. I am very happy to be able to provide a place for young adults to have some of the same experiences that I had. Intercollegiate polo provides an affordable opportunity to students to learn to play and there is no better experience than being part of the Texas Tech Polo Club. I am excited to partner with the USPA, PTF, and I/I program to continue to provide a great place for students of all levels of ability to learn and compete in the great sport of polo!”

Ashley is an active member of the Midland Polo Club and credits Texas Tech’s Polo club for helping to ignite her passion for the sport. Her husband Ryan Owen is another alumnus of the club who also plays at the Midland Polo Club. The optimism from the new ownership has spread to the club as well.

“It’s a very exciting time to be a part of this club, from talking with Ashley and her husband Ryan they are very committed to helping us out and improving our facilities,” said current club member John Wolpert.

“When I joined this club, we had solid officer leadership, but there was always uncertainty because our barn was for sale. I am so grateful to Mr. Yates for his generosity in purchasing the barn and affording us a place to play polo and ride horses. The planned improvements to our arena will allow us to conduct more of our famous Friday Night Chukkars for club members, team practices to hopefully bring another championship to Lubbock, and an opportunity to get more people involved in this amazing sport. Polo has taught me discipline, given me an opportunity to fall in love with a sport, and provided me with friendships that will last a lifetime.”

With the club’s future brighter than ever, here at Texas Tech we are committed to growing our club and giving everyone the ability to play polo at battle speed.

C UST O M T E NSI ON FABRIC S TRU CTU RES

VERSATILE. BOLD. CUTTING EDGE.

LEGACY BUILDING SOLUTIONS provides

a superior option to traditional horse barns and indoor riding arenas. Our riding arenas combine the bright, airy interior of traditional fabric arenas with the proven engineering and strength of a solid steel frame. Legacy’s exclusive ExxoTec™ fabric allows for natural light in every corner of the building while providing superior strength and longevity for your building.

Every aspect of a Legacy arena is designed around your individual needs – including clearspan space for riding, height for jumping, and custom colors to blend in with the surrounding countryside.

EQUESTRIAN + ARENA APPLICATION ADVANTAGES

•

Fully customizable

•

Designed for personal or public use

•

Exclusive steel treatment + protection

•

Climate-controlled interior

•

In-house engineering

•

Exclusive fabric options

•

Patented attachment system

L E GA C Y B U I L D I N GSO L U T I O N S . C O M | 877-259-1528

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

47

ROBERT KELLER

MARYLAND POLO CLUB I/I Territory Where can a young athlete learn to play interscholastic arena polo, gain exposure to outdoor polo during the summer, aspire to play on a collegiate polo team, and eventually join an outdoor polo club? Dozens of adolescents growing up in Maryland have achieved these goals through an affiliation with the Maryland Polo Club (MPC).

Hidden from sight just off the Jarrettsville Pike in Monkton, Maryland are two regulation polo fields situated behind Ladew Gardens, one of the most magnificent topiary gardens in the United State of America. These grass polo fields, Weber and Ladew, are the home of the Maryland Polo Club. The club is accessible by a one-way gravel entrance and hidden from site behind a hedgerow. The countryside surrounding the polo fields is Elkridge Harford Hunt Club’s bucolic fox hunting country. It is here, in this lovely rural setting, that Maryland Polo Club members ranging in age from teenagers to middle-aged players have a common bond: the majority of MPC members participated in a USPA I/I program at one time or another.

48

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

Holly Pearce In addition, most learned to play grass polo on these fields and all of them are given the opportunity to play in USPA outdoor tournaments in the summer.

Established in 1986, Maryland Polo Club has several members that have been active for 34 years in some capacity whether still playing, volunteering, or coaching.

Collectively, over those 34 years, 60 members have played collegiate polo representing 14 colleges in the United States and Scotland. 66 percent of these players participated on an interscholastic polo team with either Garrison Forest School Polo Club (GFS), Marlan Farm Polo Club’s Maryland and Baltimore polo teams, or West Shore Polo Club. Each of these clubs reside within a 60 mile radius of MPC. A new player’s polo journey typically starts with an arena lesson offered at one of these polo schools where coaches and school ponies are available.

Once a student has accomplished basic polo skills, he or she advances to a JV or Varsity team. The GFS and Marlan Farm operations have won multiple USPA National Interscholastic Championships and West Shore also has

a national championship to its record. 50 percent of the 2020 MPC membership currently plays interscholastic or collegiate polo. Not only were these members competitors for a Maryland interscholastic team, nearly every one of them has won an Interscholastic or Intercollegiate National title.

The primary coaches responsible for creating these outstanding interscholastic teams are all members of Maryland Polo Club. Former GFS and West Shore coach, Cindy Halle (UC Davis), is an original outdoor member of MPC. Garrison Forest School is an all-girls school located in Owings Mills, Maryland and the polo program was founded in the late 70s by Dan Colhoun and was coached for years by Cindy Halle. Many of these former GFS players in the 70s, 80s, and 90s are relatives of families that belong to Maryland Polo Club. In the summer, they would join their families outdoors playing their own strings of ponies. The Colhouns were among the founding families of MPC. After establishing a strong polo program at GFS, Halle stepped away from coaching to raise her family and Kelly Wells (Cornell University), another outdoor player at MPC, came on board to coach at GFS. While coaching at GFS, Wells was constructing the Marlan Farm polo facility upcountry near the Pennsylvania state line while raising two young children. Wells eventually opened up her own interscholastic program in 2003 at Marlan Farm where she now resides and coaches as many as four interscholastic teams at any given time.

West Shore Polo Club’s Open team was founded around 2010 for several male players that lived in Maryland and Pennsylvania. It was not permissible to roster boys on a GFS polo team, as they did not attend the school, so West Shore’s I/I team stems from Max Hempt’s own polo team in Pennsylvania. Hempt is a board member of MPC where he plays tournament polo with his son, George, who was an original player on the West Shore interscholastic team. George went on to play collegiate polo for Roger Williams University where he led them to a National Championship victory. After returning to GFS in 2007, Halle was appointed to coach West Shore’s I/I team in the GFS arena two nights a week. More and more students that did not attend GFS learned about the West Shore team and several of these girls and younger boys joined the West Shore ranks. Tom Huber (University of Virginia), Vice President of MPC, has a son and daughter that played for West Shore and now both play collegiate polo for University of Kentucky. His son, Tommy Huber, won Interscholastic Nationals while playing for West Shore Polo and in the summer, father, son, and daughter Louisa represent the Huber’s Dovecote polo team at MPC. In 2007, GFS gained another former intercollegiate player to assist Halle, Emily Dewey (Michigan State University).

Dewey assisted with instruction of the Garrison Forest and West Shore polo teams for several years before accepting a position at the USPA working in the I/I Program. During Dewey’s time in Maryland she also managed the Maryland Polo Club. Over the years, Halle and Dewey leased out

GFS ponies and several of Halle’s own ponies to GFS and West Shore students to use for summer polo at MPC. These leases created an outdoor opportunity for youth players that did not have a string of their own polo ponies.

As Maryland Polo Club’s youth membership was growing by leaps and bounds, intra-club youth tournaments were being added to the club’s schedule. Simultaneously, the USPA National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS) was taking off with an abundance of young players all over the United States. With so many Maryland NYTS participants, MPC has been able to form two flights of NYTS in recent years. MPC has proudly sent several NYTS All-Stars from Zone 4 to compete in NYTS and these astounding players have brought home several wins in recent NYTS Championships. There is no doubt that their summers spent playing NYTS and USPA tournaments at MPC prepared each of these individuals to become valuable team players when faced with unfamiliar teammates and different locations.

As Halle began focusing more on instructional clinics and traveling to play polo all over the world, she decided to retire from coaching. A GFS I/I alumna, Jenny Schwartz (Virginia Tech), has taken the helm at GFS with assistant coach Kaycie Campbell (Michigan State University) during the academic year. While Schwartz does not play with MPC in the summer, several of her beginner students play with Posey Obrecht (University of Kentucky). Obrecht, another GFS alumna, became West Shore’s go-to coach.

Obrecht has played outdoor polo with Maryland Polo Club since she was a teenager. She lives in Maryland’s Greenspring Valley and owns a gentle string of school ponies. Obrecht provides transportation for these ponies to MPC youth tournaments every summer for her GFS, West Shore, and local Pony Club students.

For several years, Kelly Wells found time to manage the Maryland Polo Club’s outdoor intermediate sessions and MPC’s intermediate night, while raising her own children who also enjoyed I/I polo and outdoor polo.

Her daughter, Marissa, has graduated from Texas A&M, became a Team USPA alumna, and coached the Virginia based Battlefield Polo Club’s interscholastic team. When Wells’ son, Brennan, enrolled at UVA where he plays intercollegiate polo, she decided to stay close to home and provide access to summer polo at her own facility for mostly beginners with arena lessons, outdoor lessons, intermediate camps, and outdoor pony leases with the option to play outdoor polo matches in the mid-Atlantic region. The Marlan Farm summer programs created another opportunity for students from near and far to learn polo. As Wells phased out of the MPC intermediate program, MPC was fortunate to gain leadership from a President and Club Manager that had both experienced I/I Polo.

Maryland Polo Club now has a husband and wife team, Club Manager Nate Berube (University of Connecticut) and President Olivia Berube (Colorado State University) that bring cumulative years of I/I polo experience to MPC. The Berubes teach all levels of arena and grass polo in I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

49

Aiken and together they coach the Virginia Tech polo Mary were a driving force behind Brennan and Parker’s team. A Maryland native, Olivia, was a youth member of decisions to play polo for UVA. MPC and an interscholastic player under Wells throughout As these same high school students move outdoors in the high school. The Berubes have built upon the Intermediate summer to Maryland Polo Club, they are surrounded by a Program in membership of place and well-educated expanded w o r k i n g it by professionals incorporating with claims to their own intercollegiate string of N a t i o n a l B e r u b e Titles.

MPC Polo School has another ponies which husband and they lease to wife team that intermediate were both players and inducted into utilize to Cornell’s Polo give private Wall of Honor, instruction PJ and Sara to outdoor Orthwein. enthusiasts.

PJ currently They have Max Hempt, Jacob Brown (Brandywine/CSU), Tom Huber (UVA), Laura Brown (GFS/CSU), Liv Berube serves on the a d d e d (Baltimore/CSU), Sarah Orthwein (GFS/Cornell), Nate Berube (UCONN), PJ Orthwein (Cornell), and board of MPC Cindy Halle (UC Davis). even more as Treasurer. intermediate tournaments to MPC’s schedule. Year after Mentors such as these from Ivy League and State year, youth players interested in outdoor polo have had Universities on the field provide positive reinforcement that the continuing support of coaches willing to provide an education and polo can be achieved simultaneously. ponies and their time to developing players in Maryland.

Quite a few of Maryland Polo Club’s present and former Naturally, the next step for a high school player in Maryland collegiate players have connected with other players from is to play polo while attending college. Often interscholastic MPC to compete in prestigious tournaments outside of the teams in Maryland find themselves searching for stiffer club and college parameters. Notably in 2018, the USPA competition to prep for the southeastern regionals with Women’s Arena Open was won by Kelly Wells, Marissa the hope of advancing to the National Championship. Wells and Sophie Grant. That same year the Grant sisters, Fortunately, these interscholastic coaches have Maddie, Abbie and Sophie competed as a team to win the maintained their relationships with college polo programs USPA Women’ Arena Handicap. In 2019, Maddie Grant and utilize this resource to travel to universities like Cornell, returned to win the U.S. Women’s Arena Handicap® UVA, and Texas A&M for matches. What better way for a with another Maryland friend, Demitra Hajimihalis. The polo-crazed student to take a college tour than to visit a following month Marissa Wells secured the 2019 USPA campus and compete against current college players?

US Open Women’s Handicap outdoors in Texas. There Over the past few years, several interscholastic teams is no question that their I/I exposure and summers at from MPC were able to play against college mentors like Maryland Polo prepped these talented women for victory.

Anna Winslow Palacios, a college national champion at The accomplishments of Maryland’s I/I players are Cornell, former Team USPA member, and MPC member; also recognized time and time again by the Polo Training and Marissa Wells and her Texas A&M back-to-back Foundation. Since 1986 (Intercollegiate) and 1989 National Championship winning team. The TAMU team (Interscholastic), the Polo Training Foundation has given hosted Marlan Farm’s varsity women’s team in Houston on out (19) Player of the Year Awards to members of the several occasions and even traveled to Maryland to prep Maryland Polo Club who originated from a Maryland I/I both of the Marlan Farm teams for their Interscholastic program. The Polo Training Foundation seeks individuals Nationals. The Marlan Farm Open team which won back- that display excellent playing ability, team effort contribution to-back Interscholastic Nationals in 2017 and 2018 with in a match, and above all sportsmanship. Repeat awards teammates and MPC members Brennan Wells and Parker were given to Trevor Wells, Lizzie Wisner, and Marissa Pearce traveled on many occasions to play against UVA Wells as they were awarded in high school and again men’s and women’s teams. Another MPC member, Mary in college. In 2019, Coach Kelly Wells almost produced Collins, was the captain of Virginia Women’s team at the a clean sweep of PTF Players of the Year: three of the time and was a mentor for Brennan and Parker as she four players that were presented with Player of the Year shared her skill, sportsmanship, and tactical college plays awards were all her students: Abbie Grant, Parker Pearce, with them. These valuable interactions with players like and Marissa Wells.

50

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

The University of Virginia leads the way with the most current and past Maryland Polo Club collegiate polo players. Cornell University is a close second and University of Kentucky is gaining more and more of our junior members each year. Among the other collegiate programs on record with MPC members are: Texas A&M, Colorado State University, UCDavis, Roger Williams, University of Connecticut, University of Santa Barbara, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin, Texas Tech, University of St. Andrews-Scotland.

Even if your child does not live in Maryland, it is highly probable that by joining an interscholastic polo program they will embark on a journey with peers that will lead them toward the global world of outdoor polo. The sport of polo is progressive, the USPA provides the resources, coaches teach the skills, and the friendships formed will guide them!

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

51

LORI SORTINO 52

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

MIDDLE SCHOOL POLO The Magic of Middle School Beth Supik - GFS ‘98 & CSU ‘02

The 2020 Middle School Tournament season kicked

off the weekend of September 19-20 at Marlan Farm in Freeland, Maryland, where four teams competed. It was the first of 13 scheduled nationwide fall tournaments in which USPA members enrolled in an academic program ranging from fifth grade through eighth grade can compete.

Students enter a tournament as individuals and teams are decided based on the number of students entered and are balanced based on experience.

The Middle School Tournament League began in the fall of 2014 and has continued each fall since. The intent was to provide an opportunity for the growing numbers of the I/I program’s youngest players to gain experience in tournaments, allowing them to play against competitors of the same ability and age. The response to this program has been overwhelming in participation and enthusiasm that expands each year.

I have had the opportunity to manage many of these tournaments throughout the years on the East Coast from Maryland to Rhode Island. I have known some of these player's families since before they were born and others I have met in early adolescence. They range variably in polo experience and horse experience, yet all express great enthusiasm to play and learn their way around the barn and the ponies. They also demonstrate such seriousness toward the occasion to play with others on a team participating in a tournament and leave their hearts in the arena at the end of a game.

Teaching children not only requires great skill, but it is a gift. The coaches who have connected with children with the curiosity and tenacity to learn polo at such a young age are worthy of praise. It takes great patience and knowledge to provide a safe and productive environment for these young players to learn in. These coaches are such positive role models to these children in their development as players as well as young adults.

The polo ponies selected for these young players are truly saints. They travel straight, steady, and ever patiently with the players. I have watched ponies at this level literally

kick a ball forward multiple times the length of an arena to aid a child as they desperately try to connect their mallet with it. They stand like statues as multiple children tirelessly tack them up and/or untack them. These ponies offer so much to the young players: patience, confidence, selflessness, and are critical in solidifying a passion for the ponies as well as the sport.

The parents of these players are so supportive of their children as well as the program as a whole. The energy they bring to a tournament is incredible. They are not just parents to their own children, but to all involved at the tournament. Armed with bottled waters, Band-Aids, provisions of all sorts, as well as a smile; they are the heartbeat of a tournament.

One very exciting and beneficial act I have witnessed at various Middle School tournaments is the participation of Interscholastic players working with the Middle School players; a strategy executed by a coach who hosts countless Middle School and Interscholastic tournaments.

These Interscholastic players put on a black and white striped shirt and carry a whistle along with the designated USPA umpire and learn to officiate. Also, every team in said tournament will have an Interscholastic player as their coach. Many of these coaches and umpires are Middle School polo graduates themselves and it’s amazing to see them give back to the younger generation, many of whom look up to them for their leadership skills and ability in the arena.

It is a true testament that the Middle School program continues to be a success when so many players have chosen to stay committed to playing onward to the Interscholastic and Intercollegiate levels. They have honed their mallet skills, team play, sportsmanship, and horsemanship for many years and as a result the quality and depth of I/I polo has soared. I have watched them mature in and out of the arena. I have witnessed many of them win National titles at Interscholastic Championships and I have seen their hearts break in defeat, but with grace. I have relied dearly on many of them as a manager, to help keep I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

53

an I/I tournament & Texas Christian running smoothly, University), Lila particularly with Bennett (Garrison the care of multiple Forest School strings of ponies & University of at any given Kentucky), Patricio tournament. I have FragaErrecart taught so many (Commonwealth how to bandage Polo Club & legs, tack a pony Cornell), Abby properly, and Grant (Maryland how to fill in a Polo Club & scoresheet, and University of now they are my St. Andrews), extra eyes and Grace Grotnik hands for me. I (Myopia Polo have awarded them Club & Southern many awards- All ABOVE: Jolie Zepp going to goal at Marlan Farm. PC: Kelly Wells.

M e t h o d i s t Star, Horsemanship, PREVIOUS: Linnea Johnson on Spider-Man at the Central Coast Polo Club. PC Lori Sortino University), Lea Jihand Sportsmanship Vieira (Mountain at various I/I tournaments nationwide. There are quite a few View Polo Club & Cornell), Vance Miller lll (Prestonwood players I presented with their first award ever at a Middle Polo Club & University of North Texas), Anson Moore School tournament and I have given them countless more, (Houston Polo Club & Texas Tech University), Parker literally, especially the Sportsmanship Award.

Pearce (Maryland Polo Club & University of Virginia).

There are nine players who were in eighth grade and played Of these nine players, seven of them have been granted in the first year of Middle School and have now completed USPA Intercollegiate Scholarships. The requirements for their first year of Intercollegiate polo in the 2019-2020 this award (financial support renewable for up to four season, an amazing accomplishment. They played all four years) are for players who have played at least two years years of Interscholastic polo as well. Proudly, here they of Interscholastic polo, compete on an Intercollegiate are as well as the Interscholastic and Intercollegiate teams team, have a 3.0 GPA, have written a short essay, and they represent: Kaylin Bender (Garrison Forest School have two letters of recommendations. The selection

CHUKKER BREAK Crossing the Line Kareem Rosser - WTR ‘11 & CSU ‘16 I/I Alum Kareem Rosser shares the exciting news about his upcoming book, Crossing the Line. “I am incredibly excited about the release of my upcoming memoir, Crossing the Line. The book gives an entirely different perspective than what has been covered in the media. I take the opportunity to detail my childhood struggles and the constant adversity my family faced living in West Philadelphia. At the same time, how the Work to Ride Program and polo saved my life. I hope my story inspires a generation of people. The publication date is February 9, 2021. I am encouraging everyone to purchase a copy. I will be giving half of the proceeds to the Work to Ride program.”

54

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

is then based on the player’s horsemanship, sportsmanship, playing ability, contribution to the sport, and academic excellence and character. The seven players are: Kaylin Bender, Lila Bennett, Patricio Fraga- Errecart, Grace Grotnik, Lea Jih- Vieira, Vance Miller lll, and Parker Pearce.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. There are many who help mentor, support, and dedicate countless hours to the success of the Middle School program as well as each individual tournament.

Without knowledgeable and patient professionals, supportive parents, and well-suited polo ponies, this program would never have seen a second season, nor would these young players be inspired to continue their development and love for the sport of polo as countless of them have continued to do.

This is the magic of Middle School Polo.

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

55

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK USPA Welcomes Tinicum Park’s IS Team Victoria Halliday

Tinicum Park Polo Club in Erwinna, Pennsylvania,

announces its new interscholastic program and the start of their first I/I Open polo team. Initiated for the increasing number of young players in the club, the Tinicum Park Polo Club I/I team has come together because of the ambition, competitive spirt, and comradeship of a few young home-grown players.

Team Members Owen Halliday (17), Abdullah Chaudhry (15), Jawed BenMoussa (15) and Daniel Arnold (13), have been practicing as a team since early October but have known and played together since an early age. Daniel, Owen and Abdullah are second generation polo players with parents who are long-time members of Tinicum Park Polo Club. Jawed entered the scene via the club’s polo lessons.

Emerging as a natural progression of the commitment of the young players to polo it took a series of fortunate events for the program to get off the ground. Foremost, enough young players had to become old enough and practiced enough to be eligible to form a high school team. The family-friendly atmosphere of Tinicum Park Polo Club helped foster this pursuit by encouraging youth to pick up foot mallets and participate in “kids chukkers,” a chukker for children on a short field at halftime. The club also hires youth to work at the games. Flagging and manning the score board has introduced a few to the field. Owen Halliday and Jawed BenMoussa work at the 56

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

club as well as play, sometimes doing both the same day.

The opportunities the USPA and the PTF offers youth created a horizon of competition, fun and comradeship that came into vision as the years went by. Daniel Arnold, a veteran of I/I Polo has played in the I/I Middle School League for the last few years. Winning the final game in 2019 at the Aiken Polo Club and being awarded an All Star in every I/I Middle School Tournament he has competed in, Daniel’s maturing to high school polo was instrumental in having the I/I program at Tinicum Park Polo Club take off.

The home of the Tinicum Park Polo Team is Azra Equine Club in Allentown, New Jersey. Owned by club member and polo player Affan Iftikhar and managed by Hesham ElGharby. The club’s recent move of its winter arena program to Azra Equine Club was a key factor in the successful start of the I/I program because of the ideal facilities for tournament play. There is an outdoor and indoor arena and accommodations for spectators.

The all-encompassing support of parents, an essential ingredient for a youth program to succeed, is no exception to the Tinicum Park Polo I/I team. Cheryl Arnold, Daniel’s mother has applied her skills for organizing and scheduling games in assembling a full fall schedule of home and away games. This has been a particular challenge with the safety precautions related to COVID-19.

Ayesha Chaudhry, Abdullah’s mother, who encouraged

her sons to play at a young age, feels the experiences offered in polo provides chances to seize the moment; meaning it is important to learn to appreciate the fleeting magic moments that make life special, which are found in abundance in polo.

The dedication of the Tinicum Park Polo Board to programs which support the growth of the club resulted in unanimous votes to approve financial support to the I/I team. The consistent upward mobility of the 27 yearold club is due in part to a plan for growth and future sustainability. They have embraced the I/I team as a means of bringing players into the game and supporting young people in learning how to play polo.

Jawed BenMoussa joined the I/I team after hearing about it when he was working at the club. When asked what he looks forward to the most about being on the team he said, “I am looking forward to learning, learning about polo.”

Horses, the lifeblood of anything polo, came into play as a piece of the puzzle for the program to come together. The program needed an adequate number of polo ponies for the team and the visiting teams to meet the split spring requirements of I/I games. A combination of horses from the team member’s family strings and the horses in the club’s arena polo program stepped forward to add interscholastic polo to their careers.

Riding an array of horses is one of the opportunities of the I/I program and according to Owen Halliday he “likes the experience of riding different horses and it is making me a better rider.”

These factors aligned with the immeasurable value of a good coach made the long-anticipated youth program come to life. The passion which Coach Hesham

ElGharby, also the manager of the club, has for teaching and coaching polo inspires each individual member to work together as a team.

When asked how he likes teaching high school players, H e s h a m explained that Find Fields, he has always Ponies & Services loved teaching instantly and likes any new teaching challenge.

The new Tinicum Park Polo Club I/I team has begun a fun season of practice and games.

They rtemis olo.com look forward to meeting and playing new teams, as well as seeing and playing the members of teams whom they have already gotten to know in the games they have under their belts.

polo

a

p

CHUKKER BREAK Ticos Whoopies - Giving Back I/I Alum Holly Holleran has something sweet! Former intercollegiate player at Skidmore and I/I coach, she is also the founder of Tico’s Whoopies. Holly understands the value of giving back and supporting the I/I Program and through her fundraising campaign, Tico’s is offering a year-round opportunity to fundraise for I/I clubs. Tico’s Whoopies ships delicious, gourmet whoopie pies nationwide for any special occasion including care packages at school, birthdays, holidays or business gifts.

The “Tico’s 10%” program is very similar to Amazon Smile. When placing an order, customers select the USPA interscholastic or intercollegiate club of their choice on the checkout page and the club will receive a percentage of the sales. Taking advantage of the program, Work to Ride has already raised some much needed funds this year. Easy to launch, the Tico’s Whoopies I/I fundraiser is a great way to start earning money for your I/I team. Checks will be sent to the club on a monthly basis.

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

57

DEB LANNON

HOME BASE Harvard Hosts Military Vets Crocker Snow A military "cohort" of wounded vets, a string of Harvard

polo ponies and a small squad of college players combined with an unusual and useful activity at the Harvard Polo & Equestrian Center in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, last fall.

In lieu of a normal intercollegiate season mounting competing visiting teams every weekend, the pandemic limitations prompted an alternate approach of hosting small groups of wounded military vets every other weekend to groom, graze, tack, ride and, most significantly, get needed respite from the Harvard horses.

The program was developed out of the Boston-based Home Base, started modestly by the MGH (Mass. General Hospital) and the Boston Red Sox in 2009 to provide intense clinical treatment for wounded vets dealing with PTSD and related conditions of "the visible and invisible wounds of war.”

The groups of about a dozen vets enrolled in each two 58

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

week program were male and female, active duty and retired, from all services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard) and from throughout the country. A few were accompanied by service dogs. With the pandemic ebbing and flowing, they were checked regularly by MGH doctors for negative COVID-19 results.

Virtually all events were outdoors with distancing and masking in effect.

The “horse break" halfway through the two-week clinical program worked remarkably well for all involved. The horses enjoyed the special attention, the vets enjoyed the tactile connection - grooming, watering, grazing and then sitting gently on their backs. And the small band of attentive Harvard volunteers, active players and polo alums, may have received the biggest benefit of all. That two regular volunteers had full military experience dating back to the Vietnam War smoothed out any rough spots.

Most of each weekend revolved around the horses and

CHUKKER BREAK And the Winner Is....

How creative can you get with electrical tape? Poway’s annual electircal tape challenge produced a rainbow of artsy decorations from head to toe. Marisa Carelli pictured here, turned her pony into a magical unicorn! (but we already know all I/I ponies are unicorns, don’t we?!)

culminated with a demonstration game, outdoor or indoor, at Myopia for the vets to witness their own favorite horses and undergrad players perform.

The first experience of seeing the rough and tumble of a polo game was a highlight for many vets.

Horses and polo weren’t the only action however. Hiking on local trails, cutting brush or fixing fencing, a taste of gardening, an impromptu Army-Navy triathlon (including foot polo and a team treasure hunt) and a quick visit to the nearby Patton Homestead to see the memorabilia of General George S.Patton added to the weekend activities.

Harvard Polo hosted almost 100 wounded vets over different weekends during the fall as well as ten ER doctors and their families from MGH to benefit from some welcome horse therapy.

The Home Base evaluations by the vets were consistently high, ranging from “learned from the horses” to "great to be outdoors in the country,” to “helped get my head out of my own problems” to, on occasion, “best and most useful part of the whole Home Base program.”

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

59

60

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

JR COMMITTEE CHAIR Tiger Kneece Hayley Heatley Bray - Southern Methodist University ‘14

Tiger Kneece stepped into the role

previously held by Chrys Beal as United States Polo Association Junior Polo Committee Chair. “Chrys Beal has done a phenomenal job laying the foundation for the Junior Polo Committee. Her enthusiasm for youth players has turned the NYTS program into one that kids across the country talk about. I appreciate Tiger Kneece with his Aiken Polo Club Girls’ Interscholastic Team who won the 2020 her support and I am excited to continue to USPA Southeastern Girls’ Interscholastic Regional impact our young American players,” said Kneece. After many years of service and dedication to the USC Aiken team and a group of younger players coming Junior Polo Committee, Beal will now focus her efforts on up in the ranks. Tiger also serves as the Interscholastic continuing to grow the National Youth Tournament Series Coaches Representative on the I/I Committee and is part of the I/I Leadership Group.

(NYTS) Program.

The Junior Polo Committee will move forward with three Kneece is a former 7-goal American player who now resides in Aiken, South Carolina, horse country. During focused initiatives, NYTS, the Young Player Opportunity his 25-year tenure as a professional polo player, Kneece (YPO) Grant and Junior Player Development. Beal was won the coveted U.S. Open Polo Championship®, instrumental in the development of the NYTS program USPA Gold Cup®, Monty Waterbury®, Silver Cup® and has pioneered its growth. Her drive to support and Copper Cup®. His talent on the field led him to young female players led to the addition of the All-Girls playing opportunities across the globe including Canada, division at NYTS National Championships in 2018. The Mexico, England, Switzerland, Germany, South Africa and NYTS Subcommittee has its sights set on expanding the Australia. Kneece excels at training polo ponies and hosts National Championship event in the near future. Despite a polo school aptly named “Polo Adventures.” Introducing the challenges of 2020, there continued to be significant people to the sport of polo is one of the main focuses of his participation and enthusiasm from clubs and players. The polo school. Kneece and his wife, Susie, work in tandem Oak Brook Polo Club will host the 2021 NYTS National running the Aiken Polo Club as Polo Manager and Director Championship event on their historic downtown Chicago of Marketing. He has played an active role in the NYTS field.

The YPO Subcommittee led by Carolyn Stimmel aims program, hosting one of the largest qualifier tournaments each year in Aiken and working as a coach at the NYTS to reopen applications in the near future. The YPO Grant National Championship. Aiken Youth Polo is home to a is designed to provide support for young players seeking girls and open high school team, a men’s and women’s an opportunity to improve in the sport and play higher

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

61

KWH Equestrian

Congratulations & Good Luck Team Sutter Buttes Simone, Lily & Caroline @kwhequestrian

62

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

level polo. American players have utilized the YPO Grant to play overseas and within the U.S. As part of Junior Player Development, Kneece will continue to work on an idea initiated by Chrys Beal. “It has always been my dream to have a Junior Open,” says Beal, “I feel that we are getting close to making it happen.” Identifying and capitalizing on training opportunities in Argentina remains are the forefront of the committee’s agenda. Argentina provides many avenues for young players to play at a higher level than they are accustomed to. The height of the season in Argentina coincides with a slower time for polo in the United States. In addition to pursuing training in Argentina, the Junior Committee remains committed to encouraging the development of good horsemanship through existing programs including I/I, NYTS coaching and YPO Opportunities. Raising the level of horsemanship of young American players will, in turn, elevate the level of play.

Kneece has looked outside of polo to other equestrian disciplines to see what has been successful in recruiting and retaining participants. “I believe we need to direct some of our focus on the middle school age players.

I have found that this is the time when parents and the kids are still exploring options for what sport to pursue seriously before entering high school,” comments Kneece.

“You will have hunter jumper or three-day eventer players try polo, but it is difficult to get them to fully commit when they already are invested in another discipline.”

By introducing players to polo at an earlier age, there is a great possibility of them engaging and committing to the sport. Through the various programs offered by the USPA, the Junior Committee hopes to make an impact in growing the USPA membership and elevating the level of young American polo players.

1 2 0 2 USPA MEMBER MINIMUM -1 HANDICAP DOB AFTER 1/1/2002

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

63

VIEW FROM THE CROW’S NEST John Bianco - USPA Certified Umpire

I love the game of polo. Playing and umpiring over the years, I have met all kinds of extraordinary people and seen some

interesting places. When asked to do this article, I was a little apprehensive at first. One thing that helped me decide was a chance to tell everyone how amazing I think the I/I program is. The tournament managers do such an outstanding 64

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

job and the umpire clinics are so helpful! The games are a pleasure to umpire and the spirt of competition is second to none. The passion, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship shown by the players, coaches and parents is inspiring.

No matter what the score, everyone keeps a positive attitude and never stops trying. Always gracious in victory or defeat. It is a credit to the game.

When I started in the program four years ago, I was impressed by the quality strings of schools such as Cornell, UVA and Texas A&M just to name few. It really makes for a nice game when the kids are so well mounted. I always tell the other umpires that they may appreciate it a bit more in several years when they are putting together their own stings. That said, you can really see the love and respect for the horse by everyone. It was also a pleasure to see how dedicated all the coaches are. Between the kids and the horses, I am sure there are plenty of late nights at the barn. You can see the commitment to their students. They want them to succeed in polo and life.

A coach is something I never had but I did get the chance to learn from some talented and successful people. When I started in polo, I was fortunate enough to ride and stick and ball with Paul Rizzo. Paul was 5 goals and played with my dad at Meadowbrook Polo Club on Long Island. They won often and it was because of Paul’s physical and mental toughness. He was a master at getting into his opponent’s head.

An excellent horseman, Paul could make an average horse look special, a fact, his father, Dave Rizzo, would take advantage of. I still hear him saying “look how nice that horse goes for Paul, you might want to buy that one!” A pioneer in the umpire program and talented racehorse trainer. We lost Paul way too early.

When I was at Meadowbrook Davey Rizzo was the manager. He was the best horse salesman you will ever meet. A polo success story, he helped so many people in the sport.

We also lost him recently. RIP Big Dave!

Later, we hosted the U.S. Open at Meadowbrook. It was then that I had the chance to work with Peter Rizzo.

He was so organized and good with people. There was a lot to deal with and not much to work with, yet both years ran very smoothly. I remember he adopted the Nike advertising slogan, “Just do it.”

Over the last several years working at Southampton Polo, I have had the chance to work with some top umpires. The first two years I started umpiring was with Darrell Schwetz.

He helped me build the confidence you need to be an umpire. He is a master of communication with the players and always in control. The last few years I worked with Ronnie Hayes. The consistency he showed on the field was impressive. His stoic demeanor showed me how to always stay calm no matter how heated the game gets. I am close friends with them today.

Getting back to the I/I Program, if someone asked me “do you see anything the players should work on?”, it would be tough. Like I said before, the players are so well coached and have the right attitude. Sometimes there is an occasional offside backshot with the wrong side of the mallet or players looking for the ball before the man and the line. I guess we have all looked back at the hitter and let our man get free.

The only concerning thing I see is occasionally players cross behind a horse too close. It is hard to blow a foul for dangerous riding, but if the front feet clip right it can be rather dangerous.

In closing, I would like to wish everyone good health in these crazy times. One day soon we will be back in crowded arenas without masks. I look forward to seeing everyone soon.

A special thanks to Bradley Biddle for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the great team that the I/I Program is.

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

65

TALENT WINS GAMES BUT TEAMWORK AND INTELLIGENCE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS.

MICHAEL JORDAN

MIKE RYAN

GOOD LUCK To All The I/I Teams in 2021!

66

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

I/I Supporters Recognized with

National USPA Awards

USPA RUSS SHELDON AWARD - 2020

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO ARENA POLO

Lezlie Hiner Coach: Work to Ride

USPA WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD - 2020

Erica Gandomcar-Sachs Colorado State Alum

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

67

2020 I/I TEAM ROSTERS INTERSCHOLASTIC GIRLS AIKEN Reagan Leitner Robyn Leitner Sophie Grant Summer Kneece BATTLEFIELD Emma Thacker Jade Del Rosario Stacey Geissler Elyssa Geissler Anika Spaid BOSTON Julia Schaefer Ariadne Dogani Brynn Roberts Emerson Bruce BOSTON – DANA HALL Grace Thames Amelia Thames Adelaide Grave Madison Giordano BUFFALO Kaitlyn Gaulin Brona Mayne Julia Northcott Sabrina McLennon CORNELL Susanna Manns Charlotte Hay Phoebe Whitham Lara Chong Chloe Chong Christina Beebe EMPIRE Elise Pardue Alyssa Garcia Ella Bonilla Grace Parker

68

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

GARDNERTOWN Elizabeth Leudesdorff Saralyn Painter Mary Duncan Haley Krieige Emma Kriege Katie Kriege GARRISON FOREST Lindsey Morris Gabriella Chiasera Kymberly Pugh Josie Smith GARRISON FOREST JV Anping Yang Katherine “Katie” White Qing Shu Sophia Chiasera HILLSIDE Taylor Nackers Gabrielle de Gail Kelsey Melchert Sofia Ward HOUSTON Cara Kennedy Joanie Jackson Bridget Price Abigail Benton Lillian Lequerica Isabel Artzer Madison Outhier

MARYLAND REBELS Kylie Beard Zoey Bivalacqua Grace Fleischmann Brianna Jordan

ST LOUIS Joscelin Gallegos Winifred Branscum Kelsey Bray Hanna Saurenman

MAUI Alana Benz Sunny Diller Maya Miller Laura Coflin Kaiana Holland

SUTTER BUTTES Liliana Gonzalez Caroline Mathews Camilla McFall Simone Harper

MAUNA KEA Nophia Pintor Malia McKendry Layla Gagnon MOUNTAIN VIEW Willow Longerbeam Sierra Goff Amelia Shaw NEWPORT Ryan McNeilly Catherine “Catie” Reed Hannah Stowe Teghan Torrey POWAY A Hannah Stock Franchesca Johannsen Jasmine Lu Sydney Morris

LANCASTER – WTR Josie Goldstein Imogen Roth Kaela Prescott Ruby Stiles

POWAY B Emily Andre Remi Glasgow Marisa Carelli Jordana Schain

MARYLAND Catherine Stueck Josephine “Josie” Dorsey Olivia Reynolds Madison Jordan

SAN ANTONIO Georgia Stone Stella Stone Tatum Spriester Reagan Laine

VIRGINIA JRs Lauren Rapp Mary Kate Santos Amelia “Gracie” Dunlap Natalia Hernandez WESTERN NY Rheanna Quinlan Ali Luckenbach Sophia Azurin Emma Heiman YALE Sophia DeAngelis Kaya Brownell Lillian Flaherty Olivia Adams

INTERSCHOLASTIC OPEN BATTLEFIELD Aleem Siddiqui David Miller Harrison Thomas Amy Kim Maris Jones

GARDNERTOWN Matteo Chaux Winston Painter Vlad Tarashansky Taylor Palacios Jonathan Wallace

BLUE WATER CREEK Gracie Brown Alexa Wright Tori Rodman Belle Cato

HOUSTON Charles Fridge Jack Whitman Lance Stefanakis Christian Fridge Christopher “Laird” Boone Ashvath Bhatia

BOSTON Rehan Kumble Amar Anand Maria Piper Victoria Kugener Tim Kugener Alex Kugener Delaney Bates CENTRAL COAST Taylor Olcott Sara Espy Morgan Manos Josh Falk COMMONWEALTH Ford Middendorf Henry Beck Stuart Boland Rob Mooney CULVER ACADEMIES Maximo Gallardo Ian Kosky Woods Kemmler Zecheng Zhao FRANKLIN Zachary Wallace Jacob Wallace Caroline Mooney Allyssa Morgan

LAKESIDE Ethan Bankhead Kylie Kufahl Zoey Newton Joaquin “Martin” Perez Thalia Postins David Kral LANCASTER – WTR Esteban Penados Marisol Jimenez Mosiah Gravesande Justin Hall Yash Chhugani MARYLAND Grace Beck Aidan Tydings Kevin Horton Aurora “Rory” Knox Jordan Peterson

MARYLAND JV Cort Resh Caroline Woltman Lucas Garvey MYOPIA Augustus Grotnik Hamilton Gundlach Reed Miller Shane Metternick Estani Puch Landen Daniels James Grayken OC POLO Allie Bushong Ella Horton Faris Hanna Mila Slutzky POWAY Lukas Cobbs Zach Cobbs Sebastian Lopez Thomas “Augie” Spear Jordan Pearson RANCHO NARANJO Alec Felhaber Cole Felhaber Francesca Felhaber Niklaus Felhaber Julian Martinez

SARASOTA Ian Campbell Pippa Campbell Jillian Beck Kaitlyn Hornung Madelyn Brown SOUTH BAY Natalie Clark Ajay Moturi Claire Kennedy Magnolia Rice-Ferguson TRIANGLE Carson Tucker Nicole Romach Dylan Brooks WEST SHORE Sarah Lynch Victoria Picha Lucy Steele Cate Godey YALE I Oliver Wieser Chris Veitch Connelly Cashen YALE II Luke Howe Malachi Light Eduardo Palacios Gaston Gomez

Good luck to all teams in the 2021 Interscholastic Season! tulations Ella Hor Congraptain & Graduatington a Senio C m a r Te

ocpolo.com

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

69

INTERCOLLEGIATE WOMEN BROWN Katherine Dunn Bryn Sullivan Lauren Raynor Mia Purdom CAL POLY Sydney Weise Claire English Megan Wurden Natalie Craig Janelle Ross COLORADO STATE Riley Spillar Jasmine Gallegos Fiona Sills Rachel Romero CORNELL Ingrid Donnan Lea Jih-Vieira Anna Ullmann Jasmine Umrigar Shariah Harris Alexis Knoebel Hope Greco Elka Sterling Kathryn “Abby” Kotwick Kyra Umrigar Kynzie Watahomigie Kelsie Raucher MICHIGAN STATE Elly Schwingel Stesha Payne Phoebe Moll Serena Luplow OKLAHOMA STATE Alison Thomas Matille Drury Samantha Leach OREGON STATE Erin Bush Sarah Schneider Abigail “Abby” Shultz Abigayle Darula Isabel Brinck

70

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

POINT LOMA Molly Agee Pricila Villa Samantha Whitley Addy Fuller Sydney Falk

TEXAS TECH Amelia Fisher Marguerite Buchmann Sydney Flynt Casey Collins Lexie Harlan

U of WISCONSIN Ellie Sprouls Lindsey Samuelsen Amy Lang Stefanie Lueders Nicola Brown

ROGER WILLIAMS Anne Ebersold Lily Frank Jocelyn Nogueira Avery Boruch Nicole Quinlan

UCONN Sage Saffran Rachel Beach Anna McCarthy Rylyn Koger Kylie Dalton Nicole Moody

VIRGINIA TECH Emily Danko Jessica Brown Marina Meciniski Sabrina Hostetter

SKIDMORE Aliah Debejian Freida Witmer Ruth Witmer Antoinette Miller SMU Megan Rahlfs Lindsay Bellack Grace Grotnik Kell Klopp Sofia Garvin Lily Foregger Adrianna Arguello STANFORD Yasmine Ainane Evgeniya Borisenko Isabelle Carpenter Sarah Dobbins Alexandra Littleton TEXAS A&M Ally Vaughn Hannah Reynolds Courtney Price Whitney Walker Ashley Dillard Madison Lange TCU Morgan McBride Kaylin Bender Brianna Wolkober Sara Hibbitts

U of GUELPH Krista Pearce Brittany Howard Sara Dwyer Isabella Mauti Mac Pearsall Natasha Slawnych Charlotte Harvie U of KENTUCKY Louisa Huber Eva Crossman Avery Evans Lila Bennett U of MICHIGAN Meagan McBride Amanda Vogel Madelyn Blum Kyleigh Cumming Gia Borely UMASS Samantha Bruha Ami Khalsa Olivia Larrivee Chloe Irvine U of VIRGINIA Maddie Grant Demitra Hajimihalis Grace Burgert Katherine Define

WASHINGTON STATE Kelsey Tootill Cherise Hoagland Amanda Cargill Olivia Young WESTMONT Maggie Hine Katherine Hill Keilah Smith Natalie Williams YALE Sofia Cianchi Elizabeth Vore Aia Alvarez Nishio Daniela Schulman Lotta Keller

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

71

INTERCOLLEGIATE MEN BABSON Hao Liu Juan Borja Rodrigo Barco Luis Aguilar

TEXAS A&M Fritz Felhaber Franz Felhaber Mariano Silva Enrique Garcia

U of NORTH TEXAS Andrew Scott Vaughn Miller Jr. Vance Miller III D’Angelo Lopez

CAL POLY Brandon Carreon Nick Nelms Luke O’Leary

TEXAS TECH Jair De la Peña Hiram Gandara Zachary Francis Anson Moore Ricky Moore

USC – AIKEN Harry Caldwell Charlie Caldwell Jim Deal

COLORADO STATE Charles Walker Karl Garrett Nicholas AmRhein CORNELL Lorenzo Masias Morgan Palacios Jed Cogan Grant Feuer Patricio Fraga Errecart Pablo Herrera Ed Foote

U of KENTUCKY Thomas Huber Will Green Joseph Post Federico Puyana Angus Middleton Ry Koopman

YALE Yan Davidoff Zoeth Chalat Benito Flores David Villarreal Cavazos Noah Carlson Nikhil Patel Miguel Von Fedak Nico Trigo

U of VIRGINIA Jack McLean Brennan Wells Ignacio Viana Parker Pearce Antonio Mendes de Almeida

OKLAHOMA STATE Chase Holland Ibrahim Abuemah Jackson Christie OREGON STATE Joel Potyk Wyatt Weaver Andrew Hobson SKIDMORE Liam Lott Sam Sheppard Joe Sheppard SMU Jake Klentner Luke Klentner Jose “Ramon” de la Torre Barrett Coke Nick Salnikoff Benji Daniels Tomas Herrera Juan Alberto Bueno Joe Coors James “Frick” Byers

Good Luck

to All I/I Competitors!

Danny & Janet Scheraga

72

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

POLO TRAINING CENTER SANTA BARBARA

SANTA BARBARA POLO ACADEMY

Polo Training Center Santa Barbara extends a gracious thank you to our 2020 supportors...

Magness Family Foundation | Lucky One Foundation | Muse Family Foundation Farmers & Merchants Bank, Bossom Family, Williams-Ruffing Family Dominique Mielle & Juan Carillo, Jef & Katy Graham, Chris & Mindy Denson, Paul & Gilbert Delagnes, Chris Lancashire, Miguel & Chloe Torres, Darren and Luann Caesar, Brent and Kate Nelson, Monica Williams, Deborah Wilson, Arthur Lacerte, Mary Stark

Play polo in eyesight of the Pacific Ocean in the newly improved Santa Barbara Polo Academy Arena.

Recently installed lights and scoreboard provide a location for Westmont College and University of California Santa Barbara Polo Teams to practice and compete year-round. Lessons, arena leagues and clinics provide many opportunities for locals to participate throughout the year. PTCSB continues to support onsite beginner riding and horsemanship programs including the Santa Barbara Polo Pony Club.

Jeff Scheraga | Polo Academy Director | jeff@sbpolo.com

WWW.POLOTRAININGCENTER.COM I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

73

MIDDLE SCHOOL Liberty Hall Polo Club

Marlan Farm Polo Club I

Gardnertown Polo Club

BATTLEFIELD WHITE Sierra Blevins Katelyn Pelaia Ariana Saracevic

MARLAN FARM GREY Isabelle Brockett Jonathan Dingus Russell Calkins

GARDNERTOWN Aliyah Cogan Estanislao Puch Samantha Iahn

LIBERTY HALL WHITE Brock Bromley Mallorie Marquis Azlyn Wine

MARLAN RED Aleem Siddiqu Isabelle Brocket Rebecca Steele

DRUMCLIFFE GREEN Kylie Beard Mya Quarcoopome Ana Grace Karpovich Kylie Williamson

YALE PJ DeAngelis Michael Joseph Sebastian Komaritsky

BATTLEFIELD BLUE Harman Sabharwal Raeann Bruton Ariana Saracevic

FRIENDS OF KAREN Isabel Poniatowski Hannah Elliott Daniel Arnold

LIBERTY HALL RED Daniel Arnold Daniel Coleman Jr. Julian Degroat

BLUE PEGASUS Ava Croce Evan Sayago Emerson Bruce

BATTLEFIELD MAROON Emma Thacker Katelyn Pelaia Anika Saracevic

Yale Polo Club

Lakeside Polo Club

TEAM FREAKY Emerson Bruce Ana Veitch Dasha Bank

BLACK Faris Hanna Chuck Cunningham Ella Molina Helena Csiki

Battlefield Park Polo Club

MARYLAND RED Azlyn Wine Mallorie Marquis Kylie Beard BATTLEFIELD BLUE Maya Quarcoopome Daniel Coleman Jr. Emma Thacker

Houston Polo Club HOUSTON ANGELS Caroline Karvelsson Trent Florey Mila Cocco HOUSTON STARS Judah Altic Uma Villanueva Tate Seward

Central Coast Polo Club I SYLVESTERS Morgan Manos Kate Soderin Miles Jones KUMA Linnea Johnson Alyssa Neville Hunter Jones

Central Coast Polo Club II CCPC WHITE Linnea Johnson Kate Soderin Julianna Kong CCPC BLUE Emmett Putnam Hunter Jones Miles Jones 74

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

MARLAN FARM WHITE Aleem Siddiqu Marc Anthony Harley Parker Bivalacqua Sage Lax MARLAN FARM BLACK Sierra Blevins Jolie Zepp Katelyn Pelaia Lila Falcon

Marlan Farm Polo Club II MARLAN FARM WHITE Isabelle Brockett Rebecca Steele Lila Falcon Emma Paternotte MARLAN FARM BLACK Mya Quarcoopome Kylie Williamson Ana Grace Karpovich MARLAN FARM BLUE Jolie Zepp Russell Calkins Parker Bivalacqua

Tinicum Park Polo Club AZRA EQUINE CLUB Yusuf Chaudhry PJ DeAngelis Daniel Arnold GARDNERTOWN POLO Samantha Iahn Evan Sayago Aliyah Cogan

TEAM IVORY Estanislao Puch Evan Sayago Hazel Hill TEAM SOLOMON PJ DeAngelis Daniel Coyle Abigail Jumper TEAM LILO Samantha Iahn Sebastian Komaritsky Michael Joseph TEAM JOSINGA Daniel Arnold Aliyah Cogan Madeleine Blank

BLUE Luca Abboud Shira Engel Leigh Bertea RED Emerson Bond Kylie Matthews Davesh Nath

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

75

EQUINE

DISCOUNTS

A percentage of every sale through Equ ine Discounts is returned to the equine industry!

John Deere offers substantial discounts on everything from mowers and tractors to GatorsTM, hay and construction equipment.

• The MSRP Program – Professional operations can save up to 28% on select equipment • The Cash Bonus Program – All members can save up to $2,700 with vouchers that are stackable with special financing • Construction Equipment – All members can save up to 26% on select equipment

BAF is committed to Energy Efficient Air movement and providing comfort to the equine industry. Equine members will receive up to a 25% discount on qualifying purchases for all Equine Facilities and Personal Residences.

Save up to 40% discount on Sherwin Williams paints, in-store products and wall coverings.

ire sh 41 by 67 r De SW

Office Depot outfits offices with everything from office and computer supplies to paper and office furniture.

From farm office to home office, you are eligible for up to a 70% discount!

Confident Yellow SW 6911 n ow Br 027 d 7 e r W ll-B S We n iffi Gr 026 7 SW

Daisy SW 6910

USPA Members!

call 866-678-4289 or visit

76

@myequinediscounts

I/I MAGAZINE - 2021

@myequinediscounts

EquineDiscounts.com to start saving!

School Breaks never Looked so Good!

• Improve your skills during school breaks • Horses and Instruction for all levels • Practice and Coaching chukkers available • Lessons available from the Polo School at Port Mayaca Contact Port Mayaca Polo Club for a customized package to fit your schedule 772-228-0115

www.PortMayacaPoloClub.com

U.S. POLO ASSN. IS PROUD TO SUPPORT OUR 2020-2021 COLLEGE POLO TEAMS: Cal Poly Polo Club Colorado State University Emory University Michigan State Polo Club Montana State Morehouse College* Oklahoma State University Oregon State University Point Loma Nazarene University Roger Williams University Skidmore College

St. Edwards University Stanford University Texas A&M Texas Christian University Texas Tech University of California Santa Barbara University of Connecticut University of Guelph University of Kentucky* University of Louisville

University of Massachusetts University of Michigan University of North Texas University of Texas University of Virginia University of Wisconsin-Madison USC Aiken Virginia Tech Westmont College Yale University

* New Teams

#LIVEAUTHENTICALLY | @USPOLOASSN