Intercollegiate/Interscholastic

Up to Middle

School tournament competition starts in 5th grade

By Amy Fraser

PJ DeAngelis was an all-star in his first year playing middle school tournaments.

In the spring of 2019, the I/I staff received an email from one of our I/I umpires and college alums, Jim DeAngelis. Enclosed in the email was not a question about the I/I Tournament Conditions or a suggested change, but an attachment from Jim’s son, PJ. In the letter, PJ laid out his reasons for why the I/I middle school tournaments should extend eligibility to polo players currently in the fourth grade. His justifications were genuine: some fourth graders are better players than fifth graders, some fourth graders know how to tack horses and some even know the pieces of tack better than some adults. His strongest argument though, was that some fourth graders just want to play!

To PJ’s disappointment, the rules for middle school did not change and he was not eligible to play in the fall 2019 Middle School League. To no one’s surprise, PJ’s was the first registration the I/I staff received for the 2020 middle school season–his fifthgrade year. When the schedule shook out, PJ was able to play in three middle school tournaments during his first year of the middle school league.

Polo is a family affair in the DeAngelis family, Jim and wife Julie met while playing polo in Newport, Rhode Island, and have played for years together.

“I was hoping the kids would love the horses too,” remarked Julie. “We are so thankful that they do! Polo is even better playing as a family.”

Older sister Sophia has played her way through the Middle School League and now competes at the Interscholastic level for the Yale Polo & Equestrian Center teams. One of the main differences between the I/I tournaments and the Middle School League is the absence of the split-string format in the latter program. Instead of the teams sharing all the horses playing in the game between themselves, Middle School League players can bring their own horses or rent appropriate ones to solely play.

When asked which horses he was excited about playing at the YPEC tournament, PJ listed Bella, Ruleta, Pamela, Lohan and Paige. The advantage of playing a tournament at your home club sits in the knowledge of the horses and the facility.

“I was most excited to play in the tournament at Yale because I could ride the horses that I love and [I] know the arena. Plus, I was close to home and the teams sounded fun.”

I/I staff recommends players be ready for tournament polo when signing up to play in a middle school tournament. Not only do players need to know the rules, but they need to be ready to play in unfamiliar arenas and possibly new horses. PJ was fortunate enough to be able to bring familiar horses from YPEC to the tournament at Gardnertown Polo Club.

“I got to play Yale horses, which was great!” he exclaimed. “Bella and Ruleta were perfect.”

Horses are not the only possible new teammates at

a middle school tournament. Players enter as individuals and the hosting club creates teams in an effort to make the playing field as even as possible. This tournament conditions also foster new friendships and responsibilities among the players.

“I was both excited and nervous to play against kids I didn’t know,” clarified PJ. “On one hand, I would be able to play with the big kids, but on the other hand there was a lot of pressure because I was the youngest and they were people I’d never met before.”

Getting a tournament off and running takes commitment from more than just club managers and umpires. Club members, parents, and siblings pitch in to keep the tournaments running smoothly.

“Both Sophia and PJ have been involved with middle school and I/I polo. It is a family affair. Jim coaches the kids and I help with the horses,” explained Julie. “Meeting other ‘polo peeps’ from around the region is great too. Our kids have developed wonderful friendships. Having the opportunity to play competitive polo and meet new kids and families involved with polo is one of the biggest benefits. PJ and Sophia have had a blast with the middle school tournaments.”

At the end of the day, the goals of the Middle School League are as simple as that: have fun, make friends, and get a good first experience playing tournament polo.

If your 5th-8th grade player is interested in playing or your polo club would like to host a middle school tournament, contact Emily Dewey at edewey@uspolo.org. •

PJ DeAngelis handles a bouncing ball on the grass.

PJ and sister Sophia, center, competed in a tournament at Yale Polo & Equestrian Center.