Polo Players' Edition is the official publication of the U.S. Polo Association. Dedicated to the sport of polo, it features player profiles, game strategy, horse care, playing tips, polo club news and tournament results.
Issue link: https://polo.epubxp.com/i/31965
USPA BULLETIN The Official Publication of the United States Polo Association NOT E S SOUTHEAST SWING USPA’s Amy Wisehart traveled to South Carolina and Georgia in October to help Southeast Circuit Governor, Joe Meyer, in his quest to develop intercollegiate and interscholastic programs, which will contribute to USPA’s National Club Development efforts. The following is a summary from Amy: It’s a beautiful Sunday afternoon at historic Whitney Field, and the players take the field. The announcer gives a play by play of this action-packed game, and the crowd cheers on their favorites. The veteran tailgaters from the sidelines comment on things such as, “Did you see that shot?” and “Man, what a play!” Surely they are referring to the 5-goal pro who is the current talk of the town since he is getting raised to 6. Nope, players like Tess Pimsner, Lauren Biddle and Wesley Bryan have their own fan clubs. Aiken Junior Polo players ranging from 7 to 18 years old strut their stuff every Sunday prior to the feature afternoon game at Aiken Polo Club. Craig Fraser, Aiken Polo Club manager and USPA Intercollegiate/Interscholastic alum, plans to take those junior polo players to the next level, interscholastic polo. Ginny Allen, whose son is active in the Aiken Junior Polo program, is working with Craig to organize an interscholastic team in Aiken. With the support of Craig, Ginny and others, this program is expected to build interests from the polo community and may even pave the way for a potential intercollegiate program at USC Aiken, which Craig has been considering along with the interscholastic team. The Aiken Polo Club isn’t the only one looking to enhance its polo presence in the Southeast through interscholastic polo. Clubs located in Atlanta and Charleston intend to compete this season as well. I sat down with Jolie Liston, manager of the Polobear Polo Club in Atlanta, along with Carolyn Shiverick, parent of a young player, to further discuss Polobear’s participation in the interscholastic program. Jolie is set on having an interscholastic team compete this season. In addition, she is working with an Atlanta independent school, Woodward Academy, to get a team started there. Jolie has also taken Emory University student Mackenzie Landa under her wing to experience intercollegiate polo. Mackenzie and the rest of the Emory equestrian team went to Jolie’s farm for an intro to polo clinic, and just as they hoped, it sparked serious interest from the women. They are confident their polo program will be accepted among Emory’s student organizations and are already making plans to compete this season. After significant progress in Aiken and Atlanta, I headed back to 6 POLO PLAYERS EDITION Amy Wisehart attends an introductory polo clinic with students from USC Aiken. The students are interested in forming a school polo team. South Carolina to the up-and-coming Charleston School of Polo and Riding in Charleston to get a glimpse of additional opportunities. One couldn’t ask for a more perfect setting for a polo lesson. I witnessed four students mount up and show off their skills, which they had mastered in just a few months. As they practiced, a backdrop of the sun low on the horizon peaked through the Spanish moss on the old oak trees. Simon Martineau heads up the polo school that boasts a well- designed outdoor arena equipped with viewing deck and score board. I conducted a question and answer session with the parents. They were delighted to learn that students as young as fifth grade are eligible to compete in interscholastic polo. Since the majority of the students are in the middle school age-range, it is inevitable Charleston School of Polo and Riding will have a premier team in a few years. Upon discussing the basic outline of the I/I program with Simon, players and parents, and explaining how easy it is for them to get involved, they were able to envision competition this season alongside Aiken and Polobear polo programs. Simon also has his sights set on an intercollegiate team in the future and is trying to stir up interest amongst USC and The Citadel students. Since my visit, the schools organized a mini-tournament in December at Charleston School of Polo and Riding where all three schools participated. This gave the kids an opportunity to meet each other and the coaches a chance to network. All teams are eager to get their programs underway. I am
