Michelob Ultra, led by veterans Kris Bowman of Vero Beach and Cissie Jones of Fort Worth, is one of the pre-tournament favorites in the nine-team field of the sixth annual Aiken Ladies Invitational Polo Tournament, Sept. 12-16 in Aiken, SC.
Michelob Ultra lost 4-3 in last year’s final to Hideaway Farms.
Bowman has developed a different strategy, especially for the team’s horses.
“The schedule is brutal because the winning team continually advances and it’s difficult on the horses with so many games in such a short period of time,” said Bowman. “We are going into this tournament with a better idea of what to expect since last year was the first time for any of the team’s players to compete in Aiken and in that tournament. I expect the new strategy will help retain our competitive edge.”
Bowman also said that Jones is returning with a new string of horses and Tiffany Busch has added to her already strong string. The key to the team may be the performance of Fiona Seager, who has been playing in 8-goal and 12-goal tournaments throughout the summer, so her horses are well-tuned, according to Bowman.
“We have a great blend of veterans and talented young players,” said team captain Bowman, a 0-goaler who will play the No. 2 position. “We’re honored to be supported by Michelob Ultra and we’re honored to bring awareness to women in polo. And we plan on having a great time.”
Michelob Ultra is sponsored by Adolphus A. Busch IV, a long-time supporter of women’s and men’s polo in the United States.
“Michelob Ultra has played in many major polo clubs and we’re excited about returning to Aiken and our chances in the tournament,” said Busch, a former high-goal patron. “This is an opportunity for the Michelob Ultra team to expand its horizons.”
Other Michelob Ultra corporate sponsors include Silver Eagle Distributors of Houston, Texas and Anheuser Busch, Inc. of St. Louis, Missouri.
Joining Bowman and Jones are Seager, a 1-goaler from The Plains, Virginia and Busch, a 0-goaler from Vero Beach.
Bowman, who has been playing competitive polo since 1990, is currently the manager of the Vero Beach (Florida) Polo Club and owns and operates “Polo Vacations Polo School”. She is also the USPA chairman of the Club and Membership Development Committee and was one of two women chosen to sit on the USPA Strategic Planning Committee. She has been the playing captain for the Michelob Ultra team in Vero Beach for three years.
Jones is the Central Region Director of Interscholastic and Intercollegiate Polo for the Polo Training Foundation and is one of the foremost coaches and instructors in polo. She also is very active in the USPA and sits on several committees, including the USPA Strategic Planning Committee.
Seager is a recent graduate of the University of Virginia where she played varsity polo for four years. She is a two-time winner of the prestigious U.S. Arena Open championship. She is currently playing in the 12-goal tournaments in Virginia while she pursues a medical degree.
Busch is the daughter of former high-goal patron Peter Busch and is relatively new to the game, only playing for three years. Busch, is “a natural” according to Bowman, having played competitively in 4- and 8-goal leagues for the Michelob Ultra team in Vero Beach.
The final is set for Saturday, Sept. 16 at New Bridge Polo Club. Top players competing include Karen Reese, Alina Carta, Abby Riggs, Leslye Ann Masterton, Julie Boyle, Kristy Waters, Christine Cato, Megan Arellano and Haley Bryan.