The Detroit Polo Club held the annual Michigan State University (MSU) polo benefit day in conjunction with the Mid-America Cup on September 9, 2007. MSU varsity players and alums played a two chukker match. The Green Team of Kelli Smith, Stephanie York and Emmalynn Partlow narrowly defeated the White Team of Nicole Wozniak, Michelle Sahm and Sarah Knapp in a fast moving and exciting match. Sarah Knapp was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the Best Playing Pony (BPP) award went to CARISIA a 19 year-old, chestnut thoroughbred (TB) mare donated to the MSU program by Merle Jenkins founder of the DPC. A beautiful luncheon, silent auction and 50/50 drawing all helped raise money for the MSU Intercollegiate Polo Team. The entire MSU team and their families helped put together a great and fun event.
The DPC also staged the MID-AMERICA CUP after the MSU match. It was played as a round robin and contested for by three teams. COMMANDO LOCK consisting of Patrick Smith, Danielle Kuper, Paul Knapp and Katie Johnson. SOUTHFIELD/MEADOWVIEW FARM was Seamus Dillon, Tom Wisehart, Marcial Torreyes and Verdell Mathis. DETROIT BLUES were Sarah Knapp, Emmalyn Partlow, Christian Tennant and Peter Cumming. Jerry Hutcheson and Merle Jenkins shared the announcing duties and George Kuper (recuperating in a body cast from a fall) was Scorer/Timekeeper. Paul Wheaton, DPC club manager was the Umpire. The Detroit Blues won on net goals and Paul Knapp was MVP and his pony DUMANI; a nine-year-old gray (owned and played by Paul) won the BPP award. Paul new wife Sarah (a recent alumni of MSU) won MVP in the earlier match. The happy couple is in “POLO HEAVEN” with two MVP awards and a BPP award.
The DPC will also have its annual CORPORATE DAY on September 22-23 with teams from Grand Rapids, MI and CANADA versus local teams of the DETROIT BLUES, COMMANDO LOCK and the winner of last years HENRY FORD HOSPITAL GOLD CUP – LINK ENGINEERING.
Christian Tennant (a local premium custom homebuilder) also showcased an outstanding new polo-hitting cage made with donations from the USPA Polo Training Fund (PTF) and Merle and Vera Jenkins. It will help greatly with the new player lesson programs now underway