Sport of Kings Gets Hot in Houston
Houston Polo Club expands; offers unique opportunities for everyone
Houston, Texas (April, 6 2011) – College basketball season may be over, but there is another sport catching on across the country, and in Houston, the action is just getting started. Polo, America’s oldest team sport, has experienced rapid growth in the area, and the Houston Polo Club is responding with an array of unique programs and events designed for players of all backgrounds, ages and skill levels. The club’s spring polo season kicks off in April and is in full-swing through June, but lessons, leagues and other activities are available throughout the year.
Located in the heart of the city, The Houston Polo Club offers a polo school for new players to learn the sport and lessons are available for anyone looking to get a feel for the game. A testament to the sport’s growing popularity, The Houston Polo Club’s school has already graduated more than 30 new players this year who now play in the club’s beginner Margarita and 2-goal leagues. The club will also be hosting a number of high-goal matches this summer including the USPA Governor’s Cup, Spring Cup Classic and the Veuve Clicquot Cup.
“We are thrilled with the success of our club’s programs and the excitement they’ve generated throughout the community,” said Pam Mudra, executive director at the Houston Polo Club. “The expanding interest in our sport and impressive development of our players here has really been a true product of the skill and knowledge of our experienced staff.”
The U.S. Polo Association, polo’s governing body in the United States, recently accredited The Houston Polo Club as a Regional Polo Center (RPC) thanks to its program development and the diverse learning opportunities it offers players. The USPA established the RPC program as a network of the most prominent polo centers around the country that train polo players, umpires, managers and others. They also support other clubs nearby and provide resources in an effort to enhance USPA membership.
“The Houston Polo Club has been instrumental in the advancement of polo in the country’s fourth largest city, and they serve as a vital resource on both a regional and national level,” said Peter Rizzo, executive director of the U.S. Polo Association. “We’re excited to see what’s in store for the future as more players are introduced to the game, and the club’s top notch training programs bring the quality of play to new heights in every division.”
The Houston Polo Club’s polo school will begin its spring session on April 16 and requires only boots or shoes with a heel from its students. No prior riding experience is required and all ages are welcome.
About Houston Polo Club
The Houston Polo Club was founded in 1928 and remains dedicated to the sport of polo and equestrian activities. Located just minutes from The Galleria and Downtown, the club is situated on 26 beautifully landscaped and wooded acres. Polo tournaments and leagues are played throughout the spring and fall seasons, with final matches played on Sunday afternoons. For more information, please visit www.thehoustonpoloclub.com.
About the U. S. Polo Association
The U.S. Polo Association was organized and exists for the purposes of promoting the game of polo, coordinating the activities of its Member Clubs and Registered Players, arranging and supervising polo tournaments, competitions, and games, and providing rules, handicaps, and conditions for those tournaments, competitions, and games including the safety and welfare of participants and mounts. For more information, please visit, www.uspolo.org.