Dalton Woodfin and Pablo Aguilar Lopez

Sloan Stephanakis

All-Star Selections, Zone 2 – (LtoR) Casey Woodfin, Sloan Stephanakis, Pablo Aguilar Lopez, Jack McLean, Casey Woodfin and Russell Stimmel (not pictured)

June 7-9, 2013 The Houston Polo Club generously hosted the 2013 outdoor USPA National Youth Tournament Series (finals were played Monday June 10th due to rain). 60 junior players arrive at the Houston Polo Club from as far away as Midland, Tx (6hr drive) and included players such as Sophie Sabin originally from Maui. “Word of this tournament is spreading” commented Steve Armour. They  played in the 2nd Annual HPC USPA NYTS Junior Tournament where 4 levels of competition were offered: lead line, walk/trot, intermediate and USPA NYTS. Four teams competed in the USPA NYTS division, with team Dec My Room in the red jerseys walking away with the winning trophy. Dec My Room team winners: Casey Woodfin, who subbed for Jared Muncy, Kendall Plank, Pablo Aguilar Lopez of Guatemala and Jack McLean originally from Pittsburgh. It was a fun filled weekend beginning with a USPA NYTS Welcome Party hosted by Kelly & Carl Price at their Rockin P Ranch. “This particular tournament showed the great junior talent that is out there and an amazing support system offered by Team USPA members, who mentored by coaching teams and umpiring games.” stated Chyrs Beal, USPA Junior Polo Committee Chair. BBP was Gracie owned by Kendall Plank and BBP Quarter Horse was Taxi also owned by Kendall Plank. Congratulations to Casey Woodfin for winning MVP for the USPA NYTS, Zone 2, hosted by the Houston Polo Club.

USPA NYTS, All-Stars selected for Zone 2 were: Casey Woodfin, Russell Stimmel, Jack McLean, Kendall Plank, Sloan Stephanakis and Pablo Aguilar Lopez. The honor of being selected as Zone 2 USPA NYTS All-Star, allows the junior player to compete in the USPA NYTS Championships held over Labor Day (Aug 30th – Sept 2nd) weekend in Upperville, Virginia at Maureen Brennen’s  Virginia International Polo Club.

A big thank you goes out to the Houston Polo Club staffers Pam Mudra, Danielle Kennedy, Kaylee Scherbinski, Mark Prinsloo for their support and coordinating of events and to Pecan Acres, Horsegate, Rockin P Ranch and ERG for the use of their beautiful outdoor fields and facilities. Thank you also to USPA’s Junior Polo Committee Chair Chrys Beal for coming out to support the event and the local Team USPA members for their time, effort, support and participation.

The next 5 USPA NYTS tournament competitions are scheduled for:  7/6 Lexington Polo Club, KY, 7/9 Virginia International Polo Club, VA, 7/13 South Bay Polo Club, CA 7/20 Detroit Polo Club, MI, 7/20 Santa Barbara Polo Club, CA

More Information Contact: Amanda Hersey, USPA Junior Polo Director, ahersey@uspolo.org or 978.375.7736