The Division 1 National Intercollegiate Championship tournament will by played at Prestonwood Polo Club in Oak Point, Texas and run from Wednesday March 18 to the finals on Sunday March 22.
Virginia Polo will take both our men’s and women’s teams to compete for the titles. Read on to meet the teams that will represent Virginia Polo and UVA.
If you are in the Dallas area we encourage you to join the Virginia Polo tailgate to cheer the teams on and enjoy getting together with an enthusiastic group of Virginia Polo alumni.
2026 Virginia Women’s Team
Mackenzie Craig, a 4th year engineering student from Ambler, Pennsylvannia, has served as co-President of the Virginia Polo Club for two years and is the Women’s team co-Captain. Mackenzie has played on the women’s team for the last three years and was a member of the 2024 National Championship team. Her favorite ponies are Cobra and Big Mama.
Kelsey Bray, a second year student in the college of Arts & Sciences from Brighton, Illinois, is co-Captain of the women’s team. Kelsey played interscholastic polo actively, attended Virginia Polo/PTF summer clinics, and brought a wealth of talent to the team as a first year last year. Kelsey wowed in the finals of the D1 championship tournament last year and was selected for the Horsemanship Award following the tournament. Roquera and Ziti are her favorite ponies on the women’s string.
Rory Knox, a second year student studying biology, is from Parkton, Maryland. Rory is an accomplished interscholastic polo player at Marlan Farms and was selected as the Lynn Thompson Interscholastic Player of the Year Award presented by the Polo Training Foundation. Blackberry and Timone are her standout picks from the women’s string.
Hanan Fadil, a first year student from Charlottesville, Virginia, was formerly Captain of Virginia Polo’s interscholastic team, the Virginia Juniors. Hanan has a long history of practicing with many Virginia women’s teams. During her gap year before college Hanan worked for Hope Arellano in California and Agustin Arellano in Florida. Her favorite ponies at Virginia Polo are Whiskey, Kiwi, and Tomato.
Nora Gaudion, a fourth year student studying Foreign Affairs and co-President of the Virginia Polo Club, is from Camp Hill, Pennsylvannia. Nora began playing polo her first year of college in Boot Camp at Virginia Polo and earned her way on to the women’s team as a third year. Her favorite ponies are Mary, Moose, and Latte.
Augusta Halle, a second year student from Cleveland, Ohio, Cleveland, OH, is planning to pursue a double major in commerce and IMP in agricultural policy. She discovered polo in 2023 at Willowbrook Polo Farms and has been hooked ever since. Virginia Polo has introduced her to incredible ponies (most notably, Rolo), people, and experiences. She feels truly blessed to be part of the VA Polo community and is deeply grateful to everyone who has made this experience possible. She’s excited to see what the future holds, both on and off the field!
2026 Virginia Men’s Team
Makhdum Mourad Shah, a fourth year from Lahore, Pakistan, is the captain of the men’s team for his second year in a row. Mak is studying Economics and Global Development Studies and grew up riding and learning to play polo at the Lahore Garrison Polo Club. Virginia Polo has become a home away from home for him. His favorite horses are Mango and Torch.
Iago Masias, a second year from Peru is studying commerce. Iago grew up playing grass polo with his family and loves the sport. His favorite horses are Pate, Palermo, Barb, and Minnie.
Samuel Jaramillo, a first year from Quito, Ecuador, is in the commerce school. Samuel grew up playing polo throughout his life at home. He has also played various tournaments in Argentina, Peru and Colombia. His favorite horses are Milonga and Pate.
Wil Ballhaus, a first year from The Plains, Virginia, is studying Systems Engineering. Wil grew up playing polo with his father with Beverly Equestrian. He played two years of interscholastic polo, one with the Virginia Juniors team and one with Battlefield Polo. Wil’s favorite horses are Manuelita and Dump Truck.
Brian Salmon, a third year from Denver, Colorado, is studying Biology. During high school he played interscholastic with Denver Polo Club and NYTS. His favorite horses are Circe, Barb, and Hennessy.