UVA’s Starr Hill Pathways “Vet Tech” Career Week at Virginia Polo
For a week in June we hosted a group of 8 local seventh graders at Virginia Polo introducing them to working with horses, on a farm, and career pathways they could pursue. The information-packed week featured sessions with farrier John Digney, equine veterinarian Dr. Roe, Estate Manager Billy Baldwin, and Virginia Polo staff Abbie Grant and Jenny Germroth all explaining their careers, the education (or preparation) needed, and interactive demonstrations. Charlottesville’s newspaper The Daily Progress reporters and photographers attended as well and were enthralled with the demos and wrote a very nice feature piece on the front page of the paper outlining what the students experienced at the Virginia Polo Center.
Between educational sessions Starr Hill Pathways students tried swinging a mallet with Assistant Coach & Barn Manager Abbie Grant
Intro to Polo Camp June 23-27
This was Assistant Coach & Barn Manager Abbie Grant’s dream become reality, to teach a group of eager young riders the basics of polo. In this 5-day camp riders age 8-13 came from as far as North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and The Plains, Virginia for the chance to get started playing polo. The Virginia Polo ponies were incredible and proved all over again how outstanding they are as they patiently and calmly carried the kids to the ball and were steady through their first chukkers. It was rewarding to see all their smiling faces and see them progress so quickly to chukkers on Friday in front of a crowd of their parents. For more pictures of this great week, go to First Intro to Polo Camp a Hit!
New friends (both horse human) at the first Intro to Polo Camp
July 10-12 Virginia Polo Interscholastic Clinic Supported by the PTF
21 polo players from ages 13-19 traveled to Charlottesville to take part in this 3-day clinic for advanced young players to hone their skills. Featuring a star-studded cast of instructors including Julio Arellano, Miguel Torres, Rob Rinehart, PTF Executive Director Jen McLeavey, Virginia Polo’s Abbie Grant and PTF instructors-in-training Lucas Arellano and Fatima Balzano the players benefitted from a deep well of instruction.
Each year the PTF generously supports these clinics sending instructors, swag for the players, and helping to design the clinic itinerary. This session received rave reviews from parents and players alike and had the added benefit of a NYTS (National Youth Tournament Series) tournament hosted by Roseland Polo Club on Sunday where many of the clinic players competed on the grass together.
PTF instructor Julio Arellano coaches players during evening chukkers at the July clinic
Intro to Polo Camp July 21-25
This session catered to riders 13-18 learning to play polo. The theme of the summer was family fun and light sibling rivalry as the camps attracted a number of families. It was so wonderful to see so many brothers and sisters with horses a big part of their lives. This session attracted a more local group of riders mainly from Albemarle County, and an incoming second year UVA student among them who is looking forward to joining the Polo Club in the fall and whose siblings are excited for next year’s camps when they’ll come back to play more polo and revisit their favorite donated ponies. A benefit of the camps was expanding the high school polo team, the Virginia Juniors. The camps helped build towards the program’s goal of growing local talent for future in-state UVA applicants. The kids of all ages enjoyed the camps very much.
Campers listen as Abbie explains defense tactics for a drill
Session with the VA 4H Hippology & Horse Bowl Team
As part of a weekend educational retreat to prepare the team for competition at the Southern Regionals and Eastern National Roundup local 4H leader Bertha Durbin brought her team of girls to polo to watch the Intro to Polo Camp’s final chukkers and participate in a learning session on polo with Abbie & Jenny. In the comfort of the Beh House we taught the team various aspects of polo and the horse management behind the sport. The team had a deep well of knowledge on many equine disciplines, afflictions, and more and had lots of great questions to prepare themselves for any questions on polo that may arise during their competition.
4H member and Intro to Polo Camp player demonstrates braiding a tail for polo
August 7-9 Virginia Polo Interscholastic Clinic Supported by the PTF
19 talented interscholastic players attended this clinic session at Virginia Polo. Built on the same itinerary as the July session these players honed their polo skills. Because there is so much more to polo than what happens in the arena, the instructors also covered riding for polo, focused sessions on tack, and care of your string of polo ponies, all to build well-rounded players. Instructors included Julio Arellano, Lou Lopez, Abbie Grant, and Robin Sanchez, along with instructors in-training Lucas Arellano and Fati Balzano. Robin’s deep knowledge of umpiring added a strong focus on understanding rules and fouls as well. A huge thank you goes to the Polo Training Foundation for their generous support of these clinics!
Players at the end of clinic ceremony pose with their certificates and instructors
The Summer Crew
This essential group of volunteers makes all the camps and clinics possible! Incentivized by only chukkers and riding time these UVA students and local high school polo players dedicate their summer break to the Virginia Polo ponies and the young riders & players who come to learn and improve their polo skills. Without this dedicated group of workers feeding the herd, riding sets, and playing practice chukkers we could not run our robust summer programs. Thank you summer crew for all you did to make it a great summer for sharing the joy of polo!
Grayson, Brian, Laurie, Rachel, and Edward. Not pictured, Justine!