The Start of a Tradition at Polo
The UVA Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Reunion, familiarly known as YAR, inspired Virginia Polo Club co-President Evalina Carruccio to do something similar at Virginia Polo. Evalina took the initiative to reach out to the 2026 graduates, encouraged them to return for the YAR weekend, October 9-11, and come to Virginia Polo to get together. Her efforts were successful and recent Virginia Polo grads and current students enjoyed a casual asado, visits with their favorite ponies, and catching up with friends on their new jobs and lives.
Congratulations Evalina on the start of a new tradition!
Recent graduates Mackenzie Craig, Emily Ottinger, Jordyn Goldsmith, Delaney Coppola, Charlotte Jackson, Francesca Savi, Smokey, Nora Gaudion, with past Assistant Coach Elka Sterling
Along with the recent grads, past classmates of Coach Pearce returned to team up and challenge the men’s team. 2023 grad 2nd Lieutentant Jim Deal US-MC, in town for a military polo tournament in Middleburg, and 2024 grad Vlad Tarashansky joined Coach Parker Pearce in the arena for a practice against the current mens’ team.
Passing Polo on to the Next Generation
Carter Slattery with Reddy and Sailor at Women’s Practice Sunday
Carter Kahle Slattery, UVA ‘06, returned as well to show her horse-loving daughter and son Virginia Polo. It was great fun reminiscing on favorite ponies and visiting their posters still on the walls of the tackroom. Especially fond memories of past Virginia Polo pony Lynx were shared. Women’s Team member Augusta Halle showed Carter’s daughter Sailor how to put on a polo bridle for the first time and Sailor helped the women get their ponies groomed for practice.
We hope to see Sailor back at Virginia Polo for an Intro to Polo Camp next summer and as a student in future years to carry on the Virginia Polo tradition in her family.
Women’s Player Augusta Halle gives Sailor the opportunity to put on a polo bridle