NATIONAL YOUTH TOURNAMENT SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP®
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Established in 2013, the National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS) program provides outdoor clubs the framework for hosting USPA-sanctioned tournaments. Players age 19 and under holding a minimum -1 goal handicap are eligible to participate, allowing youth players the opportunity to compete against their peers. A unique and crucial step in developing a young player, the program instills valuable lessons about being a team player, while improving a participant's polo game.
At each qualifier, NYTS All-Stars are named for their exceptional horsemanship, sportsmanship and skill, both on and off the field. Players nominated as All-Stars are eligible for selection in their respective zones for the NYTS Championship Cecil Smith Cup and NYTS Girls' Championship Hale Family Cup.
As participation has grown over the past decade, the NYTS program set a goal to introduce and expand a girls’ division. Beginning in 2021, the USPA hosted four girls’ teams at the Championship level.
The 2023 NTYS Championship hosted by New Bridge Polo & Racquet Club in Aiken, South Carolina, fielded four exceptional teams competing for both the NYTS Championship Cecil Smith Cup and the NYTS' Girls Championship.
The top female youth players collided in a matchup between Nebraska Sunset (Sofia Ward, Ava Rose Hinkson, Reagan Leitner, Winifred Branscum) and Electric Charge (Isabelle Brockett, Victoria Picha, Sophia DeAngelis, Madison Jordan). Controlling the match from the outset, Nebraska Sunset dominated the field, quickly scoring three field goals to take the lead in the first half. The ladies in pink never let up and maintained their lead throughout the game to earn a 7-2.5 win and claim the NYTS Girls' Championship title. Read article here.
Competing for the Cecil Smith Cup, defending champions Western (Micaela Saracco, Will Schneider, Ryan Kerley, Piers Bossom) went head-to-head against Central (Robert Pizarro, Lily Lequerica, Joe Bob Lequerica, Will Mudra). Western's strong sense of unity combined with potent offensive firepower and disciplined defense resulted in a dominant 10-3.5 performance to earn the region's second consecutive title. Read article here.
Proudly returning to the West Coast, this year's edition will be hosted (2022) by La Herradura Polo Club LLC in Santa Ynez, California. Throughout the weekend, club owners and founders, Guillermo "Memo" Gracida and Meghan Gracida will be assisting with coaching and strategy for all teams competing for both the NYTS Championship Cecil Smith Cup and the NYTS Girls' Championship Hale Family Cup.
For the fourth consecutive year, the competition will proudly feature both a Girls' and Open Division. Representing the Girls' Division are four teams named after Hall of Fame Horses to Remember including Delta Dawn, Electric Charge, Ever Ready and Nebraska Sunset. The Open Division is comprised of four regional teams including, Central, Eastern, Southeast (formerly Florida Region) and Western.
Each Open team will be paired with a Girls’ team for the week and attend team meetings and each other's games to further promote camaraderie and increase coaching and learning time. Coaching will be provided by Mariano "Nano" Gracida (Central, Delta Dawn), Active Team USPA Member Hope Arellano (Eastern, Every Ready), Tiger Kneece (Southeast, Electric Charge) and Team USPA alumnus Jared Sheldon (Western, Nebraska Sunset).
Photo: 2023 National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS) Championship Cecil Smith Cup Winners: Western - Micaela Saracco, Will Schneider, Ryan Kerley, Piers Bossom. ©Kaile Roos
