NEWS

The USPA proudly welcomes seven new Circuit Governors. Nominated candidates were selected by election and installed in October 2024 and will hold office for a three-year term. Representing the interest of the sport in their circuit, the USPA encourages all members to connect with their Circuit Governor to guide the future direction of the Association. For a complete list of USPA Circuits and Circuit Governors, please visit.

Megan West-Koll began playing polo in 2008 at Purdue University in Indiana, where she earned her Ph.D. in food chemistry. She is currently a chemist for Mars Wrigley’s long-term research and development division. That same year, West-Koll joined the Barrington Hills Polo Club in Wauconda, Illinois, just outside Chicago.

During her time at Barrington Hills Polo Club, West-Koll has served as a USPA club delegate and is currently the club’s equine welfare manager. She has also been a member of the club’s executive committee and is involved in all aspects of club management. West-Koll organizes the club’s tournaments and practice schedule and serves as the primary contact between Barrington Hills Polo Club, the United States Polo Association and other clubs in the circuit.

In addition, West-Koll founded the Barrington Hills Women’s Traveling Team program and is a strong advocate for women’s and girls' polo in the Midwest. She believes the key to growing the sport is promoting amateur, arena and low-goal polo — an approach that has helped Barrington Hills become the largest polo club in the Central Circuit.

West-Koll holds a 2-goal handicap in the arena and a 0.5 handicap outdoors. As the Central Circuit Governor, she is committed to visiting each club in the circuit, maintaining regular communication and understanding their specific needs. Additionally, she aims to connect clubs with USPA programs that can offer valuable support.

“Our club has benefited greatly from a variety of USPA programs, and I’m sure other clubs could take advantage as well with a circuit governor willing to serve as an intermediary with the USPA on the clubs’ behalf,” West-Koll said. “That’s a big part of what I hope to do.”

Contact Megan at: (847) 702-0475 or mwest08@gmail.com

Horses have been an obsession for Hiner since a young age. Growing up in a lower-income household without a family background in horses, she worked hard as a teenager to afford her first horse—a plain chestnut Quarter Horse mare. Hiner’s years working on the racetrack solidified her appreciation for Thoroughbreds, a passion that remains strong to this day.

Shortly after founding the Work to Ride program 30 years ago, Hiner discovered polo. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Work to Ride is a nationally recognized program that empowers youth through horsemanship, equine sports, and education. As the program’s executive director, Hiner has made the sport of polo a rewarding part of her life, finding her niche in coaching, teaching and promoting polo. In 2016, she was awarded the inaugural USPA Woman of the Year Award in recognition of her dedication to uplifting youth through the program. Highlighting her achievements, the Women’s Committee recognized her commitment to the sport and her players’ numerous successes, including national interscholastic championships, Polo Training Foundation Player of the Year awards and USPA scholarships. As an entrepreneur, Hiner believes that common-sense solutions exist for most challenges.

“Low- and medium-goal polo are the USPA's bread and butter and I feel that arena polo is the most promising and affordable way to expand our reach,” Hiner said. “The East Coast boasts a dedicated core of great grass and arena clubs and an even greater commitment to the sport. To that end, Work to Ride is building a $13 million state-of-the-art multi-purpose riding and polo arena to be completed in the spring of 2025,” she continued.

With a lifelong passion for horses and a commitment to the community, Hiner is ready to bring her experience and vision to represent the Eastern Circuit clubs and explore ways for partnerships that will better the sport.

Contact Lezlie at: (267) 971-5734 or wtr@worktoride.net

As one of the founders and current president of the Honolulu Polo Club (HPC) in Waialua, Hawaii, Hoe has worked tirelessly over the past 31 years to rekindle the martial roots of polo and introduce active military members to the sport. A Vietnam War combat medic and recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Medic Badge, Hoe has consistently prioritized supporting soldiers and their families. Upon returning from Vietnam, he earned a bachelor’s degree and graduated as part of the inaugural class of the University of Hawaii’s law school before going on to serve as a judge in the Hawaii State Courts.

Under Hoe’s leadership, HPC has always admitted military members and their families to matches free of charge. For 25 years, the club has also hosted an annual Army-Navy match, inviting active, reserve, and former military personnel to play. Hoe’s unwavering commitment to supporting soldiers, veterans and the wounded around the globe has earned him recognition from the Department of the Army, which designated him a Civilian Assistant to the Secretary of the Army, a role that carries a three-star rank. He also serves on the USPA's Armed Forces Committee, where he works to ensure the Association does everything possible to support active and former military personnel through the sport of polo.

Contact Allen at: (808) 292-6845 or ahoe@pixi.com

Chandler has been involved in polo for nearly 30 years, competing in tournaments across the United States and internationally ranging from the 2- to 10-goal levels. During high school, he played Intercollegiate/Interscholastic polo with Culver Military Academy in Indiana. Currently, Chandler is the owner and president of Hickory Hall Polo Club in Zionsville, Indiana, which has a strong emphasis on low-goal polo and charity matches throughout the summer season.

“Growing up in a family of polo players, starting with my grandfather, Tom Chandler, and my father, Greg Chandler, I’ve had great experiences playing the game as a family. My dad bought me my first polo pony when I was 4 years old, and I’ve been on the hook ever since,” Chandler said. Chandler and his family live in Lebanon, Indiana, and he hopes his 3-year-old son will be joining him on the field in the future.

Contact Austin at: (317) 840-0407 or chandlershowstock@yahoo.com

As captain of Myopia Polo Club in Hamilton, Massachusetts, Strouss has been a strong supporter of the sport for the past 30 years. One of the oldest polo clubs in the United States, Myopia joined the USPA in 1890 and is one of the largest clubs in the Northeast. Since becoming captain in 2021, Strouss has focused on improving the club’s five polo fields, including spearheading the complete rebuilding of Myopia’s newest tournament polo field. Strouss is committed to preserving the club’s rich polo legacy, which currently hosts 13 teams and seven USPA tournaments. He has been actively involved in the USPA as Myopia’s club delegate since 2007 and previously served on the Equine Welfare Committee.

Having grown up in a polo-playing family in the Midwest, Strouss has played polo his entire life. His father, Bud Strouss, was captain of the Cornell polo team in the late 1940s and a fixture at the Columbus Del Rancho Polo Club. Continuing the family tradition, Strouss is the team owner of the Del Rancho polo team and has won the prestigious national Chairman’s Cup nine times.

Contact David at: (978) 239-8018 or dstrouss@tenlaw.com

For the past four years, Kelly has served on the Audit Committee, advising the Board of Governors. This role has provided him with valuable insight into the inner workings of the Association. Recently, he joined the board of directors at Eldorado Polo Club, where he has been working closely with the board and staff to develop sustainable plans for the future. Kelly has been playing at Eldorado and Empire polo clubs in Indio, California, every winter since 2011, establishing a home near Eldorado and a winter base for his horses at Deer Creek, reinforcing his commitment to both the circuit and the desert. Recognizing that many clubs throughout the Pacific Circuit face similar sustainability challenges, Kelly is focused on helping clubs fully access the available USPA support programs, to ensure long-term growth and success across the circuit.

Contact Tim at: (713) 292-3783 or tkwestwind@gmail.com

Armour has been a member of the USPA since 1993 and has played at various levels, up to 12 goal, for more than 30 years. Since 1997, he has operated a breeding, training and boarding business, selling and leasing horses to players of all levels. A longtime member of the Houston Polo Club in Houston, Texas, Armour has served on the club board since 1996, including four years as president and as the club delegate since 2010. In 2015, he was elected as a Governor-at-Large for the United States Polo Association, a position he held until 2022.

Throughout his tenure as a delegate and Governor-at-Large, Armour attended all USPA meetings and served on several committees, including Armed Forces, Board and Staff Development, Constitution, Intercollegiate/Interscholastic, Polo Development, Team USPA, Tournament and, most recently, was Chairman of the Club and Membership Committee since its inception. He also assisted Paul Jornayvez with circuit operations during Jornayvez’s tenure as circuit governor. Armour is well-versed in the operations of both the USPA and the circuit governor role. Committed to strengthening and supporting all aspects of the circuit, including growth of its clubs, membership, and tournaments at all levels, Armour brings extensive experience in both the USPA and the circuit governor role.

Contact Steven at: (281) 839-6516 or ssa1@afponyfarm.com