Jul 28, 2023
Great Strides Equestrian Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is pleased to announce the launch of their polo lesson program for underfunded teens. The first group of riders included exceptional young women from the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital Area participating in lessons twice a week at Spa City Polo Club located in Stillwater, New York.
Great Strides is founded and operated by Laurie Scott, an equestrian with 44 years of experience, who has long envisioned creating a platform where teens can access the transformative power of equestrian sports. Through this initiative, the foundation intends to remove barriers and provide equal opportunities for teens who would otherwise not have access to horses, due to their location and financial means.
The lessons at Spa City Polo Club, are spearheaded by Argentine polo player, Mario Dino Di Salvo, bringing exceptional expertise and guidance to the program. Dino Di Salvo’s passion for the sport will inspire and guide these young learners, opening doors to a world of possibilities within the sport. “Polo players can get scholarships to colleges, and they can travel the world working for polo teams. We want these teens to know that polo can give them opportunities they never dreamed of before,” said Dino Di Salvo.
Scott continued, "I believe that the discipline of working with horses builds skills that will serve these teens in every aspect of their lives. Horses are out of the financial reach of most families, but with the help of donors we can provide not just polo and riding lessons, but much needed time outside, enjoying the therapeutic benefits of horses.”
Great Strides Equestrian Foundation is committed to providing a nurturing and safe environment for all participants. The program not only focuses on equestrian skills, but also instilling values such as discipline, responsibility and teamwork. By offering polo lessons, the foundation aims to enhance the lives of these young individuals and empower them to reach their full potential.
All photos courtesy of Great Strides Equestrian Foundation.
Effective Date: Saturday, May 16, 2020
The suspension of USPA Tournaments and Events will be lifted for USPA Member Clubs in locales where hosting polo matches and tournaments is permitted under applicable state and local laws, executive orders and similar decrees. The USPA Member Clubs in these locales are encouraged to follow all such requirements of their state and local authorities with respect to polo operations. In addition, we also encourage all USPA Member Clubs to take the precautions recommended by the CDC. We are preparing a detailed list of best practices for USPA Member Clubs as they return to hosting USPA Tournaments and Events and plan to circulate these guidelines within the next week. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and will notify you if we determine a different course of action is necessary.
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