NEWS

Lost Creek Ranch triumphed in the Brad & Kathy Coors Foundation Women’s Challenge final at the National Polo Center in Wellington, Florida. The tournament, part of the Women of Wellington Polo Series (WOW), is a key initiative to promote women’s polo in the United States. As women now represent 50% of registered USPA players, the WOW Series continues to provide a crucial platform for established professionals and rising talents.

Lost Creek Ranch’s victory underscores the growing presence of female players and organizations in the sport. Led by Anne "Annie" Cosby Gottwald and her sister-in-law Kimberly "Kimmee" Gottwald, the duo worked together with the support of professional player Jason Wates to assemble the team. Lost Creek Ranch included Hope Arellano*, the world’s top-rated female player and Lily Lequerica, a young talent on the rise. Their undefeated run in the tournament showcased the team’s chemistry.

For Annie Gottwald, this win was particularly meaningful as it marked her return to competitive polo after taking time off to focus on growing her family. Meanwhile, Kimmee Gottwald, whose connection to Lost Creek Ranch runs deep, continues to solidify her presence in the sport. As for Lily Lequerica, she represents the next generation of polo talent. This victory, marks a significant step forward in her career, as she gains valuable experience playing alongside top-level talent and proves she belongs on the competitive stage.

Lost Creek Ranch’s success highlights the broader impact of WOW, inspiring and encouraging more women to form teams and compete at higher levels.

Annie, can you tell us about your journey in polo? How did you get started in the sport?
“Growing up around horses with my mom as a horse trainer, I've always had a deep connection to horses and equestrian sports. When my husband and I moved from Virginia to Colorado in 2020, I was eager to find somewhere to continue riding. That’s when I came across Denver Polo Club [Denver, Colorado], and I was immediately intrigued by their beginner polo lessons. Having spent my whole life in the Hunter/Jumper world, I was excited to try something new.

I reached out to the club manager, Mark Wates, and within the same week, I was having my first polo lesson. I was immediately hooked, but just two weeks later, the season was coming to an end. Thankfully, Mark and his wife, Sue, invited my husband and me to join them in Jamaica to play polo that winter. It was such an unforgettable experience that we had our next trip booked before we even left. We continued playing at Denver Polo Club which gave us the foundation and passion for the sport.

Since then, I have taken breaks from polo to welcome two kids into our family. This winter marks my first polo season back since having my son last July. Playing in the WOW has made this return especially meaningful, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be back on the field.”

How does it feel to win the second tournament of the Women of Wellington Polo Series?
“After taking a year-and-a-half off from polo getting the chance to play in the WOW was very special for me. Sharing the field with all the amazing players in this series was truly inspiring. Winning this tournament was a dream come true, and I’m so grateful to my teammates for making it happen.

Playing alongside Hope [Arellano], Lily [Lequerica] and Kimmee [Gottwald] has been such an honor. Hope and Lily are not only phenomenal players but also incredible leaders and teammates. I’ve learned so much from them over the past month and I’m so excited to continue playing together as we head into our next tournament.”

What was the biggest challenge during the final against La Monarquia Polo?
“The biggest challenge was maintaining focus and composure throughout the game. They are such a strong and competitive team and they kept the pressure on us from start to finish. We had to stay disciplined in our strategy and communication.”

How did you put the Lost Creek Ranch team together?
“Jason Wates, a good friend and mentor, played a key role in putting together the Lost Creek Ranch team. Last summer, he connected Kimmee and me with Hope, who then helped us find Lily to complete our team. We are incredibly grateful to both Jason and Hope for their efforts in bringing us all together and making this team possible.”

What made you decide to compete in the Women of Wellington Polo Series?
“I first learned about the Women of Wellington Polo Series last winter, and it immediately became a goal of mine to compete in it this year. The opportunity to be part of a tournament with so many talented players that does so much to promote women's polo was exciting for me and I was determined to make it happen for 2025.”

What did it mean to you to play and win at the National Polo Center, the most prestigious polo venue in the U.S.?
“Playing at NPC was an incredible experience. While it was always a goal of mine, I never imagined I’d have the chance to compete there. Leaving the 3:00pm game the evening before and seeing our names on the board in preparation for our final the next day was surreal. Kimmee immediately called me, excitedly saying 'Did you see it??' Our nerves were stirring, but it just made us even more excited. Seeing our names on that board was an unforgettable moment. I’m so grateful to have shared that experience with Kimmee, and I hope one day we’ll have the chance to be there together again.”

Kimmee, can you tell us about your journey in polo? How did you get started in the sport?
“I grew up competing in the hunters and jumpers and knew very little about polo. When I went to college, I took a break from competing, but always knew I would eventually get back into it due to my love for horses. When COVID hit, I moved to Denver for the summer, where my brother, B [Bruce], and sister-in-law, Annie, lived at the time. They had been playing at the Denver Polo Club and were so excited to bring me to practice and introduce me to the sport and all the amazing people they met there. I quickly became hooked, however, at the time, I was completing a graduate program and starting to look for a job.

Work brought me to Dallas [Texas] and I tried to play when I could but did not get to nearly as much as I had hoped. Fast forward to 2024, I visited B and Annie in Wellington for the season. Annie happened to be pregnant and kindly shared her horses with me, so I began to play more consistently. By the end of the season, I had bought my first polo pony and was fully committed to playing more polo. I’ve since played in Aiken [South Carolina] and am now in Wellington for the season growing fonder of the sport each day.”

How does it feel to win the second tournament of the WOW series?
“Playing in a tournament like the WOW has been an amazing experience. If you had asked me last year if I thought I would play in the WOW, let alone win a tournament, I would not have thought that was possible. It is thanks to my incredible teammates, Hope, Lily and Annie, that made that a reality. I am looking forward to playing with them again in the third series.”

What made you want to compete in the WOW?
“I initially heard about the WOW last year and with the help from a lot of people like Jason Wates, and B and Annie, our team came together. I wanted to compete in the WOW for several reasons; I thought playing in a women’s tournament would not only introduce me to amazing women but also challenge me to become a better teammate and player. Playing with a family member also gave me the comfort and motivation to believe this was something I was capable of doing.”

What did it mean to you to play and win at NPC?
“Playing and winning at NPC is a dream and I realize not something that happens very often, so I tried to take in every moment. Seeing my name on the big board was truly something I did not think possible. But being able to play and win there in an all-women’s tournament makes it all the more meaningful.”

What's next for you and Lost Creek Ranch in polo?
“I am beyond excited to play with this same team in the third series of the WOW. Aside from the WOW, Lost Creek Ranch polo is also competing in various other tournaments this season with many other amazing players. I am looking forward to playing as much polo as possible and hoping to get better with each game.”

Can you tell us more about Lost Creek Ranch and what it means to you?
“Lost Creek Ranch is a family-run business in Moose, Wyoming, offering an all-inclusive dude ranch experience. It is located between Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest. Being able to explore and enjoy these incredible surroundings via horseback is something Lost Creek takes pride in. Being good stewards of that land and enjoying all that it has to offer with guests and family while blending it with my passion for horses, is special and something I am incredibly grateful for.”

Lily, what has your journey in polo looked like so far? How did you get into the sport?
“I’ve been riding and playing since I can remember. My parents are polo horse trainers, so they’ve taught me everything I know.”

Where does this tournament win rank among your career achievements?
“As my first season playing in Wellington, it makes the win all that much sweeter. The final win ranks at the top of my achievements.”

How did you become part of the Lost Creek Ranch team?
“This summer, Hope Arellano reached out to me to play with herself, Annie and Kimmee.”

What was the experience like?
“I have a great time playing with the girls. They have a lot of drive to win. Hope is a great captain and keeps us all in line.”

How did it feel to win this tournament and remain undefeated?
“To win the final with my mom in the crowd, who has sacrificed everything for me and my polo career, was truly incredible. Going undefeated felt great because we had no doubt about being in the final—no shootout, just straight in.”

What was the toughest moment for the team in the final match against La Monarquia Polo?
“La Monarquia is a tough team because they have four very strong players who can hit, run and score. What we talked about most in our team meeting was always making contact with someone, no matter who it was. If we did that, it would make our offensive drives that much easier.”

What was it like playing alongside Hope Arellano, a 10-goal player?
“Playing with Hope is a dream come true. For years, I’ve watched her play in so many tournaments, hoping one day I’d get to play with her. You can imagine the excitement and joy I feel to play alongside her.”

You had an incredible day recently, winning a game with Lost Creek Ranch in the morning and then stepping in as a sub for Jeff Hildebrand for Tonkawa in the Wellington Polo Tour, where you were named Most Valuable Player. What can you tell us about that experience?
“What a day that was. Our team had a great game in the morning, taking a good win over Evan’s Ranch/Victory Polo. As for the afternoon Tonkawa game, I was very, very nervous but was glad to have played beforehand, so I didn’t go into the 16-goal game cold. Nacho [Badiola] , Mack[enz]i[e Weisz], and Alfonso [Pieres] all talked to me on the field, directing me on where to go and be. I was very confident in the horses I played. Jeff is one of the best-mounted team owners in polo. Jimmy Seward does an incredible job of mounting Jeff and maintaining his horses. I’ve never had more fun in a game than the game with Tonkawa.”

What’s next for you in your polo career? Do you have specific goals for the future?
“Moving forward, I hope to play in the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship next year.”

*Hope Arellano is an Active Team USPA Member. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.