NEWS

Hosted by the New Orleans Polo Club in Folsom, Louisiana, the first annual USPA Women's Charity Challenge Final took place on November 4, 2017, in front of a packed pavilion and tailgate sidelines. The tournament benefitted the Thoroughbred Retirement Network of Louisiana, an organization dedicated to rehabilitation of Off The Track Thoroughbreds, raising over $14,000. Despite a last minute location change due to wet field conditions, three evenly matched teams took the field.

Ladies from Texas, Alabama, Kentucky, Puerto Rico, Great Britain and Louisiana battled it out in front of many spectators new to the sport of polo. Visiting pro Sarah Wiseman led her teammates Lacey Conway, Lori Summers and Sara Regis Torres to victory, scoring the final goal in the last chukker. Most Valuable Player went to Sarah Wiseman, of West Sussex, United Kingdom. Best Playing Pony honors were given to Rose, owned and played by Lilly Martiniere and Flor, owned and played by Olivia Uechtritz.

"Playing in the New Orleans Polo Club USPA Women's Charity Challenge was an absolute blast,” said visiting pro Courtney Asdourian of Lexington, Kentucky. “Being that it was my first time in New Orleans, the club representatives could not have been more accommodating and welcoming. The tournament was professional, competitive but most importantly, fun for all involved." First-time tournament competitor Sara Regis-Torres from Puerto Rico, could not contain her excitement at being on the winning team, "This was so much fun and I cannot wait to come back to play again in the Big Easy."

After the tournament, club members and guests enjoyed a dinner at local New Orleans favorite Galatoire's, followed by live music at several venues in the French Quarter and Fauborg Marigny. Plans are already in place for the 2018 New Orleans Polo Club USPA Women's Charity Challenge.

All photos ©Nicole Miller and Bobby Gilboy.