NEWS

USPA Women’s Challenge Circuit events and USPA-sanctioned women’s tournaments both arena and outdoor were played in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Colorado throughout the 2019 Mid-Continent Women’s Polo Series. Players gained points for their teams’ finish placement and additional points for special awards such as Sportsmanship and Most Valuable Player. 147 unique players competed in the Mid-Continent Women’s Polo Series which ran from January through December of 2019.

After the points were tallied, one player’s commitment to women’s polo in 2019 earned her the coveted Catena Swiss watch and the title of High-Point Individual. Congratulations to Oklahoma State University’s Alison Thomas who took the title with 13 points. Thomas competed in four Women’s Arena Challenge tournaments in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

“I enjoy traveling to new places to play polo and meet new people,” Thomas said. “As part of the Oklahoma State University women’s team I am able to travel with my friends and play in a variety of tournaments. I enjoy playing circuit arena women’s challenges because it encourages more women to participate. My favorite tournament is the 'Chicks with Sticks' [edition held at NWA Polo Club in Gravette, Arkansas] because I am from that area and my whole family is able to watch me play.”

Second place went to Samantha Leach with 11 points, third place went to Lindsay Bellack with 10 points, and fourth place was presented to Grace Grotnik with nine points. Megan Flynn, Lottie Lamacraft and Noel Dallison all tied for fifth place with eight points each.

Throughout 2019 there were many successful tournaments played across the country. South Padre Island Polo Club (South Padre Island, Texas) began the series on January 5, 2019, with a 0- to 4-goal Southwestern Circuit Women’s Challenge. OKC Polo Club (Jones, Oklahoma) held an Great Plains Circuit Arena Women’s Challenge, Tulsa Polo Club (Bixby, Oklahoma) hosted a well-attended Great Plains Circuit Women’s Challenge, Dallas Polo Club (Red Oak, Texas) made numerous attempts with weather delays and finally played their grass tournament, and NWA Polo Club held their annual “Chicks with Sticks” Great Plains Circuit Arena Women's Challenge at Benton County Fairgrounds in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Also, Midland Polo Club (Midland, Texas) held both grass and arena women’s tournaments during their "Pink Out For Polo" event, Houston Polo Club (Houston, Texas) had four flights at their women’s tournament including the U.S. Open Women’s Handicap and Texas Women’s Open, Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, Oklahoma) and Texas Military Polo Club (Poteet, Texas) hosted Women’s arena tournaments during Fall Fandango and the final event of the series was held on December 4 at Legend's Polo Club (Kaufman, Texas).