NEWS

As players stepped off their horses after the final bell, happiness emanated from the smiles of both Molly Agee and Mia Bray. Agee and Bray were nominated to try out for Team USPA earlier in the year and have been working tirelessly to improve their game. When presented with the opportunity to participate in the 12-Goal Langdon Road Pro/Am Immersion Weekend in Aiken, South Carolina, they both jumped at the opportunity.

American legend Owen Rinehart, alongside former 10-goal player Adam Snow, created the Pro-Am immersion program to enhance the level of play available to amateurs without the pressure of playing in a 12-goal tournament. “This is the best thing that can be done for young, up-and-coming players. We played fast 12-goal polo with coaches helping from both sides throughout the game. It allowed the female players to be involved in the play and not just be sent to pick or block like they might be in tournament polo,” said Rinehart. “Both Mia and Molly are great riders, so we were really able to focus on improving their game sense. It was amazing to see the difference between Friday’s game and the game on Sunday."

Agee has been an active arena player throughout high school and college and recently formed an intercollegiate team at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California. “Playing in the Pro/Am was such an amazing opportunity that Team USPA provided me. It has been so cool to be able to play in a new environment and learn from so many different angles. It was the best training opportunity I have ever had, and I have grown as a player so much just from this past weekend spent with Adam, Owen and Julio [Arellano].”

Bray graduated a semester early from Oklahoma State University so that she would be able to play the winter season at Eldorado Polo Club in Indio, California. After playing in the 4-, 6- and 8-goal, Bray was excited to step into a higher level of polo. “The polo was fast and really fun. It was a great experience being able to learn the game from a new perspective. I am very appreciative of the opportunity and I hope to continue to improve my game.”

Team USPA strives to provide unique coaching and training experiences to members of the program. Team USPA co-chair, Adam Snow, and Team USPA mentor, Owen Rinehart, are passionate about coaching players who are eager to grow in their career. The Pro/Am Immersion offers players fast polo in a safe and controlled environment that lends itself well to learning field positioning and strategy. The 2018 Team USPA Candidates will travel to Aiken this coming week for a two-and-a-half day clinic including swing analysis, polo specific workouts, lectures and practices.

All photos courtesy of Lauren Biddle.