NEWS

Team USA suffered a narrow defeat Monday, January 21, in the final of the Fourth Manipur Statehood Day Women’s Polo Tournament versus Argentina in a riveting match that ended in a disappointing overtime penalty shoot-out loss for the Americans. Sponsored by the Indian Ministry of Tourism and Manipur Tourism in conjunction with the All Manipur Polo Association, and produced by Polo Yatra, the Indian women's polo initiative of Huntre! Equine, the five-day tournament featured six teams from all over the world. After three days of qualifying play between the United States, Canada, Argentina, Kenya, the Indian Polo Association and Manipur at the Mapal Kangjeibung Polo Ground in Imphal, Manipur, India, both the USA and Argentina emerged undefeated to cement finalist positions.

Returning to the final for the third consecutive year, USA represented by Cindy Halle, Megan Judge, Carolyn Stimmel, Anna Winslow Palacios* and Stephanie Massey Colburn* battled neck-and-neck with the Argentines ultimately tying the score 6-all in the final minute of the fourth chukker. Argentina prevailed 3-1 over USA in the nail-biting shoot-out, Stimmel sinking USA’s goal as Catalina Ayerza, captain Elina Braun and Delfina Donovan each added a tally to Argentina’s winning score. Winslow Palacios led the field as the game high-scorer, contributing four of USA’s total goals.

“I was honored to be asked to return to compete at the Fourth Annual Statehood Day Women’s Polo Tournament,” Massey Colburn said. As a member of the 2017 USA championship team she recounted her awe at the tournament’s rapid development. “It is amazing in just two years how much the tournament has grown. I was impressed with the level of play by all teams within the tournament, but especially by the level of improvement shown by the local Manipur women’s team,” she continued. Not solely a competition, the tournament serves to highlight the conservation of the native Manipuri pony and the breakthrough role of women polo players in the region. “This particular women’s tournament is like no other I have been involved in,” Stimmel said. “For the past 35 years I have seen women’s polo grow to become accepted as a competitive sport on a worldwide platform. The Imphal Manipur women’s team that plays polo on the Manipuri pony are true champions. The hurdles the local ladies have to overcome to play and learn polo is not an easy process. They won our hearts,” she recounted. Ricardo Mihanovich, Director of the Federation of International Polo, gave away the “Polo Yatra Award for the Most Improved Team,” selected in conjunction with Edward Armstrong of the American International Polo Federation, to Team Manipur.

As the coach of Cal Poly Polo Club’s intercollegiate team and two interscholastic teams at Central Coast Polo Club both in Los Osos, California, Judge was thankful for all the support received while she was away to make the experience possible. “Having worn so many hats in the United States has really prepared me for this trip,” Judge revealed. “We coached, played, networked, umpired, announced and managed a lot of people and horses."

While USA may not have won the tournament, their presence was no less significant. Team USA conducted a clinic with Manipuri players led by USPA Certified Polo Instructor Cindy Halle. “Joining Cindy’s chalk talk for the local ladies was amazing,” Stimmel recalled. “She has so much to teach and offer. The Manipuri ladies soaked it all up. To co-teach with her and other ladies was very rich,” she continued. The team also participated in a round table discussion at Manipur University regarding Manipuri pony conservation. Similarly, the tournament served as an excellent platform to showcase the U.S. Polo Assn. brand. with all of the team's game jerseys and staff apparel provided by USPA Global Licensing and Arvind Mills, the Indian licensee.

“You really cannot get more ‘fair’ than an international tournament like this,” stated Colburn, “all foreign teams are new to the field, environment, and ponies. The ponies are such a leveling factor for everyone, especially since you switch ponies with your opponents (similar to the Intercollegiate/Interscholastic program) so each team is playing the same ponies.” A clash of two polo giants of the world, despite the loss the Americans remained optimistic about their overall experience. The India tour will continue as the American players travel to Mumbai for an exhibition game on Friday, January 25.

All photos courtesy of the Manipur Photography Club.

*Anna Winslow Palacios and Stephanie Massey Colburn are Team USPA alumnae. 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.