NEWS

Team USPA invited five promising players to Wellington, Florida, for a two-and-a-half-day immersive tryout clinic February 19-21. Selected from a large pool of applicants, Juddy Carlton (1), Matt Coppola (4), Matias Gonzalez (2), Santi Torres (7) and Marissa Wells (1) participated in a variety of activities covering the many facets of polo.

Players attended the Ylvisaker Cup Final on February 19 between Coca-Cola and Tonkawa, both of which had a current member of Team USPA on their roster (Wesley Finlayson for Coca-Cola and Costi Caset for Tonkawa). After a thrilling overtime finish, Adam Snow gathered the group for dinner and his popular talk on “Achieving 10-Goals.” Snow, a former 10-goal player and a Team USPA program leader, described how focusing on his goals and the mental aspect of the game pushed him to succeed despite many obstacles.

The second morning kicked off with a communication training workshop to identify the leadership style of each individual. Director of Player Development Amanda Snow demonstrated the importance of being aware of body language when speaking to another person and communicating with different personality types. Current members of Team USPA, Felipe Viana and Jesse Bray, finished off the morning lectures with a presentation on managing horse expenses and planning for an upcoming season.

Monday afternoon, players mounted up for a fast practice held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. The five prospective Team USPA members played alongside current Team USPA members Felipe Viana (5), Jesse Bray (5) and Geronimo Obregon (4). Coaches Mason Wroe, Adam Snow and Owen Rinehart offered game advice throughout the match and spent the evening reviewing game tape with the group.

Players then shifted their focus and learned how to prepare themselves physically to play competitive polo. Polo trainer Alejandro Moraes led an intense workout, highlighting specific exercises to improve a player’s flexibility and core strength. Moraes stressed the importance of nutrition and injury prevention as part of a whole-body approach to fitness. The night concluded with a round-table discussion with Senior Team USPA members Steve Krueger, Jesse Bray, Kylie Sheehan, Costi Caset, Geronimo Obregon and Mason Wroe.

On Tuesday, players were filmed doing a specified riding pattern and taking penalty shots. Charles Smith, Chairman of the Team USPA program, alongside Owen Rinehart, Adam Snow, Mason Wroe and Steve Krueger spent one-on-one time with each player fine tuning the mechanics of their swing.

Gus Whitelaw led media training for the group. He interviewed each player on camera, then showed the group several interviews of other pro athletes to analyze. After identifying the characteristics of a successful interview, Whitelaw re-interviewed each player. There was noticeable improvement between the “before” and “after” interviews.

The day concluded with Carlucho Arellano, who spoke about cultivating relationships. He discussed the many types of relationships formed in polo and how each relationship contributes to the success of a player. Carlucho recalled some of the frustration he felt growing up competing with his brothers on the field, but reflected on how his relationship with them has developed over the years. The intimate setting allowed each player to ask questions and get to know some of the mentors of the program.

Congratulations to the five newest members of Team USPA. Team USPA would also like to thank the International Polo Club, Jimmy Newman, Charles Smith, Adam Snow, Owen Rinehart, Mason Wroe, senior Team USPA members, U.S. Polo Assn., the horse providers and governors who came to support these young players at tryouts.

All photo credit: David Lominska