NEWS

The second annual Northeastern Circuit Arena Women's Challenge (5-7-goal) tournament called out the highest level of competition for women in the Northeast this year, as four teams of players in peak form assembled to compete for $2,500 in USPA prize money and winners' laurels over two days of competition in ideal Autumn conditions during the weekend of November 14-15, 2020.

With USPA Umpire  Juan Carlos Gonzalez officiating the tournament, the semifinal round matchups resulted in narrow but decisive victories for Newport over Blonde Ambition, while The Avery's win over Dizzy Mares was decided by a penalty shootout in overtime.  All four teams ratcheted up the competition on the second day, when the finalists included defending champions from last year, on opposing teams this time around, to add to the excitement that ultimately played out in favor of The Avery as the 2020 champions.

The first semifinal game kicked off the tournament on Saturday, November 14, with Newport (Amy Garrison, Catie Reed, Mia Purdom) in red team colors against Blonde Ambition (Suzanne Duncan, Meg Stowe, Ula Green) in gold/navy. Newport started with one handicap goal on the board to level their prospects, but Blonde Ambition quickly overcame the deficit as well as repeated tying goals by a relentless Newport to maintain a one-point lead in the opening chukker 4-3. Blonde Ambition then padded the lead to two points by halftime 6-4. Newport's endurance in the third chukker outlasted a heated sparring of goal for goal that ended with three unanswered Newport goals to close out the period ahead 9-8. An ambitious two-pointer by the Blondes in the final chukker reasserted their lead for a final time, however Newport unleashed a four-goal battery for a 13-11 win and a hard-earned trip to the final.

The second semifinal match was equally exciting with Dizzy Mares (Simone March, Ryan McNeilly, Hannah Cope) in blue/black facing off against The Avery (Touba Ghadessi, Rebecca Nordstrom, Minnie Keating) in maroon jerseys. With a handicap point on the board to balance the strength of their rivals, The Avery padded their lead in the opening chukker with a pair of field goals against a penalty conversion point for Dizzy Mares, to lead 3-1. Adding three more points in the second chukker before Dizzy Mares answered with three goals of their own, Dizzy Mares trailed 6-4 at the half. In the third chukker, Dizzy Mares managed to tie the score 6-6, keeping their opponents scoreless. However, The Avery went ahead by two goals in the heated fourth chukker, but Dizzy Mares fought back into the lead with three points, including a two-pointer, until The Avery's tying goal led to an overtime double shootout, with The Avery winning a berth in the final.

The second day of competition opened with the consolation round for third place between Dizzy Mares and Blonde Ambition. Both teams evenly matched in handicap, the Mares broke out to an early 3-1 lead. Blonde Ambition battled back in the second chukker to level the score, igniting an exchange of goals to trail 6-5 at the half. Blonnde Ambition continued their forward momentum into the third chukker while adding three more goals to take an 8-6 lead, and never looked back. Blonde Ambition kept the pressure on in the final chukker with two more points to the Mares one, resulting in a third place finish for the aptly named Blonde Ambition.

All the glory was on the line as Newport and The Avery lined up for the opening throw-in of the championship final match. Equally rated, The Avery's strategy became apparent in the first chukker as they asserted themselves with an early 5-1 lead. Newport chipped away at the gap during the second chukker to trail 7-4 at the half. Maintaining pace, goal for goal with The Avery in the third chukker, a 9-6 score maintained the gap moving into the final chukker. Newport continued fighting through the last chukker despite The Avery's two goals for their every one, and The Avery ultimately finished with a thrilling 13-8 title victory.

Following the final, David Markell, Westchester Polo Manager, presented cash prizes of $1,000.00 to the runners-up, Newport, and $1,500.00 to champion team, The Avery. Along with winner's prizes and the perpetual trophy, Mia Purdom was named Most Valuable Player and Catie Reed's second chukker horse Jack, owned by Dan Keating, was voted Best Playing Pony. The winners will have a page in the USPA Bluebook and names engraved on the perpetual trophy.

“It is exciting to round up the best women competitors in the Northeast for an Autumn arena showdown to add to a miraculous season of polo, and raise the stakes with $2,500 prize money!” remarked Leighton S. Jordan, USPA Northeastern Circuit Governor. “2020 is concluding on a high note with great tournament competition, and it was exciting to host the best of the Northeast during the Autumn arena polo season again this year,” Dan Keating, Club President and USPA Club Delegate, added. Prize money and support for the tournament including professional umpiring and trophies were generously provided through the 2020 Tournament Stimulus Program from the United States Polo Association. The Northeastern Circuit Women’s Arena Challenge tournament was also hosted at Newport Polo in 2019.

All photos courtesy of ©Michele Almeida.