NEWS

Twelve youth participants, ages 12-17 gathered for three days of intensive instruction at the Virginia Polo Center in Charlottesville, Virginia July 7-9. Organized by the USPA and taught by Team USPA members, Connor Deal and Jorge Estrada with the help of USPA Head Polo Instructor, Elizabeth Holson, USPA I/I Director Amy Fraser, and USPA Club Development Director, Justin Powers. Host site and horses were provided by the Virginia Polo Center. Players from Virginia, Maryland, New York, Massachusetts, Florida, Texas, Hawaii and Poland participated. The clinic had a packed scheduled that included riding drills, hitting drills, arena strategy, coaching chukkers and individual Swing Analytics.

The day started off with players being videoed performing a riding pattern. Their swing was later reviewed using the Swing Analytics software with them on an individual basis. Each day, Connor and Jorge led the participants through riding patterns and playing drills in the morning. These morning rides prepared participants for coaching chukkers in the afternoons. In the evenings, game tapes were reviewed, which highlighted the effectiveness of the drills performed earlier that day.

“To be able to see a significant improvement in a players swing and game sense over the course of a few days is so rewarding. Each of the players were so enthusiastic and eager to learn and just absorb all the knowledge we had to share with them,” Said USPA staff Elizabeth Holson. Parents echoed the enthusiasm in their players, noting how impressed they were with quality of the instruction and how well planned out the clinic was.