WILD DOG POLO’S GRIT ENDS OC POLO’S REIGN IN USPA WOMEN’S ARENA OPEN | U.S. POLO ASSN.

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WILD DOG POLO’S GRIT ENDS OC POLO’S REIGN IN USPA WOMEN’S ARENA OPEN

Oct 21, 2024

2024 USPA Women's Arena Open Champions: Wild Dog Polo - Stephanie Colburn, Tiamo Hudspeth, Jade Hiltbrand, pictured official team mascot Lily.
2024 USPA Women's Arena Open Champions: Wild Dog Polo - Stephanie Colburn, Tiamo Hudspeth, Jade Hiltbrand, pictured with official team mascot Lily.

On Sunday, October 20, the finale of the USPA Women’s Arena Open hosted by Orange County Polo Club in Silverado, California, pitted Wild Dog Polo (Jade Hiltbrand, Stephanie Colburn*, Tiamo Hudspeth*) against defending champions OC Polo (Kasey Morris, Mila Slutzky, Marissa Wells*). Leading the team in pink, Wells aimed to secure a prestigious three-peat for OC Polo. However, an early lead by the challengers, along with strong team chemistry, propelled Wild Dog to the USPA Women’s Arena Open victory.

“[We] allowed each other to commit to plays knowing the other two would have our backs. […] We played a very team-based game. We didn’t have one player that could make or break the game. We trusted each other, we tried to really hard to work for each other.”  – Wild Dog Polo’s Tiamo Hudspeth

OC Polo's Marissa Wells leans into the bump on Wild Dog Polo's Tiamo Hudspeth.
OC Polo's Marissa Wells turns the ball with Wild Dog Polo's Jade Hiltbrand racing to defend.
Wild Dog Polo halftime strategy session with Jared Sheldon.
Wild Dog Polo's Tiamo Hudspeth on a breakaway.
Wild Dog Polo's Stephanie Colburn reaches for the hook on OC Polo's Kasey Morris.
Wild Dog Polo's Jade Hiltbrand.
OC Polo's Marissa Wells drives the ball down the arena with Wild Dog Polo's Tiamo Hudspeth at her hip.
2024 USPA Women's Arena Open Champions: Wild Dog Polo - Stephanie Colburn, Jade Hiltbrand, Tiamo Hudspeth, presented by OC Polo Club Owner Joanne Geiler and Cheval Athletics' Charles Torroba.
Best Playing Pony Sevens, played and owned by Stephanie Colburn, pictured with Claire Gatzke, Ben Colburn and Tiamo Hudspeth.
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Seizing control early in the match, OC Polo’s Morris opened scoring with a goal, followed by a two-pointer and Penalty 4 conversion from Wells, creating a 4-1 advantage for the home team. Mounting a fierce comeback in the second chukker, Wild Dog Polo erupted with all three teammates contributing to the scoreboard. Finding the goal mouth in rapid succession, Wild Dog Polo held 9-goaler Wells to just one goal to take a narrow 6-5 advantage moving into the break.

Detailing the strategy required to contain Wells, Hudspeth shared, “We knew going into this game that Marissa was going to be a beast out there and give it all she had. We knew we were going to have to be disciplined about going to her and really staying with her if we found ourselves next to her, and then allowing the other two to handle the ball. Whoever found themselves with Marissa was supposed to stay with Marissa and allow the other two to work with the ball.”

Wells kickstarted the second half with an equalizing goal, but Wild Dog Polo swiftly regained momentum and was back on the attack. Colburn capitalized in open play and Hudspeth delivered from the penalty line, keeping the pressure on their opponents. As the chukker came to a close, Morris struck once more narrowing OC Polo’s deficit to just two goals, 9-7, heading into the final chukker. A back-and-forth battle ensued in the fourth, and despite two goals from Wells, Colburn’s heroic final effort with less than 30 seconds remaining secured Wild Dog Polo's 12-10 victory.

Leading Wild Dog Polo with seven goals in the final, Stephanie Colburn was named Most Valuable Player. Reflecting on their team chemistry throughout the tournament, Colburn stated, “This is a huge accomplishment. We’ve been working so hard. This is a team that we put together and have all made sacrifices to make this happen and work well together. Tiamo and I have been playing together and against each other for years, and first time playing together in the arena, we’re really excited.” The Sportsmanship Award was presented to Mila Slutzky for her continued positive attitude, fairness and support for her peers on and off the field.

Best Playing Pony was awarded to Sevens, a 6-year-old mare played in the first and third chukkers, owned by Colburn and recently purchased from Hudspeth. Speaking to Hudspeth’s passion for training polo ponies, Colburn shared, “We brought six horses to this tournament from Texas […] four of the six, she trained all the way through, that played today. Those horses are just amazing and that’s her skill set.” Identifying Wild Dog Polo’s string as key to their victory, Hudspeth expressed, “We really had to trust ourselves and the horses we brought. They were a huge contribution to us winning and being able to hold onto our lead. […] I think us knowing we had the horsepower and just getting gritty with it—that was the turning point for us.”

Wild Dog Polo embraces following its USPA Women's Arena Open victory.
OC Polo's Marissa Wells makes the hook on Wild Dog Polo's Tiamo Hudspeth.
Wild Dog Polo's Stephanie Colburn times the bump on OC Polo's Marissa Wells.
Wild Dog Polo's Tiamo Hudspeth works the boards.
OC Polo's Marissa Wells with the hook on Wild Dog Polo's Tiamo Hudspeth.
Most Valuable Player Stephanie Colburn, presented by Stone Creek Designs' Kasia Lindgren and Sermus' Serdar Celik.
Sportsmanship Award recipient Mila Slutzky, presented by OC Polo Club Owner Joanne Geiler.
Wild Dog Polo raise the USPA Women's Arena Open trophy.
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The USPA Women’s Arena Open is now available On-Demand.

Top Performers & BPP Graphic
Chukker Graphic
Stats Graphic

*Stephanie Colburn, Tiamo Hudspeth and Marissa Wells 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.

All photos courtesy of ©Tequila Sunsets Photography.