2023: The Year In Review

Photo: Fred Mannix Jr, Canada’s highest rated player, at the Calgary Polo Club.

What A Year!

The Canadian Polo Association is proud to have 12 member clubs, and 216 active members, on their roster for 2023. As we continue to roll out new programs and incentives, we would like to give thanks to all of the members from polo clubs across Canada who continue to support Polo Canada. Our members are proving to be mighty, as they host tournaments and fundraisers across the country to promote and grow the sport we all love.

The Polo Canada Invitational Series 2023

These fun, low goal tournaments are a key source of revenue for The Canadian Polo Association. The series was developed to unite players from clubs across Canada, and to give players the chance to experience different polo clubs, and make new polo friends. Polo Canada would like to extend a huge thank you to the clubs, property owners, and volunteers who have all helped to make these tournaments happen.

June 10/ 11 at the The Greater Niagara Polo Club, Ontario

August 20/ 21 at Club Polo Nacional, Quebec. This tournament saw players from Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary and Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Champions (photo above) Dan Nelson, Lilly Nelson , Don Pennycook, Ivan Coronel, and Jameson Nelson

Consolation Winners (photo right) Anne Marie LeBrun, Robert Raby, Jeremy Monette, Patrick Menegoz, Don Pennycook.

September 16/17 at the Toronto Polo Club, Ontario.

Seven teams! With players from Di Rosa, Ottawa and Toronto Polo Club’s.

Champions (left to right): Karen White, Wendy O’Leary, Coco Cristobol, Jen Buchan, James Baskin, and Brian O’Leary.

Photo above: The East meets West Junior Challenge players, 2023

The East Meets West Junior Challenge 2023

The 4th annual ‘East meets West Junior Challenge’ took place on July 20 - 23 at Club Polo Nacional, in Quebec.

Polo Canada arranged for four juniors from the West to travel to Eastern Canada for a long weekend of clinics, polo matches, sightseeing, and parties. The junior players representing the west were Jameson Nelson (Grande Prairie), Dexter Tornquist (Vancouver), Nash Bryan (Okanagan), and Finley Ramson (Calgary).The junior players from the east were Ali MacDonald (Toronto Polo Club), Paetynn Zayac (Greater Niagara Polo Club), Ben Weir (Toronto Polo Club), Maddie Van Tuyl (Greater Niagara), Georgia Littlechild (Toronto) and Kaitlyn Gaulin (Greater Niagara Polo Club). Don and Carol Pennycook hosted the kids at their beautiful farm. The kids had a great time getting to know each other while riding, swimming, site-seeing old town Montreal, playing football, and hanging out after the games at the asados. Needless to say, great friendships were formed that weekend! Thank you to Don and Carol Pennycook for providing outstanding facilities, horses and hospitality, and to everyone who helped to make this year’s event such a great success. The 2024 East Meets West Junior Challenge is scheduled for July at the Okanagan Polo Club.

Photograph above: The Polo Canada Youth Invitational at the Greater Niagara Polo Club, June 10.

Youth Polo In Canada

The Canadian Polo Association, thanks in large part to the Polo Book project, now has a fund set aside to ensure that programs like the East meets West Junior Challenge can continue for many years ahead.

A Youth Polo Committee was formed with delegates from clubs across Canada to help develop and grow youth polo programs for young Canadian players, and to attract new players to the sport. The committee is currently working on a calendar of youth polo events for 2024, which they hope will grow larger in the coming months as new initiatives are developed and added to the list. Below are some of the youth tournaments that took place this past summer:

The Dr. Tom Offen Junior Challenge at the Toronto Polo Club, July 2023

NYTS Tournament at the Black Diamond Polo Club brought players from Grande Prairie, Kelowna, Calgary and Toronto.

NTYS Tournament at the Toronto Polo Club brought players from Greater Niagara and Toronto Polo Clubs.

The East Meets West Junior Challenge kids at Club Polo Nacional, Quebec.

Women’s Polo In Canada

2023 has been a great year for women’s polo in Canada! Here are some highlights from the various events that took place this summer;

The Ottawa Women’s Tournament, July 15, 2023:

This was the 2nd Annual Women’s Invitational at the Ottawa Polo Club. This fun day, organized by OPC members Sarah Gray and Emma Hill, brought women players from Ottawa and Montreal. The Champions (pictured below, photographs by Stephen J. Thorne) were Emma Hill, Alice Campbell, Dawn Thompson and Sarah Gray. Runners up were Anne Marie LeBrun, Melissa Gagnon, Carol MacLeod and Ria Obas.

The Springfield Women’s Invitational, July 16th, 2023:

In July the Springfield Polo Club in Manitoba hosted their 2nd women’s polo invitational tournament at Bird’s Hill Provincial Park. Games were fast and competitive, and a close final was decided by a hat trick in the last chukker from MVP (and furthest travelling player) Andrina Calder from Toronto.

Polo For The Cure at the Toronto Polo Club. July 30, 2023:

Toronto Polo Club members Keri Weir and Donna Malloy, along with their team of volunteers, organized the 16th annual ‘Polo For The Cure’ women’s charity tournament in July. The event raised $18,000 for breast cancer research and treatment at the Southlake Regional Health Centre, and continues to be a signature community event.

This year the tournament attracted 7 teams of women players from Canada and the USA. The event started out with a polo skills clinic on Thursday, followed by practice games and a cocktail party hosted by the Sifton family on Friday. Sunday game day drew large crowds at the Toronto Polo Club Alliston playing fields. Exciting matches, a catered lunch, shopping and the Champagne divot stomp made for a great day. Photo above: Champions MEDIAEDGE with Sponsor Kevin Brown, Nicole Offen, Kerrigan Brown, Kathleen McKeown, and Allie MacDonald.

Photo above: Champions ORDERGRID with Angela Colterjohn, Andrina Calder, Hannah Tuplin, Sophie White, and Heather MacDonald.

‘The Heart Cup’ at the Calgary Polo Club. July 2023:

The Heart Cup is an annual woman’s tournament at the Calgary Polo Club. This year’s tournament was a great success with 25 women players and 5 teams, offering a high level of competitive polo. Events were spread over two days, with a welcome practice game and team draw, followed by matches, awards and dinner.

The Polo Canada Women’s Invitational at the Toronto Polo Club. August 19, 2023:

Toronto’s 2nd annual ‘Polo Canada Women’s Invitational Tournament’ took place in August at the Bancroft Farm field. The event organizers Emily Hurst and Crystal Di Rosa, along with their team of volunteers, organized everything from sponsorships to game logistics. The tournament hosted women players from Toronto, Ottawa, Niagara and Argentina, a slew of new sponsors and spectators, and raised over $11,000 for The Canadian Polo Association’s women’s polo development fund. It was a fun-filled day of competitive women’s polo that included a players cocktail reception the evening before, and an asado and party after the games were finished.

Photo: B Flight Winners (left to right) Wendy O’Leary, Kathleen McKeown, Hannah Tuplin, Keri Weir and Maddie Howard.

Photo: A Flight Winners (left to right) Emily Hurst, Ali MacDonald, Crystal Di Rosa, Molly Houlton and Hailey Van Der Burgt.

Club Highlights From 2023

Black Diamond Polo Club, Alberta

Black Diamond had a great season, playing from late May until mid-September. There were practice chukkers three times a week, and match games at the 1-goal level. Many Black Diamond members travelled throughout Western Canada to play tournaments at Kelowna, Grande Prairie, Springfield and Calgary.

Black Diamond’s signature summer tournament, the Rob Peters Memorial, was played over the labor day weekend. 12 teams played in 3 flights, with players travelling from across Western Canada to support this fun and competitive weekend. The inaugural Groom’s race was a big hit . Walker and Selina Watt, Dan Brewin and Isaac Hernandez won the coveted engraved buckles.

Black Diamond also hosted a U.S.P.A. NYTS (North American Youth Tournament Series) two day tournament. This was attended by junior players from Black Diamond, Grande Prairie, Kelowna, Calgary and Toronto. Black Diamond’s own Will Schneider was one of four All-Stars awarded at the NYTS tournament.

Will Schneider was then further selected to play on a team at the NYTS National Tournament in Aiken, South Carolina. Will’s team won the tournament, claiming the NYTS National Championship title.

Calgary Polo Club, Alberta

2023 was a busy year for the Calgary Polo Club. They had two levels of competition each week during July: Two-Goal and Club League. In August they took it up a notch, adding a fast-paced 8-goal league, for a total of three playing leagues.

They had gorgeous weather for their September league, and their Polo Academy was active from May through September. Some of the highlights of their season include; The Wester Canadian Open, The Fish Creek Junior Tournament, The Women’s Heart Cup, the Kimo Cup, The Canadian Open, and the Barbados Tournament.

Photo above: Brent Watson & Veronica Rooney

Photo left: JC Palmer Memorial Winners (Annual Club Tournament

Photo below: Barbados Cup Winners (Tournament sponsored by Barbados Tourism)

Club Polo Nacional, Quebec

Club Polo Nacional was once again a busy place in 2023 with lessons, horse training and its breeding program. Many new foals hit the ground from their imported sire Mojito from Argentina. Cub polo continued three to four times a week on the three fields at Polo Parc. The chukkers were pro pool style often consisting of 6 to 8 chukkers.

A highlight this year was the honor of hosting the East Meets West Polo Canada Junior series in July. Young players from all over Canada met for a week at Club Nacional for clinics, games and tours of the greater Montreal region. Don and Carol provided top notch accommodation, food, and horses for the visiting young players. It was a huge success, building memories and friendships for a lifetime!

The Polo Canada Invitational Tournament was held at the end of August. This year there were four teams competing, with players coming from Quebec, Ottawa, Chicago, Grande Prairie and Calgary. Once again, Polo Parc hosted in style!

Ottawa Polo Club, Ontario

The Ottawa Polo Club had a fun and full season, hosting visiting players from Toronto and Montreal, as well as travelling to tournaments organized by other clubs.

The Club hosted two tournaments this summer; The 2nd annual Ottawa Women’s Invitational, and the inaugural Errol D. Roberts Memorial Cup.

The Errol D. Roberts Memorial Cup was organized by Ottawa players Barry Cloete and his cousin Rob Raby, in memory of their grandfather who was a huge influence on their love of horses and polo. Players from Chukker Hill Polo, in Toronto, came to play in this tournament.

Springfield Polo Club, Manitoba

June 17th was a wonderful day of celebration between past and present members in honor of the club’s 50th anniversary. There was a polo clinic for first timers, followed by a match between local Canadian players and visiting pro’s from Mexico.

A large display of photographs and memorabilia was available for spectators to learn about the club’s history, thanks to countless hours spent by club members collecting items from each decade. Following a meal, a speech from Springfield’s longtime member Reeve opened the sharing of many fond stories by members of past and present.

The Springfield Polo Club had the pleasure of hosting an English team during their tour of Western Canada this summer. Following their visit to Grande Prairie, the visiting English team of Roger White, Andy Cork, Simon Jackson and Jacob Watson arrived at Springfield to play a local team, and a team representing Mexico.

The final competitive event at the club was the 5th anniversary of the Spencer Smith Memorial tournament, held Aug 25-27. Players came from Grande Prairie, Black Diamond, Saskatoon, and Minneapolis to share a fast and fun three days of polo!

Toronto Polo Club, Ontario

It was a great summer season at the Toronto Polo Club, with polo played on the grass from June until Thanksgiving weekend. The 10-goal league ran for 6 weeks in June and July, with lower and mid-goal club tournaments running all summer.

The club hosted two successful charity fundraising events to raise money for the Southlake Regional Health Centre; Polo For Heart, in June, celebrated its 43rd anniversary, and raised $150,000 for the cardiac care unit. Polo For the Cure, in July, raised $18,000 for breast cancer treatment.

In September TPC member Mich Ward and his committee organized The Gatsby Gala - a glamorous black tie event at a downtown Toronto nightclub, and even brought a polo match to the city! This event benefitted St. Michael’s Hospital.

Polo was also featured at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in November, proving to be a huge hit with the crowd.

The Toronto Polo Club has a large group of up-and-coming junior players. This winter they have a new Interscholastic team that will be participating on the U.S.P.A. Interscholastic circuit.

The Club plays year round, with an indoor arena season that runs from October until March.

Congratulations!

To the recipients of the Polo Canada Year End Achievement Awards.

Most Improved Player Award 2023

Veronica Rooney (SR), Ronan Ramson (JR) - Calgary Polo Club
Wade Gaboury - Grande Prairie
Lila Di Rosa - Di Rosa Polo
Claire Gillies (SR), Paetynn Zayac (JR) - Greater Niagara
Anthony Perrault - Club Polo Nacional
Carlotta Calatayud - Ottawa Polo Club
Idris Sarumah – Black Diamond Polo Club
Connor O’Leary - Toronto Polo Club (JR) and Matt Wilkings - Toronto Polo Club (SR)

Sportsmanship Award 2023

Maggie Keeper - Calgary Polo Club
Hazel Bowen & Charlie Smith Gaston - Di Rosa Polo Club
Carolyn Hayes - Greater Niagara Polo Club
Sean Taylor - Club Polo Nacional
Parth Bhatt - Ottawa Polo Club
Stephanie Davidson - Black Diamond Polo Club
Lilly Nelson Grande Prairie

Horsemanship Award 2023

Mitch Horne - Calgary Polo Club
Nick Mashin - Di Rosa Polo Club
Madison Van Tuyl - Greater Niagara
Elisabeth Halle - Club Polo Nacional
Emma Hill – Ottawa
Isaac Urbina Hernandez– Black Diamond
Jameson Nelson - Grande Prairie

Member of the Year 2023

Frank Galdon - Calgary Polo Club
Rob Mashaal - Club Polo Nacional
Cheryl Schindel - Grande Prairie
Sara Rependa - Di Rosa Polo Club
Scott Alexander - Greater Niagara
Barry Cloete - Ottawa
CJ Sifton - Toronto Polo
Walker Watt – Black Diamond

What’s New For 2024

The Canadian Polo Association Board Of Directors for the ensuing year

The Canadian Polo Association would like to welcome Carol Pennycook as the President of the Association, with Don Pennycook remaining on as ex-officio Chairman of the Canadian Polo Association.

The other members of the board of The Canadian Polo Association are; David Offen (Vice President, Toronto), Fred Mannix Jr. (Director, Calgary), Marty Wales (Director, Okanagan), Jack Schneider (Director, Black Diamond), Jeremy Monette (Director, Club Nacional), King Ward (Director, Toronto), Garrett Smith (Director, Springfield), Rob Foster (Director, Calgary), Jen Buchan (Director, Toronto), Phil Van Der Burgt (Director, Greater Niagara) and Gerald Levin (Treasurer, Royal Winnipeg).

2024 Membership Dues

The Canadian Polo Association relies heavily on the support from membership dues to sustain its operations. We encourage all members to renew their 2024 membership early in the new year. You can renew online from the Polo Canada website, or click on the button below. Thank you in advance for your support of The Canadian Polo Association.

CLICK HERE TO RENEW MEMBERSHIP

Seasons Greetings

From The Canadian Polo Association