The USPA Southeastern Circuit Women’s Challenge was held at the New Orleans Polo Club on November 2nd and 3rd. Despite threatening rain clouds and last minute substitutions, twelve women from across the US had an amazing weekend of good women’s polo.

Saturday’s round robin started with Ivanhoe’s Cissie Jones (1) bringing a calm to the field that resulted in a win over Ranchito Allegre, 5-0. Playing for Ranchito Allegre, Robin DuToit (0) made some amazing runs that resulted in a Best Playing Pony Award for one of her mounts: Federica, owned by John Melton. Ranchito Allegre’s Kim Koepp (-1), an emergency substitution (Thank you, Kim!), contributed to the team’s strength along with Lynn Roarke (0T) and Janet Klenk (-1). In the second two chukkers, Ivanhoe beat Owl Creek, 3-2. Ranchito Allegre lost to Owl Creek in the final two chukkers of the day, 2-0.

Saturday night, players and grooms enjoyed an evening of Argentine Bar-B-Q, complete with pig, and a tango lesson and exhibition by Planet Tango of New Orleans.

Sunday promised rain for the afternoon, so the game was moved up, making for an exciting morning. Through the sprinkles, the first four chukkers of Sunday’s round robin were played without incident. In the first two chukkers, Owl Creek beat Ranchito Allegre, 3-1, thanks to strong performances by Sherrie Beyer (-1), Carole Koch (0), and Ellen Addison (-1). Owl Creek’s Abi Abel (0) carried the ball all the way to the MVP award. The second two chukkers saw Ivanhoe beat Owl Creek, 2-1. Ranchito Allegre decided to forfeit the final two chukkers as the rain began to fall.

Ivanhoe’s Susan Bekaert (0), Marjorie Thomas (-1), Diana Kistner (-1), and Cissie Jones (1) went home with duffle bags from the USPA and a polo print by Louisiana artist Phil Sage. Other trophies were provided by New York artist and player Carole Kotch (Owl Creek), State Line Tack, and KV Vet Supply.

Many thinks to John Melton (owner, Leah Farms; president, New Orleans Polo Club).

Teams:

Ivanhoe:
Diana Kistner (-1)
Marjorie Thomas (-1)
Susan Bekaert (0)
Cissie Jones (1)

Owl Creek:
Ellen Addison (-1)
Sherrie Beyer (-1)
Abi Abel (0)
Carole Koch (0)

Ranchito Allegre
Kim Koepp (-1)
Janet Klenk (-1)
Lynn Roarke (0T)
Robin Dutoit (0)