U.S. Open Women's Handicap
Tournament History
The U.S. Open Women’s Handicap was established in 1979 to showcase women’s polo following the inclusion of women into the United States Polo Association in 1972. The inaugural tournament was held at Carmel Valley Polo Club in Carmel, California. An excerpt from the 1980 USPA Bluebook describes the results, “the Women’s U.S. Handicap, sponsored by the USPA, was won by Carmel Valley. Representatives from five states played on four teams entered. Sunset [Sunny] Hale (age 10), Susie Welker, Sue Sally Hale and Stormie Hale were the champions beating Modesto, Jan Walker, Oatsie Von Gontard, Susan Walton and Bonni Middleton 4-1. Top scoring, Sue Sally Hale—nine for both days.”
A staple in the USPA calendar, the U.S. Open Women’s Handicap was played for 15 consecutive years, primarily at Willow Bend Polo Club in Plano, Texas. During this time American Airlines dominated the competition with a remarkable five-year winning streak (1988-1992), key players Maggie Mitchell and Kim Kelly together formed part of each winning team. The tournament then took residence at The Villages Polo Club in The Villages, Florida, throughout the late 90s and early 2000s. Many top women’s players have captured this illustrious title, including Vickie Armour, Alina Carta, Cindy Halle, Carolyn Stimmel, Lesley-Ann Masterton Fong-Yee and Oatsie von Gontard.
From 2003 to 2014 the U.S. Open Women’s Handicap fell into abeyance. It was revived in 2015 with the reemergence of the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship™. Featuring an intriguing match-up between the two undefeated teams, the 2019 U.S. Open Women's Handicap outcome came down to the final chukker, with BCI/Sullivan Group surviving a late comeback from Bearsden to capture the victory 5-3.
This year an impressive 12 teams will compete for the title, including defending champions BCI/Sullivan Group with three returning members of last years winning team, all four players 20 years of age or younger. Fellow returning teams include Villa Ecleto, Woody's Furs and Memorial Chiropractic joined this year by Rover's Romphouse. New teams for 2020 include Chandler Ranch, Forty Flowers, Quiet Creek Farm, Roseland Polo, Maximo's Polo Ponies/GK Farms, Straussfeld Realty Group, Aspen Snowmass and Swoon/Bella Natura Medical. Among this year's competition is Team USPA Member Mia Bray (Villa Ecleto) and Team USPA alumnae Tiamo Hudspeth (Forty Flowers), Audry and Carly Persano (Maximo's Polo Ponies/GK Farms) and Anna Winslow-Palacios (Aspen Snowmass).
2019 U.S. Open Women's Handicap Champions: BCI-Sullivan Group - Cara Kennedy, Joanie Jackson, Marissa Wells, Athena Malin. Presented by Anne Carl of Luxury Event Trailers and USPA Governor-at-Large Steve Armour. ©Kaylee Wroe
