Apr 26, 2017 9:11 PM
2017 will mark the first time the Nations Cup Women's Tournament in Argentina is being held as a memorial for an American woman- Sunny Hale. Upon receiving the news of Sunny's passing, Milo Fernandez Araujo reached out to Maureen Brennan, avid polo player, USPA Governor-at-Large, Chairman of the USPA High-Goal Committee and member of the USPA Women's Committee with an invitation to play in the Copa de Las Naciones Women's Tournament. The USPA has sponsored a team to be sent to Argentina to compete in the tournament.
"Upon receiving this invitation I contacted Erica Gandomcar-Sachs, Chairman of the USPA Women's Committee and said it's very important that we do this right," said Brennan. "The Argentine Association of Polo officially extended the invitation so we went to the USPA to see how they may assist us. The response was immediate, positive and supportive. We want to thank The USPA International Committee for being making this financially possible and the Women's Committee for lending some financial assistance as well. This also required support from not only U.S. friends but our Argentine friends as well, and everyone was quick to do anything possible to help us. Sunny was loved and respected by all."
When deciding on who to send to play for the United States, Brennan explained that a team had already been considered for the Grand Prix World Tour this past December, but due to logistics, had not been sent to play. The team had been made up of Sunny Hale, Brennan, top American player Kristy Outhier and young player Hannah Reynolds. Brennan stated, "Our focus was to base the team on the Grand Prix team that was formed for December. We went with myself, top American Kristy, American professional Tiffany Busch and we opted for the top Team USPA female Julia Smith. Since it was Sunny and I who created the team for December we feel confident that the team we assembled for this Nations Cup in her name would be approved by her."
According to Brennan, "This Is probably one of the more significant events I am participating in for my polo career. It is certainly the most important international tournament I may ever play. I am a bit anxious anticipating the emotions we are probably going to experience stepping onto the biggest stage in polo, Palermo Field 1, in honor of one of the most impactful people in polo in our lifetime. Saying it is an honor is an understatement."
When asked about how she felt about playing in the upcoming tournament, Busch replied, "It is an honor and privilege to be able to play for the United States in the Copa De Las Naciones Sunny Hale Memorial. Being able to honor someone like Sunny Hale means the world to me. Sunny has been an inspiration to myself along with many other women and up-and-coming players."
Thursday, April 27
1:30pm ET - Argentina vs. USA (Palermo Field 1)
Saturday, April 29
12:30pm ET – Argentina vs. USA Final (Palermo Field 2)
Effective Date: Saturday, May 16, 2020
The suspension of USPA Tournaments and Events will be lifted for USPA Member Clubs in locales where hosting polo matches and tournaments is permitted under applicable state and local laws, executive orders and similar decrees. The USPA Member Clubs in these locales are encouraged to follow all such requirements of their state and local authorities with respect to polo operations. In addition, we also encourage all USPA Member Clubs to take the precautions recommended by the CDC. We are preparing a detailed list of best practices for USPA Member Clubs as they return to hosting USPA Tournaments and Events and plan to circulate these guidelines within the next week. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and will notify you if we determine a different course of action is necessary.
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