Feb 17, 2017 9:39 PM
The USPA would like to honor the life of a young member of our polo family, Donovan William Stratemann, son of Chris and Sonia Stratemann, brother to Alexandra and Maya and friend to all. Donovan passed away at the age of 17 on February 16 in Wellington, Florida, due to injuries sustained in a polo accident. A reflection of the best parts of each of his parents, Donovan was a quality kid, with an infectious smile and a quiet determination and perseverance.
“Donovan wanted to live in Hawaii one day,” said Stratemann family friend Julio Arellano “and everyone who met him, loved him. Donovan was homeschooled in order to take care of his horses, play polo and spend time with his family. He rose before 6am every day to care for his string and accompanied his twin sister Maya on daily night checks. He loved animals and never complained when asked to help with chores. Mature for his age, he spent months in Aiken, South Carolina, with his grandfather and namesake, Don Healy, learning the art of horse training.”
The USPA along with the entire polo community extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the Stratemann family and friends. It is our hope that solace can be found in the endless outpouring of support from our beloved polo community during this difficult time. Our ability to come together in times of grief is a tribute to the incredible sport we all cherish. Donovan will forever be in our hearts.
There will be a celebration of Donovan's life on March 7 at 5pm ET at Wellington National Golf Club.
Address: 400 Binks Forest Drive Wellington, Florida 33414
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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