May 11, 2016 3:04 PM
For decades, the United States Polo Association has dreamed of offering a program that not only certifies polo instructors with the USPA seal of approval, but also provides those instructors with a wealth of resources and support. This dream originated from a collective desire to establish a core of common knowledge, to ensure competency in both play and in teaching, and to speak a universal language that all polo instructors could readily adopt. After months of dedicated research and focus groups, our Honorary Instructors finalized the framework and contents of the program through a rigorous series of 6 pilot tests in 2014 and 2015. Thanks to the support of the polo community, the Certified Polo Instructor (CPI) program launched in December 2015, in Wellington, FL.
The USPA Polo Development LLC hopes that the CPI program will strengthen our sport through an emphasis on safety, horsemanship skills, and an exceptional Polo Experience, thus creating a stable foundation of instructors who will continue to grow and sustain the sport we all love.
The Certified Polo Instructor program is located on the PoloSkilz network, which can be found by clicking here. On the website you'll find specific criteria for the program, a free electronic version of the Certified Polo Instructor Manual, as well as, links to purchase hard copies, and all the other program resources including events, videos, and tutorials.
USPA Certified Polo Instructor, Level 1
Location: Hurdle Mills, North Carolina
David joins the CPI program after having been a member of the USPA for 16 years. David started the Triangle Area Polo Club in 2011 which has achieved immense success with over 20 members in 2015. David is currently a Level C Umpire, has teams involved in both the I/I program and NYTS, serves on two USPA committees, and is a certified master saddle fitter.
What has been one of your favorite teaching memories?“My most recent was watching my girls I/S [Interscholastic] team improve this fall. In October they played their first game as a team vs. Garrison Forest and looked like fish out of water. They worked hard for 3 months and won 1 game and lost a close semifinal to UVA at prelims. Probably the only time I’ve ever felt good after a loss.”Contact David today to learn more about polo lessons in North Carolina!
Contact Phone: 919-949-0351
Email: ddbcustoms@aol.com
Website: www.triangleareapolo.org
USPA Certified Polo Instructor, Level 1
Location: Medford, New York
Bob has been a member of the USPA for 28 years and earned his USPA Certification in 2016. He began his polo career when he attended a clinic with Red Armor at Meadowbrook Polo Club in 1987. He purchased Country Farms in Medford, NY in 1996. He started a riding lesson program in late 1997 then introduced polo to his facility in 1998 when he started his youth program. He currently teaches at Country Farms from mid-October through mid-May. He then moves to Old Westbury, NY, which is 30 miles from midtown Manhattan, and teaches there from mid-May through the end of September. Bob has continued his youth program and has had several teams go to Open Interscholastic Nationals. In addition to running a very successful polo program, Bob has held a BB rating in the Umpire Program for many years and is currently on the Arena Tournament Committee. In Bob’s more recent accomplishments, he received the 2016 Russ Sheldon Award for Outstanding Contribution to Arena Polo.
What has been one of your favorite teaching memories?
“When you’ve been teaching a student something that’s difficult for them to grasp and the dime finally drops down.”
Contact Bob today to learn more about polo lessons in New York!
Contact: Phone: 631-345-9585
200 Bellport Avenue, Medford, NY 11763
USPA Certified Polo Instructor, Level 1
Location: Ithaca, New York
Anthony has been a member of the USPA for 13 years and earned his USPA Certification in 2016. Anthony’s polo career began during the winter of 2003 at an adult beginner’s clinic hosted over the intersession break at Cornell. This was after riding at Cornell’s Oxley Equestrian Center over the previous summer and seeing arena polo played on rainy days in the area. After showing a keen interest in the sport, David Eldredge asked him to be more involved in helping the program, being as he was a local and could consistently help the team over the years in whatever manner he could provide. That started with accompanying the kids to away games, umpiring chukkers and games, teaching students of all-levels, all the while striving to become a better player himself. He has been teaching and coaching with Cornell Polo since 2004, making this year his 13th season with the program. He teaches first-year, junior varsity, and varsity players of all riding and playing levels year-after-year. Since 2015, he has been the acting coach/organizer of the Cornell Interscholastic Polo Program, and has coached their Open division team during their season for the past two years and counting. Additionally, Anthony has been a USPA certified umpire since 2007 and has actively umpired at the pre-Regional, Regional, and National levels.
What has been one of your favorite teaching memories?
“I love to see the joy on my kids’ faces when they win their tournament games at any level they participate. This is particularly true since at the Interscholastic level, our kids have all come in knowing nothing about the sport and in some cases, very little about riding. So, to see them learn from us and translate that knowledge into wins on the field is really special to me.”
Contact Anthony today to learn more about polo lessons in New York!
Contact: Phone: 607-342-6701
Email: amc88@cornell.edu
USPA Certified Polo Instructor, Level 1
Location: Medford, New York
Ken earned his USPA Certification in 2016, and has been a member of the USPA for 29 years. He grew up at West Hills Stables in New York, and learned about horse care and polo from his mother, Maret, and Hall of Fame member Joe Rizzo. He played in his first real polo game at the age of 10, and had first polo job with Paul Rizzo. Ken then worked for others, including former USPA president Bill Sinclair and Dave Rizzo, and began teaching polo in 1992 while running the Diamond Ranch in South Hampton, New York. Ken was a member of the 1992 FIP team, and introduced polo to Turks and Caicos in 2016 where he ran their first polo clinic. Ken currently teaches with Country Farms and Meadowbrook Polo Club in New York, and has been teaching there for 6 years.
What has been one of your favorite teaching memories?
“I love when a student successfully learns a new play on the field or a new skill. Instant positive feedback for them.”
Contact Ken today to learn more about polo lessons in New York!
Contact: Phone: 631-457-9630
Email: Ken@flatoutfarmpolo.com
USPA Certified Polo Instructor, Level 1
Location: Boxford, Massachusetts
Kim joins the CPI program after having been a member of the USPA for 22 years. Beginning at Byfield Polo as the first youth in the club, Kim honed her skills playing in women's tournaments, local tournaments, and grooming/managing pony strings for professionals at Myopia Polo and Sarasota Polo Club. Adding to her accomplishments, Kim is also a farrier. Kim has specialized in teaching beginners horsemanship and polo throughout her career.
What has been one of your favorite teaching memories?
“I love working with youth! It is an incredible responsibility but an even greater privilege to be able to be the person who teaches a young kid the responsibility of not only showing up to play the game but also be responsible for the four legged animal that makes it possible to play the game.”
Contact Kim today to learn more about polo lessons in Massachusetts!
Contact
Phone: 978-994-6114
Email: kmaguire@gmail.com
Instructor: Liz Holson
USPA Certified Polo Instructor, Level 1
Location: Aiken, South Carolina
Liz joins the CPI program after having been a member of the USPA for 10 years. She began playing polo while at Skidmore College, when she decided the Intercollegiate polo program looked more fun than the riding team! Turning polo into a career, Liz has been a USPA employee since 2013, running the Free Clinic Program and supervising the team of clinicians that teach for the program.
What has been one of your favorite teaching memories?
“Getting to work with so many awesome people at clubs across the country!”
Contact Liz today to learn more about the USPA Player Development Programs!
Contact
Phone: 802-299-9174
Email: eholson@uspolo.org
USPA Certified Polo Instructor, Level 1
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Sheila became the first Certified Polo Instructor in the country in 2015, after having been a member of the USPA for 25 years. Beginning with her grandfather’s love of the game, Sheila played and helped hot walk his horses. Sheila started grooming during college, where she met her future husband who is a third generation player. They started Alpine Polo School in 2009 and have been teaching lessons ever since.
What has been one of your favorite teaching memories?
“Helping a student regain her confidence after a bad experience with another instructor. She not only continued with lessons but also bought her first horse, truck, and trailer.”
Contact Sheila today to learn more about polo lessons in Ohio!
Contact
Phone: 740-819-3161
Email: alpinepoloschool@yahoo.com
Website: alpinepoloschool.com
USPA Certified Polo Instructor, Level 1
Location: Coto de Caza, California
Heather joins the CPI program after having been a member of the USPA for approximately 15 years. Growing up in the hunter/jumper world in Huntington Beach, CA, Heather found polo when she was 15 as a way of getting more riding experience and making money. Years later she was presented with the opportunity to manage OC Polo and never looked back. Heather is currently a certified umpire, runs the Pacific Coast Arena League, and has 12 students involved in two competitive Interscholastic teams.
What has been one of your favorite teaching memories?
“I just really like introducing new players to the sport. One of my favorite teaching moments was when I gave Kelli Newton (one of the top dressage young riders in the nation at the time) and her mom their first polo lesson. Kelli had grown up in the highly disciplined equine environment and I really enjoyed teaching her the game and watching her get so much enjoyment out of it. Now (5 years later), Kelli is rated 1 goal, both she and her mom own polo horses, and Kelli is working for us at OC Polo.”
Contact Heather today to learn more about polo lessons in California!
Contact
Phone: 714-791-8369
Email: heather@ocpolo.com
Website: www.ocpolo.com
USPA Certified Polo Instructor, Level 1Location: Patterson, New YorkPaul received his CPI Certification after being a USPA member for 29 years. Originally from Zimbabwe, Paul began playing as a youngster with his father, Dennis Kuhn. Paul was one of the founding members of the Umzari Polo Club. Paul moved to the US in 2002 and has been teaching at Haviland Hollow Polo Club in New York since 2009.
What has been one of your favorite teaching memories?“Watching the Haviland Hollow high school team play in the Regional finals in Toronto after having coached them for 2 years. “
Contact Paul today to learn more about polo lessons in New York!
Contact
Phone: 914-519-7985
Email: paulkuhn@sbcglobal.net
Instructor: Jorge Vasquez
USPA Certified Polo Instructor, Level 1
Location: Lexington, Kentucky
Jorge has been a member of the USPA for 26 years and earned his USPA Certification in 2015. Jorge knew from a young age he wanted to be around horses, but quickly learned he was too big to be a jockey. He began grooming, which segued into his success and career in polo. Jorge currently coaches an Interscholastic team and the University of Kentucky intercollegiate team, with many MVPs and a National Championship win. Additionally, Jorge holds a BB Outdoor Umpire rating, contracts as an instructional clinician for the USPA, and is active on the Arena Committee. Jorge is also certified through the Certified Horsemanship Association and brings those safety practices into his teaching style.
What has been one of your favorite teaching memories?
“Having a non-rider take a lesson for the first time, look at me and say, ‘I freaking love this!’”
Contact Jorge today to learn more about polo lessons in Kentucky!
Contact
Phone 859-321-6785
Email: jorge@lexingtonpolo.com
USPA Certified Polo Instructor, Level 1
Location: Aiken, South Carolina
Robert has been a member of the USPA for 20+ years and earned his USPA Certification in 2016. Robert initially got his start in polo through his godfather Ray Godfrey. Robert currently teaches for the USPA through the free clinic program and works primarily as an Umpire where he is involved in the National Youth Tournament Series, Interscholastic/Intercollegiate, and indoor/outdoor tournaments throughout the year. Robert also serves on several USPA committees and does club consultations.
What has been one of your favorite teaching memories?
“When the lights go on in a students mind and they understand a concept!’”
USPA Certified Polo Instructor, Level 1
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Emmalyn has been a member of the USPA for 14 years and earned her USPA Certification in 2015. Emmalyn initially got her start in polo in college at Michigan State University when a friend invited her to try out for the team. Currently she teaches at the Detroit Polo Club where she’s been for 10 years and coaches the University of Michigan polo team. Additionally Emmalyn coaches the Detroit Interscholastic team and hosted NYTS tournaments.
What has been one of your favorite teaching memories?
“Seeing members of the Michigan State University that I taught come back to play polo at the Detroit Polo Club! It is so rewarding the see the "Polo Circle of Life" fulfilled!”
Contact Emmalyn today to learn more about polo lessons in Michigan!
Contact
Phone: 517-303-1606
Email: detroitpoloschool@hotmail.com
Website: www.detroitpoloclub.com
USPA Certified Polo Instructor, Level 1
Location: Houston, TexasCarolyn has been a member of the USPA for 32 years and earned her USPA Certification in 2015. Carolyn was initially invited to participate in a Baker-Linfoot clinic at Eldorado Polo Club at 19 years old. The experience was a catalyst for a lifetime of involvement in polo. Initially, Carolyn worked for Paul Walton under Barlee Flander's leadership and honed her skills. Today she is currently a Certified Horsemanship Association Level 4 Master Instructor in Western Trail and Jumping, and certified through the American Quarter Horse Association Professional Horseman. Carolyn is on the USPA Junior Polo Committee and teaches lessons at the Houston Polo Club.
What has been one of your favorite teaching memories?“A wonderful teaching memory for me recently came in the form of a text and picture. Upon relocating to another city I heard from a group of young ladies who were competing at an I/I tournament. I had previously worked with the team for more than two years. A VERY enthusiastic text and exuberant picture was sent to me showing the team at the tournament. It was not the score that was important in the text it was gratitude and happiness the young ladies exemplified. They were thanking me for being apart of their journey. This made me realize teaching goes way beyond a particular lesson in the arena. The team continues to update me and make me a part of their success and losses. I realized from seeing the pictures and updates the young ladies play from their hearts whether winning, or sustaining a loss. They love the sport of polo. This brings me great joy to know they continue on and I had the honor to be a small step in their journey”
Contact Carolyn today to learn more about polo lessons in Texas!
Contact
Phone: 432-664-8594
Email: carmackstimmel@gmail.com
Instructor: Megan Judge
USPA Certified Polo Instructor, Level 1
Location: Los Osos, CA
Megan has been a member of the USPA for 21 years and earned her USPA Certification in 2015. Megan grew up playing polo in California with her grandfather, Bill Carter. When Megan began playing collegiately at Cal Poly she was the only member on the team who played outdoor and began taking on the instructor role for her peers and friends. Currently Megan is the coach for the Cal Polo Team, Central Coast Polo Club and is the owner and manager of the Central Coast Polo Club, started in 2002. Megan currently has teams competing in Middle School Tournaments, NYTS, Open and Girls Scholastics, Men’s and Women’s Collegiate and competes in many tournaments herself. In addition to coaching, Megan is a certified umpire (CC arena, CT outdoor), a member of the Arena Committee, Club Development Committee, I/I Committee and works with local Pony Clubs.
What has been one of your favorite teaching memories?“In 2013 the Central Coast Polo Club Girls team defeated the Eldorado Open team (all boys) in a preliminary/qualifying match, by a score of 14-7. It definitely gave me a huge smile.... I don't think the boys were in shape, but it was a win none the less!”
Contact Megan today to learn more about polo lessons in California!
Contact
Phone: 805-801-9410
Email: megan@centralcoastpolo.com
USPA Certified Polo Instructor, Level 1
Location: Gravette, Arkansas
Bob has been a member of the USPA for 28 years and earned his USPA Certification in 2015. Growing up in western New York Bob was exposed to arena polo as a young teen through a local work-to-ride type program where he was mentored by local talent Bob Stuerzbecher and Ron Sullivan. Bob has managed several clubs over the last decades including the Columbine Equestrian Center and Polo Club and Denver Polo Club, where he started teaching and coached a college team on the west coast. In 2013, Bob and his wife Susan started Northwest Arkansas Polo Club where they offer lessons, a polo school, and junior summer camps. Bob and Susan are also active in the community hosting free intro to polo clinics.
What has been one of your favorite teaching memories?
“To see a young man who rode jumpers and worked for me pursue polo as a career successfully, in addition to some of the students investing in the sport by building clubs and teams that serve people today, and continue to expose people to polo. I also love seeing horses go on to play polo for a lifetime.”
Contact Bob today to learn more about polo lessons in Arkansas!
Contact
Phone: 303-588-4067
Email: koehlerbobby@gmail.com
The USPA Certified Polo Instructor Program would like to thank the following Honorary Instructors for their time and effort in contributing to the development of this program. These instructors were awarded Honorary status by demonstrating success in polo instruction for 20+ years.
Adam Snow, Barlee Flanders, Bob Ceparano, Bob Koehler, Carolyn Stimmel, Cindy Halle, Cissie Snow, Corky Linfoot, Dan Keating, Danny Scheraga, David Eldridge, Domingo Questel, Ed Armstrong, Erik Wright, Ernie Darquea, Henri duToit, John Gobin, John Westley, Jorge Vasquez, Juan Salinas, Kathy Linfoot, Kimo Huddleston, Lezlie Hiner, Lizzie Beer, Lou Lopez, Mark Prinsloo, Max Secunda, Megan Judge, Mike McCleary, Peter Poor, Rege Ludwig, Robert Lyn Kee Chow, Robin Sanchez, Scott Lancaster, Scott Weir, Tom Goodspeed, Trevor Wells.
* Instructors with Honorary Certified Polo Instructor status may or may not have the following: a USPA background check, CPR Certification, current instructors insurance, concussion training, a current USPA membership or other requirements of the program.
The USPA is proud to present our talented Certifying team that have dedicated their time and energy to upholding the standards of the Certified Polo Instructor Program and working with Instructors across the country.
As the Executive Director of the USPA Polo Development LLC, Kris is responsible for the multi-million dollar developmental polo programs funded by the USPA, such as PDI, Team USPA, National Youth Tournament, and Interscholastic and Intercollegiate programs.
Kris has been CEO of the internationally acclaimed Polo Vacations training academy since 1993, formerly headquartered at the prestigious Palm Beach Polo & Country Club. She has managed polo clubs and polo schools around the country for over 20 years at venues such as Potomac Polo School, Vero Beach Polo Club, Great Meadow Polo, New Orleans PC, Sun Valley, and many more. In addition to teaching polo to thousands of players, she has been responsible for making the Instructor / Managers forum what it has become today and is the founding inspiration behind the PDI program, Team USPA, and the CPI program. She considers the Certified Polo Instructor program her greatest achievement so far.
Contact
Phone: 703-362-7656
Email: kbowman@uspolo.org
World renowned polo instructor and author Tom Goodspeed has spent four decades in the sport of polo. He has been a National Collegiate Champion, professional player (achieving a 5 goal handicap outdoors and 9 in the arena, receiving the Arena Player of the Year award), and Captain of the LA Colts & Stars thru the historic Pro Arena Polo era in LA. In addition, he has managed clubs for over 20 years. He is a noted horse trainer and USPA Certified Umpire, has served on various USPA committees, and is a sought-after polo coach.
Tom began playing polo at Joy Farm in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the age of 12, delivering newspapers to pay for his riding and polo lessons. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Tom went on to manage a couple of the top equestrian facilities in the country. He specialized in polo management both in San Diego, CA, for 14 years and Pine Plains, NY, for 6 seasons. He coached the Culver Academy Teams for 4 years. He currently coaches the collegiate program for SMU in Irving, TX.
Contact
Phone: 619-993-5553
Email: polotom@usapolo.com
While a student at UC Davis, Cindy won four National Women's Intercollegiate Championship titles, ultimately acquiring a three-handicap in the arena and a two-handicap outdoors. Cindy has played all over the U.S. as well as Argentina, and has won numerous tournaments as a player on the grass and in the arena throughout her career.
She moved east in 1986 to be the polo coach at Garrison Forest School, in Owings Mills, Maryland. She grew and improved the polo program, coaching her Garrison girls to five National Girls' Interscholastic Championship titles. After a ten year hiatus, she returned to GFS in 2007 and guided the team to National Championship titles in 2009 and in 2011. Her players have garnered five PTF Interscholastic Player of the Year awards. Her high school players have also gone on to play polo in college, taking on leading roles in no less than fourteen National Women’s Intercollegiate Championship teams since 1990.
In addition to her GFS students, Cindy has a large number of junior and adult polo students, including several Interscholastic teams from the nearby West Shore Polo Club. In 2015, her West Shore team of boys won the Open Interscholastic National Championship.
Cindy created the MGP program through the Baltimore Community Foundation. She also umpires and does clinics for Intercollegiate, Pony Club and club teams. She is an active playing member of the Maryland Polo Club during the summer months.
Contact
Phone: 443-540-2062
Email: cwhalle60@aol.com
A native of South Africa, Mark has played polo much of his life and has trained horses (two of the horses Mark trained have won Best Playing Pony in the U.S. Open) and taught players for the last 20 years. Growing up in a family of polo players and horse trainers, he played polo competitively in South Africa from an early age. As a 4 goal professional, Mark played worldwide, which eventually brought him to the US to play. Now a 3 goal pro, Mark is actively engaged in growing the sport of polo in Houston, Texas.
In conjunction with the Houston Polo Club, Mark started the Step Up program, which enables players to follow a step-by-step progression to gradually grow their polo skills.
In 2012, with the help of Barlee Flanders, he started a nationally competitive Interscholastic program, for which he coaches and provides horses. He is the Director of the USPA Regional Polo Center Program at the Houston Polo Club.
Contact
Phone: 405-590-5574
Email: mppolo1026@gmail.com
Robin Sanchez grew up under some of the best coaches and instructors of the game - including Corky Linfoot, Ronnie Tongg, Graham Thomas and Rege Ludwig.
Robin ran and coached the successful Florida Junior Polo program from 2000-2007, and Brushy Creek Polo Ranch from 2007 until its closing in 2010. Robin also managed and taught lessons at several polo clubs, has given polo clinics and run polo camps around the country, and coached several I/I teams. She spent many years as a Field Director for the Polo Training Foundation. She was Director of Content at Poloskilz.com, which she helped Kim Snider create to bring polo instruction to the internet.
Robin is active on several USPA committees. She is a Certified Horsemanship Association Master Instructor and ACI certifier, an AQHA Professional Horseman, Hurlingham Polo Association certified overseas polo instructor, and USPA certified umpire at the BB level, both arena and outdoors. She is a CPR/First Aid/AED Instructor and an ASEP certified sports coach. Robin has also been trained as an EMT and an ImPACT test proctor.
In addition to her efforts with USPA and the sport of polo, Robin is a sustainable agriculture farmer and, quite possibly, the only vegetarian raising beef cattle.
Contact
Phone: 717-645-8778
Email: robin@pololessons.com
Scott began working with the Certified Polo Instructor Program as a program developer and Certifier in late 2015. Scott has been a member of the USPA for 25 years, all of which have been spent at the Toronto Polo Club and Foxden Farms. Scott originally found polo through a polo clinic at Cornell with David Eldredge when he was 17. Prior to teaching polo Scott was an English riding instructor. In addition to instructing, Scott has several competitive Interscholastic and Intercollegiate teams, which compete at National competitions yearly.
Contact
Phone: 416-930-1389
Email: skwpolo@mac.com
Erik has over 25 years of professional experience playing, coaching, and teaching people to play polo. A USPA endorsed instructor, Erik has the ability to make playing polo possible for everyone, regardless of previous riding experience. He has been interviewed on television and featured in articles about the sport of polo for Wall Street Journal, San Jose Mercury News, Gentry Magazine, and Sidelines magazine. Erik holds clinics around the country, where he has introduced thousands of new players to the sport.
Erik has been actively involved in helping the United States Polo Association create new standards for training, safety, and rules in competitive play. He is also the founder and manager of WrightWay Polo, a leading facility in northern California that provides polo instruction to players of all skill levels, in addition to providing horses for various major polo events such as the Scottsdale Polo Championship, the Veuve-Cliquot Polo Classic, and the National Youth Tournament.
Contact
Phone: 760-861-9887
Email: erik@wrightwaypolo.com
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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