The Polo Training Foundation reached its “ambitious goal” for 2023 and is now trying to build on that momentum for 2024.
By Sharon Robb
“Our hopes of maintaining the high participation level we achieved in 2022 while enhancing our programs was not only a success, but we were also able to add new programs,” said Jennifer McLeavy, PTF Executive Director.
In 2023, the PTF left a lasting impression throughout the country.
*On the West Coast, the Central Coast Summer Camps were once again a huge success and had guest instructors to broaden the experience of each week’s camp.
*On the East Coast, the three Virginia Clinics were upgraded with the addition of Hall of Famer Julio Arellano as an instructor at all three clinics, where his expertise in swing and riding were absorbed by the eager participants.
*Centrally, Tom Goodspeed instructed a three-day clinic at Hillside Farm in Wisconsin in July for beginners to advanced, and in September, Goodspeed headed to Indiana for a two-day clinic at the Hickory Hall Polo Club.
*In the Southeast, the newly formed PTF Aiken Junior Program is being held at Amista Polo Club with weekly practices and monthly tournaments.
*In the Northeast, we hosted the New Zealand Junior Team in September as part of our Exchange Program at Kingswood Polo Club, NH, Myopia Polo Club, MA and Farmington Polo Club, CT.
*The annual Michael Koski Memorial, benefitting the Scholarship Program, was held at Skaneateles and Central New York Polo Clubs.
*In Pennsylvania, the Ligioners Polo Club hosted their first-ever PTF Junior Tournament.
*Our Fall Programs are now in the spotlight with the newly named PTF Mustang Madness, PTF Fall Fandango, PTF Invitational Junior Tournament at Garrison Forest and Junior Tournament at Sutter Buttes Polo Club.
Looking ahead, the PTF Eldorado Junior Program and PTF Florida Junior Program are being scheduled. The annual Richard Riemenschneider Memorial Cup and PTF Player of the Year Awards Ceremony are both scheduled for Sunday, February 18, 2024.
In order to do all this, the Polo Training Foundation needs the continued contributions from supporters. The Polo Training Foundation relies on the generosity of individual supporters. It values any help whether it be volunteering, equipment, mallets and/or any dollar amount.
“We hope that you will join us at one of our future events and experience firsthand the pride in being a part of the PTF and keeping the legacy alive in supporting the future of polo,” McLeavy said.
Grand Champions Polo Club President and PTF Chairman Melissa Ganzi is a longtime supporter of grass roots polo and PTF, that will celebrate its 57th anniversary in 2024.
The Polo Training Foundation is dedicated to the future of polo in the U.S. The PTF has been instrumental in the growth of junior and youth polo players by encouraging the sport‘s development with training programs, lessons and tournaments for boys and girls.
The PTF was created in 1967 by Palm Beach Polo and Country Club founder and former 7-goal amateur Bill Ylvisaker to teach the game of polo to youth by promoting youth clinics, interscholastic and intercollegiate competition, good sportsmanship and good will through friendly competition.
The Polo Training Foundation is a 501(c) 3 organization and relies on tax deductible donations for financial support. The PTF has an annual budget of $600,000 of which $400,000 is funded yearly by tax-deductible donations. For more information go to www.polotraining.org.