Representing youth arena talent from across the country, four teams descended on California’s Coachella Valley from Friday, March 14, through Sunday, March 16, to compete for the Girls’ National Interscholastic Championship, hosted by Empire Polo Club. Sunday’s final pitted Southeastern regional champions Marlan Farm (Sierra Blevins, Kylie Beard, Isabelle “Izzy” Brockett, Mya Quarcoopome, Ana Grace Karpovich) against Northeastern regional victors Kingswood (Niyati Eva Wali, Finley Guenther, Isabel Poniatowski, Brooke Henehan, Bridgette Frizzel). Defending their 2024 championship with Maryland, Blevins, Beard and Brockett led with experience, alongside new additions Quarcoopome and Karpovich. Confident throughout the match, the team in red assembled a dominant performance to secure Marlan Farm’s first national title.
Kicking off the competition, the first semifinal match featured Marlan Farm against Western regional winner Lakeside (Emily Cardinale, Zoey Tornillo, Helena Csiki, Shira Engel, Summer Miner, Torrey Stammen), with horses provided by Dayelle Fargey and Martin Garcia Della Costa. Marlan Farm set the tone early on three conversions from Brockett and a second chukker two-point neckshot from Blevins. Lakeside retaliated twice in the second half from the penalty line, but Marland Farm remained in control for a commanding 17-2 win.
The second match of Friday’s doubleheader saw Central region representative Midland (Emrey Owen, Ashlyn Whiteley, Charli Eaton, Kate Bitnerowska) with a roster consisting entirely of students in the eight grade, take on Kingswood. Each team demonstrated outstanding horsemanship, playing horses from Marcial “Toto” Socas, Ulysses Escapite and Pelon Escapite. Poinatowski made a statement in the first period with a two-pointer, helping Kingswood build a five-point lead at the break. Limiting Midland to just two goals in the second half, Poinatowski and Henehan continued to extend Kingswood’s control to seal the 17-5 victory.
Marlan Farm wasted no time in the final, as goals from Blevins, Brockett and Beard established the lead. Rotating all five players throughout the match, Quarcoopome maintained Marlan Farm’s strong momentum with a two-pointer to open the third chukker. Holding Kingswood to two goals, Marlan Farm’s demonstration of patience and passing plays combined with minimal fouling secured the 21-2 triumph.
Sunday’s win adds to Marlan Farm Coach Kelly Wells’ legacy, securing her record-breaking fifteenth Girls’ National Interscholastic Championship title—10 with Maryland, four with Garrison Forest School and one with Marlan Farm. The victory also marks back-to-back titles for Marlan Farm’s Brockett, who now shares a unique connection with her mother, Arabella Brockett (née Reed Knox), a 2001 champion with Garrison Forest School under Wells’ guidance.
All-Stars were awarded to Sierra Blevins, Kylie Beard and Isabelle “Izzy” Brockett, all of Marlan Farm and Kingswood’s Isabel Poniatowski. The Sportsmanship Award was presented to Kingswood’s Finley Guenther, receiving a three-year USPA membership for her continued positive attitude, fairness and support for her peers in and out of the arena. Marlan Farm’s Isabelle “Izzy” Brockett earned the Horsemanship Award for her outstanding and consistent demonstration of riding ability and attention to equine care throughout the competition. Sweeping the equine awards, Best Playing String and Best Turned-Out String were presented to Martin Garcia Della Costa, who also boasted the Best Playing Pony Ghost.
