American Collegiate Polo Players Defeat Their British Counterparts in the International Test Match Series
The USA I/I Team wins against the SUPA Collegiate National Team at the Rugby Polo Club in Great Britain
Collegiate polo players from the US and the UK were in international polo competition February 13-15, at the Rugby Polo Club in Dunchurch, Great Britain. American players from the Intercollegiate/Interscholastic (I/I) team played against the SUPA Great Britain team at the International Test Match Series, during Great Britain’s collegiate national tournament.
The USA Team consisted of one playing member from each I/I region: August Scherer represented Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX), David Samaniego represented Westmont College (Santa Barbara, CA), Vicky Friedrichs represented UVA (Charlottesville, VA) and Kailey Eldredge represented Cornell (Ithaca, NY). The coach was I/I alum and current veterinarian student in London, Molly Muedeking. Opposing the Americans were two different British teams: Thursday’s side consisted of Hetta Carthew, Lolly Stanhope White and Harold Hodges; while Saturday’s was George Shelton, Sam Browne and Sophie Turner.
Thursday’s test match left the crowd content with a thrilling draw, 17 to 17 at the bell. August Scherer, of Southern Methodist University, was awarded Most Valuable Player. Friday was an off day, but on Saturday the main competition heated up again. It was no easy feat with the USA team’s combined challenges of jet lag, new horses, unfamiliar English rules, and facing a different type of umpiring. However, in typical I/I fashion, the game ended at 15-11, with the United States as the victor. Vicky Friedrichs of UVA was named MVP.
“We are so proud of these young players,” stated USPA I/I Committee Chair, Duncan Huyler. “Beyond bringing home the title and trophy, they represented their respective colleges and the I/I program to the highest standards in and out of the arena.”