The USPA recently announced it will launch an expansion of junior polo across the United States beginning in January 2013. Led by co-chairmen Charles Smith and Chrys Beal, the Junior Polo Committee will consist of Haley Bryan, Brandon Alcott, Nick Snow and Carolyn Stimmel, along with committee staff liason Amanda Hersey.

The idea is to cultivate and promote junior polo through the United States by providing the organizational structure to support junior polo clinics, tournaments and international competitions. The program will utilize Regional Polo Center instructors, experienced Team USPA members and other qualified instructors as mentors and clinicians. It will also work with established junior programs, U.S. Pony Club and other youth equestrian organizations.

The program objectives incude providing training clinics to young players of all levels; implementing junior polo programs around the country; providing opportunities for young players to play polo with and against their peers; creating awareness of the value of junior polo programs to clubs; developing opportunities for young players to compete in regional and national tournaments and training clinics; and supporting scholastic, collegiate and Team USPA programs through the developmental ladder.

For those clubs that already have established junior programs, the expansion will mean more opportunties for their members.

One established program is at the Houston Polo Club in Houston, Texas. It held a kid's polo weekend on June 2-3 with 50 kids from around the country competing. Despite the blazing sun of the Texas summer, kids of all ages enjoyed a weekend of polo, parties and pizza.

Young players of all abilities participated in everything from leadline to an advanced league final that preceded a 14-goal playoff match on Houston's Farish field on Sunday afternoon.

A collaborative effort among the club staff, families and sponsors allowed for 10 games in two days. Most Valuable Player trophies were given out, as well as Best Playing Pony and Best Playing Quarter Horse, with the latter awards sponsored by the American Quarter Horse Association.

A pool-side pizza party was graciously hosted by Rocking P Ranch after the Saturday evening games were completed. Players from Texas to Pennsylvania socialized and enjoyed pizza sponsored by Russo's New York Pizzeria.

Several members of Team USPA were on hand for the weekend festivities, acting as umpires and coaches to the advanced league teams, while professional players Billy Mudra and Harley Stimmel acted as umpire and coach to leadline, walk/trot and intermediate level teams.

Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida built up its junior program throughout the spring season and it continues to flourish even during Florida's hot summer months.

Run by Robin Sanchez, the junior program drew 40 children to its Memorial Day Tournament on Monday, May 28. Action was offered in five divisions: leadline, walk-trot, lower intermediate, upper intermediate and advanced.

The advanced-level match was played as fast as some of the matches seen during the height of the season. In the end, Grand Champions Blue defeated Grand Champions White 8-6. Matias Sosa was awarded the Sportsmanship Award and Clemente Devrient took the Horsemanship Award.

Action continued with Audi Red beating Piaget White and Grand Champions Black in the upper-intermediate division. Audi, which finished with seven goals overall, was led by Matt Cohen's four goals. Anthony Devrient led Piaget White with three, including an impressive 60-yard shot. Justin Daniels scored Grand Champions Black's only goal.

There were many exciting moments and the teams played well together. Grant Ganzi put in a stellar effort on the winning team, scoring two goals and making several runs down the field.

In the lower-intermediate division, Jack McLean led the winning Grand Champions Blue team with three goals, including a penalty conversion. Alyssa Tranchilla and Meehan "Mimi" Shirey, a horse-show convert, tallied two goals each.

Everyone was a winner in the leadline division, with the kids giggling and smiling throughout the match as their parents or friends led them around the field.

The games were umpired by Jason Crowder and Omar Sosa and announced by Dale Schwetz.

The action will continue through the summer with a kids summer polo camp.