On Friday, May 24, 2024, the Hyderabad Polo & Riding Club (HPRC) in Hyderabad, India, welcomed polo teams from various countries, representing both men’s and women’s divisions. The tournament initially planned for separate competitions for women’s and mixed teams. However, due to the withdrawal of French and Spanish women’s teams, the organizers merged the events into a single tournament, featuring two teams each from India and the USA, alongside squads from Spain and Luxembourg. In honor of International Women’s Day and coinciding with the US’s Women’s History Month, the tournament also included a women’s exhibition match. This special match showcased the spirited competition between American players and their Indian counterparts.
The tournament, structured as a six-team elimination competition, saw USA-1, comprising Jake Klentner, Sloane Stefanakis, Megan Flynn, and Luke Klentner, advance to the finals after defeating teams from India and Spain. India-2 reached the finals by overcoming challenges from Luxembourg and USA-2, featuring Caroline Vissers, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Peck, and Dorn Cox. The final match attracted a record-breaking audience, including VIP attendees such as IPS Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad K. Sreenivasa Reddy, and US Consul General Jennifer Larson, who were captivated by the thrilling match.
In the championship final, USA-1 secured a 3-2 lead in the first chukker and extended their lead to 12-6 by the end of the second, adding three more goals in the final chukker for a decisive 15-8 victory. Stefanakis and Klentner were the top goal scorers, each contributing seven goals, while Flynn added one goal. Luke Klentner also played in the final, sharing a position with his older brother.
The tournament organizers, including Ed Armstrong from the American International Polo Foundation (AIPF) and HPRC President Chaitania Kumar, ensured the tournament’s fairness and high standards by engaging Robin Sanchez, a USPA Professional Umpire. Discussions were held to continue employing professional umpires and host umpiring clinics at the club.
“What a stand-out event for arena polo! The footing was some of the best I’ve ever experienced, and the promotion and publicity was unparalleled. It was truly a gold-standard event at Hyderabad Polo and Riding Club.” – Robin Sanchez, professional arena umpire and chairman of USPA arena committee.
The tournament was not only about the competition but also about fostering camaraderie and cultural exchange. “This was an incredible experience that I got to share with great people. There is nothing better than traveling to new places, competing, and making friends with people on the other side of the globe.” – Jake Klentner, California.
The participants expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to compete and learn from each other. “I feel lucky to have been part of such an amazing experience,” said Flynn. “The warm welcome from the polo club and the size of the support they had blew me away.”
Ed Armstrong praised the support from the USPA International Committee and USPA Global Licensing, acknowledging their contributions to international polo. He also thanked Robin Sanchez for her pivotal role in enhancing the tournament’s quality. Armstrong highlighted his collaboration with HPRC President Chaitania Kumar, noting their long-term partnership in organizing these events and their latest successful endeavor. He expressed hope for hosting future international tournaments at HPRC, including the prestigious FIP World Arena Championship.
The tournament results were as follows: Megan Flynn of the USA team earned the title of Most Valuable Player in the finals.
