Virginia Polo alumni came from as far as South Carolina June 25th to compete in alumni chukkers at the polo center. Nine players in total dusted off their boots and helmets to participate in the round robin game. Each team wore their alma mater’s Virginia jerseys, ones in orange, blue and silver. On the Orange Team played: Kathy Rhoad ‘85, Anna Jugo ‘14, and Hazel Conklin (Virginia Junior player). The Blue Team featured Sybil (Greenhalgh) Price ‘10, Wynnie (Long) Angus ‘10, and Meg (Greenhalgh) Pryde ‘12 and the Orange Team featured Sarah Pergolizzi ‘10, Astrid Brock ‘97, and Steve Walsh USMC. Jess Schmidtt ‘18 kindly umpired the entire game, harkening back to her coaching days she offered advice, explained fouls and new rule changes along the way.
Players expressed their surprise and delight at the level of play in the chukkers. Remarkably, the Greenhalgh gang (with Wynnie) took everyone by surprise as Sybil and Wynnie played hard- both only 1 or 2 months out from having their babies! The well established connection between sisters (Meg and Sybil) and teammates (Sybil and Wynnie) was impossible to miss. Everyone played well and enjoyed their ponies. The barn was staffed with help from the current Virginia Polo Club and the girls kept the tacked ponies coming, offering tips and words of wisdom about each pony as they delivered them to the players.
After the chukkers ended, players, family, and friends gathered at the Beh House for an asado. For many this was their first time enjoying the Beh House and all were appreciative of its comforts. Stories were told, and the plethora of photos lining the walls chronicling many happy years spent at Virginia Polo were examined for familiar faces, both human and horse, bringing back memories from their years spent in the club.
Along with the players on the field, alumni attended to cheer the teams on and enjoy the camaraderie at the asado. Molly Muedeking ‘08, Aly Ainsworth ‘06, Leah (Hall) Lopez ‘09, LJ Lopez ‘06, Lydia (Long) Pelosi ‘05, Peter Henderson ‘77, Jenny Germroth ‘05, and Calista Rieken ‘22 all joined the party.
Festivities continued Sunday at the Virginia Polo Alumni tailgate at Roseland Polo Club at King Family Vineyards with the addition of Demitra Hajimihalis ‘20. Alumni enjoyed great food and watched the games with many VA Polo alumni on the field, including Maddie Grant ‘22, Meghan Milligan ‘20, Lauren Connors ‘05, and Marissa (Cuccia) McKay and Virginia Junior team members Hazel Conklin and Hanan Fadil.
The most heard declaration was, “This is so much fun, let’s do it again!” So don’t despair if you missed this chukker reunion, upon unanimous demand we will do it again!
