Virginia Polo alum Lea Jih-Vieira and current player Aurora (Rory) Knox were recognized at the PTF Awards at the Museum of Polo & Hall of Fame in Lake Worth, Florida on Sunday February 16th, 2025.
Photo of Lea by Megan Maleno & Photo of Rory by Mike Ryan.
Lea & Rory were chosen for these illustrious awards based on three main criteria: playing ability, contribution to the sport and sportsmanship.
Lea Jih-Vieira
Lea Jih-Vieira will receive the Daniel J. Wallace Jr. Intercollegiate Player of the Year Award for the 2023/2024 season while she was at UVA obtaining her Masters of Engineering. Lea was an essential part of the 2024 National Champions women's team along with teammates Alana Benz and Mackenzie Craig. Lea is known for being a smart and tough player with an outstanding work ethic. She now plays at Mountain View Polo in Charles Town, WV and coaches their interscholastic polo team while working as a software consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton.
Aurora Knox
Aurora (Rory) Knox will receive the Lynn Thompson Interscholastic Player of the Year Award; she was nominated while in high school playing on Marlan Farm Girls Interscholastic Team. Rory's skills and great attitude (in and out of the arena) are an asset to the Virginia Polo Club. We're so glad she chose to come to Charlottesville for school!
Congratulations ladies!!