Did you know many Virginia Polo alumni have gone on to become equine vets?
The early 2000’s in particular produced many vets from the VA Polo ranks, many credit their active role caring for the herd at polo as an influential factor in their decision to pursue equine veterinary medicine as a career.
On Sunday March 6th three Virginia Polo Alumni with DVMs returned home to Virginia Polo to donate their time to give chiropractic adjustments to the ponies. Dr. Molly Muedeking of Muedeking Veterinary Services in Maryland, Dr. Wynnie Angus (nee Long) of Woodside Clinic in Richmond, and Dr. Alyson Ainsworth of Afton Mountain Equine in Albemarle County, generously volunteered their time and talent to benefit the ponies they enjoyed so much during their college years. Though all the horses had changed since their years in the program in the early 2000’s, the ponies’ jobs have not. This herd of ponies also carries new players towards their first polo ball, club players towards their first bumps and hooks, and varsity players towards national championships.
Dr. Wynnie Long said, “We wanted to give the ponies a little luxury after all the hard work they have done for us over the years! I haven’t met a more deserving group of horses yet.” Dr. Alyson Ainsworth said, “I had a wonderful time comparing notes with the other veterinarians, sharing our favorite VA Polo stories, and helping the ponies work out some aches and pains. They’re wonderful animals that give so much and ask for so little in return, it felt great to let the horses know how much we appreciate them for what they do.”
The day at the barn was a wonderful reunion for alumni who’d become friends at Virginia Polo to exchange stories of their life adventures since college. Many of these paths were created through connections they made during their years at VA Polo. It also gave the vets a chance to collaborate with and learn from other alumni professionals in their field of equine veterinary medicine. The ladies will now have the opportunity to refer clients between each other and stay connected into the future thanks to their shared love of Virginia Polo.
Connections and friendships you make at Virginia Polo can last a lifetime.
Not just the ponies benefitted from a warm day at the barn!
