Source:  News Release/PMG Inc.

International Polo Club Palm Beach
Hosts Inaugural USPA National Youth Polo Tournament Series April 1st

WELLINGTON, FL---The inaugural USPA National Youth Polo Tournament Series kicks off Monday, April 1st at 2 p.m. at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

IPC is one of eleven polo clubs nationwide that have committed to host a NYTS tournament to help promote the growth of youth polo.

There are twelve other tentative host clubs including Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington.

The thirteen USPA circuits have been divided into six geographical zones. Each zone will have a Zone All-Star Selection Committee that will choose at least four players and two alternates to represent their zone in the NYTS National Championship, scheduled this year for Labor Day Weekend at Virginia International Polo Club.

The national tournament site will rotate annually.

Wellington and southeast region have been combined in Zone 4.

Junior players must be USPA members, have a USPA handicap and not exceeded their 19th birthday on January 1 of the calendar year. There are approximately 800 registered USPA junior members, ages 19-and-under.

"There are many objectives for this program," said Amanda Hersey, director of Junior Polo for the USPA. "Our goal is to create a national tournament for juniors that can be played outdoors."

Currently, the USPA has the Interscholastic and Intercollegiate programs for high school seniors-and-under and college student-athletes.

"The USPA Junior tournament committee is very excited to be offering a competitive youth program played outdoors," Hersey said. "NYTS is set up to run as an official USPA tournament."

The program highlights players in four different areas: horsemanship, sportsmanship, playing ability and how they contribute as a team player.

"Those are what the All-Star committees will be evaluating," Hersey said. "You don't necessarily have to win the tournament to be able to advance to the national tournament."

All-Stars may be selected from any participating team.

The teams for the series-opener are expected to be announced on Saturday by local organizer Haley Bryan. The competition will be held over two days.

"I am really excited about this series," Hersey said. "We expect a great turn out.

"We want to create more chances for juniors to play against juniors, that's really the most important aspect," Hersey said.

Trophies, All-Star medals and participation medals will be awarded. Tournament results will be published in the annual Blue Book.

INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB PALM BEACH

3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington, 33414

Phone: 561-204-5687

Polo Hotline: 561-282-5290

Ticket Office: 561-282-5334

Barnmice News story brought to you by:

GET Horsey. HUGE selection, HUGE Savings on brands you love … Always