WELLINGTON, FL., March 27, 2025---US Bank led from start-to-finish to capture The Polo School Women's League monthly championship Wednesday at Santa Rita Polo Farm.
By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira
US Bank (Valentina Villamil, Ana de la Fuente, Ava Hinkson, Malicia von Falkenhausen, Pearl Duncan) defeated Blue Pegasus (Julia Kline, Violet Hiltbrand, Pamela Devaleix, Jennifer Williams/Jade Hiltbrand, Mary Wright), 8-4.
The game was a good tuneup for Friday's Sunny Hale Memorial WCT Finals at Grand Champions Polo Club at 4 p.m. Three open teams will play a round robin at 5 p.m. and two teams will compete in the 9-goal.
The open teams are: Don George Polo (Cecilia Cochran, 4, Nina Clarkin, 9, Jenna Davis, 4, Kylie Sheehan, 5); Victory Polo/La Fe Eastern Hay (Milly Hine, 9, Pamela Flanagan Devaleix, 4, Mia Cambiaso, 9, Becky Schmeits, 1); and Buena Vibra (Lilli Hagemeier, 1, Giuliana Tarazona, 2, Fatima Balzano, 7, Hope Arellano, 10).
Hinkson, 3, will team with Villamil, 1, von Falkenhausen, 3, and Megan Manubay, 2, on La Monarquia for the WCT Finals. "I'm super stoked about that team," Hinkson said. "The chemistry is there."
The other nine-goal team is Blue Pegasus (Lilli Hagemeier, 1, Shariah Harris, 3, Violet Hiltbrand, 2, Jennifer Williams, 3).
In last year's tournaments, Grand Champions (Megan Manubay, 1, Becky Schmeits, 1, Hazel Jackson, 10, Millie Hine, 8) defeated Orea Polo/Armstrong Farm (Petra Sobotova, 1, Tiffany Armstrong, 1, Kylie Sheehan, 5, Hope Arellano, 10), 6-5, in the open division.
In the 8-goal division, Resolute/Armstrong Farms (Nicole Hai, Lauren Proctor Brown, Tiffany Armstrong, Kylie Sheehan) defeated Santa Rita/La Monarquia (Megan Manubay, Mary Wright, Ava Hinkson, Malicia von Falkenhausen).
The tournament honors Hall of Famer, polo pioneer and WCT founder Sunny Hale. Hale died on February 26 in Norman, Okla. at the age of 48 after a battle with breast cancer but left a lasting legacy. She was a pioneer and advocate for players and horses. She created the women's polo handicaps that were implemented by the U.S. Polo Association. In 2006, she started the American Polo Horse Association which recognizes polo ponies in America and encourages events that showcase them. Hale, rated 5 goals in mixed polo and awarded 10-goal status posthumously, was the first woman in U.S. history to win the U.S. Open in 2000 with Tim Gannon's Outback team (Phil Heatley, Lolo Castagnola and Adolfo Cambiaso).
On Wednesday, Hinkson, 21, was named Most Valuable Player. Sensacion, first chukker horse for von Falkenhausen, was Best Playing Pony.
"It was a pretty fast-paced game from the start," Hinkson said. "I love playing with this team. It was a really fun day. We were all laughing and joking and having a good time. I had a blast and I think all the other girls did, too. It was a great day and a great game. It got a little close at the end."
US Bank had chemistry which was evident throughout the five chukkers.
"Everyone follows each other really well," Hinkson said. "Everyone is super aggressive but not aggressive to a fault at all. They are all smart players.
"We know each other really well and we know what each other is going to do on each play and we're all dependable on each other," Hinkson said. "We trust each other. We know our strengths and weaknesses. I always feel good running with the ball because I know someone is behind me."
Hinkson is enjoying one of her best seasons mainly because she is playing in various tournaments.
"I am happy with how I'm playing, I am playing a lot of polo and enjoying it," Hinkson said. "I always feel like I can do more or done better. I still think I have a lot more to give so I am pushing myself. I am so happy with the horses right now, all of them are just doing amazing. I think everything is falling into place."
US Bank jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead with a 30-yard penalty conversion from Duncan and goals from the field by Villamil and von Falkenhausen.
US Bank extended its lead, 4-1, in the second chukker with the first of three goals from Hinkson. Devaleix scored Blue Pegasus' first goal. Von Falkenhausen scored again in the third chukker for a 5-2 lead. Kline converted a 30-yard penalty for Blue Pegasus' second goal of the game.
With a goal from Wright in the fourth chukker, Blue Pegasus closed the gap at 5-3 but US Bank roared back with two goals from Hinkson and one from Villamil to put the game out of reach in the fifth and final chukker.
US Bank got balanced scoring from its lineup. Hinkson led with three goals. Villamil and von Falkenhausen each had two goals. Duncan added one goal.
For Blue Pegasus, Kline, Devaleix, Williams and Wright each had one goal.
Ten players, some subbing in and out, competed over five chukkers. The teams were evenly-matched. At the end of each month, a championship game is held and awards a Most Valuable Player and Best Playing Pony. The weekly league games continue next Wednesday and runs through April.
The oldest women's league annually awards SunnyShips, scholarships honoring the legacy of Hale. Ava Hinkson, Hope Arellano, Alyson Poor and Malicia von Falkenhausen are among past recipients.
The world's oldest weekly women's polo league was created by Alina Carta, one of the highest ranked women in the U.S. in the 1980s, and Melissa Ganzi, Grand Champions Polo Club President, World Polo League co-founder and avid player.
All team entry fees from the weekly league benefit The Polo School, a stand-alone USPA-sanctioned club.