46/ MAY 2022 THE RIDER Back-To-Back: Aiken Girls Deliver Repeat National Interscholastic Championship Win


Championship featured de- fending champions Aiken Polo Club (Brianna Jordan, Robyn Leitner, Reagan Leit- ner, Summer Kneece) going head-to-head against Mary- land Polo Club (Jordan Pe-


in a rematch of the previous year’s final, the 2022 Girls’ National


Interscholastic


able to coach and mentor these kids […] I’ve had Summer, Reagan and Robyn in my program for the past five years when we first started Aiken Youth Polo. To see them mature as players and more impor- tantly young women has been amazing.” On Sunday, March 27,


“I feel blessed to be


their final chance to lift the trophy as teammates, Aiken


place, Aiken was also facing the reality of losing high school seniors Reagan and Robyn Leitner after the championship final match. Playing with Kneece in Aiken Youth Polo for five years, the sisters had one last bid as a unified team to stamp their legacy on inter- scholastic polo. Knowing this would be


was great. Brianna [Jordan] fit in with the twins [Reagan and Robyn Leitner] and I so well. We are all like family now. I can’t wait to play with her more and watch us improve together.” With a revised team in


weekend. After three con- secutive goals from Kneece, Maryland’s Blevins and Pe- terson focused on defense, thwarting Kneece long enough to allow space for two Maryland goals. Ending the first half, Aiken’s Bri- anna Jordan sunk her first goal of the game, taking the ball coast-to-coast to end the chukker in favor of Aiken 8- 4.


strengths, Reagan Leitner expressed, “Maryland is very strong and talented. We knew going into it that the girls on this team were ag- gressive players that could ride well. We wanted to start


on Aiken’s


Taking time to reflect first half


streak. Peterson attempted to re-energize the Maryland effort with a final field goal, but as the clock wound down, Aiken’s powerful scoring cemented the win with a decisive 16-10 vic- tory.


Aiken Polo Club's Summer Kneece looks towards goal with Maryland Polo Club's Kylie Beard in pursuit ©David Murrell


tion of Sophie Grant* in 2021, Aiken started their search for a new addition to the close-knit team. Kneece stated, “I’ve been friends with Madison and Brianna Jordan and played with them a lot. I thought Bri- anna [Jordan] would be a great addition to the team, and Madison [Jordan] a great addition to the Open team. The team chemistry


worked for. You know you have it in you, now go get it done and enjoy this mo- ment.” – Aiken Polo Club’s Coach Tiger Kneece to his team moving into the final chukker Following the gradua-


of five competitive teams, Aiken dominated in their semifinal over Yale to se- cure a finalist position, while Maryland defeated Houston 14-10 to earn their tenth finals appearance. Dis- playing determination and urgency, Aiken got off to an early lead from Kneece and despite a push from Mary- land, a six-goal run for Aiken in the final chukker sealed their championship repeat 16-10. “This is what you have


terson, Sierra Blevins, Rory Knox, Kylie Beard, Izzy Brockett) at the Brookshire Polo Club arena in Brook- shire, Texas. Two power- house teams, Maryland sought redemption from a historic final loss where Aiken successfully unseated their bid of three consecu- tive titles to raise the club’s first championship trophy. Emerging from a field


Aiken, South Carolina, to Brookshire, Texas, with their home string provided the Aiken Polo Club team with a leg-up on the compe- tition. “It was really nice having our own horses be- cause we knew there would be at least two chukkers that we could rely on them,” said Robyn Leitner. “I think bringing them gave us an advantage because we all knew how our horses played, and how to make the most of them.” She contin- ued, “It took us two days to get to Houston [Texas] and both days we spent about eight hours on the road! Travelling together was a great bonding moment for our team, as we were able to go out for dinner and enjoy the trip together.” Kneece wasted no time


came out confidently on their home string, with high school junior Kneece scor- ing the first goal without hesitation. Maryland’s Beard was quick to respond with back-to-back goals, from the field and penalty line to give Maryland a nar- row edge. Aiken tied things up after a melee in front of the goal mouth and a Penalty 1 automatic goal. Eager to take back the lead, two more goals from Aiken doubled up the score 4-2 moving into the second chukker. Making the trip from


in the second chukker, this time riding Texas A&M (College Station, Texas) ponies, who were serving as Maryland’s string for the


started off the chukker with a penalty conversion to come within one, but Kneece knocked in the sec- ond two-pointer of the day, to start off a six-goal Aiken


push to the finish line, Coach Tiger Kneece gave daughter Summer and the Leitner sisters invaluable advice, “this is what you guys have worked for. You know you have it in you, now go get it done and enjoy this moment.” Hungry to defend their title, Aiken tapped into an offensive flow, reaching another level to outscore their opponents 6-2, with all Aiken players contributing. Maryland’s


Beard


productive halftime strate- gizing, Maryland came into the third chukker firing on all cylinders. Peterson started things off beautifully with the first two-pointer of the day to chip away at the four-goal deficit. Tying the game once again, Beard fol- lowed suit by capitalizing on back-to-back penalty conversions. Aiken sprang back into action with Robyn Leitner sinking a Penalty 2, while Jordan added her sec- ond from the field to end the chukker ahead 10-8. Prepared for the final


the first chukker hot and be ready to strike hard and fast, scoring as many goals as we could. We planned to play super open and control the pace of the game. [We knew] they would make their penalties, so we could- n’t foul!” Re-invigorated after


growth and experience of his talented players, coach Kneece, stated, “I feel blessed to be able to coach and mentor these kids. Win- ning the National Champi- onship was just an added bonus. I’ve had Summer [Kneece], Reagan [Leitner] and Robyn [Leitner] in my program for the past five years when we first started


able to finish my last inter- scholastic game with my sister and such amazing friends. I’m so thankful for teammates that encouraged and worked for one an- other!” – Robyn Leitner Reflective on the


able to finish my last inter- scholastic game with my sister and such amazing friends,” noted Robyn. “I think we all cried when the game ended, we huddled to- gether and hugged it out. Winning two years in a row was really a bonus, I didn’t really think about it at first, we just took it one game at a time. Looking back, I’m so thankful for amazing teammates that encouraged and worked for one an- other!” “It was amazing to be


Leitner’s reflected on their time in the program. “Play- ing in the finals for my last I/I game was such an honor! I’m so thankful for this op- portunity and to have played with the hard-working team who helped earn the tro- phy,” Reagan said. “It was amazing to be


champions, both


wanted to let the Leitner twins play more because it is their senior year and they helped build the first Aiken Youth Polo team. Our usual lineup has each of us play- ing three chukkers but I wanted to give up my third chukker, since it was the Leitner’s final game in inter- scholastic polo.” Completing their final inter- scholastic challenge as two- time


Rotating positions with the twins throughout the final, Jordan


experience.” “I elaborated,


National’s win and Aiken’s newest member shared, “playing for Aiken there is a strong bond between my teamamtes and within the entire program. Winning alongside Reagan [Leitner], Robyn [Leitner], and Sum- mer [Kneece] is an unfor- gettable


her team’s 16 total goals, Kneece reflected on her team’s triumphant victory, “I feel that my whole team and I played very well through the whole game but the last chukker was defi- nitely our best.” Kneece continued, “it was the last chukker I had with Reagan [Leitner] and Robyn [Leit- ner], so we went out there and gave it everything we had. Texas A&M also pro- vided the amazing horses that we had for the fourth chukker.” Jordan, fresh of her first


Contributing nine of


Aiken Polo Club's Robyn Leitner carries the ball ahead of Maryland's Kylie Beard ©David Murrell (1)


was awarded Best Playing String, and their mare Canela was also presented with Best Playing Pony hon- ors.


the Aiken girls grasped each other tight and jumped off the infamous good luck dock next to Brookshire Polo Club. Bright-eyed about her polo future Robyn expressed her plans and dreams, “I will be playing


In one final celebration,


Championship included, Elise Pardue (Eldorado Polo Club), Summer Kneece (Aiken Polo Club), Kylie Beard (Maryland Polo Club), and Lillian Lequerica (Houston Polo Club). The Sportsmanship Award was presented to Sierra Blevins (Maryland Polo Club), while Elise Pardue also took home the Horsemanship Award. San Antonio Polo Club


National


noted her appreciation shar- ing, “we got the opportunity of a lifetime being able to play amazing horses and hang out with people that have the passion and love for the sport that we have.” A team full of up-and-com- ing players, don’t be sur- prised if you see Maryland again next year vying for the championship. All-Stars in the Girls’ Interscholastic


Aiken Youth Polo. To see them mature as players and more importantly young women has been amazing.” Maryland’s Beard also


American players and pro- viding mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro play- ers and the resultant give- back to the sport of polo.


Association was organized and exists for the purposes of promoting the game of polo, coordinating the activ- ities of its Member Clubs and Registered Players, ar- ranging and supervising


About the United States Polo Association® The United States Polo


tive Team USPA Member. Team USPA is a USPA pro- gram designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by iden- tifying young,


talented


Aiken Youth Polo program is also limitless, with a win- ning reputation and strong mentorship from Coach Kneece, Aiken’s newest ad- ditions are sure to be up to the challenge. Already stacked with their newest number one fans, Robyn added, “I will continue to cheer on and support Aiken Youth Polo and wish them the best!” *Sophie Grant is an Ac-


low goal and women’s high goal in Aiken. In the future I want to enter many high- goal women’s tournaments across America, and I would love to compete one day in the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship®!” The future for the


tournaments. For more in- formation, please visit us- polo.org.


About Brookshire Polo Club


Brookshire Polo Club in Brookshire, Texas, wel- comes players of all levels who are looking for a fam- ily-friendly and casual at- mosphere to share a love of polo, horses and the out- doors. Nestled between the pecan groves are four full size polo fields, one full size covered polo arena, three covered barns, multiple out- door paddocks, a small swimming lake, and a tennis court for recreational use. Located just 10 miles west of Katy, Texas, and 36 miles west of downtown Houston, BPC’s mission is to share their passion for polo with all people in a welcoming environment that promotes polo as a sport and family- friendly lifestyle.


Established in 2006,


polo tournaments, competi- tions and games, and pro- viding rules, handicaps, and conditions for those tourna- ments, competitions, and games including the safety and welfare of participants and mounts. Founded in 1890, the USPA is the na- tional governing body for the sport of polo. The USPA is currently comprised of more than 200 member clubs with thousands of in- dividual members and over- sees


40 national


2022 Girls' National Interscholastic Championship Winners_ Aiken Polo Club - Brianna Jordan, Robyn Leitner, Reagan Leitner, Summer Kneece. Pictured with Coach Tiger Kneece ©David Murrell


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