UConn Women's Polo
Elizabeth Leudesdorff
Team Captain
Year: Senior
Major: Animal Science
Favorite Polo Pony: Philomena
Favorite Place To Eat on Campus:
Liz began riding at the age of five and competed in Hunter/Jumper events until she was 11. At 12, she shifted her focus to polo, starting lessons at Gardnertown Polo Club in Newburgh, NY, and went on to compete with their Interscholastic team throughout high school. Now in her fourth year on the UConn Polo team, Liz is excited for what is to come this season.
Ruby Hughes
Club President & Secretary
Year: Sophomore
Major: Animal Science
Favorite Polo Pony: Pampita
Favorite Place To Eat On Campus: Whitney Dining Hall
Ruby has been working with horses for over four years, starting with volunteer work and lessons at a barn just outside Philadelphia. Now, she’s an active polo player, works at the UConn horse barns, and takes classes such as equine rehabilitation. Ruby is also involved with UConn's Dairy Club, where she shows dairy cows. Beyond her equestrian pursuits, she has a passion for working with and educating children, having spent the past three years engaging with kids in various capacities.
Anna Shupenis
Club Vice President & Treasurer
Year: Sophomore
Major: Animal Science
Favorite Polo Pony: Lucia
Favorite Place To Eat On Campus:
Anna has been eventing for over 8 years and competes with her horse, Zydeco. This is her second year playing polo, and she's excited to continue developing her skills on the polo team. With a strong background in eventing, Anna brings a wealth of equestrian experience to her polo game.
Alexa Norquist
Year: Senior
Major: Chemical Engineering
Favorite Polo Pony: Mowra
Favorite Place To Eat On Campus: Red Rock Cafe
Alexa has been working with horses for around 12 years, beginning her journey in hunter/jumper before switching to polo when she came to UConn. Outside of polo, she enjoys running, crocheting, and being part of the UConn Marching Band, where she plays the trombone. With a well-rounded set of interests, Alexa balances her passion for horses with her love for music and fitness.
Kathryn McGuire
Year: Junior
Major: Double Major in Psychology and Anthropology
Favorite Polo Pony: Chukker
Favorite Place To Eat On Campus: Insomnia Cookies
Kat has been competing in eventing and show jumping since the age of 6 and has been playing polo for the past 4 years. Outside of polo, she enjoys driving around and taking in the beauty of nature. A fun fact about Kat is that she lives on a farm with a 31-year-old horse, a testament to her lifelong love for horses and the care she gives them.
UConn Men's Polo
Joaquin Uribe
Club President
Year: Junior
Major: Business Management
Favorite Polo Pony: Lucia
Favorite Place To Eat On Campus: Square Peg Pizza
Joaquin has been working with horses since he was 11 years old, even managing his own polo horse barn in Ecuador at a young age. After taking a gap year in Argentina to work with horses, he gained invaluable experience that deepened his passion for the sport. Outside of polo, Joaquin enjoys surfing. A fun fact about him is that he has raised four horses who have already become exceptional polo ponies, highlighting his deep connection with the animals and his dedication to the sport.
Alex Brown
Club Treasurer and Vice President
Year: Senior
Major: Quantitative Finance
Favorite Polo Pony: Moana
Favorite Place To Eat On Campus: Earth, Wok, & Fire
Alex has been riding for 5 years, initially focusing on Paso Finos and trail riding before making the transition to polo at UConn. Outside of his equestrian pursuits, Alex has a keen interest in equity trading. A fun fact about him is that he has acted and voice-acted in several movies, including *Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse*, showcasing his diverse talents both on and off the screen.
Winston Painter
Team Captain
Year: Senior
Major: Communications
Favorite Polo Pony: Philomena
Favorite Place To Eat On Campus: Moe's Southwest Grill
Winston has been passionate about riding since he was just 5 years old and began playing polo at the age of 9. Starting with show jumping, he later transitioned to polo, a sport that has taken him around the world to compete at various levels. Outside of polo, Winston enjoys playing golf and has a unique flair for music, being left-handed and proficient in five instruments. His diverse talents and experiences reflect his dedication and versatility, both on and off the field.
Malachi Light
Year: Freshman
Major: Animal Science
Favorite Polo Pony: Lucia
Favorite Place To Eat On Campus: Mango
Malachi has had a lifelong connection with horses, beginning to work with them at just 4 years old and starting to ride around the same time. He began playing polo in 7th grade and has since developed a strong passion for the sport. Outside of polo, Malachi enjoys spending time with his dog, often taking them on walks. A fun fact about him is that he was once an avid athlete, playing soccer, basketball, and football before focusing on polo. His diverse interests and athletic background highlight his commitment and well-rounded nature.
Head Coach
Kylie Dalton
Head Coach
Kylie was previously captain and president of the women’s varsity team and graduated with a bachelor’s in Animal Science this past spring. She started riding at 7 and has competed in hunt seat, both flat and fences. Kylie started playing polo in 2017 in UConn’s community polo lessons where she took lessons from ex-UConn Polo coach, Doc Dinger, and his wife, Peg. Since starting polo, she has spent time grooming at Boston Polo Club and Hawaii Polo Club. She was awarded All-Star Awards at the 2022 and 2023 Northeastern Regionals and played when UConn won the 2022 DII National Championships. Currently, Kylie works in landscaping. Lucia remains her favorite UConn Polo pony, now for the 6th year in a row.