Virginia Polo Club

05/27/2026

Virginia Polo made the headline for UVA Today! What a nice article about Lou!!

UVA Engagement UVA Clubs University of Virginia Virginia Polo Club

For Lou Lopez, coaching polo was not just about winning a string of national championships, but building a family.

05/24/2026

For our final 💙Senior Spotlight Series 🧡 is Makhdum Mourad Shah!
Mak is graduating with a double major in Economics and Global Development Studies. He is from Lahore, Pakistan and started riding at the Lahore Garrison Polo Club. He stumbled upon Virginia Polo in his first semester and has been on the Men’s team ever since. He is forever grateful for his experiences at Virginia Polo and will miss the people and ponies that made it a home. After graduation, Mak will be moving to Dallas to work in finance. His favorite ponies are Sativa, Mila, and Glizzy.

05/22/2026

Next up on our 💙Senior Spotlight Series 🧡 is James Grayken!
James is graduating with a major in Foreign Affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences. James started riding at 12 years old at Guars polo club. He is grateful to have made life long friendships and to have played a game he loves. His favorite horses are Nemo and Mango. After graduation, James will be pursuing a Masters in Law and Diplomacy from Tufts University!

05/22/2026

We are so happy to announce the Virginia Polo Center will be hosting the Division 1 National Intercollegiate Championship tournament for 2027 and 2028!!

We can't wait to see the games in the new Holden Arena and see our great players and ponies in action at home!!

05/21/2026

U.S. Polo Assn. Makes USA TODAY’s ‘Most Trusted Brands 2026’ List! The global sports brand was honored for its strong consumer trust and authentic connection to sport of polo. Thank you to all the amazing consumers who voted!

05/18/2026

Next up on our 💙Senior Spotlight Series 🧡 is Magalie Rouhana!
Magalie is a 4th-year student from McLean, VA, graduating with a major in Economics and a minor in Entrepreneurship. She started riding at 6 years old, competing in hunters/jumpers until her 2nd year at UVA. After two years off from riding, she learned about polo in her 4th year and joined the club team her last semester after bootcamp! Magalie has loved her time on the team and is so grateful to have been able to pursue her passion, developing a newfound love for the sport. Her favorite ponies are Circe and Jaws!

05/18/2026

Next up on our 🧡Senior Spotlight Series 💙 is Francesca Savi!
Francesca is a fourth-year graduating this spring in the College of Arts and Sciences with a major in Economics and a minor in Real Estate. She is from Carbondale, Colorado, and grew up doing the hunter/jumpers at Strang Ranch, and switched to polo through VA Polo’s bootcamp program. Francesca will miss all the people and horses at Virginia Polo, which she’s been lucky to call a second home and somewhere she will never forget. She will return to Denver, Colorado, to work in consulting and hopes to continue playing polo! Her favorite horses at Virginia Polo are Cobra, Ziti, and Manuelita.

05/15/2026

Next up on our 🧡Senior Spotlight Series💙 is Justine Efcavitch!
Justine is an Athletic Training graduate student from San Carlos, CA. A lifelong horsewoman, she grew up riding hunter/jumpers and played polo for 4 years in high school. After going horseless for undergrad, Virginia Polo helped her get back into the swing of things and provided incredible community. Justine will cherish her time with the club team and will always wish it was longer. After becoming a certified AT, she hopes to stay in the collegiate setting. Justine’s favorite ponies are Cracker, Pebbles, and Rolo.

05/14/2026

Next up on our 🧡Senior Spotlight Series 💙 is Maryam Sarafzadeh!
Maryam joined Virginia Polo in the summer of 2022. She grew up in Stowe, Vermont and has spent the majority of her life either on the back of a horse or exploring the green mountains. Maryam competed in the New England show circuit, then transitioned to training OTTB’s at an equine rescue facility. Virginia Polo became a home away from home for her; a place where she could continue to ride and learn as part of an incredible community. She was Social Media chair from 2023-25, spent magical summers in the Beh House, and has learned so much from her coaches and Jenny. Maryam would like to thank all who have contributed to her Virginia Polo experience: every teammate past and present, the VA Polo staff and Board, polo alumni, the PTF camp kids and their parents, and the greater polo community. She is so grateful to have made such life-changing connections. Polo will forever be a part of her life. Following graduation, Maryam will be moving to Raleigh, NC to begin veterinary school applications. Her favorite ponies are May and Bonita (Bones).