The inaugural United Way Polo Cup in Austintown marked the return of polo to the Mahoning Valley after decades, serving as both a charity fundraiser and a way to reintroduce the sport locally. Organized by the United Way of Youngstown and led by Mike and Andrea Groubert of Willowbrook Polo Farms, the event featured two teams competing at Chipper’s Practice Range, with Team Raphael’s School of Beauty winning 9-6 over Dearing Compressor & Pump Co. Polo, once popular in the area from the 1960s to the early 1990s, combines fast-paced horseback riding and strategic play. The event was family-friendly, included traditional polo activities, and aimed to attract new audiences while raising funds for charity. Professional announcer Coy Gupta highlighted polo’s benefits for youth, including scholarship opportunities and personal development. The match utilized retired racehorses and represented a creative fundraising effort by the United Way to engage the community in a unique and exciting way.
Read More About This Event from The Vindicator’s Article: “Polo, anyone? United Way hosts charity event with horseback sport”
