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64 SIDELINES JULY 2011 FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE P O L O

By Danika Rice

If the United States Polo Association modeled itself after the NFL draft, you’d likely see National Club Development Director Kris Bowman as it’s head “talent scout.” Drawing on years of experience in the polo industry, Kris has worked diligently within the organization to develop the “Team USPA” program; an “internship” of sorts for young American players to learn from the top polo professionals in the U.S. Notable names like Adam Snow, Owen Rinehart, Jeff Blake, Tommy Biddle and Jeff Hall have jumped into respective coaching opportunities within the last two years of seminars, events and seasonal playing opportunities for applicants of the program. Sidelines caught up with Kris during the spring polo season in Aiken to chat about the program and it’s successes.

Sidelines: How did you become involved with the United States Polo Association?

KB: While growing up, my parents were always civic-minded and I learned early on the importance of getting involved with organizations that I believe in. I remember calling Danny Scheraga for two years before he took me seriously and put me on the Board of the Polo Training Foundation. Shortly afterwards, David Cummings asked me to become the Chairman of the USPA’s Club & Membership Development committee. That led to being placed on the Strategic Planning Committee that Jack Shelton and Chuck Weaver facilitated in 2005 and through those initiatives, Peter Alworth, Gerry Ashinger, and I became responsible for creating the Polo Development Initiative (PDI) program guidelines. To date the USPA through the PDI program has put over 1.5 million dollars into clubs and polo schools across the country with no payback necessary!

Sidelines: What is do you see as the next step, or future goals, for the Team USPA program?

KB: My goal is to expand the Young Player Outreach part of the program. We currently have 33 Team USPA players, but we had over 150 applicants. I want to make sure that we keep coming up with ways to include all of those talented, and dedicated polo kids in our program. What many people do not realize, we have placed over 30 additional young players in mentor/work opportunities over the past year. We also include all local young players to our lectures and clinics as often as possible. My second long term goal is to begin a mentoring partnership with Argentina where we would have our top Team USPA players train with their top talent. I think that would be a win/win situation for both countries.

Sidelines: What do you consider to be the best part of your job?

KB: Helping to grow the sport! I have managed clubs for the past 20 years and although I’ve worked seven days a week doing my best to make fair decisions to make the season run smoothly, there is always someone who is not happy. Polo managers, much like

umpires, must find their reward in their integrity, not by being popular. In the National Club Development portion of my job, my reward is that I get to work with clubs who need help or are in a position to grow. They are always happy to try new ideas and receive support from our programs. This is quite inspiring!

Sidelines: Who has been the most influential person for you, on or off the polo field?

KB: I would have to say that the foundation of my desire to develop polo came to me through my years working for Samantha Charles at Sidelines . Samantha showed me that the backbone of all polo stems from the club level players who love the sport in its purest form. She taught me to listen to their needs and value their opinions. On the organizational side, Karleen Beal Garber was a true inspiration to me while I was on the board of directors of the PTF. I was lucky enough to serve under her chairmanship. She always led with a soft

Kris Bowman works with some youngsters

Photo courtesy Kris Bowman

Five Questions for Kris Bowman