Polo Women’s Captain Aemilia Phillips for lessons and practice chukkers in

preparation for her upcoming Metropolitan Intervarsity Tournament in Tianjin, China.

The tournament at the Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club will feature six

polo teams from the top universities in the U.S. and U.K. Harvard, Stanford, and

Yale will compete with Cambridge, Oxford and the University of London for this

year’s trophy. Matches begins July 19 and end with the final July 26.

Phillips is spending the summer before her senior year at Harvard as a seasonal

writer for Phelps Media Group. She will be writing a blog for PSpolo.com about

her experiences playing polo in China.

Joey Casey and Aemilia Phillips are all smiles after her lesson

Photo: Lauren Baker/ Phelps Media Group.

Palm City Polo Club owner Joey Casey hosted Phillips this month at his

new state-of-the-art facility in Boynton Beach, just outside Wellington.

The recently constructed hitting cage, regulation-size polo field and highly

experienced staff made the club the perfect place for the young player to

prepare for the prestigious, highly competitive international tournament.

Mike Harris, chief instructor at the club, worked extensively with Phillips in the

hitting cage, making adjustments to her form and mallet technique before she

mounted. A United States Polo Association A-rated umpire, Harris has officiated

at major tournaments and has coached top polo players.

“Mike made strategic changes to my swing that made a huge difference,” Phillips said.

“He’s a great instructor, and after working with him for half an hour I was already hitting

the ball a lot better.”

Mike Harris helps Phillips perfect her swing in the hitting cage

Photo: Lauren Baker/ Phelps Media Group.

After warming up in the hitting cage, Phillips mounted for a stick and ball session with

Casey. He first instructed her from the ground, focusing on her horsemanship and positioning.

Then Casey mounted one of his younger horses, and the two practiced moving the ball up and

down the field.

“Joey focused a lot on my foundation and my base of support while riding and hitting,” Phillips

said. “He knows horses and he knows the game, and it’s been an amazing opportunity to learn

from him. I can’t think of a better way to make sure I’m on top of my game for the tournament.”

Follow “Chukkers in China,” a new blog on PSpolo.com for updates on Phillips’ travels, tournament

results, and the life of an intercollegiate polo player competing in China.

Aemilia Phillips and Joey Casey talk about horsemanship and position

before they begin their lesson.

Photo: Lauren Baker/ Phelps Media Group.

About Joey Casey:
Joey Casey is a third-generation polo player and is also internationally known as one of

the top breeders and trainers who has produced many of the of top polo ponies that have

played in the sport.

A former 7-goaler, he has played in numerous U.S. Open Polo Championships. His

career highlights include: six-time winner of the Sunshine League Championship (26 goal);

four-time winner of the International Gold Cup Championship (26 goal); three-time winner

of the C.V. Whitney Cup (26 goal), and the USPA Gold Cup (26 goal) and the Westchester Cup

(26 goal). He twice won the Sunshine League Championship (20 goal) and won the 3 de

Febrero Handicap (0-40) Open in Argentina.

Other prestigious tournaments he won include: the Pacific Coast Open (20 goal); the Canadian

Open (20 goal), and the International Cup (18 goal). He is an 11-time winner of the Hartman

League Championship (12-14 goal) and numerous Kaycolee Tournament Championships (10 goal).

Palm City Polo Club Fast Facts:

Location:
9771 87th Place
Boynton Beach, FL 33472

Services:
Polo lessons (beginner to seasoned pros)
Tournament polo Sept-June (4-6 goal and 8-10 goal leagues)
Full or partial boarding
Equitation lessons
Practice three days per week

Facilities:
48 stalls
14 paddocks
Regulation grass polo field
Regulation outdoor arena
Hitting cage
100 ft. round pen
Exercise Track

Contact:
Joey Casey
561-289-9099
polojc@aol.com
palmcitypolo.com