KINGSTON, R.I. – September 11, 2012 – For the first time ever, the pageantry of polo will be featured at the University of Rhode Island Sept. 15. Cavison Polo Group of Providence is presenting the event.
Polo teams from Harvard and Cornell universities will compete on the Kingston Campus athletic fields along Plains Road. The match starts at 2 p.m. The event will benefit a scholarship fund at URI. The cost is $10 with student ID,
$15 general admission, $35 VIP (includes complimentary beverage).
Steven E. Courville, a Providence police sergeant and president of Cavison, has been working with University officials to plan the tournament. “We were drawn initially to the University by its athletic fields, but as we began talking with President (David M.) Dooley and (retired) Vice President for University Advancement (Robert M.) Beagle, we realized this would create wonderful opportunities for alumni and students,” said Courville. “This is bigger than the polo tournament itself. Attendees will also help fund URI student scholarships as well.”
“Steve’s idea for URI to host a polo match in Southern Rhode Island generated a buzz among campus leaders right away,” Beagle said. “For us to attract such a unique and elegant fundraising event is something that builds on our reputation as a worldwide leader that embraces a wide range of cultures and experiences. This event is going to benefit students directly through scholarship assistance. We are grateful to Steve and his group for working with us to build an event that will be enjoyable and beneficial to our entire campus community and the state of Rhode Island.”
A seasoned polo player and an experienced mounted police officer for the Providence Police Department, Courville explained that a polo team consists of four riders and their horses. Using mallets, the players try to drive a small, white ball through goals 24 feet wide and 8 feet high.
“I’ve been teaching polo for over 20 years, and the relationship of the horse and the rider fascinates me. To trust an animal that has to trust you is the celebration of human and equine nature that have survived the ages. There is no other sport played on a college campus that can offer what this match will bring to the field,” said Cissie Snow, Havard polo coach.
For more information about the event, contact Steve Courville at scourville@cavisonpolo.com or 401.641.4926 or Cissie Snow at cissiesnow@gmail.com