The Election for 2026-2027 positions is open! APA Members, please check your inbox for an invitation to participate from noreply@electionrunner.com. If you do not see the invitation, please reach out to admin@americanpolocrosse.org to confirm your membership status and email address.
Positions that will be elected:
⭐️ Vice President
⭐️ Secretary
⭐️ Mountain Zone Rep
⭐️ Board at Large #3
⭐️ Board at Large #4
The following positions are continuing to serve through 2026, and will be opened for election nominations next fall:
🔹 President (Virginia Carpenter Covert)
🔹 Treasurer (Sarah Broadhurst)
🔹 Central Zone Rep (Ashley Barbour)
🔹 Eastern Zone Rep (Sarah Desai)
🔹 Board at Large #1 (Katie Ryan)
🔹 Board at Large #2 (Jeremy Barbour)
Please review the candidates below who have accepted their nomination!
Katelyn Pierce
As Vice President, my goal would be to serve as a strong voice for the membership while upholding the standards, policies, and values of our organization. I am committed to strengthening APA relationships with local clubs and supporting key areas such as umpiring, player development, recruiting, and fundraising.
I believe it is essential to uphold the traditions and standards of polocrosse while continuing to expand the APA’s presence within the broader horse industry. My focus would include developing more streamlined processes for reporting tournament results and incidents, increasing the use of modern technology to improve communication, and continuing to build a cohesive national marketing strategy that attracts new members and national sponsorship opportunities.
Robbie Noiles
Polocrosse has been an addiction of mine since 1991. I have played at A grade, but prefer to encourage participation at the entry levels of the sport.
The last time I was on the APA board was in the mid-90s.
My purpose in rejoining the board would be to help the APA navigate the corporate issues facing the organization. I have worked in business for 30 years, in both for-profit and non-profit corporations. I have served as Chief Financial Officer of a multi-million dollar organization and also understand the challenges facing small groups.
I have always resided in the Mountain Zone, which at this point is no longer the hotbed of polocrosse.
Kristy Gusick
The APA is built on strong connections, teamwork, and clear communication, values that I care deeply about. For more than 10 years, I’ve been grateful to be part of this community, not only enjoying the sport itself but also the amazing friendships that come with it. In my professional life, I own a marketing and communications firm, where I focus on making information accessible, timely, and easy to understand. I also embrace tools like AI to help streamline communication and keep people connected. As Secretary, my goal is to ensure APA’s plans and activities are documented and shared in a way that supports every member and strengthens our community.
Andrew Hatchett
My name is Andrew and I’m running for mountain zone rep. I’m from Alabama originally where I got my start in polocrosse with Grand Bay. I’ve been playing for six years since and the last couple of seasons have found me in Colorado where I would love to help grow the sport!
Alyssa Zawacki
Hello, my name is Alyssa. As a relatively new polocrosse player, I offer a unique and fresh perspective on matters that board members may consider voting on. I strive to always play for fun, never taking the game too seriously to the point of discourse, and I hope to continue sharing my joy and passion for the sport and our lovely horsey partners through a position on the board. Thank you for your consideration!
Patrick O’Reilly
I was introduced to Polocrosse in 1998 through my riding instructor. She knew I was tired of going around an arena in circles and wanted to quit riding altogether. Her suggestion was to play Polocrosse with her son, Kevin. Begrudgingly, I did. I think I joined Pony Club within a month of my first practice just so I could go to a Polocrosse rally.
I’ve won my share of awards over 27 years playing Polocrosse; a couple best horse awards in A, a few best #2, and a couple of sportsmanship awards. I would consider my greatest accomplishment in the sport to be the training of my mare Taz, who was the recipient of those best horse awards. Since retiring her after 20 seasons, my greatest personal accomplishment has been to grow as a trainer of my horses in the effort to bring along her successors.
I’ve always felt fulfilled as an APA member and player. After being nominated for a board position, I realized it is time for me to give back to both the organization and to the sport that has done so much for me.
Ryan Murphy
Polocrosse has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started playing in 1989 at age eight, in a small Pennsylvania club built from a rulebook, a few rackets, and a passionate coach. That spark took me across the country, around the world, and eventually onto the APA Board as a college student—where I learned early what it means to give back to the sport that shaped me. Over the decades, I’ve played on numerous U.S. teams, including three World Cups; coached at every level; helped build two thriving clubs and served the APA in roles including Board at Large, PDP Chair, and Chief Umpire. My experiences as a player, coach, club builder, and international competitor give me a complete view of what makes our sport great—and what threatens it.
Today, living in Connecticut with no remaining international ambitions, I bring a clear mandate: promote fun, protect safety, and prioritize horse welfare. Polocrosse is at its best when families are camping together, horses are well prepared, teammates support one another, and kids feel proud of their progress. That community is our greatest asset—and it must be safeguarded.
To grow, we first need to strengthen the foundation: safer play, clearer frameworks, better support for clubs, and an understanding of what our members actually want. Growth happens when local clubs thrive, and I’m committed to helping identify what’s working, fix what isn’t, and amplify successful models across the country.
With your vote, I’ll work collaboratively with the Board and membership to listen, ask the hard questions, and take measured, meaningful steps that elevate our sport for the long term. Thank you for your consideration.
Sabrina Dobbins
I bring over two decades of equine experience, a decade of involvement in the sport of Polocrosse and five years of professional experience as a veterinary technician. My background has given me a strong foundation in equine health, injury prevention, and overall horse welfare, which I consider essential to the continued growth and integrity of the sport. I care deeply about the well-being of the horses and am committed to advocating for best practices in horsemanship, safety, and education within the Polocrosse community. As a Board at Large member, I aim to support policies and initiatives that strengthen the sport while prioritizing the health and longevity of our equine partners.
Stacy Upshaw
I’m Stacy Upshaw and I met polocrosse as an adult in 2012. I founded Grand Bay Polocrosse and host events at my home field. My two kids, now in college, played through the levels to B grade. I photograph the sport to provide players with memories. I’d like to serve as a Board Member at Large to hear ideas from all quadrants and continue to grow our sport at the grassroots level.
Susan Hatch
I started playing polocrosse in 1997. I’ve been involved in administration in the APA and I’m a founding member of Peak Polocrosse. I’ve been fortunate to have travelled extensively for polocrosse over the past ten years and to have witnessed and discussed at length how things are done globally.
I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t here and around the world. I can see what the sport needs in this country.
For years I have advocated for creating and maintaining consistent and usable frameworks within the APA to help both our players and our volunteers succeed. One of the ways we can retain both players and volunteers is to properly support them. Having substantive processes and guidelines for coaching, managing, umpiring, ratings, selections, etc. will not only help our players succeed and make the work of volunteers easier but it would bring us in line with the rest of the world and make US polocrosse more appealing to potential players coming from other horse sports.
There are good things happening in polocrosse but there is also more to be done to make us stronger.
A lot of good work has been done over the years here and around the world to outline and institute meaningful programs and policies. Some of it is being instituted and some is not. We have access to a lot of that work and the people who have done it. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel, just take advantage of opportunities that are presented.
We all want our sport to thrive and to see our players, volunteers, and horses succeed and reach their full potential.
I love this sport. I love the people. I love the horses. I want to help it as much as I can.
APA Members, please check your inbox for an invitation to participate from noreply@electionrunner.com. If you do not see the invitation, please reach out to admin@americanpolocrosse.org to confirm your membership status and email address.
Positions that will be elected:
⭐️ Vice President
⭐️ Secretary
⭐️ Mountain Zone Rep
⭐️ Board at Large #3
⭐️ Board at Large #4
The following positions are continuing to serve through 2026, and will be opened for election nominations next fall:
🔹 President (Virginia Carpenter Covert)
🔹 Treasurer (Sarah Broadhurst)
🔹 Central Zone Rep (Ashley Barbour)
🔹 Eastern Zone Rep (Sarah Desai)
🔹 Board at Large #1 (Katie Ryan)
🔹 Board at Large #2 (Jeremy Barbour)
Please review the candidates below who have accepted their nomination!
Vice President:
Katelyn Pierce
As Vice President, my goal would be to serve as a strong voice for the membership while upholding the standards, policies, and values of our organization. I am committed to strengthening APA relationships with local clubs and supporting key areas such as umpiring, player development, recruiting, and fundraising.
I believe it is essential to uphold the traditions and standards of polocrosse while continuing to expand the APA’s presence within the broader horse industry. My focus would include developing more streamlined processes for reporting tournament results and incidents, increasing the use of modern technology to improve communication, and continuing to build a cohesive national marketing strategy that attracts new members and national sponsorship opportunities.
Robbie Noiles
Polocrosse has been an addiction of mine since 1991. I have played at A grade, but prefer to encourage participation at the entry levels of the sport.
The last time I was on the APA board was in the mid-90s.
My purpose in rejoining the board would be to help the APA navigate the corporate issues facing the organization. I have worked in business for 30 years, in both for-profit and non-profit corporations. I have served as Chief Financial Officer of a multi-million dollar organization and also understand the challenges facing small groups.
I have always resided in the Mountain Zone, which at this point is no longer the hotbed of polocrosse.
Secretary
Kristy Gusick
The APA is built on strong connections, teamwork, and clear communication, values that I care deeply about. For more than 10 years, I’ve been grateful to be part of this community, not only enjoying the sport itself but also the amazing friendships that come with it. In my professional life, I own a marketing and communications firm, where I focus on making information accessible, timely, and easy to understand. I also embrace tools like AI to help streamline communication and keep people connected. As Secretary, my goal is to ensure APA’s plans and activities are documented and shared in a way that supports every member and strengthens our community.
Mountain Zone Representative
Andrew Hatchett
My name is Andrew and I’m running for mountain zone rep. I’m from Alabama originally where I got my start in polocrosse with Grand Bay. I’ve been playing for six years since and the last couple of seasons have found me in Colorado where I would love to help grow the sport!
Board at Large
Alyssa Zawacki
Hello, my name is Alyssa. As a relatively new polocrosse player, I offer a unique and fresh perspective on matters that board members may consider voting on. I strive to always play for fun, never taking the game too seriously to the point of discourse, and I hope to continue sharing my joy and passion for the sport and our lovely horsey partners through a position on the board. Thank you for your consideration!
Patrick O’Reilly
I was introduced to Polocrosse in 1998 through my riding instructor. She knew I was tired of going around an arena in circles and wanted to quit riding altogether. Her suggestion was to play Polocrosse with her son, Kevin. Begrudgingly, I did. I think I joined Pony Club within a month of my first practice just so I could go to a Polocrosse rally.
I’ve won my share of awards over 27 years playing Polocrosse; a couple best horse awards in A, a few best #2, and a couple of sportsmanship awards. I would consider my greatest accomplishment in the sport to be the training of my mare Taz, who was the recipient of those best horse awards. Since retiring her after 20 seasons, my greatest personal accomplishment has been to grow as a trainer of my horses in the effort to bring along her successors.
I’ve always felt fulfilled as an APA member and player. After being nominated for a board position, I realized it is time for me to give back to both the organization and to the sport that has done so much for me.
Ryan Murphy
Polocrosse has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started playing in 1989 at age eight, in a small Pennsylvania club built from a rulebook, a few rackets, and a passionate coach. That spark took me across the country, around the world, and eventually onto the APA Board as a college student—where I learned early what it means to give back to the sport that shaped me. Over the decades, I’ve played on numerous U.S. teams, including three World Cups; coached at every level; helped build two thriving clubs and served the APA in roles including Board at Large, PDP Chair, and Chief Umpire. My experiences as a player, coach, club builder, and international competitor give me a complete view of what makes our sport great—and what threatens it.
Today, living in Connecticut with no remaining international ambitions, I bring a clear mandate: promote fun, protect safety, and prioritize horse welfare. Polocrosse is at its best when families are camping together, horses are well prepared, teammates support one another, and kids feel proud of their progress. That community is our greatest asset—and it must be safeguarded.
To grow, we first need to strengthen the foundation: safer play, clearer frameworks, better support for clubs, and an understanding of what our members actually want. Growth happens when local clubs thrive, and I’m committed to helping identify what’s working, fix what isn’t, and amplify successful models across the country.
With your vote, I’ll work collaboratively with the Board and membership to listen, ask the hard questions, and take measured, meaningful steps that elevate our sport for the long term. Thank you for your consideration.
Sabrina Dobbins
I bring over two decades of equine experience, a decade of involvement in the sport of Polocrosse and five years of professional experience as a veterinary technician. My background has given me a strong foundation in equine health, injury prevention, and overall horse welfare, which I consider essential to the continued growth and integrity of the sport. I care deeply about the well-being of the horses and am committed to advocating for best practices in horsemanship, safety, and education within the Polocrosse community. As a Board at Large member, I aim to support policies and initiatives that strengthen the sport while prioritizing the health and longevity of our equine partners.
Stacy Upshaw
I’m Stacy Upshaw and I met polocrosse as an adult in 2012. I founded Grand Bay Polocrosse and host events at my home field. My two kids, now in college, played through the levels to B grade. I photograph the sport to provide players with memories. I’d like to serve as a Board Member at Large to hear ideas from all quadrants and continue to grow our sport at the grassroots level.
Susan Hatch
I started playing polocrosse in 1997. I’ve been involved in administration in the APA and I’m a founding member of Peak Polocrosse. I’ve been fortunate to have travelled extensively for polocrosse over the past ten years and to have witnessed and discussed at length how things are done globally.
I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t here and around the world. I can see what the sport needs in this country.
For years I have advocated for creating and maintaining consistent and usable frameworks within the APA to help both our players and our volunteers succeed. One of the ways we can retain both players and volunteers is to properly support them. Having substantive processes and guidelines for coaching, managing, umpiring, ratings, selections, etc. will not only help our players succeed and make the work of volunteers easier but it would bring us in line with the rest of the world and make US polocrosse more appealing to potential players coming from other horse sports.
There are good things happening in polocrosse but there is also more to be done to make us stronger.
A lot of good work has been done over the years here and around the world to outline and institute meaningful programs and policies. Some of it is being instituted and some is not. We have access to a lot of that work and the people who have done it. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel, just take advantage of opportunities that are presented.
We all want our sport to thrive and to see our players, volunteers, and horses succeed and reach their full potential.
I love this sport. I love the people. I love the horses. I want to help it as much as I can.
APA Members, please check your inbox for an invitation to participate from noreply@electionrunner.com. If you do not see the invitation, please reach out to admin@americanpolocrosse.org to confirm your membership status and email address.