A Jubilee Season Worth Toasting
A season’s worth of competition, progress and friendship brought Westchester Polo Club members together at the Clarke Cooke House on Saturday, October 17, for the sold-out 2026 Jubilee Season Players Dinner. With the top floor’s Skybar and Porch reserved for the occasion, the annual celebration traded polo whites for cocktail attire and turned the spotlight on the people behind a memorable 150th Jubilee Season.
Cocktails in the Skybar set the stage for a three-course dinner on the Porch, where the evening’s centerpiece was the presentation of the annual Club Awards. This year’s honorees—Danielle Diamond, Stuart Odell and Anna Dwyer—represented three achievements worth celebrating: a promising beginning, exemplary sportsmanship and a commitment to improvement.
Rookie of the Year — Danielle Diamond
From the summer’s new players, Danielle Diamond received the Coaches’ Rookie of the Year honors, recognizing the Coaching League player who began without previous grass polo experience and made the greatest progress. The award celebrates an important first chapter in a player’s development, as lessons and practice translate into confidence and achievement on the field.
Sportsmanship Award — Stuart Odell
Selected by his peers, Stuart Odell received the Sportsmanship Award for demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship and good character on and off the field. The honor recognizes the qualities that strengthen the club beyond the scoreboard: respect for fellow players, integrity in competition and a commitment to the spirit of the game.
Most Improved Player — Anna Dwyer
Anna Dwyer earned the peer-nominated Most Improved Player Award, recognizing the greatest advancement over the previous season, independent of USPA handicap rating. The award celebrates the work behind that progress—the practice, persistence and willingness to keep learning that help a player reach the next level.
The evening also offered an opportunity to raise a glass in recognition of the 2026 season’s generous Sponsors that supported the many enhancements this year, showcase the Best Playing Ponies chosen by international rivals, applaud devoted supporters and acknowledge the dedicated staff whose contributions sustained the season. Dinner concluded with the Clarke Cooke House’s signature Snowball in Hell dessert, while dancing carried the celebration into the night.
Congratulations to Danielle, Stuart and Anna, and thank you to every member who participated in this year’s voting process. Above all, thank you to the club community for making this Jubilee Season a shared achievement.
The celebrations may mark the close of the grass season, but the camaraderie—and the competition—continue during the current Autumn arena season, and in the perennial summers ahead.