The Maria Caleel Memorial Trophy was established in 1989 in memory of the daughter of Dr. Richard and Annette Caleeel. Maria was a University of Illinois veterinary student and accomplished equestrienne who died as a result of violence in her campus residence in February, 1988. The case has not been resolved and remains open.

After six years of playing the tournament at Glendale, Oak Brook and White Ash Polo Clubs, Dr. and Mrs. Caleel asked Blackberry to host it in 1995. At that time it was combined with the USPA Central Circuit Women’s Challenge which had been at Blackberry since 1988. The event thus became the Central Circuit Women’s Challenge for the Maria Caleel Memorial Trophy. Each year we are more impressed with the caliber of play and the wonderful women who come to participate.

Following is the history of the Trophy and its particvipants:

1989 – at Oak Brook – Sun Ranch – Stephanie Kraml, Sue Sally Hale, Reute  Butler, Stacy Galindo, Sherri Martin

1990 – at Oak Brook- Sun Ranch- Stephanie Kraml, Sunny Hale, Reute Butler, Kate Weber

l99l – at Oak Brook – Footstep – C. Kragie, Sunny Hale, Christen McCammon, Sherri Martin

l992 – at White Ash – Las Minas – Rochelle Healy, Sonia Healy, Juli Rackley, Bonnie Corner.

1993- at Glendale – Blackberry – Carlin Stevens, Barb Alexander, Carie Carney, Bonnie Corner.

1994 – at Glendale – Glendale – Marti Duncan, Bonnie Corner, Kathleen Sharon.

1995- at Blackberry – Los Perros Negros – Bonnie Corner, Lori Cooley, Marti Duncan, Susan Oliver.

1996 – at Blackberry – Chinaco – Annie Ahern, Marti Duncan, Bonnie Corner, Juli Shirey.

1997 – at Blackberry – Blackberry – Barb Alexander, Nina Gowl, Sandy Barbier, Fran Reback.

1998 – at Blackberry – Los Perros Negros – Susan Oliver, Marti Duncan, Bonnie Corner, Marianela Castagnola.

1999 – at Blackberry – Sage Polo – Bonnie Corner, Rochelle Healy, Anita Osis, Marti Duncan.

2000 – at Blackberry – Division A- Blackberry – Barb Alexander, Nina Gowl, Sandy Barbier, Sharon Galvan; Division B – William Blair & Co. Kim Kopkau, Kellie Treveiler, Tracie Riff, Abby Riggs.

200l – at Blackberry – Division B – Beaitch – Alison Colquhoun, Elizabeth Bendle, Jacqui Sutherland, Cissie Jones; Division A- William Blair & Co. Kimberly Fiorino, Tracy Riff, Sheri-Lyn Hensman, Marianela Castagnola, Kellie Treveiler.

2002 – at Blackberry – RBC Dain Rauscher – Kimberly Fiorino, Tracy Regas, Kirstie Sullivan, Kate Weber

2003 – at Blackberry – Kentucky – Elise Kendall, Dana Aschinger, Cathy Brown, Alison Henderson

2004 – at Blackberry – Div. A – Silver Spur – Tracy Regas, Erica Gandomcar, Terri Volmer, Robbin Volmer; Div. B – Glenview – Samantha Falbe, Tessa Lord, Kim Monreal, Jolie Liston

2005 – at Blackberry – Div A – Soos Architects – Melanie Soos, Kellie Treveiler, Jolie Liston, Brigette Trabits; Div B – Campo de Mayo – Samantha Falbe, Tessa Lord, Kim Monreal, Jolie Liston

2006 – at Blackberry – Div.A - Silver Spur-Tracy Regas, Kim Fiorino, Terri Volmer, Erica Gandomcar. Div.B - Meadowview Farm-Katie Johnson, Kristin Keye, Emmalyn Partlow, Danielle Kuper.

2007 – at Blackberry – Div A – Silver Spur – Cindy Forster, Tina Natorp, Terri Volmer, Sherri Lynn Hensman. Div B – Campo de Mayo – Samantha Falbe, Kim Monreal, Jolie Liston, Jennifer Infelise.

2008 – at Blackberry – Div A – Silver Spur – Cindy Forster-Fueredi, Tracy Regas, Terri Volmer, Sherri Lynn Hensman. Div B – Nykaza Dental – Lee Nykaza, Morgan Derry, Laura Cunningham, Amy Wisehart.

2009 – at Blackberry – Div A – Springfield, MO – Ann Heidemann, Janie Rogers, Robin Melton, Karen Reese Div B – Barrington Hills – Anita Marquis, Megan West, Lisa Castells, Megan Flynn-Warren.