2 016 M AG A Z I N E
SOME PROMISES ARE Since 1936, Houston’s most distinguished families have selected Geo. H. Lewis & Sons to honor and remember the lives of their loved ones. We have earned an unfailing reputation for abiding by the highest standards, with an attention to detail unlike any other funeral home in Houston. Now, our golden crest is a symbol of our promise
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PROUD SPONSOR OF THE HOUSTON POLO CLUB, A HOUSTON INSTITUTION SINCE 1928 TEN TEN BERING DRIVE | HOUSTON, TX 77057 | 713.789.3005 | WWW.GEOHLEWIS.COM Geo. H. Lewis & Sons is proud to be a member of the Dignity Memorial® network. JOHN B. ONSTOT T, PRESIDENT & CEO
80 YEARS OF SERVING HOUSTON’S M O S T D I S C E R N I N G FA M I L I E S
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Table of Contents
6
Letter from the President
11
Welcome to the Houston Polo Club
14
2016 Polo Schedule
17
A Salute to the 2016 Season Sponsors
18
Houston Polo Club Staff
20
Intro to Polo
24
Polo Gear
27
Schooled: Polo for All Levels
30
Junior Polo
36
National Youth Tournament Series
38
USPA U.S.Women’s Open 2015
42
Winner’s Circle 2015 Season
48
All in the Family
56
Meet the Players
62
Houston Polo Club Pro List
69
Scene at Polo
72
HOUSTON POLO CLUB
EXCELLENCE REQUIRES THE PURSUIT OF PERFECTION, PERSEVERANCE AND PATIENCE TEXAS GROWN COASTAL BERMUDA HORSE HAY
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a Winning selection.
PUBLISHER AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Lisa Muirhead lisa@poisepublications.com
ART DIRECTOR Ryan Germain ryan.germain@gmail.com
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS DIRECTOR Tammy Beeson
RiveR Oaks BOOkstORe 3270 Westheimer, Houston, Texas 77098 (713) 520-0061 info@riveroaksbookstore.com store Hours Mon. - Sat. 10AM - 6PM
ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE Tammi Galloway-Serna PHOTOGRAPHY Kaylee Wroe, www.kayleewroe.com Monique Brooks CONTRIBUTORS Tammy Beeson, Tammi Galloway-Serna, George Georgiades, Megan Kozminski, K.C. Krueger, Pam Mudra,Vanessa Shapiro
Š 2016 Houston Polo Club Printed in Canada by Quantum Graphics
Investments in the Petroleum Industry 713.973.5778 ndunbar@dunbarcapital.net
Published for the Houston Polo Club by Poise Publications Inc. www.poisepublications.com
Letter from the President On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, I welcome you to our 89th year at the Houston Polo Club. We are proud to celebrate another year as the largest and, in my impartial opinion, the most fun polo club in the United States, and the world! Houston Polo Club strives to cater to every aspect of our riding community. Over our spring and fall seasons, we host seven league levels ranging from beginner to 12-Goal. The club is proud to host several national-level USPA tournaments each season, including the Southwest Regional Classic, the Masters Cup, the Western Challenge, the National Youth Tournament Series, and the prestigious U.S. Open Women’s ChampionshipŽ. Anyone interested in experiencing the sport of kings can sign up for our 8-week Polo School as well as the numerous polo clinics offered at our USPA Regional Training Center. Our extensive leagues provide Polo School graduates and experienced players ample opportunities for field time to sharpen skills. Houston Polo Club is also constantly producing the next generation of great polo players through our Junior Polo program, Interscholastic team and Team USPA. In addition to polo, the club offers full equestrian facilities including onsite boarding, and English and Hunter Jumper riding lessons for children and adults. Our 26-acre setting provides the perfect environment for horse lovers to develop their riding skills. The Houston Polo Club would also like to gratefully acknowledge and thank the corporate sponsors that support us throughout the year.Without their generosity, we would not be able to bring you world-class, adrenaline-filled polo. We look forward to hosting our players, members, spectators, and sponsors throughout the 2016 polo season.
Houston Polo Club Board of Directors 2016 Steven Armour
Tim Kelly
Rebecca Bollenbach
Colleen Marks
Crystal Cassidy
Kristy Outhier
Tommy Dorsey
Carl Price
George Georgiades
Wesley Sinor
Jeff Hildebrand
John Tasdemir
Thank you,
George Georgiades President of the Board of Directors Houston Polo Club
Paul Hobby
THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM
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# T H E N O W
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Welcome to the Houston Polo Club Established in 1928, the Houston Polo Club is ideally situated on 26 acres in the heart of the city. Every year, the Houston Polo Club welcomes more than 10,000 visitors and over 150 players to its metropolitan location, adjacent to Memorial Park, just inside West Loop 610.
Join us for exciting polo events through the 2016 spring and fall polo seasons!
Spring Season: April 3–June 12
Fall Season: September 4–November 13 Please consult the 2016 Polo Schedule on page 17 for tournament dates.
Join us for: • International polo competitions • Champagne divot stomps • Holiday events
Come for the day, bring your VIP guests, or invest in box seating for your family, friends or corporation for the season! General admission,VIP seating, and sponsor boxes are available. The Houston Polo Club is the perfect location to host corporate, private, fundraising or social events. For more information about visiting the Houston Polo Club for a game or special event, visit www.thehoustonpoloclub.com or call 713.681.8571.
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HOUSTON POLO CLUB
Join us for Sunday Polo! ANNUAL BOX HOLDERS ENJOY:
Polo tournaments are played throughout our spring and fall seasons, with final matches open to the public on Sunday afternoons. Tickets can be purchased on our website at www.thehoustonpoloclub.com/ sunday-polo/tickets
Houston Polo Club Box Seats Becoming a Houston Polo Club Box Seat holder is a great way to spend quality time with family or to entertain clients.You and your guests will be provided service by the professional wait staff from our onsite concession, Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM
• Seating for six, for both our spring and fall polo seasons • One complimentary VIP parking pass • Your family and/or company name affixed to the box • Invites to Houston Polo Club social events and our occasional exclusive Thursday night polo matches To purchase an annual box or for additional information, please email events@thehoustonpoloclub.com or call 713-997-8375. BOX BY THE DAY: For those who would like to entertain clients or friends without an annual commitment, boxes are available by the day, based on availability. If you have a large group, you can reserve one of our new large boxes for 8–20 guests. Reservations for Boxes “by the day” must be made online: www.thehoustonpoloclub.com/sunday-polo/tickets
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2016 Polo Schedule SPRING SEASON April 3 10 17 24
Opening Game: Van Conover Memorial Cup Bluebonnet Cup St Regis Classic Prairie Cup
May 1 8 15 22 29
Land Rover Houston Central Cup Ponies and Petals Cup (Mother’s Day) Red Oak Cup Jet Linx Classic Player’s Cup
June 5 12
Vaqueros Classic Season Finale: 2016 USPA NYTS Junior Tournament and Joe Barry Memorial Cup
FALL SEASON September 4 11 18 25
Opening Game: Teddy Roosevelt Cup Cowboy Cup Hendrick’s Gin Cup Fall Classic
October 2 9 16 23 30
Caballero Cup Houston Cup Champagne Cup Malbec Cup Bayou Classic
November 6 13
Harvest Cup Season Finale: USPA US Open Women’s Polo Championship®
THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM
17
A Salute to the 2016 Season Sponsors
Houston Polo Club congratulates Geo. H. Lewis on 80 years of service!
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HOUSTON POLO CLUB
HOME & COMMERCIAL SERVICES Pest • Pool • Lawn • A/C • Heating • Security
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Houston Polo Club Staff 2016
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Pam Mudra
Tammy Beeson
Carla Gomez
Executive Director
Executive Business Director, Sponsorships, Event/Box Sales, Marketing
Administrative Coordinator
Tammi Galloway-Serna Account Representative
KC Krueger
Merrily Quincoces
Amy LeRoy
Mark Prinsloo
Assistant Polo Manager
Riding Director/ Barn Manager
Assistant Riding Instructor
RPC Manager and Senior Polo Instructor
Barlee Flanders
Paige Flanders
Esteban Gonzales
Marty Salinas
Senior Polo and Riding Instructor
Assistant Polo and Riding Instructor
Grounds Supervisor
Announcer
HOUSTON POLO CLUB
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GO T HE DIS TA NCE. NE V ER GI V E UP. BE T H A NK F UL F OR E V ERY GOA L . A LWAYS H AV E A T R IED A ND T RUE S T E A K HOUSE.
Spring Polo Season begins Sunday, April 3rd – Fall Polo Season begins Sunday, September 4th Catered by Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Reserve your tickets today!
Houston
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5433 Westheimer Road
INTRO TO POLO Playing polo is like trying to play golf during an earthquake —Sylvester Stallone
The Players Polo is one of the only sports in the world where men and women play side-by-side at the professional level and are rated on the same handicap scale. Players in North America are assigned goal ratings by the United States Polo Association, based on their experience and skill on the field. Beginners are assigned a C (or -2) or B (-1) rating. From there, as skills improve, the players are rated from A (or zero) to the top rating, a 10-goal player.
A goal is scored when the ball fully crosses between the goalposts at any height. Every time a goal is scored, the teams switch directions to equalize playing conditions.
Players’ goal ratings determine the make-up of their teams. Opposing teams are equally matched by adding up the rating numbers of each of their players. For example, a team competing in a 4-goal tournament must have a total handicap of 4 when all players’ ratings are added up. On the field, player positions are represented by the numbers on their polo jerseys (from one to four). The Number 1 player is responsible for neutralizing the opposing team’s Number 4 player (their primary defense). Number 2 is the mover and the shaker, a transition player who backs up Number 1, and aggressively seeks to move the ball upfield. Number 3 is the quarterback, who focuses on game strategy, field advantage, and moving the ball. This player is often the highest rated player on the team. Finally, Number 4 is primarily responsible for guarding the goal and preventing the opposing team from scoring. Ride-off or Bump: A horse’s shoulder is pressed into the shoulder of another player’s horse in an attempt to drive him or her off the line of the ball. Bumping of an opponent’s horse must take place at no more than a 45-degree angle.
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HOUSTON POLO CLUB
The Ponies A great polo game depends on the skill and conditioning of both the horse and rider working together as a team.The rider’s skill and game are only as good as the string of ponies they ride. An ideal polo pony has a steady temperament, is responsive during intense play and possesses stamina, speed, agility, and intelligence. Polo ponies are thoroughbreds or part thoroughbred and part quarter horse. It takes two to three years to train a green pony, and their polo careers can last over 15 years. The average polo pony stands 15.2 hands high, or 62 inches from the ground to the top of its withers (the base of pony’s neck). Their manes are roached (clipped short) and their tails are braided for their safety—so they don’t get caught up in the play. Because polo ponies run an average of 1–2 miles, often at full speed, during a single chukker, players at high levels have a string of at least one pony per chukker (those ponies work hard out there!).
Game rules in polo are in place to optimize the safety of the players and the ponies. The most significant rule governing play is “right of way,” as designated by the “line of the ball.” Once the ball is in play, the “line of the ball” is established. The player who is closest to the ball with the narrowest angle has the right of way. Opposing players cannot cross the line too closely to the “on-line” player, nor can they approach the player at too sharp an angle, or they risk a foul and subsequent penalty. The severity of the penalty depends on how dangerous the infraction was to the horse or player.
The Game Polo is played on a 300 x 160 yard (9 acre) field to accommodate the intense speed of the game. Play begins at center field when the umpire throws the ball into play. Horse and player traffic can extend just outside of the low wooden border, but as soon as the ball leaves the field, it is out-of-bounds. A chukker (also called a chukka in some polo-playing countries) is what we call a period of play in polo. In a low- or mediumgoal game, players have four 7½ minute chukkers in which to score, and in a high-goal game, there are six 7½ minute chukkers. Players have four minutes in between each chukker to change ponies.
Hook: A defensive tactic in which a player hooks the mallet of an opposing player or blocks his or her swing.
FUN FACTS • Polo is believed to be the world’s first organized team sport, originating in 5th century BCE Persia, where it was used for cavalry training. • The first polo match in the United States took place at Dickel’s Riding Academy, New York City. • All players play right-handed, regardless of their dominant hand, for safety reasons. • Among the more unique polo tournaments in the world are those played on elephants (Nepal), in the snow (St Moritz), and on the beach (Miami, Dubai).
Fouls are called by one of two on-field umpires, who must agree on the severity in order to award the appropriate penalty to the opposing team.
THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM
• Houston Polo Club has a Polo School that runs twice a year for beginners wanting to experience what it is like on the field. See page 30 for more details!
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w w w.lo ck t o n.co m
Lockton is proud to be an official sponsor of the Houston Polo Club.
Lockton Houston | 713.458.5200 | 5847 San Felipe St., Suite 320 | Houston, Texas 77057
Polo Gear 1 2
3 7 4 6
9 8
5
The Player
The Pony
1. POLO MALLET: Polo mallets have bamboo shafts that are flexible and can make a complete arc under the pony’s neck or tail.
5. BANDAGES AND BOOTS: These protective wraps shield the pony’s legs against contact with the ball or other ponies.
2. HELMET: Hard, lined helmets protect the player’s head from swinging mallets and balls traveling up to 100 mph.
6. ROACHED MANE AND PLAITED TAIL: Polo ponies have plaited tails and clipped manes so they don’t get tangled in the action around them.
3. BREECHES: Polo players always wear white breeches. 4. RIDING BOOTS AND KNEE PADS: Polo boots and knee pads provide protection for the player’s lower legs and knees.
7. SADDLE AND BREASTPLATE: Polo saddles have little padding under the leg, allowing for maximum movement, and the breastplate prevents the saddle from slipping during the game. 8. POLO MARTINGALE: This leather strapping encourages proper head carriage.
La Martina polo gear is available at the Houston Polo Club Tack Shoppe.
THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM
9. DRAW REINS AND BRIDLE: This series of leather strapping, metal bit, and supports gives the player steering and stopping control.
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SCHOOLED:
Polo for all Levels
W
hen Mark Prinsloo travelled to the United States from his home in South Africa after high school to work as a groom and improve his riding, he had planned to head home with some good game experience under his belt. His travels took him to Tulsa, OK, where he first got involved in instruction. He eventually landed at the Houston Polo Club as the Polo School manager. Fifteen years later, with the help of Barlee Flanders, the club’s Senior Polo and Riding Instructor, Mark has grown the Houston Polo School into one of the most successful polo schools in the country.
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Building Polo’s Future One of the main thrusts at Houston Polo Club is offering polo for players at all levels and ages. It strives to make polo accessible to anyone who wants to learn the sport of kings. To that end, youth programs at Houston Polo Club are an integral part of growing and fostering Houston’s young talent. Kids as young as 8 can join the Junior Polo program, which runs throughout the winter. Young polo players in middle years and high school can qualify to play in the Interscholastic league, which has two levels of play, Team A and Team B. The Interscholastic leagues are divided into boys’ and girls’ leagues. Played indoors on teams of three, the league gives young players experience with
HOUSTON POLO CLUB
the different challenges of arena play. The Interscholastic league also gives young players a chance to travel and meet players from other parts of the country. Houston Polo Club’s strong Interscholastic program takes junior players to the next level of play. “With Interscholastic, you don’t have a pro feeding you the ball, so you really have to work as a team,” explains Megan Rahlfs, who has played on the girls’ Interscholastic team for three years. “I feel that Mark is really such a big component of the success, because he supplies 80 per cent of the horses for Margarita League and the Polo School. He supplied me up to 4-goal, which is an option I feel really lucky to have had.” Megan’s mother, Laura, echoes Megan’s appreciation for the programming that is in place for polo players of all levels: “Houston Polo Club is a great place for beginners, newcomers, and young players, because, as they progress, the facilities and the structure are in place for the players as they move up.”
In 2015, the Houston Polo Club girls’ Interscholastic team, composed of Courtney Price, Nora O’Niell, Lauren Rae, Megan Rahlfs, Cinderella Von Falkenhausen, and Grace Mudra and coached by Mark Prinsloo, won the Central Region Championships and went to Indio, California to compete in the Nationals. The boy’s Interscholastic team also competed at the Nationals, held at the ERG Arena here in Houston, on a wildcard selection.
Polo School Many new players also come into the Houston Polo Club as adults. Regardless of your background, Houston Polo Club has several options available for newcomers who want to learn the sport, or beginners who are looking to grow their skills. Polo School is an 8-week program held twice a year (spring and fall). The school has attracted long-time riders who are looking for a new equine challenge, golfers who are looking for a more challenging way to wield their swing, and families who are looking for a great equine activity that they can learn together. “Polo School covers riding, hitting, and strategy, pretty much everything you are going to need to understand polo,” explains Mark. “It helps if you can ride, but we have also had people come in with no riding experience. Some people will take riding lessons with Barlee for a month or so before coming in, but once the school starts, we see where everyone is and start putting groups together that have similar skills.”
THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM
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Ready for another great season at the Houston Polo Club.
NO LE HACE POLO TEAM
Molly and George Georgiades
Mark and Barlee run Polo School classes of up to 12 students, with
Spring Polo School: April 19 to June 11, 2016
Fall Polo School:
September 13 to November 5, 2016 Tuesdays, 6 to 8 pm Saturdays, 9 to 11 am $3,500 per season (includes $2,200 instruction and $1,300 horse rental)
Email polo@thehoustonpoloclub.com for more information or to reserve your spot.
are composed of two sponsoring players and two professional polo players, who will guide and coach the learning players in their technique and strategy. The Club League helps set a solid foundation for players who are looking to grow and improve in the sport. Its structure will nurture players’ skills to prepare them to play faster and more competitive polo—or it is also a great league for players who want to enjoy polo as a more leisurely hobby. Polo is a sport that is very much built on mentoring. As players move up the levels of play and leave the structure of the Polo School and guided leagues, they will find opportunities to keep learning and developing their skills through the guidance of the pros that play on their teams. Houston Polo Club’s goal is to foster a love for this thrilling sport, and provide opportunities at all levels, from the eager beginner to the most ambitious up-and-comer.
Mark and Barlee run Polo School classes of up to 12 students, with additional support from assistant polo instructor Paige Flanders for larger groups. The program covers proper horsemanship, game strategy, swing instruction, and hitting cage practice, and students will learn to analyze the game through game videos.To attend Polo School, all you need are a pair of boots that are appropriate for riding and a helmet. The school will provide you with everything else you need to get in the game!
Step Up Leagues One thing that makes learning polo at the Houston Polo Club so accessible is that the opportunities for learning the sport grow as your skills do. Some worry that once they leave the school, they will be left to either go all in and buy a string of horses or be relegated to sitting in the stands. However, learning players will find that their desire to grow slowly is supported by the club. Once they have completed Polo School, most beginning polo players enter the Margarita League, which runs in both the spring and fall seasons. In the Margarita league, you start by playing on a smaller field or in the arena, with one instructor and two beginners on each team. The next level is the 2-Goal league, which fields three players and an instructor on each team to guide the players through their game. Once a learning player has spent enough time in the Margarita and 2-Goal leagues building up their riding and stick-and-ball skills, they can move into Club League. Club League teams
THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM
The 2015 Margarita League Manuel Carrasco Betty Gerecht Martha Hirsch Minerva Lemesoff Michelle Ludwig Melissa Nance Heidi Perkins
Tom Rahlfs John Reavis Amanda Ronan Andrea Russo Crane Sorensen Jocelyn Tan
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SANTA BARBARA POLO & RACQUET CLUB
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Junior Polo Do you have a young horse enthusiast who is raring to get on the polo field? The family-friendly Junior Polo program at the Houston Polo Club focuses on teaching young players about teamwork, horsemanship, and responsibility on the polo field. As kids grow and become more experienced and their playing abilities improve, HPC offers Interscholastic teams for junior high and high school players, which participate in regional and national arena tournaments. Team USPA members help coach and instruct the Intermediate and Advanced Division teams, while polo professionals and parents assist with the Lead Line and Walk Trot levels, teaching the basics and keeping the ball moving. • Open to junior players ages 8 to 18. • Indoor and outdoor leagues are offered in spring, fall and winter sessions. • Outdoor tournaments are broken up into skill levels, including Lead Line,Walk Trot, Intermediate Division, and Advanced Division. • Students should have a mallet and helmet. Horses and tack are available for lease. For more information about junior polo programming, contact Merrily Quincoces, ridinglessons@thehoustonpoloclub.com.
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HOUSTON POLO CLUB
THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM
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National Youth Tournament Series The 2015 National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS) took place on June 13 and 14 at the Houston Polo Club. The tournament hosted 11 teams of polo players under the age of 19. Four levels of junior players competed, including Lead Line,Walk Trot, Intermediate and Advanced National Youth Tournament Series teams. The tournament provided Houston’s young players an opportunity to showcase the skills they have learned participating in the Junior Polo program at Houston Polo Club. See our top teams on page 54 of the Winner’s Circle! A big thank you to the Price family, who hosted a Saturday night party for our young polo players at the ERG Arena. For details on registering your polo player for the 2016 National Youth Tournament Series, to be held June 11–12, please contact Amanda Snow, snow@uspolo.org.
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USPA U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship®
H
ouston’s annual USPA U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship® is making a name for itself as one of the top women’s polo competitions in the nation.We were very proud to present some of the highest level women’s polo in the U.S., with the 2015 Women’s Open playing at the 26goal level. The women’s tournament week is one of our busiest, starting with a kick-off at the St Regis Hotel, and highlighted by tournament play at all levels: in addition to the Women’s Open tournament, we also ran the USPA Women’s Handicap at the 18-goal level, the Farish Cup Invitational (6 goal), the Bayou City Cup (0 Goal), and a WCT Junior Invitational. Presented by Freccianera, the Women’s Open and Handicap tournaments were livestreamed by ChukkerTV, who also did player and team interviews throughout the tournament. On November 14, the Houston Polo Club hosted three of the five finals: the Bayou City Cup, the Farish Cup Invitational, and the USPA Women’s Handicap. In between the games the audience enjoyed a champagne divot stomp, a margarita contest, and a barbeque.
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HOUSTON POLO CLUB
Six teams competed in the 2015 Women’s Handicap tournament: Bearsden, Dec My Room, Freccianera, Hendrick’s Gin, Pescatore, and Santa Rosa/Ocean Mist. In the 18-goal finals, Freccianera faced off against Pescatore. Pescatore had the lead at halftime, but Freccianera came out to play in the third chukker.Two goals from Lia Salvo and one from Rebecca Clark tied the teams at 7–7. The fourth chukker was a great show of polo, as the Freccianera team pulled together once again and scored two goals to Pescatore’s one, taking home the title for the USPA Women’s Handicap. MVP for the tournament was awarded to Lia Salvo. The U.S. Open Women’s Championship® finals were played the following day, on Sunday afternoon, at the club. Four teams competed in the U.S. Open Women’s Championship®
tournament: BTA, Lockton, Rocking P/The Plank Co, and Northern Trust. The tournament started out pitting the two teams that competed in the final for the title in 2014: BTA and Northern Trust. Northern Trust edged BTA out with a 7–6 finish. This was a sign of things to come for Northern Trust, who went undefeated throughout the tournament play to meet Rocking P/The Plank Co in the finals on Sunday afternoon. The final was a pulse-pounding game that went into overtime with a 6–6 tie, thanks to a converted penalty point scored by Kristy Outhier in the final moments of the forth chukker. With the crowd on the edge of their seats in the sudden-death overtime chukker, Northern Trust defended their title with a beautiful neck shot by Julia Smith, giving them a 7–6 victory over Rocking P/The Plank Co. MVP was awarded to Kristy Outhier.
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Winner’s Circle Van Conover Memorial Cup (6 Goal) WINNER TONKAWA: Jimmy Seward, Steve Krueger, Grayson Price, Jeff Hildebrand
RUNNER UP LOCKTON: Tim Kelly, Casey Woodfin, Cody Woodfin, Hernan Tejera
Joe Barry Memorial Cup (8 Goal) WINNER SIPSMITH: Herndon Radcliff, Jared Sheldon, Peter Blake, Tom Earl
RUNNER UP 7-W/PEGASUS: Jeff Wood, David Andras, Brent Mirikitani, Mason Wroe
USPA Southwestern Regional Classic (12 Goal) WINNER WHITEHALL RANCH: Tommy Collingwood, Miguel Torres, Bill Lane, Marquitos Alberdi
RUNNER UP FAIRPLAY: Esther Kane, Remy Muller, Cote Zegers, Tano Vial
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HOUSTON POLO CLUB
USPA Western Challenge (12 Goal) WINNER FAIRPLAY: Esther Kane, Remy Muller, Cote Zegers, Tano Vial
RUNNER UP TONKAWA: Jeff Hildebrand, Steve Krueger, Jimmy Seward, Jeff Blake
USPA Player’s Cup (4 Goal) WINNER HORSEGATE: Nick Stephanakis, Anson Moore, Nick Cifuni, Martin Munoz
RUNNER UP JACODY: Wick McKean, Maria Hartley, Carlos Ramirez, Ignacio Saenz
USPA Teddy Roosevelt Tournament (2 Goal) WINNER ARMY: Brooks Diesel, Tom Earl, Peter Blake, Steve Armour, (not pictured, Gal Schweiki)
RUNNER UP NAVY: Karl Hilberg, Wyatt Myr, Rob Cojocaru, Bob McCann
THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM
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Winner’s Circle Autumn Classic (4 Goal) WINNER BAD LUCK & TROUBLE/DUNBAR CAPITAL: Nick Dunbar, Russell Stimmel, Bryan Middleton, John Tasdemir
RUNNER UP TYLEE FARMS: Hernan Tejara, Jake Stimmel, Hamish Bray, Wallace Pepi, Al Pepi
USPA Keleen & Cartlon Beal Cup (12 Goal) WINNER ERG: Jeff Blake, Tete Grahn, Patrick Urtez, Scott Wood
RUNNER UP EUREKA: Rene Campos, Duilo Diaz, Jorge Cernadas, Jeff Hall
Texas Open (12 Goal) WINNER ERG: Scott Wood, Tete Grahn, Patrick Urtez, Jeff Blake
RUNNER UP EUREKA: Rene Campos, Duilo Diaz, Jorge Cernadas, Jeff Hall
THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM
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Winner’s Circle USPA Regional President’s Cup (8 Goal) WINNER ROCKING P: Cote Zegers, Marcos Villanueva, Carl Price, Courtney Price, Grayson Price
RUNNER UP BTA: Kelly Beal, KC Krueger, Rodrigo MacDonough, Shane Rice
USPA Master’s Cup (4 Goal) WINNER TYLEE FARMS: Carol Farnsworth, Wallace Pepi, Hamish Bray, Luis Echezarreta
RUNNER UP LATINO POLO: Felipe Bayon, Sarah Prinsloo, Jimmy Wright, Mark Prinsloo
USPA H. Ben Taub Memorial Cup (12 Goal) WINNER FAIRPLAY: Tano Vial, Cote Zegers, Remy Muller, Esther Kane
RUNNER UP GHURKA: Fox Benton, Drew Luplow, Chris Nevins, Sugar Erskine
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HOUSTON POLO CLUB
USPA National 8 Goal Cup (8 Goal) WINNER LANTIC BAY: Jake Stimmel, Jared Sheldon, Peter Blake, Tom Earl
RUNNER UP ROCKING P: Grayson Price, Carl Price, Marcos Villanueva, Cote Zegers
USPA U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship (26 Goal, women’s handicap) WINNER NORTHERN TRUST: Julia Smith, Maureen Brennan, Kristy Outhier, Sarah Wiseman
RUNNER UP ROCKING P/THE PLANK CO: Courtney Price, Kendall Plank, Dayelle Fargey, Hazel Jackson, Caroline Anier
USPA Women’s Handicap (18 Goal, women’s handicap) WINNER FRECCIANERA: Sheila Lequerica, Brooks Diesel, Lia Salvo, Rebecca Clark
RUNNER UP PESCATORE: Megan Rahlfs, Carolyn Stimmel, Caroline Anier, Marissa Wells
THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM
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Winner’s Circle National Youth Tournament Series (Intermediate) WINNER W-S: Madi Outhier, Emma Vargas, Phoebe Vargas, Will Mudra
RUNNER UP HORSEGATE: Lance Stefanakis, John Womble, Daniella Price, Isabel Waggoner
National Youth Tournament Series (Advanced) WINNER MAIDA’S: Grace Burgert, Lauren Rae, Francisco Mera, Daniel Waggoner, Coach: Herndon Radcliff
RUNNER UP ROCKING P: Grayson Price, Cipriano Echezarreta, Johann Felhaber, Chino Payan, Coach: Mason Wroe
LEADLINE: Laitlyn Ormand and Kyle Sowa
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WALK TROT: Carter Fridge, Will Mudra, Mimi Bogart, Calle Bogart
HOUSTON POLO CLUB
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T ALL IN THE FAMILY
here is a good reason that Houston Polo Club is the largest club in the country per playing members: the club strives to provide a polo experience for every age group and skill level. As a result, the Houston polo community is more than just the high-stakes Sunday polo that brings crowds into the stands. The daily culture of the club is made up largely of families who love horses, love the sport, and make the world of the polo club central to the health and happiness of their families.
The Fridge Family The first time Charles Fridge was invited to the Houston Polo Club over a decade ago, he got on a wooden horse in the hitting cage. Convinced that he was wasting that swing on golf, the folks at the club convinced him to get on a horse and try his hand at polo. He admits that he was hooked right away: “Having played ball sports my whole life, the moment I managed to hit a ball on a moving horse it became such an overwhelming addiction that I have not picked up a golf club since.”
Charles Fridge, Tejas
Charles promptly attended Polo School with Mark Prinsloo, and within a year, started training with a pro. He bought horses, rented a ranch, and trained with Argentine pro Daniel Fernandez.Within four years, Charles was playing at the 12-Goal level, where he was awarded the MostValuable Amateur Award for the Fall 2011 season.
Christian, Danielle, Carter and Charles Fridge
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Since purchasing their own ranch, polo has become a way of life for the Fridge family. Charles’ wife, Danielle, stick and balls and plays ranch polo with the family, but Charles admits that most of her time is taken up getting the family to practices and games: “As she often says, she is too busy raising four boys. The guys all have time to practice and play polo, and she has to raise all of us, including me.”
HOUSTON POLO CLUB
Polo at Houston isn’t limited to the club fields but also extends to other fields in the area.There are many opportunities for families to get together and be a polo community.“Usually there is a game on a Saturday or a weekday evening, either at Isla Carol, ERG, Pegasus, Rocking P, or Lockton.The players, families, and friends barbeque afterward, with kids running around on the field with foot mallets as the sun goes down. It is equally about enjoying each other’s company as the game itself. Danielle and I have made lifelong friends that now extend beyond polo.”
The Rahlfs Family Charlie Fridge in the 2015 4-Goal league
The other three Fridge boys are Charlie (12), Christian (11), and Carter (9). “When the kids were growing up,” remembers Charles, “we started buying kids’ horses and would play with other HPC families on the club’s and private fields. The kids started playing with a huge rubber ball.” At the club, Charlie started in Pee Wee polo, and graduated to playing in the Club League in the fall of 2015.This winter, Charlie was eligible to play with the middle school Interscholastic league, but was given the opportunity to additionally be an alternate on the high school-level Interscholastic B team. At the regionals, Charlie was given the opportunity to play in the tournament games. His commitment and skill were rewarded when his peers and coaches awarded him the Houston Team All-Star Award. Currently, Carter and Christian are following in their big brother’s footsteps and playing at the Pee Wee level. In the Pee Wee program, Mark Prinsloo and Billy Mudra have created a program for young kids who have strong skills, but are not quite old enough to play in the Interscholastic league.
When Megan Rahlfs was 14, she found herself at a charity polo game and was intrigued: “My dad’s work had a polo charity event called Polo on the Prairie, and I thought ‘I ride horses, and this looks fun—I should try it.’ So I came back to Houston and signed up for the Polo School. It’s definitely not as easy as I thought it would be, but I am having a lot of fun with it and I have learned a lot.” Megan has been riding dressage and hunter jumper since she was 6, and her background in riding has helped her move fairly quickly through the levels of play at the Houston Polo Club. Megan started playing in the Interscholastic program in 2013, attended Polo School that spring, and played in the Margarita league that fall. Megan is an incredibly busy 17-year old: she is currently keeping up her show riding, while also alternating between the indoor Interscholastic and the outdoor 4-Goal league. Megan sees polo and jumping as building different sets of skills: “When you are riding, it is just you and the horse, and if you mess up, it’s on you. When you are playing on a polo team, you have your other teammates to help you.”
Mark and Billy’s dedication to the kids at the club is not lost on Charles: “Mark and Billy do an amazing job with our kids. They spend countless hours with them. Mark seems so excited about the outlook of the junior program, because we have a good number of kids coming out and putting in the time to build their polo skills at such an early age.” Playing at Houston Polo Club Charles, who will play 8-Goal this season with his team,Tejas, feels that the Houston Polo Club offers opportunities that other big clubs do not:“I believe we have the most player-friendly, mid-goallevel polo around. While we aren’t playing 20-Goal in Houston, we have the most playing members of any club in the United States. We also attract the best pros in the world to play mid- and low-goal polo. If you go to Santa Barbara or IPC, there are fewer opportunities to show up and play 8 to 12-Goal polo with this number of world-class professionals.”
THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM
Tom Rahlfs
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The Price Family Carl Price had been a horseman his whole life when, in 1995, friends in Dallas got him onto the polo field. “I had some friends who played polo and wanted me to try. I thought, well, this is like hockey and rugby and golf all rolled into one, going 30 miles an hour—I can do that!” He joined the Houston Polo Club in 1998, when he and his wife Kelly moved to Houston from Dallas. He now serves on the Board of Directors at Houston Polo Club.
Megan Rahlfs
In the fall of 2014, the Rahlfs family went to Argentina so Megan could have the Argentine polo experience.The family attended the Argentine Open and was in the stands for two 40-Goal games.Tom was finally tempted to try the sport out for himself—but while he brought a good golf swing to the game, he had never ridden a horse: “While we were in Argentina, Paige [Flanders, assistant polo instructor at the Houston Polo School] gave me a lesson and Megan gave me a lesson—and I thought, well, this is very fun to ride.” Tom got fitted for polo boots, bought a helmet and kneepads, and he was ready to go.
In 20+ years, he has played at all levels. His enthusiasm for the sport caught on with his kids, Courtney (17), Grayson (15), Bridget (12), and Daniella (12), who have all come up the ranks through Houston’s Junior Polo program. Carl’s wife Kelly supports all in the family at every game and practice. In 2014, when Courtney and Grayson were able to play at a more competitive level, Carl switched from playing 12-Goal and formed an 8-Goal family team along with team-pro MarcosVillanueva, who manages the Rocking P polo ranch. In addition to raising families at Rocking P, Carl and Marcos also raise thoroughbred horses to play and sell as polo ponies. In 2015, in addition to playing with Rocking P, Courtney was the youngest player to play at the 26-Goal level U.S. Women’s Open Championship Series, where her team took the runner up title in an exciting overtime final. Grayson’s Rocking P team took first in the 2014 National Youth Tournament Series, and was runner up in 2015. Both Courtney and Grayson play Interscholastic arena polo and have been a part of the program since it first began. Courtney has been to Girls’ National Interscholastic Finals twice (2014 and
The following spring of 2015, Tom attended Polo School and took riding lessons with Barlee Flanders. He joined the Margarita League in the fall 2015 season. The family has travelled to Jackson Hole, WY, the last three years so Megan could play there, and last year,Tom took the opportunity to improve his riding under Mark Prinsloo’s guidance. Playing at Houston Polo Club The Rahlfs family makes it clear that a big part of why they play at the Houston Polo Club is that the supports are in place for beginning players: they have the facilities, the instructors, and the horses available for players wanting to learn the sport and move up through different levels. “Since I am going off to college,“explains Megan,“we aren’t going to go out and buy a bunch of horses, because I will be leaving soon. So having Mark there to supply horses and instruction has been really great for me to have.” Tom also can’t say enough about Mark and Barlee as coaches and teachers.“Megan’s skill set is so different than mine. She can ride any horse; I need a sofa with legs. Mark has been very accommodating, and I can’t speak enough about the coaching and assistance I have received from him and from Barlee.”
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Courtney Price in the 2015 USPS U.S. Women’s Open Championship
HOUSTON POLO CLUB
“Playing Interscholastic and outdoor National Youth Tournaments gives kids the experience and pleasure of playing with kids from all across the country, their own peers, from California to the East Coast and all in between. It is a great stepping stone for kids to move on to play in college, as the Intercollegiate league is also arena polo,” Carl explains. Next year, Courtney will be attending Texas A&M University, and plans to play on their intercollegiate team. Playing at Houston Polo Club
Grayson and Carl Price play 8-Goal on the family team, Rocking P
For the Price family, the Houston Polo Club offers a great way to be able to spend time together as a family. “I think that Houston Polo Club is great for families,” says Carl. “We have probably the biggest group of kids playing interscholastic this year that we have ever had. I bet there are 30+ kids playing—from Pee Wee, who are just learning the rules, to high school seniors playing Interscholastic and advanced NYTS. That’s great for the club too, because all those kids coming up, even though they are playing Interscholastic arena polo, are going to have opportunities to play tournament polo at the club throughout the year. It keeps the club and the sport growing.”
2015) and served as captain of her team in the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Grayson plays on HPC’s Open team and went to Open National Interscholastic Championship in 2015.
The Plato Family
Bridget and Daniella play in the Junior program and are building up their skills towards playing in the Interscholastic league when they reach the 7th grade. Along with other children in the program, they are the future of Houston Polo Club Interscholastic polo.
Kelly Plato was the first in his family to try his hand at polo. Having dabbled in polo lessons 20 years earlier in Dallas, Kelly jumped at an invitation from Scott Wood to try polo on his farm in Brookshire. At Scott’s invitation, Kelly joined him for part of the season in Florida, where he took some instruction at Jeff Blake’s polo school. “My second or third practice was with Scott’s 26-Goal team,” Kelly recounts. “That was crazy.” Amy adds: “Ignorance is bliss. Kelly had just played at the pro level, not fully appreciating what that meant.” Kelly returned to Houston, where Mark Prinsloo gave him a crash course.That spring, Kelly played on a 4-Goal team, followed by an 8-Goal team in Santa Barbara. By the fall of 2013, he was playing on a 14-Goal team, Listo, which won the 2013 Texas Open. Polo fever had taken a hold of Kelly. “We went from not even owning a dog to having 11 horses (and two dogs)! Learning polo and developing a string of horses is difficult but rewarding, and we are so fortunate to have had some incredible help along the way. Martin Munoz introduced us to Ignacio Saenz, our pro and polo manager since 2013.”
Bridget and Daniella Price with BFF Grace Mudra
THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM
Grace Burgert was riding English style and saddleseat when Kelly started encouraging her to play polo. It took a while to convince her: “I am just really stubborn,” she admits. Then Amy suggested that she and Grace try Polo School together. “Polo School was coming up, and we decided that would be fun to do as mother and daughter. She was 13, and had been riding since she was about 8, but I had never ridden. We had an absolute blast. Ever since then, we have just been go, go, go.”
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that she could get more time on the field. In 2015, Grace joined the Houston girls’ Interscholastic A Team, and her team won the 2015 NYTS Tournament for the Advanced level. Grace also played in the 2015 U.S.Women’s Open, where her team, Crave Cupcakes, won the Farish Cup. “I really like that is a team sport, and that you are playing games instead of just competing,” explains Grace. “There is a strategy and a lot more variety compared to what I was doing before, which was just riding around in circles.”
Amy Plato in Club League
The two eldest daughters, Paige and Parker Plato, are not polo players, but they love to spend time at the farm and the polo club, and both have done some riding in Houston and in Santa Barbara. Playing at Houston Polo Club Kelly comments that polo has gotten increasingly accessible: “The Houston Polo Club offers access to polo on many levels. Some people playing here lease horses and some have multi-million dollar farms, multiple strings of horses and world-class pros on staff. HPC attracts a lot of good pros, some great horses, and the sponsors are a wonderful group of people.” “It really is a community,” says Amy. “We have been able to be a part of it by the graces of so many people who have been generous and kind. The community is really enthusiastic about new people coming in.There is something for every age and skill level.” Kelly adds: “It’s funny how we have only been in it for three years, but now it seems like our best friends are part of the polo community.”
Kelly Plato, Listo
Grace and Amy followed Polo School with playing in the Club League. Amy enjoys the Club League, and has played 4- to 8-Goal polo on their trips to Argentina.“I love it, and I am happy to be out there every day,” says Amy. “But, there are only so many horses to go around, so I see myself as a supporter of Grace and Kelly, who are rabid, avid players.” After playing Club League for a season, Grace played in the Interscholastic league.While away at school in Connecticut, Grace played with UConn’s Interscholastic and Intercollegiate teams. With an eye to playing in college, Grace returned to Houston so
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Grace Burgert (left) with her winning team, Crave, at the Farish Cup 2015.
HOUSTON POLO CLUB
Meet the Players
1 John Alexander
B.5 Anne Andras
B.5 Felipe Bayon
A
B.5 Will Brown
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B
A.5 Rene Campos
A Cristi Payan Cox
Brooks Armour-Diesel
2 James Beeson
Grace Burgert
B Peter Cooper
Steven S. Armour
Kelly Beal
A
A.5
1
B
A Tiffany Clifton
David Andras
Chrys Beal
Rebecca Bollenbach
1
Fox Benton
A Crystal Cassidy
B Martha Davis
A
A Tommy Dorsey
HOUSTON POLO CLUB
B.5 Nick Dunbar
A Tom Earl
Carol Farnsworth
A Charles Fridge
B Charlie Fridge
B Maria Hartley
B
A.5
B Josie Jones
Philip Kampshoff
THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM
Joe Fitzsimons
B Fred Gallucci
Mike Heitmann
1
B
1
B Clare Jackson
A Sylvia Kampshoff
Cathy Freitsch
1 George Georgiades
Paul Hobby
A
Vicky Greene
B Joanie Jackson
B Esther Kane
A
B Catherine Keen
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Congratulations to the Great Southwest Equestrian Center’s
2016 Texas Winter Series Winners! International Derby Winners
Week 2 Lewis Hamilton ridden and trained by Barry Porter for Kayleigh Hassel Week 4 Copa Cabana 2 ridden and trained by Tony Font for Claudia Ballesteros
Grand Prix Winners
Weeks 1 & 4 Capricello 2 ridden by Frankie Owens for DS Holdings, LLC, Trainer Frank Owens Week 2 Quilona Z ridden and trained by Trapp O’Neal for Carolyn M. Elsey Week 3 Quattro ridden and trained by Daniel Bedoya for Daniel Bedoya
Grand Prix Winner Frankie Owens on Capricello 2
Meet the Players
A Tim Kelly
B Cara Kennedy
Liz Magyar
A Wick McKean
B Courtney Price
THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM
Liz Lary
Colleen Marks
B.5 Grayson Price
A.5 David Marks
A Kendall Plank
B.5
B.5
B Shuman Majumder
Anson Moore
A Bill Lane
A
A Carl Price
KC Krueger
B
B Lauren Levicki Courville
1.5
B Amy Plato
A.5 Kelly Plato
A Sarah Prinsloo
B Lauren Rae
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Meet the Players
B Megan Rahlfs
B.5 Jenny Sharrock
B Nick Stefanakis
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Wesley Sinor
A Ray Stainback
Sloan Stefanakis
A Jeff Wood
A.5 Chris Williams
Debbie Shelton
1.5
A.5
A John Tasdemir
B
A.5 Scott Wood
HOUSTON POLO CLUB
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Houston Polo Club Pros
Name Rating Marquitos Alberdi 3 Jose Barrientos 1 Joe Wayne Barry 4 Jeff Blake 6 Peter Blake 3 Chad Bowman 2 Hamish Bray 3 Jorge Cernadas 4 Nick Cifuni 3 Tommy Collingwood 5 Duilio Diaz 1 Michel Dorignac 5 Sugar Erskine 7 Ulysses Escapite 4 Daniel Fernandez 2 Tete Grahn 4 Jeff Hall 7 Tiamo Hudspeth 1 George Krabbe 1 Steve Krueger 3 CJ Lequerica 1.5 Drew Luplow 1.5 Rodrigo MacDonough 2 Ariel Mancebo 1
Hometown Wellington, Florida Brookshire, Texas Sealy, Texas Wellington, Florida Aiken, South Carolina LaGrange, Kentucky St. Louis, Missouri Dallas, Texas Nashville, Tennessee Wellington, Florida Wellington, Florida Wellington, Florida Wellington, Florida Aiken, South Carolina Sealy, Texas Santa Barbara, California Sealy, Texas Carrizo Springs, Texas Stamford, Connecticut Pattison, Texas Sealy, Texas Pattison, Texas Pattison, Texas Hempstead, Texas
THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM
Name Bryan Middleton Billy Mudra Remy Muller Martin Munoz Chris Nevins Facundo Obregon Kristy Outhier Mark Prinsloo Ignacio Saenz Jimmy Seward Jared Sheldon Jake Stimmel Russel Stimmel Carlos Ramirez Shane Rice Hernan Tejera Miguel Torres Patrick Uretz Tano Vial Marcos Villanueva Jesse Weaver Cody Woodfin Mason Wroe Cote Zegers
Rating 3 3 2 2 4 6 1.5 3 3 3 4 2 2 2 4 3 4 4 6 4 1.5 2 4 5
Hometown Hempstead, Texas Bellville, Texas Lockeford, California Brookshire, Texas Cat Spring, Texas Wellington, Florida Utopia, Texas Pattison, Texas Brookshire, Texas Hempstead, Texas Poway, California Midland, Texas Midland, Texas Pearland, Texas Sealy, Texas Victoria, Texas Navasota, Texas Malibu, California Purcellville,Virginia Fulshear, Texas Houston, Texas Wharton, Texas Cat Spring, Texas Purcellville,Virginia
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HOUSTON POLO CLUB
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HOUSTON POLO CLUB
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ank you to our students and parents for helping make our English Riding
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