Houston Polo Magazine 2019 by Poise Publications

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Letter from the President

Learn to Play

Welcome and 2019 Polo Schdule

On the Field

A Salute to our 2019 Sponsors

National Youth Tournament Series

Houston Polo Club Staff

Youth Summer Olympics

Spectator’s Handbook

Winner’s Circle

Best Playing Ponies

Meet the Pros

The Sport of Queens

Meet the Players

US Open Women’s Championship Tournament

Scene at Polo

THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM

PUBLISHER Lisa Muirhead lisa@poisepublications.com COPY EDITOR Megan Kozminski, Media Spur Inc. ART DIRECTOR Ryan Germain ryan.germain@gmail.com EXECUTIVE BUSINESS DIRECTOR Tammy Beeson PHOTOGRAPHY Monique Brooks and Kaylee Wroe CONTRIBUTORS Tammy Beeson, Monique Brooks, Charles Fridge, Megan Kozminski, KC Krueger, Kristy Outhier, Tom Penner © 2019 Houston Polo Club Printed in Canada by TC Transcontinental Printing Published for the Houston Polo Club by

www.poisepublications.com

“This book contains some of the most astonishing tales I’ve ever encountered. One after another. They make for obsessive reading.” —Tim Cahill, best-selling author of Jaguars Ripped My Flesh

“The entire point of travel is to encounter the unimaginable. Gina and Scott Gaille have collected some of the most remarkable tales to ever see the light of day. A hoot to read.” —J. Maarten Troost, best-selling author of Headhunters on My Doorstep

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE BOARD 2019 CHARLES FRIDGE, III TIM KELLY KRISTY OUTHIER NICK STEFANAKIS FOX BENTON KELLY PLATO

ADVISORY BOARD OF DIRECTORS STEVEN ARMOUR KELLY BEAL CRYSTAL CASSIDY GEORGE GEORGIADES JEFF HILDEBRAND PAUL HOBBY COLLEEN MARKS CARL PRICE WESLEY SINOR

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, I welcome you to the Houston Polo Club. The Houston Polo Club has a rich history dating back over 90 years to the late 1920s when we opened our first fields at the corner of San Felipe and Post Oak Boulevard. Today, HPC is the largest polo club in the United States, per player. In 2018, 150 HPC and United States Polo Association members took to the field to play the most exhilarating and oldest sport in recorded history. The Houston Polo Club is a not-for-profit organization, and we invest membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and guest dollars right back into our polo and riding programs here and throughout the southwest United States. Every year we look for new ways to serve the entire riding community and build the Sport of Kings in Texas. Our Polo School develops new players, from the youngest enthusiasts to new mature players, to join our polo community. Houston Polo Club takes special interest in developing the next generation of polo greats through our dedicated Junior Polo, Interscholastic and Team USPA programs. In addition to polo, the club offers full equestrian facilities, including onsite boarding, as well as 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.

HOUSTO N P OLO C LUB

To build a strong community, however, a club must offer its players the opportunity to get onto the field and grow their game. Over our spring and fall seasons, we host seven league levels ranging from beginner to 14 goal. In addition to league play, we host national-level USPA tournaments each season. Included are the Southwest Regional Classic, the Masters Cup, the Western Challenge, the National Youth Tournament Series and the prestigious, ever-growing Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Championship Tournament. The Houston Polo Club would like to 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, adrenalinefilled polo. With the support of our sponsors, players, and members, the Houston Polo Club will continue to grow with the goal of being the best polo club in the world. Thank you,

Charles Fridge, III Chairman and President of the Board of Directors

WELCOME TO THE HOUSTON POLO CLUB

stablished in 1928, the Houston Polo Club is ideally situated on 26 acres adjacent to the lush Memorial Park 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, just inside West Loop 610. JOIN US FOR SUNDAY POLO! Spring Season: March 31–June 9 Fall Season: September 8–November 10 Reserve your seats online: houstonpoloclub.com/buy-tickets

HOUSTON POLO CLUB 2019 SCHEDULE SPRING SEASON: MARCH TO JUNE

FALL SEASON: SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER

March (Game time: 5 PM) 31 International Cup: United States vs. England

September (Game time: 5 PM) 8 Fall Classic 15 Cowboy Cup 22 International Cup 29 USPA Keleen & Carlton Beal Cup

April (Game time: 5 PM) 7 Centennial Cup and Spring Cup Final (Presented by Celebrity Cruises) 14 Bluebonnet Cup (Presented by Chopard) 21 Houston Cup (Easter Sunday) 28 Cowboy Classic (Presented by Land Rover Houston Central) May (Game time: 5 PM) 5 Cinco De Mayo Cup 12 Ponies and Petals Cup (Presented by American National Insurance) (Mother’s Day) 19 USPA Officers Cup 26 St. Regis Classic June (Game time: 6 PM) 2 Vaquero Classic 9 USPA NYTS Tournament Final (Presented by Bill Fick Ford)

HOUSTON POLO CLUB BOX SEATS Spend quality time with family and entertain clients in our Houston Polo Club Box Seats. Buy individual seats or box seating for 2–20 guests. Ruth’s Chris is the onsite caterer and concession. Reserve online: houstonpoloclub.com/buy-tickets Box by the Day • Grandstand Boxes are available by the day, based on availability. • Large Grandstand Boxes can accommodate 8–20 guests. • Smaller boxes are available for up to 6 people. • Larger groups can contact us to arrange private tented areas for game day. Annual Box Holders • Seating for six, for spring and fall Sunday Polo matches • One complimentary VIP parking pass

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October (Game time: 4 PM) 6 Houston Classic 13 USPA H. Ben Taub Memorial Cup (Presented by Celebrity Cruises) 20 Malbec Cup 27 Harvest Classic November (Game time: 2 PM) 3 Texas Open 10 USPA Women’s Southwest Championship Tournament Buy individual seats or Box by the Day seating, served by Ruth’s Chris, at houstonpoloclub.om/buy-tickets.

• 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, email events@thehoustonpoloclub.com or call 713-997-8375. SPECIAL EVENTS Corporate Team Building | Private Parties | Fundraising Events With its central Houston location and lush surroundings, the Houston Polo Club is a unique and ideal spot for your private or corporate event. For information about booking a custom event, contact events@thehoustonpoloclub.com or call 713-681-8571 ext 101.

“This book contains some of the most astonishing tales I’ve ever encountered. One after another. They make for obsessive reading.” —Tim Cahill, best-selling author of Jaguars Ripped My Flesh

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A SALUTE TO OUR 2019 SPONSORS

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THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM 19

HOUSTON POLO CLUB STAFF 2019

JOHN TASDEMIR

TAMMY BEESON

KC KRUEGER

MARK PRINSLOO

KATHERINE ELBERT

MONIQUE BROOKS

Executive Director and General Manager

Executive Business Director, Sponsorships, Event/Box Sales, Marketing

Polo Manager

Polo Director and Head Polo Instructor

Controller

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MERRILY AMY QUINCOCES LEROY

PAIGE LUPLOW

BARLEE FLANDERS

EDUARDO AMAYA

KAYLEE WROE

Riding Director/ Barn Manager

Assistant Riding Instructor

Polo and Riding Instructor

Senior Polo and Riding Instructor

USPA Certified Polo Instructor

Photographer

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SPECTATOR’S GUIDE

“HORSES ARE THE GAME”: POLO STRATEGY WITH TOMMY WAYMAN

lifelong horseman, Tommy Wayman was the first American polo player to achieve a 10-goal handicap in the United States after the pre-war era of the legendary Cecil Smith. Over his storied career,Tommy has played polo all over the world. His trophy case speaks to his distinguished accomplishment as one of the all-time best American polo players, with six U.S. Open Polo Championships, a Gold Cup, two World Cups, two Butler Handicap titles, and three Pacific Coast Open titles. Internationally, he has represented the United States against Argentina in the Cup of the Americas and won two Coronation Cups against Great Britain. His team also played twice in the Camacho Cup against Mexico, winning once. Tommy generously agreed to offer his insights about the strategy of a winning polo team. For those new to polo, the glossary will introduce you to unfamiliar terms. There are four positions on the field, numbered from 1 to 4. Who assigns these positions and how do they relate to each other? When putting a team together, they are looking for a #1, they are looking for a #2, they are looking for a back (#4), and your main player is going to be the #3. The pro [position #3] may work with the team sponsor, but it is up to the team captain to decide who plays where. You might have two or three people that have the same handicap, but one is a better [position] #1, one is a better #2, one’s a better back. The thing that decides that is the horses. Strategy all goes back to horses: whoever has the best horses is going to play the best position. In all of polo, people forget the horses. They think that because you have the best #1, the best #2, the best #3 and the best #4, you are going to win. But if they’re riding burros, they’re not going to win! So that is one of the criteria for picking your players and their positions—it is the most important for me. What else do you consider when you put together a game/ team strategy? I would also study the horses of my opponents. I never missed a practice game; I never missed a tournament game. I knew my opponents’ horses better than they did. [You need to know in] which chukker they play their worst horse, which chukker they play their best horse. Most will play the first chukker on their best horse, because they are going to come back on that horse later in the game. Then they are going to play their next best horse, and in the second half,

24 HOUSTO N P OLO C LUB

Photo courtesy of Cate Sheehan/Museum of Polo Archives

they are going to come back on him. We always played the strongest horse that took the most out of us in the third chukker, so we would have half time to recoup. Does each player on a team have specific responsibilities? It’s not that you just play a specific position. You have to be able to play all of the positions. You focus on a player, but you also focus on the other three. If something happens and you’re #1 and you wind up at back [#4], you pick up whoever is there. They might have a #1 shirt on. You look for the guy closest to you and you adjust. You go to them. Adolfo Cambiaso plays 1 in the Argentine Open, but he’s never there: he’s hitting the ball. If you look at the final game, he played balls to Stirling, and Stirling was playing #1. Adolfo was back [#4] in the game. That is the way polo is played today. Positions have to be flexible.

Is this a strategy that has evolved, or is that how it has always been played? Polo has gone in a gigantic circle, I swear to God. If you look at the polo that was played in the 70s and 80s, it was up and down the field. Then we went through the stage where it was tap, tap, tap, then foul, foul, foul. Now it’s changed back to a running game, which brings the horse back into the game. It’s what I like to see. And I think it’s what everybody likes to see: running up the field, passing and hitting the ball.

What do you think is the most important aspect of polo strategy? One thing that polo players cannot forget is the horses. We can train a gorilla to hit a ball, but not if you can’t get him to it.The young players that are coming up, they own their own horses and they might have two good ones. They might have four they can just get by on. And the better at polo they get, the better horses they get, so they progress.You can get to [a handicap of] 6 goals on certain horses, but beyond that, it’s all about the horses. If we were playing on bicycles, everybody’d be equal, but we’re not. We’re playing on animals. They don’t get the recognition they should get. Horses are the game.

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SPECTATOR’S GUIDE

GLOSSARY OF TERMS Chukker: matches are divided into 7-1/2minute periods of play; low- and mediumgoal games have four chukkers and high-goal games have six. Goal: a point is scored when the ball crosses the two goal posts at any height. After each goal, the teams change directions to equalize playing conditions. Handicap (goal rating): each player is assigned a handicap (measured in goals) from the United States Polo Association based on both experience and skill. Beginners are assigned a C (or -2) or B (-1) rating. As skills improve, the players are rated from A (or zero) to the top rating, a 10-goal player. Opposing teams are equally matched by adding up the ratings of each of their players. Hook: a defensive technique in which a player uses his or her mallet to interfere with an opponent’s swing. Position 1: an offensive position that acts as the goal striker. Position 2: a forward that often has to transition back to defense.

26 HOUSTO N P OLO C LUB

Position 3: the team captain who coaches the other players and calls the strategy on the field. Position 4 (back): the defensive position that guards the goal. Pro: a professional player who is hired by a sponsor to be the team captain. The pro will put together a team and guide the strategy on the field. Ride off (or bump): a defensive move in which a horse’s shoulder is pressed into the shoulder of an opposing player’s horse in an attempt to drive him or her off the line of the ball. Right of way: the player 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. Sponsor (or patron): the financial backing of a team, the sponsor hires a pro to captain and develop a winning team.

POLO GEAR

PLAYER:

1 POLO MALLET: Polo mallets have bamboo or plastic shafts that are flexible and can make a complete arc under the pony’s neck or tail.

2 HELMET: Hard, lined helmets protect the player’s head from swinging mallets and balls traveling up to 100 mph. 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.

PONY: 7 5 4

5 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. 6 BANDAGES: These protective wraps shield the pony’s legs against contact with the ball or other ponies.

7 DRAW REINS AND BRIDLE: This series of leather strapping, metal bit, and supports gives the player steering and stopping control.

THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM 27

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BEST PLAYING PONIES A

s you watch an adrenaline-fueled polo game, it is impossible not to admire the skilled equine athletes that carry players from one end of the field to the other, pivoting on a dime, running to goal, fearlessly riding other ponies off the ball, and responding to the split-second changes in the game. Most players agree that the polo pony you ride in the game makes up 70–80% of your skill on the field. And because the ponies work hard in their 7-1/2-minute chukkers (galloping up to 3 miles in a single chukker), players must bring several ponies to the field for a game, known as a string of ponies. Many high-goal players have strings of 10 ponies, while lower-goal players will have a string of 4–6. It can take years to build your dream string, just ask anyone who has tried! Here we get advice from respected Houston Polo Club polo pros, Marcos Villanueva and Nick Cifuni, on what makes a great pony and how to start building your polo string.

A WINNING PONY PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES Marcos breeds and raises young horses, training them over 6–7 years to become skilled polo ponies. He believes that, when looking for a champion, you cannot beat a mare with a polo bloodline: “I believe in the genetics. If a mother was a good polo mare and she played really well, I would rather breed that mare.” To that end, Marcos breeds his champion mares by implanting embryos in recipient surrogate mares, allowing him to produce up to three foals per year from his best bloodlines.

30 HOUSTO N P OLO C LUB

Marcos describes what he looks for in the physical attributes of a polo pony: 15.1 or 15.2 hands, broad chested, and a short back to make stopping and pivoting faster. “Some people think that if a player is big, they need a tall horse. But that is a mistake. You can match that big guy with a 15.2 hand horse, but just buy them wider and stronger to carry the weight. It is easier to hit the ball when you are closer to the ground than when you are on a tall horse.” TRAINING Nick calls upon his multidisciplinary experience to develop his unique style and philosophy of training polo ponies: “The disciplines are all connected. If a horse is disciplined and moving the way they need to move, then they can do it in polo, they can do it in hunter/jumper, three-day eventing, reining, and cutting—it’s all the same movements. I am always watching different people and horses to build my style of getting what I need out of a horse. A good broke horse and good trainer should be able to connect all the disciplines together.” Training a polo pony is a gradual process. Marcos starts the breaking process at about 3 years, and then it is 3–4 years before they are ready to play competitively:“When they do everything that I ask of them (riding, stick and ball), and they are relaxed about it, then I know they are ready to play polo. First I play them for 2–3 months in slow chukkers, then the next season will be a little faster, and then a little faster, and on and on.” TEMPERAMENT There is a consistent temperament that polo ponies must possess, and several personality traits that players seek out in their mounts: calm

confidence, a competitive yet disciplined spirit, and alert obedience. Nick’s criteria for temperament is simple: when you ride them, they are willing to work with you. “I don’t mind a little fight in them, but when you ask them to do something, they should be willing to do it.” Marcos adds: “You want a horse that you can run and score a goal at full speed, and then come back and be relaxed. Not a crazy one that moves all around. They can take pressure when you ask them; and when you don’t, they can relax.” INTELLIGENCE “The mind is everything,” states Marcos. “In my experience, I’ve seen many horses with unbelievable qualities off the field, but when it comes time to play they don’t adapt to the pressure in a way that displays their ability. I feel they are pressured too soon. This can result in ruining the pony’s career. Developing the horse’s natural qualities takes time and patience. Knowing the time to push them is key.” Nick also stresses the pony’s ability to learn, and keep learning: “When I ride a horse once, and then go to get on the next day, I see if they retained the information I taught them the day before.Are they willing to learn? Are they able to learn so I can move forward with them?”

BUILDING YOUR STRING • Match the skill level of the horse with your current skill level: “Don’t buy anything that you think you are going to grow into. Buy the horse you need for the polo you are playing now,” advises Nick. “If you pair a horse that is really soft in the mouth and really athletic and quick with someone that doesn’t have the athletic ability to ride something like that, it’s going to be a bad fit.”

Marcos Villanueva grew up in Argentina, the son of an equine vet and an 8-goal polo player. He has been working as a pro since he was 18, traveling and playing polo in England,Thailand, France, and Jordan, and ultimately settling in Houston. Marcos is currently and 4-goal pro with Rocking P, the Polo Manager for the Price family, and breeds and trains polo ponies.

• Be patient. “Many players just go and buy horses from anybody, and unfortunately they buy expensive horses that are not for them,” says Marcos. Take your time, advises Nick: “Ride a few horses, ask questions, talk to different people. A horse that may work for me doesn’t necessarily work for somebody else, so sit on a bunch of different ones before you buy.” • You can always sell a horse and buy another one. Don’t keep riding a horse that is not suited to you. “If you have a horse you are not able to ride, all you are going to do is have a bad connection,” says Nick. “You might ruin a good horse, or you might ruin your experience in polo because you are not having fun.” • Find someone that you trust to help you. People who love polo and who love horses also love helping others find the right fit. “I like to match horses with people,” says Nick. “So if I am riding a horse, and I think the horse will be a good fit for someone, I will put them in touch with each other.There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing a good match.” Pro players know polo ponies and are excellent brokers when you are looking. “Go and find somebody that you trust who knows horses,” advises Marcos. “If I am responsible for buying horses, I want to make sure those horses are really good. It is my reputation on the line.”

Nick Cifuni learned to ride as a youngster in Argentina, where he competed in hunter/jumper and three-day eventing, and grew up watching and developing a passion for high-goal polo.When he returned to the United States, Nick boarded his jumping horse at a polo club in Colorado and, at age 14, started trading his time tacking horses and tending the fields in exchange for polo lessons. He played Intercollegiate Polo at Colorado State, and at the age of 22, Nick wintered in Florida and spent time in Tennessee and Texas, where he trained horses and established himself as a pro. Based out of Tennessee, Nick is a 3-goal player who divides his time between Florida and Texas. THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM

BEST PLAYING PONIES OF 2018 Each tournament, alongside the winning team and MVP player, we also honour a Best Playing Pony. Here are some of the equine stars from our 2018 season.

32 HOUSTO N P OLO C LUB

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The Sport of Queens P

olo prides itself in being one of the only professional team sports whose handicap system has long enabled men and women to play together on the same field at the highest levels. However, as the fastest growing segment in US polo, women are carving out their own niche in this intense equine sport. Here we profile two Houston Polo Club players and ask how they see the role of women in polo today.

Kri sty Outhie r

I had ever done in my life. There is just so much to polo.You can never completely learn it all.There is always more.” Kristy spent winters playing Intercollegiate polo at Tulane and then Texas A&M, where the team won Nationals her junior and senior years. Summers she spent working for and learning from Barlee Flanders, the polo instructor at Houston Polo Club. After college, Kristy decided it was time to shift her energies into her business career. She continued to play at Houston Polo Club as she launched her career as a marketing director. At that time, Kristy recalls, the Houston Polo Club was hosting 20-goal games with the likes of Carlos and Memo Gracida gracing the fields—a great environment for an enthusiastic player. The pull to devote more time to polo grew stronger, and then opportunity came knocking: “Sure enough, I get a call one day and a team from California needed a -1 player. All I had to do was show up. I took my horses and rig and got on this team. From there, with my parents’ blessing and support, I was able to start training horses and playing. I got on teams here and there, and it just evolved quickly into a professional career.” In the 1990s, when Kristy was starting out, women pros were just finding their place at the male-dominated high-goal level—but she was lucky to find a friend and mentor: “It was really tough back then, because women weren’t really part of the grid. Sunny Hale really broke through and, at that time, was the only woman pro in high goal. I got to play with her all over the world. I really looked up to her.” Over the span of her career, however, Kristy has seen a shift:“Patrons don’t really care anymore if pros are men or women. They just want the best player: Can you ride? Do you have the horses? Can you hit the ball? Girls still have to work a lot harder, but that’s what we do.”

As a professional player for 25 years, polo has been Kristy Outhier’s passport to play on some of the most famed polo fields in the world. However, her road to polo was winding. A horseman from a young age, Kristy was accomplished in cutting and the horseshow circuit, and discovered polo only when she went to college.

In Kristy’s 25-year pro career, she evolved from a B-rated player to maintaining a 2-goal rating for over 10 years, earning her spot on some of the world’s most celebrated fields. State-side, Kristy played two seasons of 22-goal polo in Palm Beach, and one year she was called up to the 26th US Open in Florida to sub for an injured SteveVan Andel of Orchard Hill Polo:“We won the semi-finals against Pony Express.We went to the finals at the US Open on Field 1 at Palm Beach against Cambiaso and Outback Polo—where we lost by just one goal.”

“Two weeks into my freshman year at Tulane University, I saw the club sports book and I found polo. I had never even heard of it—I swear! In freshman year, I got on the Tulane polo team, and it was the greatest thing

Internationally, Kristy has traveled to England, Jamaica, Mexico, and Africa, as well as some memorable USA vs. Argentina women’s tournaments. “The first time I played in Argentina was with Sunny Hale, and that was

Kristy Outhier facing 10-goaler Bautista Heguy at the 2000 US Open. (Photo by Alex Pacheco)

36 HOUSTO N P OLO C LUB

the first time that an all-women’s team had played at Palermo. It was Sunny’s dream.” Kristy’s success in polo was not an easy road:“Becoming a pro is extremely hard. I was lucky that I had the resources of horses and a ranching family, so it didn’t cost me money when I wasn’t playing polo.” Kristy celebrated her retirement at the end of 2018, having reached the distinction of being the top-rated female player in the U.S. with an 8-goal Women’s Handicap. Now, Kristy is going back to her roots, and taking over the breeding operation started by her parents, LA Waters Quarter Horses, with her husband Mike. Kristy remains passionate about training young horses, mentoring up-and-coming polo players, and enjoying time with her family: “I am truly enjoying the freedom I have to be with my kids when they get home from school.”

KC Kruege r

Polo’s Faste st Growing Demo Why do you think women are the biggest growing demographic in polo? Kristy: Women are a driving force in business, and business women are becoming a huge group of our new patrons.They make their own money, they are intelligent, they do really well, and they want to play a sport.They can be the patron, they can make the decisions, and they can hire great pros. Polo offers a whole lifestyle, and women take to the horses so much. KC: I think it’s all about the horses for women.Women’s connection to the horses brings them to the sport, and then there’s a little sweat involved. It’s a good way to get a workout, enjoy horses and have a beer afterward. What is the difference between playing women’s polo and mixed polo? Kristy: I love playing mixed outdoor polo. I prefer to play on the bigger field, and I prefer to play where I am not the best player on the team, so I can learn and get better and better. When Sunny got very involved and developed the Women’s Championship Tournament (WCT) circuit, she paved the golden highway for girls to start playing better polo. Now you’ve got the US Women’s Open, the Argentine Open and all these women’s tournaments that are fabulous games: the girls play on top horses and the fields are there. KC: Mixed polo is slightly different for me, because I am more of a worker. My primary role is to play for the 3- or 4-goal pro that I am playing with, usually a guy. If I end up with the ball, great, but my primary role is to make sure he scores.The co-ed is fun, and you go faster, but you don’t have the ball as much.You’re waiting around to see what the guys do with it. In women’s polo, I have to go look for the ball and score, and I have to make more opportunities for myself; there is a lot more contact, and we’re all more evenly rated. It’s harder because you are playing against yourself, always bumping into players, like “how did she get there?”Women’s polo is harder. I get tired faster, but I like the challenge of it.

KC Krueger rides off Mason Wroe at Houston Polo Club

It may have seemed an obvious path for KC Krueger to play polo, but that’s not where she started. KC has two Polo Hall of Famers in her family—her recently inducted aunt, Karlene Beal Garber, and her grandfather, Carlton Beal, who was one of the founding members of the Eldorado Polo Club in Indio, CA. Her father, Kelly, has played polo for over 40 years, and KC started playing at 14, when her mom, Chrys Beal, wanted to learn to play. “I played every sport—I played tennis very seriously when I was young, and was Texas ranked, but I got bored. I played basketball and ran track, and when I started playing polo, I thought, ‘Well this is the

most interesting thing I have ever done.’ It’s so challenging.That’s why I like it so much: I am never bored.” KC’s family was heavily involved in supporting the Midland Polo Club; however, when their daughters moved out, Kelly and Chrys were intrigued by the size of Houston Polo Club. They eventually moved their BTA team to Houston. KC went to college at Texas Christian University (TCU), where there was no polo to speak of.Taking a pioneering cue from her grandfather, KC brought polo to TCU: “My friend and I from Midland started the student-based polo club at TCU, and we made it all the way to national Championship finals my senior year.”

THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM 37

After college, KC moved to Houston, where she began working as an oil and gas consultant and establishing her reputation as a serious player. KC reunited with family friend and now husband, Steve Krueger, a 4-goal pro, and the two of them now manage their traveling polo player lifestyle.

polo life can be challenging with traveling so often, but we find our convoy to travel with, and we’re just a bunch of nomads together. The gypsy polo life.”

“We go to Wellington, FL, in the winters. In the summers, we go to Sheridan, WY (Flying H and Bighorn Polo Club).” In the spring and fall, KC serves as the backbone of Houston Polo Club. KC started as the Assistant Polo Manager in 2014 and has enjoyed working there ever since. In 2018, KC helped oversee the organization of a staggering 30 tournaments; league games for seven levels, from beginner to 14 goal; and over 150 players who competed at the club. In addition to managing polo and traveling with two young children and a string of horses, KC still finds time to hit the field in Houston, in Florida, and even overseas. In 2017, KC traveled twice to England to play a series of practise games and two USA vs. England matches (one with fellow Houston Polo pro Kristy Outhier), representing USA women’s polo at the Ladies International Diamond Jubilee Trophy Championship at the Guards Polo Club, the largest polo club in Europe. “It was a really great experience to see England, and the polo there is incredible.” For KC, polo is indeed a family affair: “I feel very fortunate to be able to play with my family—with my parents and husband,” she says.“The

KC and Kristy (on the right) represent Team USA at the 2017 International Diamond Jubilee Trophy Championship

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US OPEN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT PRESENTED BY DAVID YURMAN AND LAND ROVER HOUSTON CENTRAL

ach November, as the culmination of its Fall Season, the Houston Polo Club hosts its Women’s Tournament. The 2018 Women’s Tournament drew over 90 players from across the United States to compete in this intense week of polo. While the crown jewel in the tournament is the US Open Women’s Polo Championship™, celebrating its 7th year at the club, the event is couched in a week-long polo event that sees tournaments played at four additional levels: the US Open Women’s Handicap, the Farish Cup Invitational, the Bayou City Cup, and the WCT Junior Invitational.

40 HOUSTO N P OLO C LUB

The US Open Women’s Polo Championship™, presented by David Yurman and Land Rover Houston Central, attracts the highest-rated women players in American and international polo. The tournament saw four top-level teams compete: BTA (25 goals), Midland Polo Club (20 goals), Rocking P (23 goals), and San Saba (26 goals). In tournament play, last year’s finalist, Rocking P, still looking like a polo powerhouse, was the first team to move to the finals. Newcomer team Midland Polo Club (MPC) upset the higher-rated BTA team to claim the second finalist spot for the Championship tournament.

Unfortunately, wet weather hit the Houston area, so the Handicap, Farish, Bayou, and WCT Junior games moved to the arena. It was the definition of making lemonade out of lemons.Thanks to the Brookshire Polo Arena, the players, grooms, and coaches, all came together to make the arena work and keep the spirit of the tournament alive with rousing arena play. The US Women’s Open Handicap saw nine teams battle until only the two finalists, Sullivan Group and EEW Steel Trading, remained for the final. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, as the Handicap MVP, Sullivan Group’s Marissa Wells, scored a 2-point shot in the last 30 seconds to break the tie and win the game. It was an incredible game to watch! The Farish Cup drew eight teams to the competition. The final game between Texas SBA and When Worlds Collide culminated in a tense draw, with a tie game going into the last 30 seconds of the final chukker. Ultimately, Texas SBA’s Susan Wise found the goal for her team to take home first place.

The history of the US Open Women’s Polo Championship™ reflects the ups and downs that mark women’s polo in the United States. The first championship was played on the Golden Gate Field in San Francisco in 1937 and hosted by the United States Women’s Polo Association (the first and only of its kind, with a tenure ending with the onset of World War II). The tournament was re-established in 1990, the year of the USPA’s centennial, and hosted at the Empire Polo Club for several years before once again losing support. In 2011, the USPA recognized the US Open Women’s Polo Championship™ as a national tournament, where it has found a home in the longrunning Houston Polo Club Women’s Tournament.

The 2018 Bayou Cup ended in a tie between the three teams. The highlight for the players was the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play with Nina Clarkin, the only woman rated at 10 goals in women’s handicaps in the world. The young players of the WCT Junior game showed incredible talent as well as they battled it out for two chukkers. It was a great game to watch as David Yurman came out victorious. At the US Open Women’s Polo Championship™, Rocking P came out hungry to reclaim the title they had lost in 2017. MPC contained Rocking P in the first half, keeping the score close. However, in the third chukker, Hazel Jackson took control of the game and gave Rocking P a large lead over MPC. MPC kept the pressure on for the fourth chukker, but the Rocking P lead was too large. Rocking P took the title with a score of 10–2 over MPC. Having Nina Clarkin at the tournament for the first time was a thrill for the players and spectators alike. “I had never been to Houston before and I was overwhelmed by the generosity, warmth, and welcome from everybody,” said Nina. “The fields all looked impeccable and it looked like a wonderful place to play polo. Unfortunately we were not blessed by the weather gods but we managed to get the tournament played and that was down to the hard work of management and the generosity of the field owners.The polo was fantastic and the quality and the level of play was testament to the great ponies and the players that were there.” Hazel Jackson, a 9-goal-rated player and one of the top women players in the world, traveled from England to compete, taking the MVP honours at the US Open Women’s Championship™ game. She is an enthusiastic competitor: “The Houston ladies’ tournament has to be one of my favourite places to play. It is one of the highest-level ladies’ tournaments played in the world. I have been with Rocking P for the last few years, and I love the family, the farm, and the horses. And the prizes, sponsors, and positive atmosphere are extremely difficult to beat!” Players and staff are grateful to Brookshire Polo and Tonkawa Farms for providing a dry haven in the midst of a wet tournament. We would like to thank the many sponsors who donated prizes and supported the tournament, and especially our presenting sponsors, David Yurman and Land Rover Houston Central.

THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM 41

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NATIONAL YOUTH TOURNAMENT SERIES PRESENTED BY SIGNATURE CARE our young players led to the naming of nine All Stars: Grayson Price, Vaughn Miller Jr., Cipriano Echezarreta, Lance Stefanakis, Anson Moore, Chino Payan, Grace Mudra,Taylor Morris, and April Galindo. Our players were so strong, in fact, that five of them went all the way to the NYTS Championship tournament in Colorado! This year’s NYTS Championship marks the first year of a new invitational Girls All-Star Challenge. This all-girls division was created in response to the rapidly growing numbers of young women competing in polo at all levels. Houston’s April Galindo was chosen to play on the White team in the invitational. Cipriano Echezarreta, Grayson Price, Vaughn Miller Jr., and Will Walton represented the Central Region at the Championship Final Cecil Smith Cup, coached by Mason Wroe. Neck-and-neck throughout the final game, Central trailed Western heading into the fourth chukker. Our boys pulled off a 6–5.5 victory in the final minutes, taking home our first NYTS Championships title: the Cecil Smith Cup. The NYTS Championship MVP was awarded to Central’s Vaughn Miller Jr., who scored half of the total winning goals. NTYS Cecil Smith Cup Champions: Central Region Cipriano Echezarreta, Grayson Price,Vaughn Miller Jr.,Will Walton

For details about registering for the 2019 NTYS, held this June 8–10, contact Amanda Snow: snow@uspolo.org.

National Youth Tournament Series qualifiers are held at polo clubs across the United States. NYTS All-Stars are announced at each qualifier, and each All-Star is in contention for being selected for the NYTS Championship held each year at the end of August. The three-day Junior Tournament at Houston Polo Club, presented by Signature Care, took place in June with 40 players across three divisions competing: the NYTS qualifier division had seven teams of players competing for spots on the NYTS Championship team. Meanwhile, the Intermediate and Lead Line divisions gave our youngest up-and-coming polo stars a chance to show their stick-and-ball skills on the field. The NYTS qualifier tournament culminated in a final match that saw Sullivan Group defeat Texas Monthly 3–2. The strong performance of

2019 NYTS All-Stars 46 HOUSTO N P OLO C LUB

NYTS Qualifier Winners: Sullivan Group Christopher Owen, Joanie Jackson, Milo Dorignac, Cipriano Echezarreta

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YOUTH OLYMPIC SUMMER GAMES With contributions from the United States Polo Association

The United States Polo Association and U.S. Polo Assn. supported four youth players as they traveled south of the equator to Buenos Aires, host of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (YOG)—and Houston Polo Club was proud to have two of our young players on Team USA. The Youth Olympic Games serve as an innovative platform to test new disciplines. Being accepted as a showcase sport is a step forward for polo as it positions itself for another Olympic bid in the future. The Argentine Polo Association (AAP) organized a week-long program in conjunction with the Youth Olympic Games Committee to highlight the sport of polo and provide a training opportunity for international junior polo players. Demonstrating the international reach of polo, junior competitors from 10 countries including the United States, Colombia, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, England, Scotland, Australia, Argentina, Pakistan, and Switzerland mounted up for the exhibition match. Among the four young players chosen to represent the USA were Houston Polo Club players Grace Mudra and Grayson Price (joined by teammates Grant Palmer and Winston Painter). Coached by Lucas Criado and Santiago Trotz, test matches in Pilar and Bueno Aires led up to the showcase game on October 7 on Palermo’s Field 1. “Playing at Palermo was one of the biggest highlights of my trip,” says Grayson Price. “It is amazing to be able to play on that big of a stage.” In additional to time spent in the saddle, Adolfo Cambiaso and the Pieres family opened up their farms for the group of young players to get a glimpse of the inner workings of a high-goal operation and breeding program. Grayson says that meeting these legends and touring the farms at Ellerstina and La Dolfina were unforgettable experiences. Grace Mudra highlights that the experience was as amazing off the field as on the field: “I have learned so much, not only about polo, but the different cultures involved in polo. Getting to come together with people from these different countries was an amazing experience that I am so grateful to have had.” Grayson is also grateful for the lasting connections he made with other youth international players:“We would spend every day with the players from the other countries and go out together to eat at night. I keep in touch with players I met through social media—it’s cool to see what everyone is doing in polo around the world.” Several players attending the Youth Olympic Games received support from the Young Player Opportunity (YPO) Fund. The fund was created in April of 2018 by the USPA Junior Polo Committee to assist youth players seeking opportunities to improve in the sport of polo.

50 HOUSTO N P OLO C LUB

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THE WINNER’S CIRCLE 2018 H. BEN TAUB MEMORIAL CUP (14 GOAL) PRESENTED BY CELEBRITY CRUISES

Winner: BTA: Kelly Beal,Toly Ulloa, Steve Krueger, Jeff Hall Runner Up: Tonkawa: Jeff Hildebrand, Matt Coppola, Mason Wroe, Joaquin Panelo MVP: Toly Ulloa

USPA KELEEN & CARLTON BEAL CUP (14 GOAL) PRESENTED BY JETLINX

Winner: Tonkawa: Mason Wroe, Joaquin Panelo, Jeff Hildebrand, Matt Coppola Runner Up: BTA: Kelly Beal,Toly Ulloa, Steve Krueger, Jeff Hall MVP: Matt Coppola

USPA WESTERN CHALLENGE (12 GOAL) PRESENTED BY ENGEL & VÖLKERS

Winner: Whitehall Ranch: Bill Lane,Toly Ulloa, Facundo Obregon, Sterling Giannico Runner Up: Tonkawa: Jeff Hildebrand, Cody Ellis, Matt Coppola,Tommy Biddle MVP: Sterling Giannico

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Winner: Tonkawa: Tommy Biddle, Matt Coppola, Cody Ellis,Troy Lequerica Runner Up: BTA: Kelly Beal, Steve Krueger, Shane Rice, Mason Wroe MVP: Tommy Biddle

54 HOUSTO N P OLO C LUB

THE WINNER’S CIRCLE 2018 USPA REGIONAL PRESIDENT’S CUP (8 GOAL) Winner: Ghurka: Drew Luplow, Cody Ellis, Brad Mallett, Fox Benton Runner Up: BTA: Chrys Beal, KC Krueger, Rob Stenzel, Steve Krueger MVP: Cody Ellis

USPA SOUTHWESTERN CIRCUIT OFFICER’S CUP (8 GOAL) PRESENTED BY HARRISON’S ANTIQUES

Winner: Horsegate: Shane Rice, Joe Wayne Barry, Sloan Stefanakis, Lance Stefanakis, Ariel Mancebo Runner Up: Rocking P/W-S: Carl/Grayson Price, Marcos Villanueva, Agustin Arellano,Wesley Sinor MVP: Shane Rice

LIVINGSTON MEMORIAL (8 GOAL) Winner: Rocking P/W-S: Wesley Sinor, Jenny Sharrock, Agustin Arellano, Grayson Price, Marcos Villanueva, Geronimo Obregon Runner Up: Cinco Canyon Ranch: David Marks, Bryan Middleton, Drew Luplow, Robert Orthwein MVP: Geronimo Obregon

USPA SOUTHWESTERN CIRCUIT PLAYER’S CUP (4 GOAL) PRESENTED BY AMERICAN NATIONAL

Winner: Dunbar Capital: Emma Tooth,Tommy Costello, Bryan Middleton, Nick Dunbar Runner Up: Ghurka: Abby Benton, Fox Benton, Drew Luplow, Nick Cifuni MVP: Bryan Middleton

THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM 55

US OPEN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP (20–26 GOAL) PRESENTED BY DAVID YURMAN AND LAND ROVER HOUSTON CENTRAL

Winner: Rocking P: Bridget Price, Courtney Price, Lottie Lamacraft,Tiva Gross, Hazel Jackson Runner Up: Midland Polo Club: Molly M. Smith, Tiamo Hudspeth, Dayelle Fargey, Izzy Parsons MVP: Hazel Jackson

US OPEN WOMEN’S HANDICAP (11–14 GOAL) PRESENTED BY DAVID YURMAN AND LAND ROVER HOUSTON CENTRAL

Winner: Sullivan Group: Joanie Jackson, Megan Rahlfs, Marissa Wells, Kelly Wells Runner Up: EEW Steel Trading: Roxy Mounter, Cara Kennedy, Kendall Plank, Hazel Jackson MVP: Marissa Wells

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Domestic & Foreign Auto Care Tires, Batteries, Accessories State Inspection/ Courtesy Van

George & Dino Varcados 8602 Memorial Drive service@varcadosshellinc.com OPEN 24 HOURS

The following N2 community publications are proud partners with the Houston Polo Club

Hedwig

Village LIVING A SOCIAL

PUBLICATION FOR THE RESIDENTS OF HEDWIG VILLAGE

Historic Heights Living A S o c i a l P u b l i c at i o n for the Residents of Historic Heights

Know of a local business doing a great job? Let us know! We want to share them with our community partners. N2 Publishing is Your Partner in Hyper-Local, Relationship-based Marketing We help neighbors get to know neighbors and businesses create word-of-mouth. Give us a call! Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll meet and show you how.

For more information on our program please contact: Danielle Stewart danielle.stewart@n2pub.com 713.628.5477

Nikki Eaves nikki.eaves@n2pub.com 832.820.3475

Other Houston N2 communities we serve: South Houston

North Houston

Kings Point (Kingwood)

Cane Island

Augusta Pines

Rock Creek (Cypress)

Harvest Green/Richmond

Benders Landing Estates

The Woodlands Country Club, Players Course

Royal Oaks Country Club

Bentwater

The Commons of Lake Houston

Sugar Lakes (Sugarland)

Carlton Woods

Towne Lake (Cypress)

Sweetwater (Sugarland)

East Shore/The Woodlands

Woodforest (Montgomery)

Weston Lakes (Fulshear)

Grogans Point/The Woodlands

OUR BARN DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN FOR THE ABUSED AND NEGLECTED

HoustonSPCA.org

MEET THE PROS

ALVARO ARA, 4 PARANA, ARGENTINA

TOMMY BIDDLE, 5 WELLINGTON, FL

JORGE CERNADAS, 4 DALLAS, TX

MATT COPPOLA, 4 WELLINGTON, FL

MICHEL DORIGNAC, 6 WELLINGTON, FL

SUGAR ERSKINE, 7 WELLINGTON, FL

JEFF HALL, 7 SEALY, TX

STEVE KRUEGER, 4 PATTISON, TX

BRAD MALLET, 4 SOUTH AFRICA

FRANCISCO MERA, 4 BROOKSHIRE, TX

CHRIS NEVINS, 4 CAT SPRING, TX

FACUNDO OBREGON, 6 WELLINGTON, FL

GERONIMO OBREGON, 4 WELLINGTON, FL

ROBERT ORTHWEIN, 4 SEALY, TX

SHANE RICE, 4 SEALY, TX

MIGUEL TORRES, 4 NAVASOTA, TX

60 HOUSTO N P OLO C LUB

SANTI TORRES, 6 CALIFORNIA

TOLY ULLOA, 5 ARGENTINA

MASON WROE, 4 CAT SPRING, TX

NAME

Agustin Arellano Stewart Armstrong Joe Wayne Barry Chad Bowman Nick Cifuni Tommy Costello David Crea Cody Ellis Taylor Freeman Alejandro Gonzalez Tiamo Hudspeth George Krabbe CJ Lequerica Sheila Lequerica Troy Lequerica Drew Luplow Ariel Mancebo Bryan Middleton Carin Middleton Billy Mudra Martin Munoz Trevor Niznik Neil Osburg Chino Payan Mark Prinsloo Ignacio Saenz Jimmy Seward Rob Stenzel Carolyn Stimmel Hernan Tejera Diego Velarde Cody Woodfin

RATING

HOMETOWN

3 3 3 2 3 1

Wellington, FL San Antonio, TX Sealy, TX LaGrange, KY Sealy, TX Scottsdale, AZ

1 3 2 3 1 1 1.5 A.5 1 1.5 1 3 A.5 3 2 2 2 A.5 2 3 3 3 1 2 3 2

Pattison, TX Johannesberg, SA Sealy, TX Mexico City, MX McFaddin, TX Stamford, CT Sealy, TX Sealy, TX Sealy, TX Pattison, TX Hempstead, TX Hempstead, TX Hempstead, TX Bellville, TX Brookshire, TX Wellington, FL Clearwater Beach, FL Chapel Hill, TX Pattison, TX Brookshire, TX Hempstead, TX Toronto, ON Hempstead, TX Victoria, TX Mexico Wharton, TX

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MEET THE PLAYERS

ANNE ANDRAS, B.5

DAVID ANDRAS, 1

STEVEN ARMOUR, A.5

ISABEL ARTZER, NR

LUCY BAILEY, B

BROOKS BALLARD, B

CHRYS BEAL, A

KELLY BEAL, A.5

JAMES BEESON, B

FOX BENTON, A

LAIRD BOONE, B

WILL BROWN, A

GRACE BURGERT, B.5

RENE CAMPOS, A.5

CRYSTAL CASSIDY, A

JAMES CLARK, B

NICK DUNBAR, A

CAROL JULIA FARNSWORTH, B.5 FLOREY, B

JOE FITZSIMONS, A.5

THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM 63

CHARLES FRIDGE III, A.5

CHARLIE FRIDGE, B

CHRISTIAN FRIDGE, B

PRESTON HERLETH, B

BRANDEY HECKEROTH, B

MARTHA HUNT HIRSCH, B

JEFF HILDEBRAND, A.5

PAUL HOBBY, A.5

JOE HOLZER, B

JOANIE JACKSON, B

JOSIE JONES, B

TIM KELLY, A

CARA KENNEDY, B

KC KRUEGER, 1.5

BILL LANE, A

LIZ LARY, B.5

SHUMAN MAJUMDER, B

ELIZABETH MAGYAR, B

COLLEEN MARKS, B.5

DAVID MARKS, A.5

64 HOUSTO N P OLO C LUB

BOB MCCAN, A.5

LUC MESSIER, B

ANSON MOORE, A.5

ROXY RIGGS MOUNTER, B

MELISSA NANCE, B

MADISON OUTHIER, B

JENNIFER PETERSON, B

KENDALL PLANK, A.5

KELLY PLATO, A.5

CARL PRICE, A.5

BRIDGET PRICE, B

COURTNEY PRICE, A

DANIELLA PRICE, B

GRAYSON PRICE, 1

SARAH PRINSLOO, A

JENNY SHARROCK, A.5

DEBBIE SHELTON, B

WESLEY SINOR, 1.5

RAY STAINBACK, A.5

LANCE STEFANAKIS, B

THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM 65

NICK STEFANAKIS, B

SLOAN STEFANAKIS, 1.5

CAROLYN STIMMEL, 1

JOE-MAC STIMMEL, A

JOHN TASDEMIR, A

EMMA TOOTH, B.5

CHRIS WILLIAMS, A.5

COLLEEN WILLIAMS, A

SCOTT WOOD, A.5

QUINN VAN DER HOEVEN, NR

66 HOUSTO N P OLO C LUB

MARCH 18 - APRIL 5

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Legal Directories Publishing Co., Inc.

www.LegalDirectories.com

Publishing Directories Since 1935

Proudly serving Texas!

 Texas Legal Directory 

 Austin Bar Association Membership Directory 

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 Jefferson County Bar Association Membership Directory 

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PRINT | DIGITAL | ONLINE

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HPC Tack Shoppe 8552 Memorial Drive Houston, TX 77024 713-681-8571 hpcshoppe@thehoustonpoloclub.com

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PR I N TE D I N C A N A DA

Houston Polo Magazine 2019

Articles inside

YOUTH OLYMPIC SUMMER GAMES

US OPEN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT

BEST PLAYING PONIES

GLOSSARY OF TERMS