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Table of Contents
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Letter from the President
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Welcome to the Houston Polo Club
12
Facilities Map
13
Houston Polo Club Staff 2014
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2014 Polo Schedule
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HPC Salutes the 2014 Sponsors
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Polo Primer
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Polo Gear
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Team USPA at Houston
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2013 USPA Senior’s Tournament
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Club League
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Margarita League
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2013 USPA U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship Finals
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Winner’s Circle 2013
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Polo Police
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Scene at Polo
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Meet the Players
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Houston Polo Club Pros
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On the Field
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Junior Polo
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HOUSTON POLO CLUB
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
NEVER BROKEN to exceed expectations, with a dedication to providing exemplary service and an exceptional experience to those families who select ours. We at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons are proud to serve Houston’s finest families, and we are pleased that our crest has come to mean as much to you as it does to our family.
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
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Executive Business Director Tammy Beeson Account Representative Tammi Galloway-Serna
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Ad Design Kendra Roberts, Chris Beaudin Contributors Rebecca Bollenbach, Natalie Cauthen-Alfaro, Penny Dillingham, George Georgiades, K.C. Krueger, Megan Kozminski, Pam Mudra,Vanessa Shapiro
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letter from the President Welcome to the Houston Polo Club! On behalf of the staff and Board of Directors of the Houston Polo Club, welcome to the 2014 polo season. For 87 years, the Houston Polo Club has catered to Houston’s polo and equine communities, offering the best in facilities, training, playing, and spectatorship. We offer the polo experience to all—from burgeoning junior players, to weekend warriors, to high-level pros seeking to challenge their skills. With the inclement weather last season, everyone at the club is eager to get back on the field to prove their mettle this season.The Houston Polo Club offers polo at every skill and interest level. Families can play and grow together through our junior and interscholastic programs, our Margarita League, and through the Regional Polo Center. At our polo school, we strive to nurture our players as they develop their skills and passion for the Sport of Kings. For tournament players, we host a variety of spring and fall leagues, from 2-goal to 12-goal. We are also proud to host national-level USPA events, including the prestigious U.S. Open Women’s Championship, the Southwest Regional Classic, the Western Challenge, and the National Youth Tournament Series. And let’s not forget the immensely popular and competitive Senior’s Tournament. In addition to polo, our full equestrian facilities and riding lessons for children and adults provide another way for horse enthusiasts to enjoy our 23 spectacular acres. Located in stunning Memorial Park, in the heart of Houston, our 100-stall boarding facility and riding trails provide a perfect setting for horse lovers of all ages to develop their riding skills. As always, we wish you a fun, competitive, and safe season.
2014 Houston Polo Club Board of Directors George Georgiades Steven Armour Rebecca Bollenbach Crystal Cassidy Tommy Dorsey Jeff Hildebrand Paul Hobby
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Tim Kelly Colleen Marks Kristy Outhier Carl Price Wesley Sinor John Tasdemir
HOUSTON POLO CLUB
George Georgiades President, The Houston Polo Club
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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 2014 spring and fall polo seasons!
Spring Season: April 6–June 15 Fall Season: September 7–November 9 Please consult the 2014 Polo Schedule on page 16 for tournament dates.
Join us for: • International polo competition • Champagne divot stomps • Holiday events
Bring your friends, family, and clients for Sunday Polo. Come for the day or purchase seating for the full 2014 season. General admission,VIP seating and sponsor boxes are available. The Houston Polo Club is the perfect location to host a corporate, private fundraising, charity, or social event. For more information about visiting the Houston Polo Club for a game or special event, email events@thehoustonpoloclub.com or call 713.997.8375.
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houston polo club staff 2014
Pam mudra
Melanie Kent
Tammy Beeson
Stephanie Burton
Executive Director
Business Manager
Executive Business Director
Director of Business Relations
K.C. Krueger Assistant Polo Manager
Tammi Galloway-Serna Account Representative
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Barlee Flanders
paige Flanders
Senior Polo and Riding Instructor
Assistant Polo and Riding Instructor
HOUSTON POLO CLUB
Natalie Cauthen-Alfaro Assistant Event Coordinator
Merrily Quincoces
Amy LeRoy
Mark Prinsloo
Riding Director and Barn Manager
Assistant Riding Instructor
RPC Manager and Senior Polo Instructor
Penny Dillingham
Esteban Gonzales
Marty Salinas
Polo Assistant
Grounds Supervisor
Announcer
2014 Polo Schedule spring league
april 6 Spring Classic 13 2014 USPA Senior’s Tournament presented by Geo. H. Lewis & Sons 20 Bluebonnet Cup and Easter Egg Hunt 27 Prairie Cup may 4 Jaguar Land Rover Houston Central Classic 11 Ponies and Petals Cup and Hat Fashion Show (Mother’s Day) 18 Red Oak Cup 25 Malbec Cup june 1 Andrews Kurth Cup 8 Vaqueros Classic presented by Lone Star Ford 15 USPA Junior Tournament presented by ABC Home and Commercial Services
FAll Season september 7 Fall Classic 14 Cowboy Cup 21 Lone Star Classic 28 Joe Barry Memorial Cup October 5 Houston Cup presented by Cartier 12 GH Mumm Cup 19 Jaguar Houston Central Cup 26 Texas Classic November 2 Harvest Cup 9 USPA U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship® and USPA Women's Handicap Tournament
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HPC Salutes the 2014 Sponsors! LOGOTYPE COULEUR FOND BLANC
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Cartier &
Cartier International Polo Challenge in Dubai (Photo by Aline Coquelle Š Cartier, 2008)
Cartier pledges a promise to standards in all commitments, whether it be jewelry, watchmaking, corporate social responsibility, or community relations. In 1983, Cartier recognized that the game of polo combined the elegance, passion, tradition and universal values that the Maison holds to the highest standards. The location was Palm Beach at a local tournament sponsored by the Maison, and there was born Cartier’s relationship with the game of polo.
S
hortly after the tournament in Palm Beach, Cartier became the sponsor of the Cartier International Polo Cup, one of the most important events in the British Sporting Calendar. Attended by Royals and prominent British families, and counting Prince Charles and Prince Harry as participants, the event is celebrated at Windsor in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and more than 25,000 spectators from all over the world.
Polo LEFT: Cartier International Polo Challenge in Dubaii (Photo by Chris Jackson, Getty Images) RIGHT: The 2013 Cartier Cup at the Houston Polo Club (Photo by Kaylee Scherbinski Photography)
Cartier continued to develop numerous other opportunities to explore the sport, even replacing horses with elephants at the World Elephant Polo Championships in Nepal in 1985. Numerous celebrities traveled to Nepal simply for the occasion. Cartier is both a sponsor and a patron, as the proceeds benefited the country’s endangered species. Cartier continued to develop a powerful link with the polo world and imagined the game played on a bed of snow. The Cartier Polo World Cup on Snow began in 1985. First played on top of the frozen of Lake St. Moritz, the horses wore specially designed shoes so they wouldn’t slip on the icy surface. In January 2014, Cartier won the 30th edition of the St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow in the final game against Ralph Lauren with a score of 2-1. Cartier’s commitment to Polo is global. In 2006, Cartier began sponsoring the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge, held at Desert Palm Polo Complex. This area of the world, where horses are held in the highest
esteem, became an obvious destination for such a game that combines passion and excellence. Athletes from Argentina, the Middle East and England participate in one of the world’s most anticipated tournaments and in the presence of the Royal Family of Dubai. On February 22, 2014, Cartier won the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge defeating CNN 11.5–7 in the final. Cartier is proud to be the sponsor and official jeweler and watchmaker of the Houston Polo Club for the fourth consecutive year. This partnership not only strengthens Cartier’s commitment to the sport of polo, but allows another tradition to be a part of the rich history of Cartier and the regal sport. Cartier is enthusiastic about the exceptional sport of passion and skill—values that Cartier has never ceased to pioneer. The game of polo is now a worldwide commitment that Cartier is proud to write into its history.
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Polo Primer History
The Sport of Kings had its noble beginnings as one of the world’s first organized team sports in 5th century BCE Persia, where it was used for cavalry training. Polo moved across Asia and India with military conquests. The roots of the modern version of the game are in India, with the establishment of the first polo club, the Calcutta Polo Club, in 1834 by two British soldiers. The first polo match in the United States took place at Dickel’s Riding Academy New York City. In 1876, the first formal American polo club was established: Westchester Polo Club.
Hook: A defensive tactic in which a player hooks the mallet of an opposing player or blocks his or her swing.
The Athletes The quality of a polo match is determined by the skill and athleticism of both horse and rider. A string of ponies can be from four to ten horses per player for a single game. An ideal polo pony has a steady temperament, is responsive during intense play and possesses stamina, speed, and agility. Polo players in North America are assigned ratings (also called handicaps) by the United States Polo Association (USPA), 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. Player ratings also determine the make-up of their teams. Opposing teams are equally matched by adding up the handicap ratings of each of their players. A team competing in a 4-goal tournament must have a total handicap of 4 when all players’ ratings are added up (for example, they could field two 0-goal players, a 3-goal player and a 1-goal player, to add up to a total of 4 goals).
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. Legal bumping of an opponent’s horse takes place at no more than a 45-degree angle.
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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.
The Game Polo is played on a 300 x 160 yard field to accommodate the intense speed and pace of the game. 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 and must be thrown back in. In a low- or medium-goal game, players have four 7½ minute chukkers in which to score, and in a high-goal game, there are six 7½ minute chukkers.A goal is scored by hitting the ball between the two goal posts at any height. A goal is confirmed by the goal judge, but the umpire ultimately makes the final decision. Keep your eye on the ball, but also on your team, because they change directions each time a goal is scored, in order to equalize playing conditions. The primary focus in polo is the safety of the horses and of the players. With horses hitting speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, the most significant rule governing play is “right of way,” as designated by the “line” of the ball. Players can hit the ball from either side of their mounts (though they can only use their right hand to hold the mallet), and 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 Scene Polo is heralded as the Sport of Kings, but anyone can enjoy the exhilaration of watching polo.Whether you watch from the sidelines, or from exclusive box seating, you will be caught up in the addictive pace of the game. Spectators also participate in
Player Positions: Player numbers designate their position and strategy on the field.
the traditional half-time Divot Stomp, as well as events such as the Easter Sunday egg hunt.
The Training When you get tired of sitting on the sidelines, it’s time to check out the offerings of Houston Polo Club’s Regional Training Center. Polo players come from all backgrounds—some bring riding experience, others bring a great golf swing. Regardless, the adrenaline of combining horsemanship with hand-eye coordination hooks hundreds of players a year. Lessons can be a rigorous start to your polo career or a casual weekend pastime for family and friends. No matter your level, interest, or ability, no one ever regrets their first polo lesson, and rarely do they show up for just one!
Divot Stomp: At half time, spectators flood the field to replace divots kicked up by the horses.
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1
Polo Gear 2
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1 POLO MALLEt: Polo mallets have bamboo or plastic shafts that are f lexible and can make a complete arc under the pony’s neck or tail.
7 RIDING BOOTS: Leather polo boots provide protection for the player’s lower leg. 8 KNEE PADS: Protection for the player’s knees.
2 HELMET: Hard, lined helmets protect players’ heads from swinging mallets and balls traveling up to 100 mph.
9 BREAST PLATE: This leather strap prevents the saddle from slipping back during the game.
3 BREECHES: Polo players always wear white breeches. 4 SADDLE: Polo saddles have little padding under the leg, allowing for maximum movement. 5 PLAITED TAIL: Polo ponies have plaited or braided tails so they don’t get tangled in the action around them. 6 BANDAGES & Boots: These protective wraps shield the pony’s legs against contact with the ball or other ponies.
10 POLO MARTINGALE: This leather strapping encourages proper head carriage. 11 DRAW REINS: These leather straps enhance control over the pony. 12 BRIDLE: This series of leather strapping, metal bit, and supports gives the player steering and stopping control. 13 mane: Polo ponies’ manes are clipped to eliminate interference with the players’ reins.
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Team USPA in Houston
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HOUSTON POLO CLUB
by: nick snow
Y
ou boys better play hard; don’t let up for a second,” Jeff Hildebrand said to me as we rode in the procession before the Officer’s Cup 8-goal finals at the Houston Polo Club. Mr. Hildebrand’s team of Mason Wroe, Jimmy Seward and C.J. Lequerica were playing against his brainchild: the Team USPA that he had hosted at Tonkawa for the spring season. Both teams had gone through the qualifying rounds undefeated.This entered the two teams into what turned out to be a good display of polo in a fast paced, exciting game. After a last-second goal on a full field run tied it up, the game was decided in overtime.
It was two Februaries ago that Charles Smith, Chairman of the Team USPA program, and Jeff Hildebrand got together in Florida, where the original seed for Team USPA team was planted. The idea was to provide complete polo immersion in a coached environment where young American players would have an opportunity to learn and improve. There had never before been a team comprised entirely of Team USPA players. That all changed last spring when Herndon Radcliff, Pedro Lara, Joh Shelton and I got the opportunity to come to Houston, a place none of us had ever played, and compete in the 8-goal season.
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More Than Just Polo This experience encompassed more than just field-playing opportunities and truly became a polo camp. With the help of C.J., Troy, and Sheila Lequerica as well as Wayne Kvalsvig, we were given instruction on ways to improve our training techniques for green and made horses alike. We were lucky enough to practice with them as the season got underway. They also hosted a training clinic that was attended by 15 young players in the Houston area. The clinic emphasized isolating the various movements of a horse such as yielding the shoulder, hind end, rolling back or backing up. “If things aren’t going well, slow down,” C.J. advised me. We focused on making sure the horses were placing their feet properly for each desired action, which will ultimately translate to a better-playing horse. We are all very grateful for the help and support this group gave to us during our time in Houston and hopefully we can apply some of this knowledge to improve horses in the future.
Prepare, Process, Trust … and Smile Shunryu Suzuki says,“The meaning lies in the effort itself. We should find out the meaning of our effort before we attain something.” As players, we get caught up in winning, winning, winning. In reality, winning is just a by-product of the effort you put in beforehand, being totally focused on the moment and the things you can control. As a team, we focused on three principles: preparation, process, and trust. In my view, this meant preparing our horses and our own bodies to play at the optimum level. We worked on areas that needed improvement during stick and ball sessions. We took practices seriously and played open, clean polo while preparing our horses and team for the upcoming game. Since our team
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was predominantly grooming for itself, it was essential that all details were organized before we got to the field.This allowed us to focus on the task at hand and get mentally prepared to play. Most importantly, we needed to trust each other on and off the field, depend on our teammates during the game, and make the plays when called upon. Lastly, we decided that smiling was also critical in ensuring we were having fun and playing relaxed. With these ideas as our guiding principles, we set out to improve ourselves as players and as a team. Legendary basketball coach Phil Jackson says, “One thing I have learned as a coach is that you can’t force your will on people. If you want them to act differently, you need to inspire them to change themselves.” My role on the team was as much coach as player. After a short time practicing with Herndon, Pedro, and Josh, I had ideas on areas where they needed improvement. We had reeled off six straight wins to open the season, won the first tournament in OT, and lost in the finals of the second tournament—so we were doing something right. However, we needed inspiration to play above our level. We were enriched on many different levels that season at Tonkawa. As players, we were given the opportunity to show our talents in a new location against new players. As a team, we were able to unite and play as a cohesive unit for a successful season. As horsemen, we were given the opportunity to learn from and train with great trainers. As polo professionals, we were involved with the Houston Polo Club as both instructors and umpires. We aimed to raise the level of competition for everybody, and in the process, we formed friendships and had experiences that we will always carry with us. This is the first time in the history of polo that a team of this nature has been organized. We are very grateful to Jeff Hildebrand for the opportunity. Jimmy and Traci Seward, managers of Tonkawa Farms, went above and beyond the call of duty to support us throughout the season and make us feel like Tonkawa was home. Wayne and Bea Kvalsvig, the managers of Isla Carroll, could not have been nicer in allowing us to utilize the neighboring facility. Pam Mudra and the staff of the Houston Polo Club were great, including us in a club with a massive amount of polo going on. Thank you also to the Beals, Tim Kelly, and Esther Kane, who had us over for barbeques at their respectively amazing farms. Lastly, thank you to Team USPA, who has supported each player throughout our tenure in the program. Our time at Tonkawa was a truly unique polo experience. It is our hope that we have paved the way for other young American players to get similar opportunities in the future.
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Senior’s Tournament
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HOUSTON POLO CLUB
B
ringing old friends together for a good time has a whole new meaning with the annual Senior's Tournament. This tournament is one of the most popular events at the Houston Polo Club, bringing camaraderie and sportsmanship together with seasoned players competing on the field.
Each team’s age must add up to 220 years, with the youngest age allowed being 50 years old. Players spend the weekend sharing memories of their years in polo and getting out onto the field to make new memories with old friends. Join us April 13, 2014, for this year’s Senior’s Tournament finals, presented by Geo. H. Lewis & Sons.
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club league The Club League was created for players who want to enjoy the sport of polo in a more relaxed environment. Players can use this level of polo as a stepping stone between leagues, preparing them to play faster and more competitively in their future polo careers. The higher the goal level one plays, the faster the pace of the game. Taking a season to play in the Club League helps set a solid foundation for players who are looking to grow and improve in the sport.
Club League 2013 Anne Andras Tom Earl Vicky Greene
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Maria Hartley Paul Hobby Liz Lary
HOUSTON POLO CLUB
Sheila Lequerica Shuman Majumbder Jenny Sharrock
Margarita league The Margarita Polo League is a beginner league that transitions graduates of the polo school into league play. This league meets twice a week during the polo season, and polo instructors play on each team to offer coaching and assistance. The environment is friendly and welcoming—it’s a great way to improve your game! Horses are available for lease for this program, as required. For more information on the Margarita League, contact Mark Prinsloo at mark@hpcstepupprogram.com.
2013 Maragrita League Players Alexandra Anderson Antonia Anderson Bonnie Baldwin Abby Benton Andrea Brucculeri Dunbar Chambers Martha Davis Jamie Demericas Barbara Jane Dinney Carol Farnsworth Fred Gallucci Kelly Hatcher Clare Sullivan Jackson Isabel Kramer Sabrina Lahiri
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Lauren Levicki Cynthia Madole Elizabeth Magyar Al Pepi Wallace Pepi Julie Rae Lauren Rae Megan Rahlfs Allision Riordan Debbie Shelton Kian Tajalli Sergio Tuberquia Jaclyn Ward Quentin Wilson
HOUSTON POLO CLUB
2013 USPA U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship® Finals
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T
he November 10 finals of the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship®, presented by Westside Surgical Hospital & Breast Center and Dr. Andrew T. Lyos, M.D., showcased some of the best women’s polo in the world, as Goose Creek faced off with BTA for the title. In an all-out battle for the only nationallevel USPA title in women’s polo, Goose Creek (Maureen Brennan, Sunny Hale, Kristy Outhier, and Julia Smith) scored an exciting 7–6 win in the last moments of the game over BTA (Chrys Beal, Lia Salvo, K.C. Krueger, and Sheila Lequerica). “After the 2012 Open finals, early on my goal was to bring back the best team I could to the 2013 Open,” said Maureen Brennan of Goose Creek, whose team has now won two of the last three Women’s Open tournaments. “This week’s solid teamwork between Julia, Kristy, Sunny and myself made the most of each of our skills on the field and allowed us to accomplish that goal. Although we had one win over BTA on Thursday, going into Sunday’s finals we knew they would bring a new strategy and a determination to win. BTA played an amazing game down to the last minute of the finals, but Goose Creek stuck to the game plan we had followed all week and things worked out in our favor. There is such a great collection of women players that come to Houston each year, and it’s worthwhile to travel for such a prestigious and well-organized tournament.The camaraderie of women’s polo always makes it a lot of fun.” With over 80 players competing in five divisions, the Houston Polo Club now hosts the largest annual women’s polo event in the United States, and is one of the many events around the country associated with the Women’s Championship Tournament (WCT)
series. The WCT was founded by polo legend Sunny Hale in 2005 to consolidate women’s polo into a common format and promote high-quality women’s polo and the players who compete worldwide. The week’s eliminations began on Tuesday with decisive 13–3 win by Goose Creek over Lockton (Cecelia Cochran, Karen Reese, Mumy Bellande, and Courtney Asdorian). Also on Tuesday, Arroyo Escondido (Cristi Payan, Caroline Anier, Sarah Wiseman, and Megan Scanlon) had BTA well in hand up to the last chukker, when BTA came out strong and ended the game in the last 30 seconds with a dramatic 6–5 win. The second round of eliminations on Thursday gave Goose Creek their ticket to the finals at 2–0 as they defeated BTA 6–2. Meanwhile, Lockton and Arroyo Escondido took their match into overtime. Lockton’s Karen Reese converted on an OT penalty to win the match 5–4 and advance Lockton to the semis. Thursday’s outcome placed BTA and Lockton at 1–1, advancing both to the semifinals for a chance to advance on to the Open finals. In an early Saturday match, Lockton traded goals with BTA to the last moments of the game, where a last-minute goal by Salvo put BTA up 5–4 over Lockton, earning them a shot at the overall tournament win. In addition to the 6-goal U.S.OpenWomen’s Polo Championship®, the 2-goal U.S.Women’s Handicap Tournament was slated for the week, with 10 teams entered. As well, four teams entered in the Farish Cup Invitational and two teams entered the Bayou City Invitational. Heavy rains early in the week led to very limited
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field availability, which moved the 2-goal division to an indoor format, played at the ERG Arena on Wednesday, November 6 and Friday, November 8. Wednesdays’ exciting round of arena polo split the pack into the five Championship bracket teams at 1–0 and five Consolation bracket teams at 0–1. Friday’s semifinals placed Pegasus (Anne Andras, Sheila Lequerica,Tiffany Clifton, and Lia Salvo) and Land Rover (Cecelia Cochran, Slaney O’Hanlon, Julia Steiner, and Courtney Asdorian) on top of the winning bracket, and placed Neiman Marcus (Kendall Plank, Megan Flynn, Brianna Galindo, and K.C. Krueger) against St Regis (Samantha Falbe, Erin Brittin, Jolie Liston, and Sheryl Sick) in the Consolation bracket finals. Improved field conditions allowed Saturday’s 2-goal Championship and Consolation finals to move to an outdoor format, and crowds packed the sidelines of the HPC Flanders Field to enjoy tailgating, shopping at the La Martina store and specialty vendors, and a margarita contest. Pegasus scored a decisive 7–2 win over Land Rover to take the Championship trophy, while Neiman Marcus defeated St Regis 6–2. River Oaks Bookstore was the winner of the Farish Cup invitational, and Sullivan Group claimed first place in the Bayou City Invitational division. The week-long event ended with Sunday’s finals, which included a special WCT Junior exhibition match featuring girls ages 8 to 12. The Houston Polo Club was excited to include the Junior group in the 2013 tournament, with the goal of bringing today’s top players together with the next generation of female polo players. “Twenty years ago, young girls starting out in polo didn’t have the opportunity to begin competing this early on,” says Hale. “Today, with the right training and leadership example, there is no limit to what these girls can achieve over the next 10 to 20 years in our sport. Most of all, the friendships and polo dreams that I can see being forged among these young players are very special.” Heading into the 2:00 pm Sunday finals, three of the four players for Goose Creek brought extensive experience in higher-level women’s polo to the field, as did BTA’s powerful lineup of Argentine 2-goal player Lia Salvo; the mother-daughter team of Chrys Beal and K.C. Krueger; and Houston’s Sheila Lequerica. The two teams swapped goals and some hard bumps through three fast-paced chukkers, with no significant advantage emerging for either team. Goose Creek gathered some momentum late in the third and entered the fourth chukker with a two-goal lead. In the last chukker, Salvo narrowed the gap to one goal, but Hale scored with a nearside neckshot to put Goose Creek up 7–5. Salvo scored one more goal but ran out of time to tie it up during the last minute of play, ending the finals 7–6 in favor of Goose Creek. “This year’s Open was some of the best women’s poIo I have ever played—so competitive and fun. I’m glad we could at least give them a run for their money,” said BTA’s K.C. Krueger.“We are so fortunate to have such a great tournament with so many teams in
all levels. This tournament’s success would not be possible without organizations traveling across the U.S. and players coming in from all over the world.” MVP of the Open division was awarded to Sunny Hale. Best Playing Pony in the Professional division went to Cachorra owned by Maureen Brennan and played by Sunny Hale, and to Bitsy in the Amateur division, played and owned by Chrys Beal. In addition to lots of outdoor and arena polo action, all 81 participants in the tournament enjoyed Texas hospitality, including a cocktail party hosted by Land Rover Houston Central, a Welcome Players asado, La Martina custom gear bags and other prizes awarded for each place in all divisions. Other 2013 event contributors included St. Regis Houston, Hendrick’s Gin, Melissa Pop, MyRecruiting, Sullivan Group, River Oaks Bookstore, Tavaero Jet, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Esther Kane/Fairplay Farms, and Masai of Palm Beach.
For more information about the 2014 USPA U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship® and the U.S. Women’s Handicap Tournament contact: Tickets and Sponsorship Opportunities: Tammy Beeson, tbeeson@thehoustonpoloclub.com Tournament Information and Team Entries: Pam Mudra, polomanager@thehoustonpoloclub.com
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TheWinner’s Circle
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HOUSTON POLO CLUB
2013
USPA Southwest Regional Classic (14 Goal) winner ERG: Jeff Blake, Sugar Erskine, Felipe Vercellino, Scott Wood
Runner up Tonkawa: Jeff Hildebrand, Mason Wroe, Jeff Hall, Jimmy Seward
USPA President’s Cup (8 Goal) winner Rockin P: Hernan Tejera, Marcos Villanueva, Chad Bowman, Carl Price
Runner up BTA: Shane Rice, Steve Krueger, K.C. Krueger, Chrys Beal
USPA Officer’s Cup (8 Goal) winner Team USPA: Herndon Radcliff, Nick Snow, Pedro Lara, Josh Shelton
Runner up Tonkawa: Troy Lequerica, Jimmy Seward, Mason Wroe, C.J. Lequerica
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USPA Senior’s Tournament (5 Goal) winner Los Viejos: Jeff Hildebrand, Carlos Galindo, George Georgiades, Trey Malechek
Runner up San Antonio Viejo: Wayne Kvalsvig, Tom Gose, Miguel Silvestre, Joe Fitzsimons
USPA U.S. Women’s Championship (6 Goal) winner Goose Creek: Julia Smith, Maureen Brennan, Sunny Hale, Kristy Outhier
Runner up BTA: Chrys Beal, K.C. Krueger, Sheila Lequerica, Lia Salvo
USPA U.S. Women’s Handicap (2 Goal) winner Pegasus: Anne Andras, Sheila Lequerica, Tiffany Clifton, Lia Salvo
Runner up Land Rover: Cecelia Cochran, Slaney O’Hanlon, Julia Steiner, Courtney Asdorian
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HOUSTON POLO CLUB
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Joe Barry Memorial Tournament (14 Goal) winner ERG: Brad Blake, Jeff Blake, Miguel Torres, Scott Wood
Runner up Tonkawa: Jeff Hildebrand, Jimmy Seward, Jeff Hall, Mason Wroe
Red Oak Cup (14 Goal) winner ERG: Brad Blake, Jeff Blake, Scott Wood, Miguel Torres
Runner up BTA: Kelly Beal, Steve Krueger, Hector Galindo, Joe Wayne Barry
Cartier Cup (14 Goal) winner Tonkawa: Troy Lequerica (for Jeff Hildebrand), Jimmy Seward, Jeff Hall, Mason Wroe
Runner up BTA: Carlucho Arellano, Hector Galindo, Kelly Beal, Steve Krueger
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Spring Classic (8 Goal) winner Cinco Canyon Ranch: David Marks, Kristy Outhier, Bryan Middleton, Nicolai Galindo
Runner up Team USPA: Jeff Hildebrand, Pedro Lara, Josh Shelton, Herndon Radcliff, Nick Snow
Director’s Cup (8 Goal) winner BTA: Chrys Beal, K.C. Krueger, Steve Krueger, Shane Rice
Runner up Fairplay: Esther Kane, Remy Muller, Ulysses Escapite, Robert Orthwein
Land Rover Cup (8 Goal) winner Tonkawa: Shane Rice, Jimmy Seward, Chad Bowman, Jeff Hildebrand
Runner up Arroyo Escondido: Cristi Payan, Taylor Freeman, Carlos Galindo, Carlitos Galindo
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Van Conover Memorial (6 Goal) winner Propaganda: John Tasdemir, Chad Bowman, Billy Mudra, Paul Hobby
Runner up 7 Bar W: Jeff Wood, Sheila Lequerica, Christopher Nevins, C.J. Lequerica
Fall Classic (8 Goal) winner 7 Bar W/Pegasus: David Andras, Mason Wroe, Robert Orthwein, Sheila Lequerica
Runner up Rockin P: Carl Price, Chad Bowman, Marcos Villanueva, Hernan Tejera
Titan Cup (4 Goal) winner Bad Company: Robert Orthwein, John Alexander, Brooks Armour-Diesel, Tiffany Clifton
Runner up Latino Polo: Peter Blake, Mark Prinsloo, Ashley Solonynka, Felipe Bayon
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USPA Player’s Cup (4 Goal)
Spring Cup (2 Goal)
winner
Horsegate: Mike Heitman, Nick Stefanakis/Anson Moore, Ariel Mancebo, Luis Echezarreta
Latino Polo: Sarah Prinsloo, Mark Prinsloo, Peter Blake, Felipe Bayon
Runner up San Pedro: Asa Fitzsimons, Joe Fitzsimons, Robert Orthwein, Mauro Amavet
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HOUSTON POLO CLUB
winner
Runner up La Sarita: Shuman Majumbder, Ameer Jumabhoy, Steve Gilchrist, Wyatt Myr
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Polo Police
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ith eight players flying down the field on horses weighing over 1,000 pounds each, ensuring the safety of the riders and mounts in a polo match isn’t an easy job. As with all contact sports, emotions and adrenaline run high among the competitors, so maintaining order is a top priority in polo. Policing the players is the responsibility of the umpires. Although it may appear to spectators that the two riders in black and white are just following alongside or behind the players at a leisurely pace, the art of polo umpiring is a complicated skill that requires years of training to perfect. Any player who has umpired can confirm that, of the 10 people on the field, the two “polo police” often have the most difficult job. In a match, the two umpires’ responsibilities are divided. First and foremost, the job of the umpires is to enforce the rules of play as specified by the USPA, the sport’s governing body. The rules are focused on making each game as safe, orderly, and enjoyable as possible. Umpires maintain order by calling out players using a whistle when a rule infraction occurs, consulting with each other on the severity of the infraction and its consequences (such as giving a free hit to the opposing team), and throwing the ball back in play when it is hit out of bounds.
It sounds easy enough, but spotting a rule infraction in a mass of galloping players can be very challenging. Obviously, a polo umpire must have a thorough knowledge of the game, gained by years of playing the sport themselves. Aside from a handful of professionals who are employed exclusively to do the job by the USPA, the umpires that spectators see each Sunday are also active polo players who wear a team jersey when they are not in the black and white stripes. To participate as umpires in competitive matches, individuals must undergo the rigorous process of USPA Umpire Certification. In order to encourage certification of as many players as possible, special umpire clinics are hosted by local clubs, such as HPC, which guide players through the certification process. Depending on the amount of experience they have, umpires are rated from CU to AA, with AA being the highest possible rating that an umpire can achieve. The better an umpire’s rating, the higher the goal match he or she is certified to umpire. When it comes to umpiring the high-goal matches, these “polo police” take their jobs very seriously. Professional umpires typically meet on a weekly basis during the polo season to review videotapes of the week’s games and discuss unique or hard-to-spot rule infractions that may have occurred. They also discuss any recent rule changes or amendments made by the USPA. This attention to detail helps maintain consistency in rule interpretation and play calling among the different umpires. Another serious aspect of an umpire’s job is to maintain a sportsmanlike atmosphere on the field. To head off conflict between players when things get heated, an umpire can call a technical foul, also known as a “red flag.” A “red flag,” named after the red handkerchief waved by an umpire when calling a technical foul, occurs when a player verbally accosts or abuses another player or umpire. Red flags can result in a free hit for the opposing team or the ejection of a player from the match, depending on the severity of the infraction. Because equine welfare is of utmost importance, umpires also have the authority to sit down a player whose mount is ill-treated or unfit to play.
To become a USPA Certified Umpire, players must: • Be a current USPA member. • Take the USPA Rules Test and score a grade of 95% on the Outdoor test or 94% on the Arena test. • Be observed by an approved USPA Umpire Observer and have an umpire rating recommendation forwarded to the Head Umpire Instructor.
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w h a t’s
g o o d
n o w
Our inspired seasonal menus feature fresh ingredients at their peak, prepared with rustic cooking techniques to highlight their natural flavors. Like our Mediterranean Branzino, infused with Meyer lemon and herbs, and roasted whole in our brick oven. Pair it with one of 52 wines by the glass. There’s always something new to discover at Seasons 52. AT CITY CENTRE THREE
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Scene at Polo
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websites mobile apps programming web marketing on-site IT services
713.682.6767
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I want to be YOUR Realtor!
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Andrea Bauer, riding Luna.
Scene at Polo
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Scene at Polo
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Meet the players
Oscar Acosta, B
Emilio Acosta-Casabianca, B
Anne Andras, B.5
David Andras, 1
jeff Anon, A.5
Pierce Anon, JM
Laurance Armour, B.5
Steven S. Armour, A.5
Brooks Armour-Diesel, A
Felipe Bayon, B.5
Chrys Beal, A
Kelly Beal, 1
Fox Benton, A
Rebecca Bollenbach, B.5
Andrea Brucculeri, B
Amy Burgert, B
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HOUSTON POLO CLUB
Grace Burgert, B
Crystal Cassidy, A
Joe Chandler, B.5
Meet the players
Tiffany Clifton, A
Debbie Daspit, AM
Martha Davis, B
Tommy Dorsey, A
Tom Earl, B
Cynthia Ernyey, B
Asa Fitzsimons, B.5
Joe Fitzsimons, 1
Paige Flanders, B.5
Charles Fridge, A
Carol Farnsworth, NR
Cathy Frietsch, A
Fred Gallucci, B
George Georgiades, 1
Vicky Greene, A
Aaron Hall, B
Wil Harris, 1
Maria Hartley, B
Mike Heitmann, B
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Meet the players
Jeff Hildebrand, A.5
Paul Hobby, 1
Clare Jackson, AM
Josie Jones, B
Saeed Kahkeshani, B
Esther Kane, B
Tim Kelly, A
K.C. Krueger, 1.5
Liz Lary, B.5
Philip Limon, B
Andrew Lyos, A
Julie Mackay, B
Shuman Majumbder, B
Colleen Marks, B.5
David Marks, A
Wick McKean, NR
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HOUSTON POLO CLUB
Mary Austin Moody, B
Anson Moore, B
Mike Moore, B
Ready for another great season at the Houston Polo Club.
NO LE HACE POLO TEAM
Molly and George Georgiades
Meet the players
Cristi Payan, A
Kendall Plank, A
Kelly Plato, A
Carl Price, A.5
Courtney Price, B
Sarah Prinsloo, A
Kristy Outhier, 2
Julie Rae, C
Lauren Rae, C
Marty Salinas, 1
Elle Seybold, NR
Jenny Sharrock, B.5
Will Shoppa, B
Wesley Sinor, 2
T.J. Slocum, B
Raymond Stainback, A
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Nick Stefanakis, B
Sloan Stefanakis, A
Bayard Stratton, AM
Meet the players
Laura Straussfeld, A
John Tasdemir, A
Chris Williams, A.5
Colleen Williams, b.5
Jeff Wood, A
Scott Wood, A.5
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Houston Polo Club Pros 2013
name
Carlucho Arellano Stewart Armstrong Agustin Arrayago Joe Wayne Barry Brad Blake Jeff Blake Peter Blake Marcos Bignoli Chad Bowman Hamish Bray Jorge Cernadas Nick Cifuni David Crea Jason Crowder Jose Donoso Sugar Erskine Daniel Fernandez Taylor Freeman Carlos Galindo Carlitos Galindo Hector Galindo Nicolai Galindo Jeff Hall JW Hall Tiamo Hudspeth
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rating
5 3 2 4 4 6 2 4 1.5 3 4 3 1 6 6 6 3 1.5 4 3 5 4 7 3 1
HOUSTON POLO CLUB
hometown
name
Wellington, Florida San Antonio, Texas Pierce, Texas Brookshire, Texas Wellington, Florida Wellington, Florida Burleson, Texas Wellington, Florida LaGrange, Kentucky St. Louis, Missouri Dallas, Texas Denver, Colorado Houston, Texas Santa Barbara, California Middleburg,Virginia Wellington, Florida Houston, Texas Aiken, South Carolina Thermal, California Thermal, California Wellington, Florida Thermal, California Sealy, Texas Sealy, Texas Wharton, Texas
Steve Krueger Wayne Kvalsvig C. J. Lequerica Sheila Lequerica Drew Luplow Bryan Middleton Billy Mudra Remy Muller Martin Munoz Christopher Nevins Robert Orthwein Neil Osburg Kristy Outhier Mark Prinsloo Charly Quincoces Shane Rice Jimmy Seward Jared Sheldon Hernan Tejera Neels Uys Jorge Vargas Felipe Vercellino Marcos Villanueva Cody Woodfin Mason Wroe
rating
3 2 1.5 1 1.5 3 3 2 2 4 3 1.5 2 3 4 4 3 3 3 1 1 3 4 2 4
hometown
Argyle, Texas Brookshire, Texas Sealy, Texas Sealy, Texas Banner, Wyoming Waller, Texas Bellville, Texas Lockeford, California Brookshire, Texas Cat Spring, Texas St. Louis, Missouri Clearwater Beach, Florida Utopia, Texas Brookshire, Texas Wichita, Kansas Bellville, Texas Brookshire, Texas Poway, California Fulshear, Texas Sealy, Texas Fulshear, Texas Middleburg,Virginia Fulshear, Texas Wharton, Texas Columbus, Texas
Live well, Love much, Laugh often,
... PLAY POLO!
WWW.HORSEGATERANCH.COM
On the Field
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HOUSTON POLO CLUB
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Dr. Davis is one of approximately 300 dentists holding certification in cosmetics from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists. With more than 100 years of collective experience in the fields of cosmetic and general dentistry and the latest in digital lab technology, our staff has seen every kind of dental case and is able to advise you. If you’ve been waiting to find the right dentist to create your “Hollywood” smile, look no further than Dr. Spiker Davis and the CDA team. Cosmetic Dental Associates 1220 Augusta, Suite 200 Houston 77057 713.784.2800 Spikerdental.com
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Junior polo Junior Polo is a fun, family-friendly environment that teaches youth polo players about the game. The program is growing every year, giving kids the opportunity to participate in polo clinics and tournaments in Houston, and promoting teamwork and responsibility as they learn the Sport of Kings. The Houston Polo Club offers outdoor and indoor Junior Polo during the spring, fall and winter polo seasons. The outdoor tournaments can be broken up into different levels, including Lead Line, Walk Trot, Intermediate Division, and Advanced Division.
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Team USPA helps 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. In the winter season, Junior Polo is held in the arena every Friday and Saturday. As kids 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.
National YOuth Tournament Series Houston Polo Club hosted a Zone 1 USPA National Youth Tournament that showcased the talents of junior USPA members who are under 19 years of age. This year’s NYTS tournament will take place June 14 & 15. For details, contact Amanda Snow, snow@uspolo.org.
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Horses have done so much for you. Now they’re asking for your help.
Habitat for Horses is a non-profit 501.c.3 equine rescue, rehabilitation, adoption, retirement and therapy center. Since 1998, over 5,000 equine have passed through our gates, each seeking rehabilitation, retraining and adoption to a better life. Through their magic, we now offer equine psychotherapy programs to kids and adults. Healing horses and people together.
Join us. Be a part of all we do. Facilities located in Hitchcock, Manvel and Fairfield, Texas.
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Houston Polo Club
Thank you to our students and parents for helping make our English Riding Program such a success. We look forward to helping you accomplish all of your riding goals.
! !
Good Luck to our 2014 Show Team!
!
Merrily & Amy
!
!
832-567-3202 Ridinglessons@thehoustonpoloclub.com
ABOVE AND BEYOND