Houston Polo Magazine 2017

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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HOUSTON POLO CLUB

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

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WELCOME TO THE HOUSTON POLO CLUB

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A SALUTE TO THE SEASON’S SPONSORS

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2017 SUNDAY POLO SCHEDULE

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HPC STAFF

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POLO PRIMER

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POLO GEAR

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A FAMILY AFFAIR

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GET IN THE GAME!

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A TRIBUTE TO SUNNY HALE

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2016 U.S. OPEN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP® TOURNAMENT

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THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

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EQUINE ADVENTURES

54

CALLING ALL KIDS!

55

NATIONAL YOUTH TOURNAMENT SERIES

58

HOUSTON POLO CLUB’S INTERSCHOLASTIC PROGRAM

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MEET THE PLAYERS

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THE PROS

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SCENE AT POLO



a Winning selection.

PUBLISHER Lisa Muirhead lisa@poisepublications.com

ART DIRECTOR Ryan Germain ryan.germain@gmail.com

EXECUTIVE BUSINESS DIRECTOR Tammy Beeson

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PHOTOGRAPHY Kaylee Wroe and Monique Brooks CONTRIBUTORS Tammy Beeson, Monique Brooks, George Georgiades, Megan Kozminski, KC Krueger, Kristy Outhier, Mark Prinsloo

© 2017 Houston Polo Club Printed in Canada by TC Transcontinental Printing

Published for the Houston Polo Club by Poise Publications Inc. www.poisepublications.com

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FROM THE PRESIDENT On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, I welcome you to the Houston Polo Club. Houston Polo Club’s membership is the largest of any club in the United States, per players, for good reason. 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 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. 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 12 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 U.S. Open Women’s Championship®. 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, adrenaline-filled 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,

HOUSTON POLO CLUB 2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Steven Armour

Tim Kelly

Kelly Beal

Colleen Marks

Fox Benton

Kristy Outhier

Crystal Cassidy

Carl Price

Charles Fridge

Wesley Sinor

George Georgiades

Nick Stefanakis

Jeff Hildebrand

John Tasdemir

Paul Hobby

Scott Wood

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George Georgiades President of the Board of Directors


# T H E N O W


WELCOME TO THE HOUSTON POLO CLUB

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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: APRIL 2–JUNE 11 FALL SEASON: SEPTEMBER 10–NOVEMBER 12 Polo tournaments are played throughout our spring and fall seasons, with final matches open to the public on Sunday afternoons. Purchase tickets online: houstonpoloclub.com/buy-tickets Please consult the 2017 Polo Schedule on page 18 for tournament dates or go to our website: houstonpoloclub.com/schedule

HOUSTON POLO CLUB BOX SEATS Becoming a Houston Polo Club Box Seat holder is a great way to spend quality time with family and entertain clients. You and your guests will be served by the professional wait staff from our onsite concession, Ruth’s Chris. 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. Reserve your Box online: houstonpoloclub.com/buy-tickets ANNUAL BOX HOLDERS • • • •

Seating for six, for spring and fall Sunday Polo matches One complimentary VIP parking pass Your family and/or company name affixed to the box Invites to Houston Polo Club social events and exclusive Thursday night polo matches.

To purchase an annual box or for additional information, email events@thehoustonpoloclub.com or call 713-681-8571.

BOOK THE CLUB The Houston Polo Club is the perfect location to host corporate, private, fundraising, or social events. For more information about visiting the Houston Polo Club for a game or special event, visit www.thehoustonpoloclub.com or call 713.681.8571.

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HOUSTON POLO CLUB


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2017 SUNDAY POLO SCHEDULE

SPRING SEASON APRIL Van Conover Memorial Cup 2 Bluebonnet Cup 9 16 St Regis Classic 23 Prairie Cup 30 Land Rover Houston Central Cup

MAY Ruth’s Chris Cup 7 14 Mother’s Day: Ponies and Petals Cup, presented by Hublot 21 Western Challenge 28 Milagro Cup, presented by William Grant & Sons

JUNE Vaqueros Classic 4 USPA NYTS Junior Tournament 11 and Joe Barry Memorial Cup

FALL SEASON SEPTEMBER 10 Fall Classic 17 Cowboy Cup, presented by Jaguar Houston Central 24 Intercontinental Cup

OCTOBER Beal Cup, presented by Jetlinx 1 Houston Cup 8 15 USPA H. Ben Taub Memorial Cup 22 Glenfiddich Classic 29 Hendrick’s Gin Cup

NOVEMBER Texas Open, presented by 5 Moët & Chandon 12 USPA U.S. Open Women’s Championship Tournament

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HPC STAFF

MARK PRINSLOO

TAMMY BEESON

KC KRUEGER

KIMBERLY GILBERT

BECKY GROHMAN

Head Polo Instructor and USPA RPC Manager

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

Polo Manager

Account Representative

HPC Shoppe Manager

MONIQUE BROOKS

KAYLEE WROE

MERRILY QUINCOCES

AMY LEROY

BARLEE FLANDERS

Marketing, Ad Designer, Photographer

Photographer

Riding Director/ Barn Manager

Assistant Riding Instructor

Senior Polo and Riding Instructor

MEGAN FLYNN

PAIGE LUPLOW

USPA Polo Instructor

Polo and Riding Instructor

ESTEBAN GONZALES “EL HEFE” Grounds Manager

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MARTY SALINAS Announcer


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POLO PRIMER

BASICS Polo is played on a 300 x 160 yard (9 acre) field to accommodate the intense speed and pace of the game. A game consists of periods of play called chukkers. In a low- or medium-goal game, players play four 7½ minute chukkers, and in a high-goal game, there are six 7½ minute chukkers. A point is scored when a player hits the ball between the two goal posts at any height.After each goal, the teams change directions in order to equalize playing conditions.

PLAYERS A polo team has four players. Each player is assigned a goal rating (or handicap) by the United States Polo Association based on his or her 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. Opposing teams are equally matched by adding up the rating numbers of each of their players.

PONIES Polo ponies are thoroughbreds or part thoroughbred and part quarter horse, selected for their agility, speed, endurance, and intelligence. It takes up to three years to train a green pony, and their polo careers can last over 15 years. Because polo ponies run an average of 1–2 miles, often at full speed, during a single chukker, players at higher levels should have a string of at least one pony per chukker.

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RULES The rules of polo focus on the safety of the players and ponies. The most important rule 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 by its trajectory. 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.

STRATEGY

Player 1: Neutralizes the other team’s defense (usually their #4) Player 2: Transition player that moves the ball up the field Player 3: Quarterback that focuses on game strategy Player 4: Primary defense, guarding the goal

Hook: A defensive tactic in which a player hooks the mallet of an opposing player or blocks his or her swing.

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.

THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM 25


POLO GEAR

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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.

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

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

6. 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.

3. BREECHES: Polo players always wear white breeches. 4. BOOTS AND KNEE PADS: Polo boots and knee pads provide protection for the player’s lower legs and knees.

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


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A Family Affair Houston Polo Club is a place where families learn, grow and play together

THE JACKSONS Growing up, Clare Sullivan Jackson was an accomplished hunter jumper at the Manila Polo Club in the Philippines, but she drifted away from riding when her family moved away. She continued to love sports, but didn’t return to horseback until one day on a trail ride in New Mexico.

Joanie Jackson

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“I had ridden on and off, but I got back in the saddle, had an amazing experience, and just thought: Wow. I am so happy on horseback. Why am I not doing this?” Upon her return to Houston, Clare called up the polo club and connected with Barlee Flanders in order to take riding lessons. Barlee’s reaction upon seeing Clare’s skill as a rider was

to put a polo mallet in her hand. “And that was the beginning of the end.” Soon, Clare’s daughter Joanie was taking riding lessons from Paige Luplow, Barlee’s daughter. As her riding skills improved, Paige gave her the same treatment and when she was 11 years old, stuck a polo mallet in Joanie’s hand. Joanie was hooked immediately.

Joanie and Clare


Joanie quickly rose through the ranks of Houston’s polo training regimen: 8-week Polo School followed by a stint in the Margarita League and then 2-Goal. At 15, Joanie has been playing Interscholastic polo for two years, and she was also on the team that took the regional championship in the 2016 National Youth Tournament Series. “I have always loved Interscholastic more than outdoor.We practice Friday and Saturday nights, doing drills and having scrimmages with other girls’ Interscholastic teams. I love playing with my friends, and also there are more opportunities to play, like getting to Nationals.” In fact, Joanie’s goal is to get to Interscholastic Nationals and win, and eventually play Intercollegiate polo for Texas A&M. Watching Joanie grow into a skilled and gracious competitor has been a great joy for Clare and her husband Steve. Clare still enjoys playing, but she balances her time supporting Joanie’s dedication to the sport. The last time they played together was in the 2-Goal League, and Clare laughs at remembering Mark Prinsloo yelling at Joanie: “Go get your mother!” when they were playing on rival teams. But one of her favorite memories is playing on a team with Joanie. “I was taking the ball up the field, and I hear Joanie behind me shouting: ‘I’m right behind you, Mom!’ That was pretty darn cool.”

Nick (L) and Sloan (R) Stefanakis playing for Horsegate

THE STEFANAKISES The Stefanakis family has equine sports in their blood. Grandmother Alice WombleHeitmann, mother Jenne Womble-Stefanakis, and daughter Lilianna are all avid equestrians. However, it wasn’t until son Sloan and grandfather Dr Mike Heitmann took a fateful trip to Florida that polo entered their bloodstream. Sloan had ridden horses before, but polo really grabbed him. When he and his grandfather returned to Houston, the two of them signed up for Polo School at the Houston Polo Club and played in the Margarita League. The next year, Sloan’s cousin Anson started playing, and the following year, Sloan’s father Nick decided to join them. “I got sick of just watching them,” says Nick, who loves what polo brings out in his kids. “The number one thing it teaches kids is that they can start playing the game, and then see the progression in what they have accomplished. It equates back to life: whatever you put in is what you get out.”

A family team: Dr Mike Heitmann, Nick, Sloan and Lance Stefanakis

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At 13, Nick’s youngest son, Lance, plays on the Horsegate Ranch team with his dad and brother, as well as in the Interscholastic league. His team has won the middle school tournament the last two years. “He’s fearless,” says Nick. “He also has a real love for animals. He has a passion for the horses.”

Sloan is applying to Southern Methodist University, where he hopes to continue playing on the Intercollegiate polo team. In the meantime, the family will come together to play in the spring season on the Horsegate team, because, in Sloan’s words,“playing as a family is the best feeling in the whole world.”

This passion is no doubt a product of his family’s long history with horses. His grandmother, Alice Womble-Heitmann, along with Dr Heitmann, own Horsegate Ranch, where they breed horses and Brahman cattle and have a full polo field. She maintains four dressage horses, including one of the top horses in the country, Sanceo, who took gold at the 2015 Pan American Games. Nick refers to her as their horse whisperer: “She has been involved with horses since she was a kid. She knows which horse is right for who. She has a passion for it; she sees it; she understands it.”

THE STIMMELS

Sloan has also accomplished a lot in his young polo career. He has represented Zone 1 in the Interscholastic Championships for the last three years; he won the Taqueria Cup when he was 16; he won the Major Collins Memorial Tournament in Wellington twice; and he been recognized for best playing pony, best sportsmanship, and best teammate in the Interscholastic Championships.

Harley Stimmel grew up in Midland, TX, and played as a pro into the mid-90s, when the complexities of traveling with three kids on the polo circuit signaled a change. The family moved back to Midland, where his parents were founding members of the Midland Polo Club. By the time their fourth boy, JoeMacK, came along, the Stimmels were deeply rooted in Midland’s polo community, helping to develop the club, coaching the boys, and starting a polo school.

When you talk to Sloan, however, he answers questions about his greatest accomplishments in polo by talking about how much it has brought his family together: “Any time I can be with the horses and be with my family is a highlight.”

When she was 18, Carolyn took a polo clinic at Jackson Hole, WY, where her family owns a summer guest ranch called the Red Rock Ranch. It was delivered by none other than Houston Polo School’s Barlee Flanders. Barlee not only introduced Carolyn to the world of polo—she eventually introduced her to her husband, Harley Stimmel. “To say that Barlee has been a big influence on my life is an understatement,” Carolyn deadpans.

Midland is an incredible community to raise children, but with Russell and Jake making a go of it on the pro polo circuit, oldest Steven starting his career in hotel and restaurant management and Joe-MacK, at 16, getting increasingly competitive in his own polo game, they decided to make another move. Houston offered a club with a bigger polo program in a place where their kids would likely come back to roost. It didn’t hurt that their good luck charm, Barlee, is the Senior Polo and Riding Instructor at the Houston Polo School. In fact, as a certified instructor, Carolyn subs for Barlee at the Polo School as well as running clinics at the Red Rock Ranch. The Stimmel boys juggled various sports, but when it came to prioritizing, Carolyn says, “it always came back to polo.” The boys have excelled, with Russell and Jake taking the 2009 Interscholastic National Championship on a team coached by Harley (who, incidentally, took the same championship back when he played Interscholastic polo as a youth at the Midland Polo Club). Steven played Intercollegiate polo at Texas Tech University where he was awarded Collegiate Player of the Year in 2011. Joe-MacK is currently playing in the Interscholastic league, and played in the ERG league in the fall on a team with Carolyn. For Jake and Russell, polo is a passion. Both are currently developing their careers as polo pros. Russell spent some of his winter months

Father and son have different approaches to polo. Nick loves the fearlessness and adrenaline of polo: “People like to race cars or jump off mountains, but going fast on a horse, and the horse being one unit with you, there is no better feeling than that. Clears your mind. Nothing in the world matters.” Sloan, on the other hand, has a philosophical approach to his game: “I love the variables in the sport. What time you’re going on the field, what field, what horse you’re riding, what mallet you have, the bridle, your position. All of these variables come together, and it’s almost like art. When I first saw it, it seemed like a Jackson Pollock, but the more you play, you see it’s a really defined sport. You have two referees and eight people, all using different equipment, on different horses, speaking different languages. With that diversity, you are able to play over and over and over again and never get tired of it.”

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Winning the 2016 Autumn Classic with CW Petroleum/Tylee Farms: Al Pepi, Chris Williams, Russell Stimmel, Jake Stimmel


The Stimmels at home in Jackson Hole, WY

in Okeechobee, FL training polo horses and pursuing pro gigs for the upcoming seasons, while Jake was doing the same in El Paso, TX. The two boys also took a trip down to Argentina for a month to work on honing their game. The fall season of 2016 saw three of the four Stimmel boys playing together on a 4-goal team for the first time—a real experience learning how to cooperate on the field. “It was fun. At first it was frustrating, because we expected way too much out of my little brother,” explains Russell. “Once Jake and I took a step back and gave him more opportunities and less pressure, he played really well. I am sure you can imagine three brothers on the field when things aren’t going your way.” Russell loves playing at the Houston Polo Club because his family is close by, and also because of the opportunities that Houston offers a young pro. “The good thing about Houston is there is a very diverse crowd there. There are a lot of opportunities to play, but you still have a sense of community. There are people coming through the club from all over the country and the world. It keeps you on your toes.”

THE GONZALEZES In 2009, when Angela Muñoz moved her family, the Gonzalezes, to Texas from Mexico, she didn’t expect that in less than a decade, she and her daughter would find themselves with

Angela and Angela

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such a passion for riding. It was 2011 when Mrs. Muñoz first signed her daughter (and namesake), the younger Angela, up for riding lessons at the Houston Polo Club. Angela’s mother would come and watch her daughter train under the tutelage of instructors Merrily Quincoces and Amy LeRoy in the English Riding Program. Finally, in 2014, Merrily told Mrs. Muñoz that is was time to stop watching the action and get in on it! “We have a nice group of women that come along. We are all at different levels, but we can learn from each other. It is really fun. And I love the horses. They are very noble animals. They will do everything for you.” As for her daughter, Angela says: “It is, of course, every little girl’s dream to go to the Olympics, but I like that it is about setting goals.” Indeed, Angela has lofty goals! She says that she wants to see what she can accomplish. The youngster dreams of making it to state competitions, the North American Junior Youth Riding Championship, and, yes, even the Olympics.

As Angela and her daughter grow to love riding in the English program, their equine family grows along with them. When young Angela first started riding, she took lessons once a week, then twice, and within six months, she was coming every day to care for her leased horse, Truly. The Gonzalezes would eventually buy Truly, who now lives at their ranch, along with their trail horses. They board their competition horses at the club, including Banu San Lorenzo, Balou, Ebony Rose, Danica and the newest member of their equine family, Cocalero. When asked to choose her favorite, Angela cannot. “They are all my favorites.” Horseback riding has turned into a family affair: “We have a ranch in Columbus, where the four of us can go out and ride on trails on the weekends. It really brings us together. This is something that Angela is good at. She can teach her brother, Luis, how to ride. He is very good at spear fishing, and so he teaches her that.” When asked what her favorite thing is about riding with her family, Angela turns to her mom and says, “I like riding around the polo field and talking to you.”

Angela Gonzalez on Benu San Lorenzo

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Ready for another great season at the Houston Polo Club.

NO LE HACE POLO TEAM

George Georgiades


GET IN THE GAME!

SPRING POLO SCHOOL: APRIL 18 TO JUNE 10

FALL POLO SCHOOL: SEPTEMBER 12 TO NOVEMBER 4

Polo isn’t just a sport: it is a way of life. The sport combines exhilaration on the field, the challenge of learning a new set of skills (or adapting your current skills to a new adventure), and the thrill of joining a warm and welcoming community of new friends. For more information about Polo School programs, email us at playpolo@thehoustonpoloclub.com.

POLO CLINICS Interested in playing polo, but not sure where to start? The Houston Polo Club offers 2-hour polo clinics to introduce you to the sport and prepare you for our 8-week Polo School (once you are hooked)! In addition, Houston Polo Club offers private corporate polo clinics as a great way to strengthen your corporate team and have fun together in a team-building environment. No previous riding experience is needed to sign up for a clinic! The Polo School will provide the horses, tack, and helmets.

POLO SCHOOL Polo School is an 8-week program run by polo pro and Polo School Manager Mark Prinsloo, who works closely with Barlee Flanders, Senior Polo and Riding Instructor, to teach riders and players of all levels the fundamental skills they will need to play the Sport of Kings: • • • •

Proper horsemanship Game strategy Swinging instruction Practice in the hitting cage

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• Classroom discussion • Video viewing • Foot mallet experience

Polo school runs twice a week: Tuesday 6–8 pm and Saturday 9–11 am Price: $3250 for ages 10–17; $3,500 for adults 18+ (includes horse rental)

STEP UP LEAGUES The next step after Polo School isn’t a leap: it’s one step at a time to build your skills and passion for the sport! Margarita League: The Margarita League allows each player to grow and learn at their own pace. Played on a smaller field, teams consist of one instructor and two players, who receive individual coaching on the field. Horses are available to lease for Margarita League players.

THE 2016 MARGARITA LEAGUE Brooks Ballard Terri Bludworth Laird Boone Courtney Callahan James Clark Payton Daly Shelly Daly

Laurel Davis Betty Gerecht Melissa Harvey Rochelle Hewitt Caroline Lile Tony Lopez Michelle Ludwig

Chet Nelson Neeraj Parasher Vignesh Proddatur Tom Rahlfs Michael Whitten Erica Youngstrom Alexander Zugheri

2-Goal League: Moving up to three players and an instructor per team, this league is played on a full-size field and focuses on building up riding and stick-and-ball skills. Players are encouraged to start buying their own string of ponies in this league. Club League: Two sponsoring players play with two professional polo players who guide and coach the learning players in technique and strategy.


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Sunny Hale: A Tribute THE TEAM IS NOT ME — WE ARE THE TEAM. —SUNNY HALE

T

he world’s greatest women’s polo player started, as they say, riding before she could walk. As the daughter of the first woman admitted as a member to the USPA, Sunny had big shoes to fill, and she did an impressive job of it: her 5-goal rating placed her as the top-rated female player in the world. When Sunny decided to devote her life to polo, she faced all of the obstacles you can imagine as a woman in an aggressive, male-dominated sport. But Sunny’s athleticism, dedication, mind for polo strategy, and heart on the field won her the respect of the best players in the world. In 2000, Sunny was the first woman to win the 26-goal U.S. Open.When asked why he chose the (at the time) 4-goal rated player to play on his Outback team, world-renowned 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso said simply: “She had the head of a 10-goaler.” In 2012, Sunny was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame. She was awarded Woman Polo Player of the Year an unprecedented seven times. Her contributions have been as influential off the field as on. In 2011, she helped revive the U.S. Open Women’s Championship, which hadn’t been played in 20 years, and she founded the WCT (Women’s Championship Tournament), which declared as its mission: “new friendships, good polo…shared passion!” Sunny also created a rating system for women at all levels and started the American Polo Horse Association, a website where players and owners can collect, preserve, and record horses’ pedigrees. In addition to being an icon and hero on the field, Sunny Hale was a stellar person who was loved deeply by those who knew her. “Sunny was an incredible inspiration on and off the field,” says friend and frequent teammate Kristy Outhier. “She was kind to everyone. She had a vibrant spirit inside her that was contagious. She had more game sense and knowledge of the field than anyone I’ve ever played with or against. She always included every player on her team and helped them to be their best, which brought victory. “Sunny paved a golden highway across the oceans and brought so many great polo players together. She is the reason our U.S. teams have traveled and played all over the world: Argentina, England, Dubai, Thailand, Jamaica, just to name a few. She made polo fun, while remaining highly competitive. Her goal in life was to spread friendship through polo. Her achievements were visible in this year’s USPA Women’s Open Championship, where the top rated women came from all over the world to compete. Each and every one of them is good friends with each other through Sunny. “We are lucky to have lived here on Earth at the same time she lived.”

THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM 37


U.S. OPEN WOMEN’S POLO CHAMPIONSHIP ® TOURNAMENT Presented by Ker & Downey and Land Rover Houston Central By KC Krueger

A

t the end of the Houston Polo Club Fall regular season, there is a change in the air. Suddenly, new faces start appearing in the crowd on the last day of Sunday polo as women from all over the world arrive to play in the U.S. Open Women’s Championship®! In 2016, over 70 women competed in the week-long tournament, which hosts four different levels of competition, as well as a week full of parties and fun.

The week’s polo action was unrelenting: the USPA Women’s Handicap’s six teams kicked off in the middle of the week and the Farish Invitational and Bayou Cup leagues played over the weekend. After the second round of U.S. Open games, the players were treated with a Player’s Party at FairPlay Farm. Guests enjoyed an Argentine asado under the lights on a beautiful fall Houston evening.

The 26-goal U.S. Open Women’s Championship® tournament kicked off the week with six strong teams competing. After the ponies were put away for the evening, the players put on a fresh pair of white jeans, clean boots and jerseys, and headed to the Meet the Player’s Party at the St. Regis Hotel. Houston Polo Club member and Lockton team sponsor,Tim Kelly, and was joined on stage by all 20 teams competing in the week’s tournaments.

As Saturday rolled around, so did three of the four finals. The day began with the Bayou Cup finals between Engel & Volkers versus Gold Quest. Engel & Volkers barely edged out Gold Quest in what was, for many of the players, their first women’s tournament ever! Sullivan Group and Hendrick’s Gin were the final two teams in the Farish Invitational and gave the crowd a great show as Sullivan Group took home the win.

38 HOUSTON POLO CLUB


After the Bayou Cup and Farish Invitational awards were handed out, the finalists of the USPA Women’s Handicap, My Table/Riveroaks.com and Herk’s Store & Grill, lined up for their bowl in. Lia Salvo of Argentina, captain for the My Table/Riveroaks.com team, was a force to be reckoned with, scoring her team’s first four goals in the first half of the game. Herk’s Store & Grill was not far behind, earning two goals from Kendall Plank and one from Hazel Jackson to end the first half 4–3 in favor of My Table/Riveroaks.com. The third chukker proved a defensive battle with no goals scored. Herk’s Store & Grill scored two quick goals in the beginning of the fourth chukker, taking the lead. Lia Salvo responded by converting a penalty shot, tying the score with little time left. Salvo and teammates apparently didn’t want to go into overtime, as Carolyn Stimmel hit a backshot pass to Salvo, who scored the winning goal in the last 30 seconds.

As Sunday rolled around, the cars began stacking up in the parking lot at the Houston Polo Club in anticipation for the finals of the U.S. Open Women’s Championship®. San Saba and Rocking P/Lockton were ready to face off for the most renowned U.S. title in women’s polo. Rocking P/ Lockton showed off their skills as they took an impressive five-goal lead after the first two chukkers over San Saba. San Saba came out after halftime with a different game plan.They managed to hold Rocking P/Lockton to only one goal in the third chukker, but Rocking P/Lockton was too much of a force as they finished the game with a score of 9–2 over San Saba. The sportsmanship between the teams and all the players throughout the week was a wonderful thing to be a part of. Houston Polo Club is proud to host this week of incredible women’s polo, and we thank the sponsors, players, and fans that make it an incredible finale to our fall season.

THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM 39


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THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

TEXAS OPEN (12 GOAL) WINNER: Eureka: Rene Campos, Jorge Cemadas, Jeff Hall, Jose Barrientos

RUNNER UP: Tonkawa: Jeff Hildebrand, Steve Krueger, Matt Coppola, Tommy Biddle

MVP: Jeff Hall

MVP: Steve Krueger

WINNER: Tonkawa: Jeff Hildebarnd, Steve Krueger, Matt Coppola, Tommy Biddle

RUNNER UP: Pegasus: David Andras, Nick Cifuni, Mason Wroe, Joe Wayne Barry

MVP: Tommy Biddle

USPA KELEEN AND CARLTON BEAL CUP (12 GOAL) WINNER: Tonkawa: Jeff Hildebrand, Steve Krueger, Matt Coppola, Tommy Biddle

USPA H. BEN TAUB MEMORIAL CUP (12 GOAL)

RUNNER UP: ERG: Scott Wood, Duilio Diaz, Michel Dorignac, Mike Azzaro

USPA WESTERN CHALLENGE (12 GOAL) WINNER: ERG: Duilio Diaz, Michel Dorignac, Scott Wood, Mike Azzaro, Harrison Azzaro

RUNNER UP: Tonkawa: Jeff Hildebrand, Steve Krueger, Matt Coppola, Tommy Biddle

MVP: Michel Dorignac

THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM 43


THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

USPA SOUTHWESTERN REGIONAL CLASSIC (12 GOAL) WINNER: ERG: Scott Wood, Duilio Diaz, Michel Dorignac, Mike Azzaro

RUNNER UP: Ghurka: Fox Benton, Drew Luplow, Chris Nevins, Sugar Erskine

MVP: Michel Dorignac

MVP: Jimmy Seward

44 HOUSTON POLO CLUB

WINNER: 7 Bar W/Lockton: Mason Wroe, Hernan Tejera, Charles Fridge, Sheila Lequerica MVP: Mason Wroe

USPA NATIONAL CUP (8 GOAL) WINNER: BTA: Kelly Beal, Jimmy Seward, Shane Rice, Chrys Beal

USPA REGIONAL PRESIDENT’S CUP (8 GOAL)

RUNNER UP: Lockton/ Rocking P: Charles Fridge, Hernan Tejera, Carl Price, Marcos Villanueva

RUNNER UP: BTA 1/ Rocking P: Chrys Beal, Shane Rice, Carl Price, Marcos Villanueva

USPA DELEGATE’S CUP (8 GOAL) WINNER: 7 Bar W/Rocking P: MarcosVillanueva, Nick Cifuni, Sheila Lequerica, Carl Price, Courtney Price MVP: Kelly Beal

RUNNER UP: BTA 2: Kelly Beal, Jimmy Seward, Miguel Silvestre, Cody Woodfin


THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

USPA OFFICER’S CUP (8 GOAL) WINNER: W–S: Billy Mudra, Jenny Vargas, KC Krueger, Steve Krueger MVP: Jenny Vargas

RUNNER UP: BTA/ Propaganda: Chrys Beal, Shane Rice, Paul Hobby, Nick Cifuni

USPA WOMEN’S HANDICAP (14 GOAL) WINNER: My Table/Riveroaks. com: Lia Salvo, Carolyn Stimmel, Courtney Price, Grace Mudra MVP: Lia Salvo

RUNNER UP: Herk’s Store & Grill:Wendy Stover, Hazel Jackson, Susan Wise, Kendall Plank

USPA PLAYER’S CUP (4 GOAL) WINNER: Shanghai/ Bearsden: Taylor Freeman, Cody Woodfin, Casey Woodfin, Dalton Woodfin

RUNNER UP: Horsegate/ Russo’s Pizzeria: Anson Moore, Sarah Prinsloo, Sloan Stefanakis, Mark Prinsloo

USPA U.S. OPEN WOMEN’S POLO CHAMPIONSHIP (26 GOAL) WINNER: Rocking P: Courtney Price,Athena Malin, Kristy Outhier, Hazel Jackson, Sarah Wiseman

RUNNER UP: San Saba: Melissa Ganzi, Dawn Jones, Clarissa Echezarreta, Sunny Hale

MVP: Hazel Jackson

THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM 45


THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

PENNY CUP (4 GOAL) WINNER: Horsegate: Ariel Mancebo, Sloan Stefanakis, Nick Stefanakis, Ignacio Saenz

RUNNER UP: Cat Spring: Kendall Plank, Ray Stainbeck, Billy Mudra, Nacho Ferrari

LONESTAR CUP (4 GOAL) WINNER: Bad Luck & Trouble/Dunbar Capital: John Tasdemir, Bryan Middleton, Kristy Outhier, Nick Dunbar

RUNNER UP: Arroyo Escondido: Cristi Cox, Reid Cox, CJ Lequerica, Hamish Bray

USPA GOVERNOR’S CUP QUALIFIER (4 GOAL) WINNER: Horsegate: Ignacio Saenz, Nick Stefanakis, Sloan Stefanakis, Ariel Mancebo

RUNNER UP: Russo’s Pizzeria: Anson Moore, Sarah Prinsloo, George Krabbe, Mark Prinsloo

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46 HOUSTON POLO CLUB




EQUINE ADVENTURES

Photo: Addie Hare

E

xploring the world on horseback is one of life’s greatest pleasures. It gets us away from our screens, closer to nature, and allows us to slow down and really get to know the flora and fauna of a new place. We explore some of the places a good horse can take you: from adventures at home here in the U. S of A., to the far flung trails of Ecuador and Kenya.

One of the focuses of the ranch is the children’s program for kids 6 and older. Each day brings new activities for the kids, including a riding program where they learn to care for a personal horse, team penning, horseback riding games and gymnastics in the arena, full and half-day supervised trail rides, fly fishing, and cook-outs.

WILD WEST ADVENTURE: JACKSON HOLE, WY In 1974, David and Deborah MacKenzie bought land in Wyoming to build their dream: a summer guest ranch. Today, the ranch is run by David and his daughter Carolyn MacKenzie Stimmel with her husband Harley. Carolyn and Harley’s four boys grew up living at and working on the ranch every summer—it is a real family affair. Once you arrive you will be shown to your own private cabin on the property. A variety of cabins can accommodate groups and families of all sizes. Your stay includes dude-ranch gourmet home cooking in the main dining room and packed lunches for your day treks.The week is punctuated with a square dance on Wednesday night with a traditional caller that keeps everyone on the floor.

Photo: Addie Hare

Photo: Addie Hare

THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM 49


“We take great care of your kids,” says Carolyn, who developed the kid’s program.“We get them out of the digital screen age to work and have fun and ride and play. We really try to let kids be kids. They can just take a bike and go ride. People coming from a big metropolitan city like New York just don’t know that kind of freedom for their children. And they love it.” While your kids are experiencing their own cowboy adventures, you can unplug and explore the vast beauty of the Gros Ventre wilderness. The property features riding and hiking trails that meander through high country alpine meadows with views of the Grand Teton, Wind River and Absaroka mountain ranges. For the budding fisherman, there is over 2.5 miles of private stocked fly fishing in Crystal Creek. In the fall, once the dude ranch season is over, the Red Rock Ranch offers specialty experiences like fly fishing trips and an adults-only short-stay weekend. The 2017 horsemanship clinic will run the week of September 3 and this year, it will focus on Western Dressage and cattle work.

Polo: Located just 30 miles from the Red Rock Ranch, the Jackson Hole Polo Club’s season runs from June through August.

RIDE THE ANDES: ECUADOR

Photo: Hacienda Zuletta

Drive just two hours from Ecuador’s capital, Quinto, and you will find yourself at Hacienda Zuleta, a 17th-century 5,200-acre working farm in the Ecuadorian highlands. Exploring the grounds of the farm, you will find 3,000 sheep, 600 dairy cows (who supply the on-site cheese factory), and 120 horses. You can watch horsemen training fillies, join in feeding calves, and participate in seasonal sheep shearing. When you are ready to explore the highlands, the staff will fit you with one of their Andean Zuleteño horse, a unique mixture of Spanish– Andalusian, English, and Quarter horses with a perfect disposition for trail riding for any skill level. Explore the Ecudorian highlands on all-day trail rides that take you through the páramo forests, past waterfalls, and by ancient pre-Incan structures. In addition to touring on horseback, you can also explore mountain trails by hiking, mountain biking or even by horsedrawn carriage.

50 HOUSTON POLO CLUB

Photo: Hacienda Zuletta


Birding in the region is incredible, and a stay wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Andean Condor Huasi Project, a local conservation and rehabilitation project. The Andean condor is the world’s largest flying bird, and a symbol of Andean identity—but with under 100 currently living in the wild in Ecuador, the bird is currently classified as “Critically Endangered.” Through the Galo Plaza Lasso Foundation, the project seeks to raise condors in captivity to be released into the wild, as well as conserve habitats, study the condor, spread education and promote conservation through tourism and socioeconomic development.

Polo: Each fall, the Quito Polo Club, founded in 1905, hosts the International Audi British Polo Cup, a week-long tournament sponsored by the BritishEcuadorian Chamber of Commerce.

HORSEBACK SAFARI: KENYA Chyulu Hills National Park is a nature-lover’s dream. The verdant rounded hills and acacia forests cover 46 square miles, with the famous Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. Nicky Brandon, of Ker & Downey travel agency, advises that this trip offers intermediate to advanced riders (over 14 years of age) a chance to experience a broad range of travel experiences: from luxury high in the hills in private cabins at ol Donyo Lodge to a ride-in fly camp with yurt-style tents. Nestled in the Mbirikani Maasai conservation area on the slopes of Chyulu Hills near Amboseli National Park, ol Donyo lodge has a 25-horse stable, where you will be fitted with a horse

Photo: Ker & Downey

that suits your skills. Short rides will get you accustomed to the rugged terrain, and allow you to start exploring the local ecosystem of thick acacia forests and vast savannahs full of giraffes, impalas, elephants, warthogs, and gazelles. If you venture into the Chyulu Hills to stay at the more rugged fly camp, you can explore craters and underground lava tubes. The Chyulu Hills’ legendary mist forests offer a wealth of vegetation, bird-watching opportunities, and a chance to catch sight of buffalo, leopards, Sykes monkeys, and giant forest hogs. In addition, every two years you can take in the Maasai Olympics, a competition of traditional warrior skills and a lion conservation awareness initiative. The next games will be held in December 2018. After a few days of exploring Kenya’s landscape on horseback, Nicky recommends traveling to the Maasai Mara Wildlife reserve, a 580-squaremile park that runs contiguous with the Serengeti National Park.The Maasai Mara Wildlife Reserve

Photo: Ker & Downey

offers sightings of the Big Five (lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and black rhinoceros), as well as topi, zebra, antelopes, hippopotami, crocodiles, and over 470 species of birds. If you arrive between July and October, you can catch the migration of over 2 million wildebeests in search of food and water. You can explore the reserve on wheels, or embark on morning and afternoon horseback rides accompanied by experienced guides. The reserve also offers cultural learning experiences such as a visit to a Maasai village, where you can learn about the customs and culture of the indigenous semi-nomads who call the reserve home.

Polo: It would be hard to miss a game at the Nairobi Polo Club, which runs the longest season in the world, from May through January.

For more information about custom equine adventures in Kenya, Ecudor and more, contact Nicky Brandon at Ker & Downey.

Photo: Ker & Downey

THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM

51




CALLING ALL KIDS! Do you have a young horse enthusiast who is raring to get on the polo field? The family-friendly Junior Polo program at the Houston Polo Club focuses on teaching players as young as 8 years old about teamwork, horsemanship, and responsibility on the polo field. • Indoor and outdoor leagues are offered in spring, fall and winter seasons. • Outdoor tournaments are broken up into skill levels, including Lead Line and Walk Trot for the youngest riders. • Students should have a mallet and helmet. Horses and tack are available for lease. For more information about Junior Polo programming, contact Merrily Quincoces, polo@thehoustonpoloclub.com.

54 HOUSTON POLO CLUB


NATIONAL YOUTH TOURNAMENT SERIES The National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS) is a national tournament series recognized by the USPA. Houston Polo Club held its 2016 NYTS tournament June 10–13, hosting four teams of polo players under the age of 19 playing at the NYTS (advanced) level. In addition to qualifying up-andcomers to play at the National Championships, the NYTS gives the young players of the Houston Polo Junior Polo program an opportunity to showcase their skills. Along with the NYTS level, five more teams made up the Intermediate and Lead Line levels.The different levels ensure kids are playing at their appropriate ability and help them grow and learn from their peers. Due to a couple of rain delays, the games and finals were held over four days. Six young polo players participated in the Lead Line game, which ended up in a tie. Three teams participated in the Intermediate tournament (Horsegate,Vintage Polo, and Rocking P), with Vintage Polo taking the win. The Advanced NYTS tournament saw four teams (Horsegate, Land Rover, Maida’s, and Rocking P) battle it out, with Horsegate defeating Rocking P in the final with a score of 7–3. At the end of the tournament, six talented players were named NYTS All-Stars and qualified to represent the zone in the National Championship. For details about registering for the 2017 National Youth Tournament Series, to be held June 10–11, please contact Amanda Snow, snow@uspolo.org.

NYTS All-Stars: (L to R) Courtney Price, Sloan Stefanakis, Chino Payan, Anson Moore, Cipi Echezarreta, (not pictured: Grayson Price)

Advanced: Horsegate (L to R): Courtney Price, Madison Lange, Joanie Jackson, Sloan Stefanakis

Intermediate: Vintage Polo (L to R): Joe Bob Lequerica,Tate Seward, Isabel Artzer (not pictured: Will Mudra)

Lead Line: Sealy Tractor and HPC (L to R): Ripley Middleton, Kaitlyn Ormand, Ava Seward (not pictured: Jose Ramirez Jr, Holdin Womble)

THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM 55


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HOUSTON POLO CLUB’S INTERSCHOLASTIC PROGRAM By Kristy Outhier

Does your child enjoy team sports? Look at what’s happening at the Houston Polo Club in the winter months!

Our regular season runs spring and fall, but in the winter, the kids take to the arena to enjoy our Interscholastic Polo program. Children of all ages learn riding skills and get to enjoy tournament

58 HOUSTON POLO CLUB

polo competition, from beginner to the varsity team. Teamwork is what matters most in polo, and these kids have learned to pull together and work as a team to achieve their goals. The experiences they are sharing will be memories of a lifetime. The action is fast and furious in arena polo.The larger arena ball bounces off the solid arena walls at angles, causing the game to change direction constantly. You become a heck of a horseman competing in indoor polo. “The kids learn an incredible sense of responsibility

for caring for their equine partners,” said polo trainer Barlee Flanders, who has coached generations of polo players at the Houston Polo Club. “It’s a very special opportunity that these kids have. They learn to depend on animals as partners in their sport, developing a deep respect for these animals.” Houston youth have enjoyed great success over the years, traveling to the West and East coasts to play in national tournaments. Thanks to the incredible generosity of Scott Woods, owner of ERG Polo farm in Brookshire, the kids have a


world-class arena where they practice and play regional tournaments. Many of our Houston Polo professionals began playing in Interscholastic and Intercollegiate Polo, then went on to enjoy very successful polo careers. Others who started in Interscholastic Polo have successful business careers and enjoy playing polo as a recreational sport with family and friends. There are 37 polo clubs across the nation participating in Interscholastic (high school and junior high) tournaments and 28 universities with Intercollegiate Polo teams, including: University of Texas, Texas A&M, Harvard, University of Virginia, University of Connecticut, University of Colorado, and University of California Santa Barbara, just to name a few.

The 2014 and 2015 seasons were big years for the Houston Interscholastic teams, with Houston Girls’ Team winning the Regional Championship both years. They competed in the National Finals Tournament at the University of Connecticuit 2014, and at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California 2015. The boys team also advanced to the National Finals Tournament in 2015. Both teams were coached by Mark Prinsloo and assistant coach Barlee Flanders. For more information about USPA Interscholastic/ Intercollegiate Polo, see www.USPolo.org or contact the USPA’s Ali Davidge (ADavidge@ USPolo.org). If your child is interested in team sports and developing a love for horses, contact the Houston Polo Club to get started!

THE 2017 INTERSCHOLASTIC TEAMS

L to R: Grace Burgert, Grace Mudra, Bridgit Price, Grace Parker, Coach Mark Prinsloo, Phebe Vargas, Madi Outhier, Joanie Jackson, Cara Kennedy

L to R: Grayson Price, Joe-MacK Stimmel, Sloan Stefanakis, Anson Moore

THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM 59


The Club • 8 Championship Bermuda-grass Fields • Facility › Club Barns › 128 stalls › Turn out paddocks › Fly spray system › 4 Private Farm Leases › 16-30 stalls › 10-40 acre sites › On site grooms housing › On site hay and shavings

Tournaments • Ranging from 6-16 Goal with a focus on fun and competitive polo

Practices • Organized at All Levels, designed to challenge players to improve their game, not just work their horses

Membership • Come and join the Port Mayaca community for a full and rich polo experience. • More practices than any club in Florida › 3 days/week December-April

Testimonials “The first rate fields, well organized practices, immense riding space, and low stress environment make it the best place in South Florida to prepare horses for competition and to sell. There is truly no other place in Florida that better fits the needs of our operation.” Whistle Uys - Graymar Farms “The price point at Port Mayaca Polo Club allows me to spend more of my winter budget on playing polo, rather than on inflated stabling expenses” Tom Sikes- owner Blanco, TX Polo Team “I really enjoyed playing at Port Mayaca. The fields are great, the people are friendly, and it was a great place for my family and I to play.” Julio Arellano - 9 goal polo player “Athleticism, fellowship and camaraderie on excellently maintained polo fields, reliably scheduled to synchronize seamlessly with my professional legal practice.” Mario Mendoza- Attorney & Polo Enthusiast

PortMayacaPolo@gmail.com • 772-228-0115 • www.PortMayacaPoloClub.com

SIMPLY | CLASSIC | POLO



Looking forward to another great season of the Houston Polo Club When every detail counts‌ Richard Flowers | rflowers@ldry.com | 713-426-5800 | theeventsco.com


MEET THE P LAYERS

A.5

JOHN ALEXANDER

B.5

ANNE ANDRAS

A

BROOKS ARMOUR-DIESEL

CHRYS BEAL

A

FOX BENTON

A.5

RENE CAMPOS

B.5

NICK DUNBAR

STEVE ARMOUR

JAMES BEESON

GRACE BURGERT

A.5

B

B

A

TOMMY DORSEY

LAURANCE ARMOUR

KELLY BEAL

WILL BROWN

A.5

A.5

A

A

CRISTI PAYAN COX

DAVID ANDRAS

A

B.5

REBECCA BOLLENBACH

1

CRYSTAL CASSIDY

B

CYNTHA ERNVEY

A

B.5

CAROL FARNSWORTH

THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM 63


MEET THE P LAYERS

B

JULIA FLOREY

A

CHARLES FRIDGE

B

BETTY GERECHT

CHARLIE FRIDGE

B

MARIA HARTLEY

B

MARTHA HUNT HIRSCH

64 HOUSTON POLO CLUB

B

JOE HOLZER

B

JOSIE JONES

B

CATHERINE KEEN

GEORGE GEORGIADES

PAUL HOBBY

JOANIE JACKSON

1

A.5

B

A

ESTHER KANE

FRED GALLUCCI

JEFF HILDEBRAND

CLARE JACKSON

B

A.5

B

A

SYLVIA KAMPSHOFF

B

1

PHILIP KAMPSHOFF

A

TIM KELLY

B

CARA KENNEDY


MEET THE P LAYERS

1.5

KC KRUEGER

A

BILL LANE

1

BOBBY MCCAN

A

B

NR

MELISSA NANCE

B

COURTNEY PRICE

B

ELLE SEYBOLD

DAVID MARKS

MIKE MOORE

KELLY PLATO

A.5

B

A.5

B.5

MEGAN RAHLFS

COLLEEN MARKS

ANSON MOORE

KENDALL PLANK

B.5

A

A

A

SARAH PRINSLOO

LIZ LARY

WICK MCKEAN

JENNIFER PETERSON

B.5

A.5

GRAYSON PRICE

B.5

JENNY SHARROCK

B

DEBBIE SHELTON

THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM 65


MEET THE P LAYERS

1.5

WESLEY SINOR

B

CRANE SORENSEN

NR

JOE-MACK STIMMEL

RAY STAINBACK

A

JOHN TASDEMIR

A

JEFF WOOD

66 HOUSTON POLO CLUB

A

SCOTT WOOD

NICK STEFANAKIS

1.5

JESSE WEAVER

A.5

B

A.5

SLOAN STEFANAKIS

A.5

CHRIS WILLIAMS

A

COLLEEN WILLIAMS


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RESERVATIONS: 713.468.8408


SAVE THE DATE - MARCH

2018

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MANY WAYS TO BE INVOLVED - EXHIBIT | SPONSOR | JOIN THE PIN OAK CLUB CONTACT US: info@pinoak.org | 713.621.6290



THE PROS

HOMETOWN

NAME

Mike Azzaro

NAME

RATING 6

Floresville, TX

Drew Luplow

RATING 1.5

Jose Barrientos

1

Brookshire, TX

Ariel Mancebo

1

Hempstead, TX

Joe Wayne Barry

4

Sealy, TX

Francisco Mera

4

Brookshire, TX

Tommy Biddle

5

Wellington, FL

Bryan Middleton

3

Hempstead, TX

Chad Bowman

2

LaGrange, KY

Carin Middleton

A.5

Hempstead, TX

Hamish Bray

3

St. Louis, MO

Billy Mudra

3

Bellville, TX

Wesley Bryan

2

Aiken, SC

Martin Munoz

2

Brookshire, TX

Jorge Cernadas

4

Dallas, TX

Chris Nevins

4

Cat Spring, TX

Nick Cifuni

3

Nashville, TN

Facundo Obregon

6

Wellington, FL

Tommy Collingwood

5

Wellington, FL

Neil Osburg

2

Clearwater Beach, FL

Matt Coppola

4

Wellington, FL

Kristy Outhier

David Crea

1

Pattison, TX

Juan Bautista Panzillo

1

Santa Barbara, CA

Duilio Diaz

1

Wellington, FL

Vasco Phagouape

2

Hempstead, TX

Michel Dorignac

5

Wellington, FL

Mark Prinsloo

3

Pattison, TX

Luis Echezarreta

3

San Saba, TX

Carlos Ramirez

2

Pearland, TX

Sugar Erskine

7

Wellington, FL

Shane Rice

4

Sealy, TX

Ulysses Escapite

4

Aiken, SC

Ignacio Saenz

3

Brookshire, TX

Jorge Estrada

2

Phoenix, AZ

Jimmy Seward

3

Hempstead, TX

Nacho Ferrari

1

Sealy, TX

Miguel Silvestre

2

Midland, TX

Taylor Freeman

2

Sealy, TX

Jake Stimmel

2

Midland, TX

Jeff Hall

7

Sealy, TX

Russell Stimmel

2

Midland, TX

Tiamo Hudspeth

1

Carrizo Springs, TX

Hernan Tejera

3

Victoria, TX

George Krabbe

1

Stamford, CT

Miguel Torres

4

Navasota, TX

Steve Krueger

4

Pattison, TX

Tano Vial

6

Purcerville,VA

1.5

HOMETOWN Pattison, TX

Utopia, TX

CJ Lequerica

1.5

Sealy, TX

Cody Woodfin

2

Wharton, TX

Sheila Lequerica

A.5

Sealy, TX

Mason Wroe

4

Cat Spring, TX

Troy Lequerica

A.5

Sealy, TX

Cote Zegers

5

Purcerville,VA

70 HOUSTON POLO CLUB


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Aviation Lending

Residential Lending

Heavy Industrial Lending

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Gold Quest Group has enjoyed a long successful history of originating FHA, VA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, USDA, SDA, Hand Money, Super Jumbo and Reverse Mortgage loans since 2001. We are an award-winning company with thousands of satisfied residential and commercial clients. We understand the difficulty of choosing the right mortgage company to work with; it’s important to partner with someone who has a track record. We take pride in our integrity and knowledge to assist you in your real estate financial needs. Gold Quest group is customer-service oriented, trustworthy, and easy to contact!

Looking for real estate financing? Obtaining the right loan is one easy step away.

Services Purchase Home Loans Hard Money Purchases Cash Out Home Loans Refinance Home Loans Foreclosure Help Loans Hard Money Cash Out Hard Money Rehab SBA/Commercial Loans Reverse Mortgage Loans

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www.LegalDirectories.com

Proudly serving Texas!

 Texas Legal Directory 

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Legal Directories Publishing Co., Inc. 1313 Oates Drive Mesquite, TX 75150 (800) 447-5375


SCENE AT POLO

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SCENE AT POLO

76 HOUSTON POLO CLUB


THEHOUSTONPOLOCLUB.COM 77


TEXAS

Great Southwest Equestrian Center

Katy, Texas

GSWEC.com

For marketing opportunities: Kayce Douglass (832) 801-9473 Kayce@gswec.com

Artwork: “Blue” © Joanna Zeller Quentin www.MoosePantsStudio.com


Complete Equestrian Shop | Polo Outfitters since 1975

Proud to be the official provider of the

HPC Tack Shoppe

Best Prices & Largest Selection At the Tackeria we strive to bring you the best selection and quality polo items sourced from around the globe at the best prices. The depth and variety of our inventory is unparalleled and designed to meet the needs of players at all levels, from the novice to the professional.

800.882.POLO | www.tackeria.com 13501 South Shore Blvd, Suite 107 | Wellington, FL 33414 fax: 561. 795.0691 | info@tackeria.com


We. Mean. Business B2B Chamber

An International Sport

An International Chamber

Mexico • El Salvador • Panama • Columbia • United Kingdom • France • Netherlands • Belgium • Germany • Austria • Switzerland • Italy • Monaco • Malta • Spain • Poland • Belarus • Kazakhstan • Ukraine • Russia • United Arab Emirates • Bahrain • China

281.408.3482 | www.galleriaicc.com



Houston Polo Club

ank 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 2017 Show Team! Merrily & Amy

832-567-3202 Ridinglessons@thehoustonpoloclub.com



RANGE ROVER

EXCEEDINGLY CAPABLE. EXCEPTIONALLY REFINED.

MSRP FROM $85,650 * With its classic lines, floating roofline and distinctive silhouette, the unmistakable Range Rover is an icon of automotive design. Exceedingly capable and at the same time beautifully refined, the Range Rover conveys confidence and sophistication. Land Rover Houston Central 7019 Old Katy Rd. Houston, TX 77024 (713) 293-6100 www.landroverhouston.com

Model Shown: 2016 Range Rover. *Price shown is Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price for the 20XX [vehicle_model_trim]. Supplies are limited. Excludes $[D&D_charge] destination/handling charge, tax, title, license, and retailer fees, all due at signing, and optional equipment. Total Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price includes $[D&D_charge] destination/handling charge and may include optional equipment but excludes tax, title, license, and retailer fees, all due at signing. Retailer price, terms and vehicle availability may vary. See your [dealerName] or call [legal_telephone] for qualifications and complete details. Š 2016 Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC


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