A Round-Up of Women’s Polo

U.S. Open Women’s Handicap Final

Photography by David Murrell

Ketel One Botanical’s Joanie Jackson riding Best Playing Pony Montana

The odds were stacked against Ketel One Botanical as they had to overcome a Semi Final injury as well as a competitive round-robin selection to secure their place in the Final versus T Squared Energy. On Saturday 13 November, the two teams met at Brookshire Polo Club, Texas, with T Squared Energy starting with an initial half goal handicap advantage, and despite the defensive attempts of T Squared Energy, it was Ketel One Botanical who managed to hold their opposition goalless throughout the match, with the final score reading 5-½. This was a second consecutive U.S. Open Women’s Handicap title for Stephanie Colburn, while Tiamo Hudspeth was named Most Valuable Player following her 78% penalty conversion throughout the tournament. The Best Playing Pony Professional award was presented to an 11-year-old mare, Pringa, played by Hudspeth and the Best Playing Pony Amateur rug was awarded to Montana, played by Joanie Jackson.

2021 U.S. Open Women’s Handicap winners, Ketel One Botanical

U.S. Open Women’s Handicap Final Teams:

Ketel One Botanical (12): Stephanie Colburn (3), Carter Nix (1), Tiamo hudspeth (5) & Joanie Jackson (3) T Squared Energy (11): Emma Tooth (2), Kaile Roos (3), Grace Parker (2) & Carin Middleton (4)

Texas Women’s Open Final

Rocking P’s Summer Kneece & Engel & Volkers Houston’s Grace Mudra

The Texas Women’s Open Final on Sunday 14 November concluded a bumper weekend of women’s polo at Houston Polo Club, which saw over 100 players competing in five levels during the 2021 Houston Women’s Polo Championship.

Engel & Völkers Houston faced Rocking P in The Texas Women’s Open Final, with Rocking P getting off to a slow start despite beginning with a half goal handicap advantage. The undefeated Engel & Völkers Houston had defeated Rocking P earlier in the tournament, but Rocking P were determined not to have a repeat performance and analysed their earlier loss in detail to ensure the win in the Final, “We probably watched the film six times and said, ‘if we play them [Engel & Volkers Houston] again, we’re beating them’” commented Bridget Price. This analysis meant that Engel & Völkers Houston were able to put on a stellar performance, with a particularly good fourth chukka to secure themselves the win, 6½-5.

Mili Sanchez was chosen as the Most Valuable Player, London, played by Mili Sanchez and owned by Rocking P, was the Best Playing Pony Professional and Mike, played by Lily Lequerica, was the Best Playing Pony Amateur.

Photography by David Murrell

Rocking P, winners of The Texas Women’s Open

The Texas Women’s Open Final Teams:

Rocking P (19): Bridget Price (3), Summer Kneece (3), Mili Sanchez (7) & Maitena Marre (6) Engel & Völkers Houston (20): Grace Mudra (3), Lily Lequerica (3), KC Kruger (6) & Sarah Wiseman (8)