Polo Report

DISPATCHES FROM THE WORLD OF POLO

S OUTHWEST

TEXAS ARENA LEAGUE AWARDS DELIVERED

High Point Individual James Glew, left, in a ride-off with Best Team Player Ariel Mancebo.

DAVID MURRELL

COVID-19 put the kibosh on the final Texas Arena League event, as it did with so many other things in life. After a poll of players and considering the uncertainty ahead, the TAL committee decided to just go with the points and standings that had been earned in the first three events, which had already been completed, to determine the winning teams and players for the 2020 Texas Arena League.

“With the support of our amazing sponsors, TAL is the Oprah Winfrey of polo events,” said Robin Sanchez. “It was a real shame the final event and the awards party weren’t able to happen this year. The camaraderie that happens outside the arena is part of what makes Texas Arena League such a fun event.”

With the governor of Texas “opening up” the state, prize delivery has been the latest effort. Visits to North Texas, the Austin area, San Antonio and West Texas have gotten most of the awards and prizes delivered. Here are the results:

Sportsmanship & teamwork

Part of what makes Texas Arena League so appealing is the emphasis on sportsmanship, teamwork and camaraderie. While MVPs and winning players and teams are awarded, Sportsmanship—during play and outside of the arena—carries a significant value to all the participants, and breeds goodwill among the teams and players. In each game during league

Robin Sanchez presents Amanda Massey and Elite Motion & Performance with the MurrellPhoto.com Best Presented award.

Nugget, recently purchased by Trey Crea from Ursula Pari, was the 3- to 6-Goal Nutrena Best Playing Pony.

play, Sportsmanship is awarded and considerations for the award are noted. In 2020, the Sportsmanship winners were given a U.S. Polo Assn. item as a prize at each game and for final runner-up but the final awards for sportsmanship are beautiful Catena watches. This year Catena provided the Classic Mens CATENA Swiss-made watch with a stainless steel gold case and sapphire crystal with Roman numerals and date; and the Ladies Stirrup CATENA Swiss-made watch with a stainless steel case with white mother of pearl dial and diamonds in the center of the dial.

In addition to the Catena Sportsmanship awards, Royal B Threads sponsored the Best Team Player award and Pro Chukker sponsored the Players’ Choice Competitor award. Players’ Choice Competitor is voted on by the participants in TAL for the player who best represents Texas Arena League

Chris Jones won High Point Military in the 0- to 3-goal.

Robin Sanchez presents 3- to 6-goal Sportsmanship to Kelly Coldiron and the TJCTIP Best Playing Thoroughbred to her Demi.

through competitive play, sportsmanship, and commitment inside and outside of the arena.

This year TAL added a Most Improved award suggested by Amanda Massey at the end of 2019 TAL and sponsored by Elite Motion & Performance.

Pro Chukker Players’ Choice Competitor—Jack Crea 0- to 3-Goal Catena Sportsmanship Runner-up—Oscar Bermudez Jr. 0- to 3-Goal Catena Sportsmanship Award—Karl Hilberg 0- to 3-Goal Royal B Threads Best Team Player—Mark Osburn 0- to 3-Goal Elite Motion & Performance Most Improved—Ryan Owen 0- to 3-Goal Catena Sportsmanship Runner-up—Cody Goetz 3- to 6-Goal Catena Sportsmanship—Kelly Coldiron 3- to 6-Goal Royal B Threads Best Team Player—Ariel Mancebo 3- to 6-Goal Elite Motion & Performance Most Improved—Dani Gibson League. To be considered for the Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TJCTIP) Best Playing Thoroughbred awards, horses must be Jockey Club registered and have a TIP number, which is attained online through using either the horses’ Jockey Club name (if known) or tattoo number. TJCTIP has other programs, including its recreational riding program, which all Thoroughbred owners should check out.

Horses and Horsemanship

Equine athletes are our most important teammates. Texas Arena League awards Nutrena Best Playing Pony honors at each game during the

Nutrena Best Playing Pony wins during regular league competition and Best Playing Pony considerations during those games calculate into the following awards: 0- to 3-Goal Nutrena Best Playing Pony—Platinum, owned by Brady Williams 0- to 3-Goal TJCTIP Best Playing Thoroughbred—Demi, owned by Kelly Coldiron 0- to 3-Goal Superior Equine Sports Massage Therapy Best String —Burgundy, Ichiban, Whiskey, Romeo and Foxy, owned by Wyatt Myr 3- to 6-Goal Nutrena Best Playing Pony—Nugget, recently purchased by Trey Crea from Ursula Pari during the league 3- to 6-Goal TJCTIP Best Playing Thoroughbred—Wild, owned by Wendy Stover

Wyatt Myr, right, won Best String, High Point Military Family Member Overall and High Point Overall.

DAVID MURRELL

Bar-Spur’s Ryan Owen, Brady Williams and Mark Owen Jack Crea, right, was the Pro Chukker Players’ Choice Competitor.

3- to 6-Goal Superior Equine Sports Massage Therapy Best String—Kika, Zama, Frijolita, Panela, Gemma, Strega, Chartreuse, Mezcal, Muneca and Nirvana, owned by Nacho Estrada

TJCTIP Best Playing Thoroughbred Overall—Rocket, owned by Stephanie Massey Colburn

A good horseman is conscious of their horses’ abilities and limitations and plays and directs them for maximum effectiveness with minimum efforts. Good horsemanship includes riding, playing and horse care.

In addition to recognizing exceptional horses, Texas Arena League awards exceptional horsemen and horsewomen with awards, including some amazing Australian saddle pads from Jackrabbit Tack and photo books with images of Texas Arena League from David Murrell and his Murrellphoto.com. Winners included:

DANNY’S TACK SHOP Also available in Havana Leather American Express, Mastercard & Visa accepted $ 695. 00

Marcos Heguy Saddle

Danny’s Tack Shop also offers a complete line of products for all your polo needs.

70 Clinton Street • Tully, New York 13159 Phone/Fax 315-696-8036 • E-mail: dannypolo@aol.com

Olathe Boots—$279 Chukker Bridle complete w/bit

Gag—$399 Pelham—$359 This suede saddle has a steel-reinforced tree which is lined with latex rubber panels to assure comfort and an excellent fit for both player and horse.

Left: Karl Hilberg won the 0- to 3-Goal Sportsmanship Catena watch; Above: C-Flight Most Improved Katerina Kotova, 0- to 3-Goal High Point Military Javier Insua and C-Flight MVP Kitana St-Cyr.

0- to 3-Goal Jackrabbit Tack Horsemanship Award—Stephanie Massey 0- to 3-Goal Murrellphoto.com Best Presented—Brady Williams 3- to 6-Goal Jackrabbit Tack Horsemanship Award—Wendy Stover 3- to 6-Goal Murrellphoto.com Best Presented—Elite Motion & Performance team

Murrellphoto.com Overall Best Presented—Horsegate team

Team Competition and Individual Awards

In Texas Arena League, teams are awarded win, loss or tie points for each game they play. Players on each team also receive these points as individuals with additional points for MVP and Sportsmanship awards. TAL players also receive points toward the National Arena Amateur Cup tournament held in November at OC Polo Club.

MVP is awarded at each game in the league and this year, The Galvin Agency/American National Insurance were our new sponsors.

Jackrabbit Tack sponsored the High Point Individual in each division with a pair of engraved Bombers spurs.

Both August Scherer and Megan Rahlfs won I/I MVP and High Point Player. With them is coach Tom Goodspeed.

Mark Osburn was Best Team Player in the 0- to 3-goal.

Casablanca Polo sponsored the High Point Overall with a prize package of knee guards, elbow guards and gloves.

The USPA Armed Forces Committee recognized the High Point Military and Military Family members with saddle pads, and USPA I/I awarded overgirths to High Point I/I players.

In both the 0- to 3-goal and 3- to 6- goal flights, the winning team takes home the coveted Molly’s Custom Silver belt buckles. Second-place teams received a TAL logoed ground cloth from Ronmar/Tackeria. Third place teams received custom silver key chains from Molly’s that are a smaller version of the winners’ buckle. all—Wyatt Myr 0- to 3-Goal Galvin Agency MVP—Megan Rahlfs 3- to 6-Goal Galvin Agency MVP—August Scherer 0- to 3-Goal Jackrabbit Tack High Point Individual—James Glew 3- to 6-Goal Jackrabbit Tack High Point Individual—Will Walton

0- to 3-Goal team results: 1st Place—Polo InterActive (Jose Velez, James Glew, Wyatt Myr) 2nd Place—Notorious P.O.N.Y. (Javier Insua, Zoe Lehmer, Devan Groves Layton, Jessica Mignone) 3rd Place—Bar-Spur (Mark Osburn, Ryan Owen, Brady Williams)

3- to 6-Goal team results: 1st Place—Williams Polo (Brady Williams, Mark Osburn, Wyatt Myr) 2nd Place—Dallas Polo Club (Will Walton, Michael Farah, Wendy Stover) 3rd Place—Legend’s Horse Ranch (Kim Buttram, Nacho Estrada, August Scherer)

Casablanca Polo High Point Over

High Point Overall Military Player —Karl Hilberg (retired Navy Cmdr.) 0- to 3-Goal High Point Military— Chris Jones (Staff Sgt. Marines) 3- to 6-Goal High Point Military— Rob Phipps (Staff Sgt. Air Force)

High Point Overall Military Family Member—Wyatt Myr 0- to 3-Goal High Point Military

Top, left: Megan Rahlfs was MVP in the 0- to 3-goal; Top, right: Robin Sanchez, right, presents Stephanie Massey Colburn the Horsemanship award for the 0- to 3-goal and Overall Best Playing Throughbred to Colburn’s Rocket; Left: Wendy Stover took the Horsemanship Award and her Wild was the 3- to 6-goal TJCTIP Best Playing Thoroughbred; Bottom: Most Improved Dani Gibson, right, rides off Zoe Lehmer.

Family Member—Javier Insua 3- to 6-Goal High Point Military Family Member—Will Walton 0- to 3-Goal High Point I/I Player —Megan Rahlfs (Houston Girls IS and SMU) 3- to 6-Goal high Point I/I Player —August Scherer (Culver Military Academies and SMU)

C-Flight Awards

This year TAL hosted C-Flight beginner games at all events with players of all ages, and from as far away as Oklahoma participating. Many players came from the polo schools of the host clubs. For many C-Flight players, this was their first competitive polo experience. We look forward to seeing these players move up in the ranks of TAL in the years to come.

Top Team—Polo Girls (Caroline Woodman, Kitana St-Cyr, Katerina Kotova)

Elite Motion & Performance Most Improved—Katerina Kotova

Galvin Agency MVP—Kitana St-Cyr

Above: Brady Williams’ Platinum was the 0- to 3-goal Nutrena Best Playing Pony; Above, right: 0- to 3-goal winners Polo InterActive’s Wyatt Myr, James Glew and Jose Velez; Right: 3- to 6-goal winners Williams Polo’s Mark Osburn, Wyatt Myr and Brady Williams.

Other Great Prizes

There are a few more awards in Texas Arena League. Spectators vote on social media for their favorite player and that person wins the #FanFavorite for the event. #FanFavorite winners in this year are Megan Rahlfs, Ryan Owen and Wendy Stover. TAL players vote for Best Host Club. Legend’s Horse Ranch took the honors and the banner from Royal B Threads to hang in the arena.

Every player in Texas Arena League received a U.S. Polo Assn. vest for their entry fee. It’s super sharp and great for Texas weather. Texas Arena League is proud to have U.S. Polo Assn. as our event sponsor.

For more information on Texas Arena League, its format and awards go to www.texasarenaleague.com or follow Texas Arena League on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. •

Legend’s Horse Ranch was voted Best Host Club.

Tom Goodspeed presents Nacho Estrada, center, with the Best String Award.

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2018 Girls NYTS National Champions: Coach Jim Wright, Lila Bennet, Cory Williams, Jenna Tarshis and Olivia Uechtritz

2019 Cecil Smith Cup: Reed Miller, Parker Pearce, Aiden Meeker and Winston Painter

2018

Columbine Polo Club Littleton, Colorado

Cecil Smith Cup

Zone 2-Central Cipriano Echezarreta Grayson Price Vaughn Miller Jr. Will Walton

Girls NYTS National Championship

Lila Bennet Cory Williams Jenna Tarshis Olivia Uechtritz

2019 Girls NYTS Champions: Coach Jim Wright, Sophie Grant, Hope Kerley, Jenna Tarshis and Anna Alworth with Billy Raab

2019

New Bridge Polo Club Aiken, South Carolina

Cecil Smith Cup

Zone 4-Eastern Reed Miller Parker Pearce Aiden Meeker Winston Painter

Girls NYTS National Championship

Sophie Grant Hope Kerley Jenna Tarshis Anna Alworth

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recharge and reboot. In the off season, I love breaking and training the young horses. As my responsibilities increase, I don’t get as many opportunities to do it, but it’s truly a passion to see a horse that you trained playing for one of the top polo players or even just making a match between a young girl and her first horse. I love being able to see everyone at their happiest every day because they are with their horses.

Tell us about your favorite horse?

As a family we own over 50 horses, but my favorite is an incredible dark bay mare named Sorpresa (Spanish meaning ‘Surprise’). I got Sorpresa’s dam from a good friend and I was training her when I started to notice that she kept growing fatter and fatter and was losing her topline. I wasn’t sure what was going on because we never dealt with pregnant mares, but one day I was brushing her when I felt the baby kick. I never expected that she would be pregnant, but I ended up birthing the foal and that’s how she got her name. I have been offered a lot of money for Sorpresa, but I will never sell her. She is a part of me and plays the game just like I do. I think it and she does it! She will be 11 years old this year, and she’s a machine on the field! Everyone here knows her and loves her.

Why are you so passionate about polo?

Polo is life. As I reflect on the past 35 years, it has

ALEX PACHECO

made me who I am. Over the years, the people, the opportunities and the horses have given me an education that you can’t learn from school or books. Each aspect of the sport gives you something so special and unique, you just have to be open, listen and learn. Everyone from every walk of life can teach you something.

If you would like to get in contact with Erica about your club, she can be reached at erica@denverpoloclub.com. •

While chairman of the Women’s Polo Committee, Erica Gandomcar-Sachs (far right, with Lindsay Dolan, far left) presented Cindy Halle with the 2018 USPA Woman of the Year award.

Erica Gandomcar-Sachs on her beloved Sorpresa