WESTERN CHALLENGE | U.S. POLO ASSN.

April 24 - May 10, 2024

WESTERN CHALLENGE

WESTERN CHALLENGE

TOURNAMENT HISTORY

Established in 1986, the Western Challenge is a national 12-goal tournament that has been hosted exclusively in the Lone Star State by both the Houston Polo Club in Houston, Texas, and Brookshire Polo Club in Brookshire, Texas. Over its history, numerous champions have been crowned, including repeat titleholders San Saba (1993, 1999) and Isla Carroll (1994, 2002). However, standing as the most decorated among them is ERG, with five titles in 2005, 2007, 2011, 2012 and 2016. Following a three-year hiatus from 2019-2021, the Western Challenge returned to Brookshire Polo Club. Featuring a match-up between Eureka and Brookshire Polo Club, an early five-goal lead highlighted Brookshire Polo's ability to convert from the penalty line and claim the 10-7 win.

In 2023, defending champions Brookshire Polo Club (Will Mudra, Vaughn Miller Jr., Milo Dorignac, Victorino "Torito" Ruiz Jorba) faced off against Old Pueblo (Leigh Anne Hall, Duilio Diaz, Sterling Giannico, Jeff Hall). Led by top scorer Ruiz Jorba, Brookshire Polo Club controlled play from the outset, earning the 13-9 victory and back-to-back Western Challenge titles.

This year's rosters feature many players that have recently competed at various levels in the 2024 Florida season. The upcoming edition of the Western Challenge will field six competitive teams, including reigning champions Brookshire Polo Club. Aiming for a third consecutive Western Challenge title, Brookshire Polo Club will add Tomas Alberdi, Quinn Evans and Scott Wood to their roster alongside returning champion Victorino "Torito" Ruiz Jorba. 2023 runner-up Eureka will challenge for the title once more, with Texas staples BTA, Old Pueblo, La Elina and Tonkawa rounding out the talented competition.

Representing Team USPA are alumni Tomas Alberdi (Brookshire Polo Club), Cody Ellis and Mason Wroe (BTA).

Brookshire Polo Club will be taking advantage of the USPA's Bridge to High Goal Initiative (B2HG) for the Western Challenge, which provides eligible USPA Member Clubs three USPA Professional Umpires (two mounted officials and one third man) at 50% of the regular cost to the club.

The Bridge to High Goal Initiative (B2HG) has been created to support polo between 12 and 16 goals. The goal of the program is to build a bridge from low-goal polo to high-goal polo that provides a safe environment for competition which will allow for the cultivation of team owners and the advancement of aspiring professionals.

Photo: 2023 Western Challenge Champions: Brookshire Polo Club - Will Mudra, Vaughn Miller Jr., Milo Dorignac, Victorino "Torito" Ruiz Jorba. ©Bobby Gerry

WESTERN CHALLENGE

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

All teams will play three preliminary cross bracket matches each. Following the conclusion of bracket play, teams will be ranked 1-6 with the top two teams automatically advancing to the Western Challenge final. If two teams have tied records and they did not play each other, the tie will be broken by a one-man shootout. If two teams have tied records and they have played each other, the tie is broken by who beat who. If three or more teams have tied records, the tie is also broken by a one-man shootout.

TEAMS AND ROSTERS

Bracket I

La Elina (2-2)

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Bobby Gerry
Outdoor: 0
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Benjamin Gonzalez Bergez
Substitute
Outdoor: 0T
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Tomas Obregon
Outdoor: 4
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Joao Souza Aranha
Outdoor: 2
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Felipe 'Pipe' Marquez
Outdoor: 6

Tonkawa (2-1)

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Jeff Hildebrand
Outdoor: 0
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Jack Kiely
Outdoor: 4
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Santiago Zubiaurre
Outdoor: 5
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Marcos Bignoli
Outdoor: 3

Eureka (0-3)

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Rene Campos
Outdoor: 0
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Marcos Alberdi
Outdoor: 4
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Jorge Cernadas
Outdoor: 4
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Alvaro Ara
Outdoor: 4

Bracket II

Brookshire Polo Club (4-0)

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Tomas Alberdi
Outdoor: 4
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Quinn Evans
Outdoor: 1
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Victorino 'Torito' Ruiz Jorba
Outdoor: 7
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Scott Wood
Outdoor: 0

Old Pueblo (1-2)

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Leigh Anne Hall
Outdoor: 0
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Harrison Azzaro
Outdoor: 3
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Mike Azzaro
Outdoor: 3
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Jeff Hall
Outdoor: 6

BTA (1-2)

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Mason Wroe
Outdoor: 4
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Vaughn Miller Jr.
Outdoor: 3
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Cody Ellis
Outdoor: 5
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Kelly Beal
Outdoor: 0
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KC Krueger
Substitute
Outdoor: 2
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Shane Rice
Substitute
Outdoor: 3

Bracket III

Bracket IV

Bracket V

Bracket VI

Bracket VII

Bracket VIII

Bracket IX

Bracket X

WESTERN CHALLENGE

TOURNAMENT GAMES

Wednesday, Apr 24, 2024

April 24

Final

Western Challenge

Brookshire Polo Club

Eureka logo

Eureka (0-3)

8

Old Pueblo logo

Old Pueblo (1-2)

9

Friday, Apr 26, 2024

April 26

Final

Western Challenge

Brookshire Polo Club

Eureka logo

Eureka (0-3)

9

BTA logo

BTA (1-2)

10

April 26

Final

Western Challenge

Brookshire Polo Club

La Elina logo

La Elina (2-2)

15

Old Pueblo logo

Old Pueblo (1-2)

9

April 26

Final

Western Challenge

Brookshire Polo Club

Tonkawa logo

Tonkawa (2-1)

6

Brookshire Polo Club logo

Brookshire Polo Club (4-0)

9

Sunday, Apr 28, 2024

April 28

Final

Western Challenge

Brookshire Polo Club

Tonkawa logo

Tonkawa (2-1)

7

BTA logo

BTA (1-2)

5

April 28

Final

Western Challenge

Brookshire Polo Club

La Elina logo

La Elina (2-2)

7

Brookshire Polo Club logo

Brookshire Polo Club (4-0)

13

Saturday, May 4, 2024

May 04

Final

Western Challenge

Brookshire Polo Club

La Elina logo

La Elina (2-2)

12

BTA logo

BTA (1-2)

10

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

May 08

Final

Western Challenge

Brookshire Polo Club

Eureka logo

Eureka (0-3)

7

Brookshire Polo Club logo

Brookshire Polo Club (4-0)

8

May 08

Final

Western Challenge

Brookshire Polo Club

Tonkawa logo

Tonkawa (2-1)

12

Old Pueblo logo

Old Pueblo (1-2)

6

Friday, May 10, 2024

May 10

Final

Western Challenge

Brookshire Polo Club

Brookshire Polo Club logo

Brookshire Polo Club (4-0)

11

La Elina logo

La Elina (2-2)

9

WESTERN CHALLENGE

THE VENUE

Established in 2006, Brookshire Polo Club (BPC) in Brookshire, Texas, welcomes players of all levels who are looking for a family-friendly and casual atmosphere to share a love of polo, horses and the outdoors. Nestled between the pecan groves are four full size polo fields, one full size covered polo arena, three covered barns, multiple outdoor paddocks, a small swimming lake, and a tennis court for recreational use. Brookshire Polo Club also proudly serves as one of four co-hosts of the Texas Arena League (TAL).

Located just 10 miles west of Katy, Texas, and 36 miles west of downtown Houston, BPC’s mission is to share their passion for polo with all people in a welcoming environment that promotes polo as a sport and family-friendly lifestyle.


800 Wilpitz Rd
Brookshire, TX 77423
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