NEWS

Steve Krueger*, a professional polo player from Argyle, Texas, has made an impressive start to the 2025 Florida season, winning the Heritage Cup with San Saba at the National Polo Center in Wellington. "It’s great to start the season on a high note with a win," said Krueger.

Known as the heart of high-goal polo in the United States, Wellington sets the stage for the country’s most competitive tournaments, and the Heritage Cup kickstarted the season! Krueger, alongside teammates Dawn Jones, Santiago Zubiaurre and Alfonso Pieres, delivered a strong performance, demonstrating the cohesion and strategy that define San Saba’s playstyle.

As a player deeply rooted in Texas polo, representing San Saba holds special meaning for Krueger. The team, led by Dawn Jones, reflects a shared dedication to the sport and camaraderie among its members.

Beyond the Heritage Cup, Krueger has quickly shifted his focus to the Joe Barry Memorial, the first qualifier for the NPC 16-Goal Championship. Krueger’s goal for this tournament is clear: to claim the title after narrowly missing it in the finals the past two years.

Looking ahead, Krueger’s season promises to be even more exciting as he prepares to compete in the prestigious Gauntlet of Polo with BTA. The series, comprised of the C.V. Whitney, the USPA Gold Cup and the U.S. Open Polo Championship, all represent the pinnacle of high-goal polo in North America.

Steve, congratulations on winning the Heritage Cup with San Saba! How does it feel to start the season on such a high note?

“Thank you. It’s great to start the season on a high note. It was our first game, so we didn’t know what to expect with the horses and the team. We started well, everything felt good and getting that win was a great way to kick things off.”

Can you walk us through the final match? What were the key moments that secured the victory?

“We started the game well, moving the ball effectively. The opposing team tends to start a little slow, but they always come back strong and we knew that. When they started making their comeback in the second half, we focused on keeping everything together. Thankfully, we were able to hold on and secure the win. They’re a disciplined, tough team to play against, so we knew we had to stay consistent throughout the match.”

San Saba, like you, holds a special significance as a team from Texas. What does it mean to represent a team tied to your roots?

“It’s awesome. I’ve known Dawn Jones for a long time and my dad has known Dawn’s husband, Tommy, for years. Playing for a team from the same part of the country as me is cool, especially with people who are not just great players but great individuals.

This is one of the most fun teams I’ve played with. Santi and Alfonso are some of my favorite teammates and they make it easy to perform well. Dawn also creates a great team environment. We all work together to help each other, and I’m looking forward to playing this next tournament [the Joe Barry Memorial] with them.”

What are your goals for the Joe Barry Memorial and the rest of the season in the U.S.? What tournaments do you plan to play?

“For the Joe Barry, the goal is simple: win it. I’ve been in the final the last two years, but we lost both times, so it would be great to finally take the title. After that, I’ll be playing the 22-goal Gauntlet [of Polo] with BTA alongside Kelly Beal, Nachi Viana and Tomas Panelo.”

Can you give us a brief overview of your journey in polo? How did you get started and what has the road been like from your early days in Argyle, Texas, to becoming a professional player?

“My dad played, so I grew up around horses. I started in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, playing at clubs like Las Colinas and Oak Grove. In high school, I played in the arena with the Fort Worth team, winning three national titles. Then, at Texas A&M [University], I won another three intercollegiate nationals. After that, I started playing professionally, mostly in Houston, where I worked and played for different teams. That’s really how my professional career began.”

What has been the proudest moment in your polo career so far?

“There are tournaments I’ve won that I’m proud of, like the arena nationals and the Argyle Heart 16-goal last year. But my proudest accomplishment is my string of horses and the relationship I’ve built with them. Preparing the horses and getting them to perform at their best excites me the most. That whole process of managing and maintaining them is what I’m most proud of.”

*Steve Krueger is Team USPA alumnus. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.

All photos courtesy of ©David Lominska