NEWS

On Sunday, November 19, Lugano Diamonds (Audry Persano*, Tiamo Hudspeth*, Dayelle Fargey, Kendall Plank) performed under pressure to cut through the competition and best QR Jets (Lily Lequerica, Madison Jordan, KC Krueger, Sarah Wiseman) 6-5 in the U.S. Open Women’s Handicap final at Houston Polo Club in Houston, Texas.

Played at the 16- to 20-goal level, the U.S. Open Women’s Handicap featured a field of four teams. Each team competed in two qualifying games to determine finalists based on record. On Saturday, November 18, the second day of match play, Lugano Diamonds defeated 2022 finalists BCI/Alliant (Cara Kennedy, Maddie Grant, Grace Mudra, Lottie Lamacraft) to hold matching 1-1 records as they eagerly awaited the results of the final contest in group play. Defending champion QR Jets narrowly bested Propaganda (Alyson Poor, Malia Bryan, Kaile Roos, Erica Gandomcar-Sachs) to remain undefeated, securing their spot in Sunday’s final, while Lugano Diamonds advanced due to their status having bested BCI/Alliant despite equal records.

Lugano Diamonds discussed an alternate offensive strategy for the final having faced QR Jets in their first matchup, losing by three goals. “We made it through the goal posts! The first game we had so many missed opportunities to shoot at goal, and I think [in group play] yesterday we got our confidence up offensively,” remarked Hudspeth. “We are a very offensive team and once we started just shooting to goal with authority, it gave us more confidence.”

The victors also strategized their string lineups. “Our horses were incredible,” stated Hudspeth. Fargey recommended the foursome start the match on their best mounts. “She [Fargey] told us to come out on our best horses and bring them back. I played my two best mares in the first and second half. I think that's really what made it happen for us.”

Veteran competitor Fargey served as the team’s captain and set the tone Sunday. “Starting out strong was the key for sure,” commented Fargey. “We kept our composure, stuck to the game plan and trusted each other. We knew that if we worked hard and were disciplined that it would come back around in our favor.”

Jordan, the newest addition to the QR Jets roster, was first on the scoreboard in the final, but Fargey was close behind for Lugano Diamonds before the end of the opening chukker. Hudspeth posted her first goal of the game early in the second, as did Krueger. The diamond divas shifted back on the attack and responded with two of their own. Jordan picked up one more point just before halftime.

QR Jets was able to tie it up in the third with another goal from Jordan, keeping their opponents scoreless. The gemstones rallied in the fourth with back-to-back goals from Fargey and Hudspeth for a two-point lead. As the clock counted down, QR Jets attempted a comeback with a final goal from Krueger, but ultimately witnessed Lugano Diamonds ride away with the 6-5 win.

Most Valuable Player Madison Jordan was also awarded Best Playing Pony Amateur riding Rubia, owned by Ignacio Saenz. Best Playing Pony honors were presented to Moxie, played by Tiamo Hudspeth and owned by San Ysidro Polo.

“She’s a super special pony, she's only 14.3 [hands] and has a heart bigger than anything else I have.” Hudspeth, who played Moxie in the second and fourth chukkers, remarked on the mare’s resilience and stamina. “I think she played almost a chukker-and-a-half today, she has so much grit.” Hudspeth acquired the 7-year-old mare in 2020 with the help of San Ysidro Ranch. “I bought her out in the country, here in Texas, from a friend of a friend. She was being trained to be a heel horse and I liked the way she moved. So, I encouraged the ranch that I managed to buy her as a [polo] prospect.”

Plank, Persano and Hudspeth all credited their captain, Fargey, with the team’s success. “Winning this with Dayelle [Fargey] who is an absolute legend…we are just so honored that she was our captain,” said Hudspeth. “She has so much experience and really got after us—I’m so thankful!” When asked about Sunday’s win, Fargey was delighted with the team’s efforts, “The heart of this team was huge.”

The U.S. Open Women's Handicap Final is available On-Demand.

*Tiamo Hudspeth and Audry Persano are Team USPA alumnae. 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 ©Kaylee Wroe.