NEWS

After much anticipation, the second leg of the 2024 Pacific Coast Arena League (PCAL) was held at Lakeside Polo Club in Lakeside, California, from Friday, September 27 to Saturday, September 28. Featuring a newly lit arena, spectators were offered a premium view of the action. The lineups were packed with long-awaited matchups and diverse flights ranging from the -3- to 12-goal levels, including a continuation of preliminary play in the 9- to 12-goal National Arena Chairman’s Cup.

Offering an authentic high-goal arena experience, the clash between Sermus (Spencer Hurtt, Rehan Kumble, Garrett Bankhead) and Can This! (Shaun Cornell, Alexander Jones, Jared Sheldon*) in the National Arena Chairman’s Cup served as the standout match of the weekend. Both teams showcased their A-game, demonstrating impressive strategy and teamwork in and out of the arena. In a nail-biting finish, Sermus edged out their opponents to secure a narrow 21-20 victory.

Competing in multiple flights across the weekend, PCAL veteran Spencer Hurtt stated, “Another great PCAL under our belt. Despite the heat and numerous time changes to combat the heat we had a great time. It was action packed for me, as I was part of three different teams. The Friday night high goal was fast and exciting. I also played in the A- and B-flights, teaming up with Marissa Wells* in the A-Flight. She’s so fun to play with, and you catch yourself watching her make amazing play after amazing play. Big props to my [mare] Star Platinum, who earned Best Playing Pony in two different flights!”

In addition to the National Arena Chairman's Cup, the series boasted an impressive 12 teams participating in the 0- to 3-goal B-Flight. Luca Abboud, who competed in both the A- and B-Flights reflected on the importance of teamwork in all levels of competition, “At the end of the day, trust and dependency on your teammates is what makes or breaks the team's morale and how you feel when you walk out of the arena, win or lose. The teammates I played with in both flights were the best anyone could ask for.”

The C-Flight provided a vibrant stage for up-and-coming players with determination on full display. Matches in this division were marked with the athletes demonstrating their growth and untapped potential. Matthew Messens expressed, “As novice players, we were able to watch some spectacular arena polo played at its highest levels. We continue to learn and are so very grateful to the professional umpires, other players and coaching staff for imparting their wisdom.”

Offering players of all skill levels the opportunity to refine and receive recognition for their skills, Shira Engel shared, “Ava [Abboud], Helena [Csiki] and I have been playing together since I joined the interscholastic team four seasons ago. We’ve always had so much fun in the arena together and PCAL was no different. Our Friday night game was definitely a warmup game for all three of us, but on Saturday we came out ready to hit the ground running and we won! I can’t wait to see how we grow together even more between now and the end of the [Intercollegiate/Interscholastic] season.”

A-flight action was equally thrilling, featuring passionate teams delivering high-stakes matches defined by strategic precision. 9-goaler Marissa Wells shared her thoughts on her first PCAL experience, “I love the opportunity to play competitive arena polo on the West Coast with and against players I don’t normally get to play with. Each weekend is at a new location with a different styled arena; some that I haven’t played in before. That’s what I love about arena polo—trying to figure out the arena; how the walls rebound and what the footing is like. The game strategy changes depending on what arena you are in.”

Players truly gave it their all this year, turning every match into a nail-biting contest to determine who would come out on top. Regardless of the results, no one left empty handed. In addition to the traditional award presentation, every player received a limited edition PCAL hoodie courtesy of U.S. Polo Assn. Thanks to the generous support of U.S. Polo Assn. and other valued sponsors, the second leg of the Pacific Coast Arena League exceeded expectations this season.

Each game in PCAL awards a Most Valuable Player, Sportsmanship and Best Playing Pony honors. These awards combined with points (win, tie, loss) accumulate throughout the season to determine the recipients in the End-of-League Awards.

Casablanca Most Valuable Player
Leigh Bertea
Matthew Messens
Shaun Cornell
Garrett Bankhead
Rehan Kumble
Spencer Hurtt
Emma Blackwood
Zoey Tornillo
Ethan Bankhead
Fawn Rinalduzzi
Luca Abboud
Laura Hauschild
Lily Goebbels
Ava Abboud

U.S. Polo Assn. Sportsmanship Award
Heather Perkins
Ally Molongoski
Spencer Hurtt
Nicole Bankhead
Marissa Wells
Sebastian Lopez
Kelsea Galarza
Lisa Gonzales
Kylie Kufahl
Emma Blackwood
Ethan Bankhead
Nia Soliz
Chuck Stanislawski
Luca Abboud

Jackson Hole Horse Emporium Best Playing Pony
Noche, played and owned by Shira Engle.
Lovely, played and owned by Jessie Wileman.
Syrup, played by Rehan Kumble and owned by George Dill.
Fifi, played and owned by Jennifer Alexy.
Sombra, played and owned by Luca Abboud.
Callie, played and owned by Ethan Bankhead.
Guapa, played and owned by Ernie Darquea.
Matilda, played and owned by Matthew Messens.
Star Platinum (x2), played and owned by Spencer Hurtt.
Dakota, played and owned by Helena Csiki.
Amelia Earhart, played and owned by Lisa Gonzales.
Ash, played and owned by Ethan Bankhead.
Atlas, played and owned by Kylie Kufahl.

*Jared Sheldon and Marissa Wells are USPA alumni. 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 ©Tequila Sunsets Photography.