NEWS

Four teams (Polo InterActive, Quiet Creek Farm, JD Polo, San Antonio) participated in the Southwestern Circuit Sportsmanship Cup, the weekend of Saturday, October 24, hosted by Central Texas Polo Association (CTPA) and ATX Polo Club at the Two Wishes Polo Club facility in Lockhart, Texas. Earning their spot in the final, Polo InterActive challenged Quiet Creek Farm for the title on Sunday. Taking control of the game from the first chukker, Quiet Creek Farm captured the trophy 11-2.5 and $2,500 in prize money.

The first match on Saturday took place between Polo InterActive (Jose Velez, Tres De La Paz, Ariel Rodriguez, Mike Lancaster) and San Antonio (Patrick MacLeod, Gal Shweiki, Trey Crea, Jack Crea). Starting off with a half goal on handicap, Polo InterActive opened the game with two field goals by De La Paz and Rodriguez, leaving their opponents scoreless in the first. San Antonio found the goal midway through the second chukker when Trey Crea scored, but he was quickly matched by Rodriguez who kept Polo InterActive ahead at halftime 3.5-2. The second half mirrored the second chukker as Trey Crea and Rodriguez scored the only goals in the third and fourth chukkers. Holding onto their early lead, Polo InterActive earned the victory 5.5-4 and a spot in the final.

In the second semifinal of the day Quiet Creek Farm (Ian Kosky, Olivia Reynolds, Hannah Reynolds, Joaquin Arguello), coached by Mike McCleary, faced JD Polo (Chris Ballard, Jessica Mignone, Javier Insua, John Greening, Taimur Zeb). Insua scored first converting a Penalty 4, which sliced untouched through and under five horses and their riders. Reynolds answered back with a Penalty 3 conversion to put Quiet Creek Farm on the board. Claiming two more goals in the second, JD Polo left Quiet Creek Farm scoreless stealing the advantage 3-1 at halftime. Coming out hot in the second half, Arguello scored three field goals for Quiet Creek Farm, including a beautiful offside neckshot to score. Going into the final chukker Quiet Creek Farm led 4-3. In the opening minutes of the final chukker, Ballard knocked in a beautiful pass from Insua to tie the game but Quiet Creek Farm’s Kosky and Arguello each scored to win the match 6-4.

Qualifying for the final, Polo InterActive challenged Quiet Creek Farm in the Southwestern Circuit Sportsmanship Cup Final. Taking an early lead, Quiet Creek Farm dominated throughout the game as they continued to widen the gap. In the first chukker, Hannah Reynolds scored three goals, matched only by one from Polo InterActive's Lancaster who converted a Penalty 2. In the second, Hannah Reynolds continued to carry her team’s momentum with back-to-back goals, bringing the tally to 5-1.5 and leaving Polo InterActive scoreless.

Unleashing an offensive drive in the third, Quiet Creek Farm added four consecutive goals and once again prevented their opponents from a successful shot on goal. Headed into the final chukker, Quiet Creek Farm held a sizable lead 9-1.5. Arguello scored his second goal of the day followed by Olivia Reynolds, landing all Quiet Creek Farm teammates on the scoreboard. Breaking the silence for Polo InterActive, Rodriquez added the first goal for his team since the first chukker, but conceded victory to Quiet Creek Farm with an impressive 11-2.5 win.

Scoring seven of her team’s 11 total goals, Hannah Reynolds was named Most Valuable Player. Vegas, owned and played by Ariel Rodriguez, was named Best Playing Pony. Jessica Mignone received the Sportsmanship Award and was presented with a full double rein polo bridle.

All photos ©David Murrell.