NEWS

The 2025 Texas Arena League (TAL) season officially began at Brookshire Polo Club in Brookshire, Texas. The Brookshire covered arena buzzed with energy as new and returning players set the stage for an unforgettable weekend. In its eighth season, TAL, an exponentially growing fixture of Texas polo, brought together teams in both Classic and Armadillo divisions. From Friday, January 24, through Sunday, January 26, competition ranged from C-Flight, 0-3 goal, 3-6 goal and 6- to 9-goal action.

The Texas Arena League (TAL) is set to host a dynamic lineup of tournaments throughout the 2025 season, bringing fierce competition and top-tier polo action to arenas across the state. This year, TAL will showcase a range of tournaments, including the National Arena Delegate's Cup, National Arena Bronze Cup, National Arena Chairman’s Cup and various USPA Southwestern Circuit events, in addition to regular league play. TAL proudly offers something for every player from newcomers to seasoned professionals with multiple flights catering to different levels. In 2025, U.S. Polo Assn. returns as the official apparel brand for TAL, providing each participant with a signature sherpa lined hoodie.

Kicking off the weekend, the National Arena Delegate's Cup served as a true spectacle of high-level arena polo. Featuring six teams in the 6- to 9-goal division, players gave it their all out of the gate. Fans were treated to fast-paced, strategic play, with each team showcasing unique skills. During opening weekend, each game featured awards for Most Valuable player, Best Playing Pony and Sportsmanship. Players will not only receive accolades each weekend but can look forward to being featured in the 2025 End of League Awards.

The USPA Southwestern Circuit General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller, hosted by San Antonio Polo Club (San Antonio, Texas), began its initial qualifiers on Saturday, January 25, with several heavy-hitting 3- to 6-goal teams. “We had a really difficult draw in the first game for the 3-6 goal on Saturday, bowling in against Proton Polo. Steve [Stout] and Javier [Insua] are always a force to be reckoned with in the area, but adding Ariel Mancebo to the mix just ups the game to another level,” expressed Wesley Alston. Players and clubs from Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, California and Tennessee took part, highlighting the growing reach and influence of arena polo and TAL across the Lone Star State and beyond. The winning teams, along with wildcard entry Proton Polo, advanced to the next weekend of competition, while, the remaining four teams will continue their journey in the Southwestern Circuit Sherman Memorial, hosted by Texas Military Polo Club LLC (Poteet, Texas) at Dripping Springs Ranch Park Event Center & Arena in Hays Country, Texas.

On Sunday, January 26, the Southwestern Circuit General George S. Patton Jr. took place, hosted by Oak Bend Farm (Ledbetter, Texas) with Patton Legacy Sports and Patton Polo serving as the proud sponsor for this tournament. It is through generous sponsorship and commitment to military and athletic pursuits that Patton Legacy Sports carries on General Patton Jr.’s love for the sport of polo and healthy competition. His name has become synonymous with comradery and good sportsmanship, the tournament bearing his namesake continuing to allow horse lovers to compete in his honor as both competitors and fellow athletes. Teams at the 0- to 3-goal level went head-to-head for an opportunity to advance. The victorious teams, alongside wildcard entry JD Polo, will move on to the next stage of competition. The remaining four teams have shifted their focus to the Southwestern Circuit Arena Sportsmanship Cup hosted by the Texas Military Polo Club.

Additionally, several teams competed in league play on Friday in the the B and C-Flights sponsored by the Polo Training Foundation (PTF). Having participated last year, Myra Osburn expressed her enthusiasm for the 2025 TAL season, “After filling in on a C-flight team last year, I knew I wanted to get on a team with my brother this year. I was really proud of winning our games the first weekend. We are really good at talking to each other and helping each other when we play,” noted Osburn. The Polo Training Foundation (PTF) supports polo training at all levels and encourages the highest standards of sportsmanship through healthy competition. It is through the junction of the PTF and organizations such as TAL that this initiative is able to reach so many. Lower-handicap flights allow several new teams to enter the league for the 2025 season.

The next stops for the TAL Classic Division are Dripping Springs Ranch Park & Event Center, San Antonio Rose Palace and Legends Polo Club (Kaufman, Texas). TAL Armadillo Divisions will be played at Legends Polo Club and Brookshire Polo Club, featuring the National Arena Bronze Cup and National Arena Chairman’s Cup. As the competition progresses, players as individuals and as part of their teams will look to build on their earlier performances and cement their rankings for the finals. As more teams enter the fray and new locations prepare to host future matchups, the 2025 TAL season promises intense polo action, not to be missed!

View the full list of award recipients from the first weekend and stay updated on all games and standings throughout the Texas Arena League season. For more details on the 2025 season, score updates, and ticket information, visit texasarenaleague.com or follow the Texas Arena League on Facebook and Instagram.

Galvin Agency Most Valuable Player Award
Mark Osburn
Zak Coleman
James Glew
Emily Andre
Garrett Bankhead
Loreto Natividad
James Glew
Joss Leufrancois
Niklaus Felhaber
Wes Alston
Drew Luplow
Megan Rahlfs
Faris Hanna
Javier Insua

Nutrena Best Playing Pony Award
Sarabi - Chad Bowman
Colors - Zak Coleman, owned by Victor Aguilar
Adelina - Nick Cifuni
Dually - Avery Sterr, owned by Jeepers Ragsdale
Biddle - Tiamo Hudspeth*, owned by Ben and Stephanie Colburn*
Canela - Loreto Natividad
Polly - James Glew
#11 - Will Walton
J-Lo - Mark & Amanda Osburn
Ace - Megan Flynn, owned by Roxy Riggs Mounter
Toscana - Megan Rahlfs, owned by Legends
Monjita Tazona - Faris Hanna
Greco - Javier Insua

Cavalor / Catena Sportsmanship Award
Don Gruntmeir
Nacho Estrada
Joanie Jackson x2
Ashley Welch
Adrian Aguilar
Stephen Stout
Will Walton
Roxy Riggs Mounter
Gus Osburn
Brady Williams
George Ramon
John Hand
Gustavo Toro

Player of the Week Award
Loreto Natividad

Casablanca Defenseman of the Week Award
Mark Osburn

*Tiamo Hudspeth and Stephanie Colburn 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.