NEWS

The Texas Arena League (TAL) looks forward to a record-breaking fifth season, with the first games commencing on the weekend of January 28-30. Comprised of four separate events spread across two locations, TAL will be held at Legends Polo Club in Kaufman, Texas and Brookshire Polo Club in Brookshire, Texas. Teams and players compete in the season-long TAL for points that determine the End of League Awards and the coveted TAL belt buckles.

Due to huge demand, the number of teams in each flight had to be capped for the 2022 season. These limits have been reached with an astounding 15 teams in the 0- to 3-goal, 12 teams in the 3- to 6-goal, and six teams in the 6- to 9-goal. In addition, TAL offers a C-Flight in which new and beginner players can compete.

“I am looking forward to playing in the Texas Arena League again,” said Wendy Stover, whose business Herk’s Store and Grill sponsors a team. “TAL offers intense competition and camaraderie that is unmatched anywhere. I am excited to see so many friends from all over the state, and beyond, come together for four weekends full of thrilling games in a competitive atmosphere. Perhaps my favorite part of TAL is the opportunity to play polo in the winter without traveling to the desert or Florida,” Stover continued. “It gives me a good excuse to get out in the cold and exercise when I would typically hibernate like a bear!”

The season will start at Brookshire Polo Club (Brookshire, Texas) with the 6- to 9-goal Southwestern Circuit Arena Delegate's Cup, 0- to 3-goal Arena - General George S. Patton Jr., and the 3- to 6-goal Arena - General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller tournaments. Patton Legacy Sports is sponsoring the General Patton tournament being played as single elimination in the 0- to 3-goal flight.

“The General Patton tournament is one of my favorite tournaments each year,” said Gal Shweiki, winner of the 2021 Catena Sportsmanship Award (3- to 6-goal). “It connects polo with its rich military history. My wife is an active-duty army doctor and I love being able to represent the great service members who do so much for our country.”

“My favorite part of the Texas Arena League is hanging out on the days I’m not playing and watching the other games,” said Don English, who won the 2021 Catena Sportsmanship Award (0-3 Goal). “I like being around polo. It’s also unique to be at an event where most of the spectators are other polo players, resulting in a more savvy crowd.” On playing with his fiancé, Verity Cameron, in the 0- to 3-goal, English commented, “​​Verity and I share horses. I’m looking forward to strategizing the horse roster each weekend to match up best with our competition.”

Amanda Massey also commented on playing with family, “I am looking forward to playing another TAL season with my sister [Stephanie Colburn] and Lisa [Yanskey] in addition to watching some competitive arena polo from the sidelines. The teams keep getting better and better each year!”

Dates and Locations:

January 28-30: Brookshire Polo Club, Brookshire, Texas

February 11-13: Legends Polo Club, Kaufman, Texas

February 25-27: Brookshire Polo Club, Brookshire, Texas

March 11-13: Legends Polo Club, Kaufman, Texas

The Texas Arena League would like to thank their generous sponsors for providing numerous prizes for players and teams, highlighted by Amanda Massey, whose business Elite Motion & Performance sponsors Most Improved Player in the C-Flight, 0- to 3-goal, and 3- to 6-goal. “The most improved player award is important because it recognizes players who are investing in becoming better polo players no matter what level of play they are participating in. I try to sponsor this award with a prize that can be used by the player to help improve their recovery and prevent injuries while playing polo.”

This year, the prize will be a Hyperbolt massage gun. “The reason I started Elite Motion & Performance is because of my own injuries that I sustained while playing,” Massey continued. “I want to be able to help as many polo players and their horses prevent injuries while playing this sport that we love.”

Other returning sponsors to 2022 Texas Arena League include U.S. Polo Assn., Catena, Nutrena, Galvin Agency, American National Insurance, Royal B Threads, Jackrabbit Tack, Aubone Polo Mallets, Elite Motion & Performance, Murrell Photo, The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program, Casablanca Polo, American Quarter Horse Association and USPA Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Polo.

New sponsors include Patton Legacy Sports, Auour Investments, Herk's Store and Grill, Straussfeld Realty and Jose Velez.