NEWS

The Texas Arena League (TAL) played the first leg of the 2018 tour at County Line Polo Club in Kyle, Texas, near Austin. Six teams competed in the 3-6 goal bracket and five teams competed in the 0-3 goal bracket.

The TAL was created to bring players together from all over the Southwestern Circuit for some competitive polo and camaraderie. Teams and players will be competing and traveling to three host locations to earn points to be named League Champions. Most Valuable Player and Best Playing Pony points are also accumulated throughout the entire series of tournaments.

County Line was a great host, offering practice chukkers the night before the tournament and a get together for the players. The set up for spectators and players at County Line is classic "rustic' Texas with a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of great viewing points for the game.

In the USPA Southwestern Circuit Sherman Memorial, County Line (Tiamo Hudspeth*, Wendy Stover, Amanda Massey) were victorious over Central Texas Polo Association (Pud Nieto, Karl Hilberg, Cody Goetz). Tiamo Hudspeth was named Most Valuable Player and Wendy Stover's Wild was presented with the Best Playing Pony blanket.

Prevalacer (Loreto Natividad, Megan Flynn, Ashley Owen) defeated San Antonio Polo Club (Jack Crea, Ursula Pari, Gal Shweiki, Patrick Macleod) in the USPA Southwestern Circuit General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller tournament. To compete in this tournament both teams had players that are either active duty or retired military or have family who served in the military. Most Valuable Player was awarded to Loreto Natividad and Best Playing Pony was awarded to India played by Ursula Pari.

The closest game of the 3- to 6-goal bracket was played between Legend's Polo Club (Ignacio Astrada, Steve Gilchrist, Wyatt Myr) and Midland Polo Club (Leigh Fulkerson, Brady Williams, Dalton Woodfin) and ended in a tie match that garnered each team equal points for the league. Both teams fought hard and played well. Wyatt Myr was named most Valuable Player and Dalton Woodfin's Payaso took home Best Playing Pony honors.

Playing for the USPA Southwestern Circuit Admiral Chester W. Nimitz military tournament were two County Line teams; all players were either former or current Intercollegiate/Interscholastic players. Former Texas Tech teammates John Hand and Dallas Taylor were pitted against each other in a match that excelled in sportsmanship from all players. County Line 2 (Dallas Taylor, Jason Atkins, Ismael Vasquez) took home the win over County Line 3 (Keanu Mueller, John Hand,Rowan Neidinger). John Hand was named Most Valuable Player and Pedro, played by Dallas Taylor and owned by Javier Insua was awarded Best Playing Pony.

The final game of the day, the 0- to 3-goal USPA Southwestern Circuit Arena Challenge Cup, was played as a round-robin between County Line 1 (Andrew Richardson, Evan Murray, Zain Saud), Central Texas Polo Association and Legend's Polo Club. Central Texas Polo Association took home the win. Each game in the round-robin was counted separately for TAL points; Central Texas Polo Association tied with County Line 1, County Line 1 narrowly defeated Legends and Central Texas Polo Association won against Legends. Best Playing Pony awards were presented to Cadillac played by Loreto Natividad, Tres Equis played by Steve Gilchrist and Frijolita played by Katie Anderson. Most Valuable Players were Taylor Morris, Katie Anderson and Loreto Natividad.

The next stop in the Texas Arena League will take place in the Dallas Forth Worth area at Legends Horse Ranch in Kaufman, Texas, on February 3. The League will conclude at Midland Polo Club in Midland, Texas, on March 3, where the season awards will be given out. For more information or to join in on the Texas Arena League action, please contact Megan Flynn at megan@hiddenviewfarmpolo.com.

A special thank you to the USPA Arena Committee and USPA Marketing/Communications for help with Texas Arena League.

*Tiamo Hudspeth is a member of Team USPA. 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 ©Diane Bray