NEWS

2019 Texas Arena League (TAL) is officially underway with the first matches being played at Legend's Polo Club in Kaufman, Texas. Seven teams turned out for the 0- to 3-goal and six teams competed in the 3- to 6-goal.

Texas Arena League plays on a points system similar to the Pacific Coast Arena League (PCAL) with teams and individuals accruing points throughout the course of the league towards end of season awards. Points are given on a win/tie/loss status as well as points for Sportsmanship, Most Valuable Player and Best Playing Pony. In addition to TAL points, many events also accrue points towards National Arena Amateur Cup standings.

This year the TAL Best Playing Pony award is sponsored by Nutrena, Most Valuable Player is sponsored by U.S. Polo Assn., Jackrabbit Tack is the sponsor for the High Point Individual in each flight, while the winner of High Point Overall will receive a pair of custom-made boots from AB Boots. The winner of the Sportsmanship award will receive a beautiful Catena Swiss watch. There are also awards for Best String, Best Host Club and the newest award this year Fan Favorite sponsored by Galvin Agency with American National Insurance. For Fan Favorite, spectators vote on social media for their favorite player. The player with the most votes over the course of the weekend of play receives the honor.

Make-A-Wish North Texas and Make-A-Wish Central and South Texas are the charity partners of Texas Arena League. Wish Kid Nick Hill came out and threw in the first ball to start the matches. For children battling critical illness, as well as their families, Make-A-Wish grants one-of-a-kind wish experiences that restore crucial hope and give kids a reason to keep fighting.

In the USPA Arena Congressional Cup, Legacy Polo (Ashley Owen, Kyle McGraw, Javier Peralta) defeated Santa Anita (Oscar Bermudez Jr., James Servando McHazzlett, Sidro Olivas) in a shoot-out. Kyle McGraw was awarded Sportsmanship, Sidro Olivas took Most Valuable Player honors and Nevada owned and played by Ashley Owen won Nutrena Best Playing Pony.

In the USPA Admiral Chester W. Nimitz military tournament – Williams Polo (Brady Williams, Mark Osburn, Maddie Lange) defeated OKC CCC Ranch (Kelly Coldiron, Greg Summers, Allen Bowman). Greg Summers was given the Catena Sportsmanship award, Sonita owned and played by Brady Williams was Best Playing Pony and Williams also won Most Valuable Player honors.

The Texas Arena League 0-3 goal Challenge was a round robin format with Central Texas Polo Association (Javier Insua, Holly Wood, Tres de la Paz) winning both of their matches. Castillo Polo (David Werntz, Cinderella Von Falkenhausen, Karen Summers) defeated Legend’s Horse Ranch (Nacho Estrada, Ismael Vasquez, Jack Crea). Javier Insua won U.S. Polo Assn. Most Valuable Player, Cindi Von Falkenhausen received Sportsmanship honors and Davinci played by Ismael Vasquez and owned by Brady Williams took home the Best Playing Pony blanket.

In the USPA Sherman Memorial, Legacy (Kyle McGraw, Loreto Natividad, Ashley Owen) scored a win over OKC CCC Ranch (Greg Summers, JT Shiverick, Kelly Coldiron). Joker owned and played by Loreto Natividad won Best Playing Pony, Kelly Coldiron was the U.S. Polo Assn. Most Valuable Player and Kyle McGraw won the Sportsmanship award.

The USPA General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller military tournament saw Central Texas Polo Association (Chris Ballard, Javier Insua, Nacho Estrada) win over a very tough SAPC Punishers team (Kendall Plank, Amada Massey, Jack Crea). Jack Crea received the Catena Sportsmanship award while Javier Insua was named Most Valuable Player and Lolo played by Kendall Plank took home Best Playing Pony honors.

In the final match of the weekend, the TAL 3- to 6-goal Challenge, Big Time Polo (Devan Groves, Dalton Woodfin, Brady Williams) secured the win over Legend’s Horse Ranch (August Scherer, Karen Summers, Oscar Bermudex Jr.). Platinum owned and played by Brady Williams was the Nutrena Best Playing Pony, Karen Summers won the Sportsmanship award and Dalton Woodfin was named Most Valuable Player.

Ashley Owen was voted The Galvin Agency Fan Favorite Player for the weekend!

You can follow all the Texas Arena League action on Facebook (Texas Arena League), Twitter (@arena_texas) and Instagram (@texasarenaleague). Or visit www.texasarenaleague.com to enter a team, check the point standings or find out more. TAL plays three more dates to complete the League – Feb 16 -17 at Two Wishes Polo Club in Lockhart, Texas, (Central Texas Polo Association), March 2-3 at Legend's Polo Club in Kaufman, Texas, and March 16-17 at Midland Polo Club in Midland, Texas.

All photos courtesy ©MurrellPhoto.com.