NEWS

The Texas Arena League (TAL) is ready for another fantastic arena polo season. TAL will kick off at Brookshire Polo Club (Brookshire, Texas) from January 26-28. U.S. Polo Assn. will continue their partnership with TAL as the official apparel sponsor and will generously provide players with brand merchandise.

The National Arena Delegate’s Cup 6- to 9-goal tournament will begin on Friday, January 26. Six TAL teams will compete in cross-bracket play every Friday across three different locations: Brookshire Polo Club (Brookshire, Texas), San Antonio Rose Palace, Legends Polo Club (Kaufman, Texas) to determine finalists on Friday, March 15 at and Dripping Springs Ranch Park Event Center & Arena near Austin. The San Antonio Rose Palace is a new venue to the TAL lineup for 2024.

In addition to the National Arena Delegate’s Cup, Friday will include the Polo Training Foundation (PTF) sponsored B-Flight for players holding a 0 or -1-goal handicap and the PTF C Flight for polo school level competition. “We are very happy to have PTF on board with TAL for 2024,” said TAL committee member and player Karl Hilberg. “The B and C-Flights are steppingstones for new arena polo players—both kids and adults. Over the years, the Texas Arena League has had many players get their first polo competition in C-Flight and graduate to higher levels of play the following year. The Polo Training Foundation is the perfect fit for these players.”

On Saturday, January 27, the Southwestern Circuit General George S. Patton Jr. will commence with 12 teams competing, all with military ties either through personal service or a family member’s service. Patton Legacy Sports has sponsored not only the tournament but the Spirit of Patton Award given at the end of the league.

Michelle Strauss of Patton Legacy Sports said, "Patton Legacy Sports is pleased to continue its partnership with the Texas Arena League and the [Southwestern Circuit] General Patton tournament. Patton Polo was formed to support polo events that honor General Patton with the spirit of competition and camaraderie. The Texas Arena League knows how to do this with their fast-paced action and fun for players and spectators alike. We look forward to the 2024 season!"

The Southwestern Circuit General George S. Patton Jr. will be played in single elimination format with teams that are knocked out during the first event moving into the Southwestern Circuit Admiral Chester W. Nimitz tournament that will start at San Antonio Rose Palace in February.

The USPA National Arena Bronze Cup will start on Sunday, January 28, during the Texas Arena League. Ten teams are entered in the 3- to 6-goal tournament which will also be played single elimination style with a wildcard spot after each round of play. Similar to the other tournaments, the USPA National Arena Bronze Cup will be played throughout the TAL’s four locations with the finals held on Sunday, March 17, at Dripping Springs. TAL competition will also include the Southwestern Circuit General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller.

In addition to USPA national and circuit arena events, each game played counts towards points totaling in the TAL end-of-league awards. TAL also awards a Galvin Agency Most Valuable Player, Nutrena Best Playing Pony and Cavalor Sportsmanship at the end of each game, with end-of-league Sportsmanship prizes from Catena USA, Polo InterActive, JD Polo and Jackrabbit Tack.

To stay up to date on the latest Texas Arena League events, follow the League on Facebook, Instagram or visit texasarenaleague.com.

National Arena Delegates Cup
Christian Brothers: Kylie Matthews (1), Garrett Bankhead (4), Tiamo Hudspeth* (3)
Bar-Spur LLC: Mark Osburn (2), Chad Bowman (5), Stephanie Colburn* (2)
Texas A&M: Zak Coleman (4), Aiden Meeker (2), Will Mudra (3), Victor Aguilar III (substitute)(2)
Roxstars: Roxy Mounter (0), Megan Flynn (2), Shane Rice (7)
La Luna Polo: Oscar Chacon (0), Johann Felhaber (3), August Scherer (5)
Prestonwood: James Glew (3), Joss Leufrancois (2), Marcus Murphy (2)

National Arena Bronze Cup
Kuper Sotheby’s: Tanner Kneese (1), James Glew (3), Marcus Murphy (2)
El Caso Polo Club: Oscar Chacon (0), Franz Felhaber (2), Johann Felhaber (3)
Sermus: Kylie Matthews (1), Garrett Bankhead (4), Isabel Artzer (0)
Hopward: Joss Leufrancois (2), Brady Williams (2), Fabian Osses (2)
Engel & Volkers: Megan Flynn (2), Stephanie Colburn (2), Megan Rahlfs (2)
Polo InterActive: Jose Velez (-1), Luis Mancebo (4), Javier Insua (2)
Eagle’s Landing: Victor Aguilar III (2), Kayla Nash (0), Zak Coleman (4)
Shweiki Media: Gal Shweiki (1), Nadir Khan (3), Karl Hilberg (0)
Elite Motion & Performance: Amanda Massey (1), Mark Osburn (2), Tiamo Hudspeth (3)
Blazing Saddles: Matthew Schlomer (0), Isabelle Muncey (-1), Chad Bowman (5), August Scherer (substitute)(5)

Southwestern Circuit General S. Patton Jr.
Grand Central Polo: Kim Vaughan (0), Sydney Morris (1), Luciano Retana (2)
Elite Motion & Performance: Amanda Massey (1), Ben Colburn (-1), Stephanie Colburn (2)
Polo InterActive: Jose Velez (-1), Kate Howe (1), James Glew (3)
Bar-Spur LLC: Mark Osburn (2), Amanda Osburn (0), Tanner Kneese (1)
Proton Polo: Stephen Stout (-1), Javier Insua (2), Ariel Rodriguez (2)
Tequila Time: Christina Cantu (-1), Brady Williams (2), Megan Flynn (2)
Diamond Y: Ashley Owen (2), Emrey Owen (0), Tatijana Mirsky (0)
Patton Legacy Sports: Karl Hilberg (0), Gal Shweiki (1), Trey Crea (2)
Scuderia: Lauren Sterr (0), Wes Alston (0), Fabian Osses (2)
Legends Polo Club: Megan Rahlfs (2), Matthew Schloemer (0), Lindsay Bellack (1)
Horsegate: Alice Russo (-1), Nick Stefanakis (0), Anson Moore (3)
Eagle’s Landing: Whitney Walker (1), Victor Aguilar III (2), Gustavo Toro (0)

*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.

All photos courtesy of ©David Murrell.