NEWS

Deep in the heart of Texas, arena polo continues to make its mark as it fosters new players across the Lone Star State. Since its inception in 2018, the Texas Arena League (TAL) has witnessed incredible growth and staggering numbers in attendance and participants. In addition to adding new locations and players to the league, TAL has served as an introduction to polo for anyone interested in the sport.

The Armadillo Division was established in 2023 to accommodate the demand for C-Flight and 0- to 3-goal levels. Previously, TAL maintained a Classic Division consisting of four flights: C-Flight, 0-3 Goal, 3-6 Goal and 6-9 Goal. Rapidly expanding with players looking to improve their skills and take advantage of the cooler weather, the C-Flight and 0-3 Goal grew at such a rate that the Armadillo Division was created to establish more playing opportunities and expand pre-existing rosters.

Nine teams competed in this year’s Armadillo Division, accommodating four games over two weekends of play in February and March. Hosted by Legends Polo Club in Kaufman, Texas, competitors included Grand Central Polo (Kim Vaughan, Jair de la Pena, Gracie Brush), Legends (Nacho Estrada, Megan Flynn, Birdie Brush), Hopward (Joss Leufrancois, Fabian Osses, Stephen Stout), Tana Polo (Justin Norris, Luciano Retana, Sofia Garvin), JD Polo (Valeria Navidad, Jose Velez, Javier Insua), Stifel Investment Services (Ardo Fuentes, Valeria Greco, James Glew), Los Polo Hermanos (Jordan Upchurch, Michael Farah, Nick Lahutsky), H2P (Sydney Morris, Sami Leach, Brooke Burke) and Interim Physicians (John Hand, Dallas Taylor, Matthew Schloemer).

Continuing to build roots in sportsmanship and camaraderie, TAL hosted several annual military tournaments to celebrate previous and current service members. Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz and General George S. Patton (sponsored by Patton Legacy Sports) are just a few who had circuit tournaments held in their honor during the TAL season.

In the Armadillo Division Southwestern Circuit General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller finale, Stifel Investment Services went head-to-head against JD Polo. Awarded one goal on handicap, JD Polo established an early 7-4 lead with back-to-back two-pointers. Rebounding in the second, Stifel Investments’ held JD Polo to just one goal and Glew brought his team back within one at the end of the half.

Fuentes and Glew combined for two quick goals to open the third, placing Stifel Investments ahead for the first time in the match. Igniting the crowd, Insua responded for JD Polo, sinking another pair of two-pointers to regain the lead. Continuing the back-and-forth battle, Glew posted three goals to push Stifel Investments ahead 14-13, moving into the final chukker. A quick Penalty 1 automatic goal kept the momentum in favor of Stifel Investments, but a determined JD Polo scored two goals, tying the game 15-all. Defending against their opponents' pressure, JD Polo's steadfast defense and a decisive two-pointer from Navidad led to a 20-16 victory.

Leading JD Polo with 12 goals in the final, Javier Insua was named Galvin Agency’s Most Valuable Player. Nutrena Best Playing Pony was awarded to Macaroni, played and owned by James Glew.

Earning a hand-crafted tournament champion belt buckle in JD Polo’s Southwestern Circuit General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller triumph, Velez reflected on the conclusion of a jam-packed season, “I looked forward to playing this year in TAL. It was going to be a real challenge—to play on four teams [Polo InterActive and JD Polo], in two different divisions [Classic and Armadillo], in three different handicaps [B-Flight, 0-3 Goal and 3-6 Goal], but I was game. All four teams advanced to championship finals, and we won three out of the four finals. Credit goes to Robin Sanchez, every volunteer, and all the sponsors for making the tournament possible.”

Interim Physician’s John Hand was named Best Team Player and voted the U.S. Polo Assn. Players’ Choice Competitor. Reflecting on the season, Hand expressed his gratitude, “To say I am touched would be the biggest understatement I can think of. I’ve had the opportunity to grow as a player, as an umpire, and as a person with this group of talented players who truly enjoy seeing the improvement of individuals and of the sport. I can't wait to see everyone in the arena next season and welcome the new faces that are sure to come!” Hand added, “The crew at Legends provided us with great footing, a third man observation deck, large grandstands for friends and family, ample trailer parking, and of course—the greatest patio for us to gather as friends at the conclusion of the league.”

Earning Best Offensive Player, Megan Flynn reflected on the growth of the league, “I began TAL in its inaugural year. I think I speak for everyone involved when I say this year's Armadillo Division was nothing short of a success! I was able to get into the arena once again with my former intercollegiate teammate, Dallas Taylor, and played for the first time with Matthew Schloemer; an interscholastic player whom I had first met last year in Armadillo and was able to practice more with over the last several months."

Named the Polo Training Foundation (PTF) Most Improved Player, Birdie Brush expressed, “The Armadillo gave me the opportunity to play against different players and I went from being the most experienced player in the C-Flight to the most inexperienced player in the 0-3 goal. I’m thankful for Megan Flynn and Nacho Estrada for taking a chance and playing with me. Being [awarded] most improved overall is an amazing privilege.”

In addition to the 0-3 goal teams, five teams competed in the Armadillo C-Flight sponsored by PTF. The five teams participating in the C-Flight included Polo Training Foundation (Brian Welker, Wanda Means, Lindsey Miller), GCS Polo School (Evie Lowrey, Jason Lowrey, Amy Lowrey), Stampede (Ardo Fuentes, Megan Newman, Lisa Davis), Grand Central Polo (Mikayla Dilks, Hudson Long, Jim Dilks) and Chic Chukkers (Birdie Brush, Mariel McKnight, Lindsey Miller). Participants in these games were able to take an active part in multiple chukkers of rigorous play and learn under the supervision of certified umpires. GCS Polo School won the Armadillo Division C-Flight. Nutrena Best Playing Pony award was awarded to Sonita, played by Jim Dilks and owned by Kim Vaughn.

Expressing his appreciation for the Armadillo C-Flight, Hudson Long stated, “I am very honored to have the chance to experience the Armadillo as some of my first polo games away from my club, Grand Central Polo Stables & Polo Club [Haskell, Oklahoma]. I couldn’t have asked for a better first experience! The league not only helped me with my horsemanship but also communication, teamwork and leadership skills. I couldn’t have asked for a better few weekends with my team. I’m forever thankful for this opportunity!”

In addition to USPA circuit events, each game played in the Armadillo Division counted towards points in TAL’s 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.

1^st Place - JD Polo
2^nd Place - Hopward
3^rd Place - Stifel Investment
4^th Place - H2P
Galvin Agency Most Valuable Player - Javier Insua
JD Polo/Cavalor Sportsmanship - Fabian Osses
Aubone Mallets Best Offensive Player - Megan Flynn
Casablanca Best Defenseman - Valeria Navidad
Royal B Threads Best Team Player - John Hand
High Point Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Alumni Player - Dallas Taylor
Jackrabbit Tack Horsemanship Award - James Glew
Polo Training Foundation Most Improved Player - Birdie Brush
US Arena Polo Sharpshooter Award - Sami Leach
Nutrena Best Playing Pony – Macaroni, played and owned by James Glew
The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program Best Playing Thoroughbred - Pata Blanca (Sugar on the Grass), played by Megan Flynn and owned by Ricardo and Robin Sanchez
Best String - James Glew
U.S. Polo Assn. Players’ Choice Competitor - John Hand

All photos courtesy of ©David Murrell.