NEWS

Central Coast Polo Club team demonstrated their arena prowess at the USPA Circuit Arena Challenge Cup Qualifier held at Santa Barbara Polo Club in Carpinteria, California, November 4-6, handily defeating their two opponents Klentner Ranch and Can-Can to take the title.

The tournament was played round robin style over the weekend, with each team playing each other once and the winner determined by record. The teams were an energetic mix of Intercollegiate and Interscholastic players with some adult players getting back to their arena roots.

Central Coast Polo Club
Hannah Heitzig A
Petra Texiera A
Jake Klentner 1

Klentner Ranch
Justin Klentner 2
Cory Williams B
Maggie Papka A

Can-Can
Jonathan Burrows 1
Leah Torres A
Luke Klentner

The weekend started out with Central Coast taking on Klentner Ranch. Father and son Justin and Jake Klentner play together in the grass 12-goal and 8-goal season, but were opponents in the arena tournament. Jake Klentner was playing with two strong arena players from Central Coast, Hanna Heitzig and Petra Texiera. They were able to take down Klentner Ranch 11-8. Jake outscored his father nine goals to seven to take the lead.

The next day, Klentner Ranch then faced Can-Can. Their experience playing together helped Klentner Ranch defeat Can-Can 11-6. Cory Williams was the high scorer for Klentner Ranch with six goals, while Can-Can captain Jonathan Burrows led his team with four goals from the field.

The last game on Sunday would determine the winner of the tournament. Central Coast had an opportunity for a win and they came out firing, dominating Can-Can 12-6. Texeria and Heitzig did a splendid job marking their opponents and controlling the boards, enabling Jake Klentner to score a game high eight goals.

Final results were Central Coast Polo Club with a 2-0 record and the title, Klentner Ranch second at 1-1 and Can-Can third at 0-2. Justin Klentner of Klentner Ranch commented, “That was fun! I have not played arena in a while, but I learned how to play polo in the arena and it was a lot of fun to play the tournament with my sons and all of the students who are playing in the I/I program. Jake, Luke and I are not used to playing on different teams so that was entertaining. It was a really good tournament."

Special thanks goes to Megan Judge of Central Coast Polo Club who organized all the teams and brought the horses to mount every single player.

The players who participated in the Santa Barbara tournament are now qualified to play in the National USPA Arena Challenge Cup December 17-18 at Central Coast Polo Club in San Luis Obispo, California.