WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

USPA H. BEN TAUB MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT

The final match for the USPA H. Ben Taub Memorial, presented by Lockton, played out in front of a packed house this Sunday between teams BTA and Piney Woods Polo!

BTA’s Steve Krueger (white jersey) on Kalik, reaches for hook on Piney Woods Polo’s Jack Kiely on Trinity

For the first half of the game, it was a match of momentum changes. The first chukker belonged to BTA as they scored 3 goals holding Piney Woods Polo scoreless on the scoreboard. However, in the second chukker, Piney Woods Polo shut out BTA and scored 4 unanswered goals, taking a 4 to 3 lead going into the third chukker. BTA’s Steve Krueger was able to tie the score at 4 to 4 by the end of the chukker ending the first half of the game. Spectators were left on the edge of their seats as to what the second half of the match had in store!

BTA’s Joe Bob Lequerica leans out for the neck shot on Boomerang during Sunday’s final

The players returned to their team tents for their half time break, and the divot stomp commenced! Patrons from the Red Oak Lawn seating and the Members Side grandstands walked onto Farish Field where they could enjoy complimentary champagne and see the latest car models from Land Rover Houston, Bill Fick Ford Trucks, and Shoppa John Deere Tractors. As the halftime divot stomp came to an end, the players returned onto the field ready to play their last two chukkers of the final.

BTA’s KC Krueger keeps her eye on the ball on her mare, Pole Dancer

BTA picked up where they left off in the third chukker, scoring 3 unanswered goals to regain the lead for the first time since the first chukker of the game. As the fifth and final chukker began, Piney Woods Polo was first to score to make the score 5 to 7 early in the chukker. BTA’s Krueger responded with an 80 yard shot on goal to regain a 3 goal lead. The teams played back and forth, knowing each possession was important. As the clock entered the last 4 minutes of the game, BTA scored another goal, giving them the biggest lead of the day. BTA went into full defensive mode, holding off Piney Woods Polo to one goal in the remainder of the chukker, earning BTA the win with the score of 9 to 6.

Winning team: BTA
KC Krueger, Steve Krueger, Joe Bob Lequerica, Kelly Beal
pictured with Carty & Shirley Krueger and Olivia Wroe
presented by Will Barto with Lockton and Kitch Taub

MVP: Steve Krueger,
presented by Kitch Taub

USPA BPP: Irenita Gentil,
played by Steve Krueger, owned by KB Polo
pictured with Chrys & Kelly Beal, KC Krueger and groom Pedro Alegre
presented by Kitch Taub

McCool Law Firm BPP: Diamond B Jimmy Buffet,
played by Steve Krueger, owned by KB Polo,
pictured with Chrys & Kelly Beal, KC & Shirley Krueger and groom Pedro Alegre
presented by Kitch Taub

6 Goal: USPA Govenor’s Cup

Piney Woods Polo’s Hank Stout reaches out for a hook on BTA’s Harrison Azzaro

After two and half weeks of tournament play, the second 6 Goal tournament of the season, the USPA Governor’s Cup, culminated with the final between BTA and Piney Woods Polo. These 2 teams faced each other in the first tournament final, with Piney Woods Polo coming away with the win, leaving BTA hungry for round two. The teams played neck and neck for the first two chukkers, with the score narrowly separated by a half goal. MVP of the game, BTA’s Harrison Azzaro, took command of the third chukker, scoring 3 back to back goals on his Best Playing Pony of the day, Mia. BTA held on to their lead throughout the fourth chukker, taking home the win with the score of 9 to 7.5.