HPC Newsletter: 10.13.24

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

USPA KELEEN & CARLTON BEAL CUP

Sunday afternoon was full of fast polo, good people, and wonderful weather. The USPA Keleen & Carlton Beal Cup final presented by Reece Bath+Kitchen was played out between BTA/Tonkawa and CW Petroleum/Old Pueblo.

BTA/Tonkawa’s KC Krueger (green jersey) on Tacoma, goes for the hook on CW Petroleum/Old Pueblo’s Jeff Hall on Opal

BTA/Tonkawa’s Mason Wroe wasted no time after the first bowl-in as he scored back to back goals earning a quick 2.5 to 0 lead in the middle of the first chukker. CW Petroleum/Old Pueblo’s Steve Krueger answered back with his team’s first goal of the day, but BTA/Tonkawa’s offensive weapon, Jeff Hildebrand, put his team’s third goal on the board. Hildebrand started the second chukker by converting a penalty 3 to extend his team’s lead to 4.5 to 1. CW Petroleum/Old Pueblo’s Krueger and Jeff Hall closed in on the lead with two goals between them to end the chukker trailing 3 to 4.5. BTA/Tonkawa’s Jack Kiely and Hildebrand traded goals with Krueger once more in the third chukker to hold on the lead at half of 6.5 to 5.

BTA/Tonkawa’s Jack Kiely follows through with a neck shot while riding Vizcacha

After the third chukker ended, halftime began! Spectators were invited onto the field to participate in the halftime divot stomp tradition and to enjoy complimentary champagne, thanks to American National. As people sipped and strolled around the field, they had the opportunity to check out the new Mossy Ineos Grenadier, the 2024 Ford F350 truck, and the Shoppa John Deere tractor! Soon the halftime activities wrapped up, it was time to continue the second half of the final!
BTA/Tonkawa’s offense didn’t lay off the gas pedal as Hildebrand scored his fourth and fifth goals to begin the fourth chukker. CW Petroleum/Old Pueblo’s Krueger and Hall each had a goal a piece during the chukker, but Wroe added another goal for BTA/Tonkawa to end the chukker leading 9.5 to 7. As the fifth and final chukker played out, CW Petroleum/Old Pueblo tried to create some offensive momentum, but as the clock ticked down, BTA/Tonkawa’s Jack Kiely sealed the win for his team with the final score of 10.5 to 7.

Winning team: BTA/ Tonkawa
Mason Wroe, Jack Kiely, KC Krueger, Jeff Hildebrand
presented by Kelly & Chrys Beal, Carty and Shirley Krueger,
and Kay Diamond & Raul Flores with Reece Bath+Kitchen

MVP: KC Krueger,
pictured with Chrys & Kelly Beal, Carty and Shirley Krueger, presented by Kay Diamond with Reece Bath+Kitchen

BPP: Larry, owned and played by Steve Krueger,
pictured with Carty and Shirley Krueger and groom Pedro Alegre presented by Shikah Honawar from Sydenham Clinic

2024 USPA GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON JR. FINAL

Eureka’s Joao Aranha on Monjita Tipito carries the ball during the 6 Goal final

The second 6 Goal League tournament of the Fall Season culminated in the final game between the undefeated Pegasus team and team Eureka. Eureka had only suffered one loss during the Fall 6 Goal season, which was against Pegasus during the semifinals of the first tournament. It was safe to say, the final of the 2024 USPA General George S. Patton, Jr. was going to be a good one!

Eureka’s Jorge Cernadas (black jersey) on Circunstancia carries the ball on the nearside with Pegasus’ Lily Lequerica on Gato Bravo in pursuit

Eureka started the game with a .5 goal advantage due to the team handicap differences, and they were first to score during the first chukker with a goal from team captain Jorge Cernadas. Pegasus’ Mason Wroe was able to respond with a goal for his team in the second chukker, but Eureka’s Joao Aranha came alive, scoring back to back goals and giving his team a 3.5 to 1 lead to end the chukker. Both teams began to feel the pressure in the third chukker as neither team could score. Pegasus surged back into the game at the beginning of the fourth chukker, as Wroe scored back to back goals, but was still trailing 3 to 3.5. Aranha answered back by converting a penalty 3 to regain his team’s 1.5 goal lead. As the chukker played out, the brother/sister combo of Joe Bob and Lily Lequerica put two goals on the board to give Pegasus the first lead of the day of 5 to 4.5. The 30 second warning horn sounded as the umpire bowled the ball into the teams. Eureka’s Cernadas knew his team needed a goal to win as he grabbed the ball and sent a hail mary pass to teammate Judah Altic, who was in the right place to receive his teammate’s pass and scored the winning goal of the game!