HPC Newsletter: 11.5.23

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

BENTLEY HOUSTON CUP

It was a double header Sunday at the Houston Polo Club presented by Bentley Houston! Two six goal games took the stage, the first game Sullivan Group/No Le Hace versus La Portola, and the second game was between Piney Woods Polo versus Shooting Iron Ranches.

La Portola’s Will Mudra keeps his eye on the ball as he runs down field on Archie

La Portola came out to a strong start, starting off with half a goal on handicap, and two goals from Will Mudra and Duilio Diaz earning their team a 2.5 to 0 lead in the middle of the first chukker. Sullivan Group/No Le Hace’s Joanie Jackson and Nicolai Galindo refused to be shut out, as they countered with goals of their own to end the chukker down 2 to 2.5. At the start of the second chukker, Diaz scored his second goal of the game, however Sullivan Group/No Le Hace’s Nick Cifuni responded with back to back goals giving his team their first lead of the game at 4 to 3.5. In a defensive battle in the third chukker, La Portola’s Saenz was the sole scorer of the period reclaiming the lead 4.5 to 4. As the fourth and final chukker began, Galindo converted a penalty 3 to regain the lead once more for Sullivan Group/No Le Hace. However La Portola was not finished playing, as Saenz scored two goals and Mudra added in another to give their team the Sunday win of 7.5 to 5.

Piney Woods Polo’s Drew Luplow follows through with a neck shot on Lilly in front of the iconic Farish Field scoreboard

As Sullivan Group/No Le Hace and La Portola shook hands, the crowd enjoyed the break between the games as the famous divot stomp commenced! It was Bentley Houston’s Sunday, and spectators took their opportunity to look at the beautiful Bentleys on display during half time. After the divots were stomped and the complimentary champagne was enjoyed, the halftime festivities began to wind down and it was time for the second part of the double header Sunday to kick off!

Shooting Iron Ranches’ Marcos Villanueva takes flight on homebred mare, Sasha

Shooting Iron Ranches was first to score in the 3pm game, but Piney Woods Polo’s Grace Mudra and Jack Kiely brought their team back on top leading 2.5 to 1 going into the second chukker. Shooting Iron Ranches’ father/son duo, Hernan and Tomas Tejera, took a hold of the second chukker scoring three goals to Piney Woods Polo’s one, taking back the lead at 4 to 3.5. Shooting Iron Ranches kept their momentum going as they scored an additional three unanswered goals in the third chukker, earning themselves a 7 to 3.5 lead going into the last chukker. As the fourth chukker began, Piney Woods Polo fought back with a goal from Marit Stout, but Hernan Tejera responded with his fourth goal of the day. Kiely was able to get one more point on the board for Piney Woods Polo, but Shooting Iron Ranches’ Tomas Tejera converted a penalty 2 at the end of the chukker to give his team the 9 to 5.5 win.

Winning team: Shooting Iron Ranches
Hernan Tejera, Marcos Villanueva, Audry Persano, Tomas Tejera
presented by Liz Sian and Bene Recaldini with Bentley Houston

MVP: Hernan Tejera,
presented by Liz Sian and Bene Recaldini with Bentley Houston

BPP: Sasha, played by Marcos Villanueva,
presented by Alex Chavez with Engel & Völkers Houston and pictured with daughter Uma Villanueva and grooms Tito & Jose