HPC Newsletter: 4.20.25

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

BLUEBONNET CUP

The Houston Polo Club hosted teams BTA and Roxstars/Sullivan Group this past Sunday in what turned out to be a neck and neck match that ended in overtime!

Roxstars/Sullivan Group’s Shane Rice hits a neck shot on Pinata in front of the Red Oak Lawn fans

Team BTA took an early lead in the first half, leading 2 to 0 momentarily, but Roxstars/Sullivan Group’s Joanie Jackson was first to score for her team, keeping her team in the game. As the first half came to an end, BTA’s Lily Lequerica snuck in her first goal of the day to go into halftime leading 3 to 1.

BTA’s Harrison Azzaro (blue jersey) reaches in front on LWR Cibolo with Roxstars/Sullivan Group’s Nick Cifuni going for the hook on Rabbit

The halftime divot stomp began a little differently as the Shoppa John Deere gators put their Bunny Hats on and dropped eggs all over Farish Field while Officer James Grohman lined the eager Easter egg hunters along the boards. The start whistle blew and the Easter egg hunt commenced! As kids were filling their baskets, adults had a chance to enjoy complimentary champagne from Douglas Elliman and stomp divots with friends. Soon the polo ponies started to enter the field and it was time to watch the final chukkers of the Bluebonnet Cup presented by the C. Baldwin Hotel!

Roxstars/Sullivan Group’s Joanie Jackson carries the ball on Vida

Both teams were put on the penalty line in the third chukker as Roxstars/Sullivan Group’s sharp shooter Nick Cifuni converted his open goal penalty, and he was answered by BTA’s Harrison Azzaro with his own penalty conversion. As the fourth chukker began, Azzaro took advantage of a BTA knock-in and ran coast to coast scoring BTA’s fifth goal on his best playing pony LWR M10. Trailing by 3 goals, Roxstars/Sullivan Group remained patient and played smart as BTA got caught in foul trouble and Nick Cifuni tied the game 5 to 5 to send it into OT! Suddenly BTA was caught on their heels and Roxstars/Sullivan Group had the momentum, as Jackson helped lead her team on offense and was followed up by teammate Shane Rice, who scored the winning golden goal!