HPC Newsletter: 9.24.23

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

USPA H. BEN TAUB MEMORIAL CUP

The ninth annual USPA H. Ben Taub Memorial tournament was completed this past Sunday on Farish Field in a final between 12 Goal teams, Tonkawa and BTA. A buzz of excitement spread through the crowd as the teams paraded around the field and players were introduced. CAMSTUDIO owner, Carla Munoz, had the honors of throwing the celebrity bowl in and the match began!

BTA’s Joao Aranha carries the ball in the air on his gelding Octopus

BTA jumped out of the starting gate scoring 4 unanswered goals to start the first chukker, however Tonkawa’s Jack Kiely snuck the last goal in of the chukker with a penalty 3 conversion. During the second chukker, BTA’s Mason Wroe scored his second goal of the game, but Tonkawa’s 5 goal player, Manu Villamil, converted a defended penalty 4 to end the chukker trailing 2 to 5. Tonkawa found their stride in the third chukker scoring 4 goals between teammates Juanse Olivera, Kiely, and Villamil. BTA’s Wroe and Steve Krueger answered with 2 goals to maintain a narrow 7 to 6 goal lead as the teams rode off the field for half time.

Tonkawa’s Jack Kiely keeps his eye on the ball while riding Coette

Spectators took advantage of a pause in the action to stomp divots and enjoy complimentary champagne on the field. Everyone had a chance to visit with friends, take photos in front of the iconic Farish Field scoreboard and enjoy the cooler afternoon weather. As the horn sounded to end halftime, the teams got on their fourth chukker horses and the second half was underway!

BTA’s Mason Wroe follows through with a neck shot on Catwalk

BTA came out firing on all cylinders scoring 3 unanswered goals in the fourth chukker. Krueger took it into his own hands and score 2 additional goals in the fifth chukker to set the score to 12 to 6 going into the last chukker. Tonkawa didn’t give up as Villamil played the best playing pony, Angostura, to try to climb his team back in the game. Villamil and BTA’s Wroe traded goals one last time, but as the clock ticked down, the players started shaking hands, and BTA took home the win, with the score of 13 to 7.

Winning team: BTA
Mason Wroe, Steve Krueger, Joao Aranha, KC Krueger
presented by Carla Munoz and Leah Moghabghab with CAMSTUDIO and Kitch Taub

MVP: Steve Krueger,
pictured with Kitch Taub,
presented by Carla Munoz and Leah Moghabghab with CAMSTUDIO,BPP for an Amateur: Blackberry, played by KC Krueger,
pictured with Kitch Taub, Alex Chavez with Engel & Völkers Houston and Jose Barrientos, Celina Romero, and Matias Gonzalez

BPP for a Pro: Angostura, played by Manu Villamil, owned by Nacho Badiola
pictured with Kitch Taub, Alex Chavez with Engel & Völkers and groom Luci