HPC Newsletter: 5.8.23

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

USPA WESTERN CHALLENGE FINAL
presented by
KETEL ONE

Houston weather is not for the faint of heart, especially if you play polo, and Monday proved just that! After receiving too much rain on Farish Field on Sunday, the finals of the 12 goal 2023 USPA Western Challenge were played on Monday May 8th.

BPC’s Toro Ruiz (orange helmet) dribbles the ball on the nearside

Hungry for a rematch from their only loss in the tournament, Old Pueblo was ready to take on the undefeated Brookshire Polo Club (BPC) team. Old Pueblo started the first chukker with one goal on the scoreboard due to team handicap differences, but even starting one goal down, the BPC team came ready to play.
Unfortunately BPC’s team owner Scott Wood was unable to make the final, therefore one of Houston’s young up and coming players, Will Mudra substituted. Showing complete confidence in his playing, Mudra scored the first goal in the game to put BPC on the board. As both teams traded another goal, the first chukker ended tied 2-2. The second chukker was all about BPC as they took a 6 to 3 lead with two goals from team captain Toro Ruiz, and additional goals from teammates Milo Dorignac and Mudra. After a short rain delay, Old Pueblo clawed away at BPC’s lead in the third chukker to trail 5 to 7 going into half time.

BPC’s Toro Ruiz (orange helmet) reaches for the ball in front of Old Pueblo’s Duilio Diaz (red jersey)

In the fourth chukker, BPC exploded with a 3 to 0 run led by Ruiz with two goals from the field, and great teamwork to get Dorignac into scoring position as well. Old Pueblo’s Sterling Giannico was able to score one goal of his own at the end of the chukker as BPC held on to their 10 to 6 lead. Throughout the remaining chukkers, Old Pueblo never gave up, and kept the offensive push despite the score. However, BPC’s Ruiz was able to maintain control of the field, and secure the win with the final score 13 to 9.

BPC’s Milo Dorignac (white jersey) stays out of reach in front of Old Pueblo’s Duilio Diaz

Winning team: Brookshire Polo Club
Will Mudra, Vaughn Miller Jr., Milo Dorignac, Toro Ruiz, (not pictured: Scott Wood)

MVP: Toro Ruiz

BPP: Merengada,
played by Toro Ruiz, pictured with groom Luciano Fenoccio

USPA GENERAL S. BROWN CUP

The 6 Goal 2023 USPA General S. Brown Cup, which hosted 12 teams, wrapped up on Thursday May 4 with an exciting final between Island Time Polo/Plank Companies and C-Bar Thoroughbreds/Patagonia Grill.

C-Bar Thoroughbred/Patagonia Grill’s Bryan Middleton (white jersey) goes in for the bump on Island Time Polo/Sullivan Group’s Tommy Alberdi (blue jersey)

Island Time Polo/Plank Companies’ Tommy Alberdi gave his team a one goal lead in the first chukker after trading goals with C-Bar Thoroughbred/Patagonia Grill’s Bryan Middleton to end the chukker 3 to 2. C-Bar Thoroughbred/Patagonia Grill’s Vaughn Miller scored back to back goals to give his team a momentary one goal lead during the second chukker, however Island Time Polo/Plank Companies’ Alberdi responded with back to back goals of his own, holding onto the lead 5 to 4.

Island Time Polo/Sullivan Group’s Joe Wayne Barry prepares for a nearside backshot

After halftime, C-Bar Thoroughbreds/Patagonia Grill tied the game in the third chukker at 6 to 6. As the fourth chukker began the crowd was on the edge of their tailgates, as C-Bar Thoroughbreds/Patagonia Grill took the lead 8-6 mid chukker. In the last minutes, Island Time Polo/Plank Companies’ Alberdi scored 3 unanswered goals to give his team the win!