In the finals of the 12 Goal Texas Open, BTA took on defending champions Eureka in a battle for the coveted Texas Open Spurs.
Alvaro Ara with the ball in the air
Mason Wroe going for the hook on Geronimo Obregon
Eureka capitalized on BTA’s slow start in the first chukker with two goals from Jorge Cernadas and Geronimo Obregon. In the second chukker, there were three goals a piece from each team; Shane Rice, Steve Krueger and Mason Wroe for BTA, two goals from Cernadas and one from Obregon for Eureka. Obregon and Alvaro Ara extended their lead 7 to 3 to end the third. While the players took a break and changed horses for half time, spectators took to the field to stomp divots and sip complementary champagne.
BTA got an early start in the fourth with a penalty conversion from Steve Krueger, but Eureka countered with two goals from Obregon and Ara. In the last two chukkers BTA held off Eureka and scored a combined four goals from Krueger, Rice, and Wroe but time ran out and the match ended 9 to 8 Eureka for a repeat win.We'd like to thank all of our 12 Goal teams and sponsors for a great 12 Goal season at HPC. The games have been close and fun to watch, we are looking forward to 2018!
Rene Campos with the nearside back shot
Steve Krueger going to goal
Winning Team: Eureka
Grayson Price, Rene Campos, Geronimo Obregon, Jorge Cernadas, Alvaro Ara, and Cesar Arapictured with Hublot representative, Ruben Lizaola
MVP
Jorge Cernadaspictured with Hublot representative, Ruben Lizaola
BPP Pro
Cambalache, owned and played by Geronimo Obregonpictured with groom Nacho Ferrari and Hublot representative, Ruben Lizaola
BPP Amateur
Honey, owned and played by Kelly Bealpictured with groom Facundo Fabbri and Hublot representative, Ruben Lizaola
Winners Cirlce
2 Goal: Halloween Cup
ComericaGeorge Krabbe, Martha Hirsch, Julia Florey, Luc Messier
Club League: Halloween Classic
Ghurka/Pegasus
Troy Lequerica, Anne Andras, Abby Benton, Drew Luplow
4 Goal: Houston Classic
HorsegateAriel Mancebo, Anson Moore, Shane Rice, Nick Stefanakis with Jenee Stefanakis
8 Goal: USPA Regional President's Cup
Steve Krueger setting up his team to go to goal
Mason Wroe turning to goal
It was a beautiful Autumn day at the Pegasus polo field, as the BTA and Pegasus/Propaganda teams took the field to play the last game of the 8 Goal season, the final of the USPA Regional President's Cup. These teams faced each other in the finals of the USPA Officer's Cup earlier in the season with Pegasus/Propaganda coming out on top, so BTA was looking forward to having another try for the win.The teams stayed close in score for the first two chukkers, with BTA leading by one going into the third. In the third chukker, BTA took a two goal lead with a penalty 3 conversion from Chrys Beal and a goal from the field from Alejandro Gonzalez. Pegasus/Propaganda's Mason Wroe had a goal of his own to end the first half 5 to 3 in favor of BTA.
Teams tied with three goals a piece in the fourth chukker, but in the fifth, BTA stretched their lead to 3 goals to set up the teams for the sixth and final chukker with a score of BTA 10 to Pegasus/Propaganda 7. Pegasus/Propaganda came out fighting with goals from Nick Cifuni and Wroe, as they came within one goal to BTA's lead. Pegasus/Propaganda had a center hit with one minute on the clock, but time ran out as BTA took home the chairs with an ending score of BTA 10 over Pegasus/Propaganda 9.Houston Polo Club would like to thank all the 8 Goal teams for a successful, fun, and competitive season, we are looking forward to 2018!
Alejandro Gonzalez with the nearside back shot
Nick Cifuni on the run
Winning team: BTA
Chrys Beal, Drew Luplow, Alejandro Gonzalez, Steve Krueger, with Carty Krueger
MVP
Alejandro Gonzalez
BPP
Shrimps, owned and played by Nick Cifuni,pictured with daughter Charlotte and groom Herber Melgar