Tournament Format:
- Two brackets of 3 teams each
- Teams play cross bracket (3 games)
- After Bracket play, teams are ranked 1-6 based on win/loss records
- Top 2 records advance to the finals
Tied Records:
- If 2 teams have tied records, and they played each other, then the tie is broken by who beat who
- If 2 teams have tied records, and they did NOT play each other, then the tie is broken with a shootout (1 player from each team)
- If 3 or more teams have tied records, then the tie is broken with a shootout (1 player from each team)
- The remaining 4 teams that do not qualify for the finals, will play consolation match games
Optional Tournament Conditions:
- Fair Play Possession
- Defended penalty 3's
- Substitutions - more details at the bottom of the page
- Courtesy Changes will only be granted in case of extreme heat or humidity, or after an extended period of inclement weather that has prevented the teams from properly preparing their horses.
Consolation Games:
Live Play Blocking Rule - HPC has agreed to try out the new “live play blocking” rule for our subsidiary and consolation matches only. This is a rule that is expected to improve the game and we would like to have input on its ultimate acceptance in 2025. (More details at the bottom of the page)
Reminders:
- Teams higher in the draw will choose jersey color
- Spare changes at end lines only
- Penalty 3's will be defended.
- All players are required to wear a helmet that passes the NOCSAE ND050 Standard Performance Specification
- All players must have USPA Dues paid
https://www.uspolo.org/association/membership
- All players must have signed a HPC release form for this year
http://houstonpoloclub.com/hpc-release-form/
- Anyone on horseback must wear a helmet (spareholders, grooms, etc)
- All dogs on leashes at all fields
- Both teams need to provide 2 umpires horses each game
Bracket 1
A. Brookshire Polo Club (2,0)
B. Old Pueblo (1,1)
C. Eureka (0,1)
Bracket 2
D. La Elina (1,0)
E. Tonkawa (1,1)
F. BTA (0,2)
SCHEDULE
Friday May 10
Old Pueblo (7) def BTA (6)
10:30am @ New Pueblo - Lower
Umps: K. Decoite / K. Huddleston
3rd Man: M. Pascual
Timer: E. Markell
Tonkawa (12) def Eureka (7)
5:00pm @ BPC - #2
Umps: E. Ezcurra / K. Decoite
3rd Man: M. Azzaro
Timer: E. Markell
USPA Western Challenge Finals (not part of this tnrmt)
Brookshire Polo Club (11) def La Elina (9)
5:00pm @ BPC - #1
Umps: K. Huddleston / M. Pascual
3rd Man: C. Ellis
Timer: K. Krueger
Sunday May 12
Brookshire Polo Club (11) def BTA (10)
10:30am @ New Pueblo - Upper
Umps: K. Decoite / K. Huddleston
3rd Man: M. Pascual
Timer: K. Krueger
CANCELLED
Eureka vs La Elina
Wednesday May 15
Brookshire Polo Club (11) def Tonkawa (8)
12:00pm @ Tonkawa - Wilson
Umps: K. Huddleston / E. Ezcurra
3rd Man: K. DeCoite
Timer: E. Markell
La Elina (13) def Old Pueblo (12)
5:00pm @ New Pueblo - Lower
Umps: K. DeCoite / M. Pascual
3rd Man: K. Huddleston
Timer: K. Krueger
Friday May 17
CANCELLED
Old Pueblo vs Tonkawa
Eureka vs BTA
Brookshire Polo Club vs La Elina
Sunday May 19
CANCELLED
Eureka vs La Elina
Wednesday May 22
Old Pueblo vs Tonkawa
10:00am @ New Pueblo - Lower
Umps: USPA / USPA
3rd Man: USPA
Timer: E. Markell
Eureka vs BTA
5:00pm @ New Pueblo - Upper
Umps: USPA / USPA
3rd Man: J. Hall
Timer: K. Krueger
Brookshire Polo Club vs La Elina
5:00pm @ BPC - #1
Umps: USPA / USPA
3rd Man: M. Bignoli
Timer: C. Williams
Friday May 24
Eureka vs La Elina
10:30am @ BPC - TBA
Umps: USPA / USPA
3rd Man: USPA
Timer: E. Markell
Sunday May 26
Consolation Match Game
10:00am @ TBA
Consolation Match Game
10:00am @ TBA
USPA Regional Classic - SW Final
5:00pm @ HPC - Farish
Umps: USPA / USPA
3rd Man: USPA
Timer: E. Markell
Brookshire Polo Club
Scott Wood 0
Quinn Evans 1
Tommy Alberdi 4
Toro Ruiz 7
Handicap -- 12
BTA
Kelly Beal 0
Cody Ellis 5
Vaughn Miller Jr. 3
Mason Wroe 4
Handicap -- 12
Eureka
Rene Campos 0
Jorge Cernadas 4
Alvaro Ara 4
Marcos Alberdi 4
Handicap -- 12
La Elina
Bobby Gerry 0
Joao Aranha 2
Toto Obregon (Tomas) 4
Pipe Marquez 6
Handicap -- 12
Old Pueblo
Leigh Anne Hall 0
Harrison Azzaro 3
Mike Azzaro 3
Jeff Hall 6
Handicap -- 12
Tonkawa
Jeff Hildebrand 0
Marcos Bignoli 3
Jack Kiely 4
Santi Zubiaurre 5
Handicap -- 12
OUTDOOR RULE 2a: Substitutions
(i) If during bracket a game of a tournament, a player is hurt DURING a game, a player (with equal or lesser handicap) in the same tournament can finish the game. BUT for all games following, only eligible substitutes (players not in the tournament) can sub. This will apply to players with handicaps from B to 10 goals to help teams when they are playing on remote fields.
(ii) After bracket play, so either in Quarterfinals, Semifinals or Finals, if a player is injured or ill and can't start or becomes injured during game, an eliminated player of equal or lesser handicap may substitute for that game and/or the remainder of the tournament. An eliminated player is someone who has completed their final game in that tournament.
RULE 26A – IMPROPER BLOCKING + Live play blocking
During the execution of a knock-in, Penalty 5.a or 5.b, or a free hit resulting from a ball hit out of bounds, an offensive player may not block a defensive player from marking the offensive player’s teammate who has a play on the ball (i.e., set a pick on the defending player).
At all other times, when a player in possession of the ball either stops or reduces his or her speed to a slow canter or walk, no teammates of the player in possession may block a defending player within two horse lengths of the player with the ball from making a play on that player or the ball.
When an offensive player improperly blocks a defensive player, the Umpires shall call a foul and award an appropriate penalty. Improper Blocking may or may not constitute Dangerous Riding, and result in a yellow or red card under Rule 33, depending on the degree of danger as determined in the discretion of the Umpire.