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Established in 1987, Polo on the Prairie has raised more than $6.5 million for cancer research and patient programs at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
PoLo ON THE PRAIRIE featuring singer-songwriter and Grammy Award winner
RYAN BINGHAM HHH
Saturday, May 19 Lazy 3 Ranch, Albany, Texas Reserved tables for 10 start at $1,500; individual tickets $125; children $15 For more table and ticket information, call 866-262-9029 and press 2 to leave a message or email events@mdanderson.org
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 4.
FROM YOUR PRESIDENT
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WELCOME
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THANK YOU SPONSORS
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MEET OUR STAFF
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SCHEDULE
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TACK & EQUIPMENT
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NUMBERS & POSITIONS
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RULES OF THE GAME
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PLAYER SPOTLIGHT COLLIN SEWELL
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POLO SCHOOL
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POLO SCENES
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HISTORY OF POLO
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A FAMILY AFFAIR
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SOCIAL PAGES
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MEET THE PLAYERS
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ARENA LEAGUE PLAYERS
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CHUKKERS FOR CHILDREN
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TEXAS ARENA LEAGUE
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WINNERS CIRCLE
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GLOSSARY OF POLO TERMS 3
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
L E Tfrom T EyourRpresident
Welcome to Midland Polo Club; one of the oldest clubs in America still in operation! Here at MPC, polo is not the “sport of kings”, but the sport of landmen, car dealers, oil and gas operators, accountants, students, mothers, non-profit volunteers and PROS…in other words our club is a community. And, yes, you can play polo too!
Through our Polo School, we have created a pathway for members in our community to not only discover polo, but to play it! Of our playing members, 50% or greater have graduated from the Polo School in the last five years! And polo is not just for adults, but kids as well! This past year MPC was so proud when our Midland Interscholastic Team won the entire regional title! Even if you are not interested in suiting up, we have such fun tailgating opportunities for you to enjoy. As a club we all share the love of horses, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share this love of polo and pride in our “grass roots” club with others. Whether this is your first game to attend, or you have been on the sidelines for years-Welcome! May you leave MPC with a new appreciation of rider and horse and the fluid motion they create! Louisa Fikes Midland Polo Club President
MIDLAND POLO CLUB EXECUTIVE BOARD
Craig Duke
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Dan Hord
Collin Sewell
WELCOME
W E L CpoloO Mseason E 2018 to the
Welcome to POLO - Midland style! Midland is proud to be one of the oldest organized clubs in the U.S. still playing the game! Midland Polo Club has produced U.S. Open Champions, Pacific Open Champions, Collegiate and Interscholastic National Champions and horses to remember! Thanks to the foresight of the founding fathers of our club, polo has been preserved and offered as a sport not just for kings but for the citizens of Midland, Texas. Whether you have participated in equestrian activities your entire life or want to explore something new, we encourage you to saddle up with us. There is a spot for all riding levels and ages at Midland Polo Club. This club is a unique part of our West Texas community and endeavors to play a part in the lives of many through both spectating as part of a philanthropic event or participating in one of the many riding programs. This year marks our second “Chukkers for Children� benefiting Bynum School. MPC also offers sponsorship weekends for companies or individuals to bring your coworkers and friends out for your own polo tournament! So come out and enjoy fun, frolic and fellowship as thundering hooves travel down the field. The horses and riders are ready
- we just need you!
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THANKtoYOU! our sponsors
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S Tof Midland A F FPolo Club LOCATION
Midland Polo Club 5401 Polo Club Road Midland Texas 79705 Megan Flynn, Manager megan@hiddenviewfarmpolo.com phone: 414-651-8091 Louisa Fikes President
Megan Flynn Manager
www.midlandpoloclub.com
CONTRIBUTORS Megan Flynn Jenni Hord
ADVERTISING AND EDITING Megan Flynn Jenni Hord
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Molly Smith Youth Polo
Lisa Tindol Accounting
Elizabeth Hedley Curtis Routh-Leavethecamera.com Rogan Tindol-Tinvet Photography Jeremiah Valles
COVER PHOTO: Rogan Tindol
ARTICLES:
Rogan Tindol Photographer & Club Vet
Hector Gonzalez Facilities & Grounds
Amy Evans Louisa Fikes Megan Flynn Jenni Hord
PROGRAM DESIGN Stacie Beckman
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2 0 1 8 S P R Ischedule NG MATCHES are on SUNDAYS at 3PM April 22nd- Spring Fling 29th- West Texas Challenge May 6th- Tall City Cup 13th- USPA Sportsmanship Cup 20th BYE WEEK at MPC (Polo on the Prairie) 27th- Memorial Day Cup June 3rd- USPA Military Tournament 10th- Spring Finale Special Events Saturday, April 21st NYTS Saturday, May 5th Derby Day Saturday, June 2nd ERP Wine Festival 8
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2 0 1 8 F A L Lschedule MATCHES are on SUNDAYS at 3PM September 23rd- Concho 30th- Floyd Memorial October 7th- Chukkers for Children 14th- Galindo Memorial USPA Masters 21st- Santa Elena Minerals 28th- Ford Cup November 4th- BMW Cup Special Events Thursday, October 11th Chukkers for Children Saturday, October 27th Pink Out Woman’s Challenge
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T A C andK Equipment 3 6
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TACK AND EQUIPMENT
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The Helmet and its padded lining is used to prevent trauma by absorbing a shock to the head resulting from hitting the ground or from the impact of a ball or mallet.
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The polo bridle is typically made up of two sets of reins (draws and straight), brow band, nose band, drop nose band, standing martingale and bit. All these components allow the rider to communicate direction and speed to the horse.
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The cane of the mallet is made from Manau cane, a thorny member of the palm family. The head is cut from the Tipa tree, a durable, close grained wood. The ball is hit with the side of the mallet. Players generally have their initials stamped on the heads of their mallets.
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The whip and spurs are used to propel the horse in a forward motion and further aide the rider in guiding the horse.
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The polo saddle is a supportive structure for the rider. It characteristically has a relatively flat seat and saddle flaps are long and fairly straight. There is very little or no padding on a polo saddle allowing the rider to have maximum freedom of movement.
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Players usually wear a riding glove on their mallet hand. Some wear gloves on both hands for better grip and protection on the reins and mallet.
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Knee guards provide protection to the knees of the rider during play.
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Riding boots not only protect the legs from wayward balls, bumps and potential bruises but come high enough up the leg to prevent the leathers of the saddle from pinching the leg of the rider. The boot has a distinct heel to prevent the foot from sliding through the stirrup.
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Splint or tendon boots protect and support the horse’s tendons/legs from impact from the mallet or another horse’s legs. They are usually fitted to the leg over the wraps.
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With a diameter of 3 to 3½ inches and a weight of 3½ to 4½ ounces, the polo ball is made of solid, hard, high-impact plastic.
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by the
N U M Bunderstanding E R positions S on the field
Each of the 4 players on a team wears a jersey with the number 1, 2, 3 or 4 on his or her back. Each number corresponds to their assigned position.
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The Number 1 is the most offensive position. This player covers/marks the opposing teams’ number 4.
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The Number 2 is the most difficult position to play. This player plays an important offensive role, by running through and scoring or feeding the ball to his number 1. Defensively, this player covers the opposing teams’ number 3.
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The Number 3 is the tactical leader on the field and must be able to hit long shots to his numbers 1 and 2, as well as maintain a solid defensive position. (Usually the highest rated player on the team.)
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The Number 4 is the primary defensive player and can move anywhere on the field. As a good defender, this player allows the number 3 to commit to more offensive plays knowing he/she will be covered from behind if the ball is lost.
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THE RULES OF POLO ARE WRITTEN AND ENFORCED TO KEEP BOTH PLAYER AND PONY SAFE ON THE FIELD. UMPIRES ENFORCE THESE GUIDELINES BY BLOWING WHISTLES WHEN PENALTIES OCCUR. 1
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Polo is a team sport, with each of the 4 team members playing a specific position, yet supporting the entire team in both offense and defense.
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Each of the 4 players on a team wears a jersey with the number 1, 2, 3 or 4 on his/her back. Each number corresponds to their assigned position.
The line of the ball is created once the ball is struck and does not change until it is struck again, sending the ball in a different direction. The line of the ball is used in many ways, most importantly to act as an imaginary buffer to avoid collisions when two or more players ride to the ball. The players must hit the ball to their right side (the “off side”) and may not cross the line of the ball. Doing so would cause a hazardous situation.
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At the start of a game, the umpire bowls the ball by hand firmly between the line-up of the two teams.
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Teams change direction in which they are playing after each goal is scored and/or after each chukker. Switching sides allows each team an opportunity to start with the ball being bowled in on their right-hand-side.
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All players registered with the U.S. Polo Association are rated from -2 goals (novice) to 10 goals (the best). Handicaps are a scale of skill. A team’s handicap is the total sum of its players’ ratings. Penalties and/or injuries may stop play, as there are no time-outs or substitutions allowed, except for tack repair. A player may “ride-off ” his opponent in order to spoil his shot. The angle of the collision or bump must be slight and pose no serious danger to rider or horse.
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All players on the field are able to score goals.
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There are degrees of dangerous and unfair play and penalty shots are awarded depending on the severity of the foul and where the foul was committed on the field.
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A player can interfere with another’s shot by putting his mallet in the way of the striker’s swing. However, it is a foul to hook too high or reach over the player’s horse.
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Ponies are typically switched out at the end of each chukker.
All players must play right-handed.
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WEARING THE WHITE HAT SINCE 1994 WWW.ROCKRIVERMINERALS.COM 432-262-1478
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player spotlight
C O L “NoL hourI Nof life is wasted S EthatW E L L is spent in the saddle”
-WINSTON CHURCHILL
Collin Sewell began riding at the ripe, young age of 3 months with a little help from his maternal grandmother, who held him on the horse. The root of Collin’s passion for horses began in Oklahoma where he grew up like any young cowboy riding horses and working cattle. Collin enjoyed helping out at the local rodeos.
“EVERYTHING ELSE GOES AWAY WHEN I RIDE HORSES. IT’S THE ONLY THING THAT COMPLETELY TAKES MY MIND OFF OF EVERYTHING ELSE.” After Collin graduated from Texas Christian University with a marketing degree, he returned to Midland to learn the family business. He never forgot his heritage and love of being in the saddle again. A few years ago, Collin began a search for ways to get back in the saddle more regularly. He looked into competitive trail riding, but he had heard there was a polo club in Midland and thought he would look into that first. After he glanced at the Midland Polo Club’s website, he called Louisa Fikes and scheduled his first polo lesson for the very next Monday. The Midland Polo School was not prepared for a polo enthusiast of Collin’s size, as none of the boots or helmets fit him. Louisa did not put Collin on a horse during his first lesson, but he was hooked by the end of the week. In October of 2014, Collin’s home caught fire, and he utilized polo as an escape and form of stress-relief.
“EVERYBODY HAS TO HAVE AN OUTLET; POLO IS MINE.” Collin finished out the Fall 2014 season by graduating from polo school. In March of 2015, he met Loreto Natividad, who leased Collin two horses that he rode every single day. Collin recalls one particular day when he went to ride with Loreto in brand new polo boots. He soon learned the hardships that come with breaking in new boots, and Loreto had to pull the boots off Collin for a week straight. Amongst the laughter, a bond was forged between Collin and Loreto. He believes polo is a unique sport because the horses are the true athletes. That summer, they traveled to Santa Fe to compete in Collin’s first season of competitive polo.
“AT THAT POINT, MY HANDICAP WAS -2, WHICH MEANT I WAS NOT ONLY A DANGER TO MYSELF BUT ALSO TO OTHERS.” Now a -1 handicap, or as Collin would say, “only a danger to myself,” he is a well-seasoned polo player and a regular at the Midland Polo Club. Collin’s team, Prevelacer, is regularly found playing in the finals of every tournament at the Midland Polo Club. Collin won the coveted Polo on the Prairie tournament on his first attempt in 2016 and has since taken his team from coast to coast in search of new and exciting challenges.
“I’VE PLAYED POLO ALL AROUND THE NATION, BUT MY FAVORITE PLACE TO PLAY IS STILL WEST TEXAS BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE. THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE HERE... THEY’RE PRETTY NICE... THEY’RE THE REAL SALT OF THE EARTH.” Polo fuels Collin’s competitive nature and thrill of competition. He is especially fond of polo because of the connection with his grandad, who was his best friend. Collin also feels fortunate to have discovered polo because of the connection that has forged his competitive nature with his love of horses.
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P O L O SLearn C Hto playO poloO L
Hello from polo school!
This winter and spring have marked the best MPC Polo School year to date! The Polo School was founded in 2010 with the hopes of introducing the sport of polo to our Midland community while producing sustainable polo players to the sport. The school began with 4 students and has grown to over 42 students this year, ranging in age from 4 years old to over 50 years old. We are very proud to have two Certified Polo Instructors, of which there are only 95 in the country. Our job at the polo school is to teach our students how to successfully enter the sport. To achieve this goal we offer beginner, intermediate and advanced classes, followed by our “Step Up� program, which coaches players in the arena and eventually graduates students to playing tournament polo on our grass fields. Of our tournament playing members, over 50% are graduates of the Polo School! Come out and join us!
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ADULT POLO School 8 week course Once a week - $500 Twice a week - $1,000 Horse and polo equipment is included No riding experience necessary Private and group lessons available
LEARN BASIC SWING MECHANICS, RIDING FOR POLO, RULES OF THE GAME, AND GAME STRATEGY
Megan Flynn | megan@hiddenviewfarmpolo.com | 414-651-8091
JUNIOR POLO
School
Riding lessons Polo lessons Horse and polo equipment is included No riding experience necessary Private and group lessons available
LEARN BASIC SWING MECHANICS, RIDING FOR POLO, RULES OF THE GAME, AND GAME STRATEGY
Molly Smith | 432-553-9888
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H I Sof polo T Oin RMidland Y HOW DID POLO GET TO MIDLAND, TX? Polo is the oldest of all equestrian sports. It was first a training game for ancient cavalry units. It was a miniature battle to these warlike tribesmen. The original name of polo is “chogan”. From it’s Iranian origins in Persia in the 6th century BC, it spread to Constantinople, and then eastward through Afghanistan, China, Japan, and finally in to Tibet and India in the 13th century, where it flourished. The word “polo” comes from the Tibetan word “pulu”, the willow root from which polo balls were made of back then. The first published description of polo in the English language is in Sir Anthony Sherley’s book, ‘Relation of His Travels Into Persia’, written in 1613. The original manuscript of this book is currently in the Bodleian Library at Oxford University. The first European polo club was formed in 1859. Although the military introduced polo to Europe, it soon became popular with everyone from university players to the nobility. Polo arrived in America in 1876, as the first clubs were formed in New York. The United States Polo Association was founded in 1890 and standardized the set of American rules of play while polo clubs popped up all across the country, including in Texas. Midland has played polo since this “tall city” was just a small, dusty cowtown called Midway. Here, polo has had a heavy cowboy influence. Its roots are firmly grounded in the sandy West Texas soil, and are planted by ranchers and oilmen. The individual responsible for bringing polo to Midland was Jay Floyd. When Floyd was a young man in the the early 1900’s, polo players from the east would frequently come through West Texas to buy polo pony prospects. Floyd was an excellent horseman and played polo on his Texas A&M collegiate team. Returning to Midland after graduating from college, Floyd set up a polo pony breeding program at his family’s ranch and his equine business soon flourished. A dry lakebed on the ranch served as the first polo field in this area. Other ranchers soon became interested in the sport. A popular slogan in Midland was, “Eat beef, wear wool, play polo.” By the mid 1930’s, Midland was one of the premiere sources for polo ponies in the country. Midland-trained horses were being bought and shipped by railroad car to major clubs all over the country, including Chicago and New York. When World War II came along, polo in Midland disbanded. In 1952, the
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Midland Polo Club was formed and registered with the United States Polo Association. Games were played at the Midland Fairgrounds on oiled-down dirt fields. At times, they couldn’t see the ball because the polo fields were so thick with dust. The players aptly named themselves the Midland Dusters and were active until 1956. In 1964, local polo players got together once again and played on a grass field out near the present day Midland Country Club. Together, they purchased and built the current Midland Polo Club facility. The first games were played here in the summer of 1965. Eight privately owned polo barns sprung up around the fields as well as club stabling for 80 head of horses. The new club was in its first heyday in the 60’s and 70’s hosting large crowds and national tournaments. Midland is notorious as a boom and bust town, and the polo here has had its ups and downs with the economy. The club today can still boast about being host to national tournaments and international players. Teams and individual players from Midland continue to travel and play all over the United States and the world. Horses are still bred and trained here and have won best playing pony awards internationally. A century later, Midland is still a great place to train prospective horses and players. There is currently a thriving polo school for kids and adults, interscholastic polo, green horse chukkers, and several arena and outdoor leagues throughout the year. Polo history is still being made in Midland, TX!
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A F A M I L affair Y For some players at the Midland Polo Club, their love for the sport and their playing ability and experience are all the result of the generations before them, whose hardwork, teaching and passion for polo have set the stage for the next generation of horsemen.
THE GALINDOS Many members of the Galindo family have worked and played at MPC since the club opened over fifty years ago. Gaspar and Rosa Galindo moved their family from Ojinaga, Mexico, to Midland, Texas, in 1966, after accepting a job at the Midland Polo Club. Gaspar was a hard worker and good at training horses for polo competition. Often, his children were by his side. And so it was that Carlos Galindo and his brothers, Calletano, Alonzo, Hector, and Mario, picked up mallets for the first time. "We kind of grew up with it," Carlos recalls. When he and his brothers started to play in Coachella Valley, CA in the early 1980’s, competitors and spectators referred to them as “The Flying Galindos” because their speed was astonishing. Members of the original Flying Galindos have since grown up to marry polo players, and raise young polo players of their own to carry on the family tradition. Although the sons, grandsons, and granddaughters of Gaspar play professionally all over the world now, Midland Polo Club is always happy to welcome the Galindos back to their home fields here to work, play, and train future generations of outstanding polo players and horses.
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Robert and Gene at Midland Polo Club in 1985
THE EVANS Bart Evans first played polo at home in Kansas City, KS at the age of 18. He started playing polo at MPC the first year the club opened in 1965. He was a college student at Sul Ross at the time. He moved his family from Alpine to Midland in 1968. The temperate climate, sandy footing, and young, thriving polo club made Midland a good place to raise a ranching family and breed and train world class polo horses. Bart, his sons, and granddaughter continue on the tradition of Evans Ranch polo at the Midland Polo Club.
Bart, Robert and gene at Don king days in 2001
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From left to right: Louisa, Melinda, Molly, Henry, and Luke Musselman at Midland Polo Club
THE MUSSELMANS Ask any of the Musselman family, and they will tell you that polo is a sport you enjoy for a life time. Dad, Henry Musselman was the first to play polo at the Midland Polo Club over thirty years ago. Daughters Louisa and Molly, and son Luke all play, and the young grandkids are participating in the polo school this year. The Musselman family initiated Polo On the Prairie, a polo tournament held every spring for the last thirty-two years, at the family ranch in Albany, TX that has raised millions of dollars benefitting MD Anderson hospital.
Henry and daughter Louisa out for a stroll at Midland Polo Club
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THE NATIVIDADS Ernesto Natividad was the first in his family to play polo, but he is a seventh generation horseman. Ernesto was nine years old when he first started spending time at the Midland Polo Club, where his father occasionally rode and stick and balled horses with friends. After horseshoeing school, Ernesto returned to pursue a career in shoeing in the Midland area. He ended up unexpectedly filling in for a player in a polo match at MPC. This began a 22 year and counting career playing polo. Ernesto’s family has followed in his footsteps. His two sons, Lucio and Loreto, are both lifetime avid horsemen and polo players. They started playing on the MPC fields on their ponies at the young ages of 3 and 5.
THE HORDS The Midland Polo club has been familiar territory to Jenni since childhood. She grew up riding Tennessee Walking horses with her grandfather Clovis Chappell, as they would ride around the club, exercising the horses. When Jenni moved back to Midland with her family in 2010, her son Davis started polo school and quickly fell in love with the sport. Today you will find both Jenni and Davis (on his breaks from college) out on the field playing or field-side tailgating. “Our whole family considers the Midland Polo Club a breath of fresh air! We love to tailgate on beautiful Sunday afternoons. It’s a great way to spend time with family and friends and enjoy the outdoors!”
THE NATIVIDADS
Jenni, Davis and dan
Jenni and Davis
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Brock Veterinary Clinic Brock Veterinary Clinic is a one-stop provider of veterinary service in Texas. Practice is mixed with extremely busy equine segment.
P Brock Veterinary Clinic S Brock Veterinary Clinic is a one-stop provider of R U veterinary service in Texas. Practice is mixed with extremely busy equine segment. O P UP PS DR OU LO RP YU TP SO D L MIDLAND POLO CLUB R Y T Bo Brock, DVM Michelle Bessire, DVM • Dustin McElwee, DVM S Kacey Tweeten-King, DVM
MIDLAND POLO CLUB Peter Rakestraw, DVM
Visit us at our location in Lamesa or call DVM us at Bo Brock, Michelle Bessire, • Dustin McElwee, DVM (806)DVM 872-3183 Kacey Tweeten-King, DVM Peter Rakestraw, DVM
Bo & Kerri Brock
Bo & Kerri Brock
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Visit our location in Like Us us OnatFacebook Lamesa or call us at (806) 872-3183
Like Us On Facebook
PLANNING + LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE CIVIL • STRUCTURAL • SURVEY Contact Tim Hair: 432.848.4403 or THair@dunawayassociates.com
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M E EtheTPlayers Cadell Alexander 1 Goal
Terilynn Babb NR
Brad Blake 4 Goal
Peter Blake 3 Goal
Craig Duke A Goal
Roni Duke A Goal
Pelon Escapite 6 Goal
Ulysses Escapite 4 Goal
Amy Evans B Goal
Avery Evans B Goal
Robert Evans 2 Goal
Santi Farias 1 Goal
Louisa Fikes A Goal
Megan Flynn A.5 Goal
April Galindo B Goal
Cacho Galindo 3 Goal
Carlos Galindo 3 Goal
Nicoli Galindo 4 Goal
Davis Hord B.5 Goal
Jenni Hord B Goal
Mitch Horne A.5 Goal
Madison Lange B Goal
Kyle McGraw B.5 Goal
Henry Musselman A Goal
Ernesto Natividad 2 Goal
Loreto Natividad 2 Goal
Hugo Nunez 2 Goal
Ashley Owen A Goal
Ciro Payan 2 Goal
Pepe Rodriguez 1 Goal
Collin Sewell B Goal
Jared Sheldon 4 Goal
Molly Smith A Goal
Alvaro Tadeo 2 Goal
Pascual Tadeo 1 Goal
Brady Williams A Goal
Issy Wolf 1 Goal
Luke Musselman 1 Goal
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s d a e H t Parro POLO
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Wishes Midland Polo a wonderful 2018 Season!
MIDLANDPOLOCLUB.COM
Texas Arena League BEST HOST CLUB! MIDLAND POLO CLUB
Kyle McGraw Supports the Midland Polo Club EVP, Chief Development Officer, Founder & Director A Publicly Traded Master Limited Partnership Nasdaq: LGCY
Holy Cow Beef
Kyle McGraw/Weldon Warren All-Natural Grassfed Beef Antibiotic Free/ No Added Hormones No Pesticides/ No Herbicides www. Holycowbeef.com holycowbeef@reagan.com
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meet the
A R E Nplayers A Avery Arledge
Brooke Elizabeth Boehler
Aubrey Campbell
Hattie Fikes
Jordon Fikes
Elizabeth Garrison
Anderson “Andy” Ham
Nicholas Hernàndez-Bostick
Lola Lauer
Laren McCool
Spencer McCool
William McCool
Chloe Nasuhoglu
Bek Nasuhoglu
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Brice Ferguson
Haley Wacker
Court Nelson
Meghan Nelson
Ayden Wallace
Liz Williams
OCTOBER 4, 2018 Save the date! Chukkers for Children, hosted by the Midland Polo Club and presented by Hedloc Inv., was an amazing event benefiting Bynum School. Over 300 guests enjoyed a polo match between Parsley Energy and RSP Permian, dinner by Mac’s Bar-b-que and listening to the tunes of Shinyribs. Thanks to Jenni Hord and Shelley Harper for organizing this incredible benefit. Bynum School located between Midland and Odessa, is the only public or private school that provides an uninterrupted continuum of year-round services to students age 3 to adulthood. Bynum School serves students who exhibit intellectual disabilities (ID), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), various learning disabilities, unique and rare syndromes, and medical fragility. For more information, visit our website www.bynumschool.org, on Facebook, BynumSchoolMidlandTX or call 432-520-0075.
photography by
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T E XArena A SLeague The final leg of the Texas Arena League was hosted by Midland Polo Club. Teams from around the state traveled to compete in the Austin area at County Line Polo Club and at the Legend’s Polo Club near Dallas. They ended up in West Texas for the final installment. Eighteen teams competed in Midland; local spectators joined players, friends and family to cheer the players on during the two-day event. KWES News West 9 provided some great TV coverage of the event. Five United States Polo Association arena tournaments, including two military cups, were played during Texas Arena League. In the USPA Amateur Cup, the Midland Polo team took home the win with Brady Williams, Leigh Fulkerson and Ashley Owen. Legend's Polo Club (Wyatt Myr, Steve Gilchrist, Nacho Estrada) defeated both San Antonio and Midland to win the Southwest Circuit Arena Challenge. Prevalecer (Loreto Natividad, Megan Flynn, Ashley Owen) faced off against County Line Polo Club in the first ever USPA Circuit I/I Alumni tournament. Texas Tech, UT and Midland Interscholastic polo teams were represented amongst the alumni players. Prevalecer won the Alumni match. For a team to be eligible to play a USPA Military Cup, the members of the team must be active duty, retired or have family members who served in the military. Santa Elena Minerals Carter Nix, Joanie Jackson, and Cara Kennedy, whose family members represent service in the Marines, Air Force and CIA - won the USPA Admiral Nimitz Cup. Central Texas Polo Association team with Karl Hilberg (Navy officer), Cody Goetz (Air Force officer) and Taylor Morris (family in Marines and Army) won the General Puller Cup. All of the participants of Texas Arena League were also given a vote for Best Host Club and Midland Polo Club took home honors!
Winners, 0-3 Goal - Central Texas Polo Association Lauren Platt, Taylor Morris, Loreto Natividad
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Winners, 3-6 Goal - Prevalecer Ashley Owen, Megan Flynn, Loreto Natividad
0-3 GOAL
3-6 GOAL
Runner Up - County Line Zain Saud, Andrew Richardson, Oscar Bermudez Jr.
Runner Up - County Line Zain Saud, Andrew Richardson, Seth Bray
Sportsmanship Award John Hand
Sportsmanship Award Brady Williams
Best Playing Pony - “Maria” Owned and Played By John Hand
Best Playing Pony - “Awesome Sauce” Owned and Played By Megan Flynn
Most Valuable Player Loreto Natividad
Most Valuable Player Wyatt Myr
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W I N N E RCircle ’S Rattle Snake Mixer - Prevelacer/Legacy Ulyssess Escapite, Ernesto Natividad, Kyle McGraw, Collin Sewell ,
Concho Challenegec - Prevalecer Ulysses Escapite, Loreto Natividad, Collin Sewell, Pepe Rodriguez
Floyd Memorial - Santa Elena Minerals Isabella Wolf, Louisa Fikes, Peter Blake, Jared Sheldon,
Galindo Memorial - Prevalecer Ulysses Escapite, Loreto Natividad, Pepe Rodriguez, , Collin Sewell
USPA Masters - Team Canada USPA Sportsmanship Cup - Prevalecer April Galindo, Megan Flynn, Inkai Echezarreta, Collin Sewell, Mitch Horne, Loreto Natividad, Alvaro Tadeo Ulysses Escapite
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The Ford Cup - Lazy 3 Alvaro Tadeo, Molly Smith, Nicolai Galindo, Henry Musselman
The BMW Cup - Santa Elena Louisa Fikes, Jared Sheldon, Peter Blake, Isabella Wolf
West Texas Challenge - Lazy 3 Alvaro Tadeo, Pato Tadeo, Pepe Rodriguez, Madi Lange
Frac Cup - Lazy 3 Madi Lange, Brady Williams, Cadell Alexander, Alvaro Tadeo
USPA Governor’s Cup - Hedloc Carlos Galindo, Cadell Alexander, Brady Williams, Jenni Hord
October Pro Am - Midland Polo Club April Galindo, Brady Williams, Cadell Alexander, Ernesto Natividad
Roughneck Tournament - Prevalecer Jordan Williams, April Galindo, Loreto Natividad, Ernesto Natividad
Halloween Tournament - Evans Ranch Avery Evans, April Galindo, Carter Nix, Ernesto Natividad
November Pro Am - Hedloc Jenni Hord, Avery Evans, Robert Evans, Carlos Galindo
MPC Pro Am Finale - Hedloc Megan Flynn, Madi Lange, Carlos Galindo, Jenni Hord
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MIDLANDPOLOCLUB.COM
glossary of
P O L Ounderstanding T EpoloR M S Appeal
Appealing for a foul may be by voice or action. A demeaning comment or gesture is an appeal. The raising of the mallet in an attempt to draw the Umpire’s attention to a play is an appeal.
Bowl In
When the umpire starts or resumes the match by rolling the ball in, down the center of a line-up of players. A bowl in is also known as a throw in.
Bump
When a player directs his pony into the side of an opponent’s pony.
Chukker
Also called a period. There are 6 chukkers in a polo game (4 in arena polo) each lasting 7 minutes plus up to 30 seconds in overtime. If during the 30 seconds the ball hits the side board or goes out of bounds, or if the umpire blows his whistle, the chukker is over. There is no overtime at the end of the 6th chukker, unless the score is tied, at which time a 7th chukker will be played until the first goal is scored. A player returns to each chukker on a different horse, although he may rest one for a chukker or two and play him again.
Flagman
An unofficial goal observer appointed to signal, by waving a flag over the head if a goal is scored or under the waist if no goal is scored.
Foul
Whistle is usually blown for infractions of rules governing play on the field. It is usually blown for hazardous riding or improper use of
the mallet. The umpire can award anything from a free goal to a free hit from a determined distance when a foul is called.
Goal or Score
Anytime the ball crosses the line between the goal posts, regardless of who (including ponies) knocks it through.
Handicap
Each player has earned himself a handicap ranging from -2 to 10. The higher the handicap, the better the player.
Overtime
Overtime is sometimes played when a draw is reached at the end of the sixth chukker. A seventh chukker will resume until the final goal is scored.
Ponies
The best polo ponies are of Thoroughbred blood with the heart, speed, wind, stamina, and the ability to accelerate, stop and turn quickly. Their temperament must be amenable to the rigors of the game. There is no height limit, although most are smaller, between 15 and 15.3 hands. The age of a pony is generally between 5 and 15 years old.
Spare Pony
Players have the option of using a spare or substitute horse during a chukker. This is done when their playing pony fatigues or is injured.
Umpires
2 mounted umpires consult each other after each infringement and impose a penalty only if they agree. If they do not agree they ride to the sidelines to confer with the 3rd man, know as the referee.
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