Welcome to the 2025 USPA Master's Cup! We have 9 teams playing in our second 6 goal tournament of the season!
Tournament Format
- Bracket 1 - 4 teams, plays within bracket
- Brackets 2 & 3 play cross bracket
- Bracket 2 - 3 teams (each team has 1 bye)
- Bracket 3 - 2 teams
- After bracket play, teams will be ranked 1-9 based on loss records
Semifinal Pairings
- Teams ranked 1-4 will advance to the semifinals
- For the semifinal pairings, if possible, teams will play a team they have not yet played. Otherwise, #1 vs #4, #2 vs #3
Tied Loss Record example 1:
Team A: 2-1
Team E: 1-1
Tied Record example 2:
Team B: 1-2
Team G: 0-2
Tied Loss Records for Semifinals
- In case of elimination from the top 4 spots, teams will shootout
- In case of seeding, teams will draw for placement
Tied Loss Records
- In the case of 2 tied records and the teams HAVE played each other, the tie is broken by who beat who
- In the case of 3 or more tied records, the tie is broken by a 1 person shootout
Subsidiary Semifinals:
- The remaining 5 teams will advance to the Subsidiary Tournament, the Commander's Cup.
- The Commander's Cup semifinals will be a match game and a round robin
- Pairings will be based on teams that have not yet played each other, or if necessary we will draw for who plays who.
- The 2 winning teams will advance to the Commander's Cup Final
- Match games will be offered on the day of the finals
**All tied records & tied game rules, and round robin rules are at the bottom of the page**
Optional Tournament Conditions (see at bottom of page)
Substitution Rule
Buzzer Beater
Fair Play Throw-in
*Reminders**
- Games will be played on handicaps
- Spare changes at end lines only
- 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
://houstonpoloclub.com/hpc-release-form/
- Emergency Information form
https://houstonpoloclub.com/emergency-info/
- Anyone on horseback must wear a helmet (spareholders, grooms, etc)
- Please keep dogs on leashes at all fields
- Social Media Policy - HPC is a private club that is the tenant of a private club, and we maintain a modest and positive social media presence consistent with that posture. With that in mind, we ask that our polo members respect each other's privacy and refrain from posting images of fellow members who do not wish to be publicized, or that risk the reputation of the club or its affiliates.
- Courtesy Changes will be implemented when heat or humidity is extreme, or after an extended period of inclement weather that has prevented the teams from properly preparing their horses.
According to RULE 21.f.(2) on page 68 of the 2025 Rule Book:
When the Host Tournament Committee or Umpires allow one courtesy change per period pursuant to this provision, the teams shall be required to provide each Umpire TWO horses for any game lasting four periods or more.
**This means that the player umpires will ALSO need TWO umpire horses**
Bracket 1
A. Piney Woods Polo (2,1)
B. Island Time Polo/Plank Companies (1,2)
C. BTA (3,0)
D. Hicks & Johnson LLC/ML Bar Ranch (0,3)
Bracket 2
E. Propaganda/W-S (1,1)
F. Roxstars/Sullivan Group (2,0)
G. Pata Life (1,1)
Bracket 3
H. 3L Energy Solutions/BCI (0,3)
I. Pegasus/Sentinel Trust (2,1)
Tournament Format
- Bracket 1 - 4 teams, plays within bracket
- Brackets 2 & 3 play cross bracket
- Bracket 2 - 3 teams (each team has 1 bye)
- Bracket 3 - 2 teams
- After bracket play, teams will be ranked 1-9 based on loss records
Semifinal Pairings
- Teams ranked 1-4 will advance to the semifinals
- For the semifinal pairings, if possible, teams will play a team they have not yet played. Otherwise, #1 vs #4, #2 vs #3
Tied Loss Record example 1:
Team A: 2-1
Team E: 1-1
Tied Record example 2:
Team B: 1-2
Team G: 0-2
Tied Loss Records for Semifinals
- In case of elimination from the top 4 spots, teams will shootout
- In case of seeding, teams will draw for placement
Tied Loss Records
- In the case of 2 tied records and the teams HAVE played each other, the tie is broken by who beat who
- In the case of 3 or more tied records, the tie is broken by a 1 person shootout
Subsidiary Semifinals:
- The remaining 5 teams will advance to the Subsidiary Tournament, the Commander's Cup.
- The Commander's Cup semifinals will be a match game and a round robin
- Pairings will be based on teams that have not yet played each other, or if necessary we will draw for who plays who.
- The 2 winning teams will advance to the Commander's Cup Final
- Match games will be offered on the day of the finals
**All tied records & tied game rules, and round robin rules are at the bottom of the page**
Optional Tournament Conditions (see at bottom of page)
Substitution Rule
Buzzer Beater
Fair Play Throw-in
*Reminders**
- Games will be played on handicaps
- Spare changes at end lines only
- 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
://houstonpoloclub.com/hpc-release-form/
- Emergency Information form
https://houstonpoloclub.com/emergency-info/
- Anyone on horseback must wear a helmet (spareholders, grooms, etc)
- Please keep dogs on leashes at all fields
- Social Media Policy - HPC is a private club that is the tenant of a private club, and we maintain a modest and positive social media presence consistent with that posture. With that in mind, we ask that our polo members respect each other's privacy and refrain from posting images of fellow members who do not wish to be publicized, or that risk the reputation of the club or its affiliates.
- Courtesy Changes will be implemented when heat or humidity is extreme, or after an extended period of inclement weather that has prevented the teams from properly preparing their horses.
According to RULE 21.f.(2) on page 68 of the 2025 Rule Book:
When the Host Tournament Committee or Umpires allow one courtesy change per period pursuant to this provision, the teams shall be required to provide each Umpire TWO horses for any game lasting four periods or more.
**This means that the player umpires will ALSO need TWO umpire horses**
Bracket 1
A. Piney Woods Polo (2,1)
B. Island Time Polo/Plank Companies (1,2)
C. BTA (3,0)
D. Hicks & Johnson LLC/ML Bar Ranch (0,3)
Bracket 2
E. Propaganda/W-S (1,1)
F. Roxstars/Sullivan Group (2,0)
G. Pata Life (1,1)
Bracket 3
H. 3L Energy Solutions/BCI (0,3)
I. Pegasus/Sentinel Trust (2,1)
SCHEDULE
Tuesday April 29
*BTA (5.5) def *Hicks & Johnson LLC/ML Bar Ranch (4)
3:00pm @ BPC - #2
Umps: R. Hayes / E. Ezcurra
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
*Pegasus/Sentinel Trust (4.5) def *Pata Life (4)
6:00pm @ BPC - #2
Umps: E. Ezcurra / H. Azzaro
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
*Propaganda/W-S (6) def 3L Energy Solutions/BCI (4.5)
5:15pm @ Pecan Acres
Umps: R. Hayes / JW Barry
3rd Man/Timer: C. Williams
*Please bring one umpire horse
*Piney Woods Polo (10) def Island Time Polo/Plank Companies (5)
6:15pm @ Pecan Acres
Umps: R. Hayes / B. Middleton
3rd Man/Timer: C. Williams
*Please bring one umpire horse
Thursday May 1
*Piney Woods Polo (6) def *Hicks & Johnson LLC/ML Bar Ranch (5) OT
10:00am @ ML Bar Ranch
Umps: R. Hayes / E. Ezcurra
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
*Pegasus/Sentinel Trust (6.5) def *Propaganda/W-S (3)
6:00pm @ ML Bar Ranch
Umps: R. Hayes / R. Orthwein
3rd Man/Timer: C. Williams
*Please bring one umpire horse
*BTA (5.5) def Island Time Polo/Plank Companies (2)
5:00pm @ Coushatta
Umps: E. Ezcurra / S. Rice
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Roxstars/Sullivan Group (8) def *3L Energy Solutions/BCI (7)
6:00pm @ Coushatta
Umps: E. Ezcurra / T. Alberdi
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Saturday May 3
Tentatively no tournament games scheduled...
we are watching weather forecasts
Sunday May 4
6 Chukker Exhibition
*BTA/*Pata Life (7) def *3L Energy Solutions/*Sentinel Trust (6.5)
5:00pm @ HPC - Farish
Umps: R. Hayes / E. Ezcurra
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring 1 ump horse
Tuesday May 6
*BTA (7.5) def Piney Woods Polo (4)
5:15pm @ Coushatta
Umps: E. Ezcurra / M. Villanueva
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
CANCELLED
Pata Life vs *3L Energy Solutions/BCI
6:15pm @ Coushatta
Umps: E. Ezcurra / J. Kiely
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Thursday May 8
Pata Life (5) def *3L Energy Solutions/BCI (4)
6:15pm @ Coushatta
Umps: E. Ezcurra / J. Kiely
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
*Island Time Polo/Plank Companies (4) def Hicks & Johnson LLC/ML Bar Ranch (2)
5:00pm @ Traveler's Rest
Umps: K. Decoite / N. Cifuni
3rd Man/Timer: K. Krueger
*Please bring one umpire horse
Roxstars/Sullivan Group (5) def *Pegasus/Sentinel Trust (4) OT
6:00pm @ Traveler's Rest
Umps: K. Decoite / N. Galindo
3rd Man/Timer: K. Krueger
*Please bring one umpire horse
Shootouts following games if needed
Shootout Results:
1. Propaganda/W-S
2. Pegasus/Sentinel Trust
3&4: Piney Woods Polo & Pata Life
Saturday May 10
USPA Master's Cup Semifinal 1
*Propaganda/W-S (7) def *Roxstars/Sullivan Group (6.5)
10:00am @ Pecan Acres
Umps: E. Ezcurra / K. Decoite
3rd Man: K. Krueger
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Subsidiary Commander's Cup Round Robin Semifinal 2
**Piney Woods Polo def *Hick & Johnson LLC/ML Bar Ranch def *Pata Life
PWP (4) def PL (1.5)
HJ/MLB (4) def PL (1.5)
PWP (3) def HJ/MLB (2.5)
12:00pm @ Coushatta
Umps: E. Ezcurra / K. Decoite
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Teams start in the order they are listed
Winning team sits after the first 2 chukkers
Sunday May 11
USPA Master's Cup Semifinal 2
*BTA (6.5) def *Pegasus/Sentinel Trust (5)
5:00pm @ HPC - Farish
Umps: E. Ezcurra / K. Decoite
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Subsidiary Commander's Cup Semifinal 1
*Island Time Polo/Plank Companies (9) def *3L Energy Solutions/BCI (7.5)
6:00pm @ HPC - Farish
Umps: E. Ezcurra / K. Decoite
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Thursday May 15
USPA Master's Cup Finals
*BTA vs *Propaganda/W-S
10:00am @ BPC - #1
Umps: E. Ezcurra / K. Decoite
3rd Man: M. Wroe
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Subsidiary Commander's Cup Finals
*Island Time Polo/Plank Companies vs *Piney Woods Polo
5:00pm @ Pecan Acres
Umps: E. Ezcurra / K. Decoite
3rd Man: C. Bowman
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Match Game
3L Energy Solutions/BCI vs *Pegasus/Sentinel Trust
6:00pm @ Pecan Acres
Umps: K. Decoite
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Match Game Round Robin
Hicks & Johnson LLC/ML Bar Ranch vs Roxstars/Sullivan Group vs Pata Life
5:00pm @ ML Bar Ranch
Ump: Sitting Pro Umps (R. Orthwein / S. Rice / M. Villanueva)
Timer: C. Williams
Teams start in the order they are listed
Winning team sits after the first 2 chukkers
Pros are responsible for bringing their own umpire ponies
Tuesday April 29
*BTA (5.5) def *Hicks & Johnson LLC/ML Bar Ranch (4)
3:00pm @ BPC - #2
Umps: R. Hayes / E. Ezcurra
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
*Pegasus/Sentinel Trust (4.5) def *Pata Life (4)
6:00pm @ BPC - #2
Umps: E. Ezcurra / H. Azzaro
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
*Propaganda/W-S (6) def 3L Energy Solutions/BCI (4.5)
5:15pm @ Pecan Acres
Umps: R. Hayes / JW Barry
3rd Man/Timer: C. Williams
*Please bring one umpire horse
*Piney Woods Polo (10) def Island Time Polo/Plank Companies (5)
6:15pm @ Pecan Acres
Umps: R. Hayes / B. Middleton
3rd Man/Timer: C. Williams
*Please bring one umpire horse
Thursday May 1
*Piney Woods Polo (6) def *Hicks & Johnson LLC/ML Bar Ranch (5) OT
10:00am @ ML Bar Ranch
Umps: R. Hayes / E. Ezcurra
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
*Pegasus/Sentinel Trust (6.5) def *Propaganda/W-S (3)
6:00pm @ ML Bar Ranch
Umps: R. Hayes / R. Orthwein
3rd Man/Timer: C. Williams
*Please bring one umpire horse
*BTA (5.5) def Island Time Polo/Plank Companies (2)
5:00pm @ Coushatta
Umps: E. Ezcurra / S. Rice
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Roxstars/Sullivan Group (8) def *3L Energy Solutions/BCI (7)
6:00pm @ Coushatta
Umps: E. Ezcurra / T. Alberdi
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Saturday May 3
Tentatively no tournament games scheduled...
we are watching weather forecasts
Sunday May 4
6 Chukker Exhibition
*BTA/*Pata Life (7) def *3L Energy Solutions/*Sentinel Trust (6.5)
5:00pm @ HPC - Farish
Umps: R. Hayes / E. Ezcurra
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring 1 ump horse
Tuesday May 6
*BTA (7.5) def Piney Woods Polo (4)
5:15pm @ Coushatta
Umps: E. Ezcurra / M. Villanueva
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
CANCELLED
Pata Life vs *3L Energy Solutions/BCI
6:15pm @ Coushatta
Umps: E. Ezcurra / J. Kiely
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Thursday May 8
Pata Life (5) def *3L Energy Solutions/BCI (4)
6:15pm @ Coushatta
Umps: E. Ezcurra / J. Kiely
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
*Island Time Polo/Plank Companies (4) def Hicks & Johnson LLC/ML Bar Ranch (2)
5:00pm @ Traveler's Rest
Umps: K. Decoite / N. Cifuni
3rd Man/Timer: K. Krueger
*Please bring one umpire horse
Roxstars/Sullivan Group (5) def *Pegasus/Sentinel Trust (4) OT
6:00pm @ Traveler's Rest
Umps: K. Decoite / N. Galindo
3rd Man/Timer: K. Krueger
*Please bring one umpire horse
Shootouts following games if needed
Shootout Results:
1. Propaganda/W-S
2. Pegasus/Sentinel Trust
3&4: Piney Woods Polo & Pata Life
Saturday May 10
USPA Master's Cup Semifinal 1
*Propaganda/W-S (7) def *Roxstars/Sullivan Group (6.5)
10:00am @ Pecan Acres
Umps: E. Ezcurra / K. Decoite
3rd Man: K. Krueger
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Subsidiary Commander's Cup Round Robin Semifinal 2
**Piney Woods Polo def *Hick & Johnson LLC/ML Bar Ranch def *Pata Life
PWP (4) def PL (1.5)
HJ/MLB (4) def PL (1.5)
PWP (3) def HJ/MLB (2.5)
12:00pm @ Coushatta
Umps: E. Ezcurra / K. Decoite
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Teams start in the order they are listed
Winning team sits after the first 2 chukkers
Sunday May 11
USPA Master's Cup Semifinal 2
*BTA (6.5) def *Pegasus/Sentinel Trust (5)
5:00pm @ HPC - Farish
Umps: E. Ezcurra / K. Decoite
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Subsidiary Commander's Cup Semifinal 1
*Island Time Polo/Plank Companies (9) def *3L Energy Solutions/BCI (7.5)
6:00pm @ HPC - Farish
Umps: E. Ezcurra / K. Decoite
3rd Man/Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Thursday May 15
USPA Master's Cup Finals
*BTA vs *Propaganda/W-S
10:00am @ BPC - #1
Umps: E. Ezcurra / K. Decoite
3rd Man: M. Wroe
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Subsidiary Commander's Cup Finals
*Island Time Polo/Plank Companies vs *Piney Woods Polo
5:00pm @ Pecan Acres
Umps: E. Ezcurra / K. Decoite
3rd Man: C. Bowman
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Match Game
3L Energy Solutions/BCI vs *Pegasus/Sentinel Trust
6:00pm @ Pecan Acres
Umps: K. Decoite
Timer: E. Markell
*Please bring one umpire horse
Match Game Round Robin
Hicks & Johnson LLC/ML Bar Ranch vs Roxstars/Sullivan Group vs Pata Life
5:00pm @ ML Bar Ranch
Ump: Sitting Pro Umps (R. Orthwein / S. Rice / M. Villanueva)
Timer: C. Williams
Teams start in the order they are listed
Winning team sits after the first 2 chukkers
Pros are responsible for bringing their own umpire ponies
TEAMS
Player and team handicaps in () are in effect as of MAY 1, 2025
3L Energy Solutions / BCI
Cara Kennedy 0
Chad Bowman 2
Nick Dunbar 0 (0.5)
Bryan Middleton 3
Handicap -- 5 (5.5)
Sub: Mauricio Santiago 1T
BTA
Carin Middleton 0
Lily Lequerica 0.5 (1)
KC Krueger 2 (1)
Harrison Azzaro 3
Handicap -- 5.5 (5)
Hicks & Johnson LLC /ML Bar Ranch
Fox Benton 0
Logan Johnson 0
Nicolai Galindo 3
Robert Orthwein 3
Handicap -- 6
Island Time Polo/Plank Companies
Michelle Agrons -1
Tommy Alberdi 4
Kendall Plank 0
Joe Wayne Barry 3
Handicap -- 6
Pata Life
Sylvia Kampshoff 0
Philipp Kampshoff 1
Jesse Weaver 1
Marcos Villanueva 3
Handicap -- 5
Pegasus/Sentinel Trust
David Andras 0.5
Mason Wroe 4
Asa Gangjee -1
Joe Bob Lequerica 1.5 (2)
Handicap -- 5 (5.5)
Piney Woods Polo
Marit Stout -0.5
Hank Stout -1
Drew Luplow 2
Jack Kiely 4
Handicap -- 4.5
Sub: Audry Persano 1
Propaganda / W-S
Paul Hobby 0.5
Wesley Sinor 0.5
Quinn Evans 1.5 (2)
Miguel Torres 3
Handicap -- 5.5 (6)
Roxstars/Sullivan Group
Joanie Jackson 0
Roxy Mounter -0.5
Nick Cifuni 3
Shane Rice 3
Handicap -- 5.5
Tied Games
If team handicaps indicate the possibility for a tied game, teams will be asked prior to the match for either a shoot out or overtime. If both teams cannot agree, then teams will do a shootout.
-- Tied Game Shoot outs will follow USPA Rulebook Rule 14.d
-- Rule 14.d: ONE PLAYER, from each team will alternate and shoot:
1st round penalty 3 and penalty 4
If no team scores in Round 1, teams move to Penalty 2s until one team wins
If teams are tied after Round1 (with goals made), they continue shooting Penalty 4s until a winner is declared.
- Overtime will follow USPA Rulebook Rule 14c, first goal wins.
In case of elimination shootouts:
-- 1 player from each team will shoot
-- Shootout time and location is TBD and will be determined by the HTC
Round Robin Rules:
The winner of the Round Robin is the team with the best won-lost record.
- A win will count as 2 points
- A tie will count as 1 point
- A loss will count as 0 points
In the event of a won/lost tie at the end of the Round Robin, the order of finish will be determined using the following method:
1. Based on net goals
2. If net goals are inconclusive, then gross goals
3. Lastly, the “shoot out” procedure set forth in USPA Outdoor Rule 14.d, if both net goals and gross goals are inconclusive
Player and team handicaps in () are in effect as of MAY 1, 2025
3L Energy Solutions / BCI
Cara Kennedy 0
Chad Bowman 2
Nick Dunbar 0 (0.5)
Bryan Middleton 3
Handicap -- 5 (5.5)
Sub: Mauricio Santiago 1T
BTA
Carin Middleton 0
Lily Lequerica 0.5 (1)
KC Krueger 2 (1)
Harrison Azzaro 3
Handicap -- 5.5 (5)
Hicks & Johnson LLC /ML Bar Ranch
Fox Benton 0
Logan Johnson 0
Nicolai Galindo 3
Robert Orthwein 3
Handicap -- 6
Island Time Polo/Plank Companies
Michelle Agrons -1
Tommy Alberdi 4
Kendall Plank 0
Joe Wayne Barry 3
Handicap -- 6
Pata Life
Sylvia Kampshoff 0
Philipp Kampshoff 1
Jesse Weaver 1
Marcos Villanueva 3
Handicap -- 5
Pegasus/Sentinel Trust
David Andras 0.5
Mason Wroe 4
Asa Gangjee -1
Joe Bob Lequerica 1.5 (2)
Handicap -- 5 (5.5)
Piney Woods Polo
Marit Stout -0.5
Hank Stout -1
Drew Luplow 2
Jack Kiely 4
Handicap -- 4.5
Sub: Audry Persano 1
Propaganda / W-S
Paul Hobby 0.5
Wesley Sinor 0.5
Quinn Evans 1.5 (2)
Miguel Torres 3
Handicap -- 5.5 (6)
Roxstars/Sullivan Group
Joanie Jackson 0
Roxy Mounter -0.5
Nick Cifuni 3
Shane Rice 3
Handicap -- 5.5
Tied Games
If team handicaps indicate the possibility for a tied game, teams will be asked prior to the match for either a shoot out or overtime. If both teams cannot agree, then teams will do a shootout.
-- Tied Game Shoot outs will follow USPA Rulebook Rule 14.d
-- Rule 14.d: ONE PLAYER, from each team will alternate and shoot:
1st round penalty 3 and penalty 4
If no team scores in Round 1, teams move to Penalty 2s until one team wins
If teams are tied after Round1 (with goals made), they continue shooting Penalty 4s until a winner is declared.
- Overtime will follow USPA Rulebook Rule 14c, first goal wins.
In case of elimination shootouts:
-- 1 player from each team will shoot
-- Shootout time and location is TBD and will be determined by the HTC
Round Robin Rules:
The winner of the Round Robin is the team with the best won-lost record.
- A win will count as 2 points
- A tie will count as 1 point
- A loss will count as 0 points
In the event of a won/lost tie at the end of the Round Robin, the order of finish will be determined using the following method:
1. Based on net goals
2. If net goals are inconclusive, then gross goals
3. Lastly, the “shoot out” procedure set forth in USPA Outdoor Rule 14.d, if both net goals and gross goals are inconclusive
