Western Interscholastic Regionals
February 18th – 20th, 2011
By Russ Sheldon
Poway Polo Club wins the Western Regional Interscholastic Championship. Denny Geiler (Pacific Coast Circuit Governor), Miguel Questel, Holly Boggess, Billy Sheldon (coach) Harrison Samanego and Austin Finch.
Both Empire & Eldorado Polo Clubs are to be commended on their outstanding efforts to make this tournament happen.
In California, we have not had any rain to speak of since Jan. 28th, but this last Friday more than made up for it – extremely heavy rain along the coast ALL DAY Friday.
Super weather Friday in the desert and great games at Empire’s new arena – then heavy rain Friday evening which rained out the arena at Empire making it unsafe to play until late Sunday afternoon.
Eldorado was able to make arrangements for the Sat. 4th games to be played at the old Empire arena, which had been converted into a practice jumping arena. Water pumps & generators were brought in – kids put to pulling weeds, picking up trash & general clean-up since the arena has not been used for a few years. With much work .. the rubberized surface was made playable since the footing while deep on one end was safe to play.
The 9 AM game was started at 1:30 & chukkers shorten to 5 minutes both for the benefit of the horses (heavier footing) and the need to complete the 4 Sat. Games. Three games of 4 chukkers were played and the fourth game was called after 3 chukkers since it was totally dark & while arena lights were present the electric service was not.
Sunday early morning, light rain, The Empire arena was checked at 7 and 9 AM – while process was being made to make the arena playable the Final game was moved back to the rubberized surface and game time moved to 10:30 am.
Everyone, players, coaches, officials, Empire & Eldorado made this happen. If California I-I games are going to be played in Feb. an indoor arena MUST be secured and additional cost put into the budget – more on this later.
Friday
Game 1 – Eldorado 13 Central Coast 10 – the Eldorado Team is to be commended on their sportsmanship. Central Coast has a brand new team of four young ladies just learning to play polo the past few months. This game could have been extremely lopsided, but Eldorado made this a good learning experience for the young players.
Game 2 – Bella Vista 10 San Diego Polo Club 9. This was a faster game decided by a Bella Vista 2 point goal off a penalty 5b in the first chukker. The teams played even until the 4th chukker when San Diego drew within 1 goal.
Game 3 – Poway 14 Oakdale 3. This was another game with a brand new team, but with older snf more experienced riders. This game also had good sportsmanship which made the playing experience of the first tournament beneficial. The Oakdale team was filled with excitement & enjoyment as they played.
Game 4 – Lakeside 7 Santa Barbara 6. This was the most exciting game of the day. It was a close game from the throw in. Lakeside scored first, game tied a few times, but Lakeside drew ahead by 2 at the end of the third chukker. Santa Barbara turned up the defense and shut out Lakeside in the final chukker, but Lakeside only gave up one fourth chukker goal in the last 2 minutes which made it a extremely close game and had the crowd totally into the game.
Saturday 5 minute chukker games
Game 5 Eldorado 15 Bella Vista 1 well played game considering the heavy footing
Game 6 Poway 8 Lakeside 3 arena starting to dry but still deep on one end, allowed faster play between the two teams which know each other well, very good game, lots of defense by both teams but the more experienced team prevailed.
Game 7 consolation game San Diego 7 Central Coast 2 San Diego also made this a learning experience for the new players on both teams (of the 8 players on both teams, this was the first tournament for 7 of them)
Game 8 Consolation Game only 3 chukkers due to darkness Santa Barbara 5 Oakdale 1 a very exciting low scoring game due to playing in late afternoon, early evening
Sunday Final Championship game Poway 12 Eldorado 7
Chukker 1 – Eldorado 3, Poway 2 Tony Uretz injured (twisted ankle sent to hospital for x-rays – believe caught foot on side of wall).
Chukker 2 – Eldorado 4, Poway 4 Hank Uretz playing – arena playing faster and both teams play make this game the most exciting polo being played in the Desert on Sunday.
Chukker 3 – Poway 8, Eldorado 5. Poway defense strong and Eldorado having to play from behind and made 11 fouls to 1 by Poway.
Chukker 4 – Poway 12 Eldorado 7. Poway played more offense making Eldorado play more defense which limited scoring chances. Better played … chukker 5 total fouls in chukker.
It was a very exciting game and the crowd really got into the play. Both teams played well.
Eldorado should be considered as a wild card team if Tony Uretz is able to play. I feel that Eldorado, the defending IS National Champions would represent themselves well with a full team at Nationals. Tony was under consideration for the All Star Team.
Best Playing Pony String – Central Coast Polo Club
Best Playing Pony, Nacho, Poway Polo, owned by Harrison Samaniego
Sportsmanship Award – Noah Rico, Oakdale
Special Sportsmanship Award – Eldorado Polo TEAM
All Stars
Daniel Galindo – Eldorado Polo Club
Miguel Questel – Poway Polo
Harrison Samaniego – Poway Polo
Tristan Smyth – Lakeside Polo