The rapidly growing Armadillo Division in the 2025 Texas Arena League (TAL) season has expanded to a second location, featuring even higher-goal levels of play to meet the increasing demand for competitive action. As TAL continues to grow, both the Classic and Armadillo divisions have evolved to better serve the expanding needs of the Texas polo community. Following the overwhelming response to the inaugural Armadillo Division in 2023, TAL has tailored this popular division for its third season, introducing new opportunities and dynamic changes for both players and spectators alike.
First introduced in 2023 to address the rising demand for competitive play at the 0- to 3-goal level, the division quickly expanded. To ensure that every team had an opportunity to compete, two additional weekends were added to the TAL calendar. The additional weekends were dubbed the Texas Arena League: Armadillo Division, paying homage to true Texas spirit and tradition.
Red River Polo’s James Glew carries the ball down the arena on his nearside.
In 2024, the Armadillo Division attracted an impressive nine teams at the 0- to 3-goal level, with games taking place over one weekend at Legends Polo Club (Kaufman, Texas). The success of the division was evident as both players and fans praised the increased opportunities for competition. Dallas Taylor, a participant in the 2024 season, shared, “Playing in TAL’s Armadillo League with the Interim Physicians team has become my most anticipated event of the year. John Hand, my best friend and former teammate [at Texas Tech Polo Club], started the team in 2024 after we both took a six-year hiatus from playing polo. Since then, we’ve aimed to make this a yearly tradition. TAL offers us the ability to compete in the arena again, see old faces, and reminisce on our past polo days.”
One of the standout changes for the 2025 season is the introduction of the new 8- to 12-goal division, hosted at Brookshire Polo Club, in Brookshire, Texas. The additional level came at the request of last year’s players who were seeking more advanced competion. This year’s 8- to 12-goal division was played as the National Arena Chairman’s Cup with six participating teams.
Legends Polo Club’s Omar “Adrian” Aguilar on the ball with Red River Polo’s Brooke Burke on defense.
The Armadillo Division has also become a bridge for players from various clubs to come together, fostering a sense of community and competition. Michael Farah, of the Polo Hermanos team, shared, “The three of us ‘Polo Hermanos’ are at different clubs now but promised each other we would play together this year. The Armadillo league made it fun with challenging and well-balanced teams.”
For 2025, the Armadillo Division raised the bar. The 0- to 3-goal level was adjusted to 0-4 goal, adding a new level of competition. Eight teams joined the newly revamped division, with the competition taking place over two weekends at Legends Polo Club, as the National Arena Bronze Cup.
Team Marines’ 2nd Lt. Rowan Neidinger brings the ball down the boards.
“Getting to compete for the National Arena Bronze Cup is such a great opportunity. Military polo is such a small knit community and being able to represent it at a national level is an honor.” – 2nd Lt. Rowan Neidinger
The expansion of the Armadillo Division has been welcomed. Chad Bowman, a player from the Houston area, shared, “It [Armadillo Division] is a nice addition to TAL. After playing the [U.S. Arena Open Polo Championship], I believe it is a step between [the two] to show some people that they could also do the open. The league has also helped grow TAL in the Houston area and will hopefully pull some more people into playing next year. For me, it has helped the level of play across the board from the players to the horses.”
Stephanie Colburn*, another competitor in the new 8- to 12-goal league, also shared her perspective on the benefits of competing at a higher level. “My goal in joining the league was to continue to improve myself by competing at a higher level amongst players better than myself and to help keep myself sharp during the ‘off’ weekends from the Classic Division. I do feel like a little fish in a big pond at times, but have relished the opportunity to play higher level arena polo and strive to continue improving my skills and reaction times.”
Interim Physicians’ Matthew Schloemer reaches for the hook on Polo Interactive’s Javier Insua.
“The new 8- to 12-goal league has really elevated the level of arena polo being played and has provided a great way for players to continue competitively playing outside of the TAL Classic Division.” – Stephanie Colburn
The final ran concurrently with the 0- to 4-goal Armadillo Division at Legends Polo Club from Friday, February 28 through Sunday, March 2.
Similar to the Classic Division, every player in the Armadillo Division received a limited-edition U.S. Polo Assn. sherpa hoodie, featuring the TAL logo. In addition, awards are presented after each game for Galvin Agency Most Valuable Player, Nutrena Best Playing Pony and Sportsmanship. New for 2025, the Player of the Week and Casablanca Defenseman of the Week awards have been added to recognize standout performances.
Visit texasarenaleague.com to stay updated on all games and standings throughout the Texas Arena League season. For more details including ticket information, follow the Texas Arena League on Facebook and Instagram.
ARMADILLO DIVISION WEEK 1 AWARDS
Nutrena Best Playing Pony
Macaroni – James Glew
Daisy – Loreto Natividad
Serious Fun – Brady Williams, owned by Karl Hilberg
Gringo – Matthew Schloemer
Boomerang – Joe Bob Lequerica
Sunny – Robert Orthwein
Gunsmoke – Stephanie Colburn
Ruby – Will Mudra
Taquito – Nick Cifuni, owned by Mary Ellen Clinton
Indy – Shane Rice
Lola – Javier Insua
Annie – James Glew
Niner – played by Team Marines, owned by Will Walton
Mathew – played by Omar “Adrian” Aguilar, owned by Legends Polo Club
Galvin Agency Most Valuable Player
Robert Orthwein
Joe Bob Lequerica 2x
Niklaus Felhaber
Will Mudra
Chad Bowman
James Glew
Nick Lahutsky
Ulysses “Uly” Escapite Jr. 2x
Patrick Shanahan
Loreto Natividad
John Hand
Omar “Adrian” Aguilar
Cavalor/JD Polo Sportsmanship
Joaquin Callejas
Ashlyn Whiteley
Rachel Mittman
Dallas Taylor
Todd Thurston*
Audry Persano*
Shane Rice
Will Mudra
Stephanie Colburn
Roxy Mounter
Patrick Shanahan
Mariel Juarez
Mike Farah
Matthew Schloemer
Player of the Week
Uly Escapite – Legends Polo Club
Joe Bob Lequerica – Brookshire Polo Club
Casablanca Polo Defenseman of the Week
Jose Velez – Legends Polo Club
Will Mudra – Brookshire Polo Club
*Stephanie Colburn, Audry Persano and Todd Thurston are Team USPA alumni. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.
All photos courtesy of ©David Murrell