The Texas Arena League (TAL) delivered another thrilling weekend of arena polo action at Dripping Springs Ranch Park (DSRP), located in the town of Dripping Springs, just Southwest of Austin. DSRP is a multi-use municipal facility, and has only improved as a venue for arena polo since becoming a host site for TAL in 2023. The addition of this new location invited players and spectators alike to experience arena polo in an entirely new setting. Despite not being a polo-specific venue, the facility is leased by TAL for the weekend and temporarily transformed into an arena, custom-built for the event with the help of dedicated volunteers.
The TAL Classic division hosted multiple arena polo teams from across the U.S., with competition ranging from B-Flight, C-Flight, 0-3, 3-6, and 6-9 goal. From Friday, February 7 through Sunday, February 9, players showcased their talent and pushed their limits during competitive matchups. The action intensified as the National Arena Delegates Cup, Southwestern Circuit General George S. Patton Jr. and Southwestern Circuit General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller tournaments heated up.
Roxstars’ Drew Luplow moves the ball down the arena as 9 Bears’ Nick Cifuni follows closely behind.
Continuing play from its debut matches at Brookshire Polo Club in Brookshire, Texas, the National Arena Delegates Cup highlighted new and competitive matchups. The 6- to 9- goal tournament brought together top teams for the highest level of competition with intensity building during the second round of bracket play.
Meanwhile, the Southwestern Circuit General George S. Patton Jr. 0-3 goal, sponsored by Patton Legacy Sports, and Southwestern Circuit General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller 3- to 6-goal military tournaments featured fierce competition. Participating teams vied for top honors in their respective brackets, continuing the legacy of excellence in the sport set by the tournaments’ namesakes. Although some teams did not advance to the finals, each will continue to compete in its respective companion tournament- Southwestern Circuit Arena Sportsmanship Cup and the Southwestern Circuit Sherman Memorial, maintaining the team momentum.
“Playing in the Texas Arena League at Dripping Springs Ranch Park for the first time has been an incredible experience, especially as an Austin local. DSRP is a fantastic venue with top-notch facilities that truly showcase the best of Texas polo. The atmosphere is always electric, with passionate players and an engaged community that makes every match exciting.” – George Ramon
Polo Interactive’s Audrey Persano carries the ball around the turn.
The 2025 B- and C-Flight divisions, proudly sponsored by the Polo Training Foundation (PTF), have provided a perfect platform for new players to step into the world of polo. Laura Marbach, who discovered polo less than five months ago, shared, “As a participant, the whole experience was superb. TAL’s C-Flight is a great way to graduate to playing an official tournament, and comes with all the highs of camaraderie, adrenaline, fun audience, and the sense of achievement.” This year, the lower-handicap flights welcomed several new teams, bringing fresh energy and enthusiasm to the arena. The newcomers, much like Marbach, showcased impressive horsemanship, ball handling, and a drive to make their mark on the arena polo scene.
Madison Holm, a first-time TAL player, noted, “This is my first TAL as a player and it has been going great so far. I am extremely proud of my horses and excited to be playing my mare that I trained myself. It has been a great environment to play polo in and I am very grateful for TAL giving me this opportunity!” This year, one of the most widely discussed aspects of Dripping Springs Ranch Park was the extraordinary playing conditions. The arena’s footing was packed perfectly for high-speed play. As Gal Shweiki noted, “Playing polo at Dripping Springs Ranch Park was an absolute blast! The footing was fantastic, providing the perfect surface for fast and smooth play. It was incredibly easy to transform the facility into an indoor polo arena, making the experience both safe and exciting. The facility itself is stunning—an ideal setting for players, horses, and spectators alike. We had such a great time, we’re already chomping at the bit to come back!”
Legends Polo Club’s Garrett Bankhead celebrates a two-pointer.
The impact of these conditions were impossible to miss as the weekend produced an impressive number of two-point goals, each a testament to players’ skills and the arena’s impeccable surface.
A standout moment that had the crowd buzzing was Jose Velez’s incredible two-point buzzer-beater backshot, a fantastic display of precision that brought fans to their feet. Reflecting on the experience, Velez shared, “My experience at Dripping Springs Ranch Park and playing in Texas Arena League (TAL) was incredible. Kudos to Robin Sanchez and TAL volunteers for making it possible. I was very fortunate to also play with some really great players.” He also praised his fellow competitors, stating, “In the Classic Division, James Glew, Audry Persano, Javier Insua, and Brooke Burke are truly exceptional, bar none.”
“I have absolutely loved being part of TAL—not just as a polo player but also as a volunteer. It has been so rewarding to help support and grow the league, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute. I truly appreciate everything that people like Robin Sanchez and Megan Flynn do to make TAL such a special and well-run organization. Their dedication is what makes this league thrive, and I couldn’t be more grateful to be part of it.” – George Ramon
Roulette Polo’s Taylor De Neve.
In only its second leg of competition, TAL continues to serve as a premier event for the Texas polo scene, blending fierce competition, top-notch facilities, and thrilling moments that keep fans and players coming back for more. The next stages of competition, are set to take place at outstanding locations such as the San Antonio Rose Palace in San Antonio, Texas, and Legends Polo Club in Kaufman, Texas. The 2025 TAL season has raised the bar, with more competitive competition still to come.
TAL would like to recognize and extend a Texas-sized shout-out to everyone who helped with the setup and teardown of the Dripping Springs Ranch Park arena.
View the full list of award recipients from the second weekend and stay updated on all games and standings throughout the Texas Arena League season. For more details on the 2025 season, score updates and ticket information, visit texasarenaleague.com or follow the Texas Arena League on Facebook and Instagram.
WEEK 2 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Galvin Agency Most Valuable Player
Stephanie Colburn*
Zak Coleman x2
Adrian Aguilar x2
Holland Tapper
Carly Schneider
James Glew
Mark Osburn
Drew Luplow x2
Gal Shweiki
John Hand
Valeria Navidad
Javier Insua
Nutrena Best Playing Pony
Lola – Javier Insua
Cobra – Wes Alston
I’wii – Mark Osburn
Seriously Fun – Brady Williams, owned by Karl Hilberg
Siracha – Drew Luplow
Daisy – Loreto Natividad
Turbito – Ariel Mancebo, owned by Horsegate
Gunsmoke – Ben Colburn
Chingaling – Nick Cifuni
Havana – Will Walton
Dually – Avery Sterr, owned by Jeepers Ragsdale
Ernie – Emily Andre
Samantha – Audry Persano*, owned by A-F Pony Farm
Awesome Sauce – Shane Rice
Simba – Chad Bowman
Cavalor/Catena Sportsmanship Award
Brady Williams x2
Megan Rahlfs x2
Andres Solis
Gabby Rimer
John Richardson
Sean Dunaway
Mary Ellen Clinton
Faris Hanna
Loreto Natividad
Sydney Morris
Eric Birdsall
Fabian Osses
Trey Crea
Player of the Week
Zak Coleman
Casablanca Polo Defenseman of the Week
Brady Williams
*Stephanie Colburn and Audry Persano are Team USPA alumnae. 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