Rocking P Lockton, led by Hazel Jackson, crushed San Saba 9-2 in the final of the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship held in November at Houston Polo Club in Houston, Texas.

Over 70 women gathered at the Houston Polo Club in Houston, Texas, November 8- 13 to play in what has become the largest women’s tournament in the country, showcasing some of the best women’s polo talent in the world. The club offered four levels of women’s tournament polo including the Bayou Cup (0-2 Goal), Farish Invitational Cup (4-6 Goal), U.S. Open Women’s Handicap and the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship.

The competitive week of polo included six teams from 20 to 26 goals (women’s handicap) battling for the title of the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship, with Rocking P Lockton (Athena Malin/ Courtney Price, Kristy Outhier, Hazel Jackson, Sarah Wiseman) taking on San Saba (Dawn Jones, Melissa Ganzi, Sunny Hale, Clarissa Echezarreta) in the final.

After a stop-and-go first few minutes of play, Hazel Jackson scored the first goal for Rocking P Lockton. Jackson was followed up a few minutes later by a Penalty 2 conversion by Kristy Outhier to give Rocking P Lockton an early two-goal lead. Sunny Hale answered with a breakaway out of the throw-in, which was left behind for Dawn Jones. She sent the ball high and through the goal to put San Saba on the board. The 30-second horn blew and Jackson scored again, this time a skillful drive-by nearside backshot to end the first chukker 3-1, in favor of Rocking P Lockton. Rocking P continued to dominate into the second chukker with three unanswered goals, including a goal from Athena Malin and two more from the unstoppable Jackson, bringing Rocking P Lockton’s score to a resounding 6-1 lead at the half.

San Saba curtailed Rocking P Lockton’s scoring to one goal in the third. An impressive 260-yard carry from Sarah Wiseman with a nearside finish from Jackson, widened the gap to seven. Despite San Saba’s solid efforts they were unable to find the goal, moving into the final chukker trailing 7-1. A Penalty 3 conversion by Outhier two-minutes into the fourth continued the momentum for Rocking P Lockton. Time was winding down as the ball popped over the boards and out of play numerous times. A final goal from Jackson—an exceptional carry from behind the center line—sealed the deal with only 1:30 left in regulation time. Despite the spread, San Saba battled until the very end, with Dawn Jones scoring the final goal as the 30- second horn blew to end the game. Rocking P Lockton seized the 2016 U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship with a decisive 9-2 victory over San Saba.

For me it was a fantastic tournament with amazing teams,” said Sunny Hale. “With the Women’s Championship Tournament and this tournament there were a total 20 teams, that makes it not only the largest women’s tournament, but the largest tournament in the United States. I think it’s a credit to the club, and the girls participating. I thought Rocking P Lockton was well organized and put on a great show—they were amazing. I think something else that needs to be mentioned is that the reason this tournament is back in competition, is due to the efforts of Luis Echezarreta, Martin Muñoz and Scott Wood. They wanted to have a women’s Open, went to the USPA, petitioned and got it back, and also to the club for bringing in so many great players. It’s fun for the young players to see other women that are coming from overseas and gives them something to aspire to,” Hale continued.

Most Valuable Player was awarded to Hazel Jackson who scored six of the total nine winning goals. “Our strategy going into the game was to win. We knew it was going to be really tough. Sunny is always a formidable force to be reckoned with but we stuck to our strategy,” said Wiseman. “Kristy was our warrior, we put her on Sunny. She works so hard and has done great. Amazing team, everyone was focused and it makes a huge difference,” exclaimed Jackson.

At 16 years old, Athena Malin is the youngest player to win the coveted trophy. When asked what this tournament meant to her she replied, “Winning this tournament has been great. I have made so many friends, and the family concept here is great. I have only ever played in California, so this is my first time branching out and playing in another state. I came here wanting to do well for all of the people I didn’t know and have fun and enjoy it, and I think I accomplished that! I learned a lot from the other girls I played with--the importance of going in disciplined and with a strategy. We worked together as a team, we worked with each other’s strengths and weaknesses and we are confident in each other. I think that’s why it worked out so well for us.”

Sharing the No. 1 position with Athena Malin was 18-year-old Courtney Price. For Price it is truly a family affair with a poloplaying father and younger sister and brother competing in interscholastic tournaments, her parents were overjoyed at her accomplishment. “We feel pretty amazed, blessed and fortunate,” beamed mother Kelly Price. “It takes a lot of hard work to make it happen. You have to put the organization together and get the horses and practice with your teammates. This is her second time to the final of the Open and her first win. She did great,” said father Carl Price.

Best Playing Pony Professional was awarded to 5-year-old London played by Sarah Wiseman in the third chukker and owned by Carl Price. Best Playing Pony Amateur was presented to Chici, played and owned by Dawn Jones. American Quarter Horse Association Best Performing American Quarter Horse was awarded to Law Man’s Riata played and owned by Kristy Outhier in the first and fourth chukkers. “The day she was born, I thought wow, she is going to be a polo horse. She was difficult to train, but it was worth it. She has so much heart and go, and is a true testament to a Quarter Horse. So much stamina, not any different than my Thoroughbreds,” said Outhier. Outhier went on to say, “We came here knowing the game was going to be so hard. The other team is amazing, all four of them. We watched game film all week to practice, and watching their games all week made us realize they are four great players. So we came here probably the most studied I have ever come to an event.

Almost everything that came out today was what we had talked about doing. Even in the fourth chukker, I still thought it could turn at any minute because I just have that much respect for those players. They are so good and it was a tough game. It was awesome that two big operations, Melissa and Dawn showed up and supported and elevated the level of play. Sunny hasn’t played for a couple years and they also got Sunny back, which was great!”

In the U.S. Open Women’s Handicap, six teams (all but one rated women’s 14 goals) competed for the top prize. In the end, My Table/Riveroaks.com (Grace Mudra, Courtney Price, Lia Salvo, Carolyn Stimmel) and Herk’s Store & Grill (Susan Wix, Kendall Plank, Hazel Jackson, Wendy Stover) surfaced at the top.

My Table’s Argentinean Lia Salvo knocked in the first two goals, including a penalty conversion, before Kendall Plank put Herk’s on the board. Salvo scored two more in the second, but was matched by goals from Plank and Hazel Jackson. Neither team could reach the goal in the third, carrying the 4-3 halftime score favoring My Table/Riveroaks.com, into the final period. Jackson scored two in a row to put Herk’s on top 5-4, but a penalty conversion by Salvo knotted the score. Salvo followed with a run to goal for the 6-5 win.

Salvo was MVP after scoring all six of her team’s goals. Best Playing Pony Pro went to Thing 2, owned by Grace Mudra and played by Lia Salvo. Best Playing Pony Amateur went to Shakin Vibes, owned by Stacey Stover and played by Wendy Stover. AQHA Best Playing Pony went to Mike, owned and played by Jet Linx’s Sheila Lequerica.

Another six teams played in the 4- to 6- goal Farish Cup. The final came down to Sullivan Group (Joanie Jackson, Debbie Shelton, Lauren Carson, Lucy Bailey) and Hendrick’s Gin (Esther Kane, Catherine Keen, Julia Florey, Liz Cunningham). Sullivan Group edged Hendrick’s Gin 2-1 for the title. Esther Kane was MVP and Alacron, owned by Cindy Madole and played by Debbie Shelton, was Best Playing Pony.

In the 0- to 2-goal Bayou Cup, Engel & Völkers (Martha Hirsch, Heidi Perkins, Betty Gerecht, Caroline Anier) took on Gold Quest (Michelle Ludwig, Melissa Nance, Julia Rae). Engel & Völkers got the win. Heidi Perkins was MVP and Jalisco, owned by Mark Prinsloo and played by Michelle Ludwig, was Best Playing Pony.

– By Kaylee Wroe