Highwood- Ron Mathison, Francisco Rodriguez-Mera, Jared Sheldon, Marcelo Abbiati presented by Karlene Garber

The Carlton and Keleen Beal Memorial 12 Goal Final, played before another very big crowd and on another perfect afternoon, featured Idahoan Jenny Luttrell-Benardoni and her Cotterel Farms crew (Jenny Luttrell-Benardoni, Francisco Benardoni 2 , Julian Mannix 5, Santiago Von Wernich 5) mounting up to face Calgary’s Ron Mathison and his Highwood aggregation (Ron Mathison, Marcello Rodriguez-Abbiati 4, Jared Sheldon 4, Francisco Rodriguez-Mera 4). Highwood finished on top by a final count of 12 – 8.

Highwood started quickly as the always rapid Sheldon picked up the ball and ran easily to score in the very early going. Cotterel came back just as fast and Von Wernich was awarded a penalty four opportunity that he converted to tie the count. Highwood then responded and Rodriguez-Mera easily scored on a free-shot from 30 yards and the first chukker ended with the Alberta group up by one at 2 – 1.

The second period was all Highwood as the flying Sheldon scored four times (one #2) and Rodriguez-Mera counted one from the field. Cotterel had no response and the Highwood lead was now six at 7 – 1.

In the third period the Highwood advantage became seven as Sheldon scored his second open goal counter. Cotterel was able to respond with a Mannix field goal and a Von Wernich penalty two conversion but as the large gathering made their way to the field for the Sofia Halftime Divot Stomp, the Albertans were leading at 8 – 3.

Cotterel scored the first two goals of the fourth (a Mannix 60 yard penalty shot and Von Wernich from the field – on a superb Luttrel-Benardoni set-up [under pressure] that the announcer said was deserving of an assist) and the Idahoans were within three. That was as close as they would get on this afternoon however, as Sheldon took flight with another from the field and Rodriquez-Mera counted another penalty two offering. The Highwood lead was once again five at 10 – 5 going to the fifth.

Sheldon then scored his eighth of the day - with no reply from Cotterel – and that fifth ended with the Albertans easily in front at 11 – 5.

Sheldon wasn’t about to land in the early sixth as he soared to his ninth goal of the game to once again increase the Highwood advantage to seven. Cotterel was then able to grab three goals – Von Wernich with a pair and Luttrell-Benardoni with one – and it was over and Mathison, along with his Highwood teammates had won the 2020 12 Goal Beal Memorial.

Polo Hall of Fame member Karlene Beal Garber, daughter of Carlton and Keleen Beal, presented the Beal Championship belt buckles to the winners.

With nine goals in the contest, Sheldon was the unanimous choice as the MVP and Felina, owned by and played by Rodriguez-Mera earned the title of Best Playing Pony.

Tony Gregg

BPP- Felina, owned & played by Francisco Rodriguez-Mera