B Flight
The Women’s Challenge B Flight (12 Goals) final featured Santa Barbara Polo 11 (Judith Baker, Melanja Jones 3, Cory Williams 4, Mia Bray 4), GK Farms/ Bill Gumma 10 (Jessica Keneally, Jessica Bailey 5, Athena Malin 3, Sierra Dunbar 2) and Rancho Del Sol 12 (Julie Reeske, Karen Reese 5, Jennifer Alexy 4, Megan Flynn 3) in a Round Robin format.
Played in front of the lunch crowd at the ever popular Eldorado Cantina, the first ‘game’ saw Santa Barbara line up against GK Farms. Having to give up a half goal based on the handicap difference, the ocean front crew wasted little time and scored three goals to none for GK in the first on two goals from Jones (one #2) and a single from Bray. Jones counted another open goal opportunity in the early second frame and now led by 3 ½ at 4 – ½. Malin got GK started later on in that second period with a pair of goals but that would be it as Santa Barbara won by a score of 4 – 2 ½.
Having lost the first ‘game’, GK stayed on the field to face Rancho Del Sol. Starting with a handicap grant of a half goal, GK grabbed an early lead with Malin (her third in a row) and Bailey counting a field goal each. Flynn replied by converting an open goal award from 15 yards to come within 1 ½ and GK led going to the second chukker. Alexy scored for Rancho Del Sol in the early second to come within a ½ goal but foul issues cost them as Keneally (#2) and Bailey (#4) scored free hits that gave a 4 ½ – 2 win to GK.
The third contest of the round robin was set as Santa Barbara were back out to play Ranch Del Sol. Based on the handicap totals, the first ‘game’ winners would now receive a half goal. With goals from Jones in the first and Williams in the second and no replies from Ranch Del Sol, Santa Barbara won with the count at 2 ½ – 0.
With their two victories, Santa Barbara Polo became the B Flight Champions. GK Farms/Bill Gumma finished in second spot and Rancho Del Sol were third.
With very steady and influential play, Bray was selected as the MVP and Blanca, owned and played by Williams in the fourth was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.
C Flight
The C Flight championship game was contested by Twin Palms 5 (Abby Papka 1, Violetta Escapite, Becky Gonzalez 1, Mia Bray 4) and the MK Ponytail Warriors 4 (Susan Guggenheim 2, Libby Fogal, Victoria Halliday 1, Micaela Saracco 1).
Receiving a handicap of ½ goal, the Warriors started quickly as Fogal (on a run from the initial bowl-in) and Halliday scored to jump out to a 2 ½ point cushion. Escapite scored for Twin Palms to narrow the lead to 1 ½ goals after the first.
Gonzalez and Papka each counted penalty #2 awards in the second and third chukkers to give Twin Palms a lead of ½ going to the final.
Neither team was able to score in the forth and Twin Palms earned the narrow victory.
By understanding where to be in many situations, Papka earned the title of Most Valuable Player to her team and Seductora, owned by Juan Jose Gonzalez and played by Becky Gonzalez in the second was considered to be the Best Playing Pony.
Tong Gregg