HOUSTON (June 3, 2006) - The first half of Houston Polo Club’s annual USPA Western Challenge, sponsored by Capital One, took full advantage of a break in Texas’ spring rains to bring out both the social and the pony sets for some first-rate polo play.

When the first two weeks of tournament play ended May 28, it was John Goodman’s Team Isla Carroll that had the Joe Barry Memorial Cup firmly in its grip.

Six teams - seven if you count Mother Nature and her penchant for rainy weekends - are in competition for the Capital One Western Challenge title which began May 17. At the halfway point, Mother Nature and Isla Carroll are in the lead positions.

The opening of the 12-goal tournament also coincided with the annual “Polo Espanol” corporate event presented by Lockton which brought out several hundred employees, clients and friends.

On the field, Team Lockton challenged Team Rockin’ P for which team would advance in the Joe Barry Memorial portion of the tournament. With six-goaler Roberto Gonzalez and four-rated Hernan Tejera taking Team Locton’s reins, however, the challenge met with minimum resistance. The two players brought in five goals in the first two chukkers while Team Rockin’ P remained scoreless.

Maximo Manini, rated four goals and playing for Team Rockin P, managed two points in the third and fourth chukkers and was aided with an additional point by amateur player Carl Price, but by the end of the match, Mr. Gonzalez had scored four more times giving his team the win, nine to three.

Tournament play continued on polo fields at area ranches throughout the week, concluding with Team Lockton still in the competition but going up against much more evenly matched Team Isla Carroll.

Team Isla Carroll arrived with one of the most promising Houston Polo Club players in recent years, four-goaler Shane Rice, who once again kept score-keepers hopping. This player from San Diego first caught the crowd’s attention at the opening of the spring season when he brought in 16 of his team’s 25 points. In the Joe Barry finals, he did not disappoint and was once again most valuable player with the most scores for the day - six of his teams 13 goals.

Mr. Rice had some ready assistance on his team from six-goaler Jeff Blake, who made the opening score in the first minute of the first chukker and went on to score four more times in the course of the match. Gene Evans, rated one goal, added two points of his own. Team patron and world-recognized polo supporter John Goodman played well in the number four position,but did not score.

Team Lockton proved to be a worthy opponent, however, with Mr. Tejera and Mr. Gonzalez playing excellent teamwork to bring in six points between them. Two goaler Wesley Sinor made two well-maneuvered points in the second chukker, so by the end of the fifth chukker the score was 10-8 in Team Isla Carroll’s favor - and considering the fast-pace of the game thus far, there was no sure winner to call at the beginning of the last seven minutes.

Unfortunately for Team Lockton, however, a couple of missed swings and one poorly placed hit, seemed to take the drive out of their fight to catch up. Not only were they unable to add to their score, they were also unable to prevent Mr. Rice and Mr. Blake from the goal. The two dynamo players scored three times, and when the match ended, Team Isla Carroll took the cup, 13-8.

Throughout the 4 week series players, members and fans enjoyed several polo parties at ranch venues. Several hundred fashionably dressed guests enjoyed the festivities at BICE Restaurante for a Salute to Capital One and the polo patrons. Spotted in the crowd were Michael Meiss of Capital One, Jeff Anon, David and Anne Andras, Jay and Linda Comeaux, Alvaro Truellenque, Carl and Kelly Price, Tim and Suzette Kelly, and Charles Ward. Artist Rose Hohenberger was on hand with a display of striking polo portraits.

The Houston Polo Club, founded in 1928, is dedicated to the sport of polo and equestrian activities. The club is located on 26 beautifully wooded acres at Memorial Drive and Loop 610, near Memorial Park. The matches, championship fields and social events attract thousands of spectators each year.