From Saturday, May 31, to Sunday, June 1, four teams united in competition and camaraderie to battle for the fifth annual Allied Services Cup. Hosted by Texas Miliary Polo Club (Poteet, Texas), heavy rain relocated the weekend’s matches to the G2 Ranch arena in Stockdale, Texas, where the final of the national 2- to 5-goal competition pitted two-time champion (2022, 2023) Patton Legacy Sports (Lauren Sterr, Karl Hilberg, sub. Trey Crea, Luis Mancebo) against Shweiki Media (Gal Shweiki, Brady Williams, Jocelyn Leufrancois). Led by the offensive efforts of Leufrancois, a standout second half powered the team in white and yellow past its opponents to claim Shweiki Media’s first National Allied Services Cup title.
Kicking off two matches of single elimination action, Patton Legacy Sports met two defending champions in G2 Ranch (Wesley Alston, Fabian “Israel” Osses, Fabian Osses). Patton Legacy Sports’ second half hot streak saw them gallop away with the lead in the third chukker, securing the 17-8 win and a spot in the final for a fourth consecutive year. Concluding Saturday’s games, Liberty Hall (Callan Harrison, Madison Holm, Zak Coleman) faced Shweiki Media. After a scoreless opening chukker, Shweiki Media found its rhythm and outscored Liberty Hall in each of the remaining three periods. A dominant third chukker gave the team control of the match, while a final push led by three goals from Leufrancois sealed the 12-8 victory.
Awarding Patton Legacy Sports one goal on handicap to begin the championship match, Shweiki Media opened the scoring, with Shweiki and Leufrancois establishing a 3-2 lead. Back-to-back goals from Mancebo briefly vaulted Patton Legacy Sports into the lead, but a final drive from Shweiki Media’s Leufrancois ended the first half tied 4-all.
Breaking the stalemate, contributions from Leufrancois and Shweiki pulled Shweiki Media ahead, followed by a response from Mancebo for Patton Legacy Sports. Halfway through the third chukker, a substitution for Hilberg with Crea eliminated Patton Legacy Sports’ handicap goal, as Shweiki Media seized a 9-7 advantage. Maintaining pressure on Patton Legacy Sports early in the fourth period, Shweiki Media’s offensive attack assembled a four-goal chukker to earn the 13-9 triumph.
Leading Shweiki Media with nine goals in the final, Jocelyn Leufrancois was awarded Lt. Colonel Tommy Hitchcock Jr., Army Air Corps, Most Valuable Player. Rayo, played by Luis Mancebo and owned by Horsegate Ranch was named Sgt. Reckless, U.S. Marine Corps, Best Playing Pony. The Colonel Gordon Johnston, U.S. Army, Sportsmanship Award was presented to Karl Hilberg for his continued positive attitude, fairness and support for his peers on and off the field. Demonstrating outstanding and consistent riding ability and attention to equine care throughout the tournament, Brady Williams received the General Ulysses S. Grant Horsemanship Award.
All photos courtesy of ©David Murrell.