AF reclaims USPA National (Arena) Commander-in-Chief Cup
Air Force polo player Cody Goetz (right) is on the ball with Navy/Marine Corps defending during the 2019 National (Arena) Commander-In-Chief Cup tournament held Oct. 26-27 in Poteet and Lockhart, Texas. Goetz is a major in the Air Force Reserve assigned as an instructor pilot to the 39th Flying Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. (Photo by David Murrell, courtesy of Texas Military Polo Club)
AF reclaims USPA National (Arena) Commander-in-Chief Cup
2019 U.S. Polo Association National (Arena) Commander-In-Chief Cup Best Playing Pony Monet poses with (left to right) Michigan professional polo player Paul Knapp, Air Force Reserve 39th Flying Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas instructor pilot Maj. Cody Goetz and Monet's groom and handler, Bekkah Murrell. The championship tournament, held Oct. 26-27 in Poteet and Lockhart, Texas, saw the Air Force team retake the championship title, last held in 2013. (Photo by David Murrell, courtesy of Texas Military Polo Club)
AF reclaims USPA National (Arena) Commander-in-Chief Cup
2019 U.S. Polo Association National (Arena) Commander-In-Chief Cup champions (left to right) Chris Jones, Cody Goetz and Rob Phipps (Air Force team) hoist their trophy following the championship tournament held Oct. 26-27 in Poteet and Lockhart, Texas. (Photo by David Murrell, courtesy of Texas Military Polo Club)
By Debbie Gildea / Published Nov. 1, 2019
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas,
The Air Force reclaimed the U.S. Polo Association National (Arena) Commander-in-Chief Cup, overcoming the Army's valiant efforts during the arena polo tournament held in Poteet and Lockhart, Texas, Oct. 26 and 27.
Air Force player Cody Goetz, an Air Force Reserve major and instructor pilot assigned to the 39th Flying Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, earned kudos for exceptional play, as well as his hospitality, throwing a Texas sized barbecue for polo members traveling from across the U.S.
An avid player and history buff, Goetz explained that polo - which is said to have originated in Persia during the 6th century B.C. - was initially a training game for cavalry units, and has been popular in the San Antonio Area since Fort Sam Houston was established in 1845.
After a seeming decline, interest in polo has surged, especially in the local area, where tournaments and matches are scheduled at dozens of fields across the region. For news, information and the local club schedule, visit the Texas Military Polo Club website at https://www.uspolo.org/clubs/texas-military-polo-club or the Central Texas Polo Association's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/texasmilitarypolo.
