Matt Coppola Kicks Off Houston 12-Goal Season With Tonkawa

May 15
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HOUSTON, Texas - May 13, 2016 - Matt Coppola is riding high with Tonkawa at the Houston Polo Club, where the first 12-goal game of the season took place Sunday, May 8. Tonkawa and ERG, both popular teams, faced off in front of a large crowd on Farish field, the club's championship venue. It was stiff competition from beginning to end, with the score tied for much of the game until ERG pulled ahead in the second half to take a 12-9 win.

Tonkawa established an early lead, closing the first chukker up one goal. At halftime the score was tied at 5. ERG returned from halftime with a different strategy, which gained them the lead after the fourth chukker. In the fifth the momentum shifted in ERG's favor. ERG scored three quick goals, and Tonkawa answered at the end of the chukker with one of their own. Tonkawa waged a concerted comeback effort in the final chukker, but ERG stood firm to claim a three-goal victory.

Matt Coppola on his way to scoring a goal for Tonkawa.

Last week Tonkawa won its first game of the 12-goal season 11-6 against Fairplay. Coppola, who contributed goals for Tonkawa in both games, competed in Houston a few years ago for Eureka. The 4-goal player arrived April 15 this year for the two-month series after successfully competing in the 20-goal Florida season.

"It's great to be back," said Coppola, who is based at Tonkawa's exquisite 800-acre facility. "The competition here is unbelievable. There are eight teams, and you can't go down the list and say, 'That's the one I want to play against.' They're all fantastic."

Coppola said he respects his teammates and enjoys playing with them. He previously competed with Tommy Biddle in the Florida 12-goal but has never played with his other two teammates, patron Jeff Hildebrand and Jim Seward. Tonkawa's next game in Houston is Friday, May 13.

Coppola is the son of legendary polo player, announcer and United States Polo Association governor-at-large Tony Coppola. His company, The Tackeria, co-sponsored a 20-goal team (5 Star Builders/Horseware/Tackeria) this year in the Ylvisaker Cup in Wellington, Florida. The team made it to the semifinals and won the subsidiary tournament.

Team Tonkawa: Jeff Hildebrand, Jim Seward, Matt Coppola and Tommy Biddle

The Tackeria is the annual sponsor of The Tackeria Invitational that kicks off the fall season at Grand Champions Polo Club and The Tackeria Cup, part of the Polo Training Foundation's Florida Young Player Program. South Florida's premier equestrian shop, it is located in the heart of Wellington. The store carries one of the widest selections of equestrian equipment in the world, including polo tack, apparel and equipment, as well as products for the dressage and hunter/jumper disciplines.

All photos courtesy of the Houston Polo Club.

ABOUT THE TACKERIA

Founded by Tony Coppola in 1975, The Tackeria is the annual sponsor of The Tackeria Invitational that kicks off the fall season at Grand Champions Polo Club and The Tackeria Cup, part of the Polo Training Foundation's Florida Young Player Program. South Florida's premier equestrian shop, it is located in the heart of Wellington. The store carries one of the widest selections of equestrian equipment in the world, including polo tack, apparel and equipment, as well as products for the dressage and hunter/jumper disciplines.