Cowboys wrangle polo players for SMR Cup

Saturday's events included team calf roping and penning.

  • By Jessica Salmond
  • | 6:02 p.m. February 20, 2016
  • East County
  • Neighbors
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It’s unusual to see someone trying to pen a steer while riding in an English saddle.

But during the annual SMR Cup, cowboys and polo players trade places.

The annual three-day event hosted by Schroeder-Manatee Ranch included a fishing tournament, clay shoot and mini-rodeo with team roping and penning Saturday, Feb. 20. The tradition began in 1991 to build camaraderie between East County’s two different kinds of horse people.

For the team roping and penning, each team of riders had to have at least one polo player to keep the game fair.

On Sunday, Feb. 21, the two mix again for a polo match at 9:30 a.m. and a horse race at 1:45 p.m., during the half time of the regular polo match, competing for the Bull Trophy and bragging rights. 

 

The Polo Grill roping team tries to rope a steer.
The Polo Grill roping team tries to rope a steer.
Poncho Davis works a steer.
Poncho Davis works a steer.
Renée and Robert Dinan
Renée and Robert Dinan
Renée Strickland tosses her lasso at a steer.
Renée Strickland tosses her lasso at a steer.
Sylvia McNicol watches her friends compete.
Sylvia McNicol watches her friends compete.
Tony Natale and Lydia Kolnas of Lakewood Ranch
Tony Natale and Lydia Kolnas of Lakewood Ranch
Jayda and Julien Link cheer on the polo players.
Jayda and Julien Link cheer on the polo players.
Wyatt Broxson on the Freddy's Steakburgers team aims for a steer.
Wyatt Broxson on the Freddy's Steakburgers team aims for a steer.
Nicolas, Sylvia, Zayra, Diana and Sebastiana Torquemada came to root for the polo players.
Nicolas, Sylvia, Zayra, Diana and Sebastiana Torquemada came to root for the polo players.
The Triple J team successfully pens two steers.
The Triple J team successfully pens two steers.
Weston and Danielle Diamond with the Polo Grill team
Weston and Danielle Diamond with the Polo Grill team
Cowboys round up the cattle for calf roping.
Cowboys round up the cattle for calf roping.
Freddy's Steakburgers team, the event sponsors, ride out for team penning.
Freddy's Steakburgers team, the event sponsors, ride out for team penning.
Milton, Milt and Mary Lynn Ellis and Marjorie Jacobs.
Milton, Milt and Mary Lynn Ellis and Marjorie Jacobs.
Brian Chamness with SMR watches cattle roping.
Brian Chamness with SMR watches cattle roping.
Chad Oler handles the time-keeping and announcing, mixed with a little heckling.
Chad Oler handles the time-keeping and announcing, mixed with a little heckling.
Some cowboys watch their friends compete.
Some cowboys watch their friends compete.
The crowd cheers on a calf roping team.
The crowd cheers on a calf roping team.
Mike Woodham tries to get a steer.
Mike Woodham tries to get a steer.
The Polo Grill team rides out for team penning.
The Polo Grill team rides out for team penning.

 

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