FIP Playoffs - Juarez, Mexico

FIP Playoffs In Juarez Mexico
May 26th - 30th 2004
Updated Wed. June 3rd, '04
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Team USA & Team Mexico Are Going To France For The
World Cup Sept. 2004 Finals

Team USA at the Playoff Awards Ceremony In Juarez Mexico.

Notes From The Road
By Sherry Sheldon

Note: Notes from the Road is brought to you by Sherry Sheldon. Her son, Shane Rice, is an alternate for Team USA. She is in Juarez, Mexico with Team USA and will be sending in updates on the playoffs and her experience in Juarez, Mexico.

May 31st, '04:I know that you all have been waiting for the final game score. Sorry, just got back home to go to Danika's game yesterday and didn't have time to send out the information.

Sunday ended up being a very windy day. It must have been blowing 30 mph. It took our Team USA tent and wrapped it around a tree. The team had to work together to set it back up and get all of the legs back on it. To keep it on the ground, Steve tied it
to the cooler, rental car tires or anything that could help it not blow away.

The first game was Canada vs Dominican Republic. It was a good game that ended in a 6 to 6 tie. The finals game was USA vs Mexico. The Mexican team had a huge cheering crowd, but USA had our own cheering section at our horse end and at mid field. Jason Crowder and Stevie Orthwein sat out this game so Shane Rice and Danny Walker played in their place. Jason was the biggest cheerleader, with Shane's grama Charlie a close second. The final score was USA 8 and Mexico 11. It came down to the handicap (Mexico was given 3 goals to start) to determine the game.

A great time was had by all and lots of new friends were made. Thanks everyone for the well wishes to Team USA. France - here they come! Sherry

May 29th, '04:Last night a wonderful party was hosted by the Bermuda Family. All of the teams received participation awards. Our team leader (Steve) was hard a work during the awards - NOT! The picture is worth it´s weight in gold.

Today is the big day. Home town Mexico will be there in full force with cheering. Shane will be starting
the game today. I will send the results as soon as possible. - Sherry

May 29th, '04: The awaited game of USA vs Canada finally came yesterday. After coach, Steve Crowder game the players his special drink, USA beat Canada 10 to 6. This secured a trip for the USA to France in September. Shane and Danny Walker were great help to our players by helping with mallets, horses or whatever else needed to keep the USA ahead.

The big game will be tomorrow, USA vs Mexico. This feature game will be at 6 pm. I don´t know if I will be able to get all of you photos, etc until Monday. Will keep you all updated.

Sherry

May 27th, '04: Here are pictures from the 1st game in Juarez, Mexico. Final score 18 USA vs 6 Dominican Republic.

Stevie Orthwein did a TV interview after the game for El Paso´s NBC station. We watched it last night on the news. He did great!

Today was spent shopping with Shane in El Paso. Of course, Grandma was very generous! We dropped Shane off this afternoon to ride the horses. They were still not sure whether this was going to happen since it rained hard today.

Tonight we have a party hosted by Team Mexico. Tomorrow is USA vs Canada.

The next email will just have photos. Happy viewing!

Sherry

May 26th, '04: Finally, the tournament has begun. TEAM USA played Dominican Republic in the first game of the tournament. The starting lineup was:

Chris Gannon, Stevie Orthwein, Allen Martinez, Jason Crowder

Alternates Dan Walker, Shane Rice

Team USA was down with at score of 4 to 1, but in th second chukker, they never slowed down. Lots of great back shots to turn the play around by Stevie. Chris and Allen made several goals. Jason as always played great. In the 6th chukker, Dan Walker replaced Jason. Final score USA 18 Dominican 6

The next game was Canada vs Mexico. This was a nail biter to the end. Mexico started the game with 4 goals on handicap. At the end of the second chukker, Canada was down 7 to 1. But then the game changed and Todd Offen was on fire. Canada caught up and went ahead by 1 goal in the 6th. Mexico came back, tied it up and went ahead by 1 in the final seconds. Final score Mexico 12 Canada 11.

Games were great and the sportsmanship on Team USA was the best.

Tomorrow is a down day for the horses, with a special dinner in the evening for all of the teams hosted by Team Mexico.

I got the car stuck going over a drainage ditch and our Team had to push me out. As most of you know, I dont drive little cars. Our next game will be on Friday afternoon against Canada. I will try to send more photos tomorrow.

Thanks for all of your good wishes and support!

Sherry

May 25th, '04 - Well, we have spent our first full day here in Juarez, Mexico for the World Polo Cup Playoffs. Tomorrow the tournament starts. Shane spent the morning riding his horses. The practice field was better, less dirt, than yesterday.

There first game is against the Dominican Republic. It will be at 4 pm. I will take some photos to pass along. Went to a nice team meeting with everyone thanks to Dan and Linda Walker.

Mom and spent the day hitting the boot outlet stores along with a great furniture store. Thanks Daryl! Will be going back there again.

Will keep in touch tomorrow after the game.

-Sherry

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Leather CPR is the Official Leather Care Sponsor of West Coast Polo

West Coast Polo/PoloBARN.com would like to Thank Steve Crowder and Sherry Sheldon for sending in reports, stories and photos of the FIP Playoffs in Juarez Mexico. We would also like to thank Steve Crowder for coaching Team USA! Thanks for helping get our team qualify for the finals. Well done.