February 21, 2020

Asia, Europe, North America, Polo News

World Polo League Founders Cup Begins Friday With Tripleheader at Valiente

21. February 2020

After a successful All Star Challenge season-opener, the World Polo League season continues Friday with the Founders Cup.

Three games will open the second tournament of the season at Valiente Polo Farm. Scone will make its season debut against J5/La Dolfina Breeding at noon on Field 3; Valiente plays Alegria at 2 p.m. on Field 2; and Seminole Casino meets Richard Mille at 4 p.m. on Field 1.

Ten teams, including new team sponsors Amaala, Scone and STM, will compete in the first of three WPL tournaments offering major prize money. Scone competed last year in the WPL‘s inaugural season.

The WPL is coming off a successful opening and fun All Star Challenge where Valiente defended its title with a new lineup.

Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz 2, Poroto Cambiaso 4, Diego Cavanagh 9, Adolfo Cambiaso 10) led for most of the game to defeat SD Farms (Sayyu Dantata 2, Santi Torres 7, Guillermo Terrera 8, Juan Martin Zubia 8), 12-10. Poroto Cambiaso, 14, the only returning player off last year‘s winning team, has now won back-to-back tournament titles. His father, Adolfo, was Most Valuable Player of the game.

„We have seen some great polo,“ WCT Commissioner Dale Smicklas said. „We have seen some thrilling games and some expected results as well as some upsets. And there is so much more ahead of us.“

Team sponsors and rosters for the Founders Cup are:

Amaala (25): Nacho Figueras 6, Tincho Merlos 7, Facu Llorente 7, Juan Bollini 5.

Alegría (25): Henry Porter 3, Matias Magrini 7, Fred Mannix 7, Nachi du Plessis 8.

Casablanca (25): Grant Ganzi 3, Rodrigo Andrade 8, Hilario Ulloa 10, Juancito Bollini 4.

J-5 La Dolfina Breeding (23): Gonzalo Ferrari 4, Isidro Strada 7, Jerónimo Del Carril 7, Robertito Zedda 5.

Richard Mille (26): Camilo Castagnola 7, TBA 2, Barto Castagnola 7, Pablo Mac Donough 10.

Scone (23): David Paradice 0, Poroto Cambiaso 4, Diego Cavanagh 9, Adolfo Cambiaso 10.

SD Farms (25): Sayyu Dantata 2, Santi Torres 7, Guillermo Terrera 8, Juan Martin Zubia 8.

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (24): Melissa Ganzi 0, Lucas James 8, Alejandro Novillo Astrada 8, Nic Roldan 8.

STM (26): Robert Strom 5, Pablo Spinacci 6, Corcho Zavaleta 7, Nacho Novillo Astrada 8.

Valiente (27): Bob Jornayvaz 2, Gringo Colombres 8, Sebastian Merlos 9, Jejo Taranco 8.

Last year‘s Founders Cup winner was Grand Champions. In one of polo‘s biggest upsets, Grand Champions knocked off Valiente, 12-11, in overtime at Valiente.

In front of an overflow crowd, Argentine 10-goaler Juan Martin Nero scored the winning goal in the first two minutes of overtime to upset previously unbeaten Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz, 2, Agustin Nero, 6, Santi Torres, 6, Adolfo Cambiaso, 10). Nero was MVP.

Playing together for the first time in the tournament, Grand Champions finished the eight-team 26-goal tournament undefeated at 4-0. Nero and teammates Rodrigo Andrade, Grant Ganzi and Juancito Bollini earned $60,000 in prize money.

2020 WORLD POLO LEAGUE SCHEDULE

Founder‘s Cup Feb 19 – Mar 1

Friday 2/21 12 p.m. Scone vs J5 La Dolfina at Valiente 3

Friday 2/21 2 p.m. Valiente vs Alegria at Valiente 2

Friday 2/21 4 p.m. Seminole vs Richard Mille at Valiente 1

Saturday 2/22 12 p.m. SD Farms vs Casablanca at SD Farms field

Sunday 2/23 10:30 a.m. Amala vs Winner Valiente/Alegria at GCPC 1

Sunday 2/23 4 p.m. STM vs Winner Scone/J5 La Dolfina at GCPC 2

Mar. 4-22, Palm Beach Open

Mar. 28-Apr. 18, Triple Crown of Polo

Apr. 6-12, U.S. National Mixed Doubles Polo Championship

© Thomas Wirth

After a successful All Star Challenge season-opener, the World Polo League season continues Friday with the Founders Cup. Three games will open the second tournament of the season at Valiente…

North America, Polo News

Polo Players Support Group Raises Over $425,000 at Annual U.S. Polo Assn. 40-Goal Polo Challenge

21. February 2020

The PPSG is very grateful to U.S. Polo Assn. our Title Sponsor for their financial support as well as their desire to help us take the event to the next level, similar to how they have taken their brands to ever increasing new levels.

This year‘s event saw Team Pilot Catastrophe Services close the gap on the rivalry with a hard fought 6-4 victory. Many people in the crowd including former 10 goal player, and PPSG supporter, Eduardo „Ruso“ Heguy said this was the hardest fought 40 goal game they remember.

Pelon Stirling won this years Tito‘s Handmade Vodka 2 Point Shot of the day award, a 40-Goal Polo Challenge fan favorite. Nico Pieres was voted the Jetcraft MVP, and the 5 Star Builders Best Playing Pony award went to Lavinia Coronacion, bred and owned by Carlos & Hilario Ulloa.

Prior to the 10 goal players taking the field, the Future 10‘s Match took place and featured the children of current and former 10 goal players as well as children of generous supporters of the PPSG. The Future 10‘s game players were extremely excited to be on the U.S. Polo Assn. field and in front of a crowd. They didn‘t disappoint, putting on a great show of up-and-coming talent.

Following the 40 goal game, over 400 people attended the dinner & auction which was co-sponsored by Mark Edward Partners and Keith & Michelle Whitman.

Highlights of the auction included, Curtis Pilot‘s winning bid of $70,000 for the horse cloning donated by the Crestview Group of Companies, Don & Carol Pennycook winning the island vacation retreat: Ilha do Japao, and Facundo Pieres‘ jersey raising $9,000 each from Lisa Falcone and the partnership of Mike Egan and Jim Kravitz. Facundo and the Pilot Catastrophe Services crew offered to play a practice with Liliana Falcone and Mike Egan while Jim Kravitz will photograph.

The biggest applause of the night went to Juli Ezcurra who auctioned his vest, and Curtis Pilot who bought it. Curtis very kindly gave Juli his vest back and gave Juli his Pilot team jacket.

The PPSG is very grateful to U.S. Polo Assn. our Title Sponsor for their financial support as well as their desire to help us take the event to the next…