January 19, 2021

North America, Polo News

Grand Champions Polo Club Inaugurates 2021 Winter Season with Aspen Valley Cup

19. January 2021

WELLIMGTON, FL, January 16, 2021 — Grand Champions Polo Club plans dynamic winter season despite continuing COVID restrictions.

Grand Champions Polo Club, the country’s largest USPA-sanctioned polo club, is planning a dynamic season of sport this winter, hosting polo at every level. The action includes high goal polo with the third season of the World Polo League kicking off at the beginning of February. The World Polo League features the some of the world’s top players and the only 26-goal polo currently played outside of Argentina.

Grand Champions‘ play kicks off this weekend with the 8-goal Aspen Valley Cup, which will run through January 30th. The following teams will be participating:

Beverly Equestrian: Catherine Brentzal, Wil Balhaus, Tolito Ocampo, Hilario Figueras
Dundas: Sarah Siegel-Magness, Robertito Zedda, Mariano Fassetta, Francisco Spinacci
Bushwood: Kris Kampsen, Nick Manifold, Michael Armour, Nick McClelland
WPL: Gussie Busch, Grant Ganzi, Santos Bollini, Nico Harriet

SD Farms (Hope Arellano, Sayyu Dantata, Peco Polledo, and Lucas Arellano) won the 2020 Aspen Valley Cup, defeating Mashomack (Josephine Hermans, Santos Bollini, Juanse Olivera, and Juan Monteverde).

Says Melissa Ganzi, owner of Grand Champions, “We’re looking forward to an exciting winter season at every level of play, including 26-goal, and will continue to implement all the necessary COVID protocols to ensure that our members and players remain safe, as their well-being is our top priority.”

Grand Champions will host multiple tournaments throughout the season, as will World Polo League, with schedules to be released in the near future. A premier polo destination, Grand Champions and Santa Rita Polo Farm boast 18 beautifully manicured polo fields, 11 of which are tournament grade, 120 stalls spread throughout five self-contained barns, an exercise track, five climate-controlled tack rooms, a vet room, staff quarters, a guest house, and four fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation.

Located in Wellington, FL, the world’s ultimate winter equestrian destination, Grand Champions typically hosts players from around the world. The World Polo League features top international players, including many stars of the Argentine pitch.

While Grand Champions brings international stars to Wellington, players of every level can find a home at the club. The Polo School offers instructions to beginners of all ages and will operate from January through May. Players of all experience levels can enjoy a customized polo experience including horses, pros, and certified umpires as well as lessons and practice sessions through the Polo on Demand program.

With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to impact polo this year, Grand Champions will carry on implementing the protocols that allowed polo to be safely played at the Aspen Valley Polo Club over the summer and at Grand Champtions in the autumn.

Aspen Valley Cup Live Stream Schedule

Sunday 1/17
12 p.m. WPL vs Dundas

Thursday 1/21
1 p.m. Bushwood vs WPL
3 p.m. Beverly Equestrian vs Dundas

Sunday 1/24
12 p.m. Bushwood vs Dundas
3 p.m. Beverly Equestrian vs WPL

Thursday 1/28
3 p.m. Bushwood vs Beverly Equestrian

Saturday 1/30
12 p.m. Subsidiary Final
3 p.m. Aspen Valley Cup Final

All games streamed live in Eastern Standard Time on https://www.chukkertv.com

WELLIMGTON, FL, January 16, 2021 — Grand Champions Polo Club plans dynamic winter season despite continuing COVID restrictions. Grand Champions Polo Club, the country’s largest USPA-sanctioned polo club, is planning a…

Asia, Polo News

Dubai Polo Gold Cup Announces the IFZA Silver Cup 2021 Tournament Fixture at the Press Conference

19. January 2021

• International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) onboard as the Title Sponsor of the tournament
• Al Shirawi Contracting LLC joined as Main Sponsor

18 January 2021, Dubai, UAE: The Dubai Polo Gold Cup (DPGC) organization officially kick-started its high-goal season with the Silver Cup’s annual launch during the customary press conference and live draw which took place on Monday, January 18th at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort.

On its 11th year, the Silver Cup is part of the DPGC Series held under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

Five tournaments fall under the umbrella of the prestigious DPGC Series:

• IFZA Silver Cup (18 goal handicap), which will run from January 22nd to February 5th
• Polo Masters Cup (6-8 goal handicap) on February 7th to 12th
• IFZA Gold Cup (18-goal handicap) from February 14th to March 5th
• Dubai Challenge Cup (8-10-goal handicap) from March 13th to 20th
• Dubai Cup (6-8 goal handicap) from March 31st to April 9th, 2021.

The DPGC Series in the UAE is one of only five tournaments worldwide played in the WPT Championship Cup category. It is on a par with world-class events held in Argentina, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. The DPGC series started in 2009 with tournaments carrying a handicap of 10-12 goals and has grown to host teams playing in 18-goal handicap matches.

Mohammed K. Al Habtoor, founder of the DPGC Series and patron of the Habtoor Polo team, said: “We are in high spirits about hosting our high-goal season after a long withdrawal from sporting events in the past year. We will be seeing new and returning faces on the polo field in the coming days. Top-ranking World Polo Tour players, including Facundo Sola (ranked no. 18 in the world), Alfredo Capella Barabucci

(ranked no. 27), who are both 9-goal handicap players; Alejandro Muzzio (ranked no. 30), and many others who have come directly from the Argentine Open will be playing on our fields,”He added: “We very grateful for the continued support of our sponsors, partners and the unbeatable enthusiasm of six polo teams participating in the Silver Cup 2021 tournament. I am particularly honoured to welcome International Free Zone Authority as the Title Sponsor of the Silver Cup 2021. Having the backing of one of the UAE’s leading Free Zone Authorities in our quest of delivering world class polo in the Middle East is a great testament to our tournament’s success.”

Martin G. Pedersen, Chairman of IFZA, states: “Both the Silver Cup and the Dubai Gold Cup bring a particular group of people together – people who have incredible skills and mastery of the sport – to Dubai’s dynamic landscape. In a similar manner, IFZA has a long-standing dedication to excellence in what we do, with skills and knowledge that continuously improve the way we and our customers to do business from the UAE. Our position as the Free Zone of choice for businesses here and abroad makes this collaboration with these world-class tournaments a win-win proposition.”

„A tournament that is globally recognised and that puts UAE at the forefront of the international polo circuit, Al Shirawi too, with its world-class services helps put UAE on the global stage, with respect to the construction and services industry. „A sport that exuberates strength and stability through its very form, needs support by a brand that mirrors the exact same values, which makes Al Shirawi Contracting Company L.L.C an apt fitment as the main sponsor for the esteemed event.

After having made a mark in the construction industry with our expert waterproofing services, we will now be playing a crucial role in the service industry with our excellent Futureproofing services. Our futureproofing services and our global partner MAXON Technologies‘ anti-corrosive coating together form a strong bond that helps preserve your built assets so that they stay as sturdy and magnificent as they are today. Being one of the leading players in the construction and service industry, our collaboration with such eminent events marks us on the global map and makes this event a grand success,” stated by Pramodh Idicheria, COO, Al Shirawi Group.

The final of the Silver Cup will be played on Friday, February 5th, 2021 at the grounds of Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club.

The list of six participating teams in the Silver Cup 2021 includes:

• UAE Polo Team (Patron: HH Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum)
• Bangash Polo Team (Patron: Haider Bangash)
• Dubai Wolves Polo Team by Cafu (Patron: Habtoor Al Habtoor)
• Habtoor Polo Team (Patron: Mohammed Al Habtoor)
• IFZA Polo Team (Patron: Rashid Al Habtoor)Zedan Polo Team (Patron: Amr Zedan)

The final of the Silver Cup will be played on Friday, February 5th, 2021 at the grounds of Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club.

The list of six participating teams in the Silver Cup 2021 includes:

The Silver Cup is played under the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) banner, with strict international supervision according to the HPA rules and provision of its umpires. The tournament falls under World Polo Tour’s WPT Cup Category. The Silver Cup winners are awarded 60 points, finalists with 30 points, semi-finalists with 15 points and the rest of the players with 8 points.