March 17, 2021

Asia, Polo News

Battistoni Polo and UAE Polo Continues Its Winning Streak at the Dubai Challenge Cup 2021

17. March 2021

16 March 2021, Dubai, UAE: The third day of the Dubai Challenge Cup ended with double victories for Battistoni Polo and UAE Polo teams.

The first match of the afternoon featured Battistoni and Baylandi Polo, teams. Tomy Iriarte scored the first 2 goals which gave Battistoni Polo a head start in the game. The team increased their lead by the end of the by half time with the consecutive goals delivered by Tomy. The significant goal lead that Battistoni Polo had created was enough to secure the win at 7 goals to 3.

Match Progression: 2 – 0 | 0 – 5 | 5 – 1 | 7 – 3

The second half of the afternoon had spectators at the edge of their seats as UAE Polo and Bin Drai Polo teams brought their A-game on the field. Jacinto Crotto grabbed the initial lead for the UAE Polo team and was backed by a penalty shot from the team‘s patron – Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Quick to catch up was Rashid Bin Drai scoring 2 goals for the team that levelled the game by halftime. Defending the UAE Polo team‘s initial lead, Raja Abuljebain scored a last-second goal by the end of the penultimate chukker. The fourth chukker had UAE Polo team seem like it was close to victory however, Bin Drai Polo team‘s patron – Khalid Bin Drai nicked a goal at the very last second that resulted in a fifth chukker. Both teams raced to score the golden goal and it was Jacinto Crotto taking home the win for UAE Polo at 7 goals to 6.

Match Progression: 2 -1 | 3 – 3 | 5 – 4 | 6 – 6 | 7 – 6

The Dubai Challenge Cup 2021 will continue on the 17th of March at the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club. Dubai Wolves will play against AM Polo at 15:15 and Tratok-Hesketh Polo will compete with IFZA – Mahra Polo at 16:30.

Images: © Khalil Ali / ShineTV

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”1136″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″]

16 March 2021, Dubai, UAE: The third day of the Dubai Challenge Cup ended with double victories for Battistoni Polo and UAE Polo teams. The first match of the afternoon…

North America, Polo News

Park Place and Tonkawa Secure Top Two Seeds in Bracket I

17. March 2021

Wellington, FL – March 16, 2021 – The second round of play in Bracket I of the 2021 USPA Gold Cup® produced the first set of semifinalists in the tournament after Tonkawa defeated Cessna 9-7 and Park Place captured the 10-6 win over Aspen/Dutta Corp. With the victories, Tonkawa and Park Place improved to 2-0 records securing the top two seeds with the winner of the bracket to be determined when the two teams meet on Saturday at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Facing a tough challenge from Cessna, Tonkawa captured their fourth consecutive win in the Gauntlet of Polo® as Sapo Caset continued his incredible scoring pace, finishing with eight goals while also assisting on his team’s ninth goal. Matching Tonkawa from the field, Cessna remained a step behind in the game by conceding three first half penalty goals to Caset which proved to be the difference in a match that came down to the final seconds. Converting just two of their final 11 shot attempts, Cessna fell just short in the narrow 9-7 defeat.

Playing in his second game, Camp Campbell found his footing at the 22-goal level, scoring two goals in the first chukker for Cessna as they held an early 3-2 lead after a two-goal response from Caset. Finding an effective strategy utilizing Campbell in the #1 position, Cessna added to their lead on Campbell’s third goal, while Jared Zenni converted a Penalty 2 with Cessna setting their sights on their first victory. Accounting for all five Tonkawa goals in the first half, Caset brought Tonkawa even in the third chukker with two goals, while their defensive pressure increased on Cessna, holding them scoreless to end the half tied 5-all.

Tonkawa captured their fourth consecutive win in the Gauntlet of Polo®. ©Alex Pacheco

Fighting hard to stay in the lead, Cessna was unable to hold off a determined Tonkawa team that held them off the scoreboard for the second consecutive chukker. With the chance to take their first lead of the game, Francisco Elizalde was on the receiving end of a Caset pass, edging Tonkawa into the lead at 6-5. Caset capped off the fourth chukker with Tonkawa’s fourth unanswered goal, leaving them ahead by two entering the final stages of the game. Resetting, Cessna’s Ezequiel Martinez Ferrario broke through from the field to gain some momentum and pull within one as their defense stepped up and held the potent Tonkawa attack without a goal in the fifth chukker, resulting in an exciting finish in the first game of the day. Just moments into the sixth chukker, Ferrario struck again, tying the game at 7-7, but it was short-lived as Caset stepped into the spotlight again. Restoring Tonkawa’s lead, time ticked down with Cessna trying urgently to send the game into overtime but a late Elizalde steal resulted in a breakaway for Caset and he sealed the 9-7 victory as time ran out.

Looking to join Tonkawa at the top of Bracket I and secure a spot in the semifinals, Park Place produced a dominant performance against Aspen/Dutta Corp, heavily outshooting them 16-4 over the first four chukkers, not conceding a field goal until the fifth chukker. Park Place utilized a possession-based attack that saw guarded runs from Hilario Ulloa leading to six goals, with his teammates working effectively off the ball. An organized defense led by Matt Coppola limited any opportunities for Aspen/Dutta Corp as they were not able to find any offense until the final two chukkers in the 10-6 loss.

Park Place produced a dominant performance against Aspen/Dutta Corp. ©Alex Pacheco

A back and forth start to the game displayed the two teams finding the pace and remaining tightly marked as the only goal in the first chukker came from Ulloa, tying the score at 1-1 with Aspen/Dutta Corp starting with a one-goal advantage on handicap. The Park Place offense came alive for the remainder of the second half, led by two goals from Juan Britos as part of a 3-0 second chukker that saw Aspen/Dutta Corp remain pinned in their own half, unable to break away for runs past the Park Place defense. Completing an exceptional first half, Ulloa and Coppola added one goal each for Park Place while holding Aspen/Dutta Corp scoreless, resulting in the 6-2 lead.

The relentless pressure of Park Place carried into the second half, outshooting Aspen/Dutta Corp 5-1 in the fourth chukker, but inaccurate shooting kept the deficit from growing significantly as Park Place extended their lead to five. Aspen/Dutta Corp’s struggles to maintain possession and generate enough scoring chances to match Park Place proved to be the story of the game. Finding a little bit of life in the fifth and sixth chukkers, Aspen/Dutta Corp traded goals with Park Place, receiving one each from Timmy Dutta and Stewart Armstrong, but faced a five-goal difference on the scoreboard with one chukker remaining. Two quick penalty conversions for Gringo Colombres raised some doubt to the outcome, but Ulloa received a Penalty 1 to seal the victory and send Park Place to the top of Bracket I with Tonkawa.

The relentless pressure of Park Place carried into the second half, outshooting Aspen/Dutta Corp 5-1 in the fourth chukker. ©Alex Pacheco

Polo matches at IPC are not open to the general public except for ticketed Sunday brunch. Online viewing is available with a subscription at globalpolo.com.

Click here to view the full 2021 High Goal Polo Schedule.

Click here to learn more about the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Click here to learn more about the GAUNTLET OF POLO®.

Wellington, FL – March 16, 2021 – The second round of play in Bracket I of the 2021 USPA Gold Cup® produced the first set of semifinalists in the tournament…

Asia, Polo News

Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club Partners with Black Hound Sports and Opens its First Retail Store in the Middle East

17. March 2021

16 March 2021, Dubai, UAE: Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club is proud to open its first equestrian focused retail store in cooperation with Black Hound Sports – a globally recognized sporting brand, specializing in custom apparel and team shirts made in England.

The Black Hound Sports shop, located inside Al Habtoor Polo Resort hotel, will have an array of bespoke polo related items offers that is favored by players around the globe. For the true polo fanatic, the shop will carry a limited line of team branded merchandise of several polo teams in the region. In addition, riders from all levels of experience can find select equestrian sporting gear such riding boots, helmets, polo mallets and more.

Mr. Mohammed Al Habtoor, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Al Habtoor Group said, “I have envisioned and had brought forth a world class equestrian themed development in the UAE that exudes luxury and high standards in every aspect of Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club. Having a retail shop that caters to the need of every rider in terms of high quality products that will assist and enhance their performance in their chosen equestrian sport, rounds up the whole experience of the clients of the Club.”

ABOUT BLACK HOUND SPORTS

Founded in 2014, Black Hound Sports is worn by the world’s best players both on and off the pitch, making the hound logo one of the most synonymous in polo. From La Dolfina to Murus Sanctus, Habtoor and Park Place, the innovative and high quality products are favoured by teams all over the globe as their go to for team branding.

Being well received by the polo community the brand expanded into a retail clothing, the offering of casual but contemporary items for off the pitch has grown rapidly over the years. A world class design team uses state of the art technology and the highest quality sustainable materials to create the most intricate designs without compromising on practicality or quality.

Black Hound Sports is a brand for future generations of polo players to come.

Website: https://blackhoundsports.com/

Images: © Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”1135″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″]

16 March 2021, Dubai, UAE: Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club is proud to open its first equestrian focused retail store in cooperation with Black Hound Sports – a globally…

North America, Polo News

Richard Mille Captures World Polo League Founder’s Cup Title

17. March 2021

WELLINGTON, FL, March 16, 2021— Richard Mille defeated Hawaii Polo Life by 12-6 to win the World Polo League Founder’s Cup, their second World Polo League Victory in 2021.

On Sunday, Hawaii Polo Life (Santi Torres, Gringo Colombres, Jejo Taranco, and Chris Dawson) faced off against Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola, Pablo MacDonough, and Paco de Narvaez) at Grand Champions Polo Club. Hawaii Polo Life rated 25 goals, started with one goal on the board to match Richard Mille‘s 26 goal handicap.

Just a minute into the match, Jeta Castagnola put the first goal on the board for Richard Mille, with Jejo Taranco answering for Hawaii Polo Life. Marc Ganzi and Pablo Mac Donough were able to both tally goals to end the first chukker 3-2 in favor of Richard Mille.

Richard Mille continued to dominate in the second period, keeping Hawaii Polo Life off the board. Marc Ganzi found the goalposts to put the tally up to 4-2. In the third chukker, Hawaii Polo Life outscored Richard Mille for the only time in the match, with Gringo Colombres converting a penalty four and Jejo Taranco putting the ball through the posts. Ganzi scored on a penalty three, and Richard Mille led 5-4 at the half.

Richard Mille dominated the play in the second half, with Hawaii Polo Life unable to get on the board in either the fourth or fifth chukker. Jeta Castagnola converted a penalty four, while Pablo Mac Donough scored an impressive pair of back-to-back goals in less than a minute.

The final chukker began with Richard Mille in the lead by 9-4. Two successful runs by Pablo MacDonough and a shot through the posts by Jeta Castagnola took Richard Mille up to 12-4. Santi Torres scored the final two goals for Hawaii Polo Life, and the team went down to Richard Mille 12-6.

Pablo MacDonough was named the Most Valuable Player, while the pony he played in the second chukker, Irinita Rastrogera, was named the Argentine Breeding Association Best Playing Pony. Chalo Kayla, played by Jeta Castagnola in the sixth chukker, was the World Polo League Best Playing Pony, while the American Horse Polo Association Best Playing Pony was Galleta Grande, played by Paco de Narvaez in the third chukker.

Founded by Grand Champions owners Melissa and Marc Ganzi, and Valiente owner Bob Jornayvaz the World Polo League is the only 26-goal polo in the world outside of Argentina. The WPL was created to preserve the highest level of polo and its rich, hallowed tradition in the United States. The WPL, boasting 13 tournament quality fields to play on, will continue to the season with the Palm Beach Open that began on Monday March 15, 2021, and The Triple Crown of Polo, and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach April 22-25.

The World Polo League attracts the sport’s top players from every corner of the world, including: Australia, Chile, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Argentina, Canada, Ecuador, Brazil, Switzerland, France, Germany, Uruguay, Venezuela, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Grand Champions and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique polo facility in Wellington with 120 stalls in five self-contained barns, an exercise track, five climate-controlled tack rooms, a vet room, staff quarters, a guest house and three polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation including one field for stick-and-ball and plans to build more in the future.

World Polo League matches will continue to be closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We closely adhere to Florida state and CDC guidelines, and take all measures possible to maintain a safe environment that will allow us to continue playing. We look very forward to the day we can welcome our fans back. In the interim, please visit www.worldpolo.or gfor more information. Matches can be viewed on www.chukkertv.com