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Europe, Polo News

EMPIRE POLO CLUB of COACHELLA VALLEY returns at the POLO RIDER CUP

24. January 2022

The Empire Polo Club of Coachella Valley (USA) returns to the POLO RIDER CUP, joining Las Brisas Polo Club of Chicago (USA), Hamburger Polo Club (GER), Evviva Polo St. Moritz (SUI), Deauville International Polo Club (FRA), Polo Club of Chantilly (FRA) and Polo Park Zürich (SUI) in the field of the 2022 POLO RIDER CUP, which will be held from 8 to 18 June 2022 at the Polo Club of Chantilly, north of Paris (France).

The Empire Polo Club team will comprise the following players:

1. Clément / Victoria Smith (0), FRA
2. Guillermo Li (+49, PER
3. Tito Ruiz Guiñazu (+7), ARG
4. Derek Smith (+1), USA

Derek Smith, Captain of Empire Polo Club, comments: “Our team, representing the famous Empire Polo Club, is looking forward to take part in the second POLO RIDER CUP at the Chantilly Polo Club, the most prestigious Club in France. Our family team is always promoting sportsmanship within the tournaments, friendship among polo players and we also like to share our love for horses. We are certain this second POLO RIDER CUP will continue to promote our values.”

Benoît Perrier, CEO & Co-Founder of GAME POLO, comments: “We are very enthusiastic to announce the second participation of Empire Polo Club of Coachella Valley from the West coast of the USA. The team is composed of four nationalities and one of the strongest players of the tournament: Tito Ruiz Guiñazu. The organization keeps the same team line-up, they were playing fantastically in 2021 and certainly played one of the fastest games during the semi-finals. They can also count on the team management and coaching of Caroline Anier.”

For more information, please contact GAME POLO at: neus@game-polo.com

The Empire Polo Club of Coachella Valley (USA) returns to the POLO RIDER CUP, joining Las Brisas Polo Club of Chicago (USA), Hamburger Polo Club (GER), Evviva Polo St. Moritz…

North America, Polo News

Patagons remain steadfast to seize Joe Barry Memorial

21. January 2022

After great anticipation and a two-day rain delay, the Joe Barry Memorial Final took place at International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC), in Wellington Florida, between Beverly Polo (Bill Ballhaus, Lucas Diaz Alberdi, Jorge “Tolito” Ocampo Jr., Hilario Figueras) and Patagones (Benjamin Avendano, Joaquin Avendano, Santiago Wulff, Tomas Garcia del Rio) on a chilly but picturesque day on the Isla Carroll West field.

Tied with 1-1 records, the two teams met for the first time in the final, following a shootout to determine who would compete for the famed title. Claiming the Ylvisaker Cup in 2020, Patagones returned with the same line-up in hopes of adding their name to the Joe Barry Memorial trophy, facing a fiery and hungry Beverly Polo seeking redemption after falling just short of victory in 2021. Led by experienced 8-goaler Garcia del Rio, Patagones commanded the first half with hit-and-run polo that allowed them to overcome two double yellow cards and an impressive performance from Beverly’s Ocampo Jr. in the second half to reclaim the trophy 11-10 in overtime.

Despite playing against each other for the first time in the tournament, both teams were extremely familiar with their opponents. “[We’ve] played over the years against Bill [Ballhaus], Tolito [Ocampo Jr.] and Hilario [Figueras] in the 6 goal, 8 goal and 12 goal, we [all] got to this level at the same time. It’s fun to play against [Beverly Polo] for sure, they’re friends but it’s tough [competition],” Wulff expressed. Garcia del Rio echoed Wulff’s sentiments, “it makes a big difference knowing each other and knowing each other’s horses as well. We knew it was going to be tough.”

In a game marred with penalties, Beverly Polo received the first break of the match on a yellow card awarded to Patagones for dangerous use of the mallet, resulting in a Penalty 2 goal from Ocampo Jr. Responding for Patagones, Garcia del Rio followed up with his first goal from the line on a Penalty 3. Unfortunately for Joaquin Avendano, his mallet caught Ocampo Jr. once again and received his second yellow card of the game, relegating him to the penalty box for two minutes of play.

Faced with a three-on-four disadvantage, Patagones tightened their defensive strategy and were able to capitalize on Beverly Polo’s eagerness, scoring shorthanded on another Penalty 4 from Garcia del Rio. Back to even strength, Garcia del Rio continued to lead his team on the field, driving Patagones’ push down field and taking advantage of Beverly Polo’s early foul troubles to score two more consecutive goals from the penalty line. The first field goal finally occurred for Patagones’ Wulff in the third chukker, but a determined Ocampo Jr. found the posts just before the half to inject momentum into a struggling Beverly Polo, closing the half 5-2 in favor of Patagones.

Regrouping in the break, Ocampo Jr. broke through in the fourth, igniting an offensive blitz leading to four goals in the chukker and quickly turning a three-goal deficit into a tied game 6-all. Not to be deterred by the sudden rush from Beverly Polo, Garcia del Rio promptly answered to begin the fifth on his sixth goal of the day, and second from the field. Following another successful conversion for Ocampo Jr., Benjamin Avendano received his first yellow card for dangerous use of the mallet, sending Ocampo Jr. back to the line on a Penalty 2, as Beverly Polo took a one goal, 8-7 lead for the first time in the match.

Knowing the tendencies of their opponents allowed for Patagones, with the assistance of coach (and undefeated 16-goal 2021 Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club season champion) Jesse Bray* to take the early lead, but Wulff acknowledged the persistence of Beverly Polo. “Nobody is selfish on [Beverly Polo]. They work really hard. They never give up. They came back in one chukker.” On Beverly Polo’s second half scoring storm Garcia del Rio remarked, “maybe we surprised them at the beginning a bit, then they came back playing like they always do. They play solid.”

Maintaining patience and relying on their experience, a trailing Patagones quickly rebounded with back-to-back field goals from Wulff and Joaquin Avendano. A back-and-forth fifth chukker that resulted in three goals from each team ended on a breakaway from Ocampo Jr., once again tying the game 9-all.

Eager to score the winning goal, both teams shot out to a quick start in the final chukker of play, with Ocampo Jr. fighting through traffic to score first for Beverly Polo. A charging Garcia del Rio quickly answered for Patagones, however, Benjamin Avendano was flagged with his second yellow card of the game for dangerous riding, placing him in the penalty box for the remainder of the chukker. As Patagones faced their second three-on-four disadvantage, Beverly Polo were once again unable to capitalize as regulation time expired.

Entering overtime Beverly Polo maintained their man advantage to start the chukker but Patagones were determined to hold off Beverly Polo. Creating more space on the field with an extra man it appeared Ocampo Jr. had the game won but an incredible save on the line from Wulff gave Patagones a fighting chance. A much-needed Benjamin Avendano re-entered the game and immediately provided defensive relief. Benjamin Avendano found redemption with a backshot that set up the game winning goal for Garcia del Rio, sending the ball through the posts for a spectacular 11-10 victory.

Following the heart pounding finish, a joyous Wulff reflected on his game saving play in overtime, “lucky for me and not so much for Tolito [Ocampo Jr.]! He hit an amazing shot and it was rolling in, I got there at the right moment. I couldn’t see where the ball was, I just hit it and the flagger didn’t raise the flag, so we kept going.” Joaquin Avendano added, “going into overtime, anything could happen. We’re a great team. We were down one player but that didn’t change our mindset that we could still win. We reorganized some things [and] luckily came out on top.”

Accounting for eight of Patagones’ goals, Garcia del Rio was named Most Valuable Player, while his 14-year-old dark bay homebred gelding Tunito (Holt x Tunita) who played as spare in the third, fifth and sixth chukkers took home Best Playing Pony.

Garcia del Rio expressed his team’s strengths leading to Patagones first Joe Barry Memorial title. “We know each other very well [and] have been playing together for the same two years. The kids [Benjamin and Joaquin] and I have been playing together in Argentina for four years, we know [what] everybody can do.”

Demonstrating a strong foundation of team chemistry, a veteran Patagones team also leaned into their familial bonds. Wulff, uncle to Benjamin and Joaquin Avendano shared the experience of playing with his talented young nephews, “I’ve been playing with them since they [were] eight, or nine [and] started playing polo. [I] taught them to ride [and] I feel very proud when I see them riding and hitting the ball. We spend the whole day together at the farm in the barn working on the horses and getting better.”

Joaquin Avendano recently competed in the U.S. Junior Open Test Match at IPC and Wulff can see the talent growing in both brothers, “their personalities get stronger and stronger every year, they don’t change but they get stronger. You start trusting them more in the field. You believe in them, that’s what [polo’s] about, believing in your teammate.” Garcia del Rio also noted the growth of the Avendano brothers, “they improve year to year. When you play with young kids they grow and improve. I think [they] can take even more responsibility [on] the team.”

Also celebrating the thrilling victory was Patagones team owner Gonzalo Avendano. Last playing in the Joe Barry Memorial in 2011, Avendano shared his feelings about the win, “it means a lot. Winning with my two sons [Joaquin and Benjamin], my brother-in-law [Santiago Wulff] and a good friend in Tomas [Garcia del Rio] is an honor.”

Wulff will be playing in the 16-goal in Wellington, joining Benjamin and Joaquin Avendano, with Bray jumping into the saddle. Maintaining a healthy, strong string through a grueling season of high-goal polo is a priority for Wulff, “We’ll try to rotate horses these next two weeks, we’re going to have a lot of polo, I’m saving three or four, just so they last the whole season.”

Beverly Polo and Patagones will be back in 18-goal action on Sunday at IPC to begin competition in the Ylvisaker Cup, where Beverly Polo will look to defend their 2021 title. Turning their attention to the Ylvisaker Cup, Garcia del Rio shared, “we always enjoy any game we play. We know we’re competitive and we’ll try and win.” Gonzalo Avendano believes his team will be prepared for a Beverly Polo rematch if necessary, “we’re going to try and win the [Ylvisaker Cup] also. It’s not easy, [Beverly Polo] is wonderful. I have to congratulate them too.”

*Jesse Bray is an Active Team USPA Member. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.

Photos by David Lominska

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After great anticipation and a two-day rain delay, the Joe Barry Memorial Final took place at International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC), in Wellington Florida, between Beverly Polo (Bill Ballhaus,…

Europe, Polo News

Countdown to NZ Polo Open

20. January 2022

The Social and Sporting Event of the Summer Sunday 20^th February 2022

Excitement is building with only a month to go until New Zealand’s most famous polo event, the BMW NZ Polo Open to be held at the Auckland Polo Club in Clevedon on Sunday 20^th February.

This year marks the 45^th year of this prestigious event with five teams competing for the nation’s top polo trophy.

While the event will be without international polo players this year, the calibre of the teams will be particularly competitive promising to deliver an exhilarating showcase of the best in New Zealand Polo.

For the first time since the event was founded, two South Islanders will each captain a team. Cantabrian’s Pete Dormer and George Cooper-Dixon will travel north with their horses to compete.

This will be Christchurch based Cooper-Dixon’s first appearance on the Auckland Polo Club field and third for Dormer.

Dormer captained the NZ Polo Open winning team in 2016 and has another strong team this year. Joining Dormer will be local Auckland based James Worker, renowned polo sportsman Cody Forsyth and the talented and currently NZ’s highest ranked player, Thomas Hunt.

Clevedon’s Jones’ family, synonymous with polo will represent with 3 Jones players, with Edward Elworthy-Jones being the youngest player in the tournament at just 18. The Keyte brothers Simon and Nick will take to the field together and Waikato’s ‘Mystery Creek’ dynamic duo of JP Clarkin and Kit Brooks having won the NZ Polo Open 3 times together will be one to watch.

“This summer has been fantastic for New Zealand Polo, with the weather allowing play to start earlier than usual. All our teams are ready and waiting in anticipation for our biggest and most coveted tournament of the season,” says BMW NZ Polo Open Executive Director, Lucy Ainsley. “Team practices have been running since early January, so the BMW NZ Polo Open games are sure to be nail biters as plays and tactics have been a long thought-out process for the teams this year. It will without doubt be the best polo that will be played this season, followed by players joining our guests for a night of celebration on the polo field under the stars, there really is no polo or event like this.”

To complement the action on the field, there will be plenty of exceptional hospitality and side-line action with an exciting new twist on Fashion at the Polo. The ‘Horsepower’ race between a BMW and a polo pony will be sure to entertain just before the main polo match.

BMW NZ Polo Open Prizegiving. © BMW NZ Polo Open 2022

PROGRAMME: BMW NZ Polo Open 2022 – Sunday 20^th February – Auckland Polo Club Clevedon

11.00am:	Gates Open
11.30am	Game 1 Handicap Final
12. 15pm	Stomping of the Divots
12.30pm	Game 2 Handicap Final
1.15pm	Stomping of the Divots
1.30pm	Game 3 Handicap Final
2.30pm	Remix Magazine Fashion at Polo
2.40pm	Veuve Clicquot & Makers Mark Dashs
2.45pm	Horse versus Horsepower Race
3.00pm	Parade of Champions
3.15pm	BMW NZ Polo Open 2022 Final
4.00pm	Stomping of the divots
5.00pm	Presentation on Clubhouse Lawn
5.15pm	George FM Afterparty – Heineken Lawn

The Social and Sporting Event of the Summer Sunday 20th February 2022 Excitement is building with only a month to go until New Zealand’s most famous polo event, the BMW NZ…

North America, Polo News

Port Mayaca mobilize to capture inaugural U.S. Junior Open Test Match

19. January 2022

Port Mayaca (Hope Arellano*, Nico Diaz Alberdi*, Kristos “Keko” Magrini*, Santino Magrini*) pushed their offense against Dutta Corp/Show+ (Jack Whitman*, Timmy Dutta*, Joaquin Avendaño, Hilario Figueras) in the final two chukkers of play to win the first ever U.S. Junior Open Test Match held at International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) in Wellington, Florida. Doubling their opponents on the scoreboard 8-4, Port Mayaca also received $10,000 in tournament prize money. U.S. Polo Assn. served as the official sponsor of the event.

Port Mayaca’s Kristos “Keko” Magrini reaches for the hook on Dutta Corp Show+’s Hilario Figueras. ©David Lominska

Though playing at an impressive pace, scoring started off low for both teams. Figueras put the first goal on the board from the 60-yard line for Dutta Corp/Show+. Most Valuable Player Santino Magrini scored the first of his four goals in the match to answer back for Port Mayaca.

“This test match was the first step for creating a tournament that can motivate young players and encourage them to compete and keep improving.” – Nico Diaz Alberdi

Fouls and multiple missed attempts on goal plagued the young players throughout the first two chukkers of play. The only additional score came from a Penalty 1 in the second chukker for Port Mayaca, 2-1. Alberdi commented on the team’s opening plays, “we stuck to our strategy to create opportunities but we were just hurrying with the ball.”

Port Mayaca’s Hope Arellano takes the ball on the nearside ahead of Dutta Corp Show+’s Timmy Dutta. ©David Lominska

Santino’s younger brother, Keko Magrini expertly converted a Penalty 3 to close out the first half 3-1 in favor of Port Mayaca. “We started to click in the third chukker and began to capitalize on our opportunities,” said top female player, Hope Arellano.

The momentum continued to tip in favor of Port Mayaca as the fourth chukker began. Santino Magrini kicked the pace up a notch and narrowed his focus on the goal in the fourth. The open style of hit and run play demonstrated the talent of the young players to the spectators alongside the field. With time ticking down in the five chukker match, Figueras kept Dutta Corp/Show+ in the game with his second goal, this time artfully placing one through from the field.

Port Mayaca quickly responded. Santino Magrini sent his team’s third goal of the chukker through the goal posts to end the fourth 6-2 in their favor.

Most Valuable Player was awarded to Santino Magrini, presented by USPA Chairman Stewart Armstrong. ©David Lominska

Slowing down their opponents, Figueras opened the final chukker of play with a goal from the 30-yard line and a second goal from the field, but Dutta Corp/Show+’s efforts fell short. Both of the Magrini brothers scored once more doubling Port Mayaca 8-4 as the final bell rang.

Alberdi credits their solid coaching team of Julio Arellano, Matias Magrini and Alejandro “Piki” Diaz-Alberdi on the sidelines for keeping the team focused throughout the match.

Santino Magrini was recognized as Most Valuable Player. “The tournament is a good opportunity to test yourself against other players of the same age,” noted Santino Magrini. “It was a very fun tournament and I hope it will continue to be played.”

Don Ercole Maria, played by Keko Magrini, was awarded Best Playing Pony.

Best Playing Pony Don Ercole Maria, played by Kristos “Keko” Magrini. Presented by USPA Chairman Stewart Armstrong, pictured with Cristian Rey. ©David Lominska

The U.S. Junior Open Test Match, open to players 21 and younger at the start of the tournament, is the first open format tournament specifically for young players in the United States. Chrys Beal, former chair of the USPA Polo Development, LLC, Junior Committee developed the concept several years prior and worked with current chair, Tiger Kneece, IPC and the USPA to bring it to fruition this year.

“Overall, it was an incredible tournament and a great idea,” said Hope Arellano.“ I don’t think it could have gone better for the first year. I would love to see it played again next year.” Teammate Alberdi agreed and acknowledged the potential for the tournament going forward, “it was the first step for something that can become really exciting and motivating for young players to encourage them to compete and keep improving.”

Hope Arellano, Nico Diaz Alberdi, Kristos “Keko” Magrini, Santino Magrini, Jack Whitman and Timmy Dutta are Active Team USPA Members. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.

Art & Design, Lifestyle, Polo News

Gianfranco Brignone (1926-2022)

17. January 2022

It is with profound sadness that the Brignone family announces the passing of Gianfranco Brignone founder of Careyes, at the age of 95 years surrounded by his loving family.

We honour his vision, creativity, passion and perseverance which allowed for Careyes to develop into one of the most important architectural wonders of the pacific coast, resonating for all times to come: the true Magic of Careyes!

He is survived by his children Emanuela, Giorgio and Filippo and the younger generation who will in unison honour respectfully his legacy.

Born in 1926 in Turin (Italy) and one-time banker, Gianfranco flew over the jagged cliffs and jungle hills of Careyes on the Pacific Coast of Jalisco in 1968, and immediately decided to make this unique place his own personal frontier and utopia. Careyes was blessed to meet Gianfranco and he was, in return, exceptionally privileged to discover Careyes.

Deploying some of the world’s most talented and imaginative architects beginning with Marco Aldaco, Alberto Mazzoni, Diego Villaseñor and Jean-Claude Galibert — together with summoning skilled local artisans — in harmony enthusiastically embraced and realized his vision with the pivotal obsession that the landscape is essential and to be preserved: ‘I am not an Architect, but a framer of Nature’.

He developed many important architectural landmarks such as the houses Mi Ojo, Tigre del Mar with its Casa del 3000, together with the mirroring houses Sol de Oriente and Occidente amongst many others, always designing without any straight lines, as they don’t exist in the environment and utilizing mathematical measurements based on the number twenty-seven.

`I have given my life for my dreams and my dreams have given me life.` — GFB

‚One eye to see and one to feel’ he once said and, on this hue, he designed and built beautiful land interventions such as the Ojo de Venado, Arbol de Corazón, and Copa del Sol of which images have circulated all over the world as a result of their strength and vibrancy.

For over 50 years, Gianfranco has closely guarded and preserved the 15km of coastline and beaches of Careyes, which encompasses a wild, virtually uninhabited area, stretching along the Pacific shoreline, and includes about 2000 hectares of jungle, mangroves and cliffs.

Together with the Careyes Foundation established to catalyse innovative programs in education, sports, ecology, and the arts to improve the well-being of local communities along the South Pacific coast of Mexico. The Sea Turtle Protection & Conservation Center was opened in 1983 releasing over 1.9 million new-born sea turtles safely into the ocean.

Careyes has now become one of the rare sustainable and socially responsible communities in Mexico counting more than 42 different nationalities and 287 Caballeros y Damas del Sol.

In September of 2006, he was honoured the “Orden Mexicana del Águila Azteca” from Mexican President Vicente Fox, the highest achievement for a foreigner in recognition his work over the years.

Copyright © 2022 Costa Careyes, All rights reserved.

It is with profound sadness that the Brignone family announces the passing of Gianfranco Brignone founder of Careyes, at the age of 95 years surrounded by his loving family. We…

Europe, Polo News

Defending Champion POLO PARK ZURICH at the POLO RIDER CUP

17. January 2022

The defending Champion, Polo Park Zurich, will join Las Brisas Polo Club of Chicago (USA), Hamburger Polo Club (GER), Evviva Polo St. Moritz (SUI), Deauville International Polo Club (FRA) and Polo Club of Chantilly in the field of the 2022 POLO RIDER CUP, which will be held from 8 to 18 June 2022 at the Polo Club of Chantilly, north of Paris (France).

The Polo Park Zurich team will comprise the following players:

1. Richard Harris (0), USA

2. Elena Venot (+1), FRA

3. Miguel Amieva (+4), ARG

4. Min Podesta (+7), ARG

Richard Harris, Captain of Polo Park Zurich, comments: “It is a great honor to defend our Polo Rider Cup title this coming year! This is quickly becoming one of the top polo tournaments in the world and we are impressed with the organization and thoughtful attention to detail that Benoît Perrier and Olivier Godallier of GAME POLO have put into the tournament. Our team is prepared, ready to play, and most importantly to have fun. We look forward to seeing everyone again in June.”

Sébastien Le Page, President of Polo Park Zurich, comments: “It is with mixed feelings of pleasure, pride and anxiety that Polo Park Zürich comes to defend its title at the POLO RIDER CUP 2022. Having won the first installment means that all the other teams will be gunning for us this year! But the strong foundation of Min Podesta, who just qualified PPZ for the Triple Crown in Argentina, Elena Venot, who won for PPZ, amongst others, the Women Open de France in Chantilly, and Richard Harris, who captained PPZ brilliantly last year in the POLO RIDER CUP, gives the team a chance to perform well. They are joined by Miguel Amieva, who is building a very strong relationship with PPZ as we work on a reciprocal deal between his club in Mallorca and PPZ. Unfortunately, the questionable increase in handicap of Tachu Solari in France means that he cannot defend his title. However, we are confident that PPZ will be well represented on and off-the field by these extremely talented individuals. Hopp PPZ!”

Benoît Perrier, CEO & Co-Founder of GAME POLO, comments: “Polo Park Zurich are back in 2022 to defend their title. The team will have three players of the 2021 edition with their Captain, Richard Harris, Min Podesta, one of the best players in the competition, who won La Camara de Diputados in Argentina, and Elena Venot, the best female French player. The last player is the strong back Miguel Amieva, a very experienced and well mounted player. Horsepower is one of their strong points, with ponies from the Zurich organization. We thank Richard Harris and the president Sébastien Lepage for this new participation in 2022. Polo Park Zurich is a very active and international club in Europe with a strong organization and facilities, a long polo history and an excellent social and club life. Zurich is one of the best towns for its quality of life in Europe.”

For more information, please contact GAME POLO at: neus@game-polo.com

The defending Champion, Polo Park Zurich, will join Las Brisas Polo Club of Chicago (USA), Hamburger Polo Club (GER), Evviva Polo St. Moritz (SUI), Deauville International Polo Club (FRA) and…

North America, Polo News

Stage Hill Wins Polo School Grand Champions Women’s League Season-Opener At Santa Rita

17. January 2022

WELLINGTON, January 13, 2022—Stage Hill opened the Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League season in style Wednesday at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Stage Hill (Hope Arellano, 8, Rileigh Tibbottt, 1, Josephine Gianicco, 2, Alyson Poor, 4, Ava Nunez, 1) defeated CrossFit El Cid (Malicia von Falkenhausen, 2, Ava Hinkson, 1, Pam Flanagan, 4, Cecilia Cochran, 5, Cecily Coors, 0), 9-5, in a hardfought game.

With ten players on two teams, players of all ages and playing ability were able to sub in and out of the five-chukker game.

The Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League kicked off its sixth year with a competitive game.

„It was great,“ said league co-founder Alina Carta. „Everybody just had a ball. The field was amazing. I think all the girls had a great time. The game was competitive. Everyone was moving.“

The chase is on with Ava Nunez of Stage Hill leading the way.

The game was close for the first two chukkers with CrossFit El Cid leading 2-1 after the opening chukker. Poor converted two 30-yard penalties in the second chukker to enable Stage Hill to tie the game at 3-3.

Arellano scored two goals and Poor added one to enable Stage Hill to outscore CrossFit El Cid, 3-0, to pull away for a 6-3 lead after three chukkers. Stage Hill never trailed after that.

Arellano and Poor shared game-high scoring honors, each with four goals, for Stage Hill. Cochran led scoring for CrossFit El Cid with two goals.

Alyson Poor of Stage Hill races downfield for the ball.

„It was fun,“ Poor said. „I really enjoy playing in the women‘s league. The teams are constantly changing so you get to play with all different players.

„It gives us the opportunity to play,“ Poor said. „Not a lot of us can afford to go out and play in the mixed tournaments. Melissa makes it affordable for us so we can come out and play on a nice field and play with the other women and just have a really good time.“

Cecilia Cochran of CrossFit El Cid defends Ava Nunez.

Poor said the women‘s league „is pretty crucial“ for the growth of women‘s polo.

„We get to go out and play in some tournaments here and there, but we don‘t necessarily have a place where we all can all practice and play together. Women‘s polo is so different from mixed in a sense. This gives us the opportunity to practice every position and we all take turns taking penalties and knock-ins. You get to play every aspect of every position if you want to. It really improves your game a lot. Having this once a week is amazing.“

Pamela Flanagan of CrossFit El Cid works the near side in a crowd.

Poor, who has been sponsored in past years, hopes to pick up a sponsor to enable her to play the entire league season. She was one of four players awarded a grant from the Polo School to play for one month in the league.

Poor, 32, a veteran of more than 20 years of playing polo, was a member of the first-ever winning team of the Women‘s East Coast Open along with Cindy Halle, Dawn Jones and Anna Winslow.

Arellano, 18, was coming off her first Argentine season. She was third in the Women‘s Argentine Open with La Irenita Polo and competed in the first Women‘s Copa de las Naciones.

Josephine Giannico of Stage Hill is closely defended by Cecilia Cochran.

The women‘s league is for all levels of playing ability and will be held every Wednesday at 10 a.m. through April.

The only full-time weekly women‘s polo league in the world was created by Carta, a polo pioneer and one of the highest ranked women in the U.S. in the 1980s, and Melissa Ganzi, Grand Champions Polo Club President, World Polo League co-founder and avid player. Ganzi is the first woman in history to win the prestigious 35th Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz and returns to Switzerland to compete Jan. 28-30.

Lucas Arellano is not only a supportive big brother but spare holder for Hope Arellano.

All team entry fees benefit The Polo School, a stand-alone USPA-sanctioned club. The Polo School offers lessons to men, women and children of all ages and ability levels and offers scholarships.

The league, along with the March 30-April 3 WCT Finals at Grand Champions, honors Sunny Hale, the all-time greatest women‘s polo player and Hall of Famer.

Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest polo club coming off its most successful fall season, hopes to build off that success when it hosts 23 tournaments from January through April.

Alyson Poor of Stage Hill battles for the ball.

The 26-goal World Polo League, co-founded by Marc and Melissa Ganzi, returns for a fourth season. The All-Star Challenge opens the high goal season Feb. 4-20 followed by the Tommy Hitchcock Legacy Memorial, Feb. 16-27; Founders Cup, Feb. 23-March 13; Palm Beach Open, March 9-27; Triple Crown of Polo, March 23-April 16 and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach, April 22-24.

The high goal club tournaments will feature the Sterling Cup, $100,000 World Cup and Santa Rita Abierto.

Hope Arellano of Stage Hill working the ball downfield.

The 16-goal league play includes the Grand Champions Cup, Feb. 14-March 5; Power Horse Invitational, March 8-26; and Pedro Morrison Memorial, March 29-April 16.

The 12-goal league schedule is the Limited Edition 12-Goal Series, Jan. 25-Feb. 12; Sieber Memorial Trophy, Feb. 15-March 5; $50,000 National 12-Goal, Feb. 16-27; and Top Pony 12-Goal, March 8-26.

The 8-goal tournament lineup is the Aspen Valley Cup, Jan. 18-30; Top Pony 8-Goal, Feb. 15-March 5; and Limited Edition 8-Goal, March 8-26.

The 6-goal schedule features the Metropolitan Cup, Jan. 25-Feb. 12; Halo Polo Trophy, Feb. 15-March 5; and Madelon Bourdieu Memorial, March 8-26.

Alyson Poor of Stage Hill works the ball with Pamela Flanagan defending.

Grand Champions has also added Sunset Chukkers and Cocktails, presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and held Tuesday late afternoon on Field One for players and guests.

Grand Champions Polo Club and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique private 100-acre polo facility in Wellington with 120 stalls in several self-contained barns, exercise track, five climate-controlled tack rooms, vet room, staff quarters, guest house and polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation and stick-and-ball fields.

Hope Arellano of Stage Hill hits a near side shot past defender.

During fall, winter and spring seasons, Grand Champions Polo Club, the nation‘s largest club with 13 well-manicured, world-class fields at GCPC and Santa Rita Polo Farm, hosts polo tournaments ranging from six to 26-goal including the 26-goal World Polo League in addition to special events.

The Polo School operates in Wellington January through May and September through November. For more information on the Fall Leagues or Polo School contact Director of Operations Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099.

The horses are getting ready for the Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League season-opener.

Grand Champions Polo Club caters to men, women and youth polo players at all levels. Its‘ expert staff can customize a complete playing experience including horses, pros and certified umpires in addition to lessons and practice sessions as part of its‘ Polo On Demand program, the only polo club in the U.S. to offer the unique program.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

WELLINGTON, January 13, 2022—Stage Hill opened the Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League season in style Wednesday at Santa Rita Polo Farm. Stage Hill (Hope Arellano, 8, Rileigh Tibbottt, 1,…

North America, Polo News

All-new 2022 GAUNTLET OF POLO® structure opens the door to an unprecedented number of teams

14. January 2022

Proudly hosting the GAUNTLET OF POLO® since its debut in 2019, the United States Polo Association (USPA), USPA Global Licensing (USPAGL) and the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) are pleased to announce the nine teams that will compete for the title of GAUNTLET champion. For the first time in GAUNTLET OF POLO® history the competition has been thrown wide open in 2022, accepting individual team entries for all three tournaments of the high-goal series. Adding another layer to the competition with additional teams joining the rosters in March and April, the 2022 U.S. Open Polo Championship® will field an astounding 20 teams for the first time in the tournament’s 118-year history!

Although conceding the 2021 C.V. Whitney Cup® in overtime to Park Place, Scone swept the remaining two trophies in their GAUNTLET debut. Both Park Place and Scone have returned with a slight change to their rosters and will compete for the GAUNTLET title which eluded them both last year. Crowned GAUNTLET OF POLO® champions during the inaugural year, Pilot remains the only team to have raised the overall trophy and will seek to add their name to the coveted trophy for the second time in 2022.

Drawing nine 10-goal players each representing different teams, the 2022 GAUNTLET OF POLO® also features seven 2021 Argentine Open finalists and three players (Polito Pieres, Jeta and Barto Castagnola) from the winning La Natividad team. Also representing women at the highest levels of the sport, Gillian Johnston and Melissa Ganzi will lead Coca-Cola and Santa Rita respectively. After conceding his record of youngest player to win the U.S. Open Polo Championship® to Poroto Cambiaso in 2021, 8-goaler Nic Roldan highlights a strong field of American professionals which also includes Juan Bollini Jr., Nico and Lucas Escobar, Jeff Hall, Keko Magrini, Geronimo Obregon, Jason Crowder, Mackenzie Weisz and Jared Zenni, among others.

2022 GAUNTLET OF POLO® TEAMS
C.V. Whitney Cup®, USPA Gold Cup®, U.S. Open Polo Championship®

Cessna (21) Will Johnston (2), Camp Campbell (2), Miguel Novillo Astrada (9), Gringo Colombres (8)
Coca-Cola (22) Gillian Johnston (1), Nico Escobar (5), Nico Pieres (9), Julian de Lusarreta (7)
Dutta Corp/Show+ (22) Timmy Dutta (4), Tomas Garcia del Rio (8), Iñaki Laprida (7), Joaquin Avendaño (3)
La Fe (20) Louis Devaleix (0), Robi Bilbao (5), Francisco Elizalde (9), Lucas Diaz Alberdi (6)
La Indiana (21/22) Stewart Armstrong (3), Jeff Hall (6), Lucas Criado Jr. (5)/Lucas Criado (6), Mariano Aguerre (7)
Park Place (22) Andrey Borodin (0), Juan Britos (9), Hilario Ulloa (10), Cody Ellis (3)
Pilot (22) Curtis Pilot (0), Mackenzie Weisz (5), Facundo Pieres (10), Matias Torres Zavaleta (7)
Scone (22) David Paradice (0), Keko Magrini (3), Poroto Cambiaso (9), Adolfo Cambiaso (10)
SD Farms (22) Sayyu Dantata (2), Lucas Escobar (4), Pelon Stirling (10), Peco Polledo (6)

2022 USPA Gold Cup® and U.S. Open Polo Championship® Teams:

CK Polo – TBA
La Elina (21) Bobby Gerry (0), Jared Zenni (6), Sapo Caset (10), Geronimo Obregon (5)
Tamera (22) Alejandro Poma (1), Diego Cavanagh (9), Alejo Taranco (8), Segundo Saravi (4)
TBD – Santino Magrini (5), Matias Magrini (7), Stevie Orthwein (4), TBA

2022 U.S. Open Polo Championship® Teams:

Aspen Valley Polo Club – Vinny Sangaline (0), Pablo MacDonough (10), TBA, TBA
Audi (22) Marc Ganzi (2), Jason Crowder (5), Barto Castagnola (9), Paco de Narvaez (6)
Casablanca – Juan Bollini Jr. (4), Sugar Erskine (6), TBA, TBA
Grand Champions Polo Club – Riley Ganzi (0), Gonzalito Pieres (10), Juan Bollini Sr. (4), TBA
Santa Rita Polo Farm – Melissa Ganzi (0), Camilo “Jeta” Castagnola (9), Polito Pieres (10), TBA
Sol de Agosto (22) Paco de Narvaez Jr. (2), Grant Ganzi (3), Juan Martin Nero (10), Torito Ruiz (7)
The Polo School – Nic Roldan (8), TBA, TBA, TBA

“This year’s GAUNTLET OF POLO® will be the most challenging ever for the nine teams that have entered all three tournaments, considering four additional teams will be vying for the USPA Gold Cup®, and eleven additional teams will be part of the 20-team U.S. Open Polo Championship® – the most in history,” said USPA COO/In-House Counsel Chris Green. “It doesn’t get more competitive than that!”

The 2022 GAUNTLET OF POLO® will begin February 6-27, with the C.V. Whitney Cup®, followed by the USPA Gold Cup® March 1-27 and conclude with the U.S. Open Polo Championship® March 29-April 24. All Sunday featured games will be held on the prestigious U.S. Polo Assn. Stadium Field. Revising the prize money distribution for the 2022 season, the new format guarantees a total of $200,000 in prize money. $50,000 will be awarded to each of the winning teams of the C.V. Whitney Cup® and USPA Gold Cup®. Similarly, $100,000 in prize money will be presented to the winner of the U.S. Open Polo Championship® and any team that wins all three tournaments will be crowned the GAUNTLET Champion. In keeping with the spirit of philanthropy, U.S. Polo Assn. will again provide funds to the winner and runner-up teams of all three finals to be donated to a polo charity of their choice.

All three tournaments will be livestreamed on Global Polo TV’s (GPTV) OTT platform, accessible on globalpolo.com and on major apps including iOS, Android, Roku and Amazon FireTV. Also, marking a historic partnership between Global Polo Entertainment and ESPN, all three GAUNTLET OF POLO® finals will be televised live on ESPN3, ESPN LATAM and Star+ in Latin America. Increasing the exposure of the sport through top tournaments, the deal will bring millions of new audiences, sports fans and consumers in contact with polo. Also new in 2022, the Global Polo Pass annual subscription has replaced the previous pass options and will include access to all livestreamed USPA Official Events, select international events and much more. All USPA members will receive the Global Polo Pass free with a paid 2022 membership. Special offers are available at www.globalpolo.com.

For more information on the GAUNTLET OF POLO®, please visit uspolo.org/gauntlet-of-polo. For more information about spectatorship at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, please visit www.internationalpoloclub.com.

Photos by David Lominska

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Proudly hosting the GAUNTLET OF POLO® since its debut in 2019, the United States Polo Association (USPA), USPA Global Licensing (USPAGL) and the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) are…

Lifestyle, Polo News, Real Estate

Vladi Private Islands sells the largest private island in the continental USA

13. January 2022

Vladi Private Islands is pleased to announce the sale of a very special property at the beginning of the year: Galloo Island – the largest private island in the continental United States and one of the most beautiful islands in North America – was sold in December 2021 through Vladi Private Islands, Hamburg.

Located in Lake Ontario in the state of New York, the island has an area of 8 km², the same size as the island of Venice. It features a private airstrip, two beaches, spacious houses, its own harbour with farmland and a forest area with wonderful wildlife.

Galloo Island is very sheltered and resembles a small kingdom of its own, which is also ideal for a self-sufficient lifestyle. Boat trips are possible to Niagara Falls on one side or through the 1000 Islands River via Singer Castle Island to the ocean on the other. The mainland and the town of Watertown with its various amenities are only a few minutes away by boat.

As island brokers in Hamburg, we have been active in this field for 50 years and are proud to have sold this unique property in cooperation with our local colleague Cathy Garlock to an American private individual.

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”1215″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″]©Vladi Private Islands / www.vladi-private-islands.de

Vladi Private Islands is pleased to announce the sale of a very special property at the beginning of the year: Galloo Island – the largest private island in the continental…

North America, Polo News

Polo School Grand Champions Women’s League Kicks Off Big Winter Season At Grand Champions And Santa Rita

13. January 2022

WELLINGTON, January 11, 2022—Women‘s polo takes center stage Wednesday at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

The Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League begins its sixth year to kick off a busy winter season at Grand Champions Polo Club and Santa Rita. Game time is 10 a.m.

Ten players will compete including Hope Arellano, Cecelia Cochran, Pamela Flanagan, Alyson Poor and Malicia von Falkenhausen.

The women‘s league attracts all levels of playing ability and will be held every Wednesday through April.

Alina Carta

The only full-time weekly women‘s polo league in the world was created by Alina Carta, a polo pioneer and one of the highest ranked women in the U.S. in the 1980s, and Melissa Ganzi, Grand Champions Polo Club President, World Polo League co-founder and avid player. Ganzi is the first woman in history to win the prestigious 35th Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz and returns to Switzerland to compete Jan. 28-30.

„I‘m always excited when we start,“ Carta said. „It has grown. The girls really look forward to it. We have every player from beginners to great players, a nice mix of players. It‘s going to be fantastic.“

All team entry fees benefit The Polo School, a stand-alone USPA-sanctioned club. The Polo School offers lessons to men, women and children of all ages and ability levels and offers scholarships.

The league, along with the March 30-April 3 WCT Finals at Grand Champions, honors Sunny Hale, the all-time greatest women‘s polo player and Hall of Famer. The part-time Wellington resident died February 26, 2017 in Norman, Okla. due to complications from cancer at age 48.

Cecelia Cochran

Hale is one of the sport‘s pioneers and first woman in polo history to win the 26-goal U.S. Open in an era when the sport was male-dominated.

Many of the players have competed in qualifiers for the Women‘s Championship Tournament (WCT), the largest women‘s league in the world which Hale founded to help open the door and break down barriers for girls and women.

Female polo players account for 40 percent of players in polo today and continue to be the fastest growing demographic in the sport. Hale has been credited for the growth. She laid the foundation, did the work, gave women opportunities in the sport and is the reason the sport has become so popular among women. Her legacy remains alive through today‘s generation of women players like Arellano, the top American player.

Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest polo club coming off its most successful fall season, hopes to build off that success when it hosts 23 tournaments from January through April.

The high goal club tournaments will feature the Sterling Cup, Jan. 18-30; $100,000 World Cup, Jan. 28-Feb. 12 and Santa Rita Abierto, March 1-13.

The 16-goal league play includes the Grand Champions Cup, Feb. 14-March 5; Power Horse Invitational, March 8-26; and Pedro Morrison Memorial, March 29-April 16.

The 12-goal league schedule is the Limited Edition 12-Goal Series, Jan. 25-Feb. 12; Sieber Memorial Trophy, Feb. 15-March 5; $50,000 National 12-Goal, Feb. 16-27; and Top Pony 12-Goal, March 8-26.

The 8-goal tournament lineup is the Aspen Valley Cup, Jan. 14-30; Top Pony 8-Goal, Feb. 15-March 5; and Limited Edition 8-Goal, March 8-26.

The 6-goal schedule features the Metropolitan Cup, Jan. 25-Feb. 12; Halo Polo Trophy, Feb. 15-March 5; and Madelon Bourdieu Memorial, March 8-26.

Grand Champions has also added Sunset Chukkers and Cocktails, presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and held Tuesday late afternoon on Field One for players and guests.

Pamela Flanagan

The club attracts a large international field of players from all corners 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 England.