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Audi Captures Founders Cup In Overtime Thriller; Jeta Castagnola Named MVP

13. March 2023

WELLINGTON, Fla., March 13, 2023—Audi won the battle of unbeatens to defend its title and capture the World Polo League‘s Founders Cup Sunday at Grand Champions Polo Club.

After dominating most of the game, Audi (Marc Ganzi, 1, Jeta Castagnola, 10, Nic Roldan, 8, Freddie Mannix, 7) needed an overtime chukker to defeat Richard Mille (Patricio Mayor, 0, Gonzalito Pieres, 9, Lucas James, 7, Pablo MacDonough, 10) 14-13.

Audi finished the eight-team tournament undefeated with a 5-0 record. Richard Mille finished 4-1.

Richard Mille was playing with a makeshift lineup after losing two starters to injuries in the semifinals. Patricio Mayor replaced patron Gilberto Sayao and Lucas James replaced Alejandro Novillo Astrada.

Down by as many as five goals (13-8) late in the fifth chukker, Richard Mille scored three goals in the first two minutes of the sixth chukker with Mayor scoring the tying goal with 4:10 left. Both teams had scoring opportunities in the final minutes of regulation play but it took a 30-yard penalty conversion by Ganzi to clinch the win in overtime.

„That sixth chukker happened so quick I don‘t know what happened,“ Roldan said. „We kind of got comfortable. They scored two quick goals and came out really strong in that sixth chukker and we were a little bit soft.

„But look, at the end of the day we won and we‘re happy about that because we know we played well and we deserved it,“ Roldan said. „It‘s always good to be on the podium and it was fun to win. Our team feels good and everyone is playing great. It‘s a fun team to play with.“

Jeta Castagnola was named Most Valuable Player. „Jeta is just an animal,“ Roldan said.

Three horses earned Best Playing Pony honors.

Open Sauza, played by Gonzalito Pieres in the second and sixth chukkers, was awarded the Polo Argentino Best Playing Pony.

Irenita Pizza, played by Pablo MacDonough in the third and sixth chukkers, was the World Polo League Best Playing Pony.

Catwoman, played by Jeta Castagnola in the second, fourth and seventh chukkers was the American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony.

Until the sixth chukker Audi looked to be in the driver‘s seat with its fast-paced aggressive offensive attack, winning nine throw-ins to Richard Mille‘s four in the first half. Audi had at least a two-goal cushion in the first three chukkers and led 7-5 at the half.

Audi looked even stronger in the fourth and fifth chukkers with its good rotation and positioning on the field. Audi dominated plays and moved the ball well and built a 13-8 lead with 1:02 left in the fifth chukker before Richard Mille clawed its way back to force an overtime chukker.

Ganzi scored a game-high seven goals including six penalty conversions and the game-winner. Castagnola added three goals, Mannix had two and Roldan one.

Gonzalito Pieres and Pablo MacDonough each scored five goals for Richard Mille. Mayor and James each had one. The team was also awarded a penalty-one.

Audi outshot Richard Mille, 21-18, including 11-8 in the first half. Audi dominated throw-ins, 9-4 in the first half, and 17-11 overall. Richard Mille led in fouls 11-9, with Audi converting seven of those penalties (four 30-yarders, two 40-yarders and one 60-yarder).

In the semifinals, Audi advanced with a 15-12 win over Kaia Polo (Larry Austin, 0, Lerin Zubiaurre, 7, Sapo Caset, 10, Santi Toccalino, 8) and Richard Mille advanced with a 14-10 victory over All-Star Challenge tournament champion Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, 3, Tomas Pieres, 6, Barto Castagnola, 10, Jesse Bray, 7).

In last year‘s Founders Cup, Audi (Marc Ganzi, 2, Jeta Castagnola, 9, Barto Castagnola, 9, Paco de Narvaez, 6) defeated Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (Melissa Ganzi, 0, Gonzalito Pieres, 10, Juan Martin Zubia, 8, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 8), 13-9. De Narvaez was MVP.

The World Polo League, the only 26-goal polo played outside of Argentina, is in its fifth season with a star-studded lineup that features six 10-goalers including Pablo MacDonough, Barto Castagnola, Juan Martin Nero, Jeta Castagnola, Polito Pieres and Sapo Caset.

The world-class league will run through April 16. The remaining WPL events are the Palm Beach Open which gets under way this week, Tommy Hitchcock Legacy Memorial, Triple Crown of Polo and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach.

Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest polo club celebrating its 16th anniversary, and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique private 102-acre polo facility in Wellington with 212 stalls in nine self-contained barns, two tracks, five climate-controlled tack rooms, vet room, staff quarters, guest house and four polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation and short work arena. The club has 13 well-manicured fields including nine world-class fields at GCPC and four at Santa Rita.

During the winter polo season, Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest and most innovative USPA-sanctioned polo club, nestled in the heart of the world‘s winter equestrian capital, is hosting tournaments: 6, 8, 12, 20, and 26-goal leagues, weekly Polo School Ladies League play, WCT Finals and 26-goal WPL tournaments at both Grand Champions and Santa Rita.

Season highlights for 2023 are the $50,000 National 12-Goal Tournament, Sieber Memorial, John T. Oxley Memorial and $100,000 World Cup Tournament, a unique 0-40-goal, winner-take-all single-elimination tournament and special events including Nic Roldan Sunset Polo and White Party, Great Futures Celebrity Polo, WPL Polo Pride and Sunset Chukkers & Cocktails.

The winter season is being live-streamed locally and worldwide on Wellington-based ChukkerTV (CTV Sports).

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 Polo School, now located at the former Pony Express facility, operates in Wellington January through May and September through November. The stand-alone USPA-sanctioned polo club, is thriving. It is dedicated to teaching polo to all ages, particularly grass roots youth. Its mission is to provide individuals opportunities in polo at every economic and ability level. November. The Polo School has nurtured several junior, men and women polo players now playing in the pro and amateur ranks since its inception.

For more information on leagues or Polo School contact Director of Operations Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or General Manager Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

WELLINGTON, Fla., March 13, 2023—Audi won the battle of unbeatens to defend its title and capture the World Polo League‘s Founders Cup Sunday at Grand Champions Polo Club. After dominating…

Polo News

Audi, Richard Mille Meet Sunday In Founders Cup Final; Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday

13. March 2023

WELLINGTON, Fla., March 11, 2023— Audi will attempt to defend its title while Richard Mille looks for its first title of the season in the championship final of the World Polo League‘s Founders Cup Sunday at Grand Champions Polo Club.

Game time for the battle of unbeatens is 4 p.m. for the feature game. Sunday is also the first day of Daylight Saving Time where clocks spring forward one hour welcoming an extra hour of sunlight in the spring and summer.

In Friday‘s semifinal action, defending champion Audi (Marc Ganzi, 1, Jeta Castagnola, 10, Nic Roldan, 8, Freddie Mannix, 7) looked impressive in its 15-12 victory over Kaia Polo (Larry Austin, 0, Lerin Zubiaurre, 7, Sapo Caset, 10, Santi Toccalino, 8) to remain undefeated at 4-0. Kaia Polo finished 3-1 in its WPL tournament debut.

„It was a good victory and we‘re very happy and excited,“ Roldan said. „We had a slow start to the season but we understand each other now. The four of us are really jelling much better. Sunday will be an exciting game.

„We played against them in the first tournament, we know what we have to do,“ Roldan said. „They are a very good team. It‘s going to be a tough game, but we are feeling really good and confident.“

Audi‘s offensive attack and solid four-man rotation broke open a close first half with Audi leading, 8-6. Trailing 5-4 after two chukkers, Audi outscored Kaia Polo, 4-1, in the third to lead at halftime. Audi had three quick scores before the courtesy change at 4:03.

„I think the first chukker and a half they had much more control of the game,“ Roldan said. „We were chasing and didn‘t get much possession of the ball. But I think we started to organize ourselves better in the third chukker and scored a few goals and were able to get a lead. We were able to turn it up in the last three chukkers.

„It was a tough game, they were a good, very solid team. We played well. We didn‘t make stupid fouls or give away easy goals. We focused on our positions today and it worked out.“

Audi continued to control the momentum in the second half increasing its lead to 10-8 after a 2-2 fourth chukker. Audi shut out Kaia Polo, 3-0 in the fifth chukker to extend its lead, 13-8. Audi had a seven-goal lead, 15-8, midway in the sixth chukker before Kaia Polo scored the last four goals of the game in the final three minutes.

Ganzi led scoring with a team-high six goals including three penalty conversions. „The Cobra was on fire today,“ Roldan said. „He had a great game, hit some good penalties, scored some important goals from the field and made some important defensive plays as well.“

Castagnola had five goals and Roldan added four. Caset had a game-high nine goals for Kaia Polo and Toccalino had two in the final chukker. Kaia Polo also received one goal on handicap.

Audi outshot Kai Polo, 23-15, and led in throw-ins, 13-11. Kaia Polo led in knock-ins, 8-4. Audi took advantage of Kaia Polo‘s eight fouls, converting three 30-yarders and one 60-yarder.

In the second semifinal game, Richard Mille (Milo MacDonough, 0, Gonzalito Pieres, 9, Lucas James, 7, Pablo MacDonough, 10) avenged its All-Star Challenge finals loss, with a 14-10 victory over Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, 3, Tomas Pieres, 6, Barto Castagnola, 10, Jesse Bray, 7) to remain undefeated at 4-0.

The game marked the starting debut of 13-year-old Milo MacDonough, the youngest player to start and compete in the five-year history of the 26-goal World Polo League.

MacDonough, the son of 10-goaler Pablo MacDonough, replaced an injured patron Gilberto Sayao in the fourth chukker of the Kaia Polo game and got the starting nod for the semifinals. Lucas James replaced an injured Alejandro Novillo Astrada. Despite two new players in the lineup, Richard Mille adapted quickly.

After a 2-2 opening chukker, Richard Mille led for the rest of the game. Richard Mille shut out Casablanca, 3-0, in the second chukker for a 5-2 lead. Casablanca regained its momentum in a 3-3 third chukker but Richard Mille still had a three-goal cushion at the half, 8-5.

Casablanca continued to dig itself out of a hole with a 1-0 fourth chukker but Richard Mille seemed to have an answer for everything Casablanca tried in the final two chukkers. Richard Mille maintained its rhythm and continued to rotate well. Casablanca had scoring opportunities but was unable to capitalize at the penalty line and from the field.

MacDonough, who has been playing Polo Training Foundation and low goal tournaments, made a smooth transition playing against the best players in the world at the 26-goal level. He finished as his team‘s leading scorer with five goals in the final two chukkers.

In addition to Milo MacDonough‘s five goals, James had four goals, Pieres had three and Pablo MacDonough added two. For Casablanca, Castagnola had six goals. Ganzi and Bray each had two.

Richard Mille outshot Casablanca, 24-20. Casablanca dominated the throw-ins, 16-10, but couldn‘t capitalize. Each team had 10 knock-ins and Richard Mille led in fouls, 9-8.

The second World Polo League tournament featured eight teams in bracket play.

„This is probably one of the best years team-wise for the WPL,“ Roldan said. „All the teams are very evenly matched. It‘s been very competitive and fun.“

The world-class league will run through April 16. In addition to the Founders Cup final on Sunday, the remaining WPL events are the Palm Beach Open, Tommy Hitchcock Legacy Memorial, Triple Crown of Polo and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach.

Grand Champions tournaments attract a large international field of players from all corners of the world including Argentina, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Canada, Ecuador, Brazil, Switzerland, France, England, Germany, Uruguay, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Venezuela, Chile, and England.

The winter season is being live-streamed locally and worldwide on Wellington-based ChukkerTV (CTV Sports).

For more information on leagues or Polo School contact Director of Operations Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or General Manager Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

2023 World Polo League Founders Cup Schedule

Sunday 3/12
4pm – WPL Founders Cup Final
Richard Mille vs Audi
GCPC 2

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

WELLINGTON, Fla., March 11, 2023— Audi will attempt to defend its title while Richard Mille looks for its first title of the season in the championship final of the World…

Instagram, Polo News

Interview with Pascal Renauldon

10. March 2023

The RB Presse Agency, which was founded in 1994 by Pascal Renauldon (the R), journalist, and Sophie Bienaimé (the B), equestrian and artistic director of the Grandes Écuries de Chantilly and well-known personality in the world of polo. RB Presse oversee the press releases for prestigious tournaments such as the Hublot Gold Cup in Gstaad, Switzerland, the Gold Cup in Deauville and the French Open in Chantilly, France. The agency also partners with various publishers, like POLO+10, and provide reports and PR articles, including stunning photographs, to promote their clients’ events, clubs or businesses; in this issue of the magazine they produced the Argentine Open coverage.

How did you get into the Public Relations business sector?

Really by chance. I‘m a journalist at heart. But in 1991, after meeting ATP officials at Roland Garros, I created the world ranking of show jumpers, which I was able to develop and launch with a Dutch marketing agency, BCM, who asked me to promote it to the press. BCM also organized several showjumping competitions and oversaw the press offices for the biggest equestrian event in the world, the CHIO Aachen, and asked me to join the press team as an editor. Then the Jumping de La Baule was organizing the European Championships that year and asked me to run the relations with foreign television stations, which were numerous at that time for equestrian events. Then, in 1994, I came back to France and met my wife, Sophie Bienaimé, who was a rider but also press officer for the Musée vivant du Cheval (Living Museum of the Horse) in Chantilly and we created R&B and very quickly the clients came by themselves, first of all the very prestigious Jumping International de Bordeaux of which we are still in charge of their press relations 28 years later.

You created R&B with your future wife, today you work with your daughter Adèle, who is also an excellent photographer for your agency: is R&B a family business?

Yes, today I work with my two daughters (Adèle and Sophie Jr. who are both communication graduates) and Sophie, my wife, keeps a keen eye on the agency. Having had several employees, I can tell you that it is much more pleasant and productive to work as a family because everyone is really involved and takes initiative (and ownership).

Does your agency only specialize in the equestrian sector?

Essentially, yes, although we do touch on tourism, arts and entertainment with the activities of the Grandes Écuries de Chantilly. We are all horsemen, and it is only natural that we want to share this passion with others through the media.

Are you also a polo player?

Yes, this is probably my last „life“ as a rider. I started with a first career in eventing thanks to a stable that my father had set up in Normandy and which enabled us to reach the best national level in France. Then I went to live in Germany between 1983 and 1993 where I did a lot of show jumping up to „S“ level (highest level in German show jumping). I loved competing in Germany, it was both very competitive and very friendly and the system allowed me to compete with great German riders like Ludger Beerbaum or Franke Sloothaak. One day, in 1984 I think, I found myself in a class with three World Champions: Hans-Günther Winkler, Norbert Koof and Gert Wiltfang, it was impressive. Then I came back to France and continued showjumping a bit, but it was less fun than in Germany. As I was in Chantilly, I went to the club which offered me to run the media relations for the French Open which took place in 2000 for the first time. That‘s how I gradually got into polo. But it is in this discipline that I am clearly the least brilliant and the least successful. Adèle is following my footsteps and she is doing much better than me, fortunately. She was silver medalist at the first European Women‘s Championship in 2017 and won the Ladies Cup in Deauville with Lia Salvo.

Is your wife also a rider?

Of course, she is a rider in the Compagnie équestre des Grandes Écuries de Chantilly. As their equestrian and artistic director, she writes and runs 2 big shows every year which attract over 60,000 spectators across the in 140 performances under the dome of the Grandes Écuries which can accommodate 600 people at a time.

Sophie also manages a team of 8 riders with various artistic talents (singers for example) who star in the shows and 4 grooms and she is responsible for the purchasing and training of a stable of 40 horses. She even brings on some of the horses herself from a novice to high school levels.

What do you like about polo?

The same thing as in show jumping: the ‘polo spirit’ of performing at high riding standards and the presentations and shows it offers; the constant search for excellence, the rigor, and the work of the breeders behind it all and seeing the quality of the horses constantly improve. And then the adrenalin of sport: an undecided game that is decided in an extra chukker or the jump-off of a Grand Prix that is decided in a few hundredths of a second. I was lucky enough to live in the era of Adolfo Cambiaso, who is surely the greatest player of all time. My job allows me to be in contact with these great players like him or the Pieres, the Heguy or these great riders like Nelson Pessoa, Marcus Ehning, Ludger Beerbaum who are legends of their sports. This all excites me.

And what I like the most, is the ability to spend time with my daughter around the horses. For us, taking good care of our horses, training them, caring for their well-being and the relationship with them is almost more important than the game itself.

So, you go to Argentina every year to follow the Abierto?

Absolutely, since 2001. That year I started to take an interest in polo. My wife always looks for inspiration for her shows and uses our trips to gather specific, authentic materials, like props, riding gear, costumes, to give her shows originality. Thanks to horses and polo, we have been able to go on fabulous trips and meet fantastic people in India, Mongolia, China, Africa or Russia. In 2001 we went to Argentina because Sophie wanted to put on a show called ‘Polo Tango’. That year, when we arrived in an Argentina it was in the middle of the big Argentine Crisis, but we were still able to attend a game of the Abierto, my first match in Palermo with the Chapa Uno. I was fascinated and vowed to return to Buenos Aires every year. Over the years I was able to approach all the great players, interviewing them for different magazines. I remember being invited to a private asado by the Heguy of Indios Chapaleufù II and shared only by them, Pepe, Ruso and Nachi, their parents and Milo Fernandez in the emblematic club of Los Indios. A great memory. That year they won the Abierto against their cousins.

Text Julia Riewald
photography RB Presse

“We are all horsemen, and it is only natural that we want to share this passion with others through the media”. The RB Presse Agency, which was founded in 1994…

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First ever Ladies POLO RIDER CUP

10. March 2023

GAME POLO is proud to announce that the first edition of the Ladies POLO RIDER CUP will be launched during the third edition of the POLO RIDER CUP and will also be held at the Polo Club Saint-Tropez – Haras de Gassin.

The Ladies tournament will take place from 14 to 18 June 2023, with four teams playing with a handicap of 12/16 goals.

In line with the FIP’s (Federation of International Polo) global strategy to promote women in the sport of polo, GAME POLO is launching this first edition to help build awareness of ladies‘ polo and thanks Polo Club Saint-Tropez – Haras de Gassin for hosting this new competition.

In the same spirit as the POLO RIDER CUP, the Ladies POLO RIDER CUP aims to bring together the best women’s polo clubs from all countries and continents.

Alex Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of the FIP, comments: ‚‘The Federation of International Polo is delighted to endorse and be part of the Ladies POLO RIDER CUP 2023. Women‘s Polo is an important part of the future of the sport! It is currently the fastest growing branch of polo, with more women enrolling in their respective associations and creating new exclusive tournaments around the world. FIP is keen to promote, improve and expand women‘s polo and programmes in all member countries, as it considers they are essential to the future of polo. The first Ladies POLO RIDER CUP is a great move in this direction and is fully in tune with FIP‘s strategy‘‘

Olivier Godallier, President & Founder of GAME POLO, comments: ‚‘We are delighted to launch the 2023 Ladies POLO RIDER CUP this year together with another edition of the POLO RIDER CUP. Ladies’ polo is gaining in popularity worldwide, and it facilitates international polo friendships across the globe. After two successful editions of the POLO RIDER CUP, it is now the right time to move forward and organise the Ladies POLO RIDER CUP‘‘

About GAME POLO (poloridercup.com)

GAME POLO is a French sports marketing agency with activities in event management, marketing & sponsoring, licensing & merchandising, TV & digital distribution, and hospitality. GAME POLO is also the Organizer and Promoter of the POLO RIDER CUP and the Ladies POLO RIDER CUP

GAME POLO is proud to announce that the first edition of the Ladies POLO RIDER CUP will be launched during the third edition of the POLO RIDER CUP and will…

Polo News, Real Estate

Caribbean Palatial Estate Lists At $200 Million – Take a Tour

10. March 2023

It might be the prettiest island estate in the world!

In 1958, Lord Glenconner Colin Tennant bought Mustique island for £45,000, even though it had no roads or running water. Today, it is one of the world’s most exclusive and expensive islands. A palatial estate on the island is now for sale at $200 million – the most expensive home to ever come on the market in the Caribbean.

Located on 17 private acres, The Terraces includes nine buildings with a total of 13 bedrooms, nine ensuite bedrooms in the main house, an 80-foot-long swimming pool, many arched windows and doors, and the largest entertainment spaces on the island. There are seven reception rooms, a chapel, and guest cottages where there is another swimming pool. There is a 60-foot tunnel or paths that connect the main house to a 12,000-square-foot building, which includes a huge event hall and game room. There is also a lighted tennis court and a third pool with an infinity edge that appears to send water flowing over the lush hillside. The compound includes almost 53,000 square feet of the main home plus covered outdoor areas.

The estate’s exterior grounds are just as nice as the main home, which include an entrance to the main home with breathtaking fountains that rivals Europe’s best museums, lush plantings, and exquisite views from one of Mustique’s highest elevations, providing postcard-type views of the lush tropical grounds and the Atlantic Ocean’s blue water. According to the estate listing, “The Terraces was designed in a majestic blend of Palladium and Venetian style — a faithful homage to the great 16th-century palaces of Italy’s pomp.” Such as the hand-painted ceiling murals by French artist Jean-Claude Adenin.

Mustique is located in the southern Caribbean country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The country is a popular vacation spot for CEOs and celebrities, such as George Clooney and Kate Middleton. Both Mick Jagger and Tommy Hilfiger have expensive homes on Mustique.

The listing agent is Edward de Mallet Morgan, who is in charge of international sales at the Knight Frank real estate agency.

© Knight Frank / TopTenRealEstateDeals

Caribbean Palatial Estate Lists At $200 Million – Take a Tour

It might be the prettiest island estate in the world! In 1958, Lord Glenconner Colin Tennant bought Mustique island for £45,000, even though it had no roads or running water.…

Instagram, Polo News

Grand Champions Polo Club Wins Top Pony Title In Overtime Thriller; Miki Novillo Astrada Sweeps MVP, BPP Honors

9. March 2023

WELLINGTON, March 7, 2023—Grand Champions Polo Club needed an overtime chukker to capture the Top Pony 8-Goal Tournament Monday at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Grand Champions Polo Club (Fran Spinacci, 0, Miki Novillo Astrada, 1, Antonio Aguerre, 1, Max Charlton, 6) defeated Orea Polo (Petra Sobotova, -1, Justo Mourino, 3, Justin Daniels, 2, Mati Busquet, 4), for a thrilling 10-9 overtime victory.

Miki Novillo Astrada, 16, the son of Argentine great and former 10-goaler Miguel Novillo Astrada, was named Most Valuable Player.

Novillo Astrada scored back-to-back goals to tie the game, 9-9, at 2:17 sending the game into overtime and then scored the game-winner at the 7:08 mark in overtime.

Novillo Astrada‘s horse Arroba Magri earned Best Playing Pony honors.

The fourth generation player has been playing polo since he was six and has played with Spinacci and Aguerre several times. It was the first time he played with Max Charlton of Great Britain. It was Novillo Astrada‘s first tournament win of the season.

In overtime, Novillo Astrada came up with the throw-in. „I got the ball, turned it and just ran with it to the goal,“ he said. „My horse ran fast so I passed them and I scored.

„I am very happy to win because it was a difficult match,“ Novillo Astrada said.

Miguel Novillo Astrada was in the players‘ tent watching his son. „I am very happy my father helps me, he gives me advice,“ Novillo Astrada said. „He came to the tent in the last chukker. He told me to be patient and to win the throw-in.“

The lead changed hands seven times during the game. Orea Polo started off strong with a 3-0 lead in the opening chukker. Grand Champions Polo Club bounced back with its own 3-0 chukker to tie the game after two chukkers.

In a defensive third chukker, Novillo Astrada scored the only goal to give Grand Champions a 4-3 halftime lead.

Busquet opened the fourth chukker with a penalty conversion to tie the game, 4-4. Spinacci scored back-to-back goals to give Grand Champions its biggest lead of the game, 6-4.

Grand Champions led by as many as three goals (8-5) before Orea Polo started clawing its way back. Busquet got hot in the sixth chukker scoring back-to back goals to take the lead, 9-8, with 3:32 left in regulation. After that it was all Grand Champions and Novillo Astrada with his back-to-back goals.

Spinacci led Grand Champions Polo Club with a team-high five goals, including four penalty conversions. Astrada had three goals. Aguerre and Charlton each had one. Busquet led Orea Polo with a game-high eight goals and Daniels added one.

Orea Polo outshot Grand Champions, 18-16. Grand Champions led in knock-ins, 9-6, and fouls, 12-9. Orea Polo led in throw-ins, 11-10. In the first half, Orea Polo outshot Grand Champions, 7-6. Grand Champions led in knock-ins, 4-2, throw-ins, 6-3, and fouls, 6-3.

In last year‘s final, Santa Rita (Fran Spinacci, -1, Antonio Aguerre, 0, Mia Cambiaso, 2, Pablo Spinacci, 6) led from start to finish for a 10-7 win over Rafool Polo (Ray Rafool, -1, Milo Dorignac, 2, Henry Porter, 4, Ciro Desenzani, 2/Manuel Prado, 2). Pablo Spinacci was MVP.

During the winter polo season, Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest and most innovative USPA-sanctioned polo club, nestled in the heart of the world‘s winter equestrian capital, is hosting tournaments: 6, 8, 12, 20, and 26-goal leagues, WCT Finals, Polo School Ladies League weekly play and 26-goal World Polo League tournaments at both Grand Champions and Santa Rita.

Season highlights for 2023 are the Sieber Memorial, currently underway; $50,000 National 12-Goal Tournament, John T. Oxley Memorial, WCT Finals and $100,000 World Cup Tournament, a unique 0-40-goal, winner-take-all single-elimination tournament and special events including World Polo League Polo Pride, Sunset Chukkers & Cocktails and Great Futures Polo Day featuring Celebrity Polo.

The biggest highlight of the season is the fifth season of the World Polo League currently underway with the Founders Cup. The nation‘s only 26-goal league features some of the world‘s top players including 10-goaler Pablo MacDonough and team sponsors.

The winter season is being live-streamed locally and worldwide on Wellington-based ChukkerTV (CTV Sports).

For more information on leagues or Polo School contact Director of Operations Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

WELLINGTON, March 7, 2023—Grand Champions Polo Club needed an overtime chukker to capture the Top Pony 8-Goal Tournament Monday at Santa Rita Polo Farm. Grand Champions Polo Club (Fran Spinacci,…

Instagram, Polo News

Kaia Polo Remains Undefeated In WPL Founders Cup; Sapo Caset Sweeps MVP, BPP Honors

7. March 2023

WELLINGTON, Fla., March 6, 2023—Kaia Polo, making its debut in the 26-goal World Polo League, remains undefeated in the Founders Cup.

Kaia Polo (Larry Austin, 0, Lerin Zubiaurre, 7, Sapo Caset, 10, Santi Toccalino, 8) led for most of the game to knock off Brookshire Polo (Scott Wood, 0, Pipe Vercellino, 7, Polito Pieres, 10, Jero del Carril, 8), 10-8, in the Sunday feature game at Grand Champions Polo Club.

Ten-goaler and playmaker Sapo Caset, also making his WPL debut, scored a team-high five goals and was named Most Valuable Player. His fifth chukker horse, Don Urbano Penalty, was selected WPL Best Playing Pony. „Sapo is such a great captain,“ Austin said.

Kaia Polo is now 2-0 after defeating Pampa Norte Biotricity, 14-13, and Brookshire, two seasoned teams with WPL experience.

„I‘m very happy with the chemistry of the team organized by Nick Manifold,“ said Austin, who named his team Kaia after his Rhodesian Ridgeback. His first polo team, Zuma Polo, was name after his first Rhodesian Ridegback. „They are fast, graceful animals with a gait similar to a horse so I thought it was very fitting for a polo team.“

The teams started off with a 1-1 opening chukker with Pieres, after Zubiaurre turned away his first goal attempt, converted a safety-60 for its only lead of the game, 1-0. Three minutes later, Toccalino scored to tie the game.

For the next five chukkers it was all Kaia Polo with its accurate shooting, opportunistic defense and selfless leadership of Caset, setting up goals for his teammates.

Kaia Polo led 4-2 after the second chukker and 5-3 at the half. The stats were close in the first half between the two well-balanced teams. Kaia Polo outshot Brookshire, 8-7; led in knock-ins, 4-3, throw-ins, 6-4; and fouls, 4-2. All three of Brookshire‘s goals were penalty conversions.

Kaia Polo, with great chemistry and anticipation, continued its momentum in the second half. Brookshire changed its rotation in the second half but was still unable to take advantage of its scoring opportunities.

Kaia Polo led 6-3 after the fourth chukker and led by as much as four (7-3, 9-5) and five goals (8-3, 9-4, 10-5) in the fifth chukker. Brookshire scored its first second-half goal with 4:57 left in the fifth when Vercellino took the throw-in and scored. Brookshire kept attacking in the final chukker outscoring Kaia Polo, 3-0, but it wasn‘t enough to beat the rookie team.

In addition to Caset‘s five goals, Zubiaurre and Toccalino each had two goals. There was also a pony goal.

Vercellino led Brookshire with a team-high five goals, including three penalty conversions. Pieres added two goals and del Carril had one.

In the final stats, Brookshire outshot Kaia Polo, 18-14, but Kaia Polo led in knock-ins, 10-4, and throw-ins, 10-9. Kaia Polo led in fouls, 9-6, with Brookshire scoring off three of those penalties from 30, 40 and 60 yards out in the first half.

In other games this past week: Richard Mille edged Brookshire, 9-8; Audi defeated Casablanca, 15-11; Casablanca topped Santa Rita Trenque Lauquen, 11-6; Audi defeated Travieso, 14-13; and Richard Mille nipped Pampa Norte Biotricity, 12-11.

The second World Polo League tournament features eight teams in bracket play.

The WPL, the only 26-goal polo played outside of Argentina, is in its fifth season with a star-studded lineup that features six 10-goalers including Pablo MacDonough, Barto Castagnola, Juan Martin Nero, Jeta Castagnola, Polito Pieres and Sapo Caset.

The popular WPL has been filling the void created when the U.S. Polo Association, the sport‘s governing body, announced it was lowering high goal polo to 18-22 goals and would not have 26-goal polo.

In the 2022 Founders Cup, Audi (Marc Ganzi, 2, Jeta Castagnola, 9, Barto Castagnola, 9, Paco de Narvaez, 6) defeated Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (Melissa Ganzi, 0, Gonzalito Pieres, 10, Juan Martin Zubia, 8, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 8), 13-9. De Narvaez was MVP.

In addition to the Founders Cup, other WPL tournaments are the Palm Beach Open, Tommy Hitchcock Legacy Memorial, Triple Crown of Polo and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach. The world-class league runs through April 16.

During the winter polo season, Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest and most innovative USPA-sanctioned polo club, nestled in the heart of the world‘s winter equestrian capital, is hosting tournaments: 6, 8, 12, 20, and 26-goal leagues, WCT Finals, women‘s weekly league play and 26-goal WPL tournaments at both Grand Champions and Santa Rita.

The winter season is being live-streamed locally and worldwide on Wellington-based ChukkerTV (CTV Sports).

For more information on leagues or Polo School contact Director of Operations Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or General Manager Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

2023 World Polo League Founders Cup Schedule

Tuesday 3/7
11am Santa Rita Trenque Lauquen vs Audi
4pm Travieso vs Casablanca

Wednesday 3/8
11am Pampa Norte Biotricity vs Brookshire
2pm Kaia Polo vs Richard Mille

Friday 3/10
11am WPL Founders Cup Semifinal 1
4pm WPL Founders Cup Semifinal 2

Sunday 3/12
4pm – WPL Founders Cup Final

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

WELLINGTON, Fla., March 6, 2023—Kaia Polo, making its debut in the 26-goal World Polo League, remains undefeated in the Founders Cup. Kaia Polo (Larry Austin, 0, Lerin Zubiaurre, 7, Sapo…

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U.S. OPEN WOMEN’S POLO CHAMPIONSHIP® PRESENTED BY EASTERN HAY BEGINS THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 10

7. March 2023

Together with Port Mayaca Polo Club (Okeechobee, Florida) and the National Polo Center – Wellington (Wellington, Florida), the United States Polo Association (USPA) will host the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship® presented by Eastern Hay from Friday, March 10 through Sunday, March 19. The draw took place on Friday, March 3, to determine the schedule for the elite competition. The most prestigious women’s tournament in the United States, five competitive teams will vie for ultimate glory and $40,000 in prize money, with $30,000 going to the winning team and $10,000 going to the runner-up. In addition to the prize money, U.S. Polo Assn. will continue to encourage the spirit of philanthropy this winter season by providing $2,500 to both the winning team and the runner-up to donate to the polo charity of their choice.

The U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship, formerly titled the U.S. Women’s Open, was established in 1937 by the United States Women’s Polo Association, the first and only women’s polo association in the history of American polo. A pioneering effort, the competition and the Association unfortunately dissolved just two years later when World War II began. Women were officially welcomed into the USPA in 1972, with Sue Sally Hale becoming one of the first woman members. On the USPA’s centennial anniversary in 1990, a U.S. Women’s Open was officially sanctioned and held at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Appropriately, Hale along with her two daughters, Sunny and Stormie, captured the title with teammate Caroline Anier. It was officially recognized as a national tournament in 2011, and was hosted at Houston Polo Club (Houston, Texas) until it found a permanent home in South Florida in 2018.

This year, bracket games and semifinals will be played at Port Mayaca Polo Club (Okeechobee, Florida) and the final will be played at the National Polo Center – Wellington on U.S. Polo Assn. Field One. Raised to the 18- to 24-goal level for the first time in the tournament’s history, the play promises to be faster and more competitive than ever before.

The 2023 edition of the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship will feature many familiar faces spanning five talented teams. Reigning victors Pamela Flanagan and 10-goaler Hazel Jackson, the 2022 U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship’s Most Valuable Player, will team up once again under a new team name, La Fe. Their former teammate Mia Cambiaso will join Dundas alongside returning Dundas competitor, 10-goaler Nina Clarkin. Winifred Branscum, who looks to continue her steady rise following her victory in the 2022 National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS) Girls’ Championship, will make her U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship debut with La Fe. American 8-goaler Hope Arellano will round out the La Fe collective.

2022 runner-up Sophie Grant will unite with her older sister Maddie for BTA, along with KC Krueger and Sarah Wiseman, who combined forces to win the 2022 U.S. Open Women’s Handicap with QR Jets. Two U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship returning competitors, Kylie Sheehan and Izzy Parsons, will come together for San Saba, joined by 2021 competitor Dawn Jones and 6-goaler Lottie Lamacraft. Lamacraft will replace Gillian Johnston, who was originally set to compete for San Saba before sustaining an ankle injury prior to the start of the tournament.

El Cid Fitness will round-out the competition, with returning competitor Heather Souto aligning with USPA Governor-at-Large Cecelia Cochran.

Representing Team USPA are Active Members Hope Arellano and Sophie Grant and alumna Kylie Sheehan. Team USPA is a unique program that aims to develop and promote the sport of polo in the United States. The program identifies young and talented American players and provides them with guided training and playing opportunities, which eventually leads to the creation of a higher-rated pool of amateur and professional players who can contribute to the growth and success of the sport of polo.

The five teams competing are as follows:

El Cid Fitness (24) – Cecelia Cochran (5), Heather Souto (5), Fatima Balzano (6), Mili Sanchez (8)
BTA (23) – Sophie Grant (5), Maddie Grant (5), KC Krueger (6), Sarah Wiseman (7)
Dundas (24) – Sarah Siegel-Magness (1), Erica Gandomcar-Sachs (5), Mia Cambiaso (8), Nina Clarkin (10)
La Fe (24) – Winifred Branscum (1), Pamela Flanagan (5), Hope Arellano (8), Hazel Jackson (10)
San Saba (24) – Dawn Jones (5), Kylie Sheehan (5), Izzy Parsons (8), Lottie Lamacraft (6)

Schedule

Friday, March 10

10:00am ET: El Cid Fitness vs. Dundas

12:00pm ET: BTA vs. La Fe

Sunday, March 12

12:00pm ET: Dundas vs. San Saba

Tuesday, March 14
2:00pm ET: El Cid Fitness vs. La Fe

2:00pm ET: BTA vs. San Saba

Thursday, March 16

12:00pm ET: Semifinal #1

2:00pm ET: Semifinal #2

Sunday, March 19

3:00pm ET: Final

The tournament will use a 5-star format where each team will draw two teams to play against. Following bracket play, all teams will have played two games. Teams will be ranked 1-5 based on record. In the event of tied records, a shootout will be used as a tiebreaker. The top four ranked teams will advance to the semifinals.

For the semifinals, if possible, teams will play a team they have not yet faced in bracket play. Otherwise, semifinal pairings will be determined by a draw. Semifinal losers and the team ranked fifth will play a four chukker round-robin subsidiary. Semifinal winners will advance to the final.

Spectating from the NPC stadium, private boxes, fieldside tailgates and special hospitality tents all overlooking U.S. Polo Assn. Field One is an unparalleled experience available for the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship Final on Sunday, March 19 at 3:00pm ET. Tickets can be purchased at nationalpolocenter.com.

All games of the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship will also be livestreamed exclusively by USPA Polo Network and available to watch on uspolo.org as well as across USPA social media channels, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Twitch. Additionally, the final will be available on the ESPN family of brands. Check your local listings for times and channels.

Learn more about the teams competing and the competition at the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship Tournament Detail Page.

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Brookfield Farm Wins Halo Polo Trophy Thriller; Grant Ganzi Sweeps MVP, BPP Awards

7. March 2023

WELLINGTON, March 6, 2023—Brookfield Farm rallied in the final chukker to capture the Halo Polo Trophy Sunday at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Brookfield Farm (Sophia Doble, -1, Facundo Frayssinet, 2, Grant Ganzi, 3, Alex Webb, 2) edged Santa Rita (Artemio Figueras, 0, Fran Spinacci, 0, Florencio Lanusse, -1, Pablo Spinacci, 4), 6-5.5.

Virginia-based Brookfield Farm finished the 6-goal league undefeated with a 4-0 record, defeating Polo School, 3-1, Orea Polo, 3-2 and Santa Rita, 7-5.5 in their first meeting.

Grant Ganzi, 24, swept Most Valuable Player after scoring five goals including the game-winner and Best Playing Pony honors for Ocasion.

After missing its first two goal attempts, Santa Rita controlled the game early and jumped out to a 3.5-0 lead early behind father and son duo Pablo and Fran Spinacci in the second chukker.

Brookfield Farm started clawing its way back slowly late in the second chukker taking advantage of Santa Rita penalties and Ganzi‘s two penalty conversions to trail, 3.5-2 going into the half.

„It took us too long to get going,“ Ganzi said. „I wanted to play the same way we played them the other day, but they had (substitute) Artemio, who is playing really well at the moment and changed the dynamic. We had to change the throw-ins a little bit, set plays had to change. We had to play a little more simple. We needed to be a little more consistent.“

Santa Rita maintained its leads, 3.5-3, 4.5-3, 4.5-4, 5.5-4 and 5.5-5 until the final minute of the game when Santa Rita fouled with 43 seconds left. Ganzi converted the 30-yard penalty to take the lead and clinch the win. Brookfield Farm then won the throw-in and ran out the final 30 seconds.

„Once we settled in and started playing the way we should have played we played well,“ Ganzi said. „It was a tough game. We were very lucky to win. It was tough to play this team twice in a row. They probably deserved to win more than we did today. The other day we played them a little better and fouled less.“

Ganzi has been honing his polo skills playing every level of polo including six goal this season. His Casablanca team won the 26-goal WPL season-opening tournament All-Star Challenge and currently competing in the Founders Cup.

„For me it‘s so different, I love both levels,“ Ganzi said. „I love being able to do both at the same time. The biggest difference for me is I play back and captaining the team in the 6-goal.

„In the 26, I am like a sponge. I am listening to everything I can hear. I am playing with three amazing guys and one of the best players in the world right now. The difference is the positioning on the field and the mentality. It‘s good to have that difference and play all levels of polo.“

In addition to Ganzi‘s five goals, Webb added a goal. Pablo Spinacci led Santa Rita with two goals. Figueras, Lanusse and Fran Spinacci each had one goal. The team picked up .5 on handicap.

In last year‘s final, Orea Polo (Petra Sobotova, -1, Finn Secunda, 0, Matias Busquet, 4/Jake Klentner, 1, Justin Daniels, 2) defeated Casimiro (Steve Cox, 0, Antonio Aguerre, 0, Santos Bollini, 2, Grant Ganzi, 3), 7-2.

During the winter polo season, Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest and most innovative USPA-sanctioned polo club, nestled in the heart of the world‘s winter equestrian capital, is hosting tournaments: 6, 8, 12, 20, and 26-goal leagues, WCT Finals, Polo School Ladies League weekly play and 26-goal World Polo League tournaments at both Grand Champions and Santa Rita.

The winter season is being live-streamed locally and worldwide on Wellington-based ChukkerTV (CTV Sports).

For more information on leagues or Polo School contact Director of Operations Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

WELLINGTON, March 6, 2023—Brookfield Farm rallied in the final chukker to capture the Halo Polo Trophy Sunday at Santa Rita Polo Farm. Brookfield Farm (Sophia Doble, -1, Facundo Frayssinet, 2,…

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UAE Polo Triumps as the Champions of the IFZA Gold Cup 2023

6. March 2023

04 March 2023: In the IFZA Gold Cup 2023, the tournament‘s climax showcased the best polo teams of the season in a thrilling competition for the highly sought-after Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series trophy. The occasion was brimming with sportsmanship, live entertainment, elegance, amusement, and enticing rewards and presents for its audience and spectators.

The Bentley Subsidiary Final of the IFZA Gold Cup 2023 started with a fiery match between Ghantoot Polo and Dubai Wolves by CAFU, with Carlos Ulloa scoring the opening goal and Pablo Llorente Jr. quickly tying the match in the first chukker. The Patron of the Wolves, Habtoor Al Habtoor scored a great goal with Ulloa’s last second goal at the end, leading the team with two goals advantage towards the second. The Wolves had taken complete possession during the third, as the black shirted players of Dubai Wolves carved a 3 goal lead. In the final chukker, it was Teodoro Lacau from the Dubai Wolves who brought the score to a double digit, and with Ulloa ending the game at 11 goals to 8, that sealed the win for the Dubai Wolves by CAFU.

Match Progression:

1 – 1 | 3 – 1 | 6 – 3 | 8 – 5 | 11 – 8

Top Scorer: Marcos Araya and Carlos Ulloa – 5 goals

The final match of the Dubai Open 2023 was eagerly awaited, as it featured two of the strongest contenders of the IFZA Gold Cup 2023 tournament – the UAE Polo and IFZA Habtoor Polo teams.

Tommy Beresford nicked the first goal of the match for UAE Polo. Shortly after, Juan Jauretche and Bautista Bayugar scored one goal each for IFZA Habtoor Polo. The second chukker, opened with two back to back goals from Bayugar and two from Tommy Beresford, as the teams tied through the end of the second, with 4 goals to all. The next two chukkers were a quick exchange of goals, but UAE wrestled their way through and took the lead with one goal at the end of the penultimate chukker. With seven minutes remaining in the match, UAE Polo had their work cut out for them, as Lucas Monteverde Jr. and Tommy Beresford managed to create a three-goal cushion in the middle of the chukker. Bayugar managed to score a goal for IFZA Habtoor Polo, but in the end, it was Lucas Monteverde Jr. who scored the decisive goal, securing the ultimate win for UAE Polo as the two-time champions of the IFZA Gold Cup 2023.

Match Progression:

1 – 2 | 4 – 4 | 5 – 6 | 7 – 6 | 10 – 7

Top Scorer: Tommy Beresford and Bautista Bayugar – 6 goals

Mr. Martin G. Pederson, Chairman of IFZA awarded the teams at the IFZA Gold Cup 2023 Final. Tommy Beresford as the Most Valuable Player. Nova, a polo pony ridden by Lucas Monteverde Jr., as the Best Playing Pony and Open Pollera Best Playing Pont Argentine Polo Breeding.