Casablanca Fall Cup begins Friday at Santa Rita Polo Farm

WELLINGTON, Fla., November 8, 2024—-The sixth and final medium goal tournament of the fall season begins Friday at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

The third annual Casablanca Fall Cup will feature three teams in a round robin at 11 a.m.

The teams are: Newport (Gene Goldstein, Santos Bollini, 2, Martin Jauregui, 6, Sugar Erskine, 6), SebiLion (Sebastian Mandelbaum, Pablo Dorignac, 4, Leo Mandelbaum/Tito Gaudenzi, 2, Tomacho Pieres, 6) and Santa Rita (Phil Gutman/Rebecca Cohen, Juan Bollini, 3, Nic Roldan, 8, Jason Crowder, 5).

The winners advance into Sunday morning‘s final.

In last year‘s final, Victory Polo won its first tournament of the season. In a true round robin tournament final, Victory Polo (Becky Schmeits, Jason Crowder, 5, Pablo Dorignac, 4, Martin Jauregui, 6) led from start to finish to defeat Dracarys Polo (Chetan Krishna, Santos Bollini, 2, Nic Roldan, 8, Juan Bollini, 3), 12-11. Martin Jauregui was MVP. In the other two games, Dracarys Polo defeated Amaro (Kevin Schmeits, Scott Sorbaro, Sugar Erskine, 6, Kris Kampsen, 6), 9-6, and Victory Polo topped Amaro, 9-7.

Tournament sponsor Casablanca is a longtime supporter of Grand Champions Polo Club, Aspen Valley Polo Club, Santa Rita Polo Farm and 26-goal World Polo League.

Whether it‘s on the polo field or beyond the sideboards, the company‘s goal is „to have you look and feel your best.“ Behind the Casablanca brand is a serious pledge to quality, excellence and elegance. We are „Inspired by Passion,“everything we do is fed by the passion we have for polo.“

The popular logo is the flight of two pony‘s tails, charging the field in pursuit of victory. It is a true symbol of the joy experienced by both players and spectators. Grant Ganzi is Brand Ambassador for Casablanca.

The nation‘s largest and most innovative polo club, celebrates its 18th anniversary with two new upcoming additions to the fall schedule: Nov. 14 WPL Pride Polo Miami and Nov. 15-17 Beach Polo World Cup Miami.

It‘s the first time the popular beach polo tournament and WPL Pride Polo are being held in the fall on South Beach. The Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach is the largest and most notable Beach Polo event in the world. It features international teams and over 120 horses. Tickets are on sale.

The family-friendly club welcomes spectators of all ages. All matches, food and refreshments are free (with the exception of special catered events) and open to the public and dogs on leashes.

Among the season‘s other highlights are the Nov. 23 doubleheader featuring the Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial and International Cup with GCPC USA playing the Rest of the World this year. In last year‘s International Cup, Spain knocked off previously unbeaten GCPC USA to snap its 11-year win streak in front of a packed house at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Wellington-based ChukkerTV (CTV Sports) is live streaming the entire fall season worldwide. Grand Champions is the only USPA club that is live streaming all its games.

The Grand Champions Fall Invitational League is geared toward improving a player‘s polo skills at every level. Roster lineups change from tournament to tournament with evenly-matched teams featuring pro and amateur players, „getting the best compliment of players who fit well together,“ according to the tournament committee.

Grand Champions 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 11 well-manicured world-class fields at GCPC and Santa Rita.

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 is for all ages and ability levels and operates in Wellington year-round. The Polo School, a 501c3 organization and stand-alone USPA club, 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. The Polo School operates year-round in Wellington. For more information on the Fall Leagues or Polo School contact Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.