South America

Lifestyle, Polo News, South America, Travel & Food

Spectacular private island with own airstrip in the Bahamas for sale

13. May 2022

The Hamburg-based island broker Vladi Private Islands offers a true jewel for sale in the Bahamas: the centrally located private island Little Whale Cay in the Berry Islands.

This self-sufficient island, surrounded by crystal clear waters, covers 16 hectares and is one of the few islands in the Bahamas with a private airstrip. In addition, Little Whale Cay features a harbor, white sand beaches, three luxury villas, a chapel, an infinity pool with stunning ocean views, a tennis court, and a fitness center, among other amenities. Nature lovers delight in 34 different species of birds in the subtropical gardens, including flamingos and peacocks.

Little Whale Cay is an El Dorado for water sports enthusiasts and offers ideal conditions for kite surfers, for example. Among sailors, the area is considered a dream spot.

The island is easy to reach by plane from Florida or the capital Nassau, and the island of Chub Cay (customs clearance) is only a five-minute flight away.

The asking price for the island, which is being offered for sale after 40 years of family ownership, is USD 35 million.

www.vladi-private-islands.de/en

© Vladi Private Islands

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The Hamburg-based island broker Vladi Private Islands offers a true jewel for sale in the Bahamas: the centrally located private island Little Whale Cay in the Berry Islands. This self-sufficient…

North America, Polo News, South America

Grand Champions, Aspen Valley Polo Clubs Capture U.S. Polo Assn Junior Tournament Events At Santa Rita Polo Farm

24. February 2022

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 23, 2022—Grand Champions won the U.S. Polo Assn Junior Tournament Tackeria President‘s Day Cup and Aspen Valley Polo Club won the historic Avendano Trophy celebrating its 40th anniversary Monday at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Grand Champions (Maeve Reicher, Harrison Reicher, Ava Nunes, Paquito de Narvaez) won an exciting 5-4 penalty shootout over Red Barn (Jack Whitman, Ethan Siekel, Elisabeth Brassart, Joaquin Vilgre de la Madrid). Grand Champions, Red Barn and Tackeria (Matteo Bilbao, Alea Crespo, Ava Hinkson, Joseph Schwartz) were the top three finishers in the round robin.

Teams Tackeria, Red Barn, and Grand Champions.

Paquito de Narvaez of Grand Champions earned Most Valuable Player honors. Jack Whitman of Red Barn was awarded the Sportsmanship Award and his horse, 8-year-old Pintada, was Best Playing Pony.

Aspen Valley Polo Club (Santiago Gonzalez, Francisco Spinacci, Cruz Bilbao, Artemio Figueras) dominated runner-up Power Group Total Care (Brock Bromley, Milo MacDonough, Antonio Aguerre, Valentina Tarazona) and third-place finisher GJ Racing (Jem Handler, Max Scott Barnes, Santos Teves, Finn Secunda) to win the second round robin and historic Avendano Trophy celebrating its 40th anniversary.

MVP Paquito de Narvaez and Pablo MacDonough.

Milo MacDonough of Power Group Total Care was Most Valuable Player. Lucama, played by Santiago Gonzalez of Aspen Valley Polo Club, was Best Playing Pony. Jem Handler of GJ Racing earned the Sportsmanship Award.

After the four-chukker Santa Rita-Alex Photo matchup, Antonio Villamil was named Most Valuable Player. Blueberry, played by Villamil, was Best Playing Pony. Silver Novillo Astrada of Santa Rita earned the Sportsmanship Award.

Teams GJ Racing, Aspen Valley Polo Club, and Power Group Total Care.

The Morning Line won its round robin over Tackeria and Cavaliers. Florencio Merlos of The Morning Line was Most Valuable Player. Myla Cambiaso of Cavaliers earned the Sportsmanship Award. Minla Sobre, played by Inda Pieres, was Best Playing Pony.

In the Huskies, Wahoos and Grand Champions round robin, Emilia Wulff of Wahoos was Most Valuable Player. Lorenzo Nero of The Morning Line earned the Sportsmanship Award. James Bond, played by Felix Pieres of the Huskies, was Best Playing Pony.

MVP Milo MacDonough and Polito Pieres.

After the ChukkerTV, Polo School and Red Barn round robin, Izzy Novillo Astrada of Polo School @ GC was Most Valuable Player. Milo Vilche earned the Sportsmanship Award. Perfecta, played by Kawai Dawson, was Best Playing Pony.

ChukkerTV (Azu Pieres, Lupe Pieres, Mia Pieres, Violeta Pieres) were 1-0 winners over Alex Photo (Isa Nero, Alba Figueras, Olivia MacDonough, Carmen Aguerre). Lupe Pieres, who scored the lone goal, was Most Valuable Player. Carmen Aguerre earned the Sportsmanship Award. Chevy, played by Alba Figueras, was Best Playing Pony.

Teams Santa Rita and Alex Photo.

The tournament featured 81 players on 19 teams competing at various levels. In addition to South Florida, players travelled from Pennsylvania, Kentucky, South Carolina and Sarasota to compete.

„I was very happy with the turnout and to see the numbers coming back up to where we had it back in 2012, 2013 and 2014,“ PTF Executive Director Jennifer McLeavy said. „Our record was around 119. Getting back up to 81 was magical.

MVP Antonio Villamil.

„These kids get better every year, especially seeing the lead line level,“ McLeavy said. „The number of kids in that group this year was exciting and points us toward higher numbers in the future.“

World Polo League players Polito Pieres, Juan Martin Nero, Pablo MacDonough and Mariano Aguerre took turns awarding trophies to smiling faces.

Teams Huskies, Grand Champions, and Wahoos.

The day-long, fun event featured top caliber competition among boy and girl youth players.

„I think it‘s playing opportunity,“ McLeavy said. „That‘s part of the reason we try to do these junior tournaments, getting kids playing with other kids. The more they play, the more they learn. More hours in the saddle, the better.

Sportsmanship Award recipient Lorenzo Nero and Pablo MacDonough.

„What I‘ve learned is even if they don‘t come up from a polo-playing family they will come to one of these events, let‘s say their first one and they will play and then they‘ll go home and they want to ride, they want to get better and want to go to the next one and do even better. It‘s very encouraging.“

Three different ChukkerTV announcers, Jan-Eric Franck, Dale Schwetz and Steve Lane kept the large crowd and world-wide stream audience entertained and informed. The post-tournament trophies and asado ended a perfect day of polo.

Teams Tackeria, Cavaliers, and The Morning Line.

Grand Champions Polo Club President, PTF Chairman and tournament host Melissa Ganzi is a longtime supporter of grass roots polo and PTF. Grand Champions provided the fields, staff, five umpires, and several horses for some of the players and umpires.

The Polo Training Foundation is dedicated to the future of polo in the U.S. The PTF has been instrumental in the growth of junior and youth polo players by encouraging the sport‘s development with training programs, lessons and tournaments for boys and girls.

Inda Pieres receiving Best Playing Pony award for Minla Sobre from Mariano Aguerre.

The PTF was created in 1967 by Palm Beach Polo and Country Club founder and former 7-goal amateur Bill Ylvisaker to teach the game of polo to youth by promoting youth clinics, interscholastic and intercollegiate competition, good sportsmanship and good will through friendly competition.

The Polo Training Foundation is a 501(c) 3 organization and relies solely on tax deductible donations for financial support.

Teams Alex Photo and ChukkerTV.

Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest and busiest polo club celebrating its 15th anniversary, is coming off its most successful fall season. Club officials hope to build off that success when it hosts 23 tournaments from January through April.

Grand Champions is host to the World Polo League, now in its fourth year and only 26-goal polo played outside of Argentina. Already underway with the All-Star Challenge, it has attracted a large international field from around the world.

Carmen Aguerre receiving her Sportsmanship Award trophy.

The world-class league will run through April 16. In addition to the All-Star Challenge which ends on Saturday, the remaining WPL events are the inaugural Tommy Hitchcock Legacy Memorial, Feb. 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 29-May 1.

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

Walking Class teams ChukkerTV, Polo School, and Red Barn.

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

The 16-goal league play includes the Grand Champions Cup, Power Horse Invitational and Pedro Morrison Memorial.

The 12-goal league continues with the current Sieber Memorial Trophy, the $50,000 National 12-Goal and Mar. 8-26 Top Pony 12-Goal.

MVP Izzy Novillo Astrada with Juan Martin Nero.

After January‘s successful Aspen Valley Cup, the 8-goal tournament schedule continues with the 5 Top Pony 8-Goal and Limited Edition 8-Goal.

The 6-goal schedule features the Metropolitan Cup, also underway; Halo Polo Trophy and Madelon Bourdieu Memorial.

Lead-line teams GJ Racing and Mayer Ranch.

There is also the Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League, co-founded by Melissa Ganzi and Alina Carta, for all ages and playing ability held Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

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.

Felix Pieres receiving the Matt Cohen Unsung Hero Award from Melinda Cohen.

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, now located at the former Pony Express facility, 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 or General Manager Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

Players and their families enjoyed an Asado after the day‘s festivities.

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

Polo News, South America

World Polo League Announces Team Rosters, Virtual Draw Set For Monday On ChukkerTV

9. February 2022

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 5, 2022—Three members of reigning Argentine Open champion La Natividad highlight the team rosters for the highly-anticipated World Polo League‘s fourth season at Grand Champions Polo Club.

Ten-goaler Polito Pieres, the highest ranked American player, will make his World Polo League debut. La Natividad teammates and brothers Barto and Jeta Castagnola will also compete.

In its first final on the hallowed Palermo Field One, La Natividad won the 128th Argentine Open with a thrilling 15-13 victory to end the Adolfo Cambiaso-led La Dolfina Saudi Polo Team‘s eight-year reign.

Cambiaso‘s young nephews, Bartolome (Barto) and Camilo (Jeta) Castagnola combined for 12 goals and five assists including a perfect 4-for-4 shooting from the penalty line and never trailed in the game. Pieres was making his sixth appearance in the finals. Barto Castagnola was named MVP. All three were raised to 10 goals in Argentina.

The La Natividad players are expected to bring that same brand of excitement to the star-studded World Polo League competing on two different teams, Audi and Catamount, in the only 26-goal polo being played outside of Argentina.

In the late 1990s and early 2000, Scott Devon‘s Catamount was one of the sport‘s top teams featuring a pair of 10-goalers, Mike Azzaro and Carlos Gracida. In 2004, Catamount made it to the semifinals of the U.S. Open, narrowly missing the final with an overtime loss to White Birch. White Birch (2005), Audi (2009) and Alegria (2014) have all won U.S. Open titles and have hallowed traditions in polo.

Polito Pieres

Eight teams will compete when the season gets under way with the All Star Challenge. The virtual draw will be held Monday night at 6 p.m. and live streamed worldwide by ChukkerTV with veteran polo announcer Jan-Erik Franck, the voice of polo. The games will begin play based on team schedules with the championship final set for Feb. 26 at 4 p.m.

Three other 10-goal players will compete in the WPL including Pablo MacDonough and Juan Martin Nero for Richard Mille and Gonzalito Pieres for Seminole Coconut Creek Casino.

Team sponsors and rosters are:

ALEGRIA
Juancito Bollini (+4)
Clemente Zavaleta (+7)
Tincho Merlos (+8)
Fred Mannix (+7)

AUDI
Marc Ganzi (+2)
Camilo Castagnola (+9)
Barto Castagnola (+9)
Paco de Narvaez (+6)

CATAMOUNT
Scott Devon (+1)
Polito Pieres (+10)
Toro Ruiz (+7)
Nacho Novillo Astrada (+8)

RICHARD MILLE
Santos Bollini (+2)
Grant Ganzi (+3)
Pablo MacDonough (+10)
Juan Martin Nero (+10)

NETJETS
Nacho Figueras (+6)
Tomacho Pieres (+6)
Pablo Spinacci (+6)
Sugar Erskine (+6)

SEMINOLE CASINO COCONUT CREEK
Melissa Ganzi (0)
Alejandro Novillo Astrada (+8)
Gonzalito Pieres(+10)
Juan Martin Zubia(+8)

WHITE BIRCH
Chris Brant
Mariano Aguerre
Santi Toccalino
TBA.

BROOKSHIRE POLO TEAM
Scott Wood
Rufino Bensadon(+8)
Nic Roldan(+8)
Pancho Bensadon (+7)

Pablo MacDonough and Juan Martin Nero

The successful 26-goal World Polo League was co-founded by Marc and Melissa Ganzi and has attracted a large international field of players from all corners of the world.

The world-class league will run through April 16. The World Polo League is about the preservation of the highest level of polo and its rich, hallowed tradition in the U.S. The WPL has its own set of simpler fan-friendly rules to improve the flow of the game and world-class umpires.

The All-Star Challenge opens the high goal season followed by the inaugural Tommy Hitchcock Legacy Memorial, Feb. 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 29-May 1.

Barto Castagnola

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

Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest polo club, celebrating its 15th anniversary, is coming off its most successful fall season. Club officials hope to build off that success when it hosts 23 tournaments from January through April.

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

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

Camilo Castagnola

The 12-goal league is the Limited Edition 12-Goal Series currently underway, Feb. 15-Mar. 5 Sieber Memorial Trophy, Feb. 16-27 $50,000 National 12-Goal and Mar. 8-26 Top Pony 12-Goal.

After January‘s successful Aspen Valley Cup, the 8-goal tournament schedule continues with the Feb. 15-Mar. 5 Top Pony 8-Goal and Mar. 8-26 Limited Edition 8-Goal.

The 6-goal schedule features the Metropolitan Cup, also underway; Feb. 15-Mar. 5 Halo Polo Trophy and Mar. 8-26 Madelon Bourdieu Memorial.

There is also the Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League, co-founded by Melissa Ganzi and Alina Carta, for all ages and playing ability held Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Nic Roldan

Mariano Aguerre

The Polo School, now located at the former Pony Express facility owned by Melissa and Marc Ganzi, 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 or General Manager Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Federico Lopez Claro

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 5, 2022—Three members of reigning Argentine Open champion La Natividad highlight the team rosters for the highly-anticipated World Polo League‘s fourth season at Grand Champions Polo Club.…

Polo News, South America

2021 SPRING SEASON AT EN LA AGUADA POLO CLUB, PRESENTED BY RÍO URUGUAY SEGUROS

16. August 2021

Sunday, August 15, 2021 – La Aguada Polo Club unveiled the dates of the tournaments of the upcoming 2021 Spring Season, presented by Río Uruguay Seguros, that will take place at the Novillo Astrada family’s club, set in Open Door, Argentina, through November and December.

Tournaments dates are as follows:

• Julio Novillo Astrada Cup (22-goal)
November 16-30

• La Aguada Ladies Cup (16-goal, ladies handicap)
November 29 – December 4

• Spring Cup (14-goal)
November 29 – December 8

For more information:

Polo Manager: Thomas Hume – thomas@laaguadapolo.com
+ 54 11 9 4157 1217

Prensa: Alejandra Ocampo – prensalaaguada@gmail.com
+ 54 11 9 5504-7998

www.laaguadapolo.com

Sunday, August 15, 2021 – La Aguada Polo Club unveiled the dates of the tournaments of the upcoming 2021 Spring Season, presented by Río Uruguay Seguros, that will take place at…

Polo News, South America

La Ensenada made a successful debut in the XVII JULIO NOVILLO ASTRADA CUP, at La Aguada Polo Club

7. December 2020

December 6, 2020 – La Ensenada claimed the opening win of the XVII Copa Julio Novillo Astrada, that‘s currently taking place at La Aguada Polo Club, featuring four teams up to 22 goals.

With Matías Torres Zavaleta filling in for Jerónimo del Carril, La Ensenada took a narrow 8-7 victory over Santa Clara.

The competition will resume on Monday, December 7 with a single game, El Caburé vs. Santa Clara, at 10am.

The finals of the XVII Julio Novillo Astrada Cup will be played on Monday December 14, 2020.

ABOUT THE JULIO NOVILLO ASTRADA CUP

The tournament has been established in 2004, as a tribute from the Novillo Astrada family to the founder of La Aguada and the family polo dynasty, Don Julio Novillo Astrada, the beloved and unforgettable Iaio, who set the club in Open Door, Argentina, in the early 70s. His children and grandchildren have honored his legacy by making La Aguada one of the most important and impressive polo clubs worldwide, as well as an ideal countryside destination, close to the city of Buenos Aires.

Pictures by ADRIÁN MELO

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December 6, 2020 – La Ensenada claimed the opening win of the XVII Copa Julio Novillo Astrada, that‘s currently taking place at La Aguada Polo Club, featuring four teams up to…

Polo News, South America

La Ensanada La Aguada get ready to make debut in the 2020 Triple Crown

23. October 2020

October 23, 2020, Argentina – Following a long wait, it is expected the start of the 2020 Triple Crown in Argentina, and the first leg of the most coveted polo trophy worldwide, the Tortugas Open, due to be played on the grounds of the Argentine Polo Association, set in Pilar.

In such a challenging year, Ernesto Gutiérrez’s La Ensenada and the Novillo Astrada’s La Aguada joined forces to form a new team named La Ensenada La Aguada, which will be provided with the strong support of two of the most important organisations within polo.

The 29-goal lineup, that’s due to make their debut against La Dolfina, will be comprised by Segundo Bocchino (6), Alfredo Bigatti (8), Matias Torres Zavaleta (8) and Jerónimo del Carril (7). Ignacio “Nachi” Heguy has been named as the coach of the team. Nachi is a former 10-goaler, won the Argentine Open four times with Indios Chapaleufu II and is a member of the legendary Heguy family, the son of Alberto Pedro Heguy, who claimed the Argentine Open 17 times with Coronel Suarez.

Up next, La Ensenada La Aguada will be playing the Hurlingham Open and the Argentine Polo Open Championship.

La Ensenada La Aguada will be supported by several sponsors. Grupo Rusoniello, Río Uruguay Seguros, Clonargen Genetics and Cifftone are the main sponsors, while La Taquera and ONA Polo will remain as technical sponsors.

For the third consecutive year, La Ensenada will be playing the tournaments of the Triple Crown in Argentina. And this year, La Ensenada will be honoured to have La Agauda’s support and organisation, based in the motto – “excellency to aim at a better and sustainable polo” and, as usual, hand-in-hand with the youngest. Tortugas, Hurlingham and Palermo await them – a future of quality and passion for international polo.

The Novillo Astradas are one of the most traditional and important families within the polo community, with more than 60 years in the polo grounds, both in Argentina and around the world. La Aguada is today one of the most prestigious polo clubs worldwide, a place that holds polo for all tastes and levels. The club was founded in 1959 in Río Cuarto, set in the Province of Córdoba, by Mr. Julio Novillo Astrada, nicknamed “Iaio”, a renowned horsebreeder as well as 5-goaler polo player. La Aguada have three generations of high goal players and a fourth generation is already coming up, through Iaio’s great granchildren.

La Aguada played the Triple Crown for the first time ever during the 80s, led by Eduardo (“Taio”), Iaio’s son, who reached 9-goaler status. With Taio abroad, La Aguada won their first ever title of the Triple Crown, the Hurlingham Open, in 1986. In 1990, Taio and his teenage sons, Eduardo Jr, Miguel and Javier claimed the Copa República Argentina, one of the highlights of the Autumn season in Argentina, and the only polo competition in the world with no handicap limit, which Iaio already won in 1946. This was the formal presentation of the family’s third generation within high goal polo in Argentina.

La Aguada biggest highlight came up in 2003, when the four brothers – Eduardo Jr, Miguel, Javier and Ignacio – won the Triple Crown, unbeaten after eleven matches. La Aguada is already in the history books of polo, not only because they are up-to-date the first and only team comprised by four brothers to have earned the biggest polo trophy in the world, but also by joining Coronel Suárez (1972, 1974, 1975, 1977), Santa Ana (1973), Ellerstina (1994, 2010) and La Dolfina (2013, 2014, 2015) in the selected few of those who obtained such achievement.

www.laaguadapolo.com

October 23, 2020, Argentina – Following a long wait, it is expected the start of the 2020 Triple Crown in Argentina, and the first leg of the most coveted polo…

Lifestyle, Personalities & Clubs, Polo News, South America

Casa Fagliano in new partnership with La Dolfina Polo Club as their Official Supplier.

22. October 2020

Casa Fagliano is proud to announce the new partnership as the official supplier of La Dolfina Polo Club.

The union of two great polo houses that share the same values for family, work and passion.

A unique collaboration that allows to display the whole lifespan of the polo boot. From its conception in the atelier to its birth on the most prestigious polo fields, making history alongside its riders.

www.casafagliano.com

www.ladolfina.com

Casa Fagliano is proud to announce the new partnership as the official supplier of La Dolfina Polo Club. The union of two great polo houses that share the same…

Polo News, South America

Los Amigos and La Karina Advance to Final of World Polo League’s Triple Crown of Polo

7. September 2020

By Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by ChukkerTV

In the first match of the World Polo League’s Triple Crown of Polo on Friday at Sopris Mountain Ranch, Los Amigos (Alejandra Foster, Jared Zenni, Horacio Heguy, and Juan Bollini) met La Indiana (Michael Bickford, John Bickford, Tincho Merlos, and Alex Gooding).

Horacio Heguy scored the first goal of the match to put Los Amigos briefly in the lead, but as the clock counted down the last minute of the chukker, La Indiana scored two goals within 30 seconds. Michael Bickford scored from the 50-yard line, picking up the ball after Gooding ran it downfield.

At the bowl-in, Gooding seized control and got out in front to score again, ending the chukker at 2-1 for La Indiana. Los Amigos took the lead in the third chukker with three goals by Jared Zenni, two of which were on penalties, and put his team in the lead at 4-2. Gooding scored to end the chukker at 4-3 for Los Amigos. The half wrapped up 5-4 for Los Amigos, after Zenni and Michael Bickford scored on penalties.

The fourth chukker started with an opportunity for La Indiana to even things up after a right of way violation by Juan Bollini. Michael Bickford took the penalty with John attempting a finish, but the shot bounced off Gooding’s pony and went wide. Juan Bollini, lurking on the side at the knock-in, got out in front for a dramatic run to goal. Jared Zenni scored on two penalties to end the chukker at 8-4 for Los Amigos. In the fifth both teams got on goal, bringing the score 9-5. A four-goal lead isn’t insurmountable, and La Indiana fought back hard, scoring three goals, but the match ended with Los Amigos winning 10-8.

In the second match of the Triple Crown, La Karina (Brian Boyd, Gussie Busch, Juancito Bollini, and Nacho Badiola) took on White Claw (Michael Payne, Vinny Sangaline, Pablo Spinacci, and Nacho Novillo Astrada).

The first chukker started with a goal from La Karina’s Brian Boyd, while White Claw failed to make it to the posts. A penalty two shot by Juancito Bollini in the second put La Karina ahead by 2, but Nacho Novillo Astrada evened things up briefly with a goal and a successful penalty before Boyd put La Karina back in the lead at 3-2. Juancito Bollini put two through the posts in the third chukker, while Michael Payne and Nacho Novillo Astrada scored for White Claw to end the half 5-4 for La Karina.

In the fouth chukker Gussie Busch sprang into action for La Karina, picking up a pass from Juancito Bollini to make a bold run at the goal. Seizing control of the ball at the throw-in, Busch made another charge downfield to score, racking up his second goal in a matter of seconds to put La Karina ahead 7-4. Michael Payne scored his own two consecutive goals to put White Claw within one, ending the chukker 7-6. In the fifth, Juancito Bollini found the goal, followed by Brian Boyd, to take the lead 9-6.

Pablo Spinacci shaved that lead to two. In the final chukker, Brian Boyd racked up a goal to put La Karina ahead 10-7, then Novillo Astrada came back with White Claw’s final goal of the game. Boyd scored to end the match 11-8 for La Karina. Brian Boyd was the high scorer of the match with five goals.

In the Just for the Love of It Cup at McClure River Ranch, Los Amigos Blue (Paul Foster, Pedro Ramiro, Nic Roldan, and Pablo MacDonough), McClure River Ranch (Tom Barrack, Juan Martin Nero, Paco de Narvaez, and Stewart Armstrong), and Seminole Casino (Melissa Ganzi, Paquito de Narvaez, Polito Pieres and Alejandro Novillo Astrada) met in a round robin match on Field Two.

McClure River Ranch bested Los Amigos Blue by 5-4 in the first game, with Juan Martin Nero leading the scoring with two goals and his teammates adding one each. Nic Roldan of Los Amigos Blue also found the posts twice. The second chukker ended in a tie at 3 all as Los Amigos succeeded in keeping their opponent off the goal, but McClure River Ranch bounced back to find the goal twice in the third chukker and win the game.

Despite the good start to the day, McClure River Ranch couldn’t keep up the momentum in the second game against Seminole Casino, losing by 4-6. Seminole Casino maintained a one goal lead in the first and second chukkers, stretching the lead to two goals in the final chukker. Melissa Ganzi was the high scorer of the match, knocking in 5 of her team’s 6 goals.

In the final game, Seminole Casino went down 4-6 against Los Amigos Blue, with Ganzi scoring a goal in the first chukker and on a penalty in the second. Paquito de Narvaez also knocked in two goals for Seminole Casino, while Paul Foster put one between the posts in each of the three chukkers.

Co-founded by Grand Champions and Aspen Valley Polo Club owner and president Melissa Ganzi and Valiente Polo Farm owner Bob Jornayvaz, the successful World Polo League is the only 26-goal polo in the world outside of Argentina. The WPL is preserving the highest level of polo and its rich, hallowed tradition in the U.S.

The World Polo League 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.

For more information and to watch the games go to www.worldpolo.org for a complete library of WPL inaugural and second season games.

Sunday September 6, 2020

Just For The Joy Of It Subsidiary Final
10:30am White Claw vs La Indiana

Just For The Love Of It Final **
Round Robin scores continued from Friday
11am McClure River Ranch vs Los Amigos vs Seminole Casino

Triple Crown Of Polo Final**
1:30pm Los Amigos vs La Karina

**Games live-streamed on www.chukkertv.com

Mountain Standard Time

The Triple Crown of Polo trophy is one of the sport‘s most coveted and prestigious in the world. Designed by Tiffany & Co., the magnificent trophy is comprised of three separate trophies that fit perfectly together to create an entire polo scene that is breathtaking in sterling silver.

The Triple Crown of Polo, an ESPN2 television series, was created in 2005 by David McLane, known for Pro Beach Hockey, Women of Wrestling and Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, to help promote polo in the U.S. The spectacular trophy was created for the event that had stops in Sarasota, Dallas, Santa Barbara and Aiken during its heyday.

2020 Aspen Valley Summer Polo Series

September
The Triple Crown of Polo Aspen 9/1 – 9/6
The Triple Crown of Polo Colorado 9/11 – 9/13

www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com

By Rebecca Baldridge Photos by ChukkerTV In the first match of the World Polo League’s Triple Crown of Polo on Friday at Sopris Mountain Ranch, Los Amigos (Alejandra Foster, Jared…

Europe, Personalities & Clubs, Polo News, South America

Polo Park Zürich 2020 season kicks off

9. June 2020

Polo Park Zürich is happy to share his polo program for Summer 2020. This season was delayed due to COVID19 in Europe and the closure of Buenos Aires airport. Since a few days, grooms, horses and all players are back and the club is now functioning at full speed. As most of majors events in Switzerland have been postponed or cancelled, PPZ may become this season the biggest polo hub in the center of Europe. And there will be much more than polo in the club, also available for private and companies events, starting art exhibition with some pictures from Irina Kazaridi, and organizing events such as wine tastings, test-drives, etc. “A very exciting season is awaiting us in the club !”

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Polo Park Zürich is happy to share his polo program for Summer 2020. This season was delayed due to COVID19 in Europe and the closure of Buenos Aires airport. Since…

Asia, Europe, North America, Polo News, South America

Polo is back!

8. June 2020

Guest article from Michael Husted, Performance Polo

Across Europe and North America, COVID-19 has imposed delays and restrictions in polo, but luckily, those restrictions are gradually being lifted and some countries has already seen a return to normal polo. In the UK, competitive polo (8 goals and up) launched this weekend, albeit without ride-offs, throw-ins and spectators, but it seems likely that these restrictions will also be lifted in the coming weeks, and we are only too happy to be back in the saddle and looking forward to some great high-goal polo.

Both in polo as well as in other equestrian sports, the conversation some times turn to the weight carried by our horses and, specifically, how much is a safe weight for them to carry. Of course, this is in part a function of the size and type of horse, its fitness and various other factors, but most articles and scientific papers hover around 20% of the horse‘s own weight and see deteriorating performance and potential back problems resulting from more than approx. 20% added to the horse‘s weight.

Of course, it‘s not just the rider‘s weight that matters. Polo requires a lot of gear that piles on the kilos / pounds. In fact, a full set of tack, stick and personal protection, may well add up to 20 kgs (44 lbs). So, if we assume – for simplicity – that polo ponies average 450 kg (1000 lbs), then placing 20% or 90 kgs on top of them should be reasonably safe. Subtracting 20 kgs (44 lbs) for tack and gear leaves just 70 kgs (155 lbs) for the player.

So, those of us hitting somewhere north of 70 kgs on the scale, what can we do? Well, there are diets and exercise, of course, and I certainly intend to shed a few covid-pounds. But in addition to diets and exercise, we should also consider trimming the weight of all the gear that our horses carry around. It‘s not unusual for a polo saddle to weigh in at 8-9 kgs (18-20 lbs), which is one reason why the Ainsley Saddlery has invested time and effort in creating the MVP that weighs in at just 5 kgs (11 lbs) (18“). Polo stirrupsgenerally weigh over 1 kg, but modern materials can reduce that weight by half. And what about the saddle pads? Some wool pads can easily weigh 1 kg (2 lbs) each. Exchange those for light weight pads, or if your saddle fits well, consider playing without any pads. Bandages get wet and heavy, and weight at the end of horses‘ legs produce twice the load of the same weight carried at the saddle. Another reason to switch to lightweight leg protection, like the HUSK la Irenita boots.

So, without too much effort, I can lose 4-5 kgs (9-11 lbs) by taking a closer look at all the stuff my horse needs to carry in addition to me. Let‘s say I also lose 5 kgs, and suddenly my horses carry up to 2% less total weight. This is on a scale that our horses will be able to run a little faster, stop a little quicker, and also recover quicker from exertion.

We can help you shed weight faster than any diet or exercise (for polo fitness, check out Chukka Wellness)! For lightweight polo gear, call us on +44-7487-548242 or email on info@performance-polo.com.

www.performance-polo.com