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North America, Polo News

2021 East Coast Open Presented by Audi

26. August 2021

Greenwich Polo Club Is Proud To Welcome Back Audi of America And The Tri-State Audi Dealers As The Presenting Sponsor Of The 2021 East Coast Open Polo Championship

(Greenwich, CT) Greenwich Polo Club is proud to welcome back Audi of America and the Tri-State Audi Dealers as the presenting sponsor of the 2021 East Coast Open Polo Championship for a sixth season.

This year‘s high-goal polo tournament will take place August 29–September 12 at Greenwich Polo Club in Greenwich, CT. Considered to be one of the most prestigious polo competitions in the United States, the East Coast Open features some of the world’s best polo teams and players, who will compete in a three-week, 20-goal tournament.

„Greenwich Polo Club is committed to supporting polo in the Northeast, especially at the high goal level, and Audi is a key partner that makes this 20-goal tournament possible,“ said Leighton Jordan, Managing Director of Greenwich Polo Club and U.S Polo Association Northeast Circuit Governor.

The 2021 edition of the East Coast Open will host four teams competing for the historic 116-year-old Perry Trophy, including the 20-goal Audi Polo Team. In the highest handicap position for Audi Polo Team will be Hall of Fame player Mariano Aguerre (8), alongside Chris Brant (A), Peke Gonzalez (6), and Pablo Llorente (6). The Audi Polo Team has had previous success in the East Coast Open, having most recently won the Championship in 2018.

„This continued partnership between Audi and Greenwich Polo Club not only affirms Audi‘s commitment to and support of the East Coast Open tournament, but it also provides an organic and exciting platform for our brand to engage with fans of the sport,“ said Jennifer Kircher, Audi Regional Marketing Manager. “We are excited to be a part of this prestigious event and to cheer on the Audi Polo Team.”

©Greenwich Polo Club

Hosted at the historic Greenwich Polo Club, the 20-goal East Coast Open is the highest handicap annual polo tournament of the United States’ summer season. Sunday public matches will take place for all three weekends of the tournament: August 29, September 5 and September 12.

Audi is delighted to extend Audi owners exclusive complimentary car pass tickets (must arrive in an Audi vehicle) for west lawn seating in front of the Audi Tent on the first two Sundays of the tournament, August 29 and September 5. Audi owners may reserve their complimentary car pass at the link below. Additionally Audi hopes to see everyone on September 12th at the East Coast Open’s Championship match.

Exclusive Audi Owners Access Tickets (8/29+ 9/5)

Sunday tickets for all matches are currently available to the public. Visit www.GreenwichPoloClub.com for more information and to book your ticket online.

©Greenwich Polo Club

About Audi of America
At Audi of America, we believe the Future is Electric. Our U.S. model lineup will be 30 percent electrified, including fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, by 2025, and globally we are committed to net CO2 neutrality by 2050. In 2020, Audi sold 186,620 vehicles in the U.S., and this year, we look forward to the next chapter in our journey to reinvent premium mobility with the arrivals of the fully electric Audi e-tron GT and Audi Q4 e-tron. Learn more about who we are and how we’re working to create a more electric, innovative, and inclusive future at audiusa.com or media.audiusa.com

About Greenwich Polo Club
Greenwich Polo Club was established in 1981 and is recognized as one of the top high-goal polo venues in the world. Known for its unmatched roster of legendary teams, professional players, and champion equine athletes GPC hosts some of the most important tournaments in polo, including the prestigious East Coast Open.

The club is home to the legendary White Birch polo team, one of the most successful in history, having won the most high-goal polo tournaments of any team over the course of the past 25 years, including the US Open Polo Championship in 2005.

Some of the world’s best players have played at Greenwich Polo Club, including Mariano Aguerre, Facundo Pieres, Hilario Ulloa, Nacho Figueras and many others. Each Spring players descend on Greenwich with their strings of elite horses to compete for some of polo’s most prestigious titles.

BUY SUNDAY TICKETS HERE Greenwich Polo Club Is Proud To Welcome Back Audi of America And The Tri-State Audi Dealers As The Presenting Sponsor Of The 2021 East Coast…

North America, Personalities & Clubs, Polo News

Steve Lane Named Head Umpire of Grand Champions Polo Club

26. October 2020

Wellington, FL, October 23, 2020 — Grand Champions Polo Club has named Steve Lane as its new chief umpire for the 2021 season.

Grand Champions Polo Club announced today that Steve Lane has accepted the position of chief umpire, beginning with the 2021 Florida season. Since 2012, Lane has served as an umpire instructor.

Lane has an impressive track record as an umpire, and was part of a historic 1992, invitation-only umpire training clinic in Indio, CA. In 1993, he was chosen to be one of the country’s first professional umpires. Holding a 2-goal handicap as a player, Lane was one of the first low goal players to umpire high goal polo and hold the AA rating.

Over the course of his career, Steve has umpired some of the world’s most prestigious tournaments, including each of the six high goal tournaments held at the International Polo Club in Wellington, many tournaments on the west coast, the Federation of International Polo (FIP) World Championship in Mexico City, and the Zone A FIP playoffs in Rome and the UK. He’s also held a number of umpire training and rules clinics during his careerfor umpires and playersof all levels. Lane had the ability to explain the rules making them easy for novice umpires and players to understand.

In 2020, Steve began working with ChukkerTV as a field side commentator, and the World Polo League as an instant replay official (IRO). When the COVID-19 pandemic cut the high goal season short, he partnered with Melissa Ganzi to bring her “Skills of the Game” series to life. Envisioned as a way to keep polo alive amidst the quarantine, the “Skills” series pitted teams of three professionals against each other to demonstrate their skills in hitting long shots and penalties, as well as shots on targets.

Participating players included Tincho Merlos, Nacho Novillo Astrada, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Nic Roldan, Sugar Etskine, Horacio Heguy, Barto Castagnola, and Camilo Castagnola as well as Marc, Melissa, and Grant Ganzi. Ganzi and Lane plan to expand the “Skills of the Game” series as it continues through the 2021 winter season in Florida.

Says Ganzi, “We really enjoyed working with Steve as an IRO and as an integral part of the ‘Skills of the Game’ series. We’re delighted that he’s decided to join us at Grand Champions, and I’m sure that with his experience as an umpire instructor he’ll be invaluable in elevating our level of play.”

“It was an honor to work with the World Polo League last year, and I couldn’t be happier to be joining Grand Champions. Marc and Melissa make an incredible contribution to the world of polo and I look forward to being part of that,” said Lane.

Photos by Grand Champions Polo Club

Wellington, FL, October 23, 2020 — Grand Champions Polo Club has named Steve Lane as its new chief umpire for the 2021 season. Grand Champions Polo Club announced today that…

North America, Polo News

Grand Champions Polo Club Opens 2020 Fall Season with Tackeria Invitational

22. October 2020

WELLINGTON, FL, October 21, 2020—Grand Champions Polo Club will kick off the 2020 Fall season with the Tackeria Invitational, slated for October 22-25. Top-rated American player Nic Roldan will return to the field, along with other well-known players from the US and Argentina.

Grand Champions Polo Club will kick off the fall season this week with the Tackeria Invitational. The season opening matches are set for Thursday October 22, with the semi-finals to be held on Friday and the finals on Sunday, October 25.

Over the course of October and November Grand Champions will host four medium goals tournaments, along with four high goal tournaments from November 14-November 29. The season will culminate in the 9th annual International Cup on November 29th.. This year will feature the US team against Argentina. Since 2012, the US team has defeated England, Chile, Mexico, South Africa, Uruguay, Brazil, Azerbaijan and France.

The Tackeria Invitational is a sentimental favorite at Grand Champions, as it was the first tournament played at the club during its first season in 2007. This year’s participating teams include:

Casablanca – Santi Bermudez, Gussie Busch, Grant Ganzi and Nic Roldan
Newport – Gene Goldstein, Michel Dorignac, Horacio Heguy, and Juan Bollini
La Indiana – Matt Gonzalez, Michael Bickford, Jeff Hall, and Nick Manifold
Sebucan – Pablo Pulido, Marc Ganzi, Sugar Erskine, and Pablo Spinacci

Flexjet, with Melissa Ganzi, Kris Kampsen, Pablo Spinacci and Juan Bollini, won the Tackeria Invitational title in 2019.

There will be plenty of familiar names on the roster this season, with eight-goaler Nic Roldan returning to the field, as well as top players including Sugar Erskine, Pablo Spinacci, Michele Dorignac, and six-time Argentine Open winner Horacio Heguy. Also returning will be father-son duo Juan and Juancito Bollini, and Brandon Phillips.

Gussie Busch, Pablo Pulido, and Gene Goldstein will round out the lineup, while of couse Grand Champions founder Melissa and Marc Ganzi, as well as son Grant, will be playing. They’ll be joined by Michael Bickford’s La Indiana team, which includes Marcus Llambias, Jeff Hall and Nick Manifold.

The fall season is the precursor of the winter high goal season that runs from January to April, offering an opportunity for players and green horses to prepare for the challenging 26-goal play in the World Polo League. The upcoming 2021 season will be the third for the WPL, with all matches to be played at Grand Champions Polo Club. No decision has yet been made regarding COVID restrictions for the WPL season, as measures will depend on conditions in January.

While admission is traditionally open and free to the public at Grand Champions, the continuing COVID-19 pandemic will see the play closed to the public for the forseeable future. Over the summer, sister club Aspen Valley Polo Club completed a successful high goal season while following strict health and safety protocols and those same protocols will continue at Grand Champions throughout the fall season.

Grand Champions Polo Club co-founder Melissa Ganzi says, “Obviously, we really missed our fans over the summer, and we’ll miss them this fall. Even though Florida is opening up a little more, we are acting out of an abundance of caution. We’ll continue to regularly test for COVID and strictly follow all local and state guidelines.”

COVID testing began at Grand Champions last spring and continued at Aspen Valley throughout the summer.

Although Grand Champions will be closed to spectators, ChukkerTV will livestream the entire 2020 polo series so fans can still enjoy the best polo the US has to offer. ChukkerTV was the first to introduce state-of-the-art live streaming technology and instant replay in January 2014 at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida.

Photos by Grand Champions Polo Club

North America, Polo News

Houston Polo Club – Experience the Sport of Kings!

6. March 2020

2020 SPRING SUNDAY SCHEDULE

3/29 at 5PM
VAN CONOVER CUP
presented by ANDRÉ CLOUET
Spring Season Kickoff. See these 4 teams battle it out for the final 2 positions in this World class tournament!

4/5 at 5PM
VAN CONOVER CUP FINAL
Don’t miss this DOUBLE HEADER FINAL! May the best ponies and players WIN! BEST DRESSED COUPLE contest

4/12 at 5PM
BLUEBONNET CUP (EASTER SUNDAY)
THIS DOUBLE HEADER IS A MUST SEE! Halftime CANDY TOSS FOR KIDS! So kids bring a bag or basket for your goodies!

4/19 at 5PM
ST. REGIS CLASSIC
FEEL THE THUNDERING hooves of the thoroughbreds as they compete for the ball. GENTLEMAN’S BEST HAT CONTEST.

4/26 at 5PM
COWBOY CUP
presented by LAND ROVER HOUSTON NORTH
Experience the latest 2020 Range Rovers on the field at halftime. Special trophy presentation by Land Rover North Houston.

5/3 at 5PM
FIESTA CUP
THESE PLAYERS ARE IN IT TO WIN IT! 2 matches, 4 teams!

5/10 at 5PM
PONIES AND PETALS CUP
presented by BAYLOR MEDICINE STRATOS INTEGRATED HEALTH (MOTHER‘S DAY)
Special Mother’s Day match! Ladies BEST HAT CONTEST, door prizes By Baylor Medicine Stratos Integrated Health.

5/17 at 5PM
CELEBRITY CRUISES CLASSIC
ANOTHER DOUBLE HEADER! Watch these four teams battle for the win. May the BEST PONIES AND PLAYERS WIN!

5/24 at 5PM
USPA OFFICER‘S CUP
TWO TEAMS BATTLE IT OUT IN THIS HEART POUNDING USPA FINAL!

5/31 at 5PM
VAQUEROS CLASSIC
presented by ENGEL&VÖLKERS
THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS!! 8 Chukkers of thrilling polo, two matches, two teams.

6/7 at 6PM
USPA NYTS TOURNAMENT FINAL
presented by BILL FICK FORD
Watch these four final teams battle for control of the ball and FOR THE WIN. Extra special trophy presentation by Bill Fick Ford.

Purchase Individual Tickets or Box Seats for 2 to 20 Guests
Red Oak Lawn Tickets*

Enjoy covered seating, great parade views, champagne and divot stomp, delicious menu options from onsite concession Ruth‘s Chris and gorgeous up close view of the largest cherry red oak in Harris County!

*Food and drinks not included

Grandstand Box Seats*

Reserve a box by the day which includes seating for 2-20 guests, perfect for inviting that special someone or hosting a small group of clients or friends, enjoy up close views of the player parade, VIP access to champagne toast and divot stomp, waitstaff service from Ruth‘s Chris, direct access to trophy presentation and player meet and greet.

*Food and drinks are not included

GET TICKETS HERE!

© Thomas Wirth

2020 SPRING SUNDAY SCHEDULE 3/29 at 5PM VAN CONOVER CUP presented by ANDRÉ CLOUET Spring Season Kickoff. See these 4 teams battle it out for the final 2 positions in…

North America, Polo News

U.S. OPEN WOMEN’S POLO CHAMPIONSHIP™ BENEFITTING SUSAN G. KOMEN® FLORIDA RETURNS TO SOUTH FLORIDA

6. March 2020

Partnering with the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) and Port Mayaca Polo Club in Southern Florida for the second year in a row, the United States Polo Association® (USPA) will host the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship™ (18- to 22-goals), March 12-21. Eight teams, including the 2019 champions, Hawaii Polo Life, comprised of women players from across the nation and around the world will be taking the field to compete in the most prestigious women’s tournament in the country. The U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship™ will benefit Susan G. Komen® Florida, the leading breast cancer foundation.

“The U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship™ represents the future of women’s polo as the number of women competing at the 18- to 22-goal level continues to climb,” said Robert Puetz, CEO of the USPA. “Bringing together the best American and international players, the tournament is both a showcase and a celebration of the achievements in women’s polo on a global scale. Since relocating to South Florida during the GAUNTLET OF POLO®, the apex of high-goal competition, the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship™ has attracted a record eight teams for the second consecutive year.”

The most celebrated cup in women’s polo in the United States, the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship™ has a profound history dating back to the 1930s in California. The first women’s U.S. Open tournament was presented by the United States Women’s Polo Association (U.S.W.P.A.) in 1937 at the Golden Gate Field in San Francisco, California. On the centennial anniversary of the USPA in 1990, a U.S. Women’s Open was officially sanctioned and held at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. It was officially recognized as a national tournament in 2011 and has since become America’s largest annual women’s polo event.

Winning the 2019 championship in their first year, Hawaii Polo Life will be returning for the chance to defend the trophy, competing with two members of the original championship team.

BTA/The Villages and San Saba (this year co-sponsored by Polo Gear) will also be returning for the high-profile women’s event. The remaining five teams (Cowdray Vikings, Dundas, Iconica, Mint Echo Car Wash, Rocking P) will be competing for the first time for an opportunity to capture the title.

Arguably one of the best women’s players in the world, British 10-goaler Hazel Jackson will be competing, representing Rocking P. An international event, the tournament rosters boast players from four countries including the United States, Argentina, England and Kenya. One all-American team, BTA/The Villages, will be gracing this year’s competition. The USPA is also happy to announce that the tournament will serve as a Women’s Championship Tournament (WCT) Qualifier, The Sunny Hale Legacy.

Following the Draw Party on Thursday, March 5, at the 7^th Chukker Restaurant & Lounge at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida, play will begin March 12 at Port Mayaca Polo Club in Okeechobee, Florida. Co-sponsored by the official apparel brand of the USPA, U.S. Polo Assn., the official draw determines the playing order for the tournament. Additionally, U.S. Polo Assn. will giveaway custom designed Susan G. Komen® Florida t-shirts during the tournament final’s halftime divot stomp. The final will be hosted on Saturday, March 21, at the International Polo Club Palm Beach on the U.S. Polo Assn. Field with gates opening at 11:00am EDT and the match beginning at 1:00pm EDT.

Coverage of the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship™ matches will be livestreamed on Global Polo TV. Please register for free access on GlobalPolo.com. For more information on the tournament please visit uspolo.org. Spectators are encouraged to attend the preliminary matches at Port Mayaca Polo Club and the Championship Final at International Polo Club Palm Beach on U.S. Polo Assn. Field 1. General admission is free for all events. To purchase tickets for brunch, tailgate or box seats for the final, which will feature a pink tailgating competition, please click here.

About the United States Polo Association®

The United States Polo Association (USPA) was organized and exists for the purposes of promoting the game of polo, coordinating the activities of its Member Clubs and Registered Players, arranging and supervising polo tournaments, competitions and games, and providing rules, handicaps, and conditions for those tournaments, competitions, and games including the safety and welfare of participants and mounts. Founded in 1890, the United States Polo Association is the national governing body for the sport of polo. USPA is currently comprised of almost 300 member clubs with thousands of individual members, and oversees 40 national tournaments. For more information, please visit uspolo.org.

About U.S. Polo Assn.

U.S. Polo Assn. is the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the nonprofit governing body for the sport of polo in the United States founded in 1890, making it one of the oldest sports governing bodies. With a global footprint of $1.7B and worldwide distribution through 1,100 U.S. Polo Assn. retail stores, department stores, independent retailers and e-commerce, U.S. Polo Assn. offers apparel for men, women and children, as well as accessories, footwear, travel and home goods in 180 countries worldwide. Recently ranked the 4th largest sports licensor and 36^th overall in License Global magazine’s 2019 list of “Top 150 Global Licensors”, U.S. Polo Assn. now takes its place alongside such iconic sports brands as Major League Baseball, National Football League and National Basketball Association.

About the International Polo Club Palm Beach

The International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) is the premier polo destination in the world, hosting the largest field of high-goal teams and the most prestigious polo tournaments in the United States. Polo enthusiasts descend upon Wellington, Florida, each winter season to enjoy their love of the sport at the most prominent polo facility in the country. The 2020 Palm Beach Polo Season opens Sunday, December 29, 2019 and concludes 17 weeks later with the U.S. Open Polo Championship® Final on Sunday, April 19, 2020. Polo matches are open to the public, with a wide range of hospitality and guest seating that includes elegant grandstand viewing, field tailgating, field-side champagne brunch at The Pavilion, and exclusive sponsor boxes. See more at www.internationalpoloclub.com.

About Port Mayaca Polo Club
Situated in South Florida, surrounded by vast sugar cane fields and the popular fishing body of Lake Okeechobee, Port Mayaca Polo Club has steadily become a destination for winter polo. Located on more than 600 sprawling acres, the club has eight regulation fields, club barns with 220 stalls, two exercise tracks, a stick-and-ball field, a clubhouse and several acres of pastures for turnout and trail riding. Quality polo is at the forefront of the club’s objectives and a tight-knit sense of community supports it.

www.uspolo.org

© Thomas Wirth

Partnering with the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) and Port Mayaca Polo Club in Southern Florida for the second year in a row, the United States Polo Association® (USPA)…

North America, Polo News

Scone Polo Team Secures Founders Cup Victory

3. March 2020

Adolfo Cambiaso named most valuable player

On a perfect day that featured sky divers, a one armed bandit, and great polo, Scone Polo team won it’s first World Polo League Tournament, The Founders Cup.

This year’s Final was set to be a hot bed of phenomenal polo talent, with players travelling from as far afield as Australia to compete for the coveted $60,000 prize money and honor of lifting the Founders Cup Trophy. Going into the match, both David Paradice’s Scone and Sayyu Dantata’s SD Farms had secured resounding victories against their Semifinal opponents, proving they were more than worthy to have trounced the other eight teams and potentially, each other.

Going into the Final however, it was clear SD Farms had their work cut out, with legendary father/son duo of Adolfo Cambiaso and his 14-year-old son Poroto coming off of their win in the World Polo League’s first tournament, The All Star Challenge, were raring to show their powerfully intuitive play, backed up by the more than capable Diego Cavanagh and British Queen’s Cup winning David Paradice – quite the force to be reckoned with.

Following the first throw-in from the legendary John Payne,, the one-armed bandit, play ensued with a penalty conversion from Scone’s Cavanagh to put Scone 4-0 ahead within just 30 seconds, adding to their 3 goal handicap advantage. With a somewhat choppy beginning, it took time for the teams to settle into a rhythm, showcasing the very best of international polo talent. Cavanagh, the penalty genius, carried on building the handicap advantage, using the 3 goal spring board, with one conversion success, then another, making it 6-0. SD Farms’ Juan Martin Zubia found the uprights for their first foray onto the scoreboard, but as the chukker closed, SD Farms were flummoxed, trailing 7-1.

Teams:

SCONE
David Paradise – 0
Poroto Cambiaso – 4
Diego Cavanagh – 9
Adolfo Cambiaso – 10

SD FARMS
Sayyu Dantata – 2
Santi Torres – 7
Guillermo Terrera – 8
Juan Martin Zubia – 8

© Thomas Wirth

Adolfo Cambiaso named most valuable player On a perfect day that featured sky divers, a one armed bandit, and great polo, Scone Polo team won it’s first World Polo League…

Asia, Europe, North America, Polo News

World Polo League Founders Cup Begins Friday With Tripleheader at Valiente

21. February 2020

After a successful All Star Challenge season-opener, the World Polo League season continues Friday with the Founders Cup.

Three games will open the second tournament of the season at Valiente Polo Farm. Scone will make its season debut against J5/La Dolfina Breeding at noon on Field 3; Valiente plays Alegria at 2 p.m. on Field 2; and Seminole Casino meets Richard Mille at 4 p.m. on Field 1.

Ten teams, including new team sponsors Amaala, Scone and STM, will compete in the first of three WPL tournaments offering major prize money. Scone competed last year in the WPL‘s inaugural season.

The WPL is coming off a successful opening and fun All Star Challenge where Valiente defended its title with a new lineup.

Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz 2, Poroto Cambiaso 4, Diego Cavanagh 9, Adolfo Cambiaso 10) led for most of the game to defeat SD Farms (Sayyu Dantata 2, Santi Torres 7, Guillermo Terrera 8, Juan Martin Zubia 8), 12-10. Poroto Cambiaso, 14, the only returning player off last year‘s winning team, has now won back-to-back tournament titles. His father, Adolfo, was Most Valuable Player of the game.

„We have seen some great polo,“ WCT Commissioner Dale Smicklas said. „We have seen some thrilling games and some expected results as well as some upsets. And there is so much more ahead of us.“

Team sponsors and rosters for the Founders Cup are:

Amaala (25): Nacho Figueras 6, Tincho Merlos 7, Facu Llorente 7, Juan Bollini 5.

Alegría (25): Henry Porter 3, Matias Magrini 7, Fred Mannix 7, Nachi du Plessis 8.

Casablanca (25): Grant Ganzi 3, Rodrigo Andrade 8, Hilario Ulloa 10, Juancito Bollini 4.

J-5 La Dolfina Breeding (23): Gonzalo Ferrari 4, Isidro Strada 7, Jerónimo Del Carril 7, Robertito Zedda 5.

Richard Mille (26): Camilo Castagnola 7, TBA 2, Barto Castagnola 7, Pablo Mac Donough 10.

Scone (23): David Paradice 0, Poroto Cambiaso 4, Diego Cavanagh 9, Adolfo Cambiaso 10.

SD Farms (25): Sayyu Dantata 2, Santi Torres 7, Guillermo Terrera 8, Juan Martin Zubia 8.

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (24): Melissa Ganzi 0, Lucas James 8, Alejandro Novillo Astrada 8, Nic Roldan 8.

STM (26): Robert Strom 5, Pablo Spinacci 6, Corcho Zavaleta 7, Nacho Novillo Astrada 8.

Valiente (27): Bob Jornayvaz 2, Gringo Colombres 8, Sebastian Merlos 9, Jejo Taranco 8.

Last year‘s Founders Cup winner was Grand Champions. In one of polo‘s biggest upsets, Grand Champions knocked off Valiente, 12-11, in overtime at Valiente.

In front of an overflow crowd, Argentine 10-goaler Juan Martin Nero scored the winning goal in the first two minutes of overtime to upset previously unbeaten Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz, 2, Agustin Nero, 6, Santi Torres, 6, Adolfo Cambiaso, 10). Nero was MVP.

Playing together for the first time in the tournament, Grand Champions finished the eight-team 26-goal tournament undefeated at 4-0. Nero and teammates Rodrigo Andrade, Grant Ganzi and Juancito Bollini earned $60,000 in prize money.

2020 WORLD POLO LEAGUE SCHEDULE

Founder‘s Cup Feb 19 – Mar 1

Friday 2/21 12 p.m. Scone vs J5 La Dolfina at Valiente 3

Friday 2/21 2 p.m. Valiente vs Alegria at Valiente 2

Friday 2/21 4 p.m. Seminole vs Richard Mille at Valiente 1

Saturday 2/22 12 p.m. SD Farms vs Casablanca at SD Farms field

Sunday 2/23 10:30 a.m. Amala vs Winner Valiente/Alegria at GCPC 1

Sunday 2/23 4 p.m. STM vs Winner Scone/J5 La Dolfina at GCPC 2

Mar. 4-22, Palm Beach Open

Mar. 28-Apr. 18, Triple Crown of Polo

Apr. 6-12, U.S. National Mixed Doubles Polo Championship

© Thomas Wirth

After a successful All Star Challenge season-opener, the World Polo League season continues Friday with the Founders Cup. Three games will open the second tournament of the season at Valiente…

North America, Polo News

Polo Players Support Group Raises Over $425,000 at Annual U.S. Polo Assn. 40-Goal Polo Challenge

21. February 2020

The PPSG is very grateful to U.S. Polo Assn. our Title Sponsor for their financial support as well as their desire to help us take the event to the next level, similar to how they have taken their brands to ever increasing new levels.

This year‘s event saw Team Pilot Catastrophe Services close the gap on the rivalry with a hard fought 6-4 victory. Many people in the crowd including former 10 goal player, and PPSG supporter, Eduardo „Ruso“ Heguy said this was the hardest fought 40 goal game they remember.

Pelon Stirling won this years Tito‘s Handmade Vodka 2 Point Shot of the day award, a 40-Goal Polo Challenge fan favorite. Nico Pieres was voted the Jetcraft MVP, and the 5 Star Builders Best Playing Pony award went to Lavinia Coronacion, bred and owned by Carlos & Hilario Ulloa.

Prior to the 10 goal players taking the field, the Future 10‘s Match took place and featured the children of current and former 10 goal players as well as children of generous supporters of the PPSG. The Future 10‘s game players were extremely excited to be on the U.S. Polo Assn. field and in front of a crowd. They didn‘t disappoint, putting on a great show of up-and-coming talent.

Following the 40 goal game, over 400 people attended the dinner & auction which was co-sponsored by Mark Edward Partners and Keith & Michelle Whitman.

Highlights of the auction included, Curtis Pilot‘s winning bid of $70,000 for the horse cloning donated by the Crestview Group of Companies, Don & Carol Pennycook winning the island vacation retreat: Ilha do Japao, and Facundo Pieres‘ jersey raising $9,000 each from Lisa Falcone and the partnership of Mike Egan and Jim Kravitz. Facundo and the Pilot Catastrophe Services crew offered to play a practice with Liliana Falcone and Mike Egan while Jim Kravitz will photograph.

The biggest applause of the night went to Juli Ezcurra who auctioned his vest, and Curtis Pilot who bought it. Curtis very kindly gave Juli his vest back and gave Juli his Pilot team jacket.

The PPSG is very grateful to U.S. Polo Assn. our Title Sponsor for their financial support as well as their desire to help us take the event to the next…

North America, Polo News

Aspen Valley Wins USPA National 20-Goal Opener

20. November 2019

The USPA National 20-Goal Championship opener lived up to expectations Tuesday at Grand Champions Polo Club.

Playing together for the first time, Aspen Valley (Grant Ganzi, 3, Juancito Bollini, 4, Horacio Heguy, 6, Jeff Blake, 6) knocked Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, 0, Pablo Spinacci, 6, Camilo Castagnola, 6T, Juan Bollini, 5) out of the six-team, single-elimination tournament with a high-scoring 16-13 victory.

Aspen Valley now advances into Saturday‘s semifinal round against Sebucan (Pablo Pulido, 2, Kris Kampsen, 6, Jason Crowder, 6, Tommy Biddle, 5) at 10 a.m. The winner advances into the Nov. 27th final at 3 p.m. „Sebucan is a really tough team,“ Grant Ganzi said. „They are four guys that go. Hopefully, we will get another practice in with the horses before then.“

In Wednesday action, Audi (Marc Ganzi, 2, Sugar Erskine, 6, Nic Roldan, 8, Brandon Phillips, 4) takes on Montemar (Mackie Weisz, 2T, Pelon Escapite, 5, Pablo Dorignac, 5, Sterling Giannico, 4) at 3:30 p.m. „The game spoke for itself,“ Ganzi said. „We just kept it simple. We were all getting the ball to each other and eventually it worked out. We played for each other and we did what we wanted to do.“

Aspen Valley started picking up steam in the second chukker winning most of the throw-ins and outscoring Flexjet 3-1, to take a 5-4 lead. The momentum continued in Aspen Valley‘s favor, leading at the half, 9-6, and 10-8 after the fourth chukker. Flexjet started clawing its way back in the fifth chukker, outscoring Aspen Valley, 4-2, to trail by only one, 13-12. With 6:30 left, Castagnola scored to tie the game at 13-13. The rally was shortlived, however, with Aspen Valley outscoring Flexjet, 3-1, in the final chukker with two goals from Heguy and one from Ganzi off the throw-in for three unanswered goals. „Today was perfect,“ said Heguy, a six-time Argentine Open winner. „The field was perfect, the weather was perfect. The team went well and we had a lot of fun. „The match was nice to watch and to play,“ Heguy said. „I am happy with the team. It was the first time we played together and we did well. Camilo was very good but our team was strong and we did well.“

Aspen Valley got balanced scoring with Ganzi, Bollini, Heguy and Blake each scoring four goals. „It was the first time I played with Horacio Heguy,“ Bollini said. „There is a learning curve the first two to three chukkers. He is a great player and it‘s always fun to play with one of the greats. My job was to learn as much as I could. „It was key we won the throw-ins because you are starting each play in attack,“ Bollini said. „As long as you have possession of the game you have a chance of winning always. That was a fun game. This tournament is exciting to play.“ In addition to Castagnola‘s five goals, Melissa Ganzi and Spinacci each had three goals. The past two years Casablanca has captured the coveted title.

In 2018, Casablanca defended its title in a tightly-contested game. Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, 2, Whistle Uys, 4, Julio Gracida, 4, Pablo Spinacci, 6) defeated Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, 0, Jason Crowder, 6, Jeff Blake, 6, Juan Bollini, 5), 11-9. Spinacci was MVP. In 2017, Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Mike Azzaro, Jeff Blake) defeated defending champion Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Jason Crowder, Pablo Dorignac, Juan Bollini), 13-6. Blake was MVP. Casablanca, one of the winningest teams in club history, ended up winning four of six tournaments during the 2017 fall season. The National Twenty Goal was first played at the Royal Palm Polo Club in Boca Raton in 2007. Won by Houston-based team BTA (Chrys Beal, Mariano Gonzalez, Francisco Lanusse, Santiago Trotz) in a narrow victory over Audi 13-12, the trophy then went on hiatus until 2011. Grand Champions resurrected the tournament and it has been played there ever since. The tournament has consistently fielded four to six competitive teams over the past seven years. Audi has dominated the competition with three total wins, including back-to-back victories in 2012 and 2013 with an identical team (Marc Ganzi, Carlos Gracida Jr., Nic Roldan, Carlos Gracida). With four titles to his name, Nic Roldan holds the record for most National Twenty Goal tournament wins. In addition to Casablanca, past winners of the USPA National 20-Goal Tournament include BTA, KIG, Audi, Flight Options and Flexjet.

The inaugural Wellington Open, the club‘s second 20-goal tournament, will be held Friday at 10 a.m. with the final on Sunday also at 10 a.m. The tournament fills the void left by the USPA North American Cup now at Aspen Valley Polo Club. The winners of the first five 2019 medium goal fall tournaments at Grand Champions were: Casablanca (Marc Ganzi, Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Pierre Henri Ngoumou), Pedro Morrison Memorial; Newport (Gene Goldstein, Jason Crowder, Kris Kampsen, Juan Bollini), Fall Plates Tournament; Sebucan (Santos Bollini, Pablo Pulido, Nic Roldan, Kris Kampsen), Fall Classic; Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Kris Kampsen, Pablo Spinacci, Juan Bollini), Tackeria Invitational; and Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Brandon Phillips, Jason Crowder), US Trust Cup. The Polo Gear Challenge final, was postponed by rain.

During the 2019 fall season, the nation‘s largest and busiest polo club, hosts both medium and high goal polo. It is highlighted by the International Cup featuring Team USA against France; Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial, inaugural Wellington Open 20 and USPA National 20 Goal Tournaments. The well-organized fall tournaments attract players from all over the United States and world including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, England, France, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Uruguay, Switzerland, Nigeria and South Africa.

Grand Champions had its finest fall season in club history last year. It was the only club in the nation to stage two USPA-sanctioned 20-goal fall tournaments. The fall season serves as a tuneup for the winter season for players and green horses. The winter season will feature the second season of the highly-successful 26-goal World Polo League at Grand Champions and Valiente Polo Farm with the best polo players in the world. 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. Club owners Marc and Melissa Ganzi, both accomplished players, take pride in teaching and sharing the exciting sport of polo with anyone interested in learning. The husband and wife team are coming off their most successful and historical summer season at Grand Champions‘ sister club Aspen Valley Polo Club.

By Sharon Robb

2019 Grand Champions Fall Schedule

USPA National 20 Goal
Wednesday 11/20 3:30. p.m
Audi vs Montemar

Saturday 11/23 10 a.m.
Semifinal Game 1
Aspen Valley vs Sebucan

12 p.m. Semifinal Game 2
Wednesday winner vs French Team

Wednesday 11/27 3 p.m.
USPA National 20 Goal Open Final

Wellington 20 Goal Open
Friday 11/22 10 a.m.

Sunday 11/24 10 a.m Final

Nov. 30 1 p.m.
Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial

Nov. 30 3 p.m.
2019 International Cup, USA vs. France

www.gcpolo.com

© Thomas Wirth

The USPA National 20-Goal Championship opener lived up to expectations Tuesday at Grand Champions Polo Club. Playing together for the first time, Aspen Valley (Grant Ganzi, 3, Juancito Bollini, 4,…

North America, Polo News

Jackson Hole Horse Emporium Wickenden Cup 2019

2. October 2019

Six teams are playing for the chance to win the 2019 Jackson Hole Horse Emporium Wickenden Cup. We welcome Highwood Polo Team from Calgary Alberta as our sixth team. The other five teams remain the same.

The morning started off with a matchup between Klentner Ranch / El Llamado and Dundas Polo Team. The match started close in the first few chukkers. However, Marcos Alberdi from Klentner Ranch could not be stopped as he scored ten goals during the six chukker match, dominating the field. The game finished with a score of 11-8. Klentner Ranch will move on into the tournament with a 2-0 record.

Highwood Polo Team and bensoeimani.com/JC Polo competed in the second game on Sunday afternoon. Highwood began with one goal on handicap, helping them keep a lead by one for most of the game. Remy Muller scored two goals in the last chukker for bensoleimani.com to push the game into overtime. In the seventh chukker Muller scored the golden goal winning the match 10-9. Bensoleimani.com/JC Polo move on in the tournament undefeated after the first week of play.

The featured match on the grandstand field was between Spindrift and Sapa/Gipsy. Sapa/Gipsy dominated the field in the first half with three notable goals by Igor Seyranov. The team put a total of 10 goals on the board in the first three chukkers, making it an unusually high scoring game. Spindrift recuperated at halftime to make a comeback in the fourth chukker. Goals by Spindrift’s Curbelo and Bossom brought the score within one. Unfortunately, Spindrift could not contain Sapa/ Gipsy’s scoring power and the game finished 16-11. Sapa/Gipsy is the third team to continue in the tournament with an undefeated record.

About Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club

Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club is the premier destination for summer polo. Players and Patrons from all across the globe call Santa Barbara their home for the summer, bringing world class polo to the Southern California coast. Spectators gather for matches on Friday and Sunday afternoons from mid-April to October. Polo matches are open to the public with a wide range of hospitality and guest seating. All are welcome to join for an exciting afternoon of heart pumping action. www.sbpolo.com

By Mia Bray

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Six teams are playing for the chance to win the 2019 Jackson Hole Horse Emporium Wickenden Cup. We welcome Highwood Polo Team from Calgary Alberta as our sixth team. The…