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North America, Polo News

Let The Countdown Begin: Grand Champions Opens Fall Season With Tackeria Invitational

1. October 2019

Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest polo club, opens the highly-anticipated fall season in ten days with the Tackeria Invitational. In addition to 20-goal action, a medium goal schedule features six tournaments including the Tackeria Invitational. The tournament has a special place in club history as the inaugural tournament when the club first opened in 2007. „We are excited about the fall season,“ said Polo School Director of Operations Juan Bollini said. „The fall season is important to us because it is a continuation of the sport and shows the world you can play polo all year. „We have some great players coming in for the 20-goal and medium goal tournaments. It‘s good, competitive polo and best time of the year with great weather and great fields in October and November after five months of rest.“ Among players expected to compete are Nic Roldan, America‘s top-rated player at 8 goals; Sugar Erskine, Kris Kampsen, Jason Crowder, Pablo Spinacci, Horacio Heguy, Pablo Pulido, Marc Ganzi, Melissa Ganzi, Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini and Juan Bollini. The fall season serves as tuneup for the winter season for players and green horses. The 2020 winter season features the second season of the successful 26-goal World Polo League at Grand Champions and Valiente Polo Farm with the best polo players in the world.

The Tackeria Invitational has a history of exciting finishes. In last year‘s tournament final, Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Julio Gracida, Mariano Gracida) won a hardfought 10-9 overtime game over Flexjet (Santos Bollini, Lucas Escobar, Kris Kampsen, Juan Bollini). In 2017, Audi (Marc Ganzi, Jason Crowder, Brandon Phillips, Carlitos Gracida) rallied in the final chukker to defeat Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Andres LaPlacette, Pablo Dorignac, Juan Bollini), 11-10, in overtime at Santa Rita Polo Farm. In 2016, Flexjet (Riley Ganzi, Melissa Ganzi, Juan Bollini, Jason Crowder) defeated Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Jared Sheldon, Carlitos Gracida, Juancito Bollini), 7-6, on Melissa Ganzi‘s winning goal just before the 30-second bell in the final chukker. „The Tackeria Invitational is the perfect way to kick off the season,“ said Tackeria owner Tony Coppola, legendary voice of polo and USPA President. „We are proud to be a returning sponsor with the Tackeria Invitational.“ The Tackeria, a longtime supporter of polo and Grand Champions, carries one of the most complete selections of equestrian equipment in the world, importing goods from all over Europe, the Far East and South America to create the best selection of quality items for its customers. It is a go-to source for equipment, supplies, fashion and gifts for the hunter/jumper, dressage and polo disciplines. The Tackeria is located on the corner of Pierson Rd. and South Shore at 13501 South Shore Blvd. All this week, the Grand Champions Polo Club staff has been putting the finishing touches on its fields at Grand Champions and Santa Rita Polo Farm in preparation for the season-opener.

The 2019 season 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. 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 and again is hosting two 20-goal tournaments this season. 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, share a passion for 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.

The fall league features: stick-and-ball sessions during the week; two medium tournament games every weekend; ambulance and umpires for all tournament games; world-class polo fields; club-sponsored social events every weekend for all players; and top-of-the-line trophies for all teams every weekend.

Grand Champions Polo Club and Santa Rita Polo Farm cater 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 at the turnkey facility.

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

Wellington-based ChukkerTV will live stream the entire fall season with Dale Schwetz calling the action. ChukkerTV‘s state-of-the art technology also features team challenges and instant replay which made their debut at Grand Champions in January, 2014.

By: Sharon Robb

2019 Grand Champions Fall Schedule

Medium Goal:

Oct. 11-13, Tackeria Invitational

Oct. 18-20, US Trust Cup

Oct. 25-27, Polo Gear Challenge

Nov. 1-3, Fall Classic

Nov. 8-10, Fall Plates

Nov. 15-17, Pedro Morrison Memorial

High Goal:

Nov. 13-16, Wellington Open 20

Nov. 20-23, USPA National 20

Nov. 30, Legends of Polo and Carlos Gracida Memorial

Nov. 30, 2019 International Cup, USA vs. France

www.gcpolo.com

©Thomas Wirth

North America, Polo News

Fall Classic presented by André Clouet

17. September 2019

What a beautiful opening Sunday at the Houston Polo Club! Four 6 Goal teams took to the field and put on quite a show for our first Sunday crowd.

The first game was between Bearsden/Tylee Farms versus Plank Companies/Sullivan Group. Bearsden/Tylee Farm‘s Francisco Rodriguez Mera dominated most of the game, showing off his talent using his smart game sense. His team maintained a lead throughout the game, and in the fourth chukker Mera stopped a goal attempt with an incredible nearside back shot, protecting his goal from Plank Companies/Sullivan Group‘s Nick Cifuni. Mera‘s teammates took advantage of his back shot and made another offensive push towards their goal. Cifuni intercepted their push and once again was making a run towards his goal but as the clock ticked down with only ten seconds left, the horn sounded before he could score and the game ended in favor of Bearsden/Tylee Farms.

As the teams shook hands, the Virnau Sealy Tractor Kubota rolled onto the field filled with complimentary champagne thanks to American National Insurance. As the divots were stomped, Land Rovers from Land Rover Houston Central were on display for the crowd to see, with also a bigger vehicle for livestock owners, a Bill Fick Ford F350 dually. After the crowd had a chance to stretch their legs, the players for the second game began to warm up on the field. The horn sounded, everyone returned to their seats, and it was time for the feature match!

Brown Bears/San Saba held on to a strong 2 goal lead for the first two chukkers against Pegasus/Propaganda. But in the second half, Pegasus/Propaganda stepped up to the plate. David Andras shot 2 for 2 on penalty shots, Paul Hobby, a normally defensive player, took advantage of a pass from teammate Mason Wroe and made a nearside goal from the field. Pegasus/Propaganda took a half goal lead after Andras‘s last penalty shot, and Wroe was dominating the last chukker on Best Playing Pony, June, as she displayed her ability to out turn and out bump the competition helping to score their team‘s last goal to give Pegasus/Propaganda a 1.5 goal lead. Brown Bears/San Saba‘s Ignacio Saenz converted a hard hit penalty 4 over the scoreboard with 1:30 left in the game. Saenz had one last offensive run in the last 30 seconds, but unfortunately the ball went out of bounds, over the boards and the game ended with a Pegasus/Propaganda win.

from left to right:
Picture 1: Plank Companies/Sullivan Group‘s Nick Cifuni with a shot on goal
Picture 2: Chino Payan with a neck shot, avoiding the hook from Martin Munoz
Picture 3: Winning team: Pegasus/ Propaganda: Paul Hobby, Mason Wroe, David Andras, Chino Payan pictured with André Clouet representative Pip Cardnell

Winner‘s Circle

Pro Am September Scramble
Winner: Stewart Title
Alexis Barker, Crystal Cassidy, *Chris Williams, Chad Bowman, Martin Munoz (*sub for Cindy Madole)

HPC Summer League
2 Goal and Margarita League players enjoyed our HPC Summer League. The players and ponies brought their A game, and the summer evenings were nice and breezy.

Team Land Rover Houston Central
Agustin Arrayago, Stacey Somerville, Colleen Williams, Cindy Madole, and Chris Williams

Women‘s Pacific Coast Open
Congratulations to HPC Member Kendall Plank for taking home the win for the inaugural Women‘s Pacific Coast Open!
Plank & CO:
Kendall Plank, Ina Lalor, Dayelle Fargey, Cory Williams

Tournament Series Championship
After a tough battle in the semifinals against the eventual tournament winner, the Central Region took home the Consolation Winner title for the 2019 NYTS Championship! Congratulations to Grayson Price for being selected to represent the Central Region another year!
Central Team: Joe Post, Vance Miller III, Grayson Price, Regan Smith