Aspen

Polo great Adolfo Cambiaso makes U.S. Snow Polo debut at this week‘s St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship
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ASPEN, Colo., December 12, 2023—For the first time in the 11-year history of the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship, the world‘s greatest polo player will compete.

Adolfo Cambiaso will join fellow 10-goaler Juan Martin Nero among a star-studded field for the Dec. 14-17 event.

Cambiaso will be making his U.S. snow polo debut in the only snow polo tournament held in North America. He has competed on snow in Argentina

Cambiaso and Nero are coming off the final of the 130th Argentine Open at Palermo where their La Dolfina Saudi team lost to La Natividad, 13-10, in the final.

Cambiaso, born in Canuelas, Argentina, is ranked at 10 goals in Argentina, United Kingdom and United States at age 48. He has been ranked 10 since 1994. Since then he has won prestigious tournaments all over the world.

Cambiaso has won 18 Argentine Opens, 14 Hurlingham Opens, nine Tortugas Opens, nine U.S. Opens and eight British Opens. In 2000 he founded La Dolfina, which turned into a legendary team.

Nero, regarded as the best back in the sport, was born in Trenque Lauquen, Argentina. He made his Argentine Open debut in 2004 and since then has built an impressive resume. He is rated 10 goals in Argentina and the U.S.

Nero has won 12 Argentine Opens, 10 Hurlingham Opens, nine Tortugas Opens, two U.S. Opens and two British Opens as well as the Gold Cup Deauville in France, the Gold Cup in Sotogrande, Spain, Snow Polo World Cup in St. Moritz, Switzerland and Queen’s Cup in the UK.

Cambiaso will join Marc Ganzi and Jason Crowder on the 17-goal Aspen Valley team. Nero will play on defending champion Blade & Bow, an 18-goal team, with Scott Wood and Pablo Spinacci.

The snow polo event is one of the world‘s top snow polo tournaments and final stop on the World Polo Tour.

For the eleventh consecutive year, Aspen Valley Polo Club owners Melissa and Marc Ganzi will host the world-class event which has joined St. Moritz as one of the world‘s top snow polo tournaments and one of Aspen‘s major international sporting events and social event.

The festivities begin Thursday with the draw party and traditional champagne sabering at the St. Regis.

Preliminary qualifying round robin games are Friday at Aspen Valley Polo Club‘s state-of-the-art indoor arena beginning at 1:30 p.m .

Action moves to Rio Grande Park on Saturday where the High Alpine Cup at 1:15 p.m., inaugural Potamkin Charity Chukker at 2:30 p.m. and Celebrity Polo Match at 3:15 p.m. will be held. On Sunday the championship final is 1 p.m. and Aspen Cup at 3 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony.

VIP tickets can still be purchased for the  event. Ticket information can be found at aspenvalleypoloclub.com. The games are free for spectators standing around the arena sidelines. The event is a fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation. Donations are welcome.

Winners of the past ten tournaments are: 2022, Blade & Bow (Grant Ganzi, Hilario Figueras, Tommy Biddle); 2021, Richard Mille (Sarah Siegel Magness, Jesse Bray, Pablo MacDonough); 2020, World Polo League (Riley Ganzi, Hilario Figueras, Alejandro Novillo Astrada); 2019, Richard Mille (Edouard Pan, Pablo MacDonough, Louis Jarrige); 2018, Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Martin Pepa, Pablo MacDonough); U.S. Polo Assn.; 2017, (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nic Roldan); 2016, Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini);  2015, U.S. Polo Assn. (Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Juancito Bollini); 2014, Piaget (Marc Ganzi, Jeff Hall, Nic Roldan); and 2013, St. Regis (Nacho Figueras, Nic Roldan, Brandon Phillips).

With the majestic 12,965-foot summit of Mount Sopris as a backdrop, Aspen Valley Polo Club has become the world‘s destination spot for summer and snow polo.     

Since Marc and Melissa Ganzi resurrected the Carbondale-based club and polo in 2014, polo has increased in popularity in Aspen and surrounding cities with the club‘s offerings of various weekly grass and arena tournaments, Arena & Asado Nights, Kidz Polo, Kids Wheely Polo, The Polo School headed by former 8-goaler Juan Bollini, and Polo On Demand. In addition, the club offers practice sessions for teams competing in the club tournaments.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira
ASPEN, Colo., December 12, 2023—For the first time in the 11-year history of the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship, the world‘s greatest polo player will compete. Adolfo Cambiaso will…
Amaro Captures Pedro Morrison Memorial; Nic Roldan MVP
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WELLINGTON, Fla., October  23, 2023—Amaro, making its fall season debut, won its first tournament Sunday at Santa Rita Polo Farm‘s Aspen Field.

Amaro (Scott Sorbaro, 0, Louis Devaleix, 1, Nic Roldan, 8, Kris Kampsen, 6) dominated round robin action to win the Pedro Morrison Memorial.

Amaro defeated Aspen Valley (Govinda Quish, 9, Sugar Erskine, 6, Pablo Dorignac, 5, Martin Jauregui, 6), 7-4, and Casablanca (Santos Bollini, 2, Grant Ganzi, 3, Tomacho Pieres, 6, Jason Crowder, 5) , 8-5, in the final. Casablanca topped Aspen Valley 10-6 in its round robin qualifier.

Arvo Katajisto, longtime friend of Pedro Morrison, was the awards presenter for the tournament and was emotional talking about Morrison. Several of Morrison‘s friends attended the game in his memory.

„I‘m sorry Pedro‘s not here laughing with us,“ he said. „Thank you all very, very much.“

Roldan, the second highest ranked American and most decorated player at Grand Champions Polo Club, was named Most Valuable Player for the third consecutive week. Roldan finished with six goals and played well defensively.

„Pedro was a dear friend to all of us and his legacy will always be remembered within the polo world,“ Roldan said.

Pitkin, played by Grant Ganzi and owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm, was Best Playing Pony.

In the preliminary round robin games on Friday, Amaro edged Aspen Valley, 3-2, and Casablanca, 4-2; and Aspen Valley and Casablanca tied 5-5. The scores carried over into Sunday‘s final.

In the opening three chukkers, Amaro led from start to finish against Aspen Valley. Amaro extended its lead to 4-2 with Sorbaro‘s opening goal in the first chukker. Amaro pulled away for a 6-3 lead in the second chukker behind back-to-back Roldan goals, including a penalty-one. Amaro outshot Aspen Valley, 14-11.

In the final three chukkers, Amaro once again extended its lead, pulling away for a 5-3 advantage after the opening chukker. Amaro led by as many as four, 8-4, in the third chukker after Kampsen converted a 60-yard penalty.

„It was great to share the field with my teammates,“ said Roldan, who played with Sorbaro and Devaleix for the first time. „Scott and Louis both played really well. It was a fun weekend.“

Casablanca outshot Amaro, 14-13. Amaro led in knock-ins, 9-5, and throw-ins, 5-2. Each team had five fouls.

In addition to Roldan‘s six goals, Ganzi scored three for Casablanca including a penalty conversion, Santos Bollini had three for Casablanca and Kampsen had two including a 60-yard penalty conversion for Amaro.

On Saturday, in the Just For The Fun Of It round robin, Victory I (Becky Schmeits, Louis Devaleix, Juan Bollini, Patricio Paz/Tomacho Pieres), Victory II (Kevin Schmeits, Tomacho Pieres, Lion Mandelbaum, Sebastian Mandelbaum) and World Polo League White (Johnny Castillo, Patricio Paz, Martin Jauregui, David Farache) competed in a fun but competitive six-chukker round robin.

Kevin Schmeits, who also competes at Grand Champions sister club Aspen Valley Polo Club, returned to action after sitting out for nearly a year recouperating from knee surgery.

Brothers Sebastian and Lion Mandelbaum returned to Grand Champions. The pair have been competing in polo at GCPC since their lead line days.

In the opening round, Victory I and Victory II tied, 1-1. In the second round, Victory II and World Polo League White tied, 2-2. In the third and final round WPL White and Victory I tied, 2-2.

Castillo led in scoring with three goals. Becky Schmeits and Sebastian Mandelbaum each had two goals.

In last year‘s tournament, Barbarossa Leather won the Pedro Morrison Memorial  at Santa Rita. Trailing by two goals going into the final chukker, Barbarossa Leather (Leo Mandelbaum, 2, Jason Crowder, 5, Juan Bollini, 3, Tommy Biddle, 5) rallied for a thrilling 4-3 victory over Casablanca (Nick Manifold, 3, Grant Ganzi, 3, Nic Roldan, 8, Juan Sanchez Elia, 5). Mandelbaum was  MVP.

The tournament is named in honor of Pedro Morrison. Born in Spain and University of Miami alum, Morrison died Dec. 11, 2003 in Wellington at age 49. He was an avid polo player, patron of The Sympatico Polo team and helped develop Wellington into a thriving community.

The nation‘s largest and most innovative polo club celebrating its 17th anniversary, is  hosting both medium and high goal tournaments this season.

Among the season highlights are the Nov. 7-15 USPA North American Cup and Nov. 11-21 USPA National 20-Goal Championship and Nov. 18 doubleheader featuring the Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial and International Cup featuring GCPC USA putting its undefeated 11-game win streak on the line against Spain.

The fall medium goal schedule features six tournaments. The remaining medium goal tournaments are the Oct. 24-29 Banyan Cup, Nov. 1-5 Fall Plates and inaugural Nov. 8-12 Casablanca Fall Cup.

Grand Champions Polo Club 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 exercise tracks, five climate-controlled tack rooms, vet room, staff quarters, guest house and four polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation, short work arena and stick-and-ball fields.

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.

Grand Champions and Santa Rita Polo Farm hosts polo tournaments ranging from six to 26-goal in addition to special events at its well-manicured 11 fields during the fall season. Admission is free and open to the public.

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 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 in Wellington January through June and October through November. For more information on the Fall Leagues or Polo School contact Juan Bollini at  561-346-1099 or Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

Grand Champions Polo Club is located at 13444 Southfields Road in Wellington. For more information about the upcoming season visit www.gcpolo.com.

By Sharon Robb

GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB

WHERE: 13444 Southfields Road, on the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington, 33414.

WELLINGTON, Fla., October  23, 2023—Amaro, making its fall season debut, won its first tournament Sunday at Santa Rita Polo Farm‘s Aspen Field. Amaro (Scott Sorbaro, 0, Louis Devaleix, 1, Nic…
St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship Announces Schedule, Players, Team Rosters
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ASPEN, Colo., December 8, 2021 — A Who‘s Who in polo players from around the world will compete in the much-anticipated Dec. 16-19 St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship at Aspen Valley Polo Club and Rio Grande Park.

The star-studded lineup is headed by Argentine 10-goalers Pablo MacDonough and Juan Martin Nero; 9-goalers Nic Roldan and Tommy Biddle; and 8-goalers Juan Martin Zubia and Alejandro Novillo Astrada.


The stage is set for the ninth annual St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship.

In addition to returning as title sponsor, St. Regis will return as a team sponsor with team captain Nacho Figueras, the sport‘s ambassador and St. Regis Connoisseur. Figueras will play with  Melissa Ganzi and Roldan. 

The seven team sponsors and rosters are:

Casablanca (15): Grant Ganzi, 3, Juancito Bollini, 4, Juan Martin Zubia, 8.

Richard Mille (17): Sarah Siegel Magness, 0, Jesse Bray, 7, Pablo MacDonough, 10.

Edmiston (16): Cable Magness, 2, Jason Crowder, 7, Sugar Erskine, 7.

Aspen Valley Polo Club (14): Alecia Seidler, 0, Juan Bollini 4T, Juan Martin Nero, 10.

ChukkerTV (14): Vinny Sangaline, 1, Martin Pepa, 4, Tommy Biddle, 9.

St. Regis (16): Melissa Ganzi, 1, Nacho Figueras, 6, Nic Roldan 9.

WPL (15): Riley Ganzi 1, Hilario Figueras 6, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 8.

The celebrity teams will feature bull rider Landon Miller, actor and director Miss Saye Yabandeh and another player to be announced, playing for ChukkerTV and actor Sterling Jones, Vinny Sangaline and Nacho Figueras playing for Aspen Valley Polo Club.


2020 World Snow Polo Championship winners WPL Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Riley Ganzi, and Hilario Figueras.

Players will take center stage at one of the world‘s top snow polo tournaments and only snow polo event in North America. It is one of Aspen‘s major international sporting events and kickoff to the holiday social season in Aspen.

For the ninth consecutive year, Aspen Valley Polo Club owners Melissa and Marc Ganzi, will host the event along with Figueras and his wife Delfina Blaquier.

In front of a local crowd and worldwide ChukkerTV audience, four days of events will be held during the final stop on the 2021 World Polo Tour.


Jesse Bray and Riley Ganzi.

The week of activities begin with a virtual draw and traditional St. Regis champagne sabering on Thursday at 7 p.m. at St. Regis Aspen Resort Hotel. 

Polo action will take place Friday with preliminary qualifying games at Aspen Valley Polo Club‘s indoor arena in Carbondale. Preliminary games are 1 and 2 p.m. followed by a round robin at 3 p.m.

On Saturday at Rio Grande Park the High Alpine Cup is 1:15 p.m. The round robin will determine the fifth, sixth and seventh place teams. A Celebrity Polo Chukker will follow at 2:30 p.m.

On Sunday, the final is 1 p.m. followed by the Aspen Cup at 3 p.m. The trophy presentation is 4:15 p.m. featuring all seven teams.


Juan Bollini, Vinny Sangaline, and Nic Roldan.

A check will be presented to Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation and Calloway Young Cancer Center. The tournament is a fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation, the designated philanthropic charity. Donations are welcome.

The event will follow COVID-19 guidelines. Per local state and county guidelines, all attendees must show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result (within 48 hours prior) before entering the event. 

Edmiston, a world leader in the super yacht industry will join world-class partners St. Regis, Aspen Valley Polo Club, Richard Mille, Casablanca, NetJets and World Polo League as major sponsors. Edmiston will also co-host the Dec. 28-30 Audi Ajax Cup at Highlands Mountain with Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club.


Deborah Breen, President and CEO of the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation accepts a check for the Calloway Young Cancer Center.

Nestled at the base of the majestic Aspen Mountain, the St. Regis Aspen Resort, a five-star luxury hotel, is between the mountain‘s two primary base ski lifts and within walking distance to all of Aspen‘s shops, restaurants and entertainment. It delivers a benchmark of personalized service and attention to detail amidst the relaxed spirit of the Rocky Mountains. 

Richard Mille is the official timekeeper for the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship. Mille created the RM 53-01 Tourbillon Pablo MacDonough for his Brand Ambassador.

NetJets will be an event sponsor for the second year. NetJets boasts a global network unmatched in private aviation. With more than 750 aircraft (equal to the world’s fourth largest airline), the company operates more than 313,000 flights annually worldwide. Figueras is NetJets Brand Ambassador.


Nacho Figueras and Grant Ganzi.

In addition to defending champion World Polo League (Riley Ganzi, Hilario Figueras, Alejandro Novillo Astrada), other past winners include: Richard Mille (2019, Edouard Pan, Pablo MacDonough, Louis Jarrige); Richard Mille (2018, Marc Ganzi, Martin Pepa, Pablo MacDonough); U.S. Polo Assn  (2017, Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nic Roldan); Flexjet (2016, Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini);  U.S. Polo Assn. (2015, Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Juancito Bollini); Piaget (2014, Marc Ganzi, Jeff Hall, Nic Roldan); and  St. Regis (2013, Nacho Figueras, Nic Roldan, Brandon Phillips). 

The snow polo tournament is a major sports attraction for the local community and fans from all over the world. The breathtaking scenery, venue and great polo action is a major allure for the Aspen community and surrounding areas.

Rio Grande Park is Aspen‘s largest multi-functional park within the city‘s limits and just minutes away from the St. Regis Aspen Resort.


2020 World Snow Polo Championship awards table. 

In the U.S., snow polo is held exclusively in Aspen. Snow polo is a modified version of regulation polo. Games are played on a snow-packed field surrounded by fencing to keep the ball in play. Teams have three players instead of four as in typical polo. Play consists of four chukkers. The horses have special cleated shoes to provide better traction. The ball is larger and lighter and a specific color for visibility on the snowy surface.

The sport was first played on a frozen lake in St. Moritz, Switzerland, created by Swiss hotelier and polo visionary Reto Gaudenzi in 1985 and has been growing in popularity ever since, attracting thousands of spectators and top players from around the world. In addition to St. Moritz, it‘s played in winter sports communities Aspen, Cortina, Italy, Kitzbuhel, Austria, Courchevel, France and Tianjin, China. In the U.S., snow polo is held exclusively in Aspen.

Since Marc and Melissa Ganzi resurrected the club and polo in 2014, polo has increased in popularity in Aspen and surrounding cities with the club‘s offerings of various weekly grass and arena tournaments, Arena & Asado Nights, Kidz Polo, Kids Wheely Polo, The Polo School headed by former 8-goaler Juan Bollini, and Polo On Demand. In addition, the club offers practice sessions for teams competing in the club tournaments.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Nick Tininenko

BUY TICKETS

 

 

2021 St Regis World Snow Polo Championship  Schedule

Thursday 12/16 
7 p.m. Team Draw – from St. Regis Aspen Resort

Friday 12/17 
Preliminary Games
1pm, 2pm. 3pm

Saturday 12/18
1:15 p.m. The High Alpine Cup
2:30 p.m. Celebrity Polo Chukker

Sunday 12/19
1 p.m. World Snow Polo Championship Final
3 p.m. The Aspen Cup
4:15 p.m. Trophy Presentation

All Games Live on https://www.chukkertv.com in Mountain Standard Time

 

ASPEN, Colo., December 8, 2021 — A Who‘s Who in polo players from around the world will compete in the much-anticipated Dec. 16-19 St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship at…
Tonkawa Wins World Polo League Triple Crown of Polo-Aspen ; Gonzalito Pieres Named MVP
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By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: Nick Tininenko for ChukkerTV 

CARBONDALE, CO, August 30, 2021— Tonkawa defeated NetJets by 9-8 in overtime to take the Aspen leg of the World Polo League Triple Crown of Polo.

Yesterday NetJets (Alejandra Foster, Gussie Busch, Nic Roldan, and Nacho Figueres) met Tonkawa (Jeff Hildebrand, Marc Ganzi, Gonzalito Pieres, and Juan Bollini) in the final match of the Triple Crown of Polo.


Gonzalito Pieres gets ready to drive the ball down the field ahead of opponent Nacho Figueras.

Play was off to a blistering start as Nic Roldan took the ball from the throw-in and passed it to Gussie Busch, who put it through the posts only 13 seconds into the first chukker. Both teams demonstrated an appetite for risk, taking long shots early in the game. Busch scored again in the second period, but Gonzalito Pieres converted a Penalty 2 and 3 to end the chukker in a 2-2 tie. In the third period, he converted a Penalty 4 to take the score up to 3, but an answer from Nacho Figueras ended the half in a 3-3 tie.


Tonkawa‘s Jeff Hildebrand prepares to hit the ball out of the air towards goal.

The second half started with Tonkawa commanding the field in the fourth chukker. Pieres was on fire, making an impressive run to goal at 3:29 and another at 2:42, this time with Roldan glued to his hip. Tonkawa frustrated NetJets’ attempts to score, while Marc Ganzi made a spectacular lofted shot to add one more goal just before the horn. Tonkawa started the fifth chukker with an encouraging three goal lead at 6-3, but NetJets fought back hard. Tonkawa’s Ganzi converted a Penalty 2 thirty seconds into the chukker, but that was to be Tonkawa’s only goal. Roldan added a pair of goals for NetJets, including a spectacular lofted shot at 1:08, to narrow Tonkawa’s lead to two goals, ending the period 7-5.


Netjets‘ Nic Roldan gains possession of the play.

In the final chukker, NetJets continued to outscore Tonkawa. At 3:50. Alejandra Foster took the ball downfield, handing it off to Busch for the goal. After another minute of back-and-forth play, Roldan took the ball to goal, drawing NetJets even with Tonkawa at 7 all. The last minute-and-a-half turned into a real nail-biter. Pieres roared past the crowd to score at 1:38, putting Tonkawa back in the lead, but with forty seconds left on the clock, Roldan scored the equalizer that send the match into overtime. It took less than 30 seconds to decide the outcome, with Pieres taking the ball toward the goal on a breakway and Juan Bollini finished the job to give Tonkawa the win at 9-8. Gonzalito Pieres was named MVP. Cruella deVille, ridden by Pieres and owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm, took Best Playing Pony honors.


Most Valuable Player Gonzalito Pieres.

In the subsidiary Just for the Love of It Cup, Quite on Z (Alicia Siedler, Vinny Sangaline, Felipe Vercillino, and Alejandro Novillo Astrada) met Mountain Chevrolet (Michael Payne, Tomas Pieres, Pablo Spinacci, and Horacio Heguy). Alicia Siedler, playing her first-ever match at Aspen Valley, started out on the right foot, scoring the only goal of the chukker. It took almost four minutes of play for Michael Payne put the first goal on the board for Montain Chevrolet, while Vinny Sangaline answered to end the chukker 2-1 for Quite on Z. Horacio Heguy tied the match at 2-2, but Felipe Versillino put Quite on Z back in the lead, ending the chukker 3-2.


Cruella deVille, owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm and ridden by Gonzalito Pieres took Best Playing Pony honors.

Quite on Z got off to a fast start in the second half. Siedler and Sangaline scored consecutive goals, while Mountain Chevrolet couldn’t make it onto the board. The tables were turned in the fifth chukker, with Mountain Chevrolet keeping Z off the board. However, the team continued to play a strong defense and Mountain Chevrolet failed to score from the field, athough Michael Payne converted a Penalty 3 to end the period with Quite on Z leading by 5-3. Both teams were running to no result until Alejandro Novillo Astrada made a run downfield to take the ball to goal at 1:52. Despite a final Penalty 2 conversion by Payne, Quite on Z carried the day with a final score of 6-4. Felipe Versillino was named MVP. Kangarito, a stunning 8-year-old chestnut, was named Best Playing Pony. He is owned by Alicia Siedler and was played by Versillino in the fifth chukker.


Just For The Love Of It winner‘s Quite on Z‘s Vinny Sangaline, Alicia Siedler, Felipe Versillino, and Alejandro Novillo Astrada with the unique trophy designed by world renowned artist Romero Britto.

In the Just for the Fun of It Cup, La Karina (Nacho Badiola, Brian Boyd, Nacho Novillo Astrada, and Stewart Armstrong) took on Rancho Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Sugar Erskine, Toro Ruiz, and Alex Gooding). It was a frustrating first chukker for both teams as neither made it onto the board. Both teams were evenly matched, scoring two goals each. Brian Boyd started the scoring with an answer from Alex Gooding. Paul Foster followed up with a goal, while Sugar Erskine was responsible for the equalizer to end the period 2-2. La Karina finally gained the advantage in the third chukker with a goal from Nacho Novillo Astrada, ending the half 3-2.


Horacio Heguy hooks Phillip Versillino during the Just For The Love of It Subsidiary game.

Novillo Astrada started the scoring in the second half, taking La Karina up to 5 before Foster found the uprights. A goal from Erskine ended the fourth chukker 5-3 for La Karina. Unfortunately for the team in green, that was to be their last goal of the day, as they were unable to score in either the fifth or sixth chukker. Rancho Los Amigos was also unable to score in the fifth chukker, but Toro Ruiz and Alex Gooding each found the goal in the final chukker to end the match in a 5-5 tie.

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: Nick Tininenko for ChukkerTV  CARBONDALE, CO, August 30, 2021— Tonkawa defeated NetJets by 9-8 in overtime to take the Aspen leg of the World Polo…
Snow Polo “White Hot Party With The Players” Set For Dec. 20th, Tickets On Sale
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After three days of snow polo action at the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship, fans will get a chance to party with the players for a good cause.

Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation, the designated philanthropic charity for the snow polo event, will host the „White Hot Party With The Players,“ on Friday, Dec. 20th, 6-9 p.m. at the new W Aspen Hotel. Fans will get the opportunity to meet some of the world‘s best polo players and enjoy music mixed especially for the W Aspen Hotel. General admission tickets are $200. VIP tickets are $1,000 and include perks such as Beverly Hills Caviar, bottomless champagne and other exclusive benefits. Also for sale are tickets to join British 6-goal player Malcolm Borwick for a one-hour polo lesson on polo horses on Dec. 20th at 9 a.m. at Rio Grande Park. The experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and limited to 10 people at $750 per ticket. To purchase tickets or browse the online auction items, go to bidpal.net/snowpolo.

Borwick is the Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador. Recently, Pernod Ricard announced a „standout new addition“ Royal Salute Snow Polo Edition, available for a limited time throughout December. „The Snow Polo Edition is a standout new addition with an extensive depth of flavour and fresh new look,“ said Royal Salute Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, who developed the limited-edition blend. „Being at the helm of the blending team behind Royal Salute, I‘m always looking for new inspiration, and snow polo has proven to be one of the richest sources yet for creativity and innovation. To capture the apposition of the intensity of the game against the graceful elegance of the backdrop associated with snow polo, it felt like the perfect opportunity to craft the very first blended grain whisky in our portfolio and I couldn‘t be prouder of the result.“ Added Borwick, „Snow polo is a spectator sport like no other with each match delivering an undeniably thrilling atmosphere, set in the breath-taking scenery of immaculate snow-peaked mountains. Royal Salute understands polo and the lifestyle it represents both on and off the field so well, it‘s an honour to be able to help open up the world of polo through the Royal Salute Polo Collection and the global partnerships it has formed over the last ten years.“

All proceeds from the party and auction benefit the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation.

Aspen Valley Polo Club, the nation‘s fastest growing polo club, has a longstanding relationship with the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation. The club annually hosts the Chukkers, Champagne and Caviar event in front of a sellout crowds and helped to raise more than $600,000 this summer for priority programs and services at Aspen Valley Hospital. The foundation‘s signature fundraising event has raised over $1.6 million in the past three years. The St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship is one of the world‘s top snow polo tournaments and only snow polo event in the U.S. In front of an expected sellout crowd and worldwide ChukkerTV audience, action begins Wednesday, Dec. 18, with qualifying games at Aspen Valley Polo Club and continues Thursday and Friday at Rio Grande Park. For the seventh consecutive year, Aspen Valley Polo Club owners Melissa and Marc Ganzi, will host the star-studded event along with polo ambassador and St. Regis Connoisseur Nacho Figueras and his wife Delfina. The event has joined St. Moritz as one of the world‘s top snow polo tournaments and one of Aspen‘s major international sporting events. It is the only snow polo event in North America, final stop on the World Polo Tour and kickoff to the holiday social season in Aspen. The snow polo tournament is a major attraction for the local community, attracts fans from all over the world, and is a major allure for the Aspen community and surrounding areas. The sport was first played on a frozen lake in St. Moritz, Switzerland, created by Swiss hotelier and polo visionary Reto Gaudenzi in 1985 and has been growing in popularity ever since, attracting thousands of spectators and top players from around the world. In addition to St. Moritz, it‘s played in winter sports communities Aspen, Cortina, Italy, Kitzbuhel, Austria, Courchevel, France and Tianjin, China. In the U.S., snow polo is held exclusively in Aspen.

Aspen Valley Polo Club had its most successful and historic summer season in club and Rocky Mountain Circuit history. The club hosted several 20-goal tournaments including the 119th USPA Silver Cup and USPA North American Cup, attracted some of the world‘s top players and had record crowds every weekend. The 20-goal World Polo League‘s Triple Crown of Polo tournament featured five teams and several top players. With the majestic 12,965-foot summit of Mount Sopris as a backdrop, Aspen Valley Polo Club is one of the busiest  USPA-sanctioned clubs in the nation.

Since Marc and Melissa Ganzi founded the club in 2014, polo has increased in popularity in Aspen and surrounding cities with the club‘s offerings of various weekly grass and arena tournaments,  Tuesday Arena & Asado Nights, Kidz Polo, The Polo School headed by former 8-goaler Juan Bollini, and Polo On Demand. In addition, the club offers practice sessions for teams competing in the club tournaments.

Since 2014, Aspen Valley Polo Club has had a positive impact in the area hosting kids polo camps, teaching lessons and  several charitable events at the club that have benefitted local charities including the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation.

By Sharon Robb

Click Here To Purchase Tickets:
www.eventbrite.com

 

2019 St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship Dec. 17-20

12/17 At St. Regis Resort Aspen
8 p.m. Team Presentation/Draw and Cocktail Party

12/18 at Aspen Valley Polo Club
11 a.m. Barn tour & Blacksmith work station
11:30 a.m., Round Robin Game 1
1 p.m., Round Round Game 2

12/19 Press Day at Rio Grande Park
12 p.m. VIP Tent Opens
1:15 p.m. High Alpine Cup, playoff for fifth and sixth place.
2:30 p.m Celebrity Polo Chukker

12/20 at Rio Grande Park
12 p.m. Meet the Players
1 p.m., The Final
3 p.m. The Aspen Cup
4:15 p.m. Trophy Presentation

 

www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com

© Thomas Wirth
After three days of snow polo action at the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship, fans will get a chance to party with the players for a good cause. Aspen…
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CURRENT ISSUE
POLO+10 01/2025
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