Aspen Valley Polo Club

NetJets Captures Mount Sopris Cup; Gussie Busch named Most Valuable Player
VIEW POST
By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: Nick Tininenko for ChukkerTV

CARBONDALE, CO, August 16, 2021— On Sunday, NetJets defeated Sopris Mountain Ranch by a score of 8-4 to win the Mount Sopris Cup.

On Sunday, in the feature match of the day, Sopris Mountain Ranch (Lauren Sherry, Alex Gooding, Nacho Badiola, Tomacho Pieres) took on NetJets.

NetJets commanded the field from the start, with Pablo Spinacci putting the game’s first goal on the board just over four minutes into the match. Thirty seconds later, the whistle sounded for a timeout due to injury and Jack McClean substituted in for Lauren Sherry. At just under two minutes, Govinda Quish picked up a missed shot from Juan Bollini to score the second goal of the chukker. Leading by 2-0, NetJets’ Busch added two more goals for his team, with one on a Penalty 2, to advance their lead to 4-0 at the end of the second chukker. A minute and a half into the third chukker, Alex Gooding put Sopris Mountain on the board, but Busch converted a Penalty 3 and followed up with a goal from the field to keep NetJets firmly ahead. With nine seconds left on the clock, Alex Gooding got out in front and took the ball through the posts to end the half with NetJets leading 6-2.


Govinda Quish of NetJets rides off Alex Gooding.

Sopris Mountain Ranch gained ground in the fourth chukker, with Nacho Badiola and Gooding contributing goals while the team played a strong defense to keep NetJets from scoring. The fifth period started with NetJets still in the lead at 6-4. Sopris Mountain Ranch again failed to make it onto the scoreboard while Busch and Spinacci added two more goals to give NetJets an 8-4 lead. Play was more evenly matched in the final chukker, with both teams running to little effect. NetJets captured the title 8-4. Gussie Busch was named MVP while Silver Peak, ridden by Pablo Spinacci and owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm, took the honor as Best Playing Pony.


Gussie Busch breaks away to goal.

In the Mount Sopris subsidiary match, Rancho Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Michael Payne, Sugar Erskine, and Nacho Novillo Astrada) met White Claw (Alejandra Foster, Vinny Sangaline, Charlie Chambers, and Gonzalito Pieres). White Claw took an early lead with Alejandra Foster and Charlie Chambers putting their team on the board. The second period began 2-0, and Alejandra Foster took another ball through to extend her team’s lead to 3-0. Michael Payne scored two consecutive goals for Rancho Los Amigos to narrow White Claw’s advantage to 3-2. Paul Foster scored the first goal in the third chukker, with Chambers contributing another for White Claw. Paul Foster scored an equalizer to tie the match 4-4 at the half.


Most Valuable Players went to Gussie Busch. NetJets‘ representatives presented the honors.

Los Amigos got off to a bad start in the second half, ffooted start to the second half, allowing McClure River’s Vinny Sangaline to break the tie. Chambers added another goal to put White Claw back in the lead by 6-4. With White Claw leading going into the pentultimate chukker, they hoped to maintain their advantage. However, Los Amigos fought hard to take the lead and keep White Claw off the board. Paul Foster scored the first goal of the period to gain on the team in grey, while Payne contributed a pair of back-to-back goals to take the lead at 7-6. However, the team in blue lost their momentum while Sangaline and Alejandra Foster took the total on the board to 8-7 to win the match for White Claw.


Silver Peak, owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm and played by Pablo Spinacci was named Best Playing Pony.

The day saw another two matches in the two weeklong Rocky Mountain Open. With four teams participating, all the teams will play each other. Net goals, followed by gross goals, will determine which teams will meet in the final on August 22nd. On Friday, Tonkawa defeated McClure River Ranch by 11-6 in Game 1, while Casablanca beat La Karina by 8-4.

In yesterday’s Game 3, Casablanca (Marc Ganzi, Grant Ganzi, Gonzalito Pieres, and Toro Ruiz) took the field against Tonkawa (Jeff Hildebrand, Jimmy Seward, Nic Roldan, and Nacho Novillo Astrada). Tonkawa’s Nic Roldan drew first blood, but Gonzalito Pieres put Casablanca on the board. A goal by Jimmy Seward ended the period with Tonkawa in the lead by 2-1. The team in green took the lead to 4-1 with goals from Novillo Astrada and Roldan, but Toro Ruiz put another on the board to end the second period 4-2. In the third chukker, Ruiz took Casablanca up to 3, while Roldan found the goal again to end the half with Tonkawa in the lead by 5-3.


Nacho Novillo Astrada hooks Grant Ganzi.

The second half started off well for Casablanca, with Marc and Gran Ganzi each converting a Penalty 2. Pieres scored from the field to take Casablanca up to 6, then Roldan scored the final goal of the chukker to tie the match at 6-all. In the fifth chukker, Grant Ganzi scored to take Casablanca to 7, but Roldan converted a Penalty 2 to keep things tied up at 7-all. Tonkawa went into the final chukker with a good head of steam, as Novillo Astrada, Roldan, and Jimmy Seward found the uprights to take Tonkawa up to 10. Casablanca was unable to gain much momentum, but Ruiz scored a final goal. Tonkawa prevailed by 10-8 with Nic Roldan named MVP.

In Game 4, McClure River Ranch (Stewart Armstrong, Sugar Erskine, Tomas Pieres, and Horacio Heguy) met La Karina (Brian Boyd, Pablo Spinacci, Nacho Figueras, and Alejandro Novillo Astrada). Brian Boyd put La Karina on the board with a Penalty 2 conversion, and Alejandro Novillo Astrada scored from the field to give La Karina two goals on the board. A foul sent Sugar Erskine to the line for a Penalty 3, and the period ended 2-1 for La Karina. Play was evenly matched in the second chukker, with La Karina’s Novilla Astrada and McClure River’s Tomas Pieres each finding the posts to end the period 3-2. McClure River Ranch stalled in the third chukker, while Boyd and Novillo Astrada racked up a goal each to end the half at 5-2 with La Karina firmly in the lead.

McClure River Ranch came back with more energy in the fourth chukker, with Armstrong and Erskine each scoring. La Karina seemed to lose some steam and couldn’t penetrate McClure River’s defense to get on the board. Roles were reversed in the fifth chukker, as Pablo Spinacci converted success penalty shots on a Penalty 3 and Penalty 4. McClure River was awarded a goal on an infraction, but Boyd scored to end the period with La Karina in the lead by 9-5. Boyd took his team up to 10 in the final chukker. Despite McClure River’s best efforts and goals from Pieres and Erskine, La Karina took the match by a final score of 10-7. Brian Boyd was the high scoring player of the day with four goals.

 

2021 Aspen Valley Summer Polo Series

August
Rocky Mountain Open 8/9-8/22
The Carbondale Classic 8/18-8/22
World Polo League Triple Crown of Polo 8/25-8/28

Arena Tournaments & Asado – Tuesday Evenings
Kidz Uni-Wheel games during select tournament halftimes

Chukkers, Champagne, & Caviar
to benefit Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation
Sunday August 22, 2021

Visit www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com for more details.
Games live-streamed on www.chukkertv.com

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: Nick Tininenko for ChukkerTV CARBONDALE, CO, August 16, 2021— On Sunday, NetJets defeated Sopris Mountain Ranch by a score of 8-4 to win the Mount…
Santa Rita Takes High Alpine Cup; MVP Alejandro Novillo Astrada Catamount Wins Ute Challenge
VIEW POST
By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: Nick Tininenko for ChukkerTV

CARBONDALE, CO, August 9, 2021— Santa Rita defeated Victory Polo by 8-5 to win the High Alpine Cup while Catamount prevailed over Tonkawa by 9-6 to claim victory in the Ute Challenge.

In the feature tournament of the week, The High Alpine Challenge final, saw Santa Rita (Alejandra Foster, Lauren Sherry, Tomacho Pieres, and Alejandro Novillo Astrada) take on Victory Polo (Kevin Schmeitz, Vinny Sangaline, Nic Roldan, and Horacio Heguy).


Tomato Pieres reaches to hook Horacio Heguy.

Nic Roldan started the scoring at 3:17, picking up the ball on a pass from Vinny Sangaline inside the 30-yard line. Play continued back and forth until Alejandro Novillo Astrada made a spectacular pass to Alejandra Foster, who took the ball just inside the 40-yard line and put it through the posts to score with one minute left on the clock. Novillo Astrada continued to work in sync with Foster in the second period, and she scored again less than a minute into play. Vinny Sangaline retaliated with a goal, but Foster ended the chukker with a perfect Penalty 2 conversion to put Santa Rita ahead at 3-2. Horacio Heguy tied up the score at 3-all, but Foster converted another Penalty 2 to end the half at 4-3 for Santa Rita.


MVP Alejandro Novillo Astrada rides off opponent Vinny Sangaline.

The second half began with Nic Roldan breaking his mallet less than 30 seconds in. Sangaline tied the score up again at 4-4 while Victory Polo failed to get on the board. Tomacho Pieres contributed back-to-back goals in the fifth period, picking up another spectacular pass from Novillo Astrada in the goal mouth at 4:22. In another brilliant play, Novillo Astrada stole the ball away from Roldan and sent it on to Pieres for his second goal. A whistle on a Penalty 6 saw Roldan make a spectacular long shot, all the more impressive since he was playing his eleventh chukker of the day. 


Vinny Sangaline takes his shot to goal with Lauren Sherry closely defending.

Going into the final chukker, Santa Rita was ahead by a goal. Their strong defense kept Victory away from the posts, while Novillo Astrada lobbed a powerful shot over the uprights on a Penalty 6. Alejandra Foster scored her fifth goal of the day, working perfectly in concert with Novillo Astrada, and Santa Rita took the title with an 8-5 win. Alejandro Novillo Astrada was named MVP, while Alejandra Foster took the honors as the high scoring player.


MVP Alejandro Novillo Astrada with Delfina Blaquier.

Earlier in the day Catamount (Scott Devon, Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan, and Juan Bollini) met Tonkawa (Jeff Hildebrand, Jimmy Seward, Gonzalito Pieres, and Stewart Armstrong)  to vie for the title in the Ute Challenge.

While Tonkawa thwarted several plays by Catamount in the first chukker, they were unable to make it onto the board. Just over the two-minute mark, Catamount’s Grant Ganzi scored the first goal of the day. Neither team scored from the field in the second period, while Ganzi converted a Penalty 3 and Gonzalito Pieres put Tonkawa’s first goal on the board with a Penalty 4. Scoring continued on penalties in the third chukker, with Ganzi and Pieres each contributing again from the penalty line. However, a goal from Jeff Hildebrand saw Tonkawa gaining ground and the half ended 4-3 with Catamount holding a narrow lead.


Grant Ganzi chases the ball with Gonzalito Pieres attempting a ride off.

Ganzi started the scoring after the half, again on a Penalty 2, with Nic Roldan adding a goal from the field. With just over a minute left to play. Pieres made a long pass to Jimmy Seward only to have the ball stolen away by Roldan. His shot on goal stopped. just short of the posts, allowing Seward to swoop back in and put the ball through for Tonkawa. The period ended with Catamount back in the lead by 2, at 6-4. Two minutes into the pentultimate chukker, Stewart Armstrong passed the ball to Pieres, who took it through the posts for Tonkawa’s only goal. Catamount added another two goals to the board, with Scott Devon and Ganzi scoring to end the period 8-5 for Catamount.


Gonzalito Pieres of Tonkawa hooks Catamount‘s Scott Devon.

In the final chukker, Jeff Hildebrand converted a Penalty 2 with five minutes left on the clock. With three and half minutes of play left, Roldan made an impressive steal and rocketed toward the goal, with Pieres in close pursuit. Roldan took the ball through to take the score up to 9-6. The chukker played out with neither team able to score again, and Catamount won 9-6. Nic Roldan was named MVP, and Nothing Hidden, played by Jeff Hildebrand in the third chukker, was named Best Playing Pony.


The Ute Challenge MVP award presented to Nic Roldan by Netjets representative Lindsay Fausnaugh.

In the Ute Challenge subsidiary match Audi (Marc Ganzi, Alejandro Poma, Nacho Badiola, and Toro Ruiz) met La Karina (Gussie Busch, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Tomacho Pieres, and Brian Boyd. Audi dominated the field in the first chukker. Marc Ganzi started the scoring on a Penalty 2, with Toro Ruiz and Nacho Badiola contributing two more goals. La Karina roared back in the second chukker with three goals, while Nacho Badiola scored the only goal for Audi. Ganzi and Gussie Busch each scored in the third period to end the half at 5-4 for Audi.


2021 Ute Challenge Winners Catamount‘s Juan Bollini, Nic Roldan, Terri Devon, Grant Ganzi, Scott Devon, and Netjet‘s Lindsay Fausnaugh.

The tables turned as the second half began, with Tomas Pieres and Alejandro Novillo Astrada found the posts while Audi was frustrated. La Karina took a 6-5 lead, increasing it to 8-7 in the fifth chukker. Audi made a strong effort in the final chukker, keeping La Karina off the board while Poma converted a Penalty 2 and Badiola scored to end the match victorious, with Audi winning 9-8.

In the High Alpine Just for the Love  It subsidiary, NetJets (Michael Payne, Alex Gooding, Pablo Spinacci, and Nacho Figueras) met Rancho Los Amigos (Nacho Novillo Astrada, Sugar Erskine, Govinda Quish, and Paul Foster). Alex Gooding scored for NetJets in the first chukker, while Rancho Los Amigos couldn’t get on the board. The situation was reversed in the second chukker, with Paul Foster scoring for Los Amigos while NetJets was frustrated. Gooding scored two goals in the third chukker, with Los Amigos again failing to get on goal, and the half ended 3-1.


Fans enjoyed Kidz Wheelie polo after the days matches.

It was NetJet’s turn to be frustrated again in the fourth period, while Paul Foster found the posts to bring the score to 3-2. Each team scored a goal in the pentultimate chukker (Govinda Quish for Los Amigos and Michael Payne for NetJets), with Audi maintaining their one goal lead at 4-3. Payne scored the only goal in the final chukker, giving Audi a 5-3 win over NetJets.

 

 

2021 Aspen Valley Summer Polo Series

August
Rocky Mountain Open 8/9-8/14
Mount Sopris Cup 8/11-8/15
The Carbondale Classic 8/18-8/22
World Polo League Triple Crown of Polo 8/25-8/28

Arena Tournaments & Asado – Tuesday Evenings
Kidz Uni-Wheel games during select tournament halftimes

Chukkers, Champagne, & Caviar
to benefit Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation
Sunday August 22, 2021

Visit www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com for more details.
Games live-streamed on www.chukkertv.com

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: Nick Tininenko for ChukkerTV CARBONDALE, CO, August 9, 2021— Santa Rita defeated Victory Polo by 8-5 to win the High Alpine Cup while Catamount prevailed…
Tonkawa Victorious in Basalt Handicap; Toro Ruiz Named Most Valuable Player
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By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: Nick Tininenko for ChukkerTV

CARBONDALE, CO, July 26, 2020 — Tonkawa defeated La Karina by a score of 13-10 to capture the Basalt Handicap title. In the Just For The Fun Of It subsidiary, Aspen Valley Polo Club defeated McClure River Ranch in overtime by 6-5.

Tonkawa (Jeff Hildebrand, Jimmy Seward, Toro Ruiz, and Grant Ganzi) and La Karina (Brian Boyd, Gussie Busch, Nic Roldan, and Marc Ganzi) took to the field in Sunday’s final match of the Basalt Handicap.


Team sponsors Brian Boyd and Jeff Hildebrand go neck and neck down the field.

La Karina dominated play in the first chukker, with Nic Roldan taking possession from the bowl-in. He slammed the ball downfield to Brian Boyd, who sent it on to Marc Ganzi to put the first goal on the board at 5:33. Roldan came out of the next bowl-in with control of the ball again, sending a long shot for Brian Boyd to pick up and put through the posts despite Jeff Hildebrand’s best efforts to ride him off the line. As the clock ticked under four minutes, Tonkawa had yet to take control of the ball for an offensive play, and Gussie Busch took his turn at the goal after working the ball downfield. With just a minute left on the clock, Roldan fired off another long shot to Marc Ganzi, who picked up the pass and carried the ball through the uprights. The chukker ended 4-0 in favor of La Karina.


Grant Ganzi shoots a long near side neck shot with Brian Boyd on the defense.

At the beginning of the second chukker, it was clear that Tonkawa needed to start winning throw-ins. Although Marc Ganzi scored the first goal in the second chukker, taking La Karina up to 5, Tonkawa began to gain some ground. At 2:48, Toro Ruiz scored his team’s first goal on a Penalty 6, and a minute later he put another on the board. With 46 seconds left on the clock, Grant Ganzi made a spectacular shot to cut La Karina’s advantage to 2 goals. The period ended 5-3. Tonkawa put the first goal on the board in Chukker 3, but a goal from Busch and a Penalty 2 conversion by Marc Ganzi saw La Karina hang on to the advantage and end the half leading by 7-4.


Torito Ruiz gains possession with teammate Jeff Hildebrand behind riding off Gussie Busch and Marc Ganzi.

La Karina gave away much of their advantage through fouls in the fourth chukker, with Marc Ganzi, Jeff Hildebrand, and Toro Ruiz all scoring on penalties. Marc Ganzi also scored on a penalty, while Gussie Busch put the ball through from the field with 1:28 left on the clock. The players returned to the center for the throw-in and Ruiz jumped on the ball, moving it downfield and slamming a long shot to goal to end the period closing in on La Karina at 9-8. In the fifth period, Ruiz tied the score at 9-9 but a Penalty 3 conversion by Marc Ganzi put La Karina back in the lead. Ruiz scored another goal from the field and the period ended 10-all.


MVP Torito Ruiz with Netjets representatives. 

The final chukker saw Tonkawa capitalize on their momentum while La Karina seemed to run out of gas. Tonkawa kept the team in pink off the board, while goals from Hildebrand and Ruiz, plus a penalty conversion by Marc Ganzi, saw Tonkawa seize the title with a 13-10 victory over La Karina. Toro Ruiz was named the Most Valuable Player while Debutante, a 16-year-old mare owned by Jeff Hildebrand, took Best Playing Pony honors.


Best Playing Pony Debutante owned and ridden by Jeff Hildebrand gets a well deserved treat.

In the Just for the Fun of It subsidiary match, Aspen Valley Polo Club (Alejandro Poma, Nacho Badiola, Tomas Pieres, and Stewart Armstrong) defeated McClure River Ranch (Lauren Sherry, Govinda Quish, Sugar Erskine, and Pablo Spinacci) by a score of 6-5 in overtime.

Aspen Valley took the lead early on and held onto it through the first half. McClure River Ranch couldn’t get past the Aspen Valley defense to score in the first chukker, while a goal from Nacho Badiola and a Penalty 2 conversion from Alejandro Poma ended the chukker 2-0. Neither team was able to get on the board during the pitched battle of the second chukker, but Govinda Quish scored consecutive goals to ties thing up at 2-2. A final goal from Poma ended the half with Aspen Valley leading 3-2.


Ale Pome runs the ball down the field.

The teams played an evenly matched game through the second half, with each chukker ending in a tie. In the fourth chukker, Quish put the ball through for a third time, tying the score at 3-all, while holding off Aspen Valley and keeping them away from the goal. In the fifth chukker, Quish converted a Penalty 2, but Stewart Armstrong found the posts to tie the match up again at 4-all. A goal from Tomas Pieres in the final chukker put Aspen Valley ahead, but a Penalty 2 conversion from Quish ended the chukker at 5-all and sent the game into overtime. After two and half minutes of play, Nacho Badiola scored the winning goal for Aspen Valley, ending the match at 6-5. Govinda Quish was the high-scoring player, with five goals to his credit.


McClure River Ranch‘s Sugar Erskine with the long reach for the ball.

In the round robin Elk Mountain Challenge final, Victory Polo (Ryan Cronin, Kevin Schmeits, Gonzalito Pieres, and Juan Bollini) defeated Rancho Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Vinny Sangaline, Nacho Figueras, and Alejandro Novillo Astrada) and Sopris Mountain Ranch (Alejandra Foster, Larry Austin, Horacio Heguy, and Nacho Novillo Astrada).


Vinny Sangaline and Horacio Heguy have all eyes on the ball.

With scores carrying over from Friday’s play, Victory Polo was in the lead. The first match saw Rancho Los Amigos take on Sopris Mountain Ranch. The game ended in an 11-11 tie, with Alejandra Foster leading the scoring with four goals. In the second match, Rancho Los Amigos remained on the field to face off against Victory Polo. Victory Polo had a strong advantage going into the game, leading by 8-4. Although Los Amigos scored six goals, Victory Polo won the day with a final score of 11-10.


Larry Austin is first to the ball to gain possession, teammate Alejandra Foster is close behind to offer support.

In the final game, Victory Polo took on Sopris Mountain Ranch and went into this match with an advantage as well, leading by 6-4. Play was evenly matched throughout but Sopris Mountain was unable to erode Victory Polo’s advantage and went down 7-9. Victory Polo took the title in the Elk Mountain Challenge with a cumulative score of +3, while Rancho Los Amigos was in second place at -1 and Sopris Mountain followed with -2.

 

2021 Aspen Valley Summer Polo Series

July
Emma Challenge Cup 7/28-8/1

August
High Alpine Cup 8/4-8/8
Rocky Mountain Open 8/1-8/14
Mount Sopris Cup 8/11-8/15
The Carbondale Classic 8/18-8/22
World Polo League Triple Crown of Polo 8/25-8/28

Arena Tournaments & Asado – Tuesday Evenings
Kidz Uni-Wheel games during select tournament halftimes

Chukkers, Champagne, & Caviar
to benefit Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation
Sunday August 22, 2021

Visit www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com for more details.
Games live-streamed on www.chukkertv.com 

 

 

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: Nick Tininenko for ChukkerTV CARBONDALE, CO, July 26, 2020 — Tonkawa defeated La Karina by a score of 13-10 to capture the Basalt Handicap title.…
Casablanca Wins Craig Sakin Memorial in Overtime; Torito Ruiz Named MVP
VIEW POST
By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: Nick Tininenko for ChukkerTV 

Carbondale, CO, July 19, 2021— Casablanca defeated Victory Polo by 9-8 in overtime to claim the Craig Sakin Memorial title; Santa Rita was victorious in the Alpine Antler Cup, beating both Piocho Ranch and Rancho Los Amigos, while Mountain Chevrolet bested La Karina in the Just for the Love of It Cup.

In the final match of the Craig Sakin Memorial, Casablanca (Lauren Sherry, Alex Gooding, Torito Ruiz, and Grant Ganzi) met Victory Polo (Kevin Schmeits, Marc Ganzi, Nic Roldan, and Stewart Armstrong).

The match started with a foul only 30 seconds in giving Casablanca a Penalty 4. Unfortunately for the team in black, the shot was blocked. Less than a minute later, Victory Polo’s Nic Roldan sent a perfect pass to Stewart Armstrong, who put the first goal on the board. Casablanca’s Grant Ganzi scored on a Penalty 3, and the chukker ended 1-1.

Barely a minute into the second chukker, Kevin Schmeits found the goal, but at 4:28 Torito Ruiz answered by taking possession of the ball and smashing it downfield. It hit the ground just a few feet short of the posts and went through on the bounce to tie the score at 2 all. With just under a minute left, Roldan got the ball less than 20 yards from the goal and put Victory Polo ahead 3-2 at the end of the chukker. However, the excitement didn’t last for Victory as Casablanca kept them off the board in the thirdperiod. Ruiz evened the score, and a successful Penalty 2 from Grant Ganzi ended the half with Casablanca leading 4-3.

Victory Polo got their own back at the start of the second half, keeping Casablanca away from the uprights. Armstrong scored two consecutive goals to put Victory Polo back in the lead at 5-4. Just 30 seconds into the pentultimate chukker, Kevin Schmeits gave Marc Ganzi the perfect set-up to tap the ball through and extend Victory Polo’s lead to 6-4. With 3:34 on the clock, Ruiz took the score to 6-5 and at 1:15 he took advantage of a broken play to tie things up at 6-6. Ruiz started the final chukker with yet another goal, putting Casablanca back in the lead at 7-6. A Penalty 1 gave Victory Polo an automatic goal, once again tying the score up at 7-7. With 1:55 on the clock, Armstrong broke the tie after a successful run downfield with Ruiz in hot pursuit.

With five seconds remaining on the clock, Victory Polo surely though they had the match in the bag when the whistle sounded for a right-of-way violation. Grant Ganzi scored on the Penalty 2 to end the chukker 8-8 and send the match into overtime. Forty seconds into overtime, Ruiz took possession of the ball and slammed it downfield in a long shot that flew over the posts and gave Casablanca the win at 9-8. Toro Ruiz was named the Most Valuable Player while Pili, whom he played in the fifth chukker, took Best Playing Pony Honors.

In the Just for the Love of It subsidiary, La Karina (Govinda Quish, Brian Boyd, Sugar Erskine, and Nacho Badiola) took on Mountain Chevrolet (Michael Payne, Gussie Busch, Tomas Pieres, and Pablo Spinacci).

 

https://www.ettikonerhof.com/

 

Mountain Chevrolet seized control at the start of the match. Gussie Busch and Tomas Pieres both scored, and the team succeeded in keeping La Karina off the board. In the second chukker, Pieres took the score up to 3-0. The team in pink got their first goal of the day when Sugar Erskine put the ball through on a Penalty 4. The period ended 3-1 with Mountain Chevrolet in the lead. Pieres extended his team’s lead to 4-1 before Nacho Badiola scored to cut Mountain Chevrolet’s advantage to 2 and end the period 4- 2.

La Karina found their feet in the fourth chukker and played a strong defense to keep Mountain Chevrolet off the board. Erskine and Govinda Quish each scored to end the period with a 4-4 tie. Pieres put the first goal on the board in the pentultimate chukker, but Nacho Badiola found the posts to tie the game once again at 5-5. Pablo Spinacci put an end to this by scoring two consecutive goals to end the period with Mountain Chevrolet ahead 7-5. Another goal from Quish saw La Karina gaining ground, but Michael Payne scored to keep his team in the lead by two goals. Spinacci took the ball in to rack up the final goal of the day, and Mountain Chevrolet defeated La Karina by 9- 6. Pablo Spinacci was named the Most Valuable Player.

Earlier in the day, Rancho Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Larry Austin, Gonzalito Pieres, and Horacio Heguy), Piocho Ranch (Carolyn Likas, Nacho Figueras, Nacho Novillo Astrada, and Tom Barrack), and Santa Rita (Alejandra Foster, Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Juan Bollini) met in the finals of the round robin Alpine Antler Cup. Scores were carried over from the previous matches.

In the first game, Rancho Los Amigos met Piocho Ranch, each team starting with one goal on the board. Piocho won 5-4, with Nacho Figueras and Nacho Novillo Astrada each scoring two goals.

The second match saw Rancho Los Amigos go up against Santa Rita. Los Amigos started with two on the board, while Santa Rita had four. Each team scored three goals to leave Santa Rita in the lead at 7-5. Melisa Ganzi was the top scoring player with two goals to her credit.

In the third match, Santa Rita stayed on the field to face off against Piocho. The score at the start was 5-4, with Piocho in the lead. Nacho Novillo Astrada scored for Piocho, while Ganzi and Alejandro Novillo Astranda each put the ball through to end the match in a 6-6 tie. Santa Rita won the Alpine Antler Cup with a total score of +2, while Piocho took second place with +1 and Rancho Los Amigos took third with -3.

 

2021 Aspen Valley Summer Polo Series

 July
Basalt Handicap 7/21-7/25
Emma Challenge Cup 7/28-8/1

August
High Alpine Cup 8/4-8/8
Rocky Mountain Open 8/1-8/14
Mount Sopris Cup 8/11-8/15
The Carbondale Classic 8/18-8/22
World Polo League Triple Crown of Polo 8/25-8/28

Arena Tournaments & Asado – Tuesday Evenings
Kidz Uni-Wheel games during select tournament halftimes

Chukkers, Champagne, & Caviar
to benefit Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation
Sunday August 22, 2021

Visit www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com for more details. Games live-streamed on www.chukkertv.com

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By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: Nick Tininenko for ChukkerTV  Carbondale, CO, July 19, 2021— Casablanca defeated Victory Polo by 9-8 in overtime to claim the Craig Sakin Memorial title; Santa…
Net Jets Claims Victory in ChukkerTV Challenge Cup; Michael Payne Named MVP
VIEW POST
By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: Nick Tininenko for ChukkerTV 

Carbondale, CO, July 12, 2021— NetJets defeated Victory Polo by 7-5 to take the ChukkerTV Challenge Cup; Tonkawa beat White Claw 6-5 in the Just for the Love of It subsidiary, while McClure River Ranch bested Rancho Los Amigos by 7-4 in the Just for the Fun of It subsidiary.

The final match of the ChukkerTV Challenge Cup saw NetJets (Michael Payne, Alex Gooding, Sugar Erskine, and Nacho Figueras) take on Victory Polo (Alejandra Foster, Kevin Schmeits, Grant Ganzi, and Nic Roldan).


Alejandra Foster attempts the steal from Alex Gooding.

NetJets’ Alex Gooding kicked off the scoring action with a beautiful goal at the 4-minute mark. While NetJets failed to score again, they succeeded in keeping Victory off the goal. The second chukker began with NetJets leading 1-0. Two minutes into the period, Nacho Figueras took the ball downfield, leaving it for Michael Payne to finish off. NetJets, with a slightly more balanced team, continued to use all four players to good effect. Figueras picked up the ball and sent it to Sugar Erskine, who got out in front to take the ball up the field on the nearside. Switching to the offside, Erskine stayed in front to put the ball through and end the chukker 3-0. At the beginning of the third period, it was clear that Nic Roldan needed to take command, winning throw-ins and scoring goals to counter the more balanced NetJets’ team. He didn’t disappoint, coming out of the throw-in and running to goal. Grant Ganzi took the ball on a pass from Roldan, evaded an attempted hook by Figueras, and put the ball through with 4:41 on the clock. Michael Payne scored for NetJets, ending the half with NetJets leading by 4- 2.


Grant Ganzi rides off opponent Michael Payne.

NetJets continued to dominate in the fourth chukker, and Figueras found the goal with 3:38 on the clock. Alex Gooding, who was consistently contributing midfield and playing strong defense throughout the match, took the ball from Erskine and scored at 1:14. NetJets continued to play a tough defense and the period ended 6-2, with Victory unable to score during the chukker. In the pentultimate period, neither team was able to score until Grant Ganzi broke Victory’s dry spell to end the period 6-3. A minute and a half into the final chukker, Michael Payne put NetJets ahead by another goal then, at the four-minute mark, Ganzi cut NetJets’ lead to 7-4. Despite a strong effort by Victory and a final goal by Roldan, NetJets captured the ChukkerTV Challenge by 7-5.

Michael Payne took MVP honors, while ManRay, ridden by Nacho Figueras in the fifth chukker, was named Best Playing Pony.


MVP Michael Payne with awards presenter Cici Armstrong.

In the Just for the Love of It Cup, White Claw (Melissa Ganzi, Carolyn Likas, Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Juan Bollini, with Vinny Sangaline taking over for Likas in the second half) met Tonkawa (Jeff Hildebrand, Brian Boyd, Nacho Novillo Astrada, and Jimmy Seward.

Alejandro Novillo Astrada drew first blood to score for White Claw, but the team couldn’t get past Tonkawa to find the goal again in the first chukker. Jeff Hildebrand and Jimmy Seward each put one on the board for Tonkawa, which ended the chukker 2-1. However, those were the only two goals Tonkawa was able to score in the first half. Alejandro Novillo Astrada scored again for White Claw in the second chukker, but that was it for goals in the first half of the match. Neither team was able to get on the board in a frustrating third period, and the half ended in a 2-2 tie.


Tonkawa‘s Jeff Hildebrand goes for the long ball hit.

Vinny Sangaline replaced Carolyn Likas in the second half. Both teams returned with fires stoked to get goals on the board. Melissa Ganzi did the honors for White Claw, scoring the first goal of the half. Nacho Novillo Astrada answered by putting the ball the posts, only to be followed by a counter from brother Alejandro. White Claw ended the period ahead by 1, at 4-3. Tonkawa played a stronger defense in the pentultimate chukker and kept White Claw from scoring while Nacho Novillo Astrada racked up another goal for Tonkawa. In the final chukker, goals from Jimmy Seward and Brian Boyd put Tonkawa ahead by two, at 6-4. A final goal from Alejandro Novillo Astrada ended the match with Tonkawa beating White Claw 6-5.


Brian Boyd out ahead of the pack.

In the Just for the Fun of It Cup, Rancho Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Govinda Quish, Toro Ruiz, and Pablo Spinacci) took on McClure River Ranch (Tomas Pieres, Nacho Badiola, Marc Ganzi, and Stewart Armstrong).


Pablo Spinacci closely defends Stewart Armstrong.

It was several minutes into play before Nacho Badiola score the first goal of the day for McClure River Ranch. It took more than four minutes before Toro Ruiz launched the ball downfield to score the first goal for Rancho Los Amigos. The period ended in a 1-1 tie. McClure River Ranch dominated the second chukker, shutting Rancho Los Amigos out while Stewart Armstrong, Nacho Badiola, and Marc Ganzi all put goals on the board for McClure River Ranch. The tables were turned in the third chukker, with McClure River Ranch unable to get on the board. Toro Ruiz scored his second goal of the day and the half ended with McClure River Ranch leading 4-2.


Tomato Pieres reaches for the near side back shot.

The second half started with both teams playing hard, but neither was able to put the ball through the posts, leaving the score at 4-2. Marc Ganzi knocked in back-to-back goals in the fifth chukker, and McClure River Ranch was able to maintain their defense and keep Rancho Los Amigos off the goal. The team in red came back to life in the final chukker, with Pablo Spinacci scoring two goals for Rancho Los Amigos, bringing the score up to 4-6. A final goal by Badiola ended the match in a 7-4 victory for McClure River Ranch. Stewart Armstrong was named MVP.

 

 

2021 Aspen Valley Summer Polo Series

 July
Craig Sakin Memorial 7/14-7/18
Basalt Handicap 7/21-7/25
Emma Challenge Cup 7/28-8/1

August
High Alpine Cup 8/4-8/8
Rocky Mountain Open 8/1-8/14
Mount Sopris Cup 8/11-8/15
The Carbondale Classic 8/18-8/22
World Polo League Triple Crown of Polo 8/25-8/28

Arena Tournaments & Asado – Tuesday Evenings
Kidz Uni-Wheel games during select tournament halftimes

Chukkers, Champagne, & Caviar
to benefit Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation
Sunday August 22, 2021

Visit www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com for more details.

 

https://www.poloplus10.com/advertising-rates/

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: Nick Tininenko for ChukkerTV  Carbondale, CO, July 12, 2021— NetJets defeated Victory Polo by 7-5 to take the ChukkerTV Challenge Cup; Tonkawa beat White Claw…
La Karina Wins Aspen Valley Polo Club Season Opener; Nic Roldan Named MVP
VIEW POST
By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: Nick Tininenko

Carbondale, CO, July 5, 2021— La Karina defeated Casablanca and McClure River Ranch in round robin play to take the Independence Cup title. Santa Rita beat Rancho Los Amigos by 11-9 in the Just for the Love of It Cup.

In the Independence Cup round robin, McClure River Ranch (Lauren Sherry, Alex Gooding, Nacho Figueras, and Nacho Novillo Astrada) took on La Karina (Sugar Erskine, Brian Boyd, Marc Ganzi, and Nic Roldan). La Karina dominated the first chukker, with Nic Roldan scoring the first goal with a neat near side shot. With 3:34 on the clock, Ganzi found the posts and Sugar Erskine followed up two minutes later with a goal of his own. With the clock running down and La Karina up 3-0, Nacho Figueras took command of the ball and made a bold run to goal to end the period 3-1.


Lauren Sherry being closely followed by Pablo Spinacci.

Scoring went back and forth in the second chukker. Figueras scored two goals for his team while Ganzi and Roldan each put the ball through for La Karina to end the period 5-3. Roldan and Ganzi kept up the pressure in the final chukker, with each scoring again before Figueras could fight back with a goal. A final successful shot from Brian Boyd ended the first match 8-4 in favor of La Karina, giving the team in green a +4 for the first match and McClure River Ranch a -4.


Marc Ganzi of La Karina wins possession with Nacho Figueras closely defending.

McClure River Ranch stayed on the field for the second match against Casablanca (Govinda Quish, Grant Ganzi, Toro Ruiz, and Pablo Spinacci). Govinda Quish struck first, scoring a goal for Casablanca, with Ganzi and Spinacci following up to take the score to 3-0. Lauren Sherry got out in front to find the uprights for McClure River Ranch and the chukker ended with Casablanca up 3-1. The second period saw more back- and-forth play, with each team doing a good job on defense. Alex Gooding found the goal, with Toro Ruiz following up to end the chukker 4-2.

In the final period McClure River Ranch couldn’t get on the board while Ganzi converted a Penalty 2. Casablanca took the match by a score of 5-2, giving them +3 in the round robin. The loss took McClure River Ranch to -7.


Nic Roldan tries to win possession on Grant Ganzi‘s near side shot.

In the final leg of the round robin, La Karina returned to the field to take on Casablanca in what promised to be an exciting game. La Karina dominated the first chukker, with consecutive goals from Marc Ganzi and Boyd before Grant Ganzi came back with an answer. Pablo Spinacci scored the first goal of the second period for Casablanca, but Marc Ganzi came back with a goal to keep La Karina in the lead 3-2. The final chukker saw a battle of attrition with both teams playing hard but unable to score. A foul allowed Toro Ruiz to convert a Penalty 4, ending the match in a 3-3 tie. Each team scored a 0 for the round robin. La Karina, with a total score of +4 overall, was victorious for the day. Nic Roldan took MVP honors.


La Karina‘s Brian Boyd hooks opponent Grant Ganzi of Casablanca.

Earlier in the day, Santa Rita (Melissa Ganzi, Alejandra Foster, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, and Juan Bollini) met Rancho Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Vinny Sangaline, Tomas Pieres, and Horacio Heguy) in the Just for the Love of It Cup, a subsidiary match in the Independence Cup.


MVP Nic Roldan with awards presenter Carolyn Likas.

Alejandra Foster drew first blood for Santa Rita, but goals from Vinny Sangaline and Paul Foster put Rancho Los Amigos ahead 2-1 at the end of the first chukker. The lead was not to last as Santa Rita came out with guns blazing in the second period and the ladies dominating the goal. Alejandra Foster put the first ball through the posts, then Melissa Ganzi contributed a pair of back-to-back goals to put Santa Rita in the lead. Foster got out in front for another successful shot, taking the score up to 5-2. At the last moment, just before the 30-second horn, Horacio Heguy passed the ball to Paul Foster in front of the goal, and he tapped it in to end the period with a goal for Rancho Los Amigos. Alejandra Foster repeated what was becoming a habit, scoring the first goal in Chukker 3. Husband Paul retaliated by finding the uprights, putting Rancho Los Amigos within two goals at 6-4. Right before the horn, Ganzi scored to end the half with Santa Rita in the lead 7-4.


Horacio Heguy leads the play.

Ganzi took over from Alejandra Foster to score the first goal of the fourth chukker, sinking a challenging angled shot from the right. At the halfway point in the period, Tomas Pieres scored his first goal of the match. Play went back and forth for the next three minutes, and the chukker ended 8-5. Ganzi started the pentultimate chukker with another set of back-to-back goals, and play continued with both teams playing a strong defense. Neither was able to score until Pieres passed the ball to Foster, who tapped it in as the horn sounded.


Vinny Sangaline reaches for the shot with Alejandra Foster on the defense.

With the score standing at 10-6 in favor of Santa Rita, Rancho Los Amigos went into the final chukker facing an uphill battle. However, they put up an impressive fight. Pieres scored the first goal of the period, then Ganzi retaliated by putting the ball through around half-chukker. Vinny Sangaline made a run downfield to score, and while the game was clearly lost, Horacio Heguy made a bold effort and found the goal at the horn. Santa Rita defeated Rancho Los Amigos by 11-9. Ganzi was the high scoring player with seven goals to her credit.

 

 

2021 Aspen Valley Summer Polo Series

July
ChukkerTV Challenge Cup 7/7-7/9
Craig Sakin Memorial 7/14-7/18
Basalt Handicap 7/21-7/25
Emma Challenge Cup 7/28-8/1

August
High Alpine Cup 8/4-8/8
Rocky Mountain Open 8/1-8/14
Mount Sopris Cup 8/11-8/15
The Carbondale Classic 8/18-8/22
World Polo League Triple Crown of Polo 8/25-8/28

Arena Tournaments & Asado – Tuesday Evenings
Kidz Uni-Wheel games during select tournament halftimes

Chukkers, Champagne, & Caviar
to benefit Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation
Sunday August 22, 2021

Visit www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com for more details.

 

 

https://www.poloplus10.com/advertising-rates/

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: Nick Tininenko Carbondale, CO, July 5, 2021— La Karina defeated Casablanca and McClure River Ranch in round robin play to take the Independence Cup title.…
Aspen Valley Polo Club to Open Summer Season with Independence Cup on July
VIEW POST
By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: ChukkerTV

CARBONDALE, CO, July 3, 2020—Aspen Valley Polo Club will kick off the 2021 summer season with the Independence Cup on July 4th. With the relaxation of Covid restrictions, the club is delighted to welcome spectators once again with all matches free and open to the public.

Polo returns to Aspen in July, with the club set to host 10 tournaments over the summer. Play kicks off on July 4th, with the season opening Independence Cup, followed by the ChukkerTV Cup from July 7-11 and the Craig Sakin Memorial from July 14-18. Also returning this summer, on August 22, is the Chukkers, Champagne, and Caviar polo event to benefit the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation.

As always, the summer promises plenty of thrills on the field. This season 10-goal superstar Gonzalo Pieres joins the lineup, where he’ll play alongside perennial favorites Nic Roldan, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Nacho Figueras, Sugar Erskine, Horacio Heguy, Tomacho Pieres, Juan Bollini, and Pablo Spinacci. The roster will also include rising stars of the pitch Torito Ruiz, Grant Ganzi, Nacho Badiola, Gussie Busch, and newcomer from Boulder, Govinda Quish.


Nic Roldan.

Returning players also include sponsors Brian Boyd of La Karina, Vinny Sangaline of White Claw, USPA Chairman Stewart Armstrong will also be joining the lineup, as well as McClure River Ranch co-founders Paul and Alejandra Foster, and locals Lauren Sherry, Alex Gooding, and Michael Payne. New to team sponsorship this season from Denver is Kevin Schmeits with his Victory Polo Farms team.


Horacio Heguy and Lauren Sherry.

Sunday’s Independence Cup will include two games, with teams:

Rancho Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Vinny Sangaline, Horacio Heguy 5, Tomacho Pieres 6)
Santa Rita (Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada 8, Alejandra Foster, Juan Bollini 4)
Casablanca (Govinda Quish, Torito Ruiz 7, Grant Ganzi 3, Pablo Spinacci 6)
McClure River Ranch (Nacho Figueras 6, Lauren Sherry, Alex Gooding 2, Nacho Novillo Astrada 8)
La Karina (Brian Boyd 1, Marc Ganzi 2, Sugar Erskine 6, Nic Roldan 8).


White Claw team sponsor Vinny Sangaline.

Marc and Melissa Ganzi, who founded the club in 2014, will also take top billing. Since the club was founded, polo has increased in popularity in Aspen and surrounding cities with the club’s offerings of various weekly grass and arena tournaments, Tuesday arena polo followed by an asado, Kidz Polo, The Polo School and Polo on Demand. In addition, the club offers practice sessions for teams competing in the weekend tournaments.


Kids Arena Polo with pro Juan Bollini.

Following the relaxation of Covid restrictions, Aspen Valley Polo Club will be delighted to welcome spectators to matches once again. The club adheres to all Colorado and Garfield Country safety mandates and encourages unvaccinated guests to continue wearing masks, and maintain social distancing guidelines. 

Club co-founder Melissa Ganzi says, “We could not be more delighted to welcome our fans back. Polo has become part of the social fabric of summer in Aspen. An enthusiastic crowd heightens the enjoyment for players and spectators alike, and we’re really looking forward to an exiting season on and off the field.”


Pablo Spinacci and La Karina sponsor Bryan Boyd.

ChukkerTV will livestream the entire 2021 polo series so fans can enjoy the best polo of the US summer season. ChukkerTV was the first to introduce state-of-the-art live streaming technology and instant replay in January 2014 at Grand Champtions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida.

 

 

Independence Cup
Sunday July 4, 2021

10:30am Just For The Love Of It Cup
McClure River Ranch Field 2
Rancho Los Amigos vs Santa Rita

11:45am The Independence Cup Round Robin
McClure River Ranch Field 1

Casablanca vs McClure River Ranch vs La Karina

**Games live-streamed on https://www.chukkertv.com
Mountain Standard Time

 

 

2021 Aspen Valley Summer Polo Series

July
Independence Cup 7/4
ChukkerTV Challenge Cup 7/7-7/9
Craig Sakin Memorial 7/14-7/18
Basalt Handicap 7/21-7/25
Emma Challenge Cup 7/28-8/1

August
High Alpine Cup 8/4-8/8
Rocky Mountain Open 8/1-8/14
Mount Sopris Cup 8/11-8/15
The Carbondale Classic 8/18-8/22
World Polo League Triple Crown of Polo 8/25-8/28

Arena Tournaments & Asado – Tuesday Evenings
Kidz Uni-Wheel games during select tournament halftimes

Chukkers, Champagne, & Caviar
to benefit Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation
Sunday August 22, 2021

Visit www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com for more details.

 

 

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: ChukkerTV CARBONDALE, CO, July 3, 2020—Aspen Valley Polo Club will kick off the 2021 summer season with the Independence Cup on July 4th. With the…
World Polo League Captures 2020 Aspen World Snow Polo Championship Title
VIEW POST
By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: Nick Tininenko

ASPEN, CO, December 22, 2020— World Polo League bested Royal Salute in overtime to win the World Snow Polo Championship title by a score of 11-10

In what was perhaps the most exciting final in the history of the Aspen World Snow Polo Championship, World Polo League (Riley Ganzi, Hilario Figueras, and Alejandro Novillo Astrada) edged out Royal Salute (Sarah Siegel Magness, Jason Crowder and Jesse Bray) in an overtime shoot-out.

Chukker One got off to a blazing start with Jason Crowder scoring for Royal Salute out of the throw-in. With 3:35 to go, Hilario Figueras passed the ball to Alejandro Novillo Astrada to put the first goal on the board for WPL. Jason Crowder fouled Figueras in front ot the goal, resulting in a penalty one automatic goal for WPL, putting the score at 2-1 for WPL. As compensation for the foul, he scored on a pass from Jesse Bray, evening things up to end the chukker 2-2.

Chukker Two was off to another fast start, with two goals in the first 40 seconds, an impressive neck shot from Sarah Siegel Magness and a goal from Riley Ganzi, to tie the score at 3-3. With 1:49 left to play in the first half, Royal Salute found the goal to bring the score up to 3-4, while a penalty one by WPL took the score to 3-5. At the 30 second buzzer, Figueras scored, followed by a successful penalty two shot by Ganzi. With one second remaining and the score at 5-5, Crowder snuck in a final goal to end the half at 5-6 for Royal Salute.

Chukker three started with an unsuccessful penalty shot for WPL’s Ganzi, and with 3:11 to go in the chukker Crowder found the goal again, bringing the score to 5-7. WPL got lucky with another penalty one automatic goal. At 2:27, Hilario Figueras tied the match up at 7-7. He followed that goal up with a breakaway run, with Ganzi finishing to put WPL ahead by 8-7. With the clock ticking down, Jesse Bray made good use of the wall and scored to end the chukker at 8-all.

Chukker Three got off to a slower start, with both teams going back and forth. At 2:10, Jesse Bray edged the ball in from the right to bring the score to 9-8. With a minute of play remaining, Alejandro Novillo Astrada scored, tying the match up at 9 all. The chukker ended at 9 all, taking the match into overtime with a shoot out. Riley Ganzi took the first shot for WPL, taking the score to 10-9. Next up, Sarah Siegel Magness kept her cool under pressure, tying it up again at 10-10. Figueras took WPL to 11-10. Jesse Bray’s shot went just wide, as did WPL’s Novillo Astrada’s. Royal Salute’s Crowder missed his shot, and WPL won by 11-10.

The day’s second match for the runner-up title, the Aspen Cupt, pitted Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, and Toro Ruiz) against St Regis (Tom Barrack, Sugar Erskine, and Nacho FIgueras).

Toro Ruiz scored the first goal for Casablanca, and Juancito Bollini found the posts 30 seconds later to put another goal on the board. With 2:29 to go, Ruiz found the pass from Juancito Bollini and tapped the ball in. At 1:20, Grant Ganzi successfully evaded Tom Barrack to score, putting Casablanca up 4-0. With 58 seconds remaining, Figueras scored to end the chukker at 4-1. In Chukker Two, Figueras took a successful long shot to goal bringing the score to 4-2. The remaining four and a half minutes of play went back and forth, with neither team managing to score again.

Chukker Three began with Ruiz successfully converting on a pass from Ganzi, bringing the score to 5-2. At the four-minute mark, Figueras scored for St. Regis, with Sugar Erskine following up 30 second later, bringing St. Regis in striking distance at 5-4. With 33 seconds left to play, Ruiz scored again to end the chukker 6-4. In the final chukker, Toro Ruiz made a spectacular steal from Nacho Figueras and brought the score up to 7-4. Erskine answered with two consecutive goals, again putting St. Regis within striking distance at 7-6. At the 30 second bell, Grant Ganzi scored to end the match with an 8-6 victory for Casablanca.

Alejandro Novillo Astrada was named MVP, while Sarah Siegel Magness won the Best Shot of the Day. Most important though, was the tournament’s success in raising money for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation. President & CEO Deborah Breen was on hand to personally accept a $15,000 check for the AVHP and a $15,000 donation from Marc and Melissa Ganzi for the Calaway Young Cancer Center.

On Saturday, the Aspen World Snow Polo Championship kicked off with the High Alpine Cup. White Claw (Vinny Sangaline, Pablo Spinacci, and Horacio Heguy) took to the snow in Rio Grande Park to challenge Richard Mille (Alex Potamkin, Juan Bollini, and Nic Roldan).

Chukker One began with a bold run at goal by Vinny Sangaline, but Nic Roldan thwarted his attempt to score. The teams battled back and forth for over three minutes before Pablo Spinacci scored the first goal of the match at 2:16. Just before the whistle, Nic Roldan took the ball along the wall to end the chukker tied at 1-1. In the second chukker, play was back and forth until Sangaline brought the score up to 2-1 with 22 seconds left to play.

Richard Mille found their rhythm in the second half of the match. At 2:22, Alex Potamkin found the sweet spot after a scuffle in from of the goal, tying the game at 2-2.  A minute later Roldan scored to put his team ahead 3-2. In the final chukker, Bollini scored despite being fouled by an attempt to steal the ball from behind. Nic Roldan made an impressive trip downfield keeping the ball in the air, but his final shot went just left of the goal. Spinacci got out in front to bring the score up to 3-4, but at 2:48 Roldan made a long shot to goal. Alex Potamkin scored the final goal of the match, with Richard Mille winning by 6-3.

Following the Alpine Cup, ChukkerTV announced Dale Schwetz presided over an auction to benefit the Aspen Vally Hospital Foundation. Gucci generously donated the auction items.

Next up, the Celebrity Chukker featured ChukkerTV (Gussie Busch, Juan Bollini, and Jacob Busch) against Aspen Valley Polo Club (Sterling Jones, Miss Saye Yabandeh, and Horacio Heguy).

Aspen Valley’s Sterling Jones scored the first goal, walking the ball in along the wall. Saye Yanbandeh made an impressive steal, snagging the ball from Juan Bollini, but lost control. Jacob Busch picked up the ball to score, tying things up at 1-1. With 1:41 to go, Saye found the goal, bringing the socre to 2-1. In the final five seconds, Jones scored to end the chukker 3-1 for Aspen Valley.

www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: Nick Tininenko ASPEN, CO, December 22, 2020— World Polo League bested Royal Salute in overtime to win the World Snow Polo Championship title by a…
Aspen World Snow Polo Championship announces players, sponsors, rosters
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ASPEN, Colo., December 8, 2020–The much-anticipated Aspen World Snow Polo Championship, one of the world’s top snow polo tournaments and only snow polo event in the U.S., will take place in Aspen Colorado, December 18th – 20th.

Returning fan favorite players include 8-goalers Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Nic Roldan, living legend Horacio Heguy and Nacho Figueras, both 6-goalers, along with Celebrity game players; actor Sterling Jones, and actress/producer Miss Saye Yabandeh. 

Richard Mille is returning as the official timekeeper as well as team sponsor for the Aspen World Snow Polo Championship. Mille created the RM 53-01 Tourbillon for Aspen Valley Polo Club member, Argentine 10 goaler, Pablo MacDonough, their Brand Ambassador.

Alejandro Novillo Astrada is a fourth generation player. He has won back-to-back U.S. Arena Handicap tournament titles in 2018 and 2017 and was MVP in 2017. He was MVP at the 2018 Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbuhel which his team won. 

Nic Roldan, a third generation polo player is the youngest player ever to win the U.S. Open at age 15 in 1998 with Escue and one of America’s top players and has competed in most of the sport’s U.S. and international polo tournaments. Roldan was recently named MVP after GCPC-USA defeated Argentina for their ninth consecutive International Cup title. 

St. Regis will return as a team sponsor with team captain Nacho Figueras, the sport’s ambassador and St. Regis Connoisseur. White Claw is joining the team sponsorship this year after a successful partnership with Aspen Valley Polo Club during their 2020 summer season, captained by Vinny Sangaline.

The six team sponsors and rosters are:


Casablanca (+14)
Grant Ganzi (+3)
Juancito Bollini (+4)
Jeff Hall (+7)

White Claw (+13)
Vinny Sangaline (+1)
Horacio Heguy (+6)
Pablo Spinacci (+6)

Richard Mille (+14)
Alex Potampkin (0)
Juan Bollini (+6)
Nic Roldan (+8)

Royal Salute (+14)
Sarah Siegel Magness (+1)
Jesse Bray (+7)
Jason Crowder (+6)

St. Regis (+14)
Tom Barrack (+1)
Nacho Figueras (+6)
Sugar Erskin (+7)

World Polo League (+14)
Riley Ganzi (+2)
TBA (+4)
Alejandro Novillo Astrada (+8)
 
The Celebrity Polo Chukker team lineup is:
Aspen Valley Polo Club: Sterling Jones, Miss Saye Yabandeh, Nacho Figueras
 
ChukkerTV: Gary Magness, Gussie Busch, Juan Bollini


The Aspen World Snow Polo tournament is normally a major attraction for the local community, attracting fans from all over the world, and a major allure for the Aspen community and surrounding areas. However, this year the Aspen World Snow Polo Championship will be closed to spectators. 

In order to be able to host this year’s Aspen World Snow Polo Championship games during a global pandemic, local community and CDC guidelines must be followed. Aspen Valley Polo club wishes nothing more than to have spectators on the sidelines cheering for our players, it is just not possible at this time. Successfully practicing the same policies in the club’s 2020 summer season, the ultimate goal first and foremost is to keep everyone safe and healthy.  

In keeping fans and supporters tuned into all the action,  Wellington, FL based ChukkerTV will be live streaming the entire Aspen World Snow Polo Championship, as well as hosting a virtual draw party Thursday December 17th at 8 p.m. from the world-renowned St. Regis Aspen resort, showcasing their famous champagne sabering ceremony during the live stream. 

Polo action will take place Friday through Sunday at Aspen Valley Polo Club and Rio Grande Park. Two preliminary qualifying round robin games will be held Friday at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Aspen Valley Polo Club in Carbondale. 

Action continues in Aspen on Saturday for the High Alpine Cup game for fifth place at 1:15 p.m. followed by a Celebrity Polo Chukker at 2:30 p.m.  The final and subsidiary games are Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m. followed by trophy presentation at 4:15 p.m. 

In addition to Richard Mille (2019 Louis Jarrige, Edouard Pan, and Pablo MacDonough2018, Marc Ganzi, Martin Pepa, Pablo MacDonough), past St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship winners include 2017, U.S. Polo Assn. (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).

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. 

With the majestic 12,965-foot summit of Mount Sopris as a backdrop, Aspen Valley Polo Club is one of the busiest and fastest growing 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 local community hosting kids polo camps, teaching lessons and several charitable events at the club that have benefitted local charities including the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation. 

Pictures by Aspen Valley Polo Club

 

2020 Aspen World Snow Polo Championship Live Stream Schedule

Thursday 12/17
8 p.m. Team Draw – from St. Regis Aspen Resort

Friday 12/18
Preliminary Games
11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Saturday 12/19
1:15 p.m. The High Alpine Cup
2:30 p.m. Celebrity Polo Chukker

Sunday 12/20
1 p.m. 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, 2020–The much-anticipated Aspen World Snow Polo Championship, one of the world’s top snow polo tournaments and only snow polo event in the U.S., will take place…
Los Amigos and La Karina Advance to Final of World Polo League’s Triple Crown of Polo
VIEW POST
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…
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