Chukker

By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: ChukkerTV 

WELLINGTON, FL, April 19, 2021— Richard Mille defeated Tamera by 11-10 on Saturday to capture the title in the World Polo League Triple Crown of Polo.

Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola, Pablo MacDonough and Paco de Narvaez) took to the field against Tamera (Ale Poma, Santi Torres, Diego Cavanaugh, and Jejo Taranco) on Saturday to vie for the title in the WPL Triple Crown of Polo. Richard Mille, a 26-goal team, ceded one goal on handicap to 25-goal Tamera.

Jeta Castagnola takes a shot in front of Jejo Taranco, Paca de Narvaez and Santi Torres.

Richard Mille got off to a slow start in the first chukker, and Diego Cavanaugh scored the first goal for Tamera less than 40 seconds into play. With 3:30 on the clock Jejo Taranco made an 80-yard shot to put the ball through posts, taking Tamera up to three goals on the board. Following a right of way violation by Tamera, Jeta Castagnola converted a Penalty 3 to end the period 3-1 with Tamera in the lead.

Jeta Castagnola hooks Santi Torres.

Less than a minute into the second chukker, Pablo MacDonough made a successful shot on goal. At 4:41 Jejo Taranco broke through Richard Mille’s defense and ran through a thicket of black shirts to take the ball through the posts. With 45 seconds remaining, Castagnola scored to end the second chukker 4-3 with Tamera still in the lead.

Pablo MacDonough moves in to hook Jejo Taranco.

Taranco converted a Penalty 5 from the spot early in the third chukker to put Tamera ahead by 5-3, but back- to-back goals from Castagnola tied the score at 5-all. Tamera got a lucky break when Santi Torres scored two goals within a minute, including an impressive neck shot from the corner, and the half ended with Tamera leading 7-5.

Pablo MacDonough accepts the MVP award.

Tamera found themselves cut off from the goal in the fourth period by a strong Richard Mille defense, while a right of way violation gave Castagnola the opportunity to convert a Penalty 3. With 2:09 on the clock, Marc Ganzi connected with a pass from Castagnola inside the 40-yard line and took the ball from the near side to the offside to score and end the chukker in a 7-7 tie.

Marc Ganzi with American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony Molapata Tinta.

Less than a minute into the fifth chukker, Pablo MacDonough made a neat pass to Jeta Castagnola, who snapped it through the uprights to score. At 4:36, Taranco carried the ball downfield to score, tying the match up again at 8-all. Following a Penalty 3 conversion by Pablo MacDonough, Taranco scored with 50 seconds on the clock to end the fifth chukker in a 9-all tie.

Pablo MacDonough with Argentine Breeders’ Association Best Playing Pony Irenita Suspicasia.

As the final chukker began, Tamera lost an umpire challenge and Castagnola was able to convert a Penalty 2, which he followed up with another goal from the field to take Richard Mille up to 11. Tamera was able to convert one more penalty but couldn’t find an opportunity to score again. Richard Mille carried the day at 11-9, winning their third title of the season.

Pablo MacDonough and World Polo League Best Playing Pony Irenita Subaru

Pablo MacDonough was named the Most Valuable Player. The American Polo Horse Best Playing Pony was Molapata Tinta, ridden by Marc Ganzi. Irenita Suspicasia, ridden by Pablo MacDonough, was named the Argentine Polo Horse Breeder’s Association, while Irenita Subara, also ridden by Pablo MacDonough, took the WPL Best Playing Pony title.

By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: ChukkerTV

WELLINGTON, FL, April 15, 2021— Richard Mille defeated Casablanca by 12-10 in the first semi-final match of the World Polo League Triple Crown of Polo while Tamera defeated Orea in the second semi-final by a score of 7-6.

Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola, Pablo MacDonough and Paco de Narvaez) faced off against Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Barto Castagnola, and Juan Martin Nero) in the first semi-final match of the WPL Triple Crown. Having fallen to Casablanca in their last two meetings, Richard Mille was eager to avenge the losses.

Jeta Castagnola goes for the goal on the near side with brother Barto in pursuit

Grant Ganzi drew first blood for Casablanca, quickly erasing Tamera’s one-goal advantage. The play was fast and open, and with 3:04 on the clock Jeta Castagnola stole the ball and put Richard Mille’s first goal on the board. Less than a minute later, Juan Martin Nero, who was celebrating his birthday yesterday, passed the ball to Grant Ganzi to put through the posts, ending the chukker with Casablanca leading 2-1.

Paco de Narvaez tries to push Juancito Bollini off the ball

The team in black was on fire in the second period, with Barto Castagnola taking the ball to goal from the throw-in, JuanMa sinking a near side neck shot, and Grant Ganzi scoring to put Casablanca in the lead 5-1. With one minute left to play, Pablo MacDonough scored on a quick chip shot to end the chukker with Richard Mille down by 3 goals at 5- 2. Jeta Castagnola stole the show in the third period, scoring one goal from the field and two from the penalty line for a hat trick. Brother Barto converted a Penalty 2 for Casablanca, and the half ended 6-5 with Casablanca holding on to a narrow lead.

Grant Ganzi attempts to take out Father Marc as Juancito Bollini goes for the ball

Both teams struggled a bit in the fourth chukker, and it was up to the Castagnola brothers to put goals on the board. Each went wide on a Penalty 4, but Jeta scored from the field in the first minute of the chukker while Barto converted a Penalty 2 with 1:44 left on the clock to maintain Casablanca’s one goal lead. Barto converted another Penalty 2 in the first 20 seconds, taking Casablanca up to 8, but Jeta Castagnola took the ball through the posts at 6:09. With 3:41 left on the clock, Marc Ganzi got out in front on a breakaway and tied the score up at 8-all. Nero answered with a goal, putting Casablanca in the lead again, but Pablo MacDonough scored the equalizer to end the fifth period in a 9-all tie.

Pablo MacDonough congratulated on his win

Jeta Castagnola started the final chukker with a near side goal from the throw-in, while Marc Ganzi followed up with an impressive long shot to goal to put Richard Mille in the lead 11-9. At 4:02 Castagnola took the ball through for Casablanca, but with 1:06 on the clock MacDonough scored a final goal to end the match 12-10 for Richard Mille to win.

Jejo Taranco goes for a back shot with Sugar Erskine in pursuit

In the second semi-final match of the day, Orea (Toly Ulloa, Sugar Erskine, Torito Ruiz, and Nacho Novillo Astrada) met Tamera (Ale Poma, Santi Torres, Diego Cavanaugh, and Jejo Taranco). Orea, a 26-goal team, ceded one goal to Tamera on handicap.

Torito Ruiz tries to evade Diego Cavanaugh and Jejo Taranco

Nacho Novilla Astrada took the ball from the throw-in and in less than 35 seconds made a near side shot to take away Tamera’s one goal advantage. Despite the dramatic opening seconds of the chukker, the remainder passed with both teams battling back and forth to no avail and the period ended 1-1.

Santi Torres takes a swing as Sugar Erskine looks on

Tamera’s defense held in the second period, keeping Orea off the goal. Tamera wasn’t able to score from the field but did convert two goals on penalties to gain a 3-1 lead over Orea. Both teams began sinking shots from the field in the third period of play as they traded goals back and forth. Ale Poma and Jejo Taranco scored for Tamera, while Sugar Erskine and Toro Ruiz ran to goal for Orea. The half ended with Tamera in the lead by 5-3.

Santi Torres keeps Sugar Erskine at bay as Ale Poma takes a shot

Less than a minute into the second half, Santi Torres converted a Penalty 2 to put Tamera in the lead 6-3. With 3:50 on the clock, Nacho Novilla Astrada carried the ball through and with only 38 seconds remaining Toro Ruiz found the goal to put Orea in striking distance at 5-6.

Adolfo Cambiaso takes in the action

In the pentultimate chukker, both teams were playing such a strong defense and marking so well that it was difficult for anyone to shoot on goal. Finally, with 1:23 remaining, Santi Torres was able to score the only goal of the period, which ended 7-5 with Tamera still leading. The final chukker saw continuing wide-open play and little scoring. Torito Ruiz put the final ball through for Orea and the match ended 7-6 with Tamera headed to the final on Saturday.

2021 Triple Crown of Polo Livestream Schedule

Saturday 4/17
4pm Final

Richard Mille vs Tamera

All games streamed live on http://www.chukkertv.com