Grand Champions and Santa Rita Polo Farm

North America, Polo News

Catamount Captures Spring Challenge Cup Title; Nic Roldan Named MVP

18. May 2021

By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: ChukkerTV

WELLINGTON, FL, May 17, 2021— Catamount defeated Seminole Creek Coconut Casino by 10-8 to capture the Grand Champion’s Spring Challenge title, while Newport bested Sebucan by 9-8 in the “Just for the Love of It” subsidiary when the game went into an overtime shoot-out.

On Sunday morning Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (Melissa Ganzi, Horacio Heguy, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, and Juan Bollini) met Catamount (Grant Ganzi, Marc Ganzi, Nic Roldan, and Scott Devon) in the final match of the Spring Challenge. Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, a 17-goal team, ceded three goals on handicap to 14-goal rated Catamount.

Scott Devon and Melissa Ganzi battle for possession of the ball

The final pitted Mother Melissa Ganzi against son Grant and husband Marc, making for some particularly competitive action on the field. Indeed, the first chukker was dominated by the family. Marc drew first blood by successfully converting a Penalty 2 early on, and just over two minutes into play Melissa tapped the ball through the posts on her third touch after she got out in front. With two minutes left on the clock, son Grant got his piece of the action, scoring on a pass from Nic Roldan. The chukker ended with Catamount in the lead by 5-1. Alejandro Novillo Astrada jumped out in front to score quickly at the beginning of the second period, with an answer from Roldan. The third chukker began with another goal from Roldan, who made an easy neck shot 30 seconds into play. Back-to-back goals from Melissa took Seminole Casino up to 4 on the board but a final goal from Grant ended the half with Seminole Casino down by 4, at 4-8.

Catamount‘s Marc Ganzi attempts to ride off Alejandro Novillo Astrada

Seminole Casino poured on the power in the fourth chukker, keeping Catamount off the board while Melissa scored another pair of back-to-back goals and Horacio Heguy knocked the ball through with 36 seconds left on the clock. Catamount’s frustration continued in the pentultimate chukker as Seminole Casino kept them off the goal and with 2:30 left on the clock, Alejandro Novillo Astrada passed the ball to Melissa, who tied the score at 8 all.

Grand Champions Best Playing Pony Pepa owned by Nic Roldan

With a tie going into the final chukker, Nic Roldan wasted no time and found the posts 30 seconds in. Playing a strong defense as well as offense, he was instrumental in keeping Seminole Casino from scoring again, and a spectacular play he started on the near side and finished on the offside put the icing on the cake. Catamount took the title with a final score of 10-8.

Pepa, played by Nic Roldan in the first half of the final chukker, was the Best Playing Pony. Roldan took the honors as MVP.

Spring Challenge Cup MVP Nic Roldan with awards presenter Olexa Celine

In earlier action, Sebucan (Leo Mandelbaum, Pablo Pulido, Tomacho Pieres, and Nacho Figueras) faced Newport (Gene Goldstein, Sugar Erskine, Justin Daniels, and Pablo Spinacci) in the “Just for the Love of It” subsidiary. Sebucan ceded one goal to Newport on handicap.

Newport’s Gene Goldstein was determined to capitalize on his team’s handicap advantage right out of the gate and scored a goal from the field before converting a Penalty 3. Pablo Pulido found the posts for Sebucan as the clock counted down under two minutes and the first period ended with Newport leading 3-1. Unfortunately for the team in white, they lost the momentum in the second period and failed to score, although a stong defense ensured that Sebucan’s only goal came from a Penalty 3 conversion by Pablo Pulido. The drought continued for Newport in the third period, while Leo Mandelbaum successfully shot from the penalty line and Nacho Figueras followed up with a goal from the field. A final goal from Pulido ended the half with Sebucan leading 5-3.

Sebucan‘s Pablo Pulido reaches for the ball with Pablo Spinacci defending

With 2:20 on the clock, Pablo Pulido found Leo Mandelbaum with a pass, leaving it to Mandelbaum to put the ball through the posts. Sugar Erskine ran the ball downfield, where Justin Daniels picked it up to score Newport’s first goal since Chukker One and end the period 6-4 with Sebucan in the lead. Although Newport wasn’t scoring, they were playing a highly effective defense. In the fifth chukker, two consecutive goals by Daniels tied the game up, but a Penalty 6 from Figueras put Sebucan back in front.

Leo Mandelbaum and Sugar Erskine racing down the field

In the final chukker, after Tomacho Pieres’ ball bounced off the post, Mandelbaum picked it up for the goal. Newport, down by two, roared to life with Daniels and Goldstein scoring to end the final chukker in an 8-8 tie. The game was decided with a shoot-out. Goldstein took the first shot , putting a goal on the board, but Pablo Pulido missed his shot. Newport won with a final score of 9-8.

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: ChukkerTV WELLINGTON, FL, May 17, 2021— Catamount defeated Seminole Creek Coconut Casino by 10-8 to capture the Grand Champion’s Spring Challenge title, while Newport bested…

Polo News

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and Catamount to Meet in Spring Challenge Final

18. May 2021

By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: ChukkerTV

WELLINGTON, FL, May 15, 2021— Seminole Casino defeated Newport by 10-8 in the first match of the Spring Challenge, while Catamount took down Sebucan in the second match of the day by a score of 9-8.

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (Melissa Ganzi, Horacio Heguy, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, and Juan Bollini) took on Newport (Gene Goldstein, Sugar Erskine, Justin Daniels, and Pablo Spinacci) in the first match of the Spring Challenge on Friday morning. Seminole Casino ceded two goals to Newport on handicap.

Although Newport started the match with a two-goal advantage, they had a difficult time finding their rhythm and failed to score in the first two chukkers. Melissa Ganzi put the first goal on the board in Chukker One and added the equalizer at the top of the second period. Horacio Heguy made a clean shot to goal from 70 yards, with Ganzi adding another goal after Newport unwisely left her in the open. The third period began with Seminole Casino Coconut Creek in the lead 4-2, and it wasn’t long until their successful strategy of keeping Ganzi in front saw her score again. Newport scored their first goal of the day when Justin Daniels made a spectacular angled shot on goal. The half ended with Seminole Casino Coconut Creek in the lead at 5-3.

Horacio Heguy takes the deep neck shot.

Ganzi continued to play her number one position well in the fourth chukker, scoring her fifth goal with an under the neck shot early in the period. Newport found their feet with goals from Gene Goldstein and Pablo Spinacci. Ganzi scored a second goal in the chukker as well, and the period ended 7-5 with Seminole Casino Coconut Creek still in the lead. Ganzi put another goal on the board early in the pentultimate chukker, but Goldstein smoked a cut shot at 4:20 to score for Newport. Another goal from Ganzi ended the period 9-6 with Seminole Casino Coconut Creek still in the lead.

Newport‘s Pablo Spinacci with a deep neck shot as Alejandro Novillo Astrada happily encouraging him.

In the final chukker, Ganzi found the goal from 60 yards to take her team up to 10. With 2:15 left on the clock Gene Goldstein put one between the posts, while Justin Daniels scored the final goal of the match. Despite Newport’s strong comeback, it wasn’t enough to overcome and the match ended with Seminole Casino Coconut Creek winning by 10-8. Melissa Ganzi was the high scoring player with nine goals to her credit.

Calamount‘s Nic Roldan reaching far on the near side to win possession.

In the second match of the day, Catamount (Mark Ganzi, Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Scott Devon, and Bauti Peloso, who subbed for Devon in the second half) took on Sebucan (Leo Mandelbaum, Pablo Pulido, Tomacho Pieres, and Nacho Figueras). Catamount started the match with two goals on the board on handicap.

Grant Ganzi finds his way between two Sebucan opponents.

Tomacho Pieres drew first blood for Sebucan, while Leo Mandelbaum converted a Penalty 3 to put a second goal on the board. Catamount was off to a slow start and failed to get past Sebucan to score, and the first chukker ended in a 2-all tie. Catamount roared to life in the second period with Nic Roldan putting the first goal on the board, Leo Mandelbaum answered by sneaking one through the posts under Roldan’s nose, but Marc “the Cobra” Ganzi put two consecutive goals through the uprights. With 1:20 left on the clock, Pieres scored for Sebucan but a final goal from Grant Ganzi ended the period 6-4 in favor of Catamount. Sebucan couldn’t get past the Catamount defense in the third chukker, and a goal from Roldan ended the half with Catamount leading by 7- 4.

Sebucan‘s Tomacho Pieres goes for the long ball hit with Bauti Peloso on the defense.

Bauti Peloso substituted for Scott Devon in the second half, with the difference in handicap erasing one of Catamount’s goals from the board to put the score at 6-4. Neither team was able to score in the fourth period but there was more action to come in the pentultimate chukker. Roldan put the ball through to take Catamount up to 7 while a goal from Leo Mandelbaum and another from Pablo Pulido with 28 seconds left on the clock ended the period at 7-6 with Catamount clinging to a narrow lead. Pieres scored the equalizer early in the final chukker and it was anyone’s match at this point. Goals from Marc Ganzi and Nic Roldan put Catamount back in the lead at 9-7. Leo Mandelbaum scored the final goal with 1:20 remaining on the clock, but time ran out before Sebucan had a chance to push the match into overtime. Catamount claimed victory with a final score of 9-8.

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: ChukkerTV WELLINGTON, FL, May 15, 2021— Seminole Casino defeated Newport by 10-8 in the first match of the Spring Challenge, while Catamount took down Sebucan…

North America, Polo News

Casablanca Wins World Polo League Palm Beach Open; Barto Castagnola Named MVP

30. March 2021

By Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by ChukkerTV

WELLINGTON, FL, March 28, 2021— Casablanca defeated Richard Mille 12-9 to capture the title in the Palm Beach Open.

Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola, Pablo Mac Donough, and Paco de Narvaez) met Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Barto Castagnola and Juan Martin Nero) hoping to continue their 2021 WPL season winning streak.

Richard Mille took command of the field in the first chukker, with Paco de Narvaez scoring the first goal of the day just under a minute into play. Barto Castagnola converted a Penalty 2 to even things up, but Pablo Mac Donough put Richard Mille back in the lead. With just over two minutes on the clock, Jeta Castagnola took the ball out in front and ran to the posts, tacking on another goal.

The second chukker began with Richard Mille in the lead by 3-1, but Casablanca came on strong. Juan Martin Nero scored the first goal not even 30 seconds into play, while Barto Castagnola added two goals from the field and a Penalty 4. They worked hard to keep Richard Mille away from the uprights and took a 5-3 lead.

In the third chukker, both teams battled hard to no avail until Juan Martin Nero knocked the ball in at just under the four-minute mark. A nearly immediate foul sent Jeta Castagnola to the penalty line for a successful conversion, keeping Casablanca’s lead down to two goals at 6-4. A goal from Juancito Bollini and a Penalty 2 conversion from Richard Mille’s Mac Donough ended the half with Casablanca leading 7-5.

In the fourth chukker, a Penalty 5 and a goal from the field by Barto Castagnola put Casablance in the lead 9-5, but Marc Ganzi answered with a goal for Richard Mille. The fifth chukker began with a goal from Jeta, followed by a Penalty 4 conversion from Pablo Mac Donough that put the team in black within striking distance at 9-8.

Leave it to a ten-goaler though, to spoil dreams of glory – at the 30-second horn, Juan Martin Nero put Casablanca back up by two goals. As the last chukker began, Paco de Narvaez passed the ball to Jeta Castagnola to finish, putting Richard Mille in striking distance once again as Casablanca’s lead was cut to one goal. Barto Castagnola took control of the ball and ran it downfield, passing it to Grant Ganzi to finish. A final shot by Barto Castagnola ended the match 12-9 for Casablanca to claim victory. Said Juan Martin Nero after the match, “The final was tough, and Richard Mille is a very good team. We got lucky that they missed a couple of goals, and then we played a bit better in the end. We’re so happy to win, we worked really hard for this.”

Barto Castagnola was named the MVP for the tournament, and his pony Rodesia won the World Polo League Best Playing Pony award. Jeta Castagnola was recognized for the Play of the Day. Juan Martin Nero’s Matsu was named the American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony. The AAP Best Playing Pony was Pablo MacDonough’s Irenita Suspicasia, while Grant Ganzi’s Girl Power was chosen as the Best Playing Pony for the entire Palm Beach Open tournament.

Founded by Grand Champions owners Melissa and Marc Ganzi, and Valiente owner Bob Jornayvaz the World Polo League is the only 26-goal polo in the world outside of Argentina. The WPL was created to preserve the highest level of polo and its rich, hallowed tradition in the United States. The WPL, boasting 13 tournament quality fields to play on, will continue to the season with the Palm Beach Open that began on Monday March 15, 2021, and The Triple Crown of Polo, and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach April 22-25.

The World Polo League attracts the sport’s top players from every corner 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 the United Kingdom.

Grand Champions and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique polo facility in Wellington with 120 stalls in five self-contained barns, an exercise track, five climate-controlled tack rooms, a vet room, staff quarters, a guest house and three polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation including one field for stick-and-ball and plans to build more in the future.

World Polo League matches will continue to be closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We closely adhere to Florida state and CDC guidelines, and take all measures possible to maintain a safe environment that will allow us to continue playing. We look very forward to the day we can welcome our fans back. In the interim, please visit www.worldpolo.orgf or more information. Matches can be viewed on www.chukkertv.com

By Rebecca Baldridge Photos by ChukkerTV WELLINGTON, FL, March 28, 2021— Casablanca defeated Richard Mille 12-9 to capture the title in the Palm Beach Open. Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Jeta…

North America, Polo News

Richard Mille Captures World Polo League Founder’s Cup Title

17. March 2021

WELLINGTON, FL, March 16, 2021— Richard Mille defeated Hawaii Polo Life by 12-6 to win the World Polo League Founder’s Cup, their second World Polo League Victory in 2021.

On Sunday, Hawaii Polo Life (Santi Torres, Gringo Colombres, Jejo Taranco, and Chris Dawson) faced off against Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola, Pablo MacDonough, and Paco de Narvaez) at Grand Champions Polo Club. Hawaii Polo Life rated 25 goals, started with one goal on the board to match Richard Mille‘s 26 goal handicap.

Just a minute into the match, Jeta Castagnola put the first goal on the board for Richard Mille, with Jejo Taranco answering for Hawaii Polo Life. Marc Ganzi and Pablo Mac Donough were able to both tally goals to end the first chukker 3-2 in favor of Richard Mille.

Richard Mille continued to dominate in the second period, keeping Hawaii Polo Life off the board. Marc Ganzi found the goalposts to put the tally up to 4-2. In the third chukker, Hawaii Polo Life outscored Richard Mille for the only time in the match, with Gringo Colombres converting a penalty four and Jejo Taranco putting the ball through the posts. Ganzi scored on a penalty three, and Richard Mille led 5-4 at the half.

Richard Mille dominated the play in the second half, with Hawaii Polo Life unable to get on the board in either the fourth or fifth chukker. Jeta Castagnola converted a penalty four, while Pablo Mac Donough scored an impressive pair of back-to-back goals in less than a minute.

The final chukker began with Richard Mille in the lead by 9-4. Two successful runs by Pablo MacDonough and a shot through the posts by Jeta Castagnola took Richard Mille up to 12-4. Santi Torres scored the final two goals for Hawaii Polo Life, and the team went down to Richard Mille 12-6.

Pablo MacDonough was named the Most Valuable Player, while the pony he played in the second chukker, Irinita Rastrogera, was named the Argentine Breeding Association Best Playing Pony. Chalo Kayla, played by Jeta Castagnola in the sixth chukker, was the World Polo League Best Playing Pony, while the American Horse Polo Association Best Playing Pony was Galleta Grande, played by Paco de Narvaez in the third chukker.

World Polo League matches will continue to be closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We closely adhere to Florida state and CDC guidelines, and take all measures possible to maintain a safe environment that will allow us to continue playing. We look very forward to the day we can welcome our fans back. In the interim, please visit www.worldpolo.or gfor more information. Matches can be viewed on www.chukkertv.com

WELLINGTON, FL, March 16, 2021— Richard Mille defeated Hawaii Polo Life by 12-6 to win the World Polo League Founder’s Cup, their second World Polo League Victory in 2021. On…

North America, Polo News

Richard Mille Wins World Polo League Founders Cup Debut, Second Round Play Begins Wednesday

3. March 2021

WELLINGTON, Fl., March 2, 2021 – On Monday Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Pablo Mac Donough, Jeta Castagnola, Paco de Narvaez) overcame White Birch (Chris Brant, Facu Llorente, Mariano Aguerre, and Santi Tocalino) to advance in the WPL Founders Cup.

White Birch started off with a three-goal lead on handicap and maintained their lead throughout the first three chukkers. Brant, Tocalino, and Aguerre all tallied goals for White Birch while Castagnola, Ganzi, and Mac Donough rallied to bring the score within one point of White Birch 5-6 at the end of the third chukker.

In the second half Richard Mille dominated immediately scoring five goals in the fourth chukker, while White Birch’s Chris Brandt was only able to tap one goal in for his team, leaving the score 10-7 in favor of Richard Mille.

Play slowed in the fifth and sixth chukkers with scoring staying even between both teams. Aguerre added three goals for White Birch, and Tocalino one more, but it still wasn’t enough to overcome the persistence of Richard Mille who was able to come out on top ending the sixth chukker 12-11.

Successfully answering five penalties, Jeta Castagnola was the high scorer of the day with six goals.

Second round play will continue with a doubleheader on Wednesday. Casablanca who sits 1-0 after defeating Santa Rita last week will face off with Seminole Casino Coconut Creek at 11am. Seminole Casino Coconut Creek defeated Hawaii Polo Life 9-8 in overtime play during their Founders Cup first round game.

The second game of the day at 4pm will feature Great Oaks and Richard Mille who also won their first round games.

Thursday will feature another doubleheader at 1pm and 4pm. Hawaii Polo Life will meet Santa Rita and Pampa Norte will be facing off with White Birch.

Founded by Grand Champions owners Melissa and Marc Ganzi, and Valiente owner Bob Jornayvaz the World Polo League is the only 26-goal polo in the world outside of Argentina. The WPL was created to preserve the highest level of polo and its rich, hallowed tradition in the United States. The WPL, boasting 13 tournament-quality fields to play on, will continue to follow the season opening All-Star Challenge with a number of top-level tournaments that will include: Founder’s Cup, Palm Beach Open, Triple Crown of Polo, and Beach Polo World Cup, Miami Beach April 21-25.

World Polo League matches will continue to be closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We closely adhere to Florida state and CDC guidelines, and take all measures possible to maintain a safe environment that will allow us to continue playing. We look very forward to the day we can welcome our fans back. In the interim, please visit www.worldpolo.org for more information. Matches can be viewed on www.chukkertv.com

World Polo League 2021 Founders Cup Livestream Schedule

Wednesday 3/3
11am Casablanca vs. Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
4pm Richard Mille vs Great Oaks

Thursday 3/4
1pm Hawaii Polo Life vs Santa Rita
4pm Pampa Norte vs White Birch

Saturday 3/6
4pm Seminole Casino Coconut Creek vs Santa Rita

Sunday 3/7
11am Richard Mille vs. Pampa Norte
4pm Great Oaks vs White Birch

Tuesday 3/9
11am Hawaii Polo Life vs Casablanca

Sunday 3/14
4pm Founders Cup Final

WELLINGTON, Fl., March 2, 2021 – On Monday Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Pablo Mac Donough, Jeta Castagnola, Paco de Narvaez) overcame White Birch (Chris Brant, Facu Llorente, Mariano Aguerre, and…

North America, Polo News

Casablanca Defeats Santa Rita to Advance in World Polo League Founder’s Cup

1. March 2021

By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: ChukkerTV

WELLINGTON, FL, February 28, 2021— Casablanca defeated Santa Rita by a score of 15-10 in the third match of the WPL Founder’s Cup.

Casablanca (Juancito Bollini, Grant Ganzi, Barto Castagnola, and Juan Martin Nero) met Santa Rita (Sugar Erskine, Nacho Figueras, Pablo Spinacci, and Horacio Llorente) on Field One at Grand Champions Polo Club yesterday. Casablanca had a team handicap of 26 goals, while Santa Rita was rated at 24 goals. Santa Rita started the match with two goals on handicap.

Play was back and forth for just over three minutes until Barto Castagnola put the first goal of the day on the board. With slightly more than 30 seconds remaining, Horacio Llorente took a Penalty 5 from the spot, dribbling the ball and then smashing a long shot to goal just as the buzzer sounded. The period ended with Santa Rita leading 3-1.

The second chukker was more challenging for Santa Rita, as a strong defense from Casablanca kept them from scoring. Barto Castagnola converted a Penalty 2, followed by a goal from Juan Martin Nero. Castagnola scored a pair of goals from the field and Casablanca ended the period leading 5-3.

In the third chukker, Santa Rita dominated their end of the field in the first two minutes of play, with Sugar Erskine evading Barto Castagnola to find the uprights. With three minutes remaining, an uneven rideoff gave Castagnola the opportunity to convert a Penalty 4 for his fifth goal of the game. At 2:17, Grant Ganzi picked up a loose ball and took it to goal. With two seconds on the clock, Juancito Bollini put the ball between the posts to end the half 8-4 for Casablanca.

Grant Ganzi put his second goal of the game on the board with just over 4:30 on the clock, putting Casablanca in the lead by 9-4. Santa Rita roared back to life, and following a Penalty 2 conversion by Horacio Llorente, Sugar Erskine knocked the ball in to cut the lead to 9-6. At 1:00, Llorente took control of the ball, taking it down the field and through the uprights to end the chukker 9-7 and cut Casablanca’s lead to two goals.

Barto Castagnola started the fifth chukker by converting a Penalty 3 just before the clock ticked past seven minutes. At just under 6 minutes, Pablo Spinacci got out in front on a breakaway with Grant Ganzi in hot pursuit. At the last moment Spinacci checked up and left Ganzi run by, then turned to put the ball through the posts. Moments later, Nacho Figueras scored for Santa Rita, shaving Casablanca’s lead to one. A pair of back-to-back goals from Castagnola ended the period 12-9 for Casablanca.

Down by three goals, Santa Rita faced an uphill battle in the final chukker. In the first minute of play, Barto Castagnola took advance of a misread play by Santa Rita to take control of the ball and score. With 3:16 remaining, Nacho Figueras put the ball through for Santa Rita’s final goal of the day. Juancito Bollini found the goal for Casablanca, taking the score up to 14-10. With 16 seconds left in play, Castagnola made a successful shot on goal to end the match 15-10 for Casablanca. Castagnola was the high scoring player, responsible for 10 of Casablanca’s 15 goals.

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: ChukkerTV WELLINGTON, FL, February 28, 2021— Casablanca defeated Santa Rita by a score of 15-10 in the third match of the WPL Founder’s Cup. Casablanca…

North America, Polo News

Richard Mille Takes Down Hawaii Polo Life to Capture All-Star Challenge Title

23. February 2021

By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: ChukkerTV

WELLINGTON, FL, February 21, 2021— Richard Mille bested Hawaii Polo Life by 13-8 to win the All-Star Challenge.

Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola, Pablo MacDonough, and Paco de Narvaez) took on Hawaii Polo Life (Chris Dawson, Jejo Taranco, Poroto Cambiaso, and Adolfo Cambiaso) in the final match of the All-Star Challenge yesterday on Grand Champions Field Two. Both Richard Mille and Hawaii Polo Life were 26-goal teams.

Hawaii Polo Life seized control of play at the start, with Poroto Cambiaso taking the ball from the bowl-in and running it to goal. An illegal rideoff gave Hawaii Polo Life a Penalty 5a from the spot, and Adolfo Cambiaso sent the ball downfield. A broken play left the ball loose and Adolfo swooped in to turn it and score. With 1:42 remaining, Pablo MacDonough capitalized on horsepower to make a run for the posts and put the first goal of the day on the board for Richard Mille.

Poroto started the second chukker as he did the first, quickly gaining control of the ball, feinting to the left of the field to lose his man, and turning toward the goal. However, Richard Mille dominated the play and Jeta Castagnola found the uprights twice, tying the score at 3-all with 28 seconds remaining in the chukker. It was a fierce defensive battle, with both teams using all four players well.

At the beginning of the third chukker, Poroto Cambiaso seized control of the ball from the throw-in yet again and broke out in front, hotly pursued by Paco de Narvaez. Unable to take a full swing, Cambiaso resorted to a nearside neck shot to put the ball through. Richard Mille was unable to get past Hawaii Polo Life’s defense to score, while Poroto found the posts with 43 seconds remaining to end the half with Hawaii Polo Life in the lead by 5-3.

Trouble started for Hawaii Polo Life in the fourth chukker when they challenged the umpire’s call on a right of way violation. The lost the challenge and incurred a technical foul for unsportsmanlike conduct, allowing Jeta Castagnola and Marc Ganzi to score on penalty shots. Richard Mille converted four penalty shots during the chukker, while Jejo Taranco scored one goal for Hawaii Polo Life. The chukker ended with Richard Mille leading 7-6. Hawaii Polo Life needed to seize the initiative in the vital fifth chukker, but Richard Mille dominated play from the start. Jeta Castagnola got out in front by a good four lengths to put the ball through for Richard Mille.

Pablo MacDonough roared to life, scoring three goals from the field. Another conduct violation gave Marc Ganzi the opportunity to convert a Penalty 2 and the chukker ended with Richard Mille leading by 12-6. MacDonough opened the final chukker by scoring in the first 30 seconds, putting his team ahead by 13-6. Hawaii Polo Life fought to the end, and with 2:40 remaining, Jejo Taranco found the posts. With 48 seconds left to play, Chris Dawson made a breakwaway downfield to score the final goal of the match. Richard Mille carried the day, winning with a score of 13-8.

Pablo MacDonough, who was named MVP, said “We knew it would be a tough game against that team, but the fifth chukker was decisive.”

The Argentine Polo Association Best Playing Pony was La Dolfina Volaris, a 7-year-old mare played in the second chukker by Poroto Cambiaso. The World Polo League Best Playing Pony was Clavel, owned and played by Paco de Narvaez. The American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony was Irenita Rastrojera, played by Pablo MacDonough.

Founded by Grand Champions owners and president Melissa and Marc Ganzi, the World Polo League is the only 26-goal polo in the world outside of Argentina. The WPL was created to preserve the highest level of polo and its rich, hallowed tradition in the United States. The WPL, boasting 11 tournament-quality fields to play on, will follow the season opening All-Star Challenge with a number of top-level tournaments that will include: Founder’s Cup, Palm Beach Open, Triple Crown of Polo, and Beach Polo World Cup, Miami Beach April 21-25.

Grand Champions and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique polo facility in Wellington with 120 stalls in five self-contained barns, an exercise track, five climate controlled tack rooms, a vet room, staff quarters, a guest house and three polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation including one field for stick-and-ball and plans to build more in the future.

World Polo League matches will continue to be closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We closely adhere to Florida state and CDC guidelines, and take all measures possible to maintain a safe environment that will allow us to continue playing. We look very forward to the day we can welcome our fans back. In the interim, please visit www.worldpolo.org for more information. Matches can be viewed on www.chukkertv.com.

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: ChukkerTV WELLINGTON, FL, February 21, 2021— Richard Mille bested Hawaii Polo Life by 13-8 to win the All-Star Challenge. Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola,…

North America, Polo News

Richard Mille and Hawaii Polo Life to Meet in WPL All Star Challenge Final on Saturday

19. February 2021

By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: ChukkerTV

WELLINGTON, FL, February 18, 2021— In yesterday’s All Star Challenge semi-finals, Richard Mille defeated Casablanca by 10-9 while Hawaii Polo Life took down Seminole Casino 12-7.

In the first semifinal of the day, 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).

Play was fast and clean in the first chukker, with 10-goaler Pablo MacDonough scoring the first goal of the day on a long pass from Jeta Castagnola. Marc Ganzi followed up by slamming an impressive 80-yard shot through the posts to put Richard Mille up by 2-0. Casablanca got onto the board when Barto Castagnola jumped out in front to take a pass from Juan Martin Nero and run to goal, while Juancito Bollini followed up to bring the score to 2-all.

Following a foul by son Grant, Marc Ganzi converted a Penalty 2 to end the chukker with Richard Mille leading by 3-2. Casablanca saw their greatest success in the second chukker, keeping Richard Mille off the board while Juan Martin Nero converted a Penalty 3 and Barto Castagnola made a long shot on goal to end the chukker 4-3 with Casablanca in the lead. The third chukker was back and forth, with both teams shooting long to the goal. Neither was able to put the ball through and the half ended with Casablanca still leading 4-3.

Richard Mille came back with guns blazing in the fourth and Paco de Narvaez walked the ball to goal to tie the score at 4-all. Casablanca made a couple of costly fouls, allowing Jeta Castagnola to score on two Penalty 4 shots, while Marc Ganzi made another long shot to goal. Richard Mille was up by 7-4 before Barto Castagnola found the uprights to end the chukker at 7-5. Within the first 30 seconds of the fifth chukker, Barto found the goal again to nip at Richard Mille’s heels with a score of 7-6. Jeta sank a 60-yard shot to put the score up to 8-6, but a foul by Richard Mille allowed Juan Martin Nero to convert a Penalty 3. With 3:43 left to play.

Marc Ganzi took the ball from the throw-in and easily ran to goal. Another foul by Casablanca allowed Jeta Castagnola to convert a Penalty 2 and the chukker ended 10-7 with Richard Mille in the lead. Richard Mille didn’t score in the final chukker, but the 3-point lead going into the sixth was enough to give them the match. A goal by Juancito Bollini and Penalty 2 from Barto Castagnola wasn’t enough to get by Richard Mille and they won the semi-final by 10-9.

In the second semi-final match of the day, Seminole Casino (Melissa Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, and Juan Martin Zubia) met Hawaii Polo Life (Chris Dawson, Jejo Taranco, Poroto Cambiaso, and Adolfo Cambiaso). With a team handicap of 24 goals, Seminole Casino started the match with two goals on handicap.

Adolfo Cambiaso started the match off with a quick demonstration of prowess, taking the ball from the throw-in and running it straight to goal in the first 15 seconds of play. It was five minutes of fast back and forth before Alejandro Novillo Astrada connected with a pass from Nic Roldan and put the ball through. Just before the 30-second buzzer, Cambiaso scored again to end the chukker with Hawaii Polo Life down by one goal, at 2-3.

Early in the second chukker, Nic Roldan and Alejandro Novillo Astrada took the ball coast to coast, with Roldan finishing up at the posts. Poroto Cambiaso converted a Penalty 2, while his father Adolfo slammed the ball downfield for another goal, ending the period with the scored tied 4-all. Play was nip and tuck in the third chukker, and Hawaii Polo Life couldn’t find the goal. Nic Roldan made an impressive shot from the right of the goal, and the half ended 5-4 with Seminole Casino in the lead.

In the fourth chukker, neither team was able to score, and the period ended with an umpire challenge by Seminole Casino. The challenge was rejected at the beginning of the fifth, resulting in a Penalty 2 conversion by Adolfo Cambiaso. The tables turned on Seminole Casino decisively. Hawaii Polo Life succeeded not only in keeping them off the board, but scoring five goals during the chukker, including two penalty conversions from Poroto, a fleld goal from Jejo Taranco, and back-to-back goals from Chris Dawson.

Seminole Casino found themselves in a tough spot going in to the final chukker. Even a deficit of two goals all too often is a death sentence against Cambiaso, and the team in purple was down by five. Taranco found the posts barely a minute into play, putting Seminole Casino behind by 6, but with 5:54 left to play Nic Roldan took the ball from the bowl-in and ran it downfield to score. Alejandro Novillo Astrada came a hair’s breadth from the goal, but at the very last second the ball was swept away by Adolfo Cambiaso. With 3:15 remaining, Jejo Taranco made a 220-yard run downfield with Nic Roldan in hot pursuit. Taranco made it to the posts, scoring the final goal of the day for Hawaii Polo Life. With just under two minutes remaining, Alejandro Novillo Astrada hammered the ball 100 yards for a goal. The match ended with Hawaii Polo Life winning by 12-7. Poroto Cambiaso was the high scoring player of the day with four goals to his credit.

World Polo League matches will continue to be closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We closely adhere to Florida state and CDC guidelines, and take all measures possible to maintain a safe environment that will allow us to continue playing. We look very forward to the day we can welcome our fans back. In the interim, please visit www.worldpolo.org for more information. Matches can be viewed on www.chukkertv.com.

21 All Star Challenge Schedule

Saturday 2/20
3pm All Star Challenge Final
Richard Mille vs Hawaii Polo Life

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: ChukkerTV WELLINGTON, FL, February 18, 2021— In yesterday’s All Star Challenge semi-finals, Richard Mille defeated Casablanca by 10-9 while Hawaii Polo Life took down…

North America, Polo News

Richard Mille Defeats Santa Rita to Advance to WPL All Star Challenge Semifinals

16. February 2021

By Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by ChukkerTV

WELLINGTON, FL, February 15, 2021— Richard Mille trounced Santa Rita by a score of 16-8 to advance in the WPL All Star Challenge.

Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola, Pablo MacDonough and Paco de Narvaez) took on Santa Rita (Sugar Erskine, Pablo Spinnaci, Horacio Llorente, and Nacho Figueras) yesterday on Grand Champions Field 4. Santa Rita, with a team handicap of 24, started the match with two goals on the board.

Santa Rita started the match with a foul, allowing Pablo MacDonough to score his first goal of the day on a Penalty 3. Both teams were running hard in the first minutes, with neither finding the goal until Nacho Figueras scored at just under five minutes. A couple of unlucky fouls allowed Marc Ganzi to convert a Penalty 4 and a Penalty 2, tying the match at 3-3. In the last minute of the chukker, Nacho put the ball in play following a foul and found Sugar Erskine, who in a textbook move took out his man and ran to goal. The chukker ended with Santa Rita up 4-3. In the second chukker, the cracks began to show for Santa Rita, and they weren’t able to get on the board. Pablo MacDonough scored back-to-back goals, the second with a breathtaking neck shot, and Marc Ganzi sank another successful Penalty 2.

Going into the third chukker with Richard Mille leading 6-4, Santa Rita was starting to feel the pressure and missed several chances at the posts. Another goal by MacDonough, topped off by a Penalty 2 conversion from Ganzi, saw the half end 8-4 in favor of Richard Mille.

Santa Rita played more aggressively in the fourth chukker, with Sugar Erskine answering a goal from Jeta Castagnola. With only 14 seconds remaining to play, Jeta Castagnola slammed the ball downfield from 130 yards in a spectacular shot and the chukker ended 10-5. Santa Rita successfully converted two penalties in the fifth chukker, but continued to weaken, giving Richard Mille the opportunity to stretch their lead. At the 5:25 mark, Ganzi picked up a ball lost by Castagnola and took it to the goal. Castagnola redeemed himself for the loss by taking a ball out of the air and slamming it between the posts. Pablo MacDonough, finding himself left alone in an unfortunate error by Santa Rita, made an easy goal to end the chukker 13-7 for Richard Mille.

Santa Rita put their last goal of the day on the board with a Penalty 2 at the beginning of the final chukker. While the team in yellow fought to the last, Richard Mille continued to control the game as they had from the start and scored three more goals to win the match by 16-8. Pablo MacDonough was named MVP and the Best Playing Pony was Clavel, owned by Paco de Narvaez.

World Polo League matches will continue to be closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We closely adhere to Florida state and CDC guidelines, and take all measures possible to maintain a safe environment that will allow us to continue playing. We look very forward to the day we can welcome our fans back. In the interim, please visit www.worldpolo.org for more information. Matches can be viewed on www.chukkertv.com.

World Polo League 2021 All Star Challenge Schedule

Sunday 2/14
4pm Richard Mille vs Santa Rita

Wednesday 2/17
11am Seminole Casino vs Hawaii Polo Life
3p Casablanca vs Winner Game 3

Saturday 2/20
3pm All Star Challenge Final

By Rebecca Baldridge Photos by ChukkerTV WELLINGTON, FL, February 15, 2021— Richard Mille trounced Santa Rita by a score of 16-8 to advance in the WPL All Star Challenge. Richard…

North America, Polo News

Casablanca and Hawaii Polo Life Advance in WPL All Star Challenge

15. February 2021

By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: ChukkerTV

WELLINGTON, FL, February 14, 2021— Casablanca bested Great Oaks by a score of 9-5 while Hawaii Polo Life took down White Birch by 13-11.

Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Barto Castagnola, and Juan Martin Nero) took on Aspen Valley (Dillon Bacon, Toro Ruiz, Nacho Novillo Astrada, and Clemente Zavaleta) yesterday on Grand Champions Field 3. Aspen Valley, with a 24-goal team handicap compared to Casablanca’s 26, started the match with two goals on handicap.

In the first chukker, Barto Castagnola made a charge toward the posts straight out of the throw-in, but the shot went just wide. Play continued fast and open, with both teams shooting on goal but failing to score. At 2:28, Castagnola finally put the ball through and the chukker ended 2-1. Early in the second chukker Grant Ganzi converted on a Penalty 2. Dillon Bacon picked up the ball and put the first non-handicap goal on the board for Aspen Valley and the period ended 3-2 with Aspen Valley in the lead.

At the beginning of the third chukker, Nacho Novillo-Astrada took the ball out of the throw-in and passed it to Toro Ruiz for an easy goal to put Aspen Valley up by two. The lead didn’t last long though. With 6:15 on the clock, Castagnola saw an opening and shot on goal from 80 yards to shave Aspen Valley’s advantage to one. A second goal from Castagnola tied things up at 4-4. With 2:17 left to play, Juan Martin Nero picked up a loose ball and put it between the posts to end the chukker with Casablanca leading 5-4.

The second half began with both teams again playing fast and clean, with few fouls. Juancito Bollini made a fantastic neck shot straight through the center of the goal, but Great Oaks couldn’t get onto the board in the chukker and the period ended with Casablanca leading 6-4. Clem Zavaleta scored, reducing Casabanca’s lead to one, but with seven seconds left on the clock Juancito Bollini ran the ball to goal, ending the chukker with Casablanca again up by two at 7-5.

Play continued to be very fast in the final chukker. Juan Martin Nero found the goal within the first minute of play, and with 2:34 remaining on the clock a smooth rotation from Castagnola to Nero to Grant Ganzi gave Casablanca it’s last goal of the match. Great Oaks couldn’t get past the Casablanca defense to score in the final chukker, and Casablanca prevailed by 9-5.

Later in the day, White Birch (Pier Muller, Facu Llorente, Mariano Aguerre, and Lolo Castagnola) met Hawaii Polo Life (Chris Dawson, Jejo Taranca, Poroto Cambiaso, and Adolfo Cambiaso) at the storied White Birch Farm. Aguerre, Castagnola and Adolfo Cambiaso hadn’t appeared on the field together since their La Dolfina days, so excitement was high. White Birch, with a 23-goal team handicap, started the match with three goals on the board.

Jejo Taranco drew first blood of the day, picking up a pass from Poroto Cambiaso and tapping it through. Chris Dawson found the goal next, chipping away at the White Birch three goal advantage. Facu Llorente scored the first goal from the field for White Birch, followed by a frustrating miss for Lolo Castagnola when the buzzer sounded just as the ball rolled toward the posts. The chukker ended 4-3 with White Birch leading.

In the first minute of the second chukker, Pier Muller picked up the ball, rode off Adolfo Cambiaso and found the goal with a neat neck shot. Play contined back and forth throughout the chukker with neither team able to score. With 23 seconds left on the clock, Adolfo Cambiaso saw his son wide open and fired the ball to Poroto to score. The third chukker was all about Poroto, who scored all four of his team’s goals in the period, including one Penalty 2 conversion. White Birch couldn’t get past the Hawaii Polo Life defense and failed to score, with the half ending 7-5 for Hawaii.

White Birch fought back hard, outscoring Hawaii Polo Life in the fourth chukker. Pier Muller was having a great day, getting past a hook from Adolfo Cambiaso and scoring early in the chukker. Goals from Poroto and Chris Dawson put Hawaii Life back up 10-6, with White Birch clawing their way back with some help from former 10-goalers Lolo Castagnola and Mariano Aguerre to end the period with White Birch only one goal behind at 9-10.

Play was hard and fast in the fifth chukker with neither team able to score from the field. Poroto Cambiaso converted on a Penalty 4, ending the chukker at 11-9 for Hawaii Polo Life. At 6:31, Adolfo Cambiaso scored, putting Hawaii Polo Life ahead 12-9. Any team finding themselves down by 3 going into a sixth chukker against Cambiaso is facing an uphill battle, but White Birch gave it their all. Jejo Taranco scored the final goal of the day to put Hawaii up 13-9. Mariano Aguerre converted a Penalty 3 and scored another goal from the field, but White Birch couldn’t compensate for the lead and went down to Hawaii Polo Life 11-13. Poroto Cambiaso was the high scoring player of the match, with 8 goals to his credit.

Hawaii Polo Life will face off with Seminole Casino for a place in the final, while Casablanca‘s semifinal opponent will be determined by Sunday‘s game winner – Richard Mille or Santa Rita. The All Star Challenge final is scheduled for Saturday February 20, 3pm.

World Polo League matches will continue to be closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We closely adhere to Florida state and CDC guidelines, and take all measures possible to maintain a safe environment that will allow us to continue playing. We look very forward to the day we can welcome our fans back. In the interim, please visit www.worldpolo.org for more information. Matches can be viewed on www.chukkertv.com

World Polo League 2021 All Star Challenge Schedule

Sunday 2/14
4pm Richard Mille vs Santa Rita

Wednesday 2/17
11am Seminole Casino vs Hawaii Polo Life
3p Casablanca vs Winner Game 3

Saturday 2/20
3pm All Star Challenge Final

All Games Live on https://www.chukkertv.com

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: ChukkerTV WELLINGTON, FL, February 14, 2021— Casablanca bested Great Oaks by a score of 9-5 while Hawaii Polo Life took down White Birch by 13-11.…