Grand Champions Polo Club

North America, Polo News

Casimiro Wins Metropolitan Cup; Santos Bollini Named MVP

1. March 2022

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 27, 2022–First-year team Casimiro led from start to finish to capture the Metropolitan 6-Goal Cup Saturday at Grand Champions Polo Club.

Casimiro (Steve Cox, 0, Miki Novillo Astrada, 0, Santos Bollini, 2, Santi Llavallol, 3) defeated The Polo School (Diego Morales, 1, Hayley Schaufeld, -1, Bauti Peluso, 2, Juan Bollini, 4), 8.5-5.

Santos Bollini, 22, scored a team-high four goals and was named Most Valuable Player.

„It was amazing to win,“ said Bollini, who is also playing in the 26-goal World Polo League. „Our first game was against them and we didn‘t perform that well but then we overcame adversity after losing. We won the next two games, played really well and turned things around and got to the final. It was a great feeling.

Bauti Peluso and Santos Bollini.

„The way we played today was totally different from the first time we played them. We got to know each other and our styles of play the more games we played. We had a plan and it worked out well.“

Rayo Careta, played by Miki Novillo Astrada, was Best Playing Pony.

It was Casimiro‘s first tournament title.

„They were really clicking,“ Cox said. „I thought it was very fast for six goals which was very exciting. It was fun to be out there. It was extremely great footing. It was one of the best fields I‘ve ever played on. I really love playing at Grand Champions. I love the people and the pros. It‘s a wonderful atmosphere.“

After a six-year layoff, Cox decided to buy horses and resumed playing polo two years ago. The Tulsa, Okla.-based Cox first played „local polo not competitive“ when he was younger. „I wanted to come and play with some of the best,“ he said.

Santi Llavallol.

„I love it 130 percent,“ Cox said. „I‘m having to get used to playing faster. I have a pretty steep learning curve. That was pretty fast six goal today. I am stepping up my horses and buying more horses and trying to get into the plays more.“

When he was seven, Cox cut his eye with a pocket knife and couldn‘t see out of it too well. While working with the grooms at White Birch they asked about his eye and Cox told him what happened to which they replied Casimiro which loosely translates, „I can kind of see,“ Cox said. „It stayed with me all these years so when Cale Newman called and asked me what did I want to name my team I said what about Casimiro.“

Cox, a father of five, plans to play the entire six-goal season. His son, Hendrix, 10, and daughter, Capri, 8, love and play polo and will join their dad in Wellington along with the rest of the family in March.

Casimiro opened the game with a .5 lead on handicap. Bollini scored his first two goals in the opening chukker and Peluso scored his team‘s first goal to give Casimiro a 2.5-1 lead.

Juan Bollini and Santos Bollini.

Bollini and Peluso each scored again in the second chukker with Casimiro still leading, 3.5-2, going into halftime.

Casimiro outscored The Polo School, 5-3, in the second half to clinch the win. Astrada scored two goals in the fourth, with the help of Bollini taking out defenders, and final chukker to put the game away.

„We didn‘t need the .5 today,“ said Cox, who got help from Miguel Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini and Grant Ganzi putting his team together.

In addition to Bollini‘s four goals, Novillo Astrada had two goals and Cox and Llavallol each had one goal.

Peluso scored a team high four goals for The Polo School. Schaufeld added one goal.

Steve Cox and Hayley Schaufeld.

It was the first of two Saturday games for Santi Llavallol, who scored a team-high five goals to lead Novo Polo to a 14-10 victory over Mayer Ranch in the Sieber 12-Goal Memorial.

Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest and busiest polo club celebrating its 15th anniversary, is coming off its most successful fall season. Club officials hope to build off that success when it hosts 23 tournaments from January through April.

Grand Champions is host to the World Polo League, now in its fourth year. The only 26-goal polo played outside of Argentina has attracted a large international field from around the world.

The world-class league will run through April 16. In addition to the All-Star Challenge which concluded on Saturday with Audi winning, the remaining tournaments are the Founders Cup which gets under way this week; Palm Beach Open, March 9-27; Triple Crown of Polo, March 23-April 16 and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach, April 29-May 1.

Grand Champions is also hosting the Sunset Chukkers and Cocktails, presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek held Tuesday late afternoon on Field One for players and guests.

MVP Santos Bollini and Cuki Bollini.

The high goal club tournaments feature the Sterling Cup, $100,000 World Cup and Santa Rita Abierto.

The 16-goal league play includes the Grand Champions Cup, Power Horse Invitational and Pedro Morrison Memorial.

The 12-goal league continues with the current Sieber Memorial Trophy, the $50,000 National 12-Goal and Mar. 8-26 Top Pony 12-Goal.

After January‘s successful Aspen Valley Cup, the 8-goal tournament schedule continues with the Top Pony 8-Goal and Limited Edition 8-Goal.

The 6-goal schedule continues with the Halo Polo Trophy and Madelon Bourdieu Memorial.

Grand Champions Polo Club and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique private 100-acre polo facility in Wellington with 120 stalls in several self-contained barns, exercise track, five climate-controlled tack rooms, vet room, staff quarters, guest house and polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation and stick-and-ball fields.

During fall, winter and spring seasons, Grand Champions Polo Club, the nation‘s largest club with 13 well-manicured, world-class fields at GCPC and Santa Rita Polo Farm, hosts polo tournaments ranging from six to 26-goal including the 26-goal World Polo League in addition to special events.

Best Playing Pony Rayo Careta played by Miki Novillo Astrada.

The Polo School operates in Wellington January through May and September through November. For more information on the Fall Leagues or Polo School contact Director of Operations Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or General Manager Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

Grand Champions Polo Club caters to men, women and youth polo players at all levels. Its‘ expert staff can customize a complete playing experience including horses, pros and certified umpires in addition to lessons and practice sessions as part of its‘ Polo On Demand program, the only polo club in the U.S. to offer the unique program.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 27, 2022–First-year team Casimiro led from start to finish to capture the Metropolitan 6-Goal Cup Saturday at Grand Champions Polo Club. Casimiro (Steve Cox, 0, Miki Novillo…

North America, Polo News

Audi Captures WPL All-Star Challenge Tournament; Jeta Castagnola Named MVP

1. March 2022

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 27, 2022—Audi and White Birch renewed their 30-year rivalry in the championship final of the World Polo League All-Star Challenge Tournament Saturday at Grand Champions Polo Club.

In an explosive final, Audi (Marc Ganzi, 2, Jeta Castagnola, 9, Barto Castagnola, 9, Paco de Narvaez, 6) defeated White Birch (Chris Brant, 0, Lerin Zubiaurre, 7, Mariano Aguerre, 7, Santi Toccalino, 8), 17-12, to capture the 26-goal season-opening tournament.

Jeta Castagnola scored a game-high nine goals and was named Most Valuable Player. The reigning Argentine Open champion finished the tournament with 19 goals.

Lerin Zubiaurre, Jeta Castagnola, and Barto Castagnola.

Machitos Luis Maria, played by Aguerre, was selected Cria Polo Argentino Best Playing Pony.

Amiga, played by Jeta Castagnola, was chosen the World Polo League Best Playing Pony.

With its‘ relentless defense, throw-in dominance and offensive attack, Audi was able to do what Alegria and Catamount couldn‘t and that was diffuse the 22-goal underdog‘s four-goal handicap cushion in the opening chukker.

„All-Star champions sounds good, I just told Barto we have four more to go,“ Ganzi said.

Jeta Castagnola, Marc Ganzi, Chris Brant, and Mariano Aguerre.

White Birch opened the game with a goal from Zubiaurre at the 7:28 mark for a 5-0 lead to try and put added pressure on Audi. But for the next seven minutes it was all Audi scoring five consecutive goals to tie the game at 5-5. Toccalino came up with a great stop on de Navaez‘ goal attempt with 25 seconds left to end the chukker.

With Audi keeping White Birch contained, the teams exchanged missed goals, before Barto Castagnola‘s effort in the goal mouth was awarded a penalty-one to give Audi a 6-5 lead with 3:06 left in the second chukker. A great goal run by Zubiaurre tied the game again, 6-6, to end the chukker.

Chris Brant and Jeta Castagnola.

„We were really strong in the first two periods,“ Ganzi said. „We set a tone, we set an attitude. I don‘t think they scored a goal until the third chukker. We knew if we came with a little attitude we could take a little fight out of them. They are a really scrappy team. They‘ve been really hard defensively on some really good teams.“

The game was just as defensive as it was offensive in the third chukker with Audi outscoring White Birch, 3-2, to take a 9-8 halftime lead.

Audi broke the game wide open in the fourth chukker outscoring White Birch, 5-1 including three Jeta Castagnola goals, for a 14-9 advantage. From then on, it was Audi controlling the game and White Birch trying to dig itself out of a hole. Audi outscored White Birch 8-2 in the fourth and fifth chukkers for a 17-10 advantage. Never-say-die White Birch shut out Audi in the final chukker, 2-0.

Santi Toccalino and Paco de Narvaez.

„We watched some video last night,“ Ganzi said. „We just knew if we could get on them quick we could break their will. I think the fourth chukker we broke their will.“

Audi came out with a different game plan in the second half.

„We changed, we moved me to back and moved Paco inside the game,“ Ganzi said. „We did that the last game. We like to change a lot. I don‘t think they really anticipated Paco coming through. Paco was like lightning coming through and I was creating holes for him. They were sort of confused because they were used to Jeta and Barto coming through scoring goals and all of a sudden here comes Paco.

„We have the ability to rotate really fast,“ said Ganzi, crediting coach Lolo Castagnola for keeping the team‘s head straight. „We‘re not afraid to change. We‘re capable of all four guys playing all four positions and that confuses our opponents.“

Barto Castagnola and Jeta Castagnola.

The game was reminiscent of the battles between Audi and White Birch in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Wally Ganzi and Peter Brant, the fathers and mentors of Marc Ganzi and Chris Brant, used to battle in Saratoga.

In addition to Jeta Castagnola‘s nine goals, Audi got balanced scoring from its lineup. De Narvaez scored three goals and Ganzi and Barto Castagnola each had two goals. Audi was also awarded a penalty-one.

Toccalino led White Birch with four goals. Zubiaurre had two goals and Brant and Aguerre each had one goal.

Richard Mille, eliminated early by Audi in overtime, was defending champion of the All-Star Challenge with three of the four winning Audi players. The foursome of Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola, Pablo MacDonough and Paco de Narvaez defeated Hawaii Polo in last year‘s final.

Mariano Aguerre and Paco de Narvaez.

The World Polo League, now in its fourth year, is the only 26-goal polo played outside of Argentina. It has attracted a large international field from around the world.

The world-class league will run through April 16. The World Polo League is preserving the highest level of polo and its rich tradition in the U.S.

In addition to the All-Star Challenge, the remaining WPL events are Sunday‘s inaugural Tommy Hitchcock Legacy Memorial at 4 p.m.; Founders Cup, which starts this week; Palm Beach Open, March 9-27; Triple Crown of Polo, March 23-April 16 and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach, April 29-May 1.

Fans packed the sidelines for the exciting WPL final.

Grand Champions has added Sunset Chukkers and Cocktails, presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek held Tuesday late afternoon on Field One for players and guests.

Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest polo club, celebrating its 15th anniversary, is coming off its most successful fall season. Club officials hope to build off that success when it hosts 23 tournaments from January through April.

The high goal club tournaments feature the Sterling Cup, $100,000 World Cup and Santa Rita Abierto.

MVP Jeta Castagnola.

The 16-goal league play includes the Grand Champions Cup, Mar. 8-26 Power Horse Invitational and Mar. 29-Apr. 16 Pedro Morrison Memorial.

The 12-goal league is currently underway with the Sieber Memorial Trophy; $50,000 National 12-Goal and Mar. 8-26 Top Pony 12-Goal.

After January‘s successful Aspen Valley Cup, the 8-goal tournament schedule continues with the Top Pony 8-Goal and Mar. 8-26 Limited Edition 8-Goal.

Cria Polo Argentino Best Playing Pony Machitos Luis Maria played by Mariano Aguerre.

The 6-goal schedule, after a successful Metropolitan Cup, continues with the Halo Polo Trophy and Mar. 8-26 Madelon Bourdieu Memorial.

There is also the Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League, co-founded by Melissa Ganzi and Alina Carta, for all ages and playing ability held Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

World Polo League Best Playing Pony Amiga, played by Jeta Castagnola.

The Polo School, now located at the former Pony Express facility, operates in Wellington January through May and September through November. For more information on the Fall Leagues or Polo School contact Director of Operations Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or General Manager Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

North America, Polo News

Stage Hill Wins Grand Champions Polo School Ladies League Final; Ava Hinkson Named MVP

25. February 2022

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 24, 2022–Stage Hill held off Running Iron and Spencer Ranch to capture the Grand Champions Polo School Ladies League Final Wednesday at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Stage Hill (Ava Hinkson, 1, Ava Nunez, 1, Malicia van Falkenhausen, 2, Alyson Poor, 4) defeated Running Iron (Pamela Flanagan, 4, Ari Dogani, 2, Annalise Philips, 0, Rileigh Tibbott, 1), 2-1.5, and Spencer Ranch (Rachael Spencer, 0, Valentina Tarazona, 0, Marisa Bianchi, 4, Heather Soto, 4), 1-0. In the other matchup, Running Iron defeated Spencer Ranch, 4.5-1.

Hinkson, who just turned 18 on Feb. 19, was selected Most Valuable Player.

„I have been MVP a handful of times, but it‘s always such an honor to get it, especially today,“ Hinkson said. „There were so many other incredible women out there. I was really surprised.“

Ava Hinkson and Marisa Bianchi.

Foxy, played by Heather Soto in the first chukker, was Best Playing Pony.

„The February final went really well,“ said Ladies League co-founder Alina Carta. „The girls had so much fun. They had a great time. They are all super nice girls. We are really lucky.

„Ava played well today,“ Carta said. „She has been playing better and better. She is very engaged, very on the ball and quick. I thought she played consistent.“

Pamela Flanagan and Ava Nunez.

Hinkson, a home schooler, has been playing polo since she was 12. She has honed her skills in Polo Training Foundation tournaments and Polo School Ladies League games. She is also competing in the 8-Goal League at Grand Champions.

Hinkson comes from a horse family. Her family has a 60-acre horse farm in Ocala. Her father played polo for years and her mother competed in three-day eventing. She first tried her mom‘s sport and then started playing polo.

„I started with the PTF and fell in love with it,“ Hinkson said. „I am definitely committed. I have two full strings of horses now. It‘s a lot but I love it. I want to go as far as I can with it.“

Heather Soto.

Her first tournament was the 2015 WCT Finals created by Hall of Famer Sunny Hale, who took Hinkson under her wing.

„She was an incredible person,“ said Hinkson of Hale, who died in 2017. „I remember she took us to Adolfo Cambiaso‘s barn one day and shared so many experiences. She was such an icon to me. She always took time for everyone. She really helped me find my love for polo. After that 2015 event I knew this is what I wanted to do. I have just fallen in love with it.“

Hinkson played a key role in her team‘s success on Wednesday.

„That was such a fun game,“ Hinkson said. „I love playing out there so much with those girls. There was a lot of running.

Ava Nunez and Ari Dogani.

„The four of us really click together. It was really competitive games. You had to be on and be cooking. We were a little bit slow in the first half, but started coming along a lot better. I love playing with the other three girls. We get along really well, we all communicate really nicely. We play off each other‘s strengths which is something I really enjoy.“

The Grand Champions Polo School Women‘s League, now in its sixth year, continues to play a key role in developing women players. The league, for all levels of playing ability, is held every Wednesday at 10 a.m. through April.

„I think it‘s definitely helped me, I really enjoy it,“ Hinkson said. „I played with Pam and Alyson and all these great women. They have really helped me on different things. Alyson tells me to work close to the man. Pam tells me she wants me to work with the ball more. They have all helped me round my game out. Every week I feel like I have gained a little more traction on putting everything together.“

The only full-time weekly women‘s polo league in the world was created by Carta, a polo pioneer and one of the highest ranked women in the U.S. in the 1980s, and Melissa Ganzi, Grand Champions Polo Club President, World Polo League co-founder and avid player. Ganzi is the first woman in history to win the prestigious 35th Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz and first international woman to compete in the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo and earn MVP honors.

„It provides a place for them to really have fun, work on their game and play competitively,“ said Carta, who has several new players coming into the March League. „We have had a lot of new young girls.“

Pamela Flanagan and Ava Hinkson.

All team entry fees benefit The Polo School, a stand-alone USPA-sanctioned club located at the former Pony Express facility. The Polo School offers lessons to men, women and children of all ages and ability levels and offers scholarships.

The women‘s league, along with the March 30-April 3 WCT Finals at Grand Champions, honors Sunny Hale, the all-time greatest women‘s polo player, mentor and Hall of Famer.

Valentina Tarazona and Ari Dogani.

Grand Champions is host to the World Polo League, now in its fourth year and only 26-goal polo played outside of Argentina. Already underway with the All-Star Challenge, it has attracted a large international field from around the world.

The world-class league will run through April 16. In addition to the All-Star Challenge which ends on Saturday with the final, the remaining tournaments are the Founders Cup, which will hold its draw on Thursday; Palm Beach Open, March 9-27; Triple Crown of Polo, March 23-April 16 and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach, April 29-May 1.

Grand Champions has also added Sunset Chukkers and Cocktails, presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek held Tuesday late afternoon on Field One for players and guests.

The high goal club tournaments feature the Sterling Cup, $100,000 World Cup and Santa Rita Abierto.

The 16-goal league play includes the Grand Champions Cup, Power Horse Invitational and Pedro Morrison Memorial.

Valentina Tarazona and Ari Dogani.

The 12-goal league continues with the current Sieber Memorial Trophy, the $50,000 National 12-Goal and Mar. 8-26 Top Pony 12-Goal.

After January‘s successful Aspen Valley Cup, the 8-goal tournament schedule continues with the 5 Top Pony 8-Goal and Limited Edition 8-Goal.

The 6-goal schedule features the Metropolitan Cup, also underway; Halo Polo Trophy and Madelon Bourdieu Memorial.

Heather Soto and Best Playing Pony Foxy.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 24, 2022–Stage Hill held off Running Iron and Spencer Ranch to capture the Grand Champions Polo School Ladies League Final Wednesday at Santa Rita Polo Farm. Stage…

North America, Polo News, South America

Grand Champions, Aspen Valley Polo Clubs Capture U.S. Polo Assn Junior Tournament Events At Santa Rita Polo Farm

24. February 2022

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 23, 2022—Grand Champions won the U.S. Polo Assn Junior Tournament Tackeria President‘s Day Cup and Aspen Valley Polo Club won the historic Avendano Trophy celebrating its 40th anniversary Monday at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Grand Champions (Maeve Reicher, Harrison Reicher, Ava Nunes, Paquito de Narvaez) won an exciting 5-4 penalty shootout over Red Barn (Jack Whitman, Ethan Siekel, Elisabeth Brassart, Joaquin Vilgre de la Madrid). Grand Champions, Red Barn and Tackeria (Matteo Bilbao, Alea Crespo, Ava Hinkson, Joseph Schwartz) were the top three finishers in the round robin.

Teams Tackeria, Red Barn, and Grand Champions.

Paquito de Narvaez of Grand Champions earned Most Valuable Player honors. Jack Whitman of Red Barn was awarded the Sportsmanship Award and his horse, 8-year-old Pintada, was Best Playing Pony.

Aspen Valley Polo Club (Santiago Gonzalez, Francisco Spinacci, Cruz Bilbao, Artemio Figueras) dominated runner-up Power Group Total Care (Brock Bromley, Milo MacDonough, Antonio Aguerre, Valentina Tarazona) and third-place finisher GJ Racing (Jem Handler, Max Scott Barnes, Santos Teves, Finn Secunda) to win the second round robin and historic Avendano Trophy celebrating its 40th anniversary.

MVP Paquito de Narvaez and Pablo MacDonough.

Milo MacDonough of Power Group Total Care was Most Valuable Player. Lucama, played by Santiago Gonzalez of Aspen Valley Polo Club, was Best Playing Pony. Jem Handler of GJ Racing earned the Sportsmanship Award.

After the four-chukker Santa Rita-Alex Photo matchup, Antonio Villamil was named Most Valuable Player. Blueberry, played by Villamil, was Best Playing Pony. Silver Novillo Astrada of Santa Rita earned the Sportsmanship Award.

Teams GJ Racing, Aspen Valley Polo Club, and Power Group Total Care.

The Morning Line won its round robin over Tackeria and Cavaliers. Florencio Merlos of The Morning Line was Most Valuable Player. Myla Cambiaso of Cavaliers earned the Sportsmanship Award. Minla Sobre, played by Inda Pieres, was Best Playing Pony.

In the Huskies, Wahoos and Grand Champions round robin, Emilia Wulff of Wahoos was Most Valuable Player. Lorenzo Nero of The Morning Line earned the Sportsmanship Award. James Bond, played by Felix Pieres of the Huskies, was Best Playing Pony.

MVP Milo MacDonough and Polito Pieres.

After the ChukkerTV, Polo School and Red Barn round robin, Izzy Novillo Astrada of Polo School @ GC was Most Valuable Player. Milo Vilche earned the Sportsmanship Award. Perfecta, played by Kawai Dawson, was Best Playing Pony.

ChukkerTV (Azu Pieres, Lupe Pieres, Mia Pieres, Violeta Pieres) were 1-0 winners over Alex Photo (Isa Nero, Alba Figueras, Olivia MacDonough, Carmen Aguerre). Lupe Pieres, who scored the lone goal, was Most Valuable Player. Carmen Aguerre earned the Sportsmanship Award. Chevy, played by Alba Figueras, was Best Playing Pony.

Teams Santa Rita and Alex Photo.

The tournament featured 81 players on 19 teams competing at various levels. In addition to South Florida, players travelled from Pennsylvania, Kentucky, South Carolina and Sarasota to compete.

„I was very happy with the turnout and to see the numbers coming back up to where we had it back in 2012, 2013 and 2014,“ PTF Executive Director Jennifer McLeavy said. „Our record was around 119. Getting back up to 81 was magical.

MVP Antonio Villamil.

„These kids get better every year, especially seeing the lead line level,“ McLeavy said. „The number of kids in that group this year was exciting and points us toward higher numbers in the future.“

World Polo League players Polito Pieres, Juan Martin Nero, Pablo MacDonough and Mariano Aguerre took turns awarding trophies to smiling faces.

Teams Huskies, Grand Champions, and Wahoos.

The day-long, fun event featured top caliber competition among boy and girl youth players.

„I think it‘s playing opportunity,“ McLeavy said. „That‘s part of the reason we try to do these junior tournaments, getting kids playing with other kids. The more they play, the more they learn. More hours in the saddle, the better.

Sportsmanship Award recipient Lorenzo Nero and Pablo MacDonough.

„What I‘ve learned is even if they don‘t come up from a polo-playing family they will come to one of these events, let‘s say their first one and they will play and then they‘ll go home and they want to ride, they want to get better and want to go to the next one and do even better. It‘s very encouraging.“

Three different ChukkerTV announcers, Jan-Eric Franck, Dale Schwetz and Steve Lane kept the large crowd and world-wide stream audience entertained and informed. The post-tournament trophies and asado ended a perfect day of polo.

Teams Tackeria, Cavaliers, and The Morning Line.

Grand Champions Polo Club President, PTF Chairman and tournament host Melissa Ganzi is a longtime supporter of grass roots polo and PTF. Grand Champions provided the fields, staff, five umpires, and several horses for some of the players and umpires.

The Polo Training Foundation is dedicated to the future of polo in the U.S. The PTF has been instrumental in the growth of junior and youth polo players by encouraging the sport‘s development with training programs, lessons and tournaments for boys and girls.

Inda Pieres receiving Best Playing Pony award for Minla Sobre from Mariano Aguerre.

The PTF was created in 1967 by Palm Beach Polo and Country Club founder and former 7-goal amateur Bill Ylvisaker to teach the game of polo to youth by promoting youth clinics, interscholastic and intercollegiate competition, good sportsmanship and good will through friendly competition.

The Polo Training Foundation is a 501(c) 3 organization and relies solely on tax deductible donations for financial support.

Teams Alex Photo and ChukkerTV.

Carmen Aguerre receiving her Sportsmanship Award trophy.

The world-class league will run through April 16. In addition to the All-Star Challenge which ends on Saturday, the remaining WPL events are the inaugural Tommy Hitchcock Legacy Memorial, Feb. 27; Founders Cup, Feb. 23-March 13; Palm Beach Open, March 9-27; Triple Crown of Polo, March 23-April 16 and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach, April 29-May 1.

Grand Champions has also added Sunset Chukkers and Cocktails, presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek held Tuesday late afternoon on Field One for players and guests.

Walking Class teams ChukkerTV, Polo School, and Red Barn.

The high goal club tournaments feature the Sterling Cup, $100,000 World Cup and Santa Rita Abierto.

The 16-goal league play includes the Grand Champions Cup, Power Horse Invitational and Pedro Morrison Memorial.

The 12-goal league continues with the current Sieber Memorial Trophy, the $50,000 National 12-Goal and Mar. 8-26 Top Pony 12-Goal.

MVP Izzy Novillo Astrada with Juan Martin Nero.

After January‘s successful Aspen Valley Cup, the 8-goal tournament schedule continues with the 5 Top Pony 8-Goal and Limited Edition 8-Goal.

The 6-goal schedule features the Metropolitan Cup, also underway; Halo Polo Trophy and Madelon Bourdieu Memorial.

Lead-line teams GJ Racing and Mayer Ranch.

There is also the Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League, co-founded by Melissa Ganzi and Alina Carta, for all ages and playing ability held Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Felix Pieres receiving the Matt Cohen Unsung Hero Award from Melinda Cohen.

Players and their families enjoyed an Asado after the day‘s festivities.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

North America, Polo News

Audi Wins Overtime Thriller In WPL All-Star Challenge To Advance Into Thursday Semifinals

23. February 2022

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 22, 2022—In the most exciting game of the World Polo League All-Star Challenge opening round, Audi secured the fourth and final spot for Thursday‘s semifinals.

Audi (Marc Ganzi, 2, Jeta Castagnola, 9, Barto Castagnola, 9, Paco de Narvaez, 6) rallied in the second half to defeat defending champion Richard Mille (Santos Bollini, 2, Grant Ganzi, 3, Pablo MacDonough, 10, Juan Martin Nero, 10), 10-9, in overtime Sunday at Grand Champions Polo Club.

Audi joins Catamount, White Birch and Seminole Casino Coconut Creek in Thursday‘s semifinals. Catamount plays White Birch at 11 a.m. on Field 3 and Audi plays Seminole Casino Coconut Creek at 4 p.m. on Field 1.

With 6:56 left in overtime, Barto Castagnola quickly recovered from a rideoff to score the winning goal. Castagnola finished with three goals and earned Most Valuable Player honors.

The WPL Best Playing Pony was Irenito Sinforosa, played by MacDonough in the second and sixth chukkers.

The Grand Champions Best Playing Pony was Sunriver, played by Jeta Castagnola in the first and sixth chukkers.

Juan Martin Nero and Jeta Castagnola.

Richard Mille opened the first chukker with a 1-0 lead on handicap. Audi had two scoring opportunities early, missing a penalty conversion and having a goal nullified on a right-of-way penalty. MacDonough scored with 1:34 left for a 2-0 lead.

Nero scored early in the second chukker for a 3-0 advantage. Three unanswered goals by brothers Barto Castagnola (two goals) and Jeta Castagnola (one goal) enabled Audi to even the score at 3-3. MacDonough came back with a goal through defenders with 22 seconds left for a 4-3 lead.

With Richard Mille controlling 80 percent of the throw-ins, Richard Mille outscored Audi, 2-1, in the third chukker for a 6-4 halftime lead.

Ganzi scored with 5:27 left to give Richard Mille a 7-4 advantage in the fourth chukker but the lead was shortlived. Three unanswered goals including Jeta Castagnola‘s goal with five seconds enabled Audi to tie the game 7-7 at the end of the chukker.

Marc Ganzi and Grant Ganzi.

Audi‘s defense was relentless in the second half frustrating Richard Mille‘s offensive attack. By the end of the fifth chukker, Audi had ten knock-ins.

Audi and Richard Mille exchanged goals in the fifth chukker, the first by Marc Ganzi with 6:43 left for an 8-7 lead and the other by Nero with 2:35 remaining to end another chukker tied, 8-8.

The sixth chukker continued the defensive battle with great defensive goal stops and missed scoring opportunities by both teams. Jeta Castagnola opened the chukker with a 40-yard penalty conversion at the 7:22 mark for a 9-8 lead.

Audi saw its hopes of winning in regulation end when Grant Ganzi backhanded the ball which MacDonough then turned quickly to retrieve and put through the goal posts with five seconds remaining to send the game into overtime at 9-9.

Audi got balanced scoring from its lineup. In addition to Barto Castagnola‘s three goals, Jeta Castagnola scored a team-high four goals, Ganzi had two goals and De Narvaez added one.

Grant Ganzi, Juan Martin Nero, and Jeta Castagnola.

It was Jeta Castagnola‘s second game of the day. Earlier, he substituted for an injured Francisco Elizalde in the La Fe lineup and scored a team-high four goals in their 13-11 loss to Pilot in the C.V. Whitney Cup at International Polo Club.

Richard Mille‘s two 10-goalers combined for seven goals. Nero had a team-high four goals and MacDonough had three. Ganzi had one. The team picked up one goal on handicap.

Richard Mille was the defending champion of the All-Star Challenge. The foursome of Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola, Pablo MacDonough and Paco de Narvaez defeated Hawaii Polo Life (Chris Dawson, Poroto Cambiaso, Jejo Taranco, Adolfo Cambiaso), 12-8. MacDonough was MVP.

The World Polo League, now in its fourth year, is the only 26-goal polo played outside of Argentina. It has attracted a large international field from around the world.

Barto Castagnola.

The world-class league will run through April 16. The World Polo League is preserving the highest level of polo and its rich tradition in the U.S. The WPL has its own set of simpler fan-friendly rules to improve the flow of the game and world-class umpires.

In addition to the All-Star Challenge, the remaining WPL events are the inaugural Tommy Hitchcock Legacy Memorial, Feb. 27; Founders Cup, Feb. 23-March 13; Palm Beach Open, March 9-27; Triple Crown of Polo, March 23-April 16 and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach, April 29-May 1.

Grand Champions has also added Sunset Chukkers and Cocktails, presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek held Tuesday late afternoon on Field One for players and guests.

Pablo MacDonough.

The high goal club tournaments feature the Sterling Cup, $100,000 World Cup and Santa Rita Abierto.

The 16-goal league play includes the Grand Champions Cup, Mar. 8-26 Power Horse Invitational and Mar. 29-Apr. 16 Pedro Morrison Memorial.

The 12-goal league is currently underway with the Sieber Memorial Trophy, the $50,000 National 12-Goal which gets under way this week and Mar. 8-26 Top Pony 12-Goal.

After January‘s successful Aspen Valley Cup, the 8-goal tournament schedule continues with the Top Pony 8-Goal and Mar. 8-26 Limited Edition 8-Goal.

Paco de Narvaez, Santos Bollini, and Pablo MacDonough.

The 6-goal schedule features the Metropolitan Cup, also underway; Halo Polo Trophy and Mar. 8-26 Madelon Bourdieu Memorial.

There is also the Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League, co-founded by Melissa Ganzi and Alina Carta, for all ages and playing ability held Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Coco Cabana VIP tent and World Polo League Stadium.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

World Polo League All-Star Challenge 2022 Schedule

Thursday 2/24
Semifinals

11am Catamount vs White Birch at GCPC 3
4pm Audi vs Seminole Casino Coconut Creek at GCPC 1

Saturday 2/26
4pm All-Star Challenge Final

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 22, 2022—In the most exciting game of the World Polo League All-Star Challenge opening round, Audi secured the fourth and final spot for Thursday‘s semifinals. Audi (Marc…

Polo News, South America

World Polo League Announces Team Rosters, Virtual Draw Set For Monday On ChukkerTV

9. February 2022

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 5, 2022—Three members of reigning Argentine Open champion La Natividad highlight the team rosters for the highly-anticipated World Polo League‘s fourth season at Grand Champions Polo Club.

Ten-goaler Polito Pieres, the highest ranked American player, will make his World Polo League debut. La Natividad teammates and brothers Barto and Jeta Castagnola will also compete.

In its first final on the hallowed Palermo Field One, La Natividad won the 128th Argentine Open with a thrilling 15-13 victory to end the Adolfo Cambiaso-led La Dolfina Saudi Polo Team‘s eight-year reign.

Cambiaso‘s young nephews, Bartolome (Barto) and Camilo (Jeta) Castagnola combined for 12 goals and five assists including a perfect 4-for-4 shooting from the penalty line and never trailed in the game. Pieres was making his sixth appearance in the finals. Barto Castagnola was named MVP. All three were raised to 10 goals in Argentina.

The La Natividad players are expected to bring that same brand of excitement to the star-studded World Polo League competing on two different teams, Audi and Catamount, in the only 26-goal polo being played outside of Argentina.

In the late 1990s and early 2000, Scott Devon‘s Catamount was one of the sport‘s top teams featuring a pair of 10-goalers, Mike Azzaro and Carlos Gracida. In 2004, Catamount made it to the semifinals of the U.S. Open, narrowly missing the final with an overtime loss to White Birch. White Birch (2005), Audi (2009) and Alegria (2014) have all won U.S. Open titles and have hallowed traditions in polo.

Polito Pieres

Eight teams will compete when the season gets under way with the All Star Challenge. The virtual draw will be held Monday night at 6 p.m. and live streamed worldwide by ChukkerTV with veteran polo announcer Jan-Erik Franck, the voice of polo. The games will begin play based on team schedules with the championship final set for Feb. 26 at 4 p.m.

Three other 10-goal players will compete in the WPL including Pablo MacDonough and Juan Martin Nero for Richard Mille and Gonzalito Pieres for Seminole Coconut Creek Casino.

Team sponsors and rosters are:

ALEGRIA
Juancito Bollini (+4)
Clemente Zavaleta (+7)
Tincho Merlos (+8)
Fred Mannix (+7)

AUDI
Marc Ganzi (+2)
Camilo Castagnola (+9)
Barto Castagnola (+9)
Paco de Narvaez (+6)

CATAMOUNT
Scott Devon (+1)
Polito Pieres (+10)
Toro Ruiz (+7)
Nacho Novillo Astrada (+8)

RICHARD MILLE
Santos Bollini (+2)
Grant Ganzi (+3)
Pablo MacDonough (+10)
Juan Martin Nero (+10)

NETJETS
Nacho Figueras (+6)
Tomacho Pieres (+6)
Pablo Spinacci (+6)
Sugar Erskine (+6)

SEMINOLE CASINO COCONUT CREEK
Melissa Ganzi (0)
Alejandro Novillo Astrada (+8)
Gonzalito Pieres(+10)
Juan Martin Zubia(+8)

WHITE BIRCH
Chris Brant
Mariano Aguerre
Santi Toccalino
TBA.

BROOKSHIRE POLO TEAM
Scott Wood
Rufino Bensadon(+8)
Nic Roldan(+8)
Pancho Bensadon (+7)

Pablo MacDonough and Juan Martin Nero

The successful 26-goal World Polo League was co-founded by Marc and Melissa Ganzi and has attracted a large international field of players from all corners of the world.

The world-class league will run through April 16. The World Polo League is about the preservation of the highest level of polo and its rich, hallowed tradition in the U.S. The WPL has its own set of simpler fan-friendly rules to improve the flow of the game and world-class umpires.

The All-Star Challenge opens the high goal season followed by the inaugural Tommy Hitchcock Legacy Memorial, Feb. 27; Founders Cup, Feb. 23-March 13; Palm Beach Open, March 9-27; Triple Crown of Polo, March 23-April 16 and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach, April 29-May 1.

Barto Castagnola

Grand Champions has also added Sunset Chukkers and Cocktails, presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek held Tuesday late afternoon on Field One for players and guests.

The high goal club tournaments feature the Sterling Cup, $100,000 World Cup and Santa Rita Abierto.

The 16-goal league play includes the Feb. 14-Mar. 5 Grand Champions Cup, Mar. 8-26 Power Horse Invitational and Mar. 29-Apr. 16 Pedro Morrison Memorial.

Camilo Castagnola

The 12-goal league is the Limited Edition 12-Goal Series currently underway, Feb. 15-Mar. 5 Sieber Memorial Trophy, Feb. 16-27 $50,000 National 12-Goal and Mar. 8-26 Top Pony 12-Goal.

After January‘s successful Aspen Valley Cup, the 8-goal tournament schedule continues with the Feb. 15-Mar. 5 Top Pony 8-Goal and Mar. 8-26 Limited Edition 8-Goal.

The 6-goal schedule features the Metropolitan Cup, also underway; Feb. 15-Mar. 5 Halo Polo Trophy and Mar. 8-26 Madelon Bourdieu Memorial.

There is also the Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League, co-founded by Melissa Ganzi and Alina Carta, for all ages and playing ability held Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Nic Roldan

Mariano Aguerre

The Polo School, now located at the former Pony Express facility owned by Melissa and Marc Ganzi, operates in Wellington January through May and September through November. For more information on the Fall Leagues or Polo School contact Director of Operations Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or General Manager Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Federico Lopez Claro

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 5, 2022—Three members of reigning Argentine Open champion La Natividad highlight the team rosters for the highly-anticipated World Polo League‘s fourth season at Grand Champions Polo Club.…

North America, Polo News

Limited Edition 12-Goal Series Begins Friday At Grand Champions Polo Club

31. January 2022

WELLINGTON, January 27, 2022—The Limited Edition 12-Goal Series gets underway Friday at Grand Champions Polo Club‘s fields at Jan Pamela and Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Five teams will compete in the three-week tournament.

A doubleheader is set for Friday‘s opener. At noon, Farmington Polo Club plays Dundas and Beverly Polo takes on Mayer Ranch at 4 p.m. The subsidiary game and championship finals are scheduled for Feb. 13.

The team lineups are:

Beverly Polo (+11)
Bill Ballhaus (0)
Wil Ballhaus (-1)
Tolito Ocampo (+7)
Hilario Figueras (+5)

Dundas (+12)
Cable Magness (0)
Roberto Zedda (+4)
Juan Cruz ‘Cacu’ Marcos (+3)
Geronimo Obregon (+5)

Farmington Polo Club (+12)
Heather Souto (+1)
Baldo Palomeque (+4)
Costi Caset (+5)
Alfredo Rodriguez (+2)

Mayer Ranch (+12)
Ken Mayer (0)
Matt Coppola (+5)
Juan Monteverde (+5)
Brenny Stenzel (+2)

Orea Polo (+12)
Petra Sobotova (-1)
Justin Daniels (+2)
Santi Torres (+7)
Carlitos Gracida (+4)

Gracida, the son of the late Hall of Famer and 10-goaler Carlos Gracida, is coming off a tournament victory at the Costa Careyes Polo Club in Mexico. Gracida and his La Karina teammates won the Jan. 2 USPA Border Circuit Congressional Cup with teammates Benito Hernandez, Patrick Boyd and Brian Boyd. Gracida was named MVP.

Carlitos Gracida

In last year‘s Limited Edition 12-Goal Series final, Dundas I (Sarah Siegel Magness, Hugo Taylor, Mariano Fassetta, Roberto Zedda) defeated Dundas II (Cable Magness, Juan Cruz Marcos, Geronimo Obregon, Juan Martin Obregon), 11-9. Zedda was Most Valuable Player.

The 26-goal World Polo League, co-founded by Marc and Melissa Ganzi, returns for a fourth season. The All-Star Challenge opens the high goal season Feb. 8-26 followed by the Tommy Hitchcock Legacy Memorial, Feb. 27; Founders Cup, Feb. 23-March 13; Palm Beach Open, March 9-27; Triple Crown of Polo, March 23-April 16 and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach, April 29-May 1.

The high goal club tournaments feature the Feb. 2-12 Sterling Cup, Feb. 9-26 $100,000 World Cup and Mar. 1-13 Santa Rita Abierto.

The 16-goal league play includes the Feb. 14-Mar. 5 Grand Champions Cup, Mar. 8-26 Power Horse Invitational and Mar. 29-Apr. 16 Pedro Morrison Memorial.

The 12-goal league will be the Jan. 25-Feb. 12 Limited Edition 12-Goal Series, Feb. 15-Mar. 5 Sieber Memorial Trophy, Feb. 16-27 $50,000 National 12-Goal and Mar. 8-26 Top Pony 12-Goal.

In addition to the Aspen Valley Cup, the 8-goal tournament lineup is the Feb. 15-Mar. 5 Top Pony 8-Goal and Mar. 8-26 Limited Edition 8-Goal.

The 6-goal schedule features the Jan. 25-Feb. 12 Metropolitan Cup, Feb. 15-Mar. 5 Halo Polo Trophy and Mar. 8-26 Madelon Bourdieu Memorial.

Roberto Zedda

There is also the Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League, co-founded by Melissa Ganzi and Alina Carta, for all ages and playing ability held Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Grand Champions has added Sunset Chukkers and Cocktails, presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek held Tuesday late afternoon on Field One for players and guests.

By Sharon Robb
© Grand Champions Polo Club

Limited Edition 12 Goal Series 2022 Schedule

Friday 1/28
12 p.m. Farmington Polo Club vs Dundas at Jan Pamela 3
4 p.m. Mayer Ranch vs Beverly Polo at Santa Rita

Tuesday 2/1
12 p.m. Orea vs Dundas
4 p.m. Mayer Ranch vs Farmington Polo Club

Friday 2/4
12 p.m. Mayer Ranch vs Dundas
4 p.m. Orea Polo vs Beverly Polo

Tuesday 2/8
12 p.m. Farmington Polo Club vs Orea Polo
4 p.m. Dundas vs Beverly Polo

Friday 2/11
12 p.m. Mayer Ranch vs Orea Polo
4 p.m. Farmington Polo Club vs Beverly Polo

Sunday 2/13
Limited Edition 12 Goal Series Final

WELLINGTON, January 27, 2022—The Limited Edition 12-Goal Series gets underway Friday at Grand Champions Polo Club‘s fields at Jan Pamela and Santa Rita Polo Farm. Five teams will compete in…

North America, Polo News

Stage Hill Wins Polo School Grand Champions Women’s League Season-Opener At Santa Rita

17. January 2022

WELLINGTON, January 13, 2022—Stage Hill opened the Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League season in style Wednesday at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Stage Hill (Hope Arellano, 8, Rileigh Tibbottt, 1, Josephine Gianicco, 2, Alyson Poor, 4, Ava Nunez, 1) defeated CrossFit El Cid (Malicia von Falkenhausen, 2, Ava Hinkson, 1, Pam Flanagan, 4, Cecilia Cochran, 5, Cecily Coors, 0), 9-5, in a hardfought game.

With ten players on two teams, players of all ages and playing ability were able to sub in and out of the five-chukker game.

The Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League kicked off its sixth year with a competitive game.

„It was great,“ said league co-founder Alina Carta. „Everybody just had a ball. The field was amazing. I think all the girls had a great time. The game was competitive. Everyone was moving.“

The chase is on with Ava Nunez of Stage Hill leading the way.

The game was close for the first two chukkers with CrossFit El Cid leading 2-1 after the opening chukker. Poor converted two 30-yard penalties in the second chukker to enable Stage Hill to tie the game at 3-3.

Arellano scored two goals and Poor added one to enable Stage Hill to outscore CrossFit El Cid, 3-0, to pull away for a 6-3 lead after three chukkers. Stage Hill never trailed after that.

Arellano and Poor shared game-high scoring honors, each with four goals, for Stage Hill. Cochran led scoring for CrossFit El Cid with two goals.

Alyson Poor of Stage Hill races downfield for the ball.

„It was fun,“ Poor said. „I really enjoy playing in the women‘s league. The teams are constantly changing so you get to play with all different players.

„It gives us the opportunity to play,“ Poor said. „Not a lot of us can afford to go out and play in the mixed tournaments. Melissa makes it affordable for us so we can come out and play on a nice field and play with the other women and just have a really good time.“

Cecilia Cochran of CrossFit El Cid defends Ava Nunez.

Poor said the women‘s league „is pretty crucial“ for the growth of women‘s polo.

„We get to go out and play in some tournaments here and there, but we don‘t necessarily have a place where we all can all practice and play together. Women‘s polo is so different from mixed in a sense. This gives us the opportunity to practice every position and we all take turns taking penalties and knock-ins. You get to play every aspect of every position if you want to. It really improves your game a lot. Having this once a week is amazing.“

Pamela Flanagan of CrossFit El Cid works the near side in a crowd.

Poor, who has been sponsored in past years, hopes to pick up a sponsor to enable her to play the entire league season. She was one of four players awarded a grant from the Polo School to play for one month in the league.

Poor, 32, a veteran of more than 20 years of playing polo, was a member of the first-ever winning team of the Women‘s East Coast Open along with Cindy Halle, Dawn Jones and Anna Winslow.

Arellano, 18, was coming off her first Argentine season. She was third in the Women‘s Argentine Open with La Irenita Polo and competed in the first Women‘s Copa de las Naciones.

Josephine Giannico of Stage Hill is closely defended by Cecilia Cochran.

The women‘s league is for all levels of playing ability and will be held every Wednesday at 10 a.m. through April.

Lucas Arellano is not only a supportive big brother but spare holder for Hope Arellano.

All team entry fees benefit The Polo School, a stand-alone USPA-sanctioned club. The Polo School offers lessons to men, women and children of all ages and ability levels and offers scholarships.

The league, along with the March 30-April 3 WCT Finals at Grand Champions, honors Sunny Hale, the all-time greatest women‘s polo player and Hall of Famer.

Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest polo club coming off its most successful fall season, hopes to build off that success when it hosts 23 tournaments from January through April.

Alyson Poor of Stage Hill battles for the ball.

The 26-goal World Polo League, co-founded by Marc and Melissa Ganzi, returns for a fourth season. The All-Star Challenge opens the high goal season Feb. 4-20 followed by the Tommy Hitchcock Legacy Memorial, Feb. 16-27; Founders Cup, Feb. 23-March 13; Palm Beach Open, March 9-27; Triple Crown of Polo, March 23-April 16 and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach, April 22-24.

The high goal club tournaments will feature the Sterling Cup, $100,000 World Cup and Santa Rita Abierto.

Hope Arellano of Stage Hill working the ball downfield.

The 16-goal league play includes the Grand Champions Cup, Feb. 14-March 5; Power Horse Invitational, March 8-26; and Pedro Morrison Memorial, March 29-April 16.

The 12-goal league schedule is the Limited Edition 12-Goal Series, Jan. 25-Feb. 12; Sieber Memorial Trophy, Feb. 15-March 5; $50,000 National 12-Goal, Feb. 16-27; and Top Pony 12-Goal, March 8-26.

The 8-goal tournament lineup is the Aspen Valley Cup, Jan. 18-30; Top Pony 8-Goal, Feb. 15-March 5; and Limited Edition 8-Goal, March 8-26.

The 6-goal schedule features the Metropolitan Cup, Jan. 25-Feb. 12; Halo Polo Trophy, Feb. 15-March 5; and Madelon Bourdieu Memorial, March 8-26.

Alyson Poor of Stage Hill works the ball with Pamela Flanagan defending.

Grand Champions has also added Sunset Chukkers and Cocktails, presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and held Tuesday late afternoon on Field One for players and guests.

Hope Arellano of Stage Hill hits a near side shot past defender.

The horses are getting ready for the Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League season-opener.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

WELLINGTON, January 13, 2022—Stage Hill opened the Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League season in style Wednesday at Santa Rita Polo Farm. Stage Hill (Hope Arellano, 8, Rileigh Tibbottt, 1,…

North America, Polo News

Polo School Grand Champions Women’s League Kicks Off Big Winter Season At Grand Champions And Santa Rita

13. January 2022

WELLINGTON, January 11, 2022—Women‘s polo takes center stage Wednesday at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

The Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League begins its sixth year to kick off a busy winter season at Grand Champions Polo Club and Santa Rita. Game time is 10 a.m.

Ten players will compete including Hope Arellano, Cecelia Cochran, Pamela Flanagan, Alyson Poor and Malicia von Falkenhausen.

The women‘s league attracts all levels of playing ability and will be held every Wednesday through April.

Alina Carta

The only full-time weekly women‘s polo league in the world was created by Alina Carta, a polo pioneer and one of the highest ranked women in the U.S. in the 1980s, and Melissa Ganzi, Grand Champions Polo Club President, World Polo League co-founder and avid player. Ganzi is the first woman in history to win the prestigious 35th Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz and returns to Switzerland to compete Jan. 28-30.

„I‘m always excited when we start,“ Carta said. „It has grown. The girls really look forward to it. We have every player from beginners to great players, a nice mix of players. It‘s going to be fantastic.“

All team entry fees benefit The Polo School, a stand-alone USPA-sanctioned club. The Polo School offers lessons to men, women and children of all ages and ability levels and offers scholarships.

The league, along with the March 30-April 3 WCT Finals at Grand Champions, honors Sunny Hale, the all-time greatest women‘s polo player and Hall of Famer. The part-time Wellington resident died February 26, 2017 in Norman, Okla. due to complications from cancer at age 48.

Cecelia Cochran

Hale is one of the sport‘s pioneers and first woman in polo history to win the 26-goal U.S. Open in an era when the sport was male-dominated.

Many of the players have competed in qualifiers for the Women‘s Championship Tournament (WCT), the largest women‘s league in the world which Hale founded to help open the door and break down barriers for girls and women.

Female polo players account for 40 percent of players in polo today and continue to be the fastest growing demographic in the sport. Hale has been credited for the growth. She laid the foundation, did the work, gave women opportunities in the sport and is the reason the sport has become so popular among women. Her legacy remains alive through today‘s generation of women players like Arellano, the top American player.

Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest polo club coming off its most successful fall season, hopes to build off that success when it hosts 23 tournaments from January through April.

The high goal club tournaments will feature the Sterling Cup, Jan. 18-30; $100,000 World Cup, Jan. 28-Feb. 12 and Santa Rita Abierto, March 1-13.

The 16-goal league play includes the Grand Champions Cup, Feb. 14-March 5; Power Horse Invitational, March 8-26; and Pedro Morrison Memorial, March 29-April 16.

The 12-goal league schedule is the Limited Edition 12-Goal Series, Jan. 25-Feb. 12; Sieber Memorial Trophy, Feb. 15-March 5; $50,000 National 12-Goal, Feb. 16-27; and Top Pony 12-Goal, March 8-26.

The 8-goal tournament lineup is the Aspen Valley Cup, Jan. 14-30; Top Pony 8-Goal, Feb. 15-March 5; and Limited Edition 8-Goal, March 8-26.

The 6-goal schedule features the Metropolitan Cup, Jan. 25-Feb. 12; Halo Polo Trophy, Feb. 15-March 5; and Madelon Bourdieu Memorial, March 8-26.

Grand Champions has also added Sunset Chukkers and Cocktails, presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and held Tuesday late afternoon on Field One for players and guests.

Pamela Flanagan

The club 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.

By Sharon Robb
File Photos

GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB

WELLINGTON, January 11, 2022—Women‘s polo takes center stage Wednesday at Santa Rita Polo Farm. The Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League begins its sixth year to kick off a busy…

North America, Polo News

USPA North American Cup Begins Friday At Grand Champions Polo Club

18. November 2021

WELLINGTON, Fla., November 11, 2021—The highly-anticipated high goal season gets under way Friday with the USPA North American Cup at Grand Champions Polo Club.

The single-elimination, four-team tournament opens with two semifinal games at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Casablanca plays Newport in the morning game on Field One and Audi meets Seminole Casino Coconut Creek in the afternoon game at 3:30 p.m. on Field Two.

The winners advance Sunday into the championship game on Field 2. The losers will compete in a subsidiary final on Field 1. Start times are to be determined.

The North American Cup is the club‘s first of two 20-goal tournaments of the fall season with a rich tradition in history dating back to 1974. The second high goal tournament is the Nov. 16-21 USPA National 20 Goal.

The tournament has been a mainstay in American and Canadian polo for decades at the 16- to 20-goal level. The inaugural winner was Tulsa with Hall of Famers John T. Oxley and Billy Linfoot, Corky Linfoot and Jim MacGinley.

Nic Roldan

During the late 1990s and early 2000s Calgary Polo Club hosted the tournament with Millarville dominating the competition. The tournament has been held at Grand Champions since 2011 and in 2019 made its debut at Aspen Valley Polo Club before returning to Grand Champions last year.

Team rosters are:

Audi (19)
Marc Ganzi, 2
Nic Roldan, 8
Juancito Bollini 4
Luis Escobar, 5

Casablanca (20)
Grant Ganzi, 3
Kris Kampsen, 6
Jeff Hall, 6
Tommy Biddle, 5

Newport (19)
Gene Goldstein, 1
Sugar Erskine, 6
Agustin Obregon, 6
Pablo Spinacci, 6

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (18)
Melissa Ganzi, 0
Jason Crowder, 6
Santi Toccalino, 8
Juan Bollini, 4

In 2018 in a wild finish, Travieso rallied in the second half to win the coveted North American Cup. Trailing by five goals at halftime, Travieso (Tony Calle, Grant Ganzi, Juan Cruz Merlos, Pite Merlos) staged an incredible comeback for a stunning 14-13 overtime victory over Audi (Wes Finlayson, Brandon Phillips, Pablo Spinacci, Marc Ganzi) in one of the most exciting finishes in North American Cup history.

Santi Toccaliono

In 2019, Aspen-based La Karina (Brian Boyd, Carlitos Gracida, Sebastian Merlos, Kris Kampsen) led from start-to-finish to defeat McClure River Ranch (Hilario Figueras, 3, Pablo Spinacci, 6, Nic Roldan, Stewart Armstrong) with a stunning 15-12 victory to win its‘ 20-goal tournament debut at Aspen Valley Polo Club. It was the first USPA 20-goal tournament ever played in the Rocky Mountains.

In 2020, Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Henry Porter, Juancito Bollini, Nic Roldan)defeated Newport (Gene Goldstein, Sugar Erskine, Michel Dorignac, Juan Bollini), 14-9, at Grand Champions.

The highlight of the fall season is the Nov. 27 doubleheader with the Carlos Gracida Memorial Legends of Polo and 10th annual International Cup. Sponsorship packages are available.

Kris Kampsen

Santa Rita Polo Farm has hosted four of five medium goal tournaments. Seminole Casino Coconut Creek won the season-opening Fall Classic; La Indiana won the Tackeria Invitational; Zahedi Chogan won the Fall Plates and Audi won the John T. Oxley Memorial Tournament.

Tommy Biddle

During the winter season, Grand Champions and Santa Rita will host 23 tournaments from Jan. 15 to April 15.

The Polo School, a 501c3 organization and stand-alone USPA club, is dedicated to teaching polo to all ages, particularly grass roots youth. Its‘ mission is to provide individuals opportunities in polo at every economic and ability level. Scholarships are available. The Polo School operates in Wellington January through May and September through November. For more information on the Fall Leagues or Polo School contact Director of Operations Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099.

The entire fall season is being live-streamed on Wellington-based ChukkerTV, leaders in polo broadcasting with cutting-edge technology including 4K TV currently making its‘ debut. ChukkerTV also features team challenges and instant replay which made their debut at Grand Champions in January, 2014.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

Grand Champions Polo Club 2021 USPA North American Cup Schedule

Friday 11/12
10:30 a.m. Casablanca vs Newport GCPC Field 1
3:30 p.m. Audi vs Seminole Casino Coconut Creek GCPC Field 2

Sunday 11/14
Subsidiary Final GCPC Field 1
USPA North American Cup Final GCPC Field 2
Times TBD

WELLINGTON, Fla., November 11, 2021—The highly-anticipated high goal season gets under way Friday with the USPA North American Cup at Grand Champions Polo Club. The single-elimination, four-team tournament opens with…

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Bauti Peluso and Santos Bollini.

Santi Llavallol.

Juan Bollini and Santos Bollini.

Steve Cox and Hayley Schaufeld.

MVP Santos Bollini and Cuki Bollini.

Best Playing Pony Rayo Careta played by Miki Novillo Astrada.

By Sharon Robb Photos by Candace Ferreira

Lerin Zubiaurre, Jeta Castagnola, and Barto Castagnola.

Jeta Castagnola, Marc Ganzi, Chris Brant, and Mariano Aguerre.

Chris Brant and Jeta Castagnola.

Santi Toccalino and Paco de Narvaez.

Barto Castagnola and Jeta Castagnola.

Mariano Aguerre and Paco de Narvaez.

Fans packed the sidelines for the exciting WPL final.

MVP Jeta Castagnola.

Cria Polo Argentino Best Playing Pony Machitos Luis Maria played by Mariano Aguerre.

World Polo League Best Playing Pony Amiga, played by Jeta Castagnola.

By Sharon Robb Photos by Candace Ferreira

Ava Hinkson and Marisa Bianchi.

Pamela Flanagan and Ava Nunez.

Heather Soto.

Ava Nunez and Ari Dogani.

Pamela Flanagan and Ava Hinkson.

Valentina Tarazona and Ari Dogani.

Valentina Tarazona and Ari Dogani.

Heather Soto and Best Playing Pony Foxy.

By Sharon Robb Photos by Candace Ferreira

Teams Tackeria, Red Barn, and Grand Champions.

MVP Paquito de Narvaez and Pablo MacDonough.

Teams GJ Racing, Aspen Valley Polo Club, and Power Group Total Care.

MVP Milo MacDonough and Polito Pieres.

Teams Santa Rita and Alex Photo.

MVP Antonio Villamil.

Teams Huskies, Grand Champions, and Wahoos.

Sportsmanship Award recipient Lorenzo Nero and Pablo MacDonough.

Teams Tackeria, Cavaliers, and The Morning Line.

Inda Pieres receiving Best Playing Pony award for Minla Sobre from Mariano Aguerre.

Teams Alex Photo and ChukkerTV.

Carmen Aguerre receiving her Sportsmanship Award trophy.

Walking Class teams ChukkerTV, Polo School, and Red Barn.

MVP Izzy Novillo Astrada with Juan Martin Nero.

Lead-line teams GJ Racing and Mayer Ranch.

Felix Pieres receiving the Matt Cohen Unsung Hero Award from Melinda Cohen.

Players and their families enjoyed an Asado after the day‘s festivities.

By Sharon Robb Photos by Candace Ferreira

Juan Martin Nero and Jeta Castagnola.

Marc Ganzi and Grant Ganzi.

Grant Ganzi, Juan Martin Nero, and Jeta Castagnola.

Barto Castagnola.

Pablo MacDonough.

Paco de Narvaez, Santos Bollini, and Pablo MacDonough.

Coco Cabana VIP tent and World Polo League Stadium.

By Sharon Robb Photos by Candace Ferreira

Polito Pieres

Pablo MacDonough and Juan Martin Nero

Barto Castagnola

Camilo Castagnola

Nic Roldan

Mariano Aguerre

By Sharon Robb Photos by Federico Lopez Claro

Carlitos Gracida

Roberto Zedda

By Sharon Robb © Grand Champions Polo Club

The chase is on with Ava Nunez of Stage Hill leading the way.

Alyson Poor of Stage Hill races downfield for the ball.

Cecilia Cochran of CrossFit El Cid defends Ava Nunez.

Pamela Flanagan of CrossFit El Cid works the near side in a crowd.

Josephine Giannico of Stage Hill is closely defended by Cecilia Cochran.

Lucas Arellano is not only a supportive big brother but spare holder for Hope Arellano.

Alyson Poor of Stage Hill battles for the ball.

Hope Arellano of Stage Hill working the ball downfield.

Alyson Poor of Stage Hill works the ball with Pamela Flanagan defending.

Hope Arellano of Stage Hill hits a near side shot past defender.

The horses are getting ready for the Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League season-opener.

By Sharon Robb Photos by Candace Ferreira

Alina Carta

Cecelia Cochran

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Federico Lopez Claro

By Sharon Robb
© Grand Champions Polo Club

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

By Sharon Robb
File Photos

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira