Melissa Ganzi

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Saudia Captures Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo Tournament; Melissa Ganzi Named Top Female Player

22. January 2024

AlUlA, Saudi Arabia, January 21, 2024: In a picturesque setting, Saudia won the highly-anticipated championship final of the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo Tournament Saturday at Al-Fursan Equestrian Village.

Saudia (Melissa Ganzi, Sayyu Dantata, Adolfo Cambiaso) defeated Richard Mille (Yoanna Hanbury, David Paradice, Pablo MacDonough), 9-5, in front of a packed house of dignitaries, celebrities and fans.

Following their victory, Saudia celebrated with the prestigious Desert Polo trophy presented to them by Abeer Al Akel, Acting CEO, Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and Amr Zidan, Chairman, Saudi Polo Federation (SPF).

Ganzi, who made history in 2022 as the first international woman to compete in the tournament, became the first woman to win the prestigious tournament. She was also named Top Female Player. „Being the first woman to play here in 2022 was special but it was even more special to be the first woman to win.

„It was amazing to play with Adolfo. It was special. He is such a great teammate as is Sayyu Dantata. This was an incredible magical spectacular tournament. I was honored to be invited to play.“

In addition to Ganzi‘s honor, other post-final awards were Dantata (Men’s Best Player) and Cambiaso (Top Scorer). There were also awards for Pablo MacDonough (Best Goal), HRH Prince Hamza bin Abbas (Most Promising Player) and Yohanna Hanbury (Sportsmanship). The Best Playing Pony awards went to Dolfina Absoleta and Dolfina Shayla.

In the opening round, Saudia defeated SAB, 8-5 and in the semifinals, Dadan 8-4.

Ganzi‘s husband Marc surprised his wife flying in for the final.

„It‘s a great moment for her, she works really hard at not only being a polo player, but being an ambassador for the sport on a global basis,“ Ganzi said. „She has introduced so many people to polo and making it accessible to women and children. So for her this is her passion. When someone‘s passion is executed it‘s a beautiful thing to see. So I‘m real happy for her.“

The third edition of the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo, the one-of-its-kind organized polo tournament played in a desert, featured a star-studded lineup. Eight teams, double the number from 2022, featured some of the world‘s top players including the 26-goal World Polo League‘s Pablo MacDonough and Juan Martin Nero, was held in a purpose-built desert arena in the Equestrian Village.

The eight teams, featuring a record 24 players from 12 countries, were AlUla, Richard Mille, Saudia, SAB, Bentley, Dadan, Kaybar and Tayma. AlUla finished third and Tayma was fourth.

Top women‘s players Nina Clarkin of Great Britain and Lia Salvo of Argentina gave a ladies polo clinic to promote polo for women in Saudi Arabia. In 2022, Ganzi was the only woman playing in the tournament. This year there were seven.

The four-day desert tournament was a collaboration between the Saudi Polo Federation, Royal Commission for AlUla, title sponsor and tournament timekeeper Richard Mille and La Dolfina Polo Team. The tournament is a part of the commission’s commitment to promote the country’s heritage, culture and arts in addition to its equestrian commitment to reinforce Saudi Arabia‘s historic ties to its horsemanship heritage. The tournament was also held in 2020 and 2022.

„We are incredibly proud to have hosted the third edition of Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo, it was a brilliant occasion for everyone connected,“ said Ziad AlSuhaibani, Chief Sports Officer, Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU). „The on-field competition was magnificent and players, visitors, and media alike really enjoyed a unique experience, one exclusive to AlUla that can’t be found elsewhere on the international polo circuit.

„We are working towards Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo being a world-class competition that people travel to from all over the world. It’s true that we’re in the early stages of this endeavor. However, we’ve reached our development targets to date.

„Improvements were made to the competition, arena, and entire set-up this time around, and we have big ambitions for the future. We are committed to bringing more of the best players and teams to compete while increasing interest, attendance, media coverage and international exposure. We are growing the sport in AlUla and this competition is central to our efforts and progress.“

Throughout the tournament, luxury hospitality and live entertainment with local musicians honored Arabian culture and heritage for the complete desert polo experience.

Faisal Bin Dowees, CEO of SPF, said the strong audience attendance was instrumental to the tournament’s success, pointing out the local community’s enduring relationship with equestrian sports dating back thousands of years.

„Polo has remained firmly embedded in the hearts and minds of the Saudi population,“ he said. „Interest in the sport is as high as ever and we are looking forward to presenting more opportunities four our people to participate and compete in the near future.“

In 2022 AlUla won. AlUla (HRH Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Salman, Mohammed Al Habtoor, Adolfo Cambiaso) rallied from a three-goal deficit to defeat Richard Mille (Noor Abu Khadra, Melissa Ganzi, Pablo MacDonough), 5-4.

Ganzi will finish her overseas competition at the Jan. 26-28 39th Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz along with her son Grant and husband Marc. Melissa Ganzi will play with Adrian Laplacette Jr., Alejandro Novillo Astrada and her son on Team World Polo League. Marc Ganzi will play with Santos Bollini, Martin Jauregui and Freddie Mannix on Team Flexjet. Ganzi finished runner-up with her Bentley teammates Martin Jauregui and Alejandro Novillo Astrada in the 21st Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbuehel in Austria earlier this month.

During the winter polo season, Grand Champions Polo Club, the nation‘s largest and most innovative USPA-sanctioned polo club nestled in the heart of the world‘s winter equestrian capital, hosts a wide range of tournaments: 6, 8, 12, 20, and 26-goal leagues, GCPC Polo School Women‘s Weekly Polo League, WCT Finals, several PTF junior tournaments, World Polo League, World Polo League Pride and Sunset Chukkers & Cocktails at both Grand Champions and Santa Rita.

The season‘s biggest highlight is the sixth season of the World Polo League, the only 26-goal polo played outside of Argentina, featuring some of the world‘s top players including 10-goalers Pablo MacDonough, Jeta Castagnola and Juan Martin Nero, former 10-goaler Gonzalito Pieres, Alejandro Novillo Astrada and hometown favorite Nic Roldan, the second highest ranked American player at 8 goals. The WPL filled the void created when the U.S. Polo Association, the sport‘s governing body, announced it was lowering high goal polo to 18-22 goals and would not have 26-goal polo.

Other high goal season highlights are the Feb. 1-11 Sterling Cup (20 goals), Feb. 1-March 31 USPA Butler Handicap (18-22 goals), Feb. 7-24 $100,000 World Cup (0-40 goals) and Feb. 27-March 10 Santa Rita Abierto (20 goals).

Other January tournaments are the Metropolitan 6 Goal Cup, Aspen Valley 8-Goal and Limited Edition 12-Goal Series. The GCPC Women‘s Weekly Women‘s Polo League also gets under way Jan. 24 and runs through April. It is the longest running women‘s league in the world.

Grand Champions and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique private 102-acre polo facility in Wellington with 212 stalls in nine self-contained barns, two tracks, five climate-controlled tack rooms, vet room, staff quarters, guest house and four polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation and short work arena. The club has 11 well-manicured world-class fields at GCPC and Santa Rita.

The winter season will be live-streamed on Wellington-based CTV Sports. Grand Champions is the only USPA club live streaming all of its tournaments.

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 Polo School, now located at the former Pony Express facility, operates in Wellington January through May and September through November. The stand-alone USPA-sanctioned polo club is dedicated to teaching polo to all ages, particularly grass roots youth. Its mission is to provide individuals opportunities in polo at every economic and ability level. The Polo School has nurtured several junior, men and women polo players now playing in the pro and amateur ranks since its inception.

For more information on leagues or Polo School contact Director of Operations Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Alexander Sherwin and Saudi Polo Federation

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GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB rounds out the 2023 POLO RIDER CUP

24. March 2023

Grand Champions Polo Club (USA) is the last team to round out the 2023 POLO RIDER CUP and is joining Araucaria Polo Club (ARG), Rincón Polo José Ignacio (URU), Polo Club Mühlen (GER), Polo Schockemöhle (GER), Evviva Polo St. Moritz (SUI), Golden Greens Polo Club (IND), Polo Club Saint-Tropez (FRA), Amadeus Polo Club (ARG), Coronel Suárez Polo Club (ARG), Acquedotto Romano Polo Club (ITA) and Roma Polo Club (ITA) for the third edition that will be held from 14 to 24 June 2023 at the Polo Club Saint-Tropez – Haras de Gassin.

Grand Champions Polo Club will be taking part in the tournament for the first time with the following players:

Melissa Ganzi, Grand Champions Polo Club President, comments: “Grand Champions Polo Club is honored to be invited to participate in the prestigious POLO RIDER CUP 2023 and to be one of the twelve top clubs coming from around the world to compete in the „Club‘s World Cup“ of polo. As the largest polo club in the United States based in Wellington, Fla., we are very proud of what we have accomplished in our 16-year history. We host 6, 8, 12, 20 and 26-goal leagues, WCT finals, Kids Polo, Wheely Polo, Polo School Ladies League weekly games, The Polo School, Polo On Demand program and World Polo League, now in its fifth year and the only 26-goal polo played outside of Argentina.’’

Olivier Godallier, President & Founder of GAME POLO, comments: “It is a great honor and fantastic sporting news to welcome Grand Champions Polo Club to the POLO RIDER CUP. Grand Champions Polo Club, established in 2007 in Wellington, Florida, is a very important organization, well known internationally, with a fantastic location that offers the world polo community an outstanding Polo Club. Their main asset is American 8-goal player Nic Roldan. With the Ganzi family line-up, Melissa and Marc Ganzi and their son Grant, we wish them an excellent tournament for their POLO RIDER CUP debut.”

Grand Champions Polo Club (USA) is the last team to round out the 2023 POLO RIDER CUP and is joining Araucaria Polo Club (ARG), Rincón Polo José Ignacio (URU), Polo…

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World Polo League: Grand Champions capture Founders Cup

4. March 2019

In one of polo’s biggest upsets, Grand Champions knocked off Valiente, 12-11, in overtime to win the World Polo League Founders Cup Sunday at Valiente Polo Farm. – By Sharon Robb

In front of an overflow crowd, Argentine 10-goaler Juan Martin Nero scored the winning goal in the first two minutes of overtime to upset previously unbeaten Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz, 2, Agustin Nero, 6, Santi Torres, 6, Adolfo Cambiaso, 10).Playing together for the first time in the WPL’s second tournament of the season, Grand Champions finished the eight-team, 26-goal tournament undefeated at 4-0. Nero and teammates Rodrigo Andrade, 9, Grant Ganzi, 3, and Juancito Bollini, 4, earned $60,000 in prize money.

“I don’t know what happened, they say that we won,” joked Nero, named the Tournament Most Valuable Player. Nero also earned the Catena Watch Play of the Day for his game-winner. Andrade was selected Tato’s Game MVP. “I saw Grant was with Adolfito, I was open and went for it. I said to myself ‘I can’t miss this goal.’ I was completely alone. I was lucky to get it. This is huge for us. This is the first tournament we played together and we won. The game was really, good, it was open. We had a lot of fun.”

The stunning victory marked a successful 26-goal final debut of longtime friends and teammates Grant Ganzi, 20, and Juancito Bollini, 22. “I am at a loss for words, I can’t describe it, this is insane,” Ganzi said. “This is a huge upset. The last time Adolfo lost at this level other than last year’s U.S. Open final was a long time ago. It’s tough to beat these guys. Congrats to them, they have been playing unbelievable polo.

About World Polo League:

Co-founded by Grand Champions owners Melissa and Marc Ganzi and Valiente Polo Farm owner Bob Jornayvaz, the World Polo League is the only 26-goal polo in the world outside of Argentina. The WPL is preserving the highest level of polo and its rich, hallowed tradition in the U.S. The WPL has its own set of simpler fan-friendly rules to improve the flow and action of the game.

The WPL, with 14 tournament-quality fields to play on, includes the Feb. 19-March 3 Founders Cup, March 6-24 Palm Beach Open which gets under way on Wednesday with two games including the debut of SD Farms, and March 27-April 14 Triple Crown of Polo.

The World Polo League is open to other teams that wish to compete in one or more of the tournaments. Games are offered on the flat (Open) and on Handicap. The World Polo League has attracted a large international field of players from all corners of the world including Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Nigeria, Uruguay and U.S.

www.gcpolo.com

In one of polo’s biggest upsets, Grand Champions knocked off Valiente, 12-11, in overtime to win the World Polo League Founders Cup Sunday at Valiente Polo Farm. – By Sharon Robb…

North America, Polo News

St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship

6. December 2018

A Who’s Who in polo will compete in the much-anticipated Dec. 17-22 St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship. Argentine 10-goalers Pablo MacDonough and Gonzalito Pieres and 8-goalers Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Nic Roldan head a star-studded field for three days of exciting polo action at Aspen Valley Polo Club and Rio Grande Park.

MacDonough, currently competing in the Argentine Open with favorite La Dolfina, will make his Aspen snow polo debut with the Richard Mille Polo Team. Mille is the official timekeeper for the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship. Mille created the RM 53-01 Tourbillon Pablo MacDonough for its Brand Ambassador.

Pieres, also competing in the Argentine Open with Ellerstina and brothers Facundo and Nico Pieres and cousin Polito Pieres, has played every major tournament in the world several times including the Argentine Open, British Open and U.S. Open. He was a member of the 2009 U.S. Open team with his brothers and Marc Ganzi.

Alejandro Novillo Astrada is a fourth generation player. He teamed with Melissa Ganzi and Juan Bollini to win back-to-back United States Arena Handicap tournament titles in 2017 and 2018 and was tournament MVP in 2017. He was MVP at the 2018 Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup Kitzbuhel which his team won. He was also a member of the 2016 Flexjet team that won the St. Regis Snow World Polo title. Roldan is coming off the fall season in Argentina where he played for La Albertina Abu Dhabi. He is the youngest player ever to win the U.S. Open at age 15 in 1998 with Escue. The third generation polo player is one of America’s top players and has competed in most of the sport’s U.S. and international polo tournaments.

Last year’s champion U.S. Polo Assn. with Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini and Nic Roldan will return to defend its title. Ganzi is a member of Team USPA and Bollini is a Brand Ambassador for U.S. Polo Assn. and newly-minted U.S. citizen. It will be Bollini’s first tournament as an American citizen. In addition to being the title sponsor, St. Regis will return as a team sponsor with team captain Nacho Figueras, the sport’s ambassador and face of Ralph Lauren playing with his son Hilario and Julio Gracida, son of Hall of Famer and former 10-goaler Memo Gracida.

In the U.S., snow polo is held exclusively in Aspen. With the breathtaking 12,965-foot summit of Mount Sopris as a backdrop, Aspen Valley Polo Club is one of the busiest and fastest growing USPA-sanctioned clubs in the nation with a membership increase of 75 percent over five seasons. Since Marc and Melissa Ganzi founded the club in 2014, polo has increased in popularity in Aspen and surrounding cities with the club’s offerings of various weekly grass and arena tournaments, Gladiator Tuesdays and Asado, Kids Polo, The Polo School and Polo On Demand. All ages are welcome to enjoy polo at Aspen Valley Polo Club. Admission, food and refreshments are free for fans in a relaxed, laidback atmosphere.

By Sharon Robb

www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com

Teams St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship, Aspen:

Richard Mille
Marc Ganzi, Martin Pepa, Pablo MacDonough.

Flexjet

Melissa Ganzi, Juan Bollini, Alejandro Novillo Astrada.

St. Regis

Hilario Figueras, Julio Gracida, Nacho Figueras.

U.S. Polo Assn.
Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nic Roldan.

Aspen Valley Polo Club
Sarah Magness, Jason Crowder, Jesse Bray.

Blade & Bow
Brian Boyd, Carlitos Gracida, Gonzalito Pieres.

North America, Polo News

Casablanca captured the fall season-opening Tackeria Invitational

15. October 2018

Casablanca captured the fall season-opening Tackeria Invitational Sunday at Grand Champions Polo Club, but it wasn’t easy.

In front of a good crowd on an unseasonably hot day, Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Julio Gracida, Mariano Gracida) won a hardfought 10-9 overtime decison over Flexjet (Santos Bollini, Lucas Escobar, Kris Kampsen, Juan Bollini).

Flexjet controlled most of the game until the sixth chukker when the game was tied twice, 8-8 and 9-9, before Mariano Gracida scored the winning goal in a crowd of players around the goal mouth to clinch the victory.

Gracida, the youngest son of Hall of Famer and former 10-goaler Carlos Gracida, was named Most Valuable Player. He scored four goals including one in the sixth chukker to tie the game and game-winner in overtime. The game-winner materialized when Gracida hit a good knock-in to Bollini who hit to Ganzi. All four players pushed toward the goal mouth and Gracida came up with the ball and goal.

“I knew I had the line and no one could go for it so I just got there quick, took my time and tapped it in,” Mariano Gracida said. “It feels great to win. I was just worried about playing well. I know it’s the first week and everyone is going at their own pace. It’s always good to win the first tournament of the season. “Today was the hottest day for both the horses and players,” Gracida said. “I think we had a lot of confidence off our first game which took away from our second game. I think today we started off with too much confidence. We weren’t playing as a team in the first half. At halftime we decided to be calmer when hitting the ball and let them make the mistakes. We played our positions a little bit more, took our time and relied on each other.”

Cupid, a 6-year-old gelding owned and played by Julio Gracida, was selected Best Playing Pony for the second time this year. In April, Cupid was Best Playing Pony in the USPA Eastern Challenge at Santa Rita Polo Farm. Ganzi also scored four goals for Casablanca. Juancito Bollini added two goals and Julio Gracida was the big-hitting playmaker and anchor on defense.

“It was a good game, it was two strong teams playing up in polo,” said Julio Gracida, son of Hall of Famer and former 10-goal polo great Memo Gracida. “We are just exhausted, it was a hot day but we played great polo. It was hitting and running. Both teams played at a higher level. We’re just not ready for that right now, it’s just the beginning of the season.” Despite both horses and players being exhausted and soaked in sweat, Casablanca came out poised in the overtime period.

“We just wanted to simplify things and not rush,” Julio Gracida said. “We didn’t want to overdo things, just hit it forward and hit it backwards and respect your teammates. It was a good team effort. We just rotated really well. I’m very happy to win, it’s good to be back.”

Casablanca was the youngest team in the tournament averaging 22 years in age. The foursome are childhood friends who have played with and against each other for years.

The 12th annual Tackeria Invitational is the first of six medium-goal tournaments in addition to 20-goal action during the fall season. The tournament has always had a special place in club history as the inaugural tournament when the club first opened in 2007.”This was a great way to start the season,” said Tackeria owner, USPA President and longtime Wellington resident Tony Coppola. “It was a really exciting final going into overtime. Glad to see so many people out here supporting Grand Champions in the fall season.

“I’m looking forward to the season here with the culmination of the International Cup on Thanksgiving weekend.” The much-anticipated fall season is a tuneup for the winter season for players and green horses. The winter season will feature the debut of the highly-anticipated 26-goal World Polo League at Grand Champions and Valiente Polo Farm featuring 10-goalers Adolfo Cambiaso, Pablo MacDonough, Pelon Sterling and Juan Martin Nero.

The Tackeria Invitational has a history of exciting finishes. In last year’s tournament final, Audi (Marc Ganzi, Jason Crowder, Brandon Phillips, Carlitos Gracida) rallied in the final chukker to defeat Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Andres LaPlacette, Pablo Dorignac, Juan Bollini), 11-10, in overtime at Santa Rita Polo Farm. Among the highlights of the season are the Oct. 15-27 USPA North American Cup, Nov. 3-17 USPA National 20-Goal Championship; Nov. 14 Triple Crown of Polo Tournament and Romero Britto Celebration; and Nov. 24 doubleheader featuring the Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial and International Cup.

By Sharon Robb

2018 FALL SCHEDULE at Grand Champions Polo Club

MEDIUM GOAL LEAGUE

October 18-21: U.S. Trust Cup

October 24-28: USPA Fall Classic

November 1-4: USPA Fall Plates

November 8-11: Polo Gear Challenge

November 15-18 Pedro Morrison Memorial

HIGH GOAL LEAGUE

October 15-27: USPA North American Cup

November 3-17: USPA National 20-Goal Championship

November 14: The Triple Crown of Polo Tournament, Romero Britto Celebration at Santa Rita Polo Club

November 24: Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial and International Cup, Team USA vs. Azerbaijan.

www.gcpolo.com

Casablanca captured the fall season-opening Tackeria Invitational Sunday at Grand Champions Polo Club, but it wasn’t easy. In front of a good crowd on an unseasonably hot day, Casablanca (Grant…

North America, Polo News

Sebucan captures USPA Eastern Challenge at Santa Rita Polo Farm

30. April 2018

Sebucan dominated the USPA Eastern Challenge championship final from start-to-finish to capture the prestigious title Sundayat Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Playing together for the first time as a team, Timmy Dutta, 1, Pablo Pulido, 2, Lucas Diaz Alberdi, 5, and Juan Martin Obregon, 5, defeated ChukkerTV (Josh DuBarry, 0, Piki Diaz Alberdi, 7, Pablo Dorignac, 5, Julio Gracida, 4), 16-10.

Pablo Pulido, playing well above his two-goal rating, was named Most Valuable Player. Pulido, a former collegiate player at Cornell, scored four goals and was one of the most dominant players on the field. It was Pulido’s first MVP award since October 2017 when Sebucan knocked off Casablanca to win the USPA Fall Plates tournament during the fall season at Grand Champions.

Cupid, a 5-year-old owned and played by Julio Gracida in the third chukker, was selected Best Playing Pony.

Sebucan started with a 3-0 lead on handicap and quickly built 6-1 and 7-2 cushions after two chukkers. Chukker TV cut Sebucan’s lead to two behind Gracida’s clutch penalty conversions to trail 8-6 at the half but could get no closer.

The second half Sebucan regained its momentum and offensive running attack to extend its lead to 13-7 after the fifth chukker. “They were a very tough team with very strong players,” Pulido said. “We just kept on playing. We kept on rotating all the players going in. We all played the ball and scoring the goals and that made the difference. “It was just our team’s grit and our day,” Pulido said. “Everybody just kept on going and going the whole time. That helped out and of course me making it to the end of the line making goals made a difference.”

www.gcpolo.com

Sebucan dominated the USPA Eastern Challenge championship final from start-to-finish to capture the prestigious title Sundayat Santa Rita Polo Farm. Playing together for the first time as a team, Timmy…

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Palm Beach Illustrated wins $100,000 World Cup pres. by Audi

16. April 2018

In one of the most exciting finishes in club history, Palm Beach Illustrated won the coveted $100,000 World Cup presented by Audi Saturday at Grand Champions Polo Club. The defending champion and underdog going into the championship final won its’ second consecutive title with a thrilling 10-9 victory over Grand Champions in front of a packed house and ESPN Latin American television worldwide audience.

“What just happened? Peco Polledo asked in a state of disbelief in the winning team’s tent. “It was so close. The other team played so amazing. We did it. I am so happy.“ Palm Beach Illustrated (Carlitos Gracida, 4, Juan Monteverde, 5, Peco Polledo, 6, Tommy Collingwood, 5) won the 12-team, winner-take-all tournament in the final minute of regulation time over Grand Champions (Grant Ganzi, 2, Juancito Bollini, 4, Juan Martin Nero, 10, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 9). With the game tied 9-9 with 1:10 left, Gracida, son of legendary Hall of Famer and former 10-goaler Carlos Gracida, slipped past a defender and crushed a neck shot through the air dead center through the goal posts. “I was thinking this is a top horse and I knew I had a chance to pass him, that’s one of our best horses and I know she’s really fast so I just had to commit and go for it,” Gracida said. “I have never played with Juan or Peco but they are awesome and Tommy is great,” Gracida said. “They know I get heated up. It’s good though they understand that I need that. The goal was just one piece of this game, it was everybody.” In the closing seconds Monteverde came up with a clutch defensive back shot to stall a last-minute goal attempt by Grand Champions. “I still don’t know what happened, what an amazing game,” Monteverde said. “The only good back shot I hit all day was that one. I am very happy for the team. This is a great team.”

Wellington High School alum Tommy Collingwood, 26, the only returning player off last year’s champion team, was named Most Valuable Player. Collingwood was outstanding at back with his blocked goals, steals, booming passes and back shots to teammates. “It was unbelievable,” said an emotional Collingwood. “This team was so much fun, so much everything. The guys were awesome. This tournament was a lot of heart, sweat and now tears…happy tears. Palm Beach Illustrated is undefeated in three major money tournaments: the 2017 and 2018 $100,000 World Cup and 2016 $50,000 National 12-Goal, all hosted by Grand Champions.

The tournament was resurrected by Grand Champions owners and polo players Melissa and Marc Ganzi thanks to the generosity of Glenn Straub of Palm Beach Polo, where it was last played in the late 1990s. Straub watched the final and participated in the post-game awards presentation. What made this tournament so unique was the fact it was open to teams 0-26 goal on handicap including an all-women’s team for the first time, similar to the Copa Republica in Argentina where teams of any handicap from 0-to-40 can compete. In addition to ESPN’s coverage, the tournament was live-streamed by Wellington-based ChukkerTV. Audi of America was the tournament’s presenting sponsor. Rated No. 1 by Consumer Reports as the best auto brand overall, Audi is a valued sponsor with a rich winning tradition in polo. The German automobile manufacturer designs, engineers, produces, markets and distributes luxury automobiles throughout the world including West Palm Beach.

In one of the most exciting finishes in club history, Palm Beach Illustrated won the coveted $100,000 World Cup presented by Audi Saturday at Grand Champions Polo Club. The defending…

North America, Polo News

Opening of Sunny Hale’s Legacy WCT Final at Grand Champions

6. April 2018

Successful Opening Day of Sunny Hale’s Legacy WCT Final at Grand Champions Polo Club: The highly-anticipated opening day of the Sunny Hale’s Legacy WCT Final lived up to expectations Wednesday at Grand Champions Polo Club. In front of a good crowd, opening day featured the open division round-robin competition between between San Saba (Dawn Jones, 6, Clarissa Echezarreta, 6, Alyson Poor, 4, Clara Cassino, 7); Chateau D’esclans (Riley Ganzi, 2, Mia Cambiaso, 5, Mia Novillo Astrada, 4T, Nina Vestey Clarkin, 10) and CrossFit El Cid (Paige Boone McCabe, 6, Cecelia Cochran, 5, Sarah Wiseman, 8, Tiffany Busch, 6).

In the opening two chukkers, Chateau D’esclans, playing for the first time as a team with no practice sessions, started strong with a 4-1 victory over San Saba with two goals from Clarkin, including one banked off the goal post; one goal by Novillo Astrada and one goal by Ganzi.

In the next two chukkers, San Saba regained its rhythm and offensive attack to tie CrossFit El Cid, 3-3. Cassino led San Saba with two goals and Jones had one. Busch had two goals and Wiseman added one for CrossFit El Cid.The open division continuous round-robin resumes on Friday at 4:30 p.m. The top two finishers advance into Sunday’s final at 12:30 p.m.

After a year’s hiatus, the WCT Final has attracted a Who’s Who of women players. Twenty-eight women are competing in three levels of play. Dawn Jones (Team San Saba) praised the efforts of Grand Champions owners Marc and Melissa Ganzi, USPA Florida Circuit Governor, and Dale Smicklas, WCT Commissioner and his wife Joanne Smicklas, WCT Ambassador for putting together the four-day event. “There is a great group of people here watching and there is a buzz around town about the women’s polo,” Jones said. “For a transition year this is pretty impressive. And thanks to Grand Champions and Melissa and Marc, Juan Bollini, Juan Olivera and Dale and Joanne Smicklas. They did a remarkable job putting this together and organizing this.”

The tournament is named in honor of legendary Hall of Famer Sunset “Sunny” Hale. The WCT is the only women’s polo event of its kind. The largest polo league in the world has grown in popularity since its inception in 2005. The WCT Final, adult and junior qualifiers have U.S. and international players with more than 20 qualifiers in the U.S. alone.

Hale, the first woman in U.S. history to win the U.S. Open in 2000 with Outback and part-time Wellington resident, died February 26, 2017 in Norman, Okla. due to complications from cancer. She was 48.

10-goaler Nina Clarkin said she is honored to play in the WCT Final honoring Sunny Hale’s legacy. “Sunny was my idol and inspiration,” Clarkin said. “I remember one of the first ladies tournaments I played I was 16 or 17 and thinking, ‘wow, she’s a dream and I want to play and go like her.’ As we went around the circuit we became friends and I was constantly inspired by her, her talent, dedication and drive and also what a great person she was. I think that’s what I always want to try and improve in myself is to make sure I am a good sports person, on and off the field and an inspiration. It doesn’t always happen with the adrenaline out there. But she was the ultimate sports woman on and off the field.”

Women’s polo remains the largest growing sector in polo, aided by the WCT Series which has helped consolidate women’s polo and promote high quality competition throughout the world.

North America, Polo News

Flexjet win its first game of the USPA Gold Cup

23. March 2018

Flexjet rallied for four goals in the sixth chukker to win its first game of the USPA Gold Cup Thursday at International Polo Club Palm Beach. Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, A, Nico Pieres, 8, Gonzalito Pieres, 9, Rodrigo Andrade, 9), tied 5-5 with Audi (Grant Ganzi, 2, Mike Azzaro, 6, Polito Pieres, 10, Nic Roldan, 8) after five chukkers, bounced back for a thrilling 9-6 victory in the battle of Grand Champions Polo Club-based pro teams. Nico Pieres : “This win is good for us. We need to win our next one to go through and if we lose, we still can have another chance in a shootout.”

In biting cold and winds gusting 10 to 15 miles per hour, the score was tied three times before. Nico Pieres opened the sixth chukker with a great goal run to give Flexjet its first lead of the game at 6-5. Flexjet never let up with another nice goal run by Andrade and second goal by Nico Pieres and won the throw-in each time. “We were saving everything for the last chukker,” Nico Pieres said with a smile. “We started playing more or less a bit better in the second half.”

10-goaler Polito Pieres, making his IPC winter season debut after arriving from Dubai on Wednesday, scored his fourth and final goal to cut the lead to two, 8-6. “I knew Polito was going to play because he arrived yesterday and told us last night he was going to play,” Nico Pieres said. “We are used to playing against family. Sometimes I play against Facu and Gonza, we are used to it.” Melissa Ganzi took possession of the ball in the final two minutes and worked the clock while going to goal to ice the win with her second score of the game between three Audi defenders.

“I am very happy with our team,” Ganzi said. “It’s always hard to play against your son. It was a really difficult day to play with the wind and cold. It was a nice win but now we have a really tough game on Sunday.” Flexjet improved to 1-1 to remain alive in bracket play in the six-team tournament. Audi dropped to 0-2.

“It was an important win, we are back again in the tournament at 1-1,” Gonzalito Pieres said. “This put us in a position that winning Sunday will put us in second place or if we lose we have a penalty shootout for fourth place. “We are trying to play good together as a team. We know the potential that we have and we have to prove it in the right games. I was missing a lot of goals in the beginning but luckily Nico, Rodrigo and Melissa had some good goals in the end. It’s how we have to play. When we have our chance, we have to take it and when things are not going well we need to be patient because we can win it in the end.” The game featured three members, brothers Gonzalito and Nico Pieres and cousin Polito Pieres, of the Ellerstina team that finished runner-up to longtime rival La Dolfina in the 124th Argentine Open last year.

USPA Polo Network is live streaming the IPC winter season, including the entire USPA Gold Cup tournament, with content from Wellington-based ChukkerTV.

www.gcpolo.com

Flexjet rallied for four goals in the sixth chukker to win its first game of the USPA Gold Cup Thursday at International Polo Club Palm Beach. Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, A,…

North America, Polo News

Opening of John T. Oxley Memorial at Grand Champions PC

20. March 2018

Travieso opened the John T. Oxley Memorial Tournament Monday with a hardfought win over Palm Beach Polo at Grand Champions Polo Club. Travieso (Teo Calle, Tony Calle, Sebastian Merlos, Tomas Garcia del Rio), playing well as a team, defeated Palm Beach Polo (Henry Porter, Santino Magrini, Magoo Laprida, Gringo Colombres), 13-10. Travieso led the opening two chukkers, 3-1 and 4-3, before Palm Beach Polo reeled them back in behind Laprida’s three goals to tie the game 6-6 at halftime. Travieso came back with a big 3-0 fourth quarter for a 9-6 lead and never relinquished the lead keeping at least a two-goal margin for the remainder of the game. Travieso led by as many as four goals, 10-6 and 11-7, in the fifth chukker. “We were very concerned about this team,” Teo Calle said. “It’s a big team. Henry Porter is probably having the best year of his life so far. He is by far a 4- or 5-goal player. It was difficult for us to mark him. We knew we had to play over our handicap. We tried very hard. When you try and concentrate sometimes things work a little better than you expect and you get a win. We were able to make some plays that are normally hard for us. The field played really well. It’s probably one of the best fields in Wellington. The horses are doing incredibly. We are very happy.”

Tomas Garcia del Rio led Travieso with a team-high six goals. Merlos added three and father and son Teo and Tony Calle each had two goals. This year the Calles are playing together on the same 20-goal team for the first time and enjoying every minute. The Calles have played in the 8-, 12- and 16-goal leagues at Grand Champions where the team started four years ago. “It’s been a great experience,” Teo Calle said. “Playing with my son has been one of the dreams of the family and myself. To watch your son begin to play. In the beginning, I was teaching him, now I think he is teaching me.”

Tony Calle, a senior at Lynn University, and rising young star in the sport, is enjoying playing with his father just as much. In the fourth chukker with 1:19 left, Teo Calle connected on a pass to Tony Calle for a goal and 9-6 lead. The two have developed a chemistry on the field and work well with Merlos and Garcia del Rio. “Sometimes we know what each other is going to do before we even get to the ball,” Tony Calle said. “I told him to turn the ball and I knew he wasn’t going to listen to me and he hit a back shot. I was able to fool the defender, got the pass and score. It was just from playing so much together. “Our goal was to come to Florida and work up to be able to play together on a high goal team,” Tony Calle said. “It’s special because it took a lot of effort with the horses, every day in the barn, getting the right staff and bringing our polo level up. It was really hard and it’s very satisfying to win and play at this level.”

Travieso was coming off a loss to Valiente in the Sterling Cup semifinals. “We think that this can be our tournament,” Calle said. “We are playing well and our horses are performing well. So hopefully we can keep the momentum going.” Palm Beach Polo was led by Laprida with a game-high seven goals. Porter added two and Colombres had one goal. Palm Beach Polo, with one game under its belt, will try and rebound on Thursday morning at 10 a.m. against Dutta Corp (Tim Dutta, Timmy Dutta, Piki Diaz Alberdi, Matias Magrini). Travieso’s next game is March 26 at 10 a.m. against Dutta Corp.

Wellington-based ChukkerTV, leaders in polo broadcasting, is live streaming the entire John T. Oxley Memorial.

www.gcpolo.com
www.chukkertv.com

Travieso opened the John T. Oxley Memorial Tournament Monday with a hardfought win over Palm Beach Polo at Grand Champions Polo Club. Travieso (Teo Calle, Tony Calle, Sebastian Merlos, Tomas…