MVP

North America, Polo News

Casablanca Wins Craig Sakin Memorial in Overtime; Torito Ruiz Named MVP

23. July 2021

By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: Nick Tininenko for ChukkerTV

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2021 Aspen Valley Summer Polo Series

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

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

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

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

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

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By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: Nick Tininenko for ChukkerTV Carbondale, CO, July 19, 2021— Casablanca defeated Victory Polo by 9-8 in overtime to claim the Craig Sakin Memorial title; Santa…

Europe, Polo News

Oak Brook Polo Defeats Beaver Creek to Kick-Off the Clubs’ 2021 Season

22. July 2021

After two canceled matches due to weather, Oak Brook Polo was finally able to kick off their 2021 season on Sunday, July 18^th at the Prince of Wales with the Butler Challenge Cup tournament. Presented by Perillo Downers Grove, the match was against local rival Beaver Creek and featured the popular “Horses & Horsepower” activiation which showcased vintage and new Lamborghinis.

With as many as 20 sleek vehicles stationed aross the field in colors of white, black, red and florescent, guests were able to get up close and take photos while also meeting car owners.

Oak Brook Polo Club’s opening ceremonies were presented by Lincoln Way Attorney -Mark Weidman and featured PAWS Chicago founder Paula Fasseas followed by Lamborghinis from Perillo Downers Grove and the Lamborghini Club Chicago Chapter. Jim Drury offered his official “welcome” to attendees which was was followed the singing of the National Anthem by Alondra Arreola and player introductions.

Beaver Creek’s team was led by Chris Vangel (Hcap 1), a patron and player, with Turner Wheaton (Hcap 2), Alfredo Guerreno (Hcap 3), and Lindor Novillo Corvalan (Hcap 4). Oak Brook’s team was led by Jim Drury (Hcap 0), another patron and player whose teammates include Tomas Obregon (Hcap 4), Horacio Onetto (Hcap 4), and Mariano Gutierrez (Hcap 4).

To begin the match, Beaver Creek was up 2 goals due to the handicap difference between the two teams. Oak Brook’s Onetto would quickly close the gap and put up 2 back-to-back goals, but Beaver Creek’s Corvalan would score to give to give his team a one point lead and end the 1^st Chukker 3-2. In the second Chukker, Oak Brook would jump ahead by two goals with back-to-back goals from Onetto and one from Gutierrez to end the second chukker 5-3 Oak Brook. In the final chukker of the half, Beaver Creek’s Wheaton would score, but Oak Brook’s Onetto would return the favor and end the half with a two goal lead 6-4 Oak Brook.

The second half got off to a hot start as both teams fought to hold the lead. Oak Brook’s Onetto extended his team’s lead to 3, before Beaver Creek went on a three goal run with goals from Corvalan and Wheaton to tie the match 7-7. However, Oak Brook’s Onetto would squeeze in one last goal to reclaim the lead 8-7. In the fifth chukker, it was like a boxing bout as both teams exchanged goals one after another beginning with Oak Brook’s Obregon, followed by Beaver Creek’s Corvalan, then Oak Brook’s Onetto, followed by Beaver Creek’s Corvalan again to end the Chukker 10-9, Oak Brook. In the 6^th and final chukker, Oak Brook’s Onetto would score to extend his team’s lead by two (11-9), but Beaver Creek’s Wheaton would answer back to close the gap to one and end the match 11-10, Oak Brook.

The Casablanca Polo “MVP” went to Oak Brook’s Horacio Onetto who then announced Jennifer Gaeto has the matche’s “Best Hat” winner. The American Stalls “Best Playing Pony” went to Lindor Novillo Corvalan’s pony “Maria” presented by Patty Brand Napela.

Runner-up gifts were presented by Michael & Joyce Meaden and winners gift were presented by Lincoln Way Attorney -Mark Weidman. Other team gifts included PAWS Chicago t-shirts and U.S. Polo Assn. duffle bags.

Oak Brook Polo Club’s next match will be the championship match of the Butler Challenge Cup on Sunday, June 25^th @ 3:00 PM. For general information, event scheduling, news, tickets and parking directions, please visit www.oakbrookpoloclub.com or call 630.368.5095.

Photos by Andrew Meier

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After two canceled matches due to weather, Oak Brook Polo was finally able to kick off their 2021 season on Sunday, July 18th at the Prince of Wales with the…

North America, Polo News

Net Jets Claims Victory in ChukkerTV Challenge Cup; Michael Payne Named MVP

19. July 2021

By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: Nick Tininenko for ChukkerTV

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

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

Alejandra Foster attempts the steal from Alex Gooding.

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

Grant Ganzi rides off opponent Michael Payne.

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

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

MVP Michael Payne with awards presenter Cici Armstrong.

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

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

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

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

Brian Boyd out ahead of the pack.

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

Pablo Spinacci closely defends Stewart Armstrong.

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

Tomato Pieres reaches for the near side back shot.

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

2021 Aspen Valley Summer Polo Series

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

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

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

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

Visit www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com for more details.

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: Nick Tininenko for ChukkerTV Carbondale, CO, July 12, 2021— NetJets defeated Victory Polo by 7-5 to take the ChukkerTV Challenge Cup; Tonkawa beat White Claw…

North America, Polo News

Newport Wins Top Pony 12-Goal Title; Michel Dorignac Named MVP

7. April 2021

WELLINGTON, FL, April 6, 2021— Newport defeated Ellipse by 17-13 on Sunday to take the Top Pony 12-Goal title.

Newport (Gene Goldstein, Milo Dorignac, Michel Dorignac, and Nick Manifold) met Ellipse (Jack Whitman, Toly Ulloa, Robi Bilbao, and Louis Devaleix) Sunday morning to vie for the title in the Top Pony 12-Goal tournament. Newport ceded one goal to Ellipse on handicap.

The match started with a foul in the first 20 seconds of the game, setting the tone for what was a penalty-heavy match. Milo Dorignac put the first goal on the board for Newport, but Ellipse ended the chukker ahead 3-1 on penalty conversions by Robi Bilbao. Michel Dorignac converted a Penalty 2, putting Newport in striking distance, but field goals by Jack Whitman and Toly Ulloa kept Ellipse in the lead. Nick Manifold found the posts with 23 seconds on the clock and the period ended 5-4 with Newport nipping at Ellipse’s heels.

A goal by Robi Bilbao put the score up to 6 but it was quickly answered by Nick Manifold, keeping Ellipse’s lead down to one goal until Toly Ulloa converted a Penalty 2. Milo Dorignac evaded Toly Ulloa to put the ball through with 2:18 left on the clock but a final penalty conversion by Bilbao ended the half with Ellipse leading 8-6.

The penalties really started to stack up in the fouth chukker, with Ellipse adding two goals from the line. However, Newport was the greater beneficiary of penalities, with Michel Dorignac converting three penalties after starting the chukker with a goal from the field. Ellipse started the fifth chukker with a penalty conversion, but Michel Dorignac racked up another hat trick with one goal from the field and two successful penalty shots to put Newport into the lead for the first time in the match at 13-11.

Although Toly Ulloa and Robi Bilbao were able to score from the field, the continued fouling cost Ellipse the match as Dorignac converted another four penalties during the final chukker to win the match for Newport 17-13. With his baker’s dozen goals, Dorignac was named the MVP of the match. Purdon Guri Canina, ridden by Michel Dorignac and owned by Sebastian Merlos, took the Best Playing Pony award.

WELLINGTON, FL, April 6, 2021— Newport defeated Ellipse by 17-13 on Sunday to take the Top Pony 12-Goal title. Newport (Gene Goldstein, Milo Dorignac, Michel Dorignac, and Nick Manifold) met…

North America, Polo News

Bushwood Defeats Ellipse Polo In Top Pony 8-Goal Title ; Kris Kampsen Named MVP

10. March 2021

By Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by ChukkerTV

WELLINGTON, FL, March 9, 2021— Bushwood won a narrow 10-9 victory over Ellipse Polo to win the Top Pony 8-Goal title.

Bushwood (Nick McClelland, Nick Manifold, Kris Kampsen, and Michael Armour) took to the field against Ellipse Polo (Pancha Terrera, Baldo Palomeque, Robi Bilbao, and Louis Devaleix) on Grand Champions Field 4.

Baldo Palomeque put the first goal of the day on the board, picking up a pass to put the ball through at 5:42. With 17 seconds left in the chukker, a powerful shot by Ellipse’s Kris Kampsen evened the score and the period ended 1-all. Play was back and forth for the first three minutes, until Baldo Palomeque swept the ball through the posts at 3:40. Kris Kampsen successfully converted a Penalty 4, bringing the score up to 2-all.

With just over a minute left to play, Pancha Terrera carried the ball downfield to goal, leaving it for Baldo Palomeque to nudge through and end the chukker with Ellipse in the lead at 3-2. Bushwood succeeded in keeping Ellipse off the board in the third chukker, while Kris Kampsen scored a goal from the field and converted a Penalty 2 to end the half with Bushwood leading 4-3.

The pressure started to show in the fourth chukker, with both teams earning goals on penalties. Ellipse wanted an early goal and Robi Bilbao delivered, running to goal with Kampsen in hot pursuit and putting the ball through within 30 seconds. At 4:55, Kampson restored Bushwood’s advantage, with 5-4 on the board. He followed up with a Penalty 4 conversion to extend Bushwood’s lead to 6. At 3:02, Kampsen completed a hat trick for the chukker with a cut shot to goal.

Ellipse was able to narrow the lead with two penalty conversions from Robi Balboa and the chukker ended at 7-6 with Bushwood narrowly in the lead. Kampsen and Bilboa each converted a Penalty 4, while a goal from Nick Manifold kept Bushwood in the lead, with the fifth chukker ending 9-7. Ellipse fought back in the final chukker, with Balboa and Palomeque scoring from the field to tie the match at 9-all. A costly foul put Kris Kampsen on the penalty line to convert a Penalty 3, and Bushwood squeaked by Ellipse at 10-9. Kris Kampsen was the high scoring player of the day with 9 goals.

WINTER 2021 COVID-19 POLICY: The GCPC property, facilities, and events are only accessible to polo players, their immediate families, and necessary staff. This policy will remain in effect until further notice.

The GCPC family is immensely grateful and humbled by the excitement and support shown by locals and new guests over the years. We wish we could welcome everyone to the sidelines to cheer our players on; however, in order to remain in operation amidst a global pandemic, we regret to inform you that Grand Champions Polo Club events and facilities are currently closed to the public. Ultimately, our goal as a Club is to keep polo going, but our goal as a community first and foremost is to keep everyone safe and healthy.

There is nothing we would love more than to have more spectators on the sidelines and to greet new and friendly faces to the Club. Unfortunately, we cannot operate as normal and have temporarily minimized the Club’s capacity in an effort to prioritize the health and safety of our community.

MORE UPDATES TO COME SOON: For potential GCPC policy changes, we encourage our fans to continue to check our Instagram and website for more updates to come.

In the meantime, we thank you for your cooperation in this team effort to ensure we can keep playing polo, as well as keep playing our part in the community to minimize risk and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

We appreciate your loyalty and understanding and hope to see you back on the sidelines soon!

By Rebecca Baldridge Photos by ChukkerTV WELLINGTON, FL, March 9, 2021— Bushwood won a narrow 10-9 victory over Ellipse Polo to win the Top Pony 8-Goal title. Bushwood (Nick McClelland,…

Asia, Europe, Lifestyle, North America, Polo News, South America

Facundo Pieres changing to Ainsley MVP saddles

8. August 2019

Facundo Pieres joins Pelón Stirling as ambassador for the Ainsley MVP polo saddle. Facundo’s new saddles were baptized in the King Power Gold Cup and they will offer protection to his horses and a perfect platform for Facundo also in the Argentine and US high goal seasons. Facundo will benefit from a perfect, adjustable fit on all his horses, a wide gullet, ample space at the withers and sculpted panels protecting shoulders and backs, while placing Facundo in the ideal playing position. Like Pelón, Facundo will work with Ainsley Saddlery to ensure that the MVP continues to be the preferred choice for polo players demanding great performance from themselves and their horses. For more information on the MVP, and to read about the once in a lifetime chance to play a practice match with Facundo.

www.performance-polo.com/facundopieres

Facundo Pieres joins Pelón Stirling as ambassador for the Ainsley MVP polo saddle. Facundo’s new saddles were baptized in the King Power Gold Cup and they will offer protection to…