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North America, Polo News

Snow Polo “White Hot Party With The Players” Set For Dec. 20th, Tickets On Sale

6. December 2019

After three days of snow polo action at the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship, fans will get a chance to party with the players for a good cause.

Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation, the designated philanthropic charity for the snow polo event, will host the „White Hot Party With The Players,“ on Friday, Dec. 20th, 6-9 p.m. at the new W Aspen Hotel. Fans will get the opportunity to meet some of the world‘s best polo players and enjoy music mixed especially for the W Aspen Hotel. General admission tickets are $200. VIP tickets are $1,000 and include perks such as Beverly Hills Caviar, bottomless champagne and other exclusive benefits. Also for sale are tickets to join British 6-goal player Malcolm Borwick for a one-hour polo lesson on polo horses on Dec. 20th at 9 a.m. at Rio Grande Park. The experience is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and limited to 10 people at $750 per ticket. To purchase tickets or browse the online auction items, go to bidpal.net/snowpolo.

Borwick is the Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador. Recently, Pernod Ricard announced a „standout new addition“ Royal Salute Snow Polo Edition, available for a limited time throughout December. „The Snow Polo Edition is a standout new addition with an extensive depth of flavour and fresh new look,“ said Royal Salute Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, who developed the limited-edition blend. „Being at the helm of the blending team behind Royal Salute, I‘m always looking for new inspiration, and snow polo has proven to be one of the richest sources yet for creativity and innovation. To capture the apposition of the intensity of the game against the graceful elegance of the backdrop associated with snow polo, it felt like the perfect opportunity to craft the very first blended grain whisky in our portfolio and I couldn‘t be prouder of the result.“ Added Borwick, „Snow polo is a spectator sport like no other with each match delivering an undeniably thrilling atmosphere, set in the breath-taking scenery of immaculate snow-peaked mountains. Royal Salute understands polo and the lifestyle it represents both on and off the field so well, it‘s an honour to be able to help open up the world of polo through the Royal Salute Polo Collection and the global partnerships it has formed over the last ten years.“

All proceeds from the party and auction benefit the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation.

Aspen Valley Polo Club, the nation‘s fastest growing polo club, has a longstanding relationship with the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation. The club annually hosts the Chukkers, Champagne and Caviar event in front of a sellout crowds and helped to raise more than $600,000 this summer for priority programs and services at Aspen Valley Hospital. The foundation‘s signature fundraising event has raised over $1.6 million in the past three years. The St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship is one of the world‘s top snow polo tournaments and only snow polo event in the U.S. In front of an expected sellout crowd and worldwide ChukkerTV audience, action begins Wednesday, Dec. 18, with qualifying games at Aspen Valley Polo Club and continues Thursday and Friday at Rio Grande Park. For the seventh consecutive year, Aspen Valley Polo Club owners Melissa and Marc Ganzi, will host the star-studded event along with polo ambassador and St. Regis Connoisseur Nacho Figueras and his wife Delfina. The event has joined St. Moritz as one of the world‘s top snow polo tournaments and one of Aspen‘s major international sporting events. It is the only snow polo event in North America, final stop on the World Polo Tour and kickoff to the holiday social season in Aspen. The snow polo tournament is a major attraction for the local community, attracts fans from all over the world, and is a major allure for the Aspen community and surrounding areas. The sport was first played on a frozen lake in St. Moritz, Switzerland, created by Swiss hotelier and polo visionary Reto Gaudenzi in 1985 and has been growing in popularity ever since, attracting thousands of spectators and top players from around the world. In addition to St. Moritz, it‘s played in winter sports communities Aspen, Cortina, Italy, Kitzbuhel, Austria, Courchevel, France and Tianjin, China. In the U.S., snow polo is held exclusively in Aspen.

Aspen Valley Polo Club had its most successful and historic summer season in club and Rocky Mountain Circuit history. The club hosted several 20-goal tournaments including the 119th USPA Silver Cup and USPA North American Cup, attracted some of the world‘s top players and had record crowds every weekend. The 20-goal World Polo League‘s Triple Crown of Polo tournament featured five teams and several top players. With the majestic 12,965-foot summit of Mount Sopris as a backdrop, Aspen Valley Polo Club is one of the busiest USPA-sanctioned clubs in the nation.

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, Tuesday Arena & Asado Nights, Kidz Polo, The Polo School headed by former 8-goaler Juan Bollini, and Polo On Demand. In addition, the club offers practice sessions for teams competing in the club tournaments.

Since 2014, Aspen Valley Polo Club has had a positive impact in the area hosting kids polo camps, teaching lessons and several charitable events at the club that have benefitted local charities including the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation.

By Sharon Robb

Click Here To Purchase Tickets:
www.eventbrite.com

2019 St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship Dec. 17-20

12/17 At St. Regis Resort Aspen
8 p.m. Team Presentation/Draw and Cocktail Party

12/18 at Aspen Valley Polo Club
11 a.m. Barn tour & Blacksmith work station
11:30 a.m., Round Robin Game 1
1 p.m., Round Round Game 2

12/19 Press Day at Rio Grande Park
12 p.m. VIP Tent Opens
1:15 p.m. High Alpine Cup, playoff for fifth and sixth place.
2:30 p.m Celebrity Polo Chukker

12/20 at Rio Grande Park
12 p.m. Meet the Players
1 p.m., The Final
3 p.m. The Aspen Cup
4:15 p.m. Trophy Presentation

www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com

© Thomas Wirth

After three days of snow polo action at the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship, fans will get a chance to party with the players for a good cause. Aspen…

North America, Polo News

Aspen Valley Wins USPA National 20-Goal Opener

20. November 2019

The USPA National 20-Goal Championship opener lived up to expectations Tuesday at Grand Champions Polo Club.

Playing together for the first time, Aspen Valley (Grant Ganzi, 3, Juancito Bollini, 4, Horacio Heguy, 6, Jeff Blake, 6) knocked Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, 0, Pablo Spinacci, 6, Camilo Castagnola, 6T, Juan Bollini, 5) out of the six-team, single-elimination tournament with a high-scoring 16-13 victory.

Aspen Valley now advances into Saturday‘s semifinal round against Sebucan (Pablo Pulido, 2, Kris Kampsen, 6, Jason Crowder, 6, Tommy Biddle, 5) at 10 a.m. The winner advances into the Nov. 27th final at 3 p.m. „Sebucan is a really tough team,“ Grant Ganzi said. „They are four guys that go. Hopefully, we will get another practice in with the horses before then.“

In Wednesday action, Audi (Marc Ganzi, 2, Sugar Erskine, 6, Nic Roldan, 8, Brandon Phillips, 4) takes on Montemar (Mackie Weisz, 2T, Pelon Escapite, 5, Pablo Dorignac, 5, Sterling Giannico, 4) at 3:30 p.m. „The game spoke for itself,“ Ganzi said. „We just kept it simple. We were all getting the ball to each other and eventually it worked out. We played for each other and we did what we wanted to do.“

Aspen Valley started picking up steam in the second chukker winning most of the throw-ins and outscoring Flexjet 3-1, to take a 5-4 lead. The momentum continued in Aspen Valley‘s favor, leading at the half, 9-6, and 10-8 after the fourth chukker. Flexjet started clawing its way back in the fifth chukker, outscoring Aspen Valley, 4-2, to trail by only one, 13-12. With 6:30 left, Castagnola scored to tie the game at 13-13. The rally was shortlived, however, with Aspen Valley outscoring Flexjet, 3-1, in the final chukker with two goals from Heguy and one from Ganzi off the throw-in for three unanswered goals. „Today was perfect,“ said Heguy, a six-time Argentine Open winner. „The field was perfect, the weather was perfect. The team went well and we had a lot of fun. „The match was nice to watch and to play,“ Heguy said. „I am happy with the team. It was the first time we played together and we did well. Camilo was very good but our team was strong and we did well.“

Aspen Valley got balanced scoring with Ganzi, Bollini, Heguy and Blake each scoring four goals. „It was the first time I played with Horacio Heguy,“ Bollini said. „There is a learning curve the first two to three chukkers. He is a great player and it‘s always fun to play with one of the greats. My job was to learn as much as I could. „It was key we won the throw-ins because you are starting each play in attack,“ Bollini said. „As long as you have possession of the game you have a chance of winning always. That was a fun game. This tournament is exciting to play.“ In addition to Castagnola‘s five goals, Melissa Ganzi and Spinacci each had three goals. The past two years Casablanca has captured the coveted title.

In 2018, Casablanca defended its title in a tightly-contested game. Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, 2, Whistle Uys, 4, Julio Gracida, 4, Pablo Spinacci, 6) defeated Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, 0, Jason Crowder, 6, Jeff Blake, 6, Juan Bollini, 5), 11-9. Spinacci was MVP. In 2017, Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Mike Azzaro, Jeff Blake) defeated defending champion Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Jason Crowder, Pablo Dorignac, Juan Bollini), 13-6. Blake was MVP. Casablanca, one of the winningest teams in club history, ended up winning four of six tournaments during the 2017 fall season. The National Twenty Goal was first played at the Royal Palm Polo Club in Boca Raton in 2007. Won by Houston-based team BTA (Chrys Beal, Mariano Gonzalez, Francisco Lanusse, Santiago Trotz) in a narrow victory over Audi 13-12, the trophy then went on hiatus until 2011. Grand Champions resurrected the tournament and it has been played there ever since. The tournament has consistently fielded four to six competitive teams over the past seven years. Audi has dominated the competition with three total wins, including back-to-back victories in 2012 and 2013 with an identical team (Marc Ganzi, Carlos Gracida Jr., Nic Roldan, Carlos Gracida). With four titles to his name, Nic Roldan holds the record for most National Twenty Goal tournament wins. In addition to Casablanca, past winners of the USPA National 20-Goal Tournament include BTA, KIG, Audi, Flight Options and Flexjet.

The inaugural Wellington Open, the club‘s second 20-goal tournament, will be held Friday at 10 a.m. with the final on Sunday also at 10 a.m. The tournament fills the void left by the USPA North American Cup now at Aspen Valley Polo Club. The winners of the first five 2019 medium goal fall tournaments at Grand Champions were: Casablanca (Marc Ganzi, Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Pierre Henri Ngoumou), Pedro Morrison Memorial; Newport (Gene Goldstein, Jason Crowder, Kris Kampsen, Juan Bollini), Fall Plates Tournament; Sebucan (Santos Bollini, Pablo Pulido, Nic Roldan, Kris Kampsen), Fall Classic; Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Kris Kampsen, Pablo Spinacci, Juan Bollini), Tackeria Invitational; and Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Brandon Phillips, Jason Crowder), US Trust Cup. The Polo Gear Challenge final, was postponed by rain.

During the 2019 fall season, the nation‘s largest and busiest polo club, hosts both medium and high goal polo. It is highlighted by the International Cup featuring Team USA against France; Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial, inaugural Wellington Open 20 and USPA National 20 Goal Tournaments. The well-organized fall tournaments attract players from all over the United States and world including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, England, France, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Uruguay, Switzerland, Nigeria and South Africa.

Grand Champions had its finest fall season in club history last year. It was the only club in the nation to stage two USPA-sanctioned 20-goal fall tournaments. The fall season serves as a tuneup for the winter season for players and green horses. The winter season will feature the second season of the highly-successful 26-goal World Polo League at Grand Champions and Valiente Polo Farm with the best polo players in the world. The Grand Champions Fall Invitational League is geared toward improving a player‘s polo skills at every level. Roster lineups change from tournament to tournament with evenly-matched teams featuring pro and amateur players. Club owners Marc and Melissa Ganzi, both accomplished players, take pride in teaching and sharing the exciting sport of polo with anyone interested in learning. The husband and wife team are coming off their most successful and historical summer season at Grand Champions‘ sister club Aspen Valley Polo Club.

By Sharon Robb

2019 Grand Champions Fall Schedule

USPA National 20 Goal
Wednesday 11/20 3:30. p.m
Audi vs Montemar

Saturday 11/23 10 a.m.
Semifinal Game 1
Aspen Valley vs Sebucan

12 p.m. Semifinal Game 2
Wednesday winner vs French Team

Wednesday 11/27 3 p.m.
USPA National 20 Goal Open Final

Wellington 20 Goal Open
Friday 11/22 10 a.m.

Sunday 11/24 10 a.m Final

Nov. 30 1 p.m.
Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial

Nov. 30 3 p.m.
2019 International Cup, USA vs. France

www.gcpolo.com

© Thomas Wirth

The USPA National 20-Goal Championship opener lived up to expectations Tuesday at Grand Champions Polo Club. Playing together for the first time, Aspen Valley (Grant Ganzi, 3, Juancito Bollini, 4,…

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

NZ Polo Open set for a spectacular event

12. November 2019

The sporting and social event of the summer

It is an exciting time for the nation’s most prestigious polo tournament, with the announcement of BMW as lead sponsor for the 43^rd NZ Polo Open, to be held in Clevedon on Saturday 22^nd February 2020.

The NZ Polo Open has earned its reputation as the sporting and social event of the summer, set in the picturesque Auckland Polo Club grounds, attracting big crowds and showcasing competitive polo at its best.

“We are thrilled to have BMW as our lead sponsor,” says Lucy Ainsley, Executive Director of the BMW NZ Polo Open. “Our 2020 event is shaping up to be the best yet and our partnership with BMW will take the event to the next level, with more side-line action and extra glitz and glamour. It has been a fantastic few months planning, I can’t wait for everyone to see it come together in February.’

The NZ Polo Open is a highlight on the global polo circuit for professional polo players and the calibre of sporting talent taking the field in February will be exceptional. Six teams will compete for the coveted trophy and along with NZ’s best, polo players will arrive from England, Argentina, Australia and South Africa especially for the tournament.

Side-line highlights will be the much-anticipated BMW versus horse race and for those keen to dress to impress entries are open for Fashion on the Field. The Ladies Veuve Clicquot magnum dash and the Men’s Rodd and Gunn dash will give the crowd a chance to compete on the field. The Flagship VIP Polo Lounge (320m2) is open to public sales for the first time and will offer a similar experience to England’s ‘Royal day at the polo.’

George FM will host the afterparty on the Chukka Lawn and for music fans attending Six60 there will be a bus from the polo grounds to Western Springs

“The BMW NZ Polo Open offers spectators an exhilarating polo experience second to none and is the perfect place to be with friends or clients,’ says Ainsley, “The fusion of sport, fashion and entertainment makes it a great day out for all ages.”

© Thomas Wirth

The sporting and social event of the summer It is an exciting time for the nation’s most prestigious polo tournament, with the announcement of BMW as lead sponsor for the…

Personalities & Clubs, Polo News

Guillermo „Billy“ Martín Steta Mondragón

8. November 2019

On November 1, our friend Guillermo „Billy“ Martín Steta Mondragón passed away at the age of 56.

We met him playing the Rovinj Polo Cup in Croatia 2018. He was moved to tears talking about his croatian roots and was proud to play his game in Croatia for the first time. Always friendly, always with a smile on his face and with a warm handshake for everybody in the big polo family. As the president of the Mexican Polo Association, which he was for eight years, and as a passionated player he travelled the world for polo. As a member of the Méxican polo team he played in countries such as Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, India, Spain, Panama, Barbados, the United States, Canada, England and Germany. Born in México City Billy started playing polo as 12 year-old boy at the Jalapa Polo Club. He was an ambassador for the Federation of International Polo (FIP), a member of the Pan-American Polo Confederation and an active member of the U.S. Polo Association (USPA). Our editor Thomas Wirth last met Billy at the Argentine Open in December in Buenos Aires: „With Guillermo „Billy“ Martín Steta Mondragón the international sport of polo is loosing a great personality, supporter of the mexican polo, succesful sportsman and a dear friend. Thank you, Billy, for all of the good you did.“

© Thomas Wirth

On November 1, our friend Guillermo „Billy“ Martín Steta Mondragón passed away at the age of 56. We met him playing the Rovinj Polo Cup in Croatia 2018. He was…

Europe, Polo News

King Power Gold Cup 2019

29. October 2019

In the final of the King Power Gold Cup 2019 at the Cowdray Park Polo Club the teams VS King Power of Top Srivaddhanaprabha and Ali Albwardy‘s Team Dubai faced each other.

To commemorate their beloved patron Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who died in a helicopter crash at Leicester City FC Stadium in October 2018, Team King Power put the VS addition in front of his name. For VS King Power, Vichai‘s son ‚Top‘ Srivaddhanaprabha played alongside Polito Pieres, Marcos di Paola and Juan Martin Zubia. Team Dubai started with 16-year-old Camilo Castagnola, team captain Rashid Albwardy, Bartolomé Castagnola and Ignacio du Plessis.

After VS King Power took the lead in the first chukker, the brothers Camilo and Bartolomé Castagnola scored three goals in the second run. With only one goal from Polito Pieres for VS King Power, the chukker ended with a 4-3 lead for Team Dubai. A fast and tough third Chukker equalised VS King Power, but Bartolomé Castagnola scored two goals to make Dubai 6-4 at the end of the first half.

In the fourth chukker, VS King Power was able to follow through with some successful actions to equal the score of 6-6. Another fantastic goal by Top Srivaddhanaprabha and a 30-yard penalty by Polito Pieres brought VS King Power into the lead 8-6. VS King Power also remained dominant in the fifth chukker and extended his lead to 10-7. But in the sixth round, the tide turned and Team Dubai passed their opponent 11-10 after scoring four goals. From now on, Rashid Albwardy and his team-mates did not let this lead be taken away.

With 13-12 Dubai finally won the King Power Gold Cup 2019. Jon Rudkin, director of Football for Leicester City FC, presented individual prizes to all players, referees and commentators before handing over the coveted Gold Cup to Rashid Albwardy.

www.cowdraypolo.co.uk

© Thomas Wirth

In the final of the King Power Gold Cup 2019 at the Cowdray Park Polo Club the teams VS King Power of Top Srivaddhanaprabha and Ali Albwardy‘s Team Dubai faced…

Europe, Polo News

Clinique La Prairie wins Hublot Polo Gold Cup in Gstaad

29. October 2019

The 24^th Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad at the Saanen airfield saw spectacular polo matches against the breathtaking alpine backdrop. Polo Grandsigneur Dr Piero Dillier and his team could take the victory home.

With perfect weather and unforgettable alpine views it was only fitting the final be equally spectacular, and as expected, the teams boasting some of the world’s best, didn’t disappoint. Finally it was team Clinique La Prairie with Piero Dillier, Bautista Beguerie, Juan Manuel Gonzales and Lucas Labat who made it to the very top of the 24^th Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad. They defeated opponent Team Hublot with Marco Elser, Marcos Antinori, Nicola Antinori and Julio Novillo Astrada by a clear 10-5.

The best amateur player of the tournament, American Marco Elser, wore his trademarked grin while explaining that despite the clear defeat (10-5) there was no place for disappointment at the awards ceremony: “Being a finalist is already a great success in and of itself, and the winner was a beautiful team which produced a beautiful game with effective team organization and very good horses.”

Lucas Labat, Clinique La Prairie’s backbone, admitted it wasn’t that difficult to win with a team which has both, talent and chemistry. “I think this team is one of the best I’ve played with here in Europe, where I’ve been playing since 1998. The team worked together perfectly, the conditions were ideal, and the organization a well-oiled machine. For me, Gstaad is one of the best tournaments in Europe. My job was to send the ball to my forwards, who could then chain the goals. This is the type of polo I believe in, and I am convinced that in the future, we must return to this kind of open game.” In the match for 3^rd, Banque Eric Sturdza made good on their promise to try for the best result despite being dethroned of their title by Clinique La Prairie. In a much tighter game, they beat Gstaad Palace. In August 2020 this unique polo event will celebrate its 25^th anniversary. With Pierre Genecand and his teams at the helm, the quarter century celebration is sure to amaze team.

www.polo-gstaad.ch

© ThomasWirth

The 24th Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad at the Saanen airfield saw spectacular polo matches against the breathtaking alpine backdrop. Polo Grandsigneur Dr Piero Dillier and his team could take…

Europe, Polo News

Berenberg German Polo Masters Sylt 2019

29. October 2019

Maserati wins the 21^st Berenberg German Polo Masters Sylt 2019 against last year’s winner König Immobilien Sylt. After five breathtaking match days, the legendary polo event attracted more visitors than ever before in beautiful island weather.

More than 10,000 enthusiastic spectators watched the exciting matches in the qualifying rounds and at the final weekend on the grounds of the Polo Club Sylt in Keitum. In addition to the polo matches, the 3^rd Sylt Horse Show and the largest number of exclusive exhibitors to date in their white pagodas at the edge of the field were real crowd-pullers. The ground seems to tremble when the polo horses thunder along the spectators at 60 kilometres per hour and the teams fight for every goal on the over 28,000 square metre playing field. Fair play and the well-being of the horses are the highest priorities in polo. And if you know the most important rules as a spectator, you are right in the middle of the action as a polo newcomer and cheer on your favourites. Together with the English referee Mark Holmes from Cambridge, presenter Jan Erik-Franck explained the „Little Polo 1×1“ to the visitors in an equally expert and entertaining manner and explained the dos and don‘ts of the fast sport to the audience.

Team Maserati finally took the lead 9-8 after a breathtaking final against Team König Immobilien Sylt. König Immobilien Sylt had won all matches of the Berenberg German Polo Masters which had been running since Wednesday.

In the first game of the day for the 5^th place won team Gogärtchen with 7-5,5 against team Lanserhof & Dunkelziffer. In the match for third place, Team Polo Club Sylt & Transgourmet secured 3^rd place with a final score of 9-4. Team Berenberg reached the 4^th place.

Karsten Wehmeier, Head of Communications at Berenberg, Germany‘s oldest private bank, is delighted about the successful tournament: „Berenberg and Polo, Polo and Sylt – they simply belong together. Never before so many visitors have followed the tournament. We are very happy about this great encouragement and about the high interest of the teams to play on Sylt“.

Organizer Stephanie „Kiki“ Schneider: „After last year‘s anniversary event, the 21^st Berenberg German Polo Masters were once again a real highlight in the tournament calendar of international polo sport. A summer in Sylt without the important polo tournament on the Keitumer playground can no longer be imagined. It has become a tradition that we don‘t want to miss in the future. Of course we also owe our success to all our partners and sponsors, to whom I would like to express my sincere thanks once again for their many years of friendly cooperation and joint success. Special thanks also go to the local authorities, helpers, islanders and the Petersen and Franzen families for their unique support. They make the tournament what it is today, next to the great spectators“.

In addition to the games, visitors could marvel at the stands of various exhibitors and let themselves be inspired. The converted aluminium Airstream caravan from Sigma, which presented highly professional lenses and cameras, caught the visitors‘ eye. The Italian sports car manufacturer Maserati was not only represented as a team at the tournament, but also exhibited the new Maserati Levante Trofeo with a powerful V8 engine and 580 hp. Visitors also had the opportunity to see classic Maserati cars such as the rare Ghibli SS from 1972 and a Maserati Indy 4.9 from 1973. La Martina, which has been an integral part of the polo spectacle for many years, has provided the teams and visitors with trendy polo clothing.

As in previous years, catering in the VIP area also offered the highest culinary delights. For the ninth time already, it will be hosted by Hamburg‘s Nobelbrasserie „Die Bank“, which is known far beyond the borders of the Hanseatic city for its first-class and unusual cuisine.

www.polosylt.de

RANKING

1. Maserati (+8)
Marc Aberle (0)
Giordano Magini (+1)
Tim Ward (+3)
Micky Duggan (+4)

2. König Immobilien (+8)
Cedric Schweri (0)
Stefan Locher (0)
Joao Novaes (+5)
Thomas Astelarra (+3)

3. Polo Club Sylt & Transgourmet (+8)
Matthias Grau (0)
Christian Grimme (0)
Eduardo Anca (+5)
Tuky Caivano (+3)

4. Berenberg (+8)
Jo Schneider (0)
Sven Schneider (+1)
Santos Anca (+5)
Christopher Niffy Winter (+2)

5. Gogärtchen (+8)
Reinhold Hoffmann (0)
Patricio Gaynor (+4)
Cristobal Durrieu (+4)
Alexandra Ott (0)

6. Lanserhof & Dunkelziffer (+7)
Jan-Hendrik Többe (0)
Thomas Winter (+3)
Agustin Kronhaus (+4)
Oliver Winter (0)

© Thomas Wirth

Maserati wins the 21st Berenberg German Polo Masters Sylt 2019 against last year’s winner König Immobilien Sylt. After five breathtaking match days, the legendary polo event attracted more visitors than…

Personalities & Clubs, Polo News

Marcus Schalldach, President of the Brazilian Polo Association South

28. October 2019

Marcus Schalldach, Brazilian by birth with German roots, has been President of the Brazilian Polo Association South since spring 2019. We met him for an interview in Ascona, where he (also) almost won.

Marcus Schalldach, Brazilian by birth with German roots, has been President of the Brazilian Polo Association South since spring 2019. The great polo country is divided into four associations and is home to a total of 500 active players. Helvetia Polo Club is the epicentre and host of most and most important tournaments. This is also where Schalldach came to polo when he moved into his new home on the grounds of the Helvetia Polo Club with his family around 13 years ago. “Until then, I have had no contact whatsoever with polo. It was not until Helvetia that I became aware of the horses and the fascination of polo – and started playing polo.” Since then, the businessman with a handicap of +1 is not only a very active but also a very successful player. At the Ascona Polo Cup 2019, which he had already won in 2015, he was satisfied with second place this year only under the strongest resistance and was also awarded the title “Most Valuable Player” of the tournament.

Schalldach has also started in Croatia and Mongolia, but he mostly plays in his home country Brazil. His greatest success dates back to 2008, when he won an 18-goal tournament in Brazil with a handicap of -1. Two years ago, Schalldach and his son were also at the top of the podium at the 8-Goal Brazilian Polo Championship 8-Goal. As the new president of the Brazilian Polo Association South, the creative entrepreneur has set himself a special project. “Of course, it’s always about getting new players and fans, expanding the catchment area of our sport. Here in the south, we have a very large scene of gauchos and Crioulos breeders who are primarily active in livestock breeding. To inspire this clientele for polo would be my idea. After all, all resources such as riders, horses and playgrounds are already sufficiently available. During the great championship of the Cavallo Crioulos breeders at the end of August next year it could already be time. With a big arena polo event Schalldach wants to draw the attention and enthusiasm of the gauchos and breeders to polo.

At home on the Estancia Felicidade, which has been finished 4 years ago, he and his team have a polo arena and two polo pitches at their disposal. Here he will play in the second half of the season from the end of September, when the Helvetia Polo Club will be quiet. The best conditions for successful arena polo projects in the future.

Marcus Schalldach, Brazilian by birth with German roots, has been President of the Brazilian Polo Association South since spring 2019. We met him for an interview in Ascona, where he…

North America, Polo News

Fall Classic presented by André Clouet

17. September 2019

What a beautiful opening Sunday at the Houston Polo Club! Four 6 Goal teams took to the field and put on quite a show for our first Sunday crowd.

The first game was between Bearsden/Tylee Farms versus Plank Companies/Sullivan Group. Bearsden/Tylee Farm‘s Francisco Rodriguez Mera dominated most of the game, showing off his talent using his smart game sense. His team maintained a lead throughout the game, and in the fourth chukker Mera stopped a goal attempt with an incredible nearside back shot, protecting his goal from Plank Companies/Sullivan Group‘s Nick Cifuni. Mera‘s teammates took advantage of his back shot and made another offensive push towards their goal. Cifuni intercepted their push and once again was making a run towards his goal but as the clock ticked down with only ten seconds left, the horn sounded before he could score and the game ended in favor of Bearsden/Tylee Farms.

As the teams shook hands, the Virnau Sealy Tractor Kubota rolled onto the field filled with complimentary champagne thanks to American National Insurance. As the divots were stomped, Land Rovers from Land Rover Houston Central were on display for the crowd to see, with also a bigger vehicle for livestock owners, a Bill Fick Ford F350 dually. After the crowd had a chance to stretch their legs, the players for the second game began to warm up on the field. The horn sounded, everyone returned to their seats, and it was time for the feature match!

Brown Bears/San Saba held on to a strong 2 goal lead for the first two chukkers against Pegasus/Propaganda. But in the second half, Pegasus/Propaganda stepped up to the plate. David Andras shot 2 for 2 on penalty shots, Paul Hobby, a normally defensive player, took advantage of a pass from teammate Mason Wroe and made a nearside goal from the field. Pegasus/Propaganda took a half goal lead after Andras‘s last penalty shot, and Wroe was dominating the last chukker on Best Playing Pony, June, as she displayed her ability to out turn and out bump the competition helping to score their team‘s last goal to give Pegasus/Propaganda a 1.5 goal lead. Brown Bears/San Saba‘s Ignacio Saenz converted a hard hit penalty 4 over the scoreboard with 1:30 left in the game. Saenz had one last offensive run in the last 30 seconds, but unfortunately the ball went out of bounds, over the boards and the game ended with a Pegasus/Propaganda win.

from left to right:
Picture 1: Plank Companies/Sullivan Group‘s Nick Cifuni with a shot on goal
Picture 2: Chino Payan with a neck shot, avoiding the hook from Martin Munoz
Picture 3: Winning team: Pegasus/ Propaganda: Paul Hobby, Mason Wroe, David Andras, Chino Payan pictured with André Clouet representative Pip Cardnell

Winner‘s Circle

Pro Am September Scramble
Winner: Stewart Title
Alexis Barker, Crystal Cassidy, *Chris Williams, Chad Bowman, Martin Munoz (*sub for Cindy Madole)

HPC Summer League
2 Goal and Margarita League players enjoyed our HPC Summer League. The players and ponies brought their A game, and the summer evenings were nice and breezy.

Team Land Rover Houston Central
Agustin Arrayago, Stacey Somerville, Colleen Williams, Cindy Madole, and Chris Williams

Women‘s Pacific Coast Open
Congratulations to HPC Member Kendall Plank for taking home the win for the inaugural Women‘s Pacific Coast Open!
Plank & CO:
Kendall Plank, Ina Lalor, Dayelle Fargey, Cory Williams

Tournament Series Championship
After a tough battle in the semifinals against the eventual tournament winner, the Central Region took home the Consolation Winner title for the 2019 NYTS Championship! Congratulations to Grayson Price for being selected to represent the Central Region another year!
Central Team: Joe Post, Vance Miller III, Grayson Price, Regan Smith