Prince of Wales

Europe, Polo News

Talacrest Prince of Wales’s Championship Cup, Day 1

6. August 2021

Vikings 11 – 10 Monterosso

The Vikings team started their Talacrest Prince of Wales’s Championship Cup campaign with a win, beating Monterosso in a tight game on the Castle Ground at Flemish Farm. Max Voelker was standing in for Vikings’ patron Siri Evjemo-Nysveen and was joined by Vikings’ regulars Chris Mackenzie, Sebastian Merlos and Juan Martin Zubia. Monterosso was fielding a different line-up to this Queen’s Cup, with Matt Perry and Facundo Sola coming into the team to play alongside Monterosso stalwart Ignacio “Cubi” Toccalino.

There was little air between these two teams for all six chukkas, with both squads eager to register a win on the opening day of this new 22-goal tournament. The Vikings had a narrow, 6-5 lead at half-time but this was still anyone’s game. Both Sebastian Merlos and Facundo Sola made the most of any opportunities when they were given space but their great efforts just cancelled each other out. It was also a fairly feisty game with several yellow cards and Cubi Toccalino being sent to the “sin bin” for two minutes in the closing minutes of the fourth chukka. Despite being a man down, Monterosso, who were trailing at this point 7-6, managed to level the scores with Sola successfully converting a penalty three.

Merlos started the fifth with lovely goal to put the Vikings ahead once more but the rest of this chukka belonged to Monterosso. They managed to put some air in the scoreline (10-8), with Cubi and Sola successfully converting penalties. Many might have thought this was the moment that Monterosso would pull away but the Vikings had written a different script. Juan Martin Zubia, who is always an impressive penalty taker, first converted a 30-yard penalty. Then some great team-work from Merlos, Zubia and Mackenzie enabled the Vikings to level the score again, 10-10. Then with 90 seconds left on the clock Zubia converted his second penalty of this chukka, a 60-yarder, to give the Vikings the edge. Despite some frantic play neither team could add to their tally and Vikings won the day.

This is the first time Guards Polo Club has hosted 22-goal tournament in August and the first game did not disappoint. Five, 22-goal teams have entered this new tournament in its inaugural year and it aims to deliver some top quality sport over the next 19 days. The tournament is sponsored by Talacrest, a classic Ferrari specialist owned by former high-goal player John Collins, and all matches are being filmed live at Guards TV.

Tomorrow: Bardon Polo Team v Park Place on The Queen’s Ground at 3.30pm.

Photos by IMAGES OF POLO

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Vikings 11 – 10 Monterosso The Vikings team started their Talacrest Prince of Wales’s Championship Cup campaign with a win, beating Monterosso in a tight game on the Castle…

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.