St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship

Countdown Under Way For St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship; Tickets On Sale
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ASPEN, Colo., November 27, 2023—The much-anticipated St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship returns to Rio Grande Park on Dec. 16-17, kicking off Aspen‘s festive and social season.

VIP tickets are on sale now for 11th annual star-studded event. Ticket information can be found at www.snowpolo.net.

Last year‘s tournament raised $100,000 from record ticket sales (doubled from 2021) and donations for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation and Calaway-Young Cancer Center.

The event is one of the world‘s top snow polo tournaments, only snow polo tournament in North America and final stop on the World Polo Tour.

For the eleventh consecutive year, Aspen Valley Polo Club owners Melissa and Marc Ganzi will host the world-class event which has joined St. Moritz as one of the world‘s top snow polo tournaments and one of Aspen‘s major international sporting events.

In a holiday setting against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains, the three-day tournament is a major attraction for fans from around the world and major allure for the Aspen community and surrounding areas.

In last year‘s thrilling finish, Blade And Bow won its first St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship. Blade And Bow (Grant Ganzi, 3, Hilario Figueras, 6, Tommy Biddle, 9) rallied from a four-goal deficit to defeat St. Regis (Melissa Ganzi, 0, Nacho Figueras, 6, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 7), 9-8, in front of a soldout  VIP tent and worldwide CTV audience.

In addition to the championship final, other games at Rio Grande Park are the High Alpine Cup, Celebrity Polo and Aspen Cup final. The games are free for spectators standing around the arena. Preliminary qualifying games are Dec. 15 at Aspen Valley Polo Club‘s state-of-the-art indoor arena.

Among the player field are Nic Roldan, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Sugar Erskine, Jason Crowder and Grant Ganzi among others. The sport‘s ambassdor and St. Regis Connoisseur Nacho Figueras returns as captain of the St. Regis polo team. Figueras has played a role in the event‘s growth and development.

„To be able to play polo there with Aspen Mountain in the back is pretty special,“ Figueras said. „From a player standpoint, it keeps getting better. The players that have been coming the last few years have been amazing.“

NetJets and Edmiston return as sponsors. Casablanca is the apparel sponsor.

Other past winners are: 2021, Richard Mille (Sarah Siegel Magness, Jesse Bray, Pablo MacDonough); 2020, World Polo League (Riley Ganzi, Hilario Figueras, Alejandro Novillo Astrada); 2019, Richard Mille (Edouard Pan, Pablo MacDonough, Louis Jarrige); 2018, Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Martin Pepa, Pablo MacDonough); U.S. Polo Assn.; 2017, (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nic Roldan); 2016, Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini);  2015, U.S. Polo Assn. (Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Juancito Bollini); 2014, Piaget (Marc Ganzi, Jeff Hall, Nic Roldan); and 2013, St. Regis (Nacho Figueras, Nic Roldan, Brandon Phillips).

From the VIP tent, guests can watch from  an exclusive St. Regis alpine-inspired chalet with chandeliers fashioned from antlers and bedecked with evergreens, leather furniture and cozy fur throws. In true St. Regis spirit, guests enjoy the signature St. Regis Bloody Mary from the make-your-own Bloody Mary bar (the original drink was perfected at the King Cole Bar at The St. Regis New York in 1934).

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.

Snow polo is a modified version of regulation polo. Games are played on a snow-packed field surrounded by fencing to keep the ball in play. Teams have three players instead of four as in typical polo. Play consists of four chukkers. The horses have special cleated shoes to provide better traction. The ball is larger and lighter and a specific color for visibility on the snowy surface.

Aspen Valley Polo Club finished a successful season in club and Rocky Mountain Circuit history this past summer and is coming off an unprecedented eighth title at the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships in front of a record crowd of 12,873, the most attended polo event in the U.S. With the majestic 12,965-foot summit of Mount Sopris as a backdrop, Aspen Valley Polo Club has become the world‘s destination spot for summer and snow polo.     

Since Marc and Melissa Ganzi resurrected the Carbondale-based club and polo in 2014, polo has increased in popularity in Aspen and surrounding cities with the club‘s offerings of various weekly grass and arena tournaments, Arena & Asado Nights, Kidz Polo, Kids Wheely 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.

By Sharon Robb
ASPEN, Colo., November 27, 2023—The much-anticipated St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship returns to Rio Grande Park on Dec. 16-17, kicking off Aspen‘s festive and social season. VIP tickets are…
Blade And Bow Captures St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship; Tommy Biddle Named MVP; Event Raises A Record $100,000
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ASPEN, Colo., December 22, 2022—In a thrilling finish, Blade And Bow won its first St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship Wednesday at Rio Grande Park.

Blade And Bow (Grant Ganzi, 3, Hilario Figueras, 6, Tommy Biddle, 9) rallied from a four-goal deficit to defeat St. Regis (Melissa Ganzi, 0, Nacho Figueras, 6, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 7), 9-8, in front of a soldout VIP tent and worldwide ChukkerTV audience.

Biddle, making his fourth finals appearance, won the tournament for the first time and was named Most Valuable Player. „I am happy to finally win,“ Biddle said. „This makes it a very Merry Christmas. To be honest, I thought if we didn‘t win it they ought to kick me in the butt.“

The former 10-goal rated arena player had the play of the day scoring a goal off a knock-in the length of the field with 16 seconds left in the second chukker.

„I got very, very, very lucky because that ball is very tough to control,“ Biddle said. „When I hit it I went ‚what a crappy shot‘ because it looked like it was going to the right and going out of bounds. Then it curled back in and landed in and I went ‚oh wow.‘“

St. Regis, a 14-goal rated team, started  with a 3-0 lead based on handicap against Blade And Bow. Melissa Ganzi made it 4-0 with a long goal just past center field. Biddle scored with 3:12 left in the opening chukker as Blade And Bow started to claw its way back into the game.

Grant Ganzi converted a 15-yard penalty to tie the game, 6-6, with 3:57 left in the third chukker. Melissa Ganzi then converted a 15-yard penalty to give St. Regis back the lead, 7-6. Hilario Figueras scored on a neck shot with 1:53 to tie the game again, 7-7. Nacho Figueras was awarded a penalty one for an 8-7 lead. Blade And Bow was also awarded a penalty one when Grant Ganzi was impeded with as he attempted to score and  tied the game again, 8-8, in the third chukker.

In another big play, Grant Ganzi jumped on the line to draw a St. Regis foul and successfully converted a 15-yard penalty which turned out to be the winning goal for a 9-8 lead with 3:32 left in the game.

“We were clawing back the whole game,“ said Grant Ganzi after winning his third St. Regis title. „They got a cushion on us and then they scored a quick one, my mom scored an amazing goal. And they scored another goal. It was a lot of goals we had to make up. And I missed a couple of penalties. So, honestly, I was proud of my teammates. They fought really hard and I was happy I was able to knock the penalties down the second half when they were really important.

„I was just happy we were able to come back and not give up,“ Ganzi said. „It was an amazing game. Hats off to St. Regis. They played incredible. My mom played one of the best snow polo games I’ve seen her play in her life and Alejandro and Nacho battled their asses off to win. Kudos to them and all the love in the world to my teammates. They killed it.”

St. Regis had its chances to score late in the chukker missing two penalty shots and having a goal called back because of a foul. With 48 seconds left, Grant Ganzi stole the ball from Astrada and ran out the clock.

„I knew that having to give up three goals on handicap in the snow is a lot different from playing in the arena,“ Biddle said. „There was no sense to get upset. Just go and keep working and working and working. I figured we would get it worked out by the end.

„We really should have gone up by two goals and there would have been a lot less pressure but then we had to hang on for dear life because they had a couple of opportunities late.“

Biddle and Figueras each had three goals. Ganzi had two goals and was awarded a penalty-one.

Added Nacho Figueras, who has competed in all 10 St. Regis snow polo tournaments. “It’s always fun to see the kids excel. So that was fun. But I always like to win, so I wasn’t so happy about the result. But they beat us fair and square and I can’t wait until next year.”

In the second game of the doubleheader, Richard Mille (Sarah Siegel Magness, 1, Jesse Bray, 7, Pablo MacDonough, 10) defeated NetJets (Scott Wood, 2, Juan Martin Zubia, 9, Sugar Erskine, 7), 6-4, for the Aspen Cup. MacDonough scored a game-high four goals and was named Most Valuabler Player.

In the battle for fifth and sixth place in the six-team tournament on Tuesday, CK Shack (Santos Bollini, 3, Martin Uranga, 7, Juan Bollini, 4) defeated Edmiston (Cable Magness, 1, Jason Crowder, 7, Jeronimo Del Carril, 9), 9-5. Juan Bollini was selected MVP.

In the Celebrity Polo Round Robin, Aspen Valley Polo Club (Sterling Jones, Marc Ganzi, Nacho Figueras) won the three-team round robin, 1-0, over Casablanca (Saul Sacca, Juan Bollini, Grant Ganzi). Lugano Diamonds (Joyce Bonelli, Martin Uranga, Vinny Sangaline) finished third.

Irenita Sofia, owned and played by Grant Ganzi, was the Best Playing Pony for the final.

Open Deliciosa, played by MacDonough and owned by Halo Polo, was the Best Playing Pony for the tournament.

Call of Duty, played by Zubia and owned by Halo Pony, was the American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony of the tournament.

The six-team event was the most competitive tournament in its 10-year history.

„You have really good players that are playing here,“ Biddle said. „And the patrons that are playing in the tournament play very well. The Ganzis shipped out three loads of horses to help mount everybody.“

Blade And Bow Blade is a brand of bourbon whiskey produced at the original site of the iconic Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. The original distillery closed its doors in 1992, and the company Diageo re-opened the facility in 2014. In regards to the origins of the Blade and Bow name, it represents the two parts of a skeleton key, the blade shaft and the ornate bow.

For the second consecutive day, actress and singer songwriter Kelley Jakle, sang a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem and flag bearer Jenna Hammond carried the American flag on horseback during the pre-game ceremony.

During the awards ceremony, tournament co-host Marc Ganzi announced that $100,000 had been raised from record ticket sales (doubled from last year) and donations for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation and Calaway-Young Cancer Center.

„All of you showed up this weekend,“ said tournament co-host Marc Ganzi. „I know a lot of you came from a long distance to support the World Snow Polo Championships and part of that support is when all of you reached into your checkbooks and you bought VIP tickets to come. We blew this out. We raised $100,000 this weekend which is incredible. We were at $30,000 two days ago.“

Ganzi also praised the community support for the event.

„This week doesn‘t happen without a lot of important people,“ Ganzi said. „I have to give a lot of credit to Mayor Torre and the City Council. This city continues to support this event. We can‘t do it without the city of Aspen or without the help of Aspen Skiing Company. That‘s what this community does. It shows up and pulls for everyone and I want to give a great round of applause for the city of Aspen for their partnership in this event.“

For the tenth consecutive year, Aspen Valley Polo Club owners Melissa and Marc Ganzi hosted the world-class event which has joined St. Moritz as one of the world‘s top snow polo tournaments and one of Aspen‘s major international sporting events. It was the final stop on the World Polo Tour and only snow polo event in North America.

Past winners were: 2021, Richard Mille (Sarah Siegel Magness, Jesse Bray, Pablo MacDonough); 2020, World Polo League (Riley Ganzi, Hilario Figueras, Alejandro Novillo Astrada); 2019, Richard Mille (Edouard Pan, Pablo MacDonough, Louis Jarrige); 2018, Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Martin Pepa, Pablo MacDonough); U.S. Polo Assn.; 2017, (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nic Roldan); 2016, Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini);  2015, U.S. Polo Assn. (Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Juancito Bollini); 2014, Piaget (Marc Ganzi, Jeff Hall, Nic Roldan); and 2013, St. Regis (Nacho Figueras, Nic Roldan, Brandon Phillips).

With the majestic 12,965-foot summit of Mount Sopris as a backdrop, Aspen Valley Polo Club continues to be one of the busiest and fastest growing USPA-sanctioned clubs in the nation. Aspen Valley Polo Club has become the world‘s destination spot for summer and snow polo.     

Since Marc and Melissa Ganzi resurrected the club and polo in 2014, polo has increased in popularity in Aspen and surrounding cities with the club‘s offerings of various weekly grass and arena tournaments, Arena & Asado Nights, Kidz Polo, Kids Wheely 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.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Nick Tininenko
ASPEN, Colo., December 22, 2022—In a thrilling finish, Blade And Bow won its first St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship Wednesday at Rio Grande Park. Blade And Bow (Grant Ganzi,…
CK Shack Wins High Alpine Cup At St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship; Final Day Action Wednesday
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CARBONDALE, Colo., December 21, 2022 — CK Shack rebounded from its two close losses on opening day to capture the High Alpine Cup Tuesday at the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship.

In the battle for fifth and sixth place in the six-team tournament, CK Shack (Santos Bollini, 3, Martin Uranga, 7, Juan Bollini, 4) was unstoppable jumping out to quick lead and never relinquished it for a 9-5 victory over Edmiston (Cable Magness, 1, Jason Crowder, 7, Jeronimo Del Carril, 9) at Rio Grande Park.

In Monday‘s qualifying round at Aspen Valley Polo Club, CK Shack lost to defending champion Richard Mille, 9-7, and Blade And Bow, 7-6.

„We‘re always happy to win and play our best,“ Bollini said. „I‘m always excited to play and Santos was on the field and that always gives me an extra push when I play with my kids.

„That team was a good team,“ Bollini said. „We started very strong in the beginning and everything went our way in the first two chukkers. Then they came back a bit. Then the fourth chukker we dominated again.“

CK Shack started off with a 2-0 lead on handicap and quickly built a 6-1 halftime lead. CK Shack led 8-3 after the third chukker. Edmiston tried to dig itself out a hole in the second half but ran out of time.

CK Shack got balanced scoring from its lineup. Uranga led with three goals and father and son Juan and Santos Bollini each had two goals. Magness and Crowder each had two goals and Del Carril added one for Edmiston.

In the Celebrity Polo Round Robin, Aspen Valley Polo Club (Sterling Jones, Marc Ganzi, Nacho Figueras) won the three-team round robin, 1-0, over Casablanca (Saul Sacca, Juan Bollini, Grant Ganzi).

Jones scored the winning goal with 23 seconds in the final chukker. Jones was leading scorer with two goals. Lugano Diamonds (Joyce Bonelli, Martin Uranga, Vinny Sangaline) finished third.

„It‘s fun to have new people in the game and show them how much fun and safe it is,“ Bollini said. „And celebrity people talk about it and help make it bigger.“

The High Alpine Cup was the first of three tournament finals. On Wednesday, the third and final day of the prestigious tournament, action continues with a doubleheader featuring the championship and Alpine Cup.

In front of an expected sellout VIP crowd and worldwide ChukkerTV audience, Blade And Bow (Grant Ganzi, 3, Hilario Figueras, 6, Tommy Biddle, 9) will play St. Regis (Melissa Ganzi, 0, Nacho Figueras, 6, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 7) in the championship final at 1 p.m. MST.

Richard Mille (Sarah Siegel Magness, 1, Jesse Bray, 7, Pablo MacDonough, 10) and NetJets (Scott Wood, 2, Juan Martin Zubia, 9, Sugar Erskine, 7) will play for the Aspen Cup at 3 p.m. followed by the trophy presentation ceremony at 4:15 p.m.

„This tournament has been very competitive,“ Bollini said. „We saw really good games yesterday and today was a good game, too. The level of this tournament is getting better and better. The players and horses are better every year. The condition of the field today was fantastic.“

In the qualifying round on Monday, Blade And Bow advanced into the final with a 5-4 overtime upset over three-time defending champion Richard Mille. St. Regis defeated NetJets, 7-5, to advance.

It will be the second consecutive finals appearance for St. Regis. In last year‘s final, St. Regis (Melissa Ganzi, 1, Nacho Figueras, 6, Nic Roldan, 9) lost to defending champion Richard Mille, 9-6.

Five of the six player finalists have won the coveted cup at least once. Only Biddle, a former 10-goal rated arena player, has not won it. The final will pit father against son Nacho and Hilario Figueras and mother against son Melissa and Grant Ganzi.

The event, one of the world‘s top snow polo tournaments and only snow polo event in North America, is a fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation and Calaway-Young Cancer Center. In addition to ticket proceeds, donations are welcomed.

For the tenth consecutive year, Aspen Valley Polo Club owners Melissa and Marc Ganzi are hosting the world-class event which 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 final stop on the World Polo Tour and kickoff to the holiday social season in Aspen.

Past winners are: 2020, World Polo League (Riley Ganzi, Hilario Figueras, Alejandro Novillo Astrada); 2019, Richard Mille (Edouard Pan, Pablo MacDonough, Louis Jarrige); 2018, Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Martin Pepa, Pablo MacDonough); U.S. Polo Assn.; 2017, (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nic Roldan); 2016, Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini);  2015, U.S. Polo Assn. (Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Juancito Bollini); 2014, Piaget (Marc Ganzi, Jeff Hall, Nic Roldan); and 2013, St. Regis (Nacho Figueras, Nic Roldan, Brandon Phillips).

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.

With the majestic 12,965-foot summit of Mount Sopris as a backdrop, Aspen Valley Polo Club continues to be one of the busiest and fastest growing USPA-sanctioned clubs in the nation. Aspen Valley Polo Club has become the world‘s destination spot for summer and snow polo.     

Since Marc and Melissa Ganzi resurrected the club and polo in 2014, polo has increased in popularity in Aspen and surrounding cities with the club‘s offerings of various weekly grass and arena tournaments, Arena & Asado Nights, Kidz Polo, Kids Wheely 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.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Nick Tininenko

2022 Aspen World Snow Polo Championship

Schedule

Wednesday 12/21
12 p.m. VIP tent opens

1 p.m. Championship Final
St. Regis vs Blade And Bow

3 p.m. Aspen Cup Final
Richard Mille vs NetJets
at Rio Grande Park

Purchase Tickets

CARBONDALE, Colo., December 21, 2022 — CK Shack rebounded from its two close losses on opening day to capture the High Alpine Cup Tuesday at the St. Regis World Snow…
Let‘s Get This Party Started; St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship Begins Monday
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CARBONDALE, Colo., December 19, 2022 — The stage is set for the 10th anniversary of the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship.

On Sunday night, the draw party featuring player and sponsor introductions was held during a cocktail reception at St. Regis Aspen Resort in a fun and festive atmosphere highlighted by St. Regis‘ traditional champagne sabering.

Several players were still celebrating Argentina‘s win in the World Cup with Nacho Figueras waving an Argentine jersey as he was introduced and Pablo MacDonough and Santos Bollini wearing Argentine jerseys.

„Ten years we have been doing this event with St. Regis and our good friends at Marriott,“ said tournament host and emcee Marc Ganzi. „It‘s really exciting because when you reach ten years in an event in this town it becomes institutional of sorts.

„We have overcome a lot of challenges and it‘s taken a lot of hard work and a lot of people from the community to get us to where we are today.“

Ganzi thanked the City of Aspen and Parks and Recreation Department. „Without their support and without the field we don‘t have snow polo,“ Ganzi said. „It‘s really important we continue to make this a community event.“ Ganzi also thanked the City Council.

„I think this has really become a great event and it‘s one the locals support,“ Ganzi said. „It‘s a great way to kick off the holiday season. This year will be better than ever. We have got six amazing teams.“

After the draw for bracket seeding, three-time defending champion Richard Mille, CK Shack and Blade & Bow are in Bracket One. Edmiston, NetJets and St. Regis are in Bracket Two. Round robin matches will be held at the club‘s indoor arena in Carbondale Monday at noon (Bracket One) and 2 p.m. (Bracket Two).

Team sponsors and rosters are:

Blade & Bow (18): Grant Ganzi, 3, Hilario Figueras, 6, Tommy Biddle, 9.
Richard Mille (18): Sarah Siegel Magness, 1, Jesse Bray, 7, Pablo MacDonough, 10.
Edmiston (17): Cable Magness, 1, Jason Crowder, 7, Jeronimo Del Carril, 9.
NetJets (18): Scott Wood, 2, Juan Martin Zubia, 9, Sugar Erskine, 7.
St. Regis (14): Melissa Ganzi, 0, Nacho Figueras, 6, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 7.
CK Shack (14): Juancito Bollini, 4, Martin Uranga, 7, Santos Bollini, 3.

Celebrity team sponsors and lineups are: Lugano Diamonds: Joyce Bonelli, Martin Uranga, Vinny Sangaline; Aspen Valley Polo Club: Marc Ganzi, Sterling Jones, Nacho Figiueras; and Casablanca: Saul Sacca, Grant Ganzi, Juan Bollini.

After Monday‘s qualifying at Aspen Valley Polo Club, action continues Tuesday and Wednesday at Rio Grande Park in front of an expected sellout crowd and worldwide ChukkerTV audience.

On Tuesday and Wednesday from noon-4 p.m., action moves to Rio Grande Park in downtown Aspen where the semifinals and celebrity matches are Tuesday and final and Aspen Cup consolation game and trophy presentation are Wednesday.

On Tuesday at 1:15 p.m., the High Alpine Cup for fifth and sixth places will be held followed by the popular Celebrity Polo Round Robin Cup. On Wednesday, the championship final is 1 p.m. followed by the Aspen Cup at 3 p.m.

The art of sabrage is the signature ceremony of the St. Regis Evening Rituals series. Dating back to the battles of Napoleon Bonaparte, who along with his soldiers, opened champagne with his saber in both victory and defeat, Napoleon once said, “Champagne: in victory, one deserves it; in defeat, one needs it.”

The event, one of the world‘s top snow polo tournaments and only snow polo event in North America, is a fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation. In addition to the ticket proceeds, donations are welcomed.

For the tenth consecutive year, Aspen Valley Polo Club owners Melissa and Marc Ganzi are hosting the world-class event which 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 final stop on the World Polo Tour and kickoff to the holiday social season in Aspen.

Last year Richard Mille made history at the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship. In front of a soldout heated VIP tent, Richard Mille (Sarah Siegel Magness, 0, Jesse Bray, 7, Pablo MacDonough, 10) won its third title with an impressive 9-6 victory over St. Regis (Melissa Ganzi, 1, Nacho Figueras, 6, Nic Roldan, 9).

Richard Mille has won the tournament three of the last four years. MacDonough, the only player on all three winning teams, was named Most Valuable Player.

Past winners are: 2020, World Polo League (Riley Ganzi, Hilario Figueras, Alejandro Novillo Astrada); 2019, Richard Mille (Edouard Pan, Pablo MacDonough, Louis Jarrige); 2018, Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Martin Pepa, Pablo MacDonough); U.S. Polo Assn.; 2017, (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nic Roldan); 2016, Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini);  2015, U.S. Polo Assn. (Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Juancito Bollini); 2014, Piaget (Marc Ganzi, Jeff Hall, Nic Roldan); and 2013, St. Regis (Nacho Figueras, Nic Roldan, Brandon Phillips).

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.

With the majestic 12,965-foot summit of Mount Sopris as a backdrop, Aspen Valley Polo Club continues to be one of the busiest and fastest growing USPA-sanctioned clubs in the nation. Aspen Valley Polo Club has become the world‘s destination spot for summer and snow polo.     

Since Marc and Melissa Ganzi resurrected the club and polo in 2014, polo has increased in popularity in Aspen and surrounding cities with the club‘s offerings of various weekly grass and arena tournaments, Arena & Asado Nights, Kidz Polo, Kids Wheely 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.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Nick Tininenko

2022 Aspen World Snow Polo Championship

Schedule

Sunday 12/18 6:30 p.m.
Team draw at St. Regis Aspen Resort

Monday 12/19 12 p.m. & 2 p.m.
Preliminary Games
at Aspen Valley Polo Club

Tuesday 12/20
12 p.m. VIP tent opens
1:15 p.m. High Alpine Cup Final
Celebrity game
at Rio Grande Park

Wednesday 12/21
12 p.m. VIP tent opens
1 p.m. Championship Final
3 p.m. Aspen Cup Final
at Rio Grande Park

Purchase Tickets

CARBONDALE, Colo., December 19, 2022 — The stage is set for the 10th anniversary of the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship. On Sunday night, the draw party featuring player…
Team Sponsors, Rosters Announced For 10th Anniversary Of St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship
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CARBONDALE, Colo., December 17, 2022 — One of the world‘s top snow polo tournaments and only snow polo event in North America, will feature six teams competing for the coveted winners‘ trophy.

The tournament teams and rosters are:

Blade & Bow (18): Grant Ganzi, 3, Hilario Figueras, 6, Tommy Biddle, 9.
Richard Mille (18): Sarah Siegel Magness, 1, Jesse Bray, 7, Pablo MacDonough, 10.
Edmiston (17): Cable Magness, 1, Jason Crowder, 7, Jeronimo Del Carril, 9.
NetJets (18): Scott Wood, 2, Juan Martin Zubia, 9, Sugar Erskine, 7.
St. Regis (14): Melissa Ganzi, 0, Nacho Figueras, 6, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 7.
CK Shack (14): Juancito Bollini, 4, Nito Uranga, 7, Santos Bollini, 3.

The celebrity team sponsors and lineups are:

Lugano Diamonds: Joyce Bonelli, Nito Uranga, Vinny Sangaline.
Aspen Valley Polo Club: Marc Ganzi, Sterling Jones, Nacho Figiueras.
Casablanca: Saul Sacca, Grant Ganzi, Juan Bollini.

In front of an expected sellout crowd and worldwide ChukkerTV audience, action begins Monday, Dec. 19, with qualifying games at Aspen Valley Polo Club and continues Tuesday and Wednesday at Rio Grande Park.

The festivities kick off Sunday at 6:30 p.m. with the draw and team introduction during a cocktail reception and traditional champagne sabering at St. Regis Aspen Resort where team pairings and sponsors will be announced.

On Monday, qualifying round robin matches will be held at the club‘s indoor arena in Carbondale at noon and 2 p.m.

On Tuesday and Wednesday from noon-4 p.m., action moves to Rio Grande Park in downtown Aspen where the semifinals and celebrity matches are Tuesday and final and Aspen Cup consolation game and trophy presentation are Wednesday.

On Tuesday at 1:15 p.m., the High Alpine Cup for fifth and sixth places will be held followed by the popular Celebrity Polo Round Robin Cup. On Wednesday, the championship final is 1 p.m. followed by the Aspen Cup at 3 p.m.

The event is a fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation. In addition to the ticket proceeds, donations are welcomed.

For the tenth consecutive year, Aspen Valley Polo Club owners Melissa and Marc Ganzi, will host the world-class 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 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.

Last year Richard Mille made history at the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship. In front of a soldout heated VIP tent, Richard Mille (Sarah Siegel Magness, 0, Jesse Bray, 7, Pablo MacDonough, 10) won its third title with an impressive 9-6 victory over St. Regis (Melissa Ganzi, 1, Nacho Figueras, 6, Nic Roldan, 9).

Richard Mille has won the tournament three of the last four years. MacDonough, the only player on all three winning teams, was named Most Valuable Player.

Bray earned the High Scorer Award after scoring 12 goals in the tournament. The  29-year-old scored a game-high five goals in the championship. He also scored four goals in his team‘s 10-7 opening tournament win over Aspen Valley Polo Club and three goals in a 3-2 win over defending champion World Polo League.

It was the most competitive final in the nine-year history of the prestigious tournament.

Past winners are: 2020, World Polo League (Riley Ganzi, Hilario Figueras, Alejandro Novillo Astrada); 2019, Richard Mille (Edouard Pan, Pablo MacDonough, Louis Jarrige); 2018, Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Martin Pepa, Pablo MacDonough); U.S. Polo Assn.; 2017, Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nic Roldan); 2016, Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini);  2015, U.S. Polo Assn. (Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Juancito Bollini); 2014, Piaget (Marc Ganzi, Jeff Hall, Nic Roldan); and 2013, St. Regis (Nacho Figueras, Nic Roldan, Brandon Phillips).

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.

With the majestic 12,965-foot summit of Mount Sopris as a backdrop, Aspen Valley Polo Club continues to be one of the busiest and fastest growing USPA-sanctioned clubs in the nation.

Aspen Valley Polo Club finished another successful and historic season in club and Rocky Mountain Circuit history this past summer. Aspen Valley Polo Club has become the world‘s destination spot for summer and snow polo.     

Since Marc and Melissa Ganzi resurrected the club and polo in 2014, polo has increased in popularity in Aspen and surrounding cities with the club‘s offerings of various weekly grass and arena tournaments, Arena & Asado Nights, Kidz Polo, Kids Wheely 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.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira & Nick Tininenko

2022 Aspen World Snow Polo Championship

Schedule

Sunday 12/18 6:30 p.m.
Team draw at St. Regis Aspen Resort

Monday 12/19 12 p.m. & 2 p.m.
Preliminary Games
at Aspen Valley Polo Club

Tuesday 12/20
12 p.m. VIP tent opens
1:15 p.m. High Alpine Cup Final
Celebrity game
at Rio Grande Park

Wednesday 12/21
12 p.m. VIP tent opens
1 p.m. Championship Final
3 p.m. Aspen Cup Final
at Rio Grande Park

Purchase Tickets

CARBONDALE, Colo., December 17, 2022 — One of the world‘s top snow polo tournaments and only snow polo event in North America, will feature six teams competing for the coveted…
Countdown begins for St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship; tickets on sale
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Von Sharon Robb

Fotos von Nick Tininenko

The countdown begins for the highly-anticipated St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship, one of the world’s top snow polo tournaments and only snow polo event in North America.

In front of an expected sellout crowd and worldwide ChukkerTV audience, action begins Monday, Dec. 19, with qualifying games at Aspen Valley Polo Club and continues Tuesday and Wednesday at Rio Grande Park.

On Sunday, Dec. 18, the always entertaining draw and team introduction will be held during a cocktail reception at St. Regis Aspen Resort where team pairings and sponsors will be announced. On Monday, the qualifying matches will be held at the club’s indoor arena in Carbondale. On Tuesday and Wednesday from noon-4 p.m., action moves to Rio Grande Park in downtown Aspen where the semifinals and celebrity matches are Tuesday and final and trophy presentation are Wednesday.

For the tenth 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.

Heading the field will be some of the world’s top players including Pablo MacDonough, Gonzalito Pieres, Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Figueras.

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.

Last year Richard Mille made history at the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship. In front of a soldout heated VIP tent, Richard Mille (Sarah Siegel Magness, 0, Jesse Bray, 7, Pablo MacDonough, 10) won its third title with an impressive 9-6 victory over St. Regis (Melissa Ganzi, 1, Nacho Figueras, 6, Nic Roldan, 9) on the final stop of the World Polo Tour.

Richard Mille has won the tournament three of the last four years. MacDonough, the only player on all three winning teams, was named Most Valuable Player.

Bray earned the High Scorer Award after scoring 12 goals in the tournament. The 30-year-old scored a game-high five goals in the championship. He also scored four goals in his team’s 10-7 opening tournament win over Aspen Valley Polo Club and three goals in a 3-2 win over defending champion World Polo League. It was Bray’s fifth snow polo tournament appearance and third final. It was also the first game his 2-month old baby Dorothy Lily watched him play.

It was the most competitive final in the nine-year history of North America’s only snow polo tournament and fitting way to kick off the holiday social season in Aspen.

Best Playing Pony was home-bred Centauros, played by Bray and owned by Wellington, Fla.-based Santa Rita Polo Farm.

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.

With the majestic 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.

Aspen Valley Polo Club finished another successful and historic season in club and Rocky Mountain Circuit history this past summer. Aspen Valley Polo Club has become the world’s destination spot for summer and snow polo.    

Since Marc and Melissa Ganzi resurrected the club and polo in 2014, polo has increased in popularity in Aspen and surrounding cities with the club’s offerings of various weekly grass and arena tournaments, Arena & Asado Nights, Kidz Polo, Kids Wheely 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.

By Sharon Robb
Images by Nick Tininenko
Von Sharon Robb Fotos von Nick Tininenko The countdown begins for the highly-anticipated St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship, one of the world’s top snow polo tournaments and only snow…
St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship Announces Schedule, Players, Team Rosters
VIEW POST

ASPEN, Colo., December 8, 2021 — A Who‘s Who in polo players from around the world will compete in the much-anticipated Dec. 16-19 St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship at Aspen Valley Polo Club and Rio Grande Park.

The star-studded lineup is headed by Argentine 10-goalers Pablo MacDonough and Juan Martin Nero; 9-goalers Nic Roldan and Tommy Biddle; and 8-goalers Juan Martin Zubia and Alejandro Novillo Astrada.


The stage is set for the ninth annual St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship.

In addition to returning as title sponsor, St. Regis will return as a team sponsor with team captain Nacho Figueras, the sport‘s ambassador and St. Regis Connoisseur. Figueras will play with  Melissa Ganzi and Roldan. 

The seven team sponsors and rosters are:

Casablanca (15): Grant Ganzi, 3, Juancito Bollini, 4, Juan Martin Zubia, 8.

Richard Mille (17): Sarah Siegel Magness, 0, Jesse Bray, 7, Pablo MacDonough, 10.

Edmiston (16): Cable Magness, 2, Jason Crowder, 7, Sugar Erskine, 7.

Aspen Valley Polo Club (14): Alecia Seidler, 0, Juan Bollini 4T, Juan Martin Nero, 10.

ChukkerTV (14): Vinny Sangaline, 1, Martin Pepa, 4, Tommy Biddle, 9.

St. Regis (16): Melissa Ganzi, 1, Nacho Figueras, 6, Nic Roldan 9.

WPL (15): Riley Ganzi 1, Hilario Figueras 6, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 8.

The celebrity teams will feature bull rider Landon Miller, actor and director Miss Saye Yabandeh and another player to be announced, playing for ChukkerTV and actor Sterling Jones, Vinny Sangaline and Nacho Figueras playing for Aspen Valley Polo Club.


2020 World Snow Polo Championship winners WPL Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Riley Ganzi, and Hilario Figueras.

Players will take center stage at one of the world‘s top snow polo tournaments and only snow polo event in North America. It is one of Aspen‘s major international sporting events and kickoff to the holiday social season in Aspen.

For the ninth consecutive year, Aspen Valley Polo Club owners Melissa and Marc Ganzi, will host the event along with Figueras and his wife Delfina Blaquier.

In front of a local crowd and worldwide ChukkerTV audience, four days of events will be held during the final stop on the 2021 World Polo Tour.


Jesse Bray and Riley Ganzi.

The week of activities begin with a virtual draw and traditional St. Regis champagne sabering on Thursday at 7 p.m. at St. Regis Aspen Resort Hotel. 

Polo action will take place Friday with preliminary qualifying games at Aspen Valley Polo Club‘s indoor arena in Carbondale. Preliminary games are 1 and 2 p.m. followed by a round robin at 3 p.m.

On Saturday at Rio Grande Park the High Alpine Cup is 1:15 p.m. The round robin will determine the fifth, sixth and seventh place teams. A Celebrity Polo Chukker will follow at 2:30 p.m.

On Sunday, the final is 1 p.m. followed by the Aspen Cup at 3 p.m. The trophy presentation is 4:15 p.m. featuring all seven teams.


Juan Bollini, Vinny Sangaline, and Nic Roldan.

A check will be presented to Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation and Calloway Young Cancer Center. The tournament is a fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation, the designated philanthropic charity. Donations are welcome.

The event will follow COVID-19 guidelines. Per local state and county guidelines, all attendees must show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result (within 48 hours prior) before entering the event. 

Edmiston, a world leader in the super yacht industry will join world-class partners St. Regis, Aspen Valley Polo Club, Richard Mille, Casablanca, NetJets and World Polo League as major sponsors. Edmiston will also co-host the Dec. 28-30 Audi Ajax Cup at Highlands Mountain with Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club.


Deborah Breen, President and CEO of the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation accepts a check for the Calloway Young Cancer Center.

Nestled at the base of the majestic Aspen Mountain, the St. Regis Aspen Resort, a five-star luxury hotel, is between the mountain‘s two primary base ski lifts and within walking distance to all of Aspen‘s shops, restaurants and entertainment. It delivers a benchmark of personalized service and attention to detail amidst the relaxed spirit of the Rocky Mountains. 

Richard Mille is the official timekeeper for the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship. Mille created the RM 53-01 Tourbillon Pablo MacDonough for his Brand Ambassador.

NetJets will be an event sponsor for the second year. NetJets boasts a global network unmatched in private aviation. With more than 750 aircraft (equal to the world’s fourth largest airline), the company operates more than 313,000 flights annually worldwide. Figueras is NetJets Brand Ambassador.


Nacho Figueras and Grant Ganzi.

In addition to defending champion World Polo League (Riley Ganzi, Hilario Figueras, Alejandro Novillo Astrada), other past winners include: Richard Mille (2019, Edouard Pan, Pablo MacDonough, Louis Jarrige); Richard Mille (2018, Marc Ganzi, Martin Pepa, Pablo MacDonough); U.S. Polo Assn  (2017, Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nic Roldan); Flexjet (2016, Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini);  U.S. Polo Assn. (2015, Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Juancito Bollini); Piaget (2014, Marc Ganzi, Jeff Hall, Nic Roldan); and  St. Regis (2013, Nacho Figueras, Nic Roldan, Brandon Phillips). 

The snow polo tournament is a major sports attraction for the local community and fans from all over the world. The breathtaking scenery, venue and great polo action is a major allure for the Aspen community and surrounding areas.

Rio Grande Park is Aspen‘s largest multi-functional park within the city‘s limits and just minutes away from the St. Regis Aspen Resort.


2020 World Snow Polo Championship awards table. 

In the U.S., snow polo is held exclusively in Aspen. Snow polo is a modified version of regulation polo. Games are played on a snow-packed field surrounded by fencing to keep the ball in play. Teams have three players instead of four as in typical polo. Play consists of four chukkers. The horses have special cleated shoes to provide better traction. The ball is larger and lighter and a specific color for visibility on the snowy surface.

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.

Since Marc and Melissa Ganzi resurrected the club and polo in 2014, polo has increased in popularity in Aspen and surrounding cities with the club‘s offerings of various weekly grass and arena tournaments, Arena & Asado Nights, Kidz Polo, Kids Wheely 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.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Nick Tininenko

BUY TICKETS

 

 

2021 St Regis World Snow Polo Championship  Schedule

Thursday 12/16 
7 p.m. Team Draw – from St. Regis Aspen Resort

Friday 12/17 
Preliminary Games
1pm, 2pm. 3pm

Saturday 12/18
1:15 p.m. The High Alpine Cup
2:30 p.m. Celebrity Polo Chukker

Sunday 12/19
1 p.m. World Snow Polo Championship Final
3 p.m. The Aspen Cup
4:15 p.m. Trophy Presentation

All Games Live on https://www.chukkertv.com in Mountain Standard Time

 

ASPEN, Colo., December 8, 2021 — A Who‘s Who in polo players from around the world will compete in the much-anticipated Dec. 16-19 St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship at…
Snow Polo “White Hot Party With The Players” Set For Dec. 20th, Tickets On Sale
VIEW POST

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…
St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship
VIEW POST

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
 
 
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.
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…
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