THE POLO SCHOOL

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Scone Captures Sterling Cup; Poroto Cambiaso Sweeps MVP, BPP Honors

3. March 2023

WELLINGTON, March 2, 2023—Scone won its second Sterling Cup title in three years Wednesday at Grand Champions Polo Club.

In front of a good crowd, Scone (Sarah Siegel Magness, 0, Cody Ellis, 4, Poroto Cambiaso, 9, Pelon Stirling, 9) led for most of the game for a 13-10 victory over Valiente (Chris Dawson, 0, Paquito de Narvaez, 3, Tomas Panelo, 8, Adolfo Cambiaso, 10).

Poroto Cambiaso, 17, earned Most Valuable Player honors after scoring seven goals and finishing with 14 for the tournament. It was the fourth time Cambiaso won the tournament.

„I have played with Poroto many times,“ Siegel Magness said. „He is a very gracious player. He wants you to have fun. He hits very long balls and keeps it very simple.“

Cambiaso also swept the Best Playing Pony awards. Cambiaso‘s fifth-chukker horse Irenita Insignia earned the American Polo Horse Association award and his second-chukker horse Dolfina Lapa Clone CO5 was the Grand Champions Polo Club Best Playing Pony.

In the fast-paced open game, the score was tied four times in the first two chukkers before Scone found its momentum to take a 6-3 lead at the end of the second chukker and 7-5 advantage at halftime.

Scone came out blazing in the fourth chukker for a 4-0 shutout including three goals by Cambiaso, and 11-5 lead. Valiente shut out Scone in the fifth chukker, 2-0, to close the gap and trail 11-7 but Scone never lost its composure or the lead.

„I felt very grateful that they allowed me to sub,“ said Siegel Magness, competing in only her second 22-goal game. „It was super fun. I‘m very happy. Hopefully David (Paradice) will be happy that we won.

„It was only my second 22-goal team so I needed to get use to the speed. When my mallet broke it was such a bummer. I kept hitting it and thinking why is it not doing what I want it to do. And then boom.“

In addition to Cambiaso‘s seven goals, Sterling, Ellis and Siegel Magness each had two goals. Panelo led Valiente with four goals. Dawson and Adolfo Cambiaso each had two and de Narvaez had one goal. The team was awarded one goal on handicap.

For the game, Scone outshot Valiente, 19-12 and led in throw-ins, 10-9. Valiente led in knock-ins, 5-3. Each team was assessed four penalities, with Valiente converting three of theirs. In the first half, Scone outshot Valiente, 9-5 and led in throw-ins, 6-4.

In the opening semifinal, Scone (Cable Magness, Cody Ellis, Poroto Cambiaso, Pelon Stirling) defeated Audi (Marc Ganzi, Grant Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola, Barto Castagnola) to advance with a 14-11 victory.

In the other semifinal, Valiente (Robert Jornayvaz, Peke Gonzalez, Luckitas Criado, Adolfo Cambiaso) advanced with a thrilling 11-10 overtime victory over upset-minded Tamera (Ale Poma/Miguel Novillo Astrada, Pedrinho Zacharias, Diego Cavanagh, Secundo Saravi).

The prestigious Sterling Cup was resurrected seven years ago after a 22-year absence. It was brought back by Grand Champions President Melissa Ganzi in hopes of recapturing polo‘s glory days.

In the 2021 final, Scone held off La Indiana, 14-13, to capture the prestigious trophy. Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso, Peke Gonzalez and Australian patron David Paradice came from behind to defeat La Indiana (Nico Escobar, Jeff Hall, Polito Pieres, Milo Dorignac) in a battle of unbeaten teams. For the second consecutive year, Adolfo Cambiaso was named MVP.

In 2020, Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz 2, Gonzalo Ferrari 4, Poroto Cambiaso 4, Adolfo Cambiaso, 10) won its second Sterling Cup in three years with a 12-9 win over Santa Clara (Henry Porter 3, Matias Magrini 7, Nachi du Plessis 8, Luis Escobar 4). Adolfo Cambiaso was MVP. In 2019, Colorado knocked off Valiente, 9-8, in the final.

In the 2018 Sterling Cup tournament Adolfo, Mia and Poroto Cambiaso made history by winning their first-ever high goal tournament together. Along with teammate Magoo Laprida, Valiente knocked off pre-tournament favorite Audi, 10-4, in the final. Mia Cambiaso was MVP.

Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest polo club celebrating its 16th anniversary, and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique private 102-acre polo facility in Wellington with 212 stalls in nine self-contained barns, two tracks, five climate-controlled tack rooms, vet room, staff quarters, guest house and four polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation and short work arena. The club has 13 well-manicured fields including nine world-class fields at GCPC and four at Santa Rita.

During the winter polo season, Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest and most innovative USPA-sanctioned polo club, nestled in the heart of the world‘s winter equestrian capital, is hosting tournaments: 6, 8, 12, 20, and 26-goal leagues, WCT Finals, Polo School Ladies League weekly play and 26-goal World Polo League tournaments at both Grand Champions and Santa Rita.

Grand Champions tournaments attract a large international field of players from all corners of the world including Argentina, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Canada, Ecuador, Brazil, Switzerland, France, England, Germany, Uruguay, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Venezuela, Chile, and England.

Season highlights for 2023 are the Sieber Memorial, currently underway; $50,000 National 12-Goal Tournament, John T. Oxley Memorial, WCT Finals and $100,000 World Cup Tournament, a unique 0-40-goal, winner-take-all single-elimination tournament and special events including World Polo League Polo Pride, Sunset Chukkers & Cocktails and Great Futures Polo Day featuring Celebrity Polo.

The biggest highlight of the season is the fifth season of the World Polo League currently underway with the Founders Cup. The nation‘s only 26-goal league features some of the world‘s top players including 10-goaler Pablo MacDonough and team sponsors. The WPL has been filling the void created when the U.S. Polo Association, the sport‘s governing body, announced it was lowering high goal polo to 18-22 goals and would not have 26-goal polo.

The winter season is being live-streamed locally and worldwide on Wellington-based ChukkerTV (CTV Sports).

Grand Champions Polo Club caters to men, women and youth polo players at all levels. Its‘ expert staff can customize a complete playing experience including horses, pros and certified umpires in addition to lessons and practice sessions as part of its‘ Polo On Demand program.

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

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

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

WELLINGTON, March 2, 2023—Scone won its second Sterling Cup title in three years Wednesday at Grand Champions Polo Club. In front of a good crowd, Scone (Sarah Siegel Magness, 0,…

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Orea Polo Wins Metropolitan Cup; Matias Busquet Named MVP

16. February 2023

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 13, 2023—Orea Polo rallied in the final minute of the Metropolitan Cup 6-Goal final to capture its first tournament of the winter polo season Sunday at windy Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Orea Polo (Petra Sobotova, -1, Finn Secunda, 1, Justin Daniels 2, Matias Busquet) edged The Polo School (Meredith Lovegrove, -1, Santos Bollini, 2, Alex Webb, 2, Juan Bollini, 3), 3-2, in the thrilling final.

„What a day,“ Daniels said. „It was a day to remember. I feel like I shared the field with many friends and family from the whole Orea team, the opposing four players and my brother who supported me at the palenque.“

„A day like this is one to remember and celebrate, win or lose. It is an example of one of the main reasons I love the sport.“

Busquet, who scored the game-winner with 1:04 left in regulation, was named Most Valuable Player.

Orquideo, a 6-year-old homebred stallion (mother/ Orquidea and father/Chapa Aquario), played by Daniels, was selected Best Playing Pony.

„The best playing pony award is super nice to compliment all the hard work my young horses and I have put in over the years,“ Daniels said. „I am reminded of my father every time I step onto the polo field with Orquideo. I know he would be so proud of us today.

„It is a dream come true to be able to play with a team of horses that I have made and brought up myself. Alinea, Campeon, Velvet, Gigi and Orquideo, from homebreds to off the track projects.“

Orquideo was born the year after his father, Pony Express patron Bob Daniels, died. Daniels „has trained and raised him from the moment he was born.“

The victory avenged an early tournament loss to The Polo School. Orea Polo finished with a 2-1 record.

„We played well as a team today,“ said Sobotova, also a show jumper who showed at Wellington International before the polo final. „In our first match with them we just hadn‘t clicked together as a team for the season quite yet. Going into the final we were playing better as a team. Mati and Justin rounded out the back really nice and Finn and I were playing in the front. Finn is a great little player.“

The Polo School took an early lead with 1:24 left in the opening chukker with the first of two goals from the veteran Juan Bollini. Bollini made it 2-0 early in the second chukker with 2:54 left. A minute later Sobotova connected with Daniels, who scored on a cut shot to trail by one.

In the third chukker, Santos Bollini saved Finn Secunda‘s first goal attempt but Secunda made good his second attempt with 2:13 left to tie the game. After two missed scoring opportunities by each team, Busquet took the ball from one end of the field to the other to score the game-winner on a breakaway with 1:04 left.

Orea Polo got balanced scoring from its lineup with Secunda, Daniels and Busquet each scoring one goal. Juan Bollini led The Polo School with two goals.

In the first half, The Polo School outshot Orea Polo, 4-1, but Orea Polo turned it around and ended up outshooting them 6-5. The remaining stats, knock-ins, throw-ins and fouls were all even, 3-3.

Third-year team Orea Polo is coming off a successful summer season in Kentucky winning 4- and 6-goal tournaments with Busquet, Daniels and Sobotova. Last season at Santa Rita, Orea Polo won the Halo Polo 6-Goal and Aspen Valley 8-Goal Cup.

Orea Polo is planning on competing in the remaining 6- and 8-goal tournaments at Grand Champions.

In last year‘s Metropolitan Cup final, first-year team Casimiro (Steve Cox, 0, Miki Novillo Astrada, 0, Santos Bollini, 2, Santi Llavallol, 3) defeated The Polo School (Diego Morales, 1, Hayley Schaufeld, -1, Bauti Peluso, 2, Juan Bollini, 4), 8.5-5. Santos Bollini was MVP.

During the winter polo season, Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest and most innovative USPA-sanctioned polo club, nestled in the heart of the world‘s winter equestrian capital, is hosting tournaments: 6, 8, 12, 20, and 26-goal leagues, WCT Finals, women‘s weekly league play and 26-goal World Polo League tournaments at both Grand Champions and Santa Rita.

Season highlights for 2023 are the Sterling Cup, $50,000 National 12-Goal Tournament, Sieber Memorial, John T. Oxley Memorial, the inaugural Richard Riemenschneider Memorial Cup and $100,000 World Cup Tournament, a unique 0-40-goal, winner-take-all single-elimination tournament and special events including World Polo League Polo Pride and Sunset Chukkers & Cocktails.

The biggest highlight of the season is the fifth season of the World Polo League currently underway at Grand Champions. It is the only 26-goal played outside of Argentina.

The winter season is being live-streamed locally and worldwide on Wellington-based ChukkerTV (CTV).

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

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 13, 2023—Orea Polo rallied in the final minute of the Metropolitan Cup 6-Goal final to capture its first tournament of the winter polo season Sunday at windy…

Polo News

Grand Champions Polo Club Announces 2022 Fall Schedule

9. September 2022

September 7, 2022—Grand Champions Polo Club announced its‘ highly-anticipated schedule for the upcoming fall season which gets under way in October.

One of the nation`s busiest and innovative polo clubs will host both medium goal and high goal leagues highlighted by the Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial, International Cup and two USPA 20-goal tournaments.

The medium goal schedule features five tournaments including the season-opening Oct. 10-16 Pedro Morrison Memorial, now in its 13th year. Morrison was an avid polo player, patron of The Sympatico Polo team and helped develop Wellington into a thriving community.

Among the highlights of the season are the Oct. 18-26 USPA North American Cup and Oct. 24-Nov. 9 USPA National 20-Goal Championship and Nov. 12 doubleheader featuring the Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial and International Cup. This year the GCPC-USA team will put its 10-year winning streak on the line against Switzerland.

Last year GCPC-USA ( Grant Ganzi, Jason Crowder, Nic Roldan, Tommy Biddle) defeated Argentina, 10-5, for its tenth win in a row since the tournament‘s inception in 2012. Grant Ganzi, making his sixth appearance and at 23 the youngest member of the GCPC-USA lineup, was Most Valuable Player.

Since 2012, in front of sellout crowds and worldwide ChukkerTV audience, the U.S. has beaten England, Chile, Mexico, South Africa, Uruguay, Brazil, Azerbaijan, France and Argentina (twice) in the annual battle for the coveted cup.

In addition to the Oct. 10-16 Pedro Morrison Memorial, the fall medium goal tournament schedule is: Oct. 17-23 Fall Classic; Oct. 24-30 Fall Plates; Oct. 31-Nov. 6 Tackeria Invitational; and Nov. 14-20 Banyan Final.

The Tackeria Invitational has a special place in club history as the inaugural tournament when the club first opened in 2007.

The fall high goal tournament schedule is: Oct. 18-26, USPA North American Cup; Oct. 24-Nov. 9, USPA National 20-Goal; and Nov. 12 Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial and International Cup (GCPC-USA vs. Switzerland).

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 and South Africa.

Grand Champions had its finest fall season in club history last year. Grand Champions was the only club in the nation to stage two USPA-sanctioned 20-goal fall tournaments and again is hosting two 20-goal tournaments this season.

„I think this has been the best polo season at Grand Champions I have ever been involved with,“ said veteran player Tommy Biddle after the final tournament of the 2021 season. Biddle returned to compete at Grand Champions after a three-year absence.

„I have played here a couple of times before, but I think that the polo has been the best polo,“ Biddle said. „It‘s been open, not a lot of crashing and banging. Everybody‘s just playing proper polo. Everybody showed up with better horses.“

Biddle and Nic Roldan led the Most Valuable Player honors with two each followed by Jeff Hall, Brandon Phillips and Grant Ganzi.

Grand Champions attracts most of the nations top American players for the fall season

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. It‘s also a great opportunity for players and sponsors to prepare for the winter season highlighted by the 26-goal World Polo League at Grand Champions.

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 will be coming off a successful summer season at their Aspen Valley Polo Club which concludes Saturday with the Ute Challenge.

The fall league features: stick-and-ball sessions during the week; two medium tournament games every weekend; ambulance and USPA umpires for all tournament games; world-class polo fields; club-sponsored social events every weekend for all players; and top-of-the-line trophies for all teams every weekend.

Grand Champions Polo Club and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique private 100-acre polo facility in Wellington with more than 150 stalls in several self-contained barns, exercise track, five climate-controlled tack rooms, vet room, staff quarters, guest house and polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation and stick-and-ball fields.

Wellington-based ChukkerTV will live stream the entire fall season. ChukkerTV‘s state-of-the art technology including 4K TV, also features team challenges and instant replay which made their debut at Grand Champions in January, 2014.

Grand Champions and Santa Rita Polo Farm hosts polo tournaments ranging from six to 26-goal in addition to special events at its well-manicured fields during the fall, winter and spring seasons.

Grand Champions Polo Club and Santa Rita Polo Farm cater to men, women and youth polo players at all levels. Its‘ expert staff can customize a complete playing experience including horses, pros and certified umpires in addition to lessons and practice sessions as part of its‘ Polo On Demand program at the turnkey facility.

The Polo School, a 501c3 organization and stand-alone USPA club, is dedicated to teaching polo to all ages, particularly grass roots youth. Its mission is to provide individuals opportunities in polo at every economic and ability level. Scholarships are available. The Polo School operates in Wellington January through June and September through November. For more information on the Fall Leagues or Polo School contact Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB

WHERE: 13444 Southfields Road, on the corner of South Shore Boulevard and
Lake Worth Road,Wellington, 33414.

Chukker TV will live-stream the entire fall polo schedule. ChukkerTV, featuring cutting-edge technology, was the first to introduce state-of-the-art live streaming technology and instant replay in January, 2014 at Grand Champions Polo Club. For advertising opportunities on ChukkerTV please contact Mike Ferreira at mike@chukkertv.com.

Watch The Games Here

September 7, 2022—Grand Champions Polo Club announced its‘ highly-anticipated schedule for the upcoming fall season which gets under way in October. One of the nation`s busiest and innovative polo clubs…

North America, Polo News

La Karina Captures Mount Sopris Cup; Torito Ruiz Named MVP

16. August 2022

CARBONDALE, Colo., August 15, 2022—-In front of a good crowd, La Karina won its first tournament of the summer polo season Sunday at McClure River Ranch Stadium.

The foursome of Lauren Sherry, Brian Boyd, Torito Ruiz and Tomacho Pieres led from start to finish for a thrilling 9-8 victory over NetJets (Melissa Ganzi, Vinny Sangaline, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini). Sherry and Pieres were tournament runners-up last year with Sopris Mountain Ranch.

Ruiz, 24, playing his third season in Aspen, was named Most Valuable Player. Ruiz scored a game-high six goals and was relentless on defense. He scored a total of 13 goals in the tournament.

La Karina‘s Torito Ruiz and Tomacho Pieres double team Alejandro Novillo Astrada. Photo by Candace Ferreira

„Torito just played so well,“ said sponsor-player Brian Boyd. „He is such a strong, young player and great teammate. He is a phenomenal young star. We are going to see a lot more of him in the high goal and Argentina.“

Fiesta, owned by Juan Martin Nero and played by Alejandro Novillo Astrada, was selected Best Playing Pony.

„To be MVP is nice but what is important is to win with the team,“ Ruiz said. „The whole team played well and made me play better. It‘s always the team that makes you play better.“

Juan Bollini of NetJets tries to hook Torito Ruiz. Photo by Nick Tininenko

La Karina took control early jumping out to a 2-1 lead with goals from Ruiz and Pieres. After a scoreless second chukker, La Karina had another 2-1 chukker to lead 4-2 at the half.

„I am happy we won, it was a fun game,“ Ruiz said. „The game plan was to play as a team and be organized on the field.“

La Karina shut out NetJets in the fourth chukker and out scored them 3-2 in the fifth. With 5:05 left in the last chukker, La Karina led 9-6. Astrada and Ganzi scored back-to-back goals but ran out of time to rally.

Brian Boyd of La Karina goes for the big hit as Vinny Sangaline defends. Photo by Nick Tininenko

„I am so happy to win such a great tournament with such tough teams,“ Boyd said. „That was a tough team, they play well together and reach each other well.

„We just went out there and had fun. Both Torito and Tomacho are so positive and encouraging. Any time we would have a broken play or make a mistake they were like ‚don‘t worry about it, get back in there, keep fighting.‘ It was a fun final.“

In addition to Ruiz‘ six goals, Pieres added three goals. For NetJets, Ganzi and Astrada each had a team-high three goals and Sangaline had two.

A good crowd enjoys Sunday game day at Aspen Valley Polo Club. Photo by Candace Ferreira

For the fifth consecutive Sunday, fans were treated to 18 chukkers in addition to Kidz Wheely Polo.

Boyd, who played all winter in Costa Careyes, Mexico, has been impressed with the level of play in Aspen since the July 3 season-opener.

„The pros are playing clean, open polo,“ Boyd said. „They are moving the ball instead of possession polo. The fields are playing so nicely and everyone is hitting the ball so well. Even the amateurs and patron players are hitting the ball well and running. Our Friday round robin games have been incredible and hardfought, so many teams advancing by just one or two goals. It‘s been competitive and fast with a lot of good horses.“

Torito Ruiz receives the MVP award from Juan Bollini. Photo by Nick Tininenko

Boyd, also president of the Aspen Valley Polo Club, has watched the club progress over nine years into a summer polo destination.

„It took a small village of us to build the club up,“ Boyd said. „Each year the club just gets better and better and that makes for good polo. It is the most fun place to play good polo in the summer in the U.S. There‘s great camaraderie within the club. One week you are playing with a pro and the next you are playing against him.“

In the subsidiary Just For The Fun Of It Cup, Los Amigos defeated El Tiburon, 8-6. Los Amigos broke a 3-3 tie after two chukkers with a 3-1 third chukker to lead 6-4 at the half and never trailed after that. The teams played to a 2-2 tie in the fourth quarter and then were scoreless in the final two chukkers.

Best Playing Pony Fiesta played by Alejandro Novillo Astrada. Photo by Nick Tininenko

Los Amigos got balanced scoring from its lineup. Bensadon led with three, Figueras and Gooding each had two and Foster added one. Roldan led El Tiburon with four goals and Marc Ganzi added two.

In the Just For The Thrill Of It Cup, Brookshire/Victory (Scott Wood, Kevin Schmeits, Gonzalito Pieres, Jason Crowder) held on for a 10-9 win over Mountain Chevrolet (Michael Payne, Sugar Erskine, Pablo Spinacci, Stewart Armstrong).

Brookshire/Victory led by as many as four goals in the fourth (8-4) and fifth chukkers (9-5) before Mountain Chevrolet started to reel them in but ran out of time.

Fans enjoyed Kidz Wheely Polo during a fun day of polo. Photo by Nick Tininenko

For Brookshire/Victory, Schmeits had a team-high four goals, Crowder had three, Pieres, two and Wood added one. Erskine led Mountain Chevrolet with four goals. Armstrong had three and Payne and Spinacci each had one goal.

In Friday‘s opening day qualifying round robin action, NetJets advanced into the final with a 4-3 win over Mountain Chevrolet and 5-3 victory over Los Amigos. La Karina qualified with a 4-4 tie with Brookshire/Victory and 5-4 win over El Tiburon.

Six teams competed over two days in the seventh tournament of the season.

Grant Ganzi of El Tiburon reaches to hook Pancho Bensadon. Photo by Candace Ferreira

Aspen Valley Polo Club kicked off its ninth season on July 3. In the season-opener Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Marc Ganzi, Gonzalito Pieres, Tomacho Pieres) won the Independence Cup with a round robin victory over Casablanca (Alejandra Foster, Grant Ganzi, Torito Ruiz, Nic Roldan) and NetJets (Melissa Ganzi, Nacho Figueras, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini).

McClure River Ranch (Marc Ganzi, Jason Crowder, Pancho Bensadon, Stewart Armstrong) won the Craig Sakin Memorial with a 9-8 victory over Santa Rita (Melissa Ganzi, Vinny Sangaline, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini).

Nic Roldan of El Tiburon keeps his eye on the ball as Alex Gooding goes for the hook. Photo by Nick Tininenko

Brookshire (Scott Wood, Ale Poma, Nacho Figueras, Torito Ruiz) won its second tournament of the season in the Basalt Handicap with a 12-7 win over Mountain Chevrolet (Michael Payne, Stewart Armstrong, Nic Roldan, Alex Gooding).

Tonkawa (Jeff Hildebrand, Nic Roldan, Grant Ganzi, Blas Bensadon) won the Emma Challenge with an 11-8 victory over defending champion Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Vinny Sangaline, Nacho Figueras, Tomacho Pieres). Roldan earned his second MVP award of the season.

Last weekend Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Marc Ganzi, Gonzalito Pieres, Nacho Figueras)won the High Alpine Cup with a 6-4 win over Tonkawa (Jeff Hildebrand, Brian Boyd, Nacho Novillo Astrada/Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Jason Crowder). Pieres was MVP.

Alex Gooding of Los Amigos attempts to hook Grant Ganzi. Photo by Candace Ferreira

Other summer tournaments are this week‘s Rocky Mountain Open, Carbondale Classic, Triple Crown of Polo-Aspen, Silver Queen Invitational, Maroon Bells Cup and Ute Challenge.

The highlight of the season is the Aug. 28th Summer Polo Benefit for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation. Last year‘s event raised more than $500,000 after a year‘s hiatus because of the pandemic. It is the club‘s summer marquis event and one of the city‘s most anticipated social summer events.

Wellington, Fla.-based ChukkerTV is live streaming the entire 2022 polo season Mountain Standard Time with announcer Dale Schwetz calling the action.

Kevin Schmeits of Brookshire/Victory and Michael Payne battle for the ball. Photo by Candace Ferreira

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, Kidz Wheely Polo, Gymkhana, 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 on more than six world-class fields. There are also indoor and outdoor polo arenas.

The Polo School for all ages and ability levels operates in Carbondale July through September. For more information on tournaments or Polo School contact Director of Operations Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or club manager Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

Aspen Valley Polo Club caters to men, women and youth polo players at all levels. Its‘ expert staff can customize a complete playing experience including horses, pros and certified umpires in addition to lessons and practice sessions as part of its‘ Polo On Demand program.

The family-friendly club welcomes spectators. All matches, food and refreshments are free and open to the public.

By Sharon Robb

2022 Aspen Valley Polo Club Schedule

August
Rocky Mountain Open 8/12 – 8/21
The Carbondale Classic 8/19-8/21
Triple Crown of Polo – Aspen 8/24-8/28

September
Silver Queen Invitational 8/31 – 9/4
Maroon Bells Cup TBD
Ute Challenge TBD

Arena Tournaments & Asado – Tuesday Evenings
Kids Wheely Polo games during select tournament halftimes

Summer Polo Benefit
for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation
Sunday August 28, 2022

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

CARBONDALE, Colo., August 15, 2022—-In front of a good crowd, La Karina won its first tournament of the summer polo season Sunday at McClure River Ranch Stadium. The foursome of…

North America, Polo News

High Alpine Cup Begins Friday At McClure River Ranch

5. August 2022

CARBONDALE, Colo., August 4, 2022 —- Six teams will compete in the High Alpine Cup that gets under way Friday.

Preliminary round robin action for the sixth tournament of the summer season will be held at McClure River Ranch Fields 1 and 2.

In the first round robin at 10:30 a.m., Los Amigos, El Tiburon and White Claw will compete on Field 2. In the second round robin at noon, Brookshire, Tonkawa and Victory will play on Field 1. Winners of each round robin advance to Sunday‘s championship final.

On Sunday, the Just For The Thrill Of It Cup, Just For The Fun Of It Cup and High Alpine Cup will keep fans entertained for 18 action-packed chukkers.

Sponsors and team rosters are:

El Tiburon (14): Collen Clark, Michael Payne, Pancho Bensadon, Torito Ruiz.
White Claw (10): Melissa Ganzi, Vinny Sangaline, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini.
Los Amigos (15): Paul Foster, Marc Ganzi, Nacho Figueras, Gonzalito Pieres.
Tonkawa (13): Jeff Hildebrand, Brian Boyd, Jason Crowder, Nacho Novillo Astrada.
Victory Polo (13): Kevin Schmeits, Grant Gant, Nic Roldan, Alex Gooding.
Brookshire (14): Scott Wood, Stewart Armstrong, Tomacho Pieres, Sugar Erskine.

Michael Payne and Collen Clark

The winner of last year‘s High Alpine Cup was Santa Rita (Alejandra Foster, Lauren Sherry, Tomacho Pieres, Alejandro Novillo Astrada) with an 8-5 victory over Victory Polo (Kevin Schmeits, Vinny Sangaline, Nic Roldan, Horacio Heguy). Astrada was MVP.

The High Alpine Cup is named after a Snowmass ski area/lift and legacy of Gwyn’s, a longtime Snowmass favorite located mid-mountain where diners experience some of the tradition and favorites from years past, in addition to a newly-envisioned take on mountain dining.

Aspen Valley Polo Club kicked off its ninth season five weeks ago. In the season-opener Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Marc Ganzi, Gonzalito Pieres, Tomacho Pieres) won the Independence Cup with a round robin victory over Casablanca (Alejandra Foster, Grant Ganzi, Torito Ruiz, Nic Roldan) and NetJets (Melissa Ganzi, Nacho Figueras, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini).

Brookshire (Scott Wood, Jason Crowder, Nic Roldan, Juan Bollini) won its club debut in the ChukkerTV Cup with an 11-7 win over Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Vinny Sangaline, Gonzalito Pieres, Nacho Figueras). McClure River Ranch (Marc Ganzi, Jason Crowder, Pancho Bensadon, Stewart Armstrong) won the Craig Sakin Memorial with a 9-8 victory over Santa Rita (Melissa Ganzi, Vinny Sangaline, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini).

Jeff Hildebrand and Marc Ganzi

Brookshire (Scott Wood, Ale Poma, Nacho Figueras, Torito Ruiz) won its second tournament of the season in the Basalt Handicap ) with a 12-7 win over Mountain Chevrolet (Michael Payne, Stewart Armstrong, Nic Roldan, Alex Gooding). Last weekend, Tonkawa (Jeff Hildebrand, Nic Roldan, Grant Ganzi, Blas Bensadon) won the Emma Challenge with an 11-8 victory over defending champion Los Amigos(Paul Foster, Vinny Sangaline, Nacho Figueras, Tomacho Pieres).

The world‘s destination spot for summer polo has attracted some of the world‘s top players, sponsors and world-class horses.

Alejandra Foster

With the majestic 12,965-foot summit of Mount Sopris as a backdrop under a bright summer sky, polo has returned to the valley July through September with a record thirteen tournaments.

Other summer tournaments are the Mount Sopris Cup, Rocky Mountain Open, Carbondale Classic, Triple Crown of Polo-Aspen, Silver Queen Invitational, Maroon Bells Cup and Ute Challenge.

Wellington, Fla.-based ChukkerTV will live stream the entire 2022 polo season Mountain Standard Time with announcer Dale Schwetz calling the action.

Last summer Aspen Valley Polo Club finished a successful and historic season in club and Rocky Mountain Circuit history and hopes to top that this season.

Gonzalito Pieres

The 2021 tournament champions were: Independence Cup, La Karina (Sugar Erskine, Brian Boyd, Marc Ganzi, Nic Roldan); ChukkerTV Challenge, NetJets (Michael Payne, Alex Gooding, Sugar Erskine, Nacho Figueras); Craig Sakin Memorial, Casablanca (Lauren Sherry, Alex Gooding, Torito Ruiz, Grant Ganzi); Basalt Handicap Cup, Tonkawa (Jeff Hildebrand, Grant Ganzi, Torito Ruiz, Jimmy Seward); Emma Challenge, Rancho Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Juan Bollini, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Gussie Busch); High Alpine Cup, Santa Rita (Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Alejandra Foster, Lauren Sherry, Tomacho Pieres); Mount Sopris Cup, NetJets (Juan Bollini, Gussie Busch, Govinda Quish, Pablo Spinacci); Rocky Mountain Open, Casablanca (Marc Ganzi, Grant Ganzi, Gonzalito Pieres, Torito Ruiz); Carbondale Classic, White Claw (Waqaas Al-Siddiq, Vinny Sangaline, Gonzalito Pieres, Nacho Badiola); WPL Triple Crown of Polo-Aspen, Tonkawa (Marc Ganzi, Jeff Hildebrand, Gonzalito Pieres, Juan Bollini); and Silver Queen Invitational, NetJets (Brian Boyd, Juan Bollini, Nacho Figueras, Pablo Spinacci).

Since Marc and Melissa Ganzi resurrected the club and polo in 2014, polo has increased in popularity in Aspen and surrounding cities and is the epicenter for polo in the valley. The club‘s offerings include various weekly grass and arena tournaments, Arena & Asado Nights, Kidz Polo, Gymkhana, Kidz 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 on more than six world-class fields. There are also indoor and outdoor polo arenas.

Aspen was founded as a silver mining town in the 1800s and was named for the abundance of aspen trees growing in the area and famous for their tall, thin trunks and golden leaves. Conde Nast Traveler‘s Reader‘s Choice Awards recognized Aspen as the No. 1 Small City in the U.S.

Sugar Erskine and Juan Bollini

The family-friendly club welcomes spectators. All matches, food and refreshments are free and open to the public.

When not playing or watching polo, there‘s all kinds of outdoor activities in a true adventurer‘s playground including hiking, mountain biking, paddle boarding, water rafting, swimming, fly fishing and golf.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

2022 High Alpine Cup Schedule

Friday 8/5
10:30am Los Amigos vs El Tiburon vs White Claw
McClure River Ranch field 2

12pm Brookshire vs Tonkawa vs Victory
McClure River Ranch field 1

Saturday 8/6
10am Just For The Love Of It Cup
WPL vs Santa Rita

11am Gymkhana & Kidz Polo

Sunday 8/7
Just For The Thrill Of It Cup
Just For The Fun Of It Cup

The Emma Challenge Cup Final

CARBONDALE, Colo., August 4, 2022 —- Six teams will compete in the High Alpine Cup that gets under way Friday. Preliminary round robin action for the sixth tournament of the…

North America, Polo News

Santa Rita Captures Grand Champions Cup; Pancho Bensadon Named MVP

24. May 2022

WELLINGTON, Fla., May 23, 2022—Santa Rita won its first tournament of the spring season Sunday at Grand Champions Polo Club.

Playing less than 24 hours after its semifinal game, Santa Rita (Haley Schaufeld, -1, Jason Crowder, 5, Pancho Bensadon, 7, Tommy Collingwood, 5) defeated Newport (Juan Bollini, 4, Tomacho Pieres, 6, Michel Dorignac, 5, Gene Goldstein, 1), 11-8.

Pancho Bensadon was selected Most Valuable Player. His Ellerstina-bred horse Corbata, played in the second and fifth chukkers, was Best Playing Pony.

After two close chukkers, 2-2 and 3-3, Santa Rita took control of the tempo of the game, pulling ahead to lead at the half, 6-5. Santa Rita never relinguished its lead in the second half, outscoring Newport, 5-3.

Newport was plagued by fouls and missed scoring opportunities. Newport came within one goal of Santa Rita in the fourth and fifth chukkers but was unable to finish its scoring runs.

Leading 8-7 going into the sixth chukker, Collingwood stole the ball and scored with 6:50 left and Bensadon followed two minutes later with another goal for a 10-7 advantage with 4:37 left. Newport tried to play catch up but ran out of time.

Bensadon scored a game-high five goals. Collingwood had four goals and turned in one of his best games of the season on both ends of the field. Schaufeld and Crowder each had one goal.

Pieres led Newport with four goals. Dorignac had three goals and Bollini added one.

In the subsidiary Just For The Love Of It Cup, Sebucan (Fran Spinacci, -1, Pablo Pulido, 2, Pablo Spinacci, 6, Nic Roldan, 8) defeated Travieso (Teo Calle, 0, Sugar Erskine, 6, Tony Calle, 3, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 7), 12-7.

Sebucan jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the opening chukker behind two goals by Fran Spinacci and one by Pulido, and never trailed after that.

Sebucan got stronger as the game progressed leading 3-1, 5-2 and 6-3 in the first half and 9-5 and 11-6 after the fourth and fifth chukkers.

Pulido, a Cornell alum, scored a game-high six goals. Thirteen-year-old Fran Spinacci had three goals, Pablo Spinacci had two and Roldan added one.

Sugar Erskine led Travieso with four goals and Tony Calle added three.

In the semifinals Newport advanced with a thrilling 13-12 victory over Sebucan on Friday and Santa Rita knocked off Travieso, 6-5, in the other rain-delayed semifinal on Saturday.

In last year‘s Grand Champions Cup 16-goal final, STM (Grant Ganzi, Paquito de Narvaez, Facundo Llorente, Robert Strom) defeated Sebucan (Pablo Pulido, Pablo Spinacci, Juancito Bollini, Juan Bollini), 20-19. The tournament was played over two days with a running score.

In other spring tournaments, Casablanca has won three titles: Eastern Challenge (Steve Cox, Grant Ganzi, Pablo Spinacci, Tomacho Pieres), WPL Beach Polo Cup (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nic Roldan) and Spring Challenge (Meredith Lovegrove, Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Tommy Collingwood). Knockers Field (Annabelle Gundlach, Marc Ganzi, Brandon Phillips, Alejandro Novillo Astrada) won the Sun Cup.

The spring schedule concludes with this weekend‘s May 27-29 WPL Polo Pride.

The spring season is being live-streamed worldwide on Wellington-based ChukkerTV.

Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest polo club celebrating its 15th anniversary, is coming off successful fall and winter seasons.

Grand Champions plays host to the World Polo League, the only 26-goal polo played outside of Argentina.

Grand Champions Polo Club and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique private 100-acre polo facility in Wellington with 120 stalls in several self-contained barns, exercise track, five climate-controlled tack rooms, vet room, staff quarters, guest house and polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation and stick-and-ball fields.

During fall, winter and spring seasons, Grand Champions Polo Club, the nation‘s largest club with 13 well-manicured fields including nine world-class fields at GCPC and Santa Rita Polo Farm, hosts polo tournaments ranging from six to 26-goal in addition to special events.

The Polo School, now located at the former Pony Express facility, operates in Wellington January through May and September through November. For more information on leagues or Polo School contact Director of Operations Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or General Manager Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”1243″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″]

WELLINGTON, Fla., May 23, 2022—Santa Rita won its first tournament of the spring season Sunday at Grand Champions Polo Club. Playing less than 24 hours after its semifinal game, Santa…

North America, Polo News

Casablanca Wins Spring Challenge Title; Nic Roldan Named MVP

17. May 2022

WELLINGTON, Fla., May 16, 2022—Casablanca won its third tournament of the spring season Sunday at Grand Champions Polo Club.

Casablanca (Meredith Lovegrove, -1, Grant Ganzi, 3, Nic Roldan, 8, Tommy Collingwood, 5) defeated Audi (Marc Ganzi, 2, Tony Calle, 2, Pancho Bensadon, 7, Sugar Erskine, 6), 12-9, to capture the Spring Challenge Cup.

Roldan was named Most Valuable Player. Tinta, played by Marc Ganzi in the second and sixth chukkers, was selected Best Playing Pony.

Nic Roldan and Pancho Bensadon

„It was a team effort and Nic played really, really well,“ said Ganzi, who turned in his finest performance of the season both offensively and defensively. „I was happy that we all played well in the final. It was the most fun I‘ve had.“

Working well together as a team, Casablanca controlled the game from start to finish and never relinguished the lead.

Casablanca jumped out to a 2-1 lead with goals from Collingwood and Roldan in the opening chukker. Casablanca went on to lead 4-2, 6-3 at the half, 7-6 and 8-7 going into the sixth chukker. Casablanca led by as many as four goals (6-2) during the third chukker.

Sugar Erskine and Grant Ganzi

„We talked a little about a gameplan before the game and when we got on the field we made a little more of a concrete plan defensively,“ said Ganzi, the Brand Ambassador for Casablanca. „It was like I envisioned we would play on Friday but we just didn‘t end up doing it. It just made sense for us to play our natural positions in the final.“

A big sixth chukker where Casablanca outscored Audi, 4-2 and had another four goal lead (11-7) put the game away.

Tommy Collingwood and Nic Roldan

„It shows how we got things flowing and clicking,“ Ganzi said. „In the beginning we started out really strong and that was the key. The most important thing we did was being able to zone in and play better in the last chukker.

„In the second half we didn‘t play that well. We had moments of really good plays and then moments when we fouled, didn‘t cover the man or not helping out each other as much, but we kept pushing.“

Lovegrove, a show jumper who has been one of The Polo School‘s top students, also turned in her best game of the spring season.

Marc Ganzi

„Obviously, it was a lot of fun,“ Ganzi said. „I was really proud of Meredith the way she was able to step into this game. This is definitely the highest goal she‘s played ever and the fastest. It was nice to get a chance to play with her and Tommy, who I have known a long time.“

Grant Ganzi scored a game-high six goals. Roldan had four goals and Lovegrove and Collingwood each had one.

For Audi, Marc Ganzi scored a team-high four goals. Calle had three goals and Erskine and Bensadon each had one.

Grant Ganzi and Tony Calle

In the Just For The Thrill Of It subsidiary game, Sebucan (Michael Payne, 0, Pablo Pulido, 2, Jason Crowder, 5, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 8) defeated Bored Ape (Ryan Shank, -1, Tomacho Pieres, 6, Pablo Spinacci, 6, Juan Bollini, 4), 12-8.

Trailing 4-3 after the first two chukkers, Sebucan rallied with a 2-0 third chukker for a 5-4 halftime lead. Sebucan never trailed after that, outscoring Bored Ape, 7-4, in the second half. Sebucan scored three unanswered goals to open the fourth chukker for an 8-4 lead.

Payne scored a game-high six goals for Sebucan. Crowder and Astrada each had three goals.

For Bored Ape, Pieres had a game-high five goals. Shank had two goals and Bollini added one off a safety-60.

Best Playing Pony Tinta played by Marc Ganzi

To advance into the championship final, Casablanca edged Bored Ape, 9-8, in a shootout in the opening semifinal and Audi defeated Sebucan, 11-9, in the other semifinal on Friday.

The spring season has been one of the closest in competition, with most of the games being decided by two goals or less.

„I think the way the teams are put together is so balanced,“ Ganzi said. „We have a really good number of pros who combine well with the sponsors and that makes it interesting. We are playing at a fun level and being able to play around with any team combination makes it really competitive and really close.“

Just For The Thrill Of It winners Jason Crowder, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Pablo Pulido, and Michael Payne

Casablanca won the first two spring tournaments: the Eastern Challenge (Steve Cox, Grant Ganzi, Pablo Spinacci, Tomacho Pieres) and WPL Beach Polo Cup (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nic Roldan). Knockers Field (Annabelle Gundlach, Marc Ganzi, Brandon Phillips, Alejandro Novillo Astrada) won the Sun Cup.

The spring schedule (subject to change because of weather and scheduling conflicts) continues this week with the May 20-22 Grand Champions Cup and May 27-29 The Memorial and WPL Polo Pride.

Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Tomacho Pieres

The spring season is being live-streamed worldwide on Wellington-based ChukkerTV.

Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest polo club celebrating its 15th anniversary, is coming off successful fall and winter seasons.

Grand Champions plays host to the World Polo League, the only 26-goal polo played outside of Argentina.

Michael Payne

Jason Crowder and Juan Bollini

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

WELLINGTON, Fla., May 16, 2022—Casablanca won its third tournament of the spring season Sunday at Grand Champions Polo Club. Casablanca (Meredith Lovegrove, -1, Grant Ganzi, 3, Nic Roldan, 8, Tommy…

North America, Polo News

La Fe Tops Audi In U.S. Open; Aspen Valley, Grand Champions, Santa Rita Play Wednesday

31. March 2022

WELLINGTON, March 29, 2022—In a wild opening game, La Fe defeated Audi in the 118th edition of the U.S. Open Tuesday at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

La Fe (Louis Devaleix, 0, Robi Balbao, 5, Francisco Elizalde, 9/Poroto Cambiaso, 9, Lucas Diaz Alberdi, 6) led Audi (Marc Ganzi, 2, Jason Crowder, 5, Barto Castagnola, 9, Paco de Narvaez, 6) for most of the game for a 12-8 victory.

Audi is the first of seven Grand Champions Polo Club-based pro teams to play in the 2022 U.S. Open. On Wednesday, Aspen Valley, Grand Champions and Santa Rita will compete.

At 10 a.m., Aspen Valley (Vinny Sangaline, 0, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 8, Pablo MacDonough, 10, Tommy Collingwood, 5) plays G-String (Gillian Johnston, 1, Nico Escobar, 5, Nico Pieres, 9, Julian de Lussaretta, 7).

At 4 p.m. Grand Champions (Riley Ganzi, 0, Juan Martin Zubia, 8, Gonzalito Pieres, 10, Juan Bollini, 4) plays Santa Rita (Melissa Ganzi, 0, Jeta Castagnola, 9, Polito Pieres, 10, Hector Guerrero, 3) at Grand Champions Polo Club.

Poroto Cambiaso and Barto Castagnola.

The game got off on the wrong foot for La Fe when umpires discovered Elizalde was wearing an improper helmet. Elizalde was penalized for delay of game when he returned from the players‘ tent with a new helmet.

Less than a minute later, Alberdi was called for delay of game. Castagnola converted the first of four 60-yard penalties to give Audi a 1-0 lead. Elizalde came right back on a breakaway to tie the game at 1-1. From then on, it was all La Fe.

La Fe took advantage of Audi mistakes, missed scoring opportunities and penalties in the first half. La Fe scored three consecutive goals for a 4-1 lead with 1:51 left in the opening chukker. Castagnola scored back-to-back goals to cut the lead to one, 4-3, early in the second chukker.

Jason Crowder and Francisco Elizalde.

Audi lost its challenge early in the second chukker disputing a one-meeting-two penalty. Elizalde converted the 30-yard penalty for a 5-3 lead.

Audi tried to find its rhythm and regain momentum but missed two goals midway through the second chukker. Elizalde then took advantage of a broken knock-in for a 6-3 lead going into the third chukker.

With 5:26 left in the third chukker, Elizalde made it 7-3 after scoring on a breakaay after Bilbao bumped Castagnola out of Elizalde‘s path to goal.

Lucas Diaz Alberdi and Barto Castagnola.

With 4:36 on the clock Elizalde left the game with an injury to his midsection. Elizalde, plagued with injuries this season including shoulder and chin, was replaced by 9-goaler Poroto Cambiaso, son of 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso, who will be replaced by Sapo Caset on defending champion Scone, after sustaining an injury and undergoing surgery.

After the injury timeout, Castagnola won the throw-in but missed a scoring opportunity with 4:21 left. Audi was getting its share of chances but couldn‘t capitalize. Midway through the chukker, La Fe already had four knock-ins. With 3:38 remaining in the half, Castagnola converted another 60-yarder after Crowder was fouled to cut the lead to 7-4.

Audi missed three more scoring chances and lost possession on a great steal by Catagnola going into halftime.

In the second half, Audi could get no closer than two goals, 7-5, with 5:31 left in the fourth chukker. Cambiaso scored back-to-back goals, a 30-yard penalty conversion and one from the field for a 9-5 advantage. With 1:39 left in the chukker, Ganzi hit a great neck shot through open field to trail 9-6.

Paco de Narvaez, Lucas Diaz Alberdi, and Marc Ganzi.

La Fe shut Audi out in the fifth chukker, 1-0, with Cambiaso scoring the only goal on a 30-yarder for a 10-6 lead.

The teams played evenly, 2-2, in the final chukker, but Audi‘s scoring frustrations continued. Audi missed 10 shots from the field while La Fe missed eight. After Bilbao received a yellow card for dangerous riding Castagnola converted another 60-yarder to cut the lead to 11-8, but La Fe came right back with another goal when Alberdi‘s back shot pass reached Bilbao for the score and 12-8 final.

Castagnola scored a game-high seven goals, including four 60-yard penalty conversions. Ganzi added one. Elizalde had four goals and Bilbao and Alberdi each had three goals for La Fe. Cambiaso had two.

In the second game of the day, Old Hickory Bourbon/Airstream defeated Dutta Corp/Show, 11-9. Joaquin Panelo had five goals for Hickory Bourbon/Airstream and Tomas Garcia del Rio had five goals for Dutta Corp/Show.

Lolo Castagnola and Marc Ganzi.

Audi‘s next bracket game is Saturday at 11 a.m. against La Indiana (Stuart Armstrong, 3, Jeff Hall, 6, Lucitas Criado, 5, Mariano Aguerre, 7).

For the first time in U.S. Open history, a record 20 teams are competing. Grand Champions Polo Club‘s seven team entries that feature four 10-goalers, enabled the record-breaking accomplishment.

With the prize money doubling from the previous two tournaments, the C.V. Whitney Cup and USPA Gold Cup, the U.S. Open winner will pocket $100,000. U.S. Polo Assn will award an additional $2,500 donation to the finalist teams‘ polo charity of their choice. The U.S. Open is being livestreamed on GlobalPolo.com.

Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest polo club, celebrating its 15th anniversary, is coming off its most successful fall season. The club is hosting 23 tournaments through April.

Barto Castagnola.

Grand Champions is also hosting various levels of polo including the 26-goal World Polo League, now in its fourth season and only 26-goal polo played outside of Argentina.

The high goal club tournaments feature the Sterling Cup, $100,000 World Cup and Santa Rita Abierto. There are 16, 8 and 6-goal tournaments scheduled for April.

There is also the Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League, co-founded by Melissa Ganzi and Alina Carta, for all ages and playing ability held Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at Santa Rita Polo Farm that will culminate with the April 2 Sunny Hale Legacy Final.

Audi teammates Paco de Narvaez, Barto Castagnola, Jason Crowder, and Marc Ganzi.

During fall, winter and spring seasons, Grand Champions Polo Club, the nation‘s largest club and ultimate polo destination with 18 well-manicured polo fields including 13 world-class tournament grade, hosts polo tournaments ranging from six to 26-goal including the 26-goal World Polo League in addition to special events.

The Polo School, now located at the former Pony Express facility, operates in Wellington January through May and September through November. For more information on the Fall Leagues or Polo School contact Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

WELLINGTON, March 29, 2022—In a wild opening game, La Fe defeated Audi in the 118th edition of the U.S. Open Tuesday at International Polo Club Palm Beach. La Fe (Louis…

North America, Polo News

Richard Mille Stuns Audi, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek Wins Palm Beach Open WPL Opener; Doubleheader Action On Saturday

21. March 2022

5WELLINGTON, Fla., March 19, 2022—In the biggest upset of the World Polo League season, Richard Mille knocked off previously unbeaten Audi while Seminole Casino Coconut Creek cruised to a victory over Brookshire Polo.

Richard Mille (Santos Bollini, 2, Paquito de Narvaez, 2, Pablo MacDonough, 10, Juan Martin Nero, 10) stunned Audi (Marc Ganzi, 2, Jeta Castagnola, 9, Barto Castagnola, 9, Paco de Narvaez, 6), 12-11, in sudden death overtime Thursday at Grand Champions.

Nero scored the game-winner when he picked up a short pass and found an opening for a quick goal run at the 5:03 mark.

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (Melissa Ganzi, 0, Gonzalito Pieres, 10, Juan Martin Zubia, 8, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 8) controlled most of the game for an 11-9 victory over Brookshire Polo (Scott Wood, 0, Nic Roldan, 8, Rufino Bensadon, 8, Pancho Bensadon, 7) Friday at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

On Saturday, WPL Bracket II action continues with a doubleheader, NetJets (0-1) plays Richard Mille (1-0) at 1 p.m. at Santa Rita. Pampa Norte Biotricity (1-0) plays Audi (0-1) at 5 p.m. at Grand Champions Field 3.

Audi was undefeated after winning back-to-back All-Star Challenge and Founders Cup tournaments.

Winning the early bowl-ins, Audi jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first chukker with penalty conversions from Ganzi and Jeta Castagnola and de Narvaez goal.

The second chukker was a complete turnaround for Richard Mille, winning every bowl-in, capitalizing on eight Audi fouls and being awarded two penalty ones for a 6-2 chukker and 6-5 lead. MacDonough scored the go-ahead goal on a 60-yard penalty conversion with 36 seconds left after Audi lost its challenge.

Pablo MacDonough and Barto Castagnola.

The lead changed hands three times before Audi regained the lead for a 9-7 halftime advantage.

Richard Mille outscored Audi, 4-2, in the second half while shutting Audi out in the fourth and fifth chukkers. Back-to-back goals by MacDonough cut Audi‘s lead to one, 9-8, and then tied 9-9 in the fifth chukker.

The lead changed hands three more times in the sixth chukker before Jeta Castagnola‘s 60-yard penalty conversion tied the game at 11-11 with less than a minute left. Both teams missed scoring opportunities sending the game into overtime.

For Richard Mille, Nero scored a game-high six goals. MacDonough added four goals. The team was also awarded two penalty ones. Jeta Castagnola led Audi with four goals, Ganzi had three, Barto Castagnola had two and de Narvaez added one goal.

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek controlled the fast-paced game after 2-2 opening chukker. Ganzi, Pieres and Astrada was all the firepower needed for a 3-1 second chukker to take a 5-3 lead.

Santos Bollini.

The well-balanced team never relinquished the lead taking a 7-5 halftime advantage and leading 9-6 and 10-7 after the fourth and fifth chukkers.

Rufino Bensadon came up with a clutch steal and scored with 2:20 left to cut the lead to 10-9. Zubia, playing one of his best defensive games, won the following throw-in and after losing the ball intercepted Roldan‘s pass downfield for possession and started eating up the clock. With 49 seconds left, Brookshire Polo fouled and Pieres converted a 40-yard open goal penalty to ice the victory.

Pieres scored a game-high four goals including two penalty conversions. Zubia and Novillo Astrada each had three goals. Ganzi added one goal. For Brookshire Polo, Roldan and father and son Pancho and Rufino Bensadon each had three goals.

After successful All-Star Challenge, Tommy Hitchcock Legacy Memorial and Founders Cup Tournaments, the Palm Beach Open features eight teams separated into two brackets of four with teams playing within the brackets. The top two teams in each bracket advance into the semifinals.

In the season-opening 26-goal All-Star Challenge tournament, Audi (Marc Ganzi, 2, Jeta Castagnola, 9, Barto Castagnola, 9, Paco de Narvaez, 6) defeated White Birch (Chris Brant, 0, Lerin Zubiaurre, 7, Mariano Aguerre, 7, Santi Toccalino, 8), 17-12. Jeta Castagnola was MVP.

Marc Ganzi and Juan Martin Nero.

Seminole Coconut Creek Casino (Melissa Ganzi, 0, Gonzalito Pieres, 10, Juan Martin Zubia, 8, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 8) defeated Brookshire Polo (Scott Wood, 0, Rufino Bensadon, 8, Nic Roldan, 8, Pancho Bensadon, 7), 10-9, to capture the Tommy Hitchcock Legacy Memorial. Pieres was MVP.

In the Founders Cup, Audi (Marc Ganzi, 2, Jeta Castagnola, 9, Barto Castagnola, 9, Paco de Narvaez, 6) defeated Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (Melissa Ganzi, 0, Gonzalito Pieres, 10, Juan Martin Zubia, 8, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 8), 13-9. De Narvaez was MVP.

In last year‘s Palm Beach Open, Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Barto Castagnola, Juan Martin Nero) upset Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola, Pablo MacDonough, Paco de Narvaez), 12-9. Barto Castagnola was MVP.

During the 2021 WPL season, Richard Mille qualified for a record four championship finals, winning three of them.

Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Pancho Bensadon.

The World Polo League, now in its fourth year and only 26-goal polo played outside of Argentina, has attracted a large international field from around the world. The world-class league will run through April 16. The World Polo League has preserved the highest level of polo and its rich tradition in the U.S.

After the Palm Beach Open, the remaining WPL tournaments are the Triple Crown of Polo and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach.

The WPL‘s new Coco Cabana features polo fare, open bar, rose bar, cigar experience with Montecristo, Worth Avenue retail Pop-Up, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek giveaways and unique photo opportunities. Guests have the opportunity to purchase individual tickets at $250 per person inside the air-conditioned tent or a patio lounge for four guests at $1,000 which includes a bottle of Veuve Clicquot.

Grand Champions has also added Sunset Chukkers and Cocktails, presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek held Tuesday late afternoon on Field One for players and guests at 4:45 p.m.

Gonzalito Pieres and Juan Martin Zubia.

Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest polo club, celebrating its 15th anniversary, is coming off its most successful fall season. Club officials hope to build off that success hosting 23 tournaments from January through April.

Grand Champions is also hosting various levels of polo. The high goal club tournaments feature the Sterling Cup, $100,000 World Cup and Santa Rita Abierto.

The 16-goal league play includes the Grand Champions Cup, Power Horse Invitational and Pedro Morrison Memorial. The 12-goal league‘s Top Pony 12-Goal tournament is currently under way.

After January‘s successful Aspen Valley Cup and March‘s Top Pony Tournament, the 8-goal tournament schedule continues with the Limited Edition 8-Goal.

The 6-goal schedule, after a successful Metropolitan Cup, continues with the Halo Polo Trophy and Madelon Bourdieu Memorial.

Rufino Bensadon.

There is also the Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League, co-founded by Melissa Ganzi and Alina Carta, for all ages and playing ability held Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

The Polo School, now located at the former Pony Express facility, operates in Wellington January through May and September through November. For more information on the Fall Leagues or Polo School contact Director of Operations Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or General Manager Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

2022 World Polo League Palm Beach Open Schedule

Saturday 3/19
1pm NetJets vs Richard Mille at Santa Rita
5pm Pampa Norte Biotricity vs Audi at GCPC 3

Sunday 3/20
10am Seminole Casino Coconut Creek vs Alegria at GCPC 1
4pm Brookshire vs Catamount at GCPC 2

Monday 3/21
11am Richard Mille vs Pampa Norte Biotricity
4pm Audi vs NetJets

Tuesday 3/22
10am Catamount vs Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
2pm Alegria vs Brookshire

Thursday 3/24
Semifinals
10am & 4pm

Sunday 3/27
4pm Palm Beach Open Final

5WELLINGTON, Fla., March 19, 2022—In the biggest upset of the World Polo League season, Richard Mille knocked off previously unbeaten Audi while Seminole Casino Coconut Creek cruised to a victory…

North America, Polo News

Let The Countdown Begin: Grand Champions Opens Fall Season With Tackeria Invitational

1. October 2019

Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest polo club, opens the highly-anticipated fall season in ten days with the Tackeria Invitational. In addition to 20-goal action, a medium goal schedule features six tournaments including the Tackeria Invitational. The tournament has a special place in club history as the inaugural tournament when the club first opened in 2007. „We are excited about the fall season,“ said Polo School Director of Operations Juan Bollini said. „The fall season is important to us because it is a continuation of the sport and shows the world you can play polo all year. „We have some great players coming in for the 20-goal and medium goal tournaments. It‘s good, competitive polo and best time of the year with great weather and great fields in October and November after five months of rest.“ Among players expected to compete are Nic Roldan, America‘s top-rated player at 8 goals; Sugar Erskine, Kris Kampsen, Jason Crowder, Pablo Spinacci, Horacio Heguy, Pablo Pulido, Marc Ganzi, Melissa Ganzi, Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini and Juan Bollini. The fall season serves as tuneup for the winter season for players and green horses. The 2020 winter season features the second season of the successful 26-goal World Polo League at Grand Champions and Valiente Polo Farm with the best polo players in the world.

The Tackeria Invitational has a history of exciting finishes. In last year‘s tournament final, Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Julio Gracida, Mariano Gracida) won a hardfought 10-9 overtime game over Flexjet (Santos Bollini, Lucas Escobar, Kris Kampsen, Juan Bollini). In 2017, Audi (Marc Ganzi, Jason Crowder, Brandon Phillips, Carlitos Gracida) rallied in the final chukker to defeat Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Andres LaPlacette, Pablo Dorignac, Juan Bollini), 11-10, in overtime at Santa Rita Polo Farm. In 2016, Flexjet (Riley Ganzi, Melissa Ganzi, Juan Bollini, Jason Crowder) defeated Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Jared Sheldon, Carlitos Gracida, Juancito Bollini), 7-6, on Melissa Ganzi‘s winning goal just before the 30-second bell in the final chukker. „The Tackeria Invitational is the perfect way to kick off the season,“ said Tackeria owner Tony Coppola, legendary voice of polo and USPA President. „We are proud to be a returning sponsor with the Tackeria Invitational.“ The Tackeria, a longtime supporter of polo and Grand Champions, carries one of the most complete selections of equestrian equipment in the world, importing goods from all over Europe, the Far East and South America to create the best selection of quality items for its customers. It is a go-to source for equipment, supplies, fashion and gifts for the hunter/jumper, dressage and polo disciplines. The Tackeria is located on the corner of Pierson Rd. and South Shore at 13501 South Shore Blvd. All this week, the Grand Champions Polo Club staff has been putting the finishing touches on its fields at Grand Champions and Santa Rita Polo Farm in preparation for the season-opener.

The 2019 season 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. 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 and again is hosting two 20-goal tournaments this season. 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, share a passion for 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.

The fall league features: stick-and-ball sessions during the week; two medium tournament games every weekend; ambulance and umpires for all tournament games; world-class polo fields; club-sponsored social events every weekend for all players; and top-of-the-line trophies for all teams every weekend.

The Polo School, a 501c3 organization and stand-alone USPA club, is dedicated to teaching polo to all ages, particularly grass roots youth. Its‘ mission is to provide individuals opportunities in polo at every economic and ability level. Scholarships are available. The Polo School operates in Wellington January through May and September through November. For more information on the Fall Leagues or Polo School contact Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099.

Wellington-based ChukkerTV will live stream the entire fall season with Dale Schwetz calling the action. ChukkerTV‘s state-of-the art technology also features team challenges and instant replay which made their debut at Grand Champions in January, 2014.

By: Sharon Robb

2019 Grand Champions Fall Schedule

Medium Goal:

Oct. 11-13, Tackeria Invitational

Oct. 18-20, US Trust Cup

Oct. 25-27, Polo Gear Challenge

Nov. 1-3, Fall Classic

Nov. 8-10, Fall Plates

Nov. 15-17, Pedro Morrison Memorial

High Goal:

Nov. 13-16, Wellington Open 20

Nov. 20-23, USPA National 20

Nov. 30, Legends of Polo and Carlos Gracida Memorial

Nov. 30, 2019 International Cup, USA vs. France

www.gcpolo.com

©Thomas Wirth

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La Karina‘s Torito Ruiz and Tomacho Pieres double team Alejandro Novillo Astrada. Photo by Candace Ferreira

Juan Bollini of NetJets tries to hook Torito Ruiz. Photo by Nick Tininenko

Brian Boyd of La Karina goes for the big hit as Vinny Sangaline defends. Photo by Nick Tininenko

A good crowd enjoys Sunday game day at Aspen Valley Polo Club. Photo by Candace Ferreira

Torito Ruiz receives the MVP award from Juan Bollini. Photo by Nick Tininenko

Best Playing Pony Fiesta played by Alejandro Novillo Astrada. Photo by Nick Tininenko

Fans enjoyed Kidz Wheely Polo during a fun day of polo. Photo by Nick Tininenko

Grant Ganzi of El Tiburon reaches to hook Pancho Bensadon. Photo by Candace Ferreira

Nic Roldan of El Tiburon keeps his eye on the ball as Alex Gooding goes for the hook. Photo by Nick Tininenko

Alex Gooding of Los Amigos attempts to hook Grant Ganzi. Photo by Candace Ferreira

Kevin Schmeits of Brookshire/Victory and Michael Payne battle for the ball. Photo by Candace Ferreira

By Sharon Robb

Michael Payne and Collen Clark

Jeff Hildebrand and Marc Ganzi

Alejandra Foster

Gonzalito Pieres

Sugar Erskine and Juan Bollini

By Sharon Robb Photos by Candace Ferreira

By Sharon Robb Photos by Candace Ferreira

Nic Roldan and Pancho Bensadon

Sugar Erskine and Grant Ganzi

Tommy Collingwood and Nic Roldan

Marc Ganzi

Grant Ganzi and Tony Calle

Best Playing Pony Tinta played by Marc Ganzi

Just For The Thrill Of It winners Jason Crowder, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Pablo Pulido, and Michael Payne

Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Tomacho Pieres

Michael Payne

Jason Crowder and Juan Bollini

By Sharon Robb Photos by Candace Ferreira

Poroto Cambiaso and Barto Castagnola.

Jason Crowder and Francisco Elizalde.

Lucas Diaz Alberdi and Barto Castagnola.

Paco de Narvaez, Lucas Diaz Alberdi, and Marc Ganzi.

Lolo Castagnola and Marc Ganzi.

Barto Castagnola.

Audi teammates Paco de Narvaez, Barto Castagnola, Jason Crowder, and Marc Ganzi.

By Sharon Robb Photos by Candace Ferreira

Pablo MacDonough and Barto Castagnola.

Santos Bollini.

Marc Ganzi and Juan Martin Nero.

Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Pancho Bensadon.

Gonzalito Pieres and Juan Martin Zubia.

Rufino Bensadon.

By Sharon Robb Photos by Candace Ferreira

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