Thomas Wirth

Aspen Valley Polo Club will kick off the 2020 summer season with the Independence Cup on July 5th. This year’s roster includes three ten-goalers as well as top players from the US and Argentina.

By: Rebecca Baldridge

Polo returns to Aspen in July, with the club set to host 10 grass tournaments and three arena challenges over the course of the summer. Play kicks off on July 5th, with the season opening Independence Cup, followed by the ChukkerTV Challenge Cup and The Craig Sakin Memorial.

The season promises plenty of thrills on the field, with three ten-goal players driving the action. La Dolfina teammates Pablo MacDonough and Juan Martin Nero will mount up alongside Polito Pieres, who plays for perennial rival Ellerstina during the Argentine season.


Grant Ganzi

MacDonough and Nero have each won the Argentine Open 10 times and will be joined at Aspen Valley by Horacio Heguy (6), a six-time winner, and Nacho Novillo Astrada (8), who won the Open as part of La Aguada in 2003.  La Aguada also won the Tortugas Open and the Hurlingham Open that year to sweep the Argentine Triple Crown. It was the fourth team in history to win the Triple Crown, and the first team composed of four brothers to do so. 

Other top Argentines playing at Aspen Valley will include Alejandro Novillo Astrada, father and son duo Juan and Juancito Bollini, Carlitos Gracida, Gabriel Gracida, Tincho Merlos, Pablo Spinacci, and Nacho Badiola.


Pablo MacDonough

Roldan (8), America’s number two ranked player after Polito Pieres, will also liven up the field along with Gussie Busch (2 ) and Alex Gooding (2). Internationally renowned umpires Gaston Dorignac and Martin Harriague will officiate.

Returning players also include sponsors Brian Boyd of La Karina, Michael Bickford of La Indiana, and Jeff Hildebrand, who won last year’s prestigious USPA Silver Cup with Tonkawa. USPA Chairman Stewart Armstrong will also be joining the lineup, as well as McClure River Ranch co-founders Paul and Alejandra Foster.


119th USPA Silver Cup champion Tonkawa‘s Jeff Hildebrand, Juan Martin Obregon, Sapo Caset, and Mason Wroe

Marc and Melissa Ganzi, who founded the club in 2014, will play, as will their children, Grant and Riley Ganzi. Since the club was founded, 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. In addition, the club offers practice sessions for teams competing in the weekend tournaments.


2019 Independence Cup American Polo Horse Association BPP Macumba, a 13-year-old mare owned and played by Brian Boyd of Flexjet.

While admission is traditionally open and free to the public, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the club to close to spectators for the foreseeable future. Aspen Valley Polo Club has taken this step out of an abundance of caution. 

Club co-founder Melissa Ganzi says, “Polo has become part of the fabric of summer in Aspen. Our fans are important to us and we are extremely disappointed to be unable to include them in our 2020 season. This is obviously due to our need for caution and care in the face of the pandemic.“


Juan Martin Nero

Players and staff have been tested in 3 rounds at sister club Grand Champions Polo in Florida since March and will continue to be tested throughout the 2020 summer season.

Aspen Valley Polo Club also implemented testing for the Carbondale Fire Department, which stations an ambulance field side during all tournaments. Carbondale Operations Division Chief Mike Wagner organized the testing within the station. Wagner says;  “We greatly appreciate the generosity from the Aspen Valley Polo Club to have the staff at Carbondale Fire tested for COVID-19.  The testing provided us with valuable information, so we could continue to meet our goal of remaining healthy and we are able to serve the citizens of and visitors of the Carbondale Fire District.”


Nic Roldan and Juan Bollini

We are following the guidelines set in place by the CDC very closely. The CDC strongly recommends that individuals protect themselves and their community by minimizing the time spent with others in large groups, and by avoiding close contact with other individuals, especially those who are sick. 

Other guidelines recommended by the CDC include:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place, blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home if you are unwell, except to get medical care.

* Always wear a face mask out in public areas.

Although Aspen Valley will be closed to spectators, ChukkerTV will livestream the entire 2020 polo series so fans can still enjoy the best polo of the US summer season. ChukkerTV was the first to introduce state-of-the-art live streaming technology and instant replay in January 2014 at Grand Champtions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida.

2020 Aspen Valley Summer Polo Series:

July

Independence Cup 7/5
Craig Sakin Memorial 7/10 – 7/12
ChukkerTV Challenge Cup 7/17 – 7/19
USPA National Arena Handicap 7/22 – 7/29
Basalt Handicap 7/24 – 7/26
Emma Challenge Cup 7/30 – 8/2

August

High Alpine Cup 8/7 – 8/9
Mount Sopris Cup 8/14 – 8/16
Rocky Mountain Open 8/21 – 8/23
Carbondale Classic 8/28 – 8/30

September
The Triple Crown of Polo 9/1 – 9/6

 

www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com

 

© Thomas Wirth

This Sunday held the sought after 2020 USPA Intra-Circuit final. This tournament holds great importance at the Santa Barbara Polo Club and with the United States Polo Association. The final match was played between Antelope Jr., reigning champions from the Folded Hills Pope Challenge Tournament, and Dundas, who was undefeated in their bracket for this tournament.

Striking from the field to open up the first, Juan Monteverde was quickly countered by a series of three consecutive goals as Dundas fired between the posts. Adding their second tally to the scoreboard, Antelope Jr.’s goal was met once more by back-to-back goals from 7-goaler Santi Torres to close the second chukker 5-2 in favor of Dundas. “Our strategy was simplicity,” Siegel-Magness said. “Our game plan was playing man to man and making sure we each worked together to clear the space to make runs to goal. While defense was our first priority, we then transitioned to a strong offense.” Consistently producing a goal per chukker, Monteverde saw an opportunity to capitalize on a Penalty 2 conversion early in the third. Dundas sprung into action with another offensive attack to increase their growing lead by five and with all team members contributing to the scoreboard by halftime 8-3.

Returning in the second half with a Penalty 4 conversion, Monteverde continued to keep Antelope Jr. in the fight as the only member to score so far. Picking up another three, Dundas maintained their steady upward trajectory with undeniable strategy, concentration and determination. Rising to Antelope Jr.’s aid in the fifth chukker, Felipe Vercellino answered back with two goals, yet Dundas relentlessly added three more to their tally to end the fifth with a significant lead 14-6. Hammering in two final goals to bring his total to eight, Torres created a deficit virtually unconquerable by their opponents at such a late stage in the game. Launching three goals of his own in the final minutes, Monteverde’s effort could not overcome the disparity and Dundas was named 2020 champions winning 16-9.

“I’m extremely grateful to my team,” Siegel-Magness said. “Santi [Torres] was injured early in the season and having him come back so quickly and strong was amazing. Mariano [Fassetta] and I have been playing together for a few years and this win meant so much because he spends so much time working with me on drills and technique. Also, watching my pilot Juan Cruz [Marcos] shine in his first 12-goal tournament and seeing his personal progress was exciting for me.”

Responsible for five of Dundas’ total goals, Juan Cruz Marcos, was named Most Valuable Player. “For me it was a great experience, plus this was my first season in the United States and I‘m very happy to be participating in USPA tournaments,” Marcos said. Best Playing Pony honors were presented to Cypress (River Dance x Magnolia), played by Santi Torres as a spare throughout the game with four appearances and bred and owned by Valiente.

In addition to the trophy, Dundas also received $2,500.00 in prize money from participating in the COVID-19 USPA Polo Tournament Stimulus Package. “I gave the prize money to my team to pass on to the grooms,” Siegel-Magness shared. “Our grooms make all this possible and they deserve to be recognized for a job well done. I appreciate them so much and they work so hard to keep both the players and horses safe!”

About Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club
Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club is the premier destination for summer polo. Players and Patrons from all across the globe call Santa Barbara their home for the summer, bringing world class polo to the Southern California coast. No spectators will currently gather for matches due to COVID-19. We are taking all precautions during the 2020 season including weekly testing, face-masks, and social distancing. Please visit the Spectator Information page for more information.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit our website, www.sbpolo.com.

Photos: © David Lominska

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It was a beautiful summer evening in Houston, Texas as the Houston Polo Club hosted two fast moving 6 goal games for the audience to enjoy.

In the first match up, Vintage Polo made quick work of the T Squared Energy/Specoil team. T Squared Energy/Specoil started with .5 on handicap and stayed ahead the first chukker up 1.5 to 1 over Vintage Polo. But after the first chukker it was all Vintage Polo. Each team member scored throughout the game, with Cody Ellis being the high scorer with 3 goals on the scoreboard. T Squared Energy/Specoil‘s Bryan Middleton never gave up, and pushed even in the last chukker, but Vintage Polo pulled away with a 6 to 2.5 win.

In the second match of the day, Horsegate Ranch faced Brown Bears/Whitehall Ranch. Brown Bears/Whitehall Ranch‘s Miguel Torres came out on fire as he scored two back to back goals, but Horsegate‘s Lance Stefanakis and Shane Rice kept their team in game with a goal apiece, ending the first chukker in Horsegate‘s favor 2.5 to 2. Over the second and third chukkers, Horsegate kept building on their lead with two goals from Rice and one from Anson Moore. As the teams entered the fourth and final chukker, Brown Bears/Whitehall Ranch‘s Bill Lane converted an open goal penalty 3, to bring his team within 1.5 goals, however Horsegate‘s straight shooter, Lance Stefanakis, scored an open  goal penalty 2 to finish off the game in favor of Horsegate 6.5 to 4.


Winning team: Horsegate Ranch
Ariel Mancebo, Lance Stefanakis, Anson Moore, Shane Rice
pictured with St. Regis Director of Sales Matthew Vesely and wife Esther Vesely
© Houston Polo Club
www.houstonpoloclub.com

 

© Thomas Wirth

The Davitt Classic replaces USA vs. Argentina this Saturday, June 20 at 5pm in the Newport International Polo Series, to the pleasure of a loyal and significantly reduced audience of spectators that will witness the only live sporting event in the Northeast since the pandemic lockdown.  

The players are primed, the field is in mint condition and the forecast is ideal for a 6-chukker Father’s Day special.  Nearly sold out, tickets are available online only at www.nptpolo.com.

Safety being a top priority, RI State approved COVID-19 safety measures are in effect at the polo grounds this season including online sales, masks required when not seated, social distancing and greatly reduced capacity.  The full details can be found at https://bit.ly/2AZDTGi

On hand for the Official Coin Toss to start the match will be Dave Whitney, VP, General Manager of Davitt Inc – New England’s award-winning pioneer design/build firm and industry leader since the 1980’s, credited with the enhancements to the Pavilion & Patio Bar last season, and renown for hundreds of distinctive homes created or restored throughout the Northeast region.

During the match, beverage service will be offered for patrons seated within the Davitt Pavilion, and carry-out service will be available for patrons in Tailgates & Chalets from the Patio Bar.  See Hospitality & Amenities for details and menus. Specialty vendors in the Vendor Village at the polo grounds include the Newport Polo Pro Shop.  See Hospitality & Amenities for details and menus.

After 6 periods, called chukkers, the match will conclude with the Newport Polo Fan Salute around the perimeter (no hand slapping), a unique tradition originating at the Newport International Polo Series in 2003, and now emulated around the world, and the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Toast & Trophy Presentation of prizes shown on the Jumbotron.

Jumbotron messages can be requested through the online portal. Submit Now

Dating back to 1876, the polo matches are one of Newport’s grandest & most popular traditions, a living legacy from the Gilded Age, and open to the public. Spectator audiences enjoy the contests and festive atmosphere at the picturesque polo grounds, on the 140-year old, restored acreage of historic Glen Farm, where the home team – Newport/USA – meets challengers each season from around the world and as well as teams representing major US cities.  

The Polo Series is scheduled to continue for the next 15 weeks, every Saturday in June through September. The schedule of teams is subject to change, per State mandates in effect on international travel and Adult Sports competition.

Newport Polo’s unique spectator experience involves Tailgating in a system of assigned seating at its exhibition venue that it developed several years ago on its proprietary website & box office, which provides online reservations for parking spaces around the polo field from which to observe the polo match. Those parking spaces are now separated by safe social distancing to a limited capacity which is a modest subset of its regular audience, to comply with COVID-19 safety measures that have been approved by the State of Rhode Island. The venue also has an outdoor seating Pavilion that has been revised to comply with the State’s guidelines for outdoor seating with wait service.

Minutes from downtown Newport, the International Polo Grounds are located at historic Glen Farm, 250 Linden Lane (off of Rte. 138) in Portsmouth, RI. This bucolic setting is the last 100 acres of what was once a 700-acre manorial farm whose settlement dates back to the 1600’s. Its classical stone barns from the Gilded Age and its park-like grounds were rehabilitated by polo series founder, Dan Keating, and thrive today as an equestrian & community recreational property, and home of the Polo Series.

The Newport International Polo Series is proud to present its 2020 sponsors including Gallo|Thomas InsuranceDavittBoston CommonHotel VikingThe ChanlerThe Newport Harbor Hotel & MarinaVanderbilt International PropertiesVeuve ClicquotClarke Cooke HouseStella ArtoisROCKSTAR LimoAtria Senior LivingGoslingsMcGrath Clambakes and Catering, and promotional partners including The Cocktail GuruNewport Jaguar ToursNewport Helicopter ToursAmerica’s Cup ChartersInternational Tennis Hall of FameNewport MansionsIsland Surf and SportNewport Sport Fishing ChartersProvidence River Boat Company, and Newport Harbor Guide.  Special thanks to Schultz Marketing Partnerships, Van Liew TrustTanglewood, and WCRI Classical Rhode Island.  “Our sponsors have been with us since the beginning. Without their support, the Series would not be as extensive as it is,” explains Dan Keating, Polo Series founder.

For specific details about the players, concessions & amenities for this match, plus venue information and other details, sign up to receive the Game Day Briefing on Saturday, by private subscription (sign up).  Stay current with all 2020 season announcements, latest news & event invitations, and more by subscription to our monthly eMagazine (sign up).  Both subscriptions are private and spam-free.

RAIN DATE: If a regularly scheduled match is canceled prior to its start (due to weather/field conditions), the match will be postponed to the following day, Sunday at the same time.  All original polo match tickets & seating reservations will be transferred to the rain date.  For more details on our ticket policies, please follow this link.  In inclement weather, always check the Match Status recording on our Info Hotline (401) 846-0200 x2 and for Alerts published on our website, both of which are updated with any status change for the impending match. 

This is the 29th season of Newport International Polo Series, which has hosted teams from 34 nations including, Ireland, Germany, Spain, England, Argentina, France, Egypt, India, Australia, Costa Rica, Ghana, Canada, Chile, Jamaica, Nigeria, Portugal, New Zealand, Barbados, Scotland, South Africa, Hungary, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Kenya, Brazil, China, Italy, Mexico, Sweden, Singapore, Monaco, Morocco, Peru, and Poland.

Polo, since 600 b.c.  Polo is, without doubt the oldest ball game in the world today. First recorded in the 6th century b.c. when the Turkomans beat the Persians in a diplomatic tournament, the alluring game caught on with equestrian royalty and cavalry, and took off with globalization, withstanding the tests of time. By the time Polo arrived on Newport’s shores during the Gilded Age, the sport was nearly 2500 years steeped in tradition, captivating newcomers like Newport’s summer sporting set who embraced the new pastime, establishing America’s first polo club in 1876.  A charter member of the United States Polo Association the club today is still a trailblazing model polo club, hosting the Newport International Polo Series public exhibition matches, supporting philanthropic causes, organizing USPA tournaments, polo club member services and polo instruction year-round. Experience the king of games in its American landing at Newport Polo. 

www.nptpolo.com

© Thomas Wirth

Guest article by Marion, Argentina Polo Academy Europe

Pepe Riglos at the Academy in Spain explaining how to prepare horses for chukkers. Pepe is a former 7 goal player and a highly recognized expert in training polo horses (also humans! 😉). He is our top advisor at the Academies Polo Horse Training Centre.

CLICK ON THE VIDEO to watch it!

Here what he recommends when it comes to improving horses:

“Always pay attention on the temperament of the horse, as there is a lot of pressure inside the field. Outside the field everything should be really calm. We should not put horses in the field if they are not calm, they are not ready to stand the pressure.

As we work the horses patience is everything. Having a nervous horse (many horses from the racing track are very nervous at the beginning) work it step by step, very slowly to get it calm.

A whip is good to have (so the horse knows that you have one), but we should use it very carefully, as it can have a harmful effect on the horses progress in becoming a relaxed and good polo horse. So let’s have patience, your horse should like the work and become a bit better every day!”

 

Any question you have concerning educating your horse send a message!

info@argentina-polo-academy.com

www.argentina-polo-academy.com

Either Pepe as well our trainers at the Academy and the Polo Horse Training Centre are very happy to help. Have a great weekend, hopefully with lots of polo!

© Thomas Wirth

There was a big leadup to the Folded Hills Pope Challenge Final. In order to play in the final, there was a three-way shoot-out on the Friday before between Antelope, BenSoleimani.com, and Dundas 2 to secure a spot against Antelope Jr. on Sunday. The final ended up being a father vs. son matchup between Antelope and Antelope Jr.

The 4 PM match started a little slow as the teams warmed up and felt out how they were going to play. However, halfway through the first chukker, Antelope came out with the first goal from Maco Llambias which Grant Palmer quickly rebutted. The second chukker showed strong defense and clean play with only one goal and one foul the entire seven and a half minutes. The last chukker of the half put Antelope in the lead with two strong penalty shots and another goal from Maco Llambias, ending the half with a score of 4-2.

To start off the second half, Antelope Jr. kicked it into gear scoring five goals total. Felipe Vercillino played this chukker on Best Playing Pony, Sandunga, and made it count with one coast to coast goal and another one from 60 yards out. Antelope tried to turn it back around in the fifth chukker with a nice field goal from Jimmy Wright, but Antelope Jr scored another two goals to keep a steady lead of 9-6 going into the final chukker. Each team scored two goals in the last chukker to maintain the gap in score, but one goal stood out with an impressive cut shot from Grant Palmer. The match finished at 11-8 to Antelope Jr.

Antelope Jr. played cohesively as a team that knows each other very well and they reaped the rewards. Most valuable player, Grant Palmer, commented on the match, “It was a very physical game – by continuously passing the ball up the field we were able to stretch our opponents and come out with the win.” The Folded Hills Pope Challenge Final boasted excellent polo and regardless of missing spectators, all players brought their best.

 

Photos: © David Lominska / polographics.com

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About Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club 

Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club is the premier destination for summer polo. Players and Patrons from all across the globe call Santa Barbara their home for the summer, bringing world class polo to the Southern California coast. No spectators will currently gather for matches due to COVID-19. We are taking all precautions during the 2020 season including weekly testing, face-masks, and social distancing. Please visit the Spectator Information page for more information.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit our website, www.sbpolo.com.

 

© Thomas Wirth

Guest article from Michael Husted, Performance Polo

Let the games begin!

Both players arrived in the UK yesterday in time for their first practice with the Next Generation team, also comprising Pelon Stirling and Jean Francois Decaux. We have equipped both Cambiasos with HPA approved Instinct Polo helmets, hand painted by Eddie Kennedy in Cambiaso‘s tradtional design.

Instinct helmet

www.performance-polo.com

 

© Thomas Wirth

Guest article from Michael Husted, Performance Polo

Across Europe and North America, COVID-19 has imposed delays and restrictions in polo, but luckily, those restrictions are gradually being lifted and some countries has already seen a return to normal polo. In the UK, competitive polo (8 goals and up) launched this weekend, albeit without ride-offs, throw-ins and spectators, but it seems likely that these restrictions will also be lifted in the coming weeks, and we are only too happy to be back in the saddle and looking forward to some great high-goal polo.

Both in polo as well as in other equestrian sports, the conversation some times turn to the weight carried by our horses and, specifically, how much is a safe weight for them to carry. Of course, this is in part a function of the size and type of horse, its fitness and various other factors, but most articles and scientific papers hover around 20% of the horse‘s own weight and see deteriorating performance and potential back problems resulting from more than approx. 20% added to the horse‘s weight.

Of course, it‘s not just the rider‘s weight that matters. Polo requires a lot of gear that piles on the kilos / pounds. In fact, a full set of tack, stick and personal protection, may well add up to 20 kgs (44 lbs). So, if we assume – for simplicity – that polo ponies average 450 kg (1000 lbs), then placing 20% or 90 kgs on top of them should be reasonably safe. Subtracting 20 kgs (44 lbs) for tack and gear leaves just 70 kgs (155 lbs) for the player.

So, those of us hitting somewhere north of 70 kgs on the scale, what can we do? Well, there are diets and exercise, of course, and I certainly intend to shed a few covid-pounds. But in addition to diets and exercise, we should also consider trimming the weight of all the gear that our horses carry around. It‘s not unusual for a polo saddle to weigh in at 8-9 kgs (18-20 lbs), which is one reason why the Ainsley Saddlery has invested time and effort in creating the MVP that weighs in at just 5 kgs (11 lbs) (18“). Polo stirrupsgenerally weigh over 1 kg, but modern materials can reduce that weight by half. And what about the saddle pads? Some wool pads can easily weigh 1 kg (2 lbs) each. Exchange those for light weight pads, or if your saddle fits well, consider playing without any pads. Bandages get wet and heavy, and weight at the end of horses‘ legs produce twice the load of the same weight carried at the saddle. Another reason to switch to lightweight leg protection, like the HUSK la Irenita boots.

So, without too much effort, I can lose 4-5 kgs (9-11 lbs) by taking a closer look at all the stuff my horse needs to carry in addition to me. Let‘s say I also lose 5 kgs, and suddenly my horses carry up to 2% less total weight. This is on a scale that our horses will be able to run a little faster, stop a little quicker, and also recover quicker from exertion.

We can help you shed weight faster than any diet or exercise (for polo fitness, check out Chukka Wellness)! For lightweight polo gear, call us on +44-7487-548242 or email on info@performance-polo.com.

www.performance-polo.com

 

© Thomas Wirth

Good news for all Polo-Kids: the Summer Camps in July and August will take place, 
40 horses and a polo field right next to the stunning Mangueta beach in Andalusia are waiting for us!

• Kids from 10 to 15 years can take part, small groups, maximum 12 kids/camp
• location: the new Trafalgar Polo Club, situated at the Costa de la Luz in sunny Andalusia/Spain
• with the trainers of the Argentina Polo Academy Europe
• Agenda: Intensive polo, horses, beach, surfing, new friends and a lot of fun!
• Accomodation in big tipi-tents right next to the horses
• There are only 3 camps:
   6-11th of July (beginners to advanced), 27th of Juli to 01st of August (beginners to advanced), 10th to 15th of August (only advanced)

Get more information + register here: www.argentina-polo-academy.com/polo-summer-camp or send a whatsapp (Marion): +34 611 417 533

 

Photos: Argentina Polo Academy

 

© Thomas Wirth

Due to the Corona Pandemic, the popular Beach Polo tournament on Sylt had to be cancelled. A review of the last year in pictures.

Pictures: © Rolf Simon

 

  

 

© Thomas Wirth
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