Tournament

North America, Polo News

Casablanca Defeats Santa Rita to Advance in World Polo League Founder’s Cup

1. March 2021

By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: ChukkerTV

WELLINGTON, FL, February 28, 2021— Casablanca defeated Santa Rita by a score of 15-10 in the third match of the WPL Founder’s Cup.

Casablanca (Juancito Bollini, Grant Ganzi, Barto Castagnola, and Juan Martin Nero) met Santa Rita (Sugar Erskine, Nacho Figueras, Pablo Spinacci, and Horacio Llorente) on Field One at Grand Champions Polo Club yesterday. Casablanca had a team handicap of 26 goals, while Santa Rita was rated at 24 goals. Santa Rita started the match with two goals on handicap.

Play was back and forth for just over three minutes until Barto Castagnola put the first goal of the day on the board. With slightly more than 30 seconds remaining, Horacio Llorente took a Penalty 5 from the spot, dribbling the ball and then smashing a long shot to goal just as the buzzer sounded. The period ended with Santa Rita leading 3-1.

The second chukker was more challenging for Santa Rita, as a strong defense from Casablanca kept them from scoring. Barto Castagnola converted a Penalty 2, followed by a goal from Juan Martin Nero. Castagnola scored a pair of goals from the field and Casablanca ended the period leading 5-3.

In the third chukker, Santa Rita dominated their end of the field in the first two minutes of play, with Sugar Erskine evading Barto Castagnola to find the uprights. With three minutes remaining, an uneven rideoff gave Castagnola the opportunity to convert a Penalty 4 for his fifth goal of the game. At 2:17, Grant Ganzi picked up a loose ball and took it to goal. With two seconds on the clock, Juancito Bollini put the ball between the posts to end the half 8-4 for Casablanca.

Grant Ganzi put his second goal of the game on the board with just over 4:30 on the clock, putting Casablanca in the lead by 9-4. Santa Rita roared back to life, and following a Penalty 2 conversion by Horacio Llorente, Sugar Erskine knocked the ball in to cut the lead to 9-6. At 1:00, Llorente took control of the ball, taking it down the field and through the uprights to end the chukker 9-7 and cut Casablanca’s lead to two goals.

Barto Castagnola started the fifth chukker by converting a Penalty 3 just before the clock ticked past seven minutes. At just under 6 minutes, Pablo Spinacci got out in front on a breakaway with Grant Ganzi in hot pursuit. At the last moment Spinacci checked up and left Ganzi run by, then turned to put the ball through the posts. Moments later, Nacho Figueras scored for Santa Rita, shaving Casablanca’s lead to one. A pair of back-to-back goals from Castagnola ended the period 12-9 for Casablanca.

Down by three goals, Santa Rita faced an uphill battle in the final chukker. In the first minute of play, Barto Castagnola took advance of a misread play by Santa Rita to take control of the ball and score. With 3:16 remaining, Nacho Figueras put the ball through for Santa Rita’s final goal of the day. Juancito Bollini found the goal for Casablanca, taking the score up to 14-10. With 16 seconds left in play, Castagnola made a successful shot on goal to end the match 15-10 for Casablanca. Castagnola was the high scoring player, responsible for 10 of Casablanca’s 15 goals.

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: ChukkerTV WELLINGTON, FL, February 28, 2021— Casablanca defeated Santa Rita by a score of 15-10 in the third match of the WPL Founder’s Cup. Casablanca…

North America, Polo News

Richard Mille Takes Down Hawaii Polo Life to Capture All-Star Challenge Title

23. February 2021

By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: ChukkerTV

WELLINGTON, FL, February 21, 2021— Richard Mille bested Hawaii Polo Life by 13-8 to win the All-Star Challenge.

Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola, Pablo MacDonough, and Paco de Narvaez) took on Hawaii Polo Life (Chris Dawson, Jejo Taranco, Poroto Cambiaso, and Adolfo Cambiaso) in the final match of the All-Star Challenge yesterday on Grand Champions Field Two. Both Richard Mille and Hawaii Polo Life were 26-goal teams.

Hawaii Polo Life seized control of play at the start, with Poroto Cambiaso taking the ball from the bowl-in and running it to goal. An illegal rideoff gave Hawaii Polo Life a Penalty 5a from the spot, and Adolfo Cambiaso sent the ball downfield. A broken play left the ball loose and Adolfo swooped in to turn it and score. With 1:42 remaining, Pablo MacDonough capitalized on horsepower to make a run for the posts and put the first goal of the day on the board for Richard Mille.

Poroto started the second chukker as he did the first, quickly gaining control of the ball, feinting to the left of the field to lose his man, and turning toward the goal. However, Richard Mille dominated the play and Jeta Castagnola found the uprights twice, tying the score at 3-all with 28 seconds remaining in the chukker. It was a fierce defensive battle, with both teams using all four players well.

At the beginning of the third chukker, Poroto Cambiaso seized control of the ball from the throw-in yet again and broke out in front, hotly pursued by Paco de Narvaez. Unable to take a full swing, Cambiaso resorted to a nearside neck shot to put the ball through. Richard Mille was unable to get past Hawaii Polo Life’s defense to score, while Poroto found the posts with 43 seconds remaining to end the half with Hawaii Polo Life in the lead by 5-3.

Trouble started for Hawaii Polo Life in the fourth chukker when they challenged the umpire’s call on a right of way violation. The lost the challenge and incurred a technical foul for unsportsmanlike conduct, allowing Jeta Castagnola and Marc Ganzi to score on penalty shots. Richard Mille converted four penalty shots during the chukker, while Jejo Taranco scored one goal for Hawaii Polo Life. The chukker ended with Richard Mille leading 7-6. Hawaii Polo Life needed to seize the initiative in the vital fifth chukker, but Richard Mille dominated play from the start. Jeta Castagnola got out in front by a good four lengths to put the ball through for Richard Mille.

Pablo MacDonough roared to life, scoring three goals from the field. Another conduct violation gave Marc Ganzi the opportunity to convert a Penalty 2 and the chukker ended with Richard Mille leading by 12-6. MacDonough opened the final chukker by scoring in the first 30 seconds, putting his team ahead by 13-6. Hawaii Polo Life fought to the end, and with 2:40 remaining, Jejo Taranco found the posts. With 48 seconds left to play, Chris Dawson made a breakwaway downfield to score the final goal of the match. Richard Mille carried the day, winning with a score of 13-8.

Pablo MacDonough, who was named MVP, said “We knew it would be a tough game against that team, but the fifth chukker was decisive.”

The Argentine Polo Association Best Playing Pony was La Dolfina Volaris, a 7-year-old mare played in the second chukker by Poroto Cambiaso. The World Polo League Best Playing Pony was Clavel, owned and played by Paco de Narvaez. The American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony was Irenita Rastrojera, played by Pablo MacDonough.

Founded by Grand Champions owners and president Melissa and Marc Ganzi, the World Polo League is the only 26-goal polo in the world outside of Argentina. The WPL was created to preserve the highest level of polo and its rich, hallowed tradition in the United States. The WPL, boasting 11 tournament-quality fields to play on, will follow the season opening All-Star Challenge with a number of top-level tournaments that will include: Founder’s Cup, Palm Beach Open, Triple Crown of Polo, and Beach Polo World Cup, Miami Beach April 21-25.

The World Polo League attracts the sport’s top players from every corner of the world, including: Australia, Chile, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Argentina, Canada, Ecuador, Brazil, Switzerland, France, Germany, Uruguay, Venezuela, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Grand Champions and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique polo facility in Wellington with 120 stalls in five self-contained barns, an exercise track, five climate controlled tack rooms, a vet room, staff quarters, a guest house and three polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation including one field for stick-and-ball and plans to build more in the future.

World Polo League matches will continue to be closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We closely adhere to Florida state and CDC guidelines, and take all measures possible to maintain a safe environment that will allow us to continue playing. We look very forward to the day we can welcome our fans back. In the interim, please visit www.worldpolo.org for more information. Matches can be viewed on www.chukkertv.com.

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: ChukkerTV WELLINGTON, FL, February 21, 2021— Richard Mille bested Hawaii Polo Life by 13-8 to win the All-Star Challenge. Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola,…

North America, Polo News

Richard Mille and Hawaii Polo Life to Meet in WPL All Star Challenge Final on Saturday

19. February 2021

By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: ChukkerTV

WELLINGTON, FL, February 18, 2021— In yesterday’s All Star Challenge semi-finals, Richard Mille defeated Casablanca by 10-9 while Hawaii Polo Life took down Seminole Casino 12-7.

In the first semifinal of the day, Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola, Pablo MacDonough and Paco de Narvaez) faced off against Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Barto Castagnola, and Juan Martin Nero).

Play was fast and clean in the first chukker, with 10-goaler Pablo MacDonough scoring the first goal of the day on a long pass from Jeta Castagnola. Marc Ganzi followed up by slamming an impressive 80-yard shot through the posts to put Richard Mille up by 2-0. Casablanca got onto the board when Barto Castagnola jumped out in front to take a pass from Juan Martin Nero and run to goal, while Juancito Bollini followed up to bring the score to 2-all.

Following a foul by son Grant, Marc Ganzi converted a Penalty 2 to end the chukker with Richard Mille leading by 3-2. Casablanca saw their greatest success in the second chukker, keeping Richard Mille off the board while Juan Martin Nero converted a Penalty 3 and Barto Castagnola made a long shot on goal to end the chukker 4-3 with Casablanca in the lead. The third chukker was back and forth, with both teams shooting long to the goal. Neither was able to put the ball through and the half ended with Casablanca still leading 4-3.

Richard Mille came back with guns blazing in the fourth and Paco de Narvaez walked the ball to goal to tie the score at 4-all. Casablanca made a couple of costly fouls, allowing Jeta Castagnola to score on two Penalty 4 shots, while Marc Ganzi made another long shot to goal. Richard Mille was up by 7-4 before Barto Castagnola found the uprights to end the chukker at 7-5. Within the first 30 seconds of the fifth chukker, Barto found the goal again to nip at Richard Mille’s heels with a score of 7-6. Jeta sank a 60-yard shot to put the score up to 8-6, but a foul by Richard Mille allowed Juan Martin Nero to convert a Penalty 3. With 3:43 left to play.

Marc Ganzi took the ball from the throw-in and easily ran to goal. Another foul by Casablanca allowed Jeta Castagnola to convert a Penalty 2 and the chukker ended 10-7 with Richard Mille in the lead. Richard Mille didn’t score in the final chukker, but the 3-point lead going into the sixth was enough to give them the match. A goal by Juancito Bollini and Penalty 2 from Barto Castagnola wasn’t enough to get by Richard Mille and they won the semi-final by 10-9.

In the second semi-final match of the day, Seminole Casino (Melissa Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, and Juan Martin Zubia) met Hawaii Polo Life (Chris Dawson, Jejo Taranco, Poroto Cambiaso, and Adolfo Cambiaso). With a team handicap of 24 goals, Seminole Casino started the match with two goals on handicap.

Adolfo Cambiaso started the match off with a quick demonstration of prowess, taking the ball from the throw-in and running it straight to goal in the first 15 seconds of play. It was five minutes of fast back and forth before Alejandro Novillo Astrada connected with a pass from Nic Roldan and put the ball through. Just before the 30-second buzzer, Cambiaso scored again to end the chukker with Hawaii Polo Life down by one goal, at 2-3.

Early in the second chukker, Nic Roldan and Alejandro Novillo Astrada took the ball coast to coast, with Roldan finishing up at the posts. Poroto Cambiaso converted a Penalty 2, while his father Adolfo slammed the ball downfield for another goal, ending the period with the scored tied 4-all. Play was nip and tuck in the third chukker, and Hawaii Polo Life couldn’t find the goal. Nic Roldan made an impressive shot from the right of the goal, and the half ended 5-4 with Seminole Casino in the lead.

In the fourth chukker, neither team was able to score, and the period ended with an umpire challenge by Seminole Casino. The challenge was rejected at the beginning of the fifth, resulting in a Penalty 2 conversion by Adolfo Cambiaso. The tables turned on Seminole Casino decisively. Hawaii Polo Life succeeded not only in keeping them off the board, but scoring five goals during the chukker, including two penalty conversions from Poroto, a fleld goal from Jejo Taranco, and back-to-back goals from Chris Dawson.

Seminole Casino found themselves in a tough spot going in to the final chukker. Even a deficit of two goals all too often is a death sentence against Cambiaso, and the team in purple was down by five. Taranco found the posts barely a minute into play, putting Seminole Casino behind by 6, but with 5:54 left to play Nic Roldan took the ball from the bowl-in and ran it downfield to score. Alejandro Novillo Astrada came a hair’s breadth from the goal, but at the very last second the ball was swept away by Adolfo Cambiaso. With 3:15 remaining, Jejo Taranco made a 220-yard run downfield with Nic Roldan in hot pursuit. Taranco made it to the posts, scoring the final goal of the day for Hawaii Polo Life. With just under two minutes remaining, Alejandro Novillo Astrada hammered the ball 100 yards for a goal. The match ended with Hawaii Polo Life winning by 12-7. Poroto Cambiaso was the high scoring player of the day with four goals to his credit.

21 All Star Challenge Schedule

Saturday 2/20
3pm All Star Challenge Final
Richard Mille vs Hawaii Polo Life

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: ChukkerTV WELLINGTON, FL, February 18, 2021— In yesterday’s All Star Challenge semi-finals, Richard Mille defeated Casablanca by 10-9 while Hawaii Polo Life took down…

North America, Polo News

Richard Mille Defeats Santa Rita to Advance to WPL All Star Challenge Semifinals

16. February 2021

By Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by ChukkerTV

WELLINGTON, FL, February 15, 2021— Richard Mille trounced Santa Rita by a score of 16-8 to advance in the WPL All Star Challenge.

Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola, Pablo MacDonough and Paco de Narvaez) took on Santa Rita (Sugar Erskine, Pablo Spinnaci, Horacio Llorente, and Nacho Figueras) yesterday on Grand Champions Field 4. Santa Rita, with a team handicap of 24, started the match with two goals on the board.

Santa Rita started the match with a foul, allowing Pablo MacDonough to score his first goal of the day on a Penalty 3. Both teams were running hard in the first minutes, with neither finding the goal until Nacho Figueras scored at just under five minutes. A couple of unlucky fouls allowed Marc Ganzi to convert a Penalty 4 and a Penalty 2, tying the match at 3-3. In the last minute of the chukker, Nacho put the ball in play following a foul and found Sugar Erskine, who in a textbook move took out his man and ran to goal. The chukker ended with Santa Rita up 4-3. In the second chukker, the cracks began to show for Santa Rita, and they weren’t able to get on the board. Pablo MacDonough scored back-to-back goals, the second with a breathtaking neck shot, and Marc Ganzi sank another successful Penalty 2.

Going into the third chukker with Richard Mille leading 6-4, Santa Rita was starting to feel the pressure and missed several chances at the posts. Another goal by MacDonough, topped off by a Penalty 2 conversion from Ganzi, saw the half end 8-4 in favor of Richard Mille.

Santa Rita played more aggressively in the fourth chukker, with Sugar Erskine answering a goal from Jeta Castagnola. With only 14 seconds remaining to play, Jeta Castagnola slammed the ball downfield from 130 yards in a spectacular shot and the chukker ended 10-5. Santa Rita successfully converted two penalties in the fifth chukker, but continued to weaken, giving Richard Mille the opportunity to stretch their lead. At the 5:25 mark, Ganzi picked up a ball lost by Castagnola and took it to the goal. Castagnola redeemed himself for the loss by taking a ball out of the air and slamming it between the posts. Pablo MacDonough, finding himself left alone in an unfortunate error by Santa Rita, made an easy goal to end the chukker 13-7 for Richard Mille.

Santa Rita put their last goal of the day on the board with a Penalty 2 at the beginning of the final chukker. While the team in yellow fought to the last, Richard Mille continued to control the game as they had from the start and scored three more goals to win the match by 16-8. Pablo MacDonough was named MVP and the Best Playing Pony was Clavel, owned by Paco de Narvaez.

World Polo League 2021 All Star Challenge Schedule

Sunday 2/14
4pm Richard Mille vs Santa Rita

Wednesday 2/17
11am Seminole Casino vs Hawaii Polo Life
3p Casablanca vs Winner Game 3

Saturday 2/20
3pm All Star Challenge Final

By Rebecca Baldridge Photos by ChukkerTV WELLINGTON, FL, February 15, 2021— Richard Mille trounced Santa Rita by a score of 16-8 to advance in the WPL All Star Challenge. Richard…

North America, Polo News

Casablanca and Hawaii Polo Life Advance in WPL All Star Challenge

15. February 2021

By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: ChukkerTV

WELLINGTON, FL, February 14, 2021— Casablanca bested Great Oaks by a score of 9-5 while Hawaii Polo Life took down White Birch by 13-11.

Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Barto Castagnola, and Juan Martin Nero) took on Aspen Valley (Dillon Bacon, Toro Ruiz, Nacho Novillo Astrada, and Clemente Zavaleta) yesterday on Grand Champions Field 3. Aspen Valley, with a 24-goal team handicap compared to Casablanca’s 26, started the match with two goals on handicap.

In the first chukker, Barto Castagnola made a charge toward the posts straight out of the throw-in, but the shot went just wide. Play continued fast and open, with both teams shooting on goal but failing to score. At 2:28, Castagnola finally put the ball through and the chukker ended 2-1. Early in the second chukker Grant Ganzi converted on a Penalty 2. Dillon Bacon picked up the ball and put the first non-handicap goal on the board for Aspen Valley and the period ended 3-2 with Aspen Valley in the lead.

At the beginning of the third chukker, Nacho Novillo-Astrada took the ball out of the throw-in and passed it to Toro Ruiz for an easy goal to put Aspen Valley up by two. The lead didn’t last long though. With 6:15 on the clock, Castagnola saw an opening and shot on goal from 80 yards to shave Aspen Valley’s advantage to one. A second goal from Castagnola tied things up at 4-4. With 2:17 left to play, Juan Martin Nero picked up a loose ball and put it between the posts to end the chukker with Casablanca leading 5-4.

The second half began with both teams again playing fast and clean, with few fouls. Juancito Bollini made a fantastic neck shot straight through the center of the goal, but Great Oaks couldn’t get onto the board in the chukker and the period ended with Casablanca leading 6-4. Clem Zavaleta scored, reducing Casabanca’s lead to one, but with seven seconds left on the clock Juancito Bollini ran the ball to goal, ending the chukker with Casablanca again up by two at 7-5.

Play continued to be very fast in the final chukker. Juan Martin Nero found the goal within the first minute of play, and with 2:34 remaining on the clock a smooth rotation from Castagnola to Nero to Grant Ganzi gave Casablanca it’s last goal of the match. Great Oaks couldn’t get past the Casablanca defense to score in the final chukker, and Casablanca prevailed by 9-5.

Later in the day, White Birch (Pier Muller, Facu Llorente, Mariano Aguerre, and Lolo Castagnola) met Hawaii Polo Life (Chris Dawson, Jejo Taranca, Poroto Cambiaso, and Adolfo Cambiaso) at the storied White Birch Farm. Aguerre, Castagnola and Adolfo Cambiaso hadn’t appeared on the field together since their La Dolfina days, so excitement was high. White Birch, with a 23-goal team handicap, started the match with three goals on the board.

Jejo Taranco drew first blood of the day, picking up a pass from Poroto Cambiaso and tapping it through. Chris Dawson found the goal next, chipping away at the White Birch three goal advantage. Facu Llorente scored the first goal from the field for White Birch, followed by a frustrating miss for Lolo Castagnola when the buzzer sounded just as the ball rolled toward the posts. The chukker ended 4-3 with White Birch leading.

In the first minute of the second chukker, Pier Muller picked up the ball, rode off Adolfo Cambiaso and found the goal with a neat neck shot. Play contined back and forth throughout the chukker with neither team able to score. With 23 seconds left on the clock, Adolfo Cambiaso saw his son wide open and fired the ball to Poroto to score. The third chukker was all about Poroto, who scored all four of his team’s goals in the period, including one Penalty 2 conversion. White Birch couldn’t get past the Hawaii Polo Life defense and failed to score, with the half ending 7-5 for Hawaii.

White Birch fought back hard, outscoring Hawaii Polo Life in the fourth chukker. Pier Muller was having a great day, getting past a hook from Adolfo Cambiaso and scoring early in the chukker. Goals from Poroto and Chris Dawson put Hawaii Life back up 10-6, with White Birch clawing their way back with some help from former 10-goalers Lolo Castagnola and Mariano Aguerre to end the period with White Birch only one goal behind at 9-10.

Play was hard and fast in the fifth chukker with neither team able to score from the field. Poroto Cambiaso converted on a Penalty 4, ending the chukker at 11-9 for Hawaii Polo Life. At 6:31, Adolfo Cambiaso scored, putting Hawaii Polo Life ahead 12-9. Any team finding themselves down by 3 going into a sixth chukker against Cambiaso is facing an uphill battle, but White Birch gave it their all. Jejo Taranco scored the final goal of the day to put Hawaii up 13-9. Mariano Aguerre converted a Penalty 3 and scored another goal from the field, but White Birch couldn’t compensate for the lead and went down to Hawaii Polo Life 11-13. Poroto Cambiaso was the high scoring player of the match, with 8 goals to his credit.

Hawaii Polo Life will face off with Seminole Casino for a place in the final, while Casablanca‘s semifinal opponent will be determined by Sunday‘s game winner – Richard Mille or Santa Rita. The All Star Challenge final is scheduled for Saturday February 20, 3pm.

World Polo League 2021 All Star Challenge Schedule

Sunday 2/14
4pm Richard Mille vs Santa Rita

Wednesday 2/17
11am Seminole Casino vs Hawaii Polo Life
3p Casablanca vs Winner Game 3

Saturday 2/20
3pm All Star Challenge Final

All Games Live on https://www.chukkertv.com

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: ChukkerTV WELLINGTON, FL, February 14, 2021— Casablanca bested Great Oaks by a score of 9-5 while Hawaii Polo Life took down White Birch by 13-11.…

North America, Polo News

World Polo League Kicks off Much Anticipated 2021 Season with All-Star Challenge

15. February 2021

By: Rebecca Baldrige
Photos by: ChukkerTV

WELLINGTON, FL, February 11, 2021— World Polo League announces team lineup and match dates for the 2021 All-Star Challenge.

The World Polo League will kick off its third season this week with The All-Star Challenge, which is slated to begin on February 13. Two-time winner Valiente will be missing from the lineup this year, but seven teams will be vying to see their name engraved on the trophy.

Ten-goalers Adolfo Cambiaso, Juan Martin Nero and Pablo MacDonough, teammates from the renowned La Dolfina, return this year to be pitted against one another following an incredible 8th win at Palermo in December.

The tournament will see plenty of father-son action too, with Adolfo Cambiaso playing together with son Poroto, while former 10-goaler Lolo Castagnola will play against sons Barto and Camilo (Jeta) and Grant Ganzi will take to the field against his father Marc.

The seven team sponsors and rosters for the All-Star Challenge include:

Casablanca: Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Barto Castagnola, and Juan Martin Nero

Santa Rita Polo Farm: Pablo Spinacci, Nacho Figueras, Sugar Erskine, and Horacio Llorente

Great Oaks: Dillon Bacon, Torito Ruiz, Clemente Zavaleta and Nacho Novillo Astrada

Seminole Casino: Melissa Ganzi, Juan Martin Zubia, Nic Roldan, and Alejandro Novillo Astrada

Hawaii Polo Life: Chris Dawson, Adolfo Cambiaso, Poroto Cambiaso, and Jejo Taranco

White Birch: TBA, Mariano Aguerre, Facu Llorente, and Lolo Castagnola

Richard Mille: Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola, Pablo MacDonough and Paco de Narvaez

Tournament play will begin on February 13 at 11am, when White Birch faces off against Hawaii Polo Life. The All-Star Challenge final is set for Saturday, February 20th, at 3 pm.

Co-founded by Grand Champions owners and president Melissa and Marc Ganzi, the World Polo League is the only 26-goal polo in the world outside of Argentina. The WPL was created to preserve the highest level of polo and its rich, hallowed tradition in the United States. The WPL, boasting 11 tournament-quality fields to play on, will follow the season opening All-Star Challenge with a number of top-level tournaments that will include: Founder’s Cup, Palm Beach Open, Triple Crown of Polo, and Beach Polo World Cup, Miami Beach April 21-25.

World Polo League matches will continue to be closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We closely adhere to Florida state and CDC guidelines, and take all measures possible to maintain a safe environment that will allow us to continue playing. We look very forward to the day we can welcome our fans back. In the interim, please visit www.worldpolo.orgfor more information. Matches can be viewed on www.chukkertv.com

World Polo League 2021 All Star Challenge Schedule

Saturday 2/13
11am White Birch vs Hawaii Polo Life
1pm Casablanca vs Great Oaks

Sunday 2/14
4pm Richard Mille vs Santa Rita

Wednesday 2/17
11am Seminole Casino vs Winner Game 1 (White Birch/Hawaii Polo Life)
3pm Winner Game 2 vs Winner Game 3

Saturday 2/20
3pm All Star Challenge Final

All Games Live on https://www.chukkertv.com

By: Rebecca Baldrige Photos by: ChukkerTV WELLINGTON, FL, February 11, 2021— World Polo League announces team lineup and match dates for the 2021 All-Star Challenge. The World Polo League will…

Asia, Polo News

Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club Gears Up for its 2020 – 2021 Equestrian Season

19. October 2020

11 October 2020, Dubai, UAE: An exciting line up of Polo tournaments, Show Jumping and Dressage competitions await equine sports enthusiasts in the region.

As a nod to the upcoming season, Al Habtoor Riding School and Polo Academy provided a full equestrian experience to the public. On the 18th of September, registered guests of the Riding School Open day participated in several complimentary activities which included riding assessment sessions, pony rides, and stable tours led by its highly qualified instructors and volunteers.

On the 2nd of October, the Al Habtoor Polo Academy welcomed polo enthusiasts on its Open Day led by its Head Coach. Individuals who registered for the Introduction to Polo session learned the basics of the sport. From learning how to hold a mallet and hitting the ball on the grass, they progressed to trying their swing on a hay bale and ultimately on a polo pony.

This season’s equestrian calendar features a series of AHPRC Show Jumping competitions scheduled to run monthly starting this October with monthly Dressage competitions from January 2021. Several pony camps are in place to welcome those who want to learn more about horsemanship from the ground and on the saddle.

The Club’s much-awaited polo tournaments will open with the Halloween Cup on the 23rd of October. Several low, medium and high-goal tournaments will run through the course of the season. The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series will kick off on the 22nd of January 2020. The Silver Cup, Polo Masters Cup, Gold Cup (Dubai Open), Dubai Challenge Cup and Dubai Cup anticipates the participation of the world’s well-known polo teams and players capping off Dubai’s prestigious polo calendar.

* All tournaments and competitions are subject to the regulations and guidelines issued by the authorities.

Photos: © Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club

© Thomas Wirth

11 October 2020, Dubai, UAE: An exciting line up of Polo tournaments, Show Jumping and Dressage competitions await equine sports enthusiasts in the region. As a nod to the upcoming season, Al…

North America, Polo News

Argentina Leads In 2020 USPA Butler International Cup Tournament

23. September 2020

Sunday, September 20^th marked the halfway point of the 2020 USPA Butler International Cup where four teams representing four countries have been competing to determine who will play in the final match on Sunday, September 27^th. Argentina is currently in the lead of the United States, Germany, and Switzerland. Results and remaining schedule of the 2020 USPA Butler International Cup are as follows:

• Friday, September 18^th: Argentina (8) vs. United States (7)
• Friday, September 18^th: Switzerland (8) vs. Germany (4)
• Sunday, September 20^th: Argentina (9) vs. Germany (7)
• Sunday, September 20^{th :} United States (7) vs. Switzerland (6)
• Wednesday, September 23^rd: Germany vs. United States
• Wednesday, September 23^rd: Argentina vs. Switzerland
• Friday, September 25th : @ TBA Consolation Final
• Sunday, September 27^{th :} Consolation Final or Championship Match

Presented by Merrill Lynch, the Butler International Cup, wraps up Oak Brook Polo Club’s 98^th Season as well as the Chicago Polo Association’s 12-Goal Season. The famous trophy was first played in 1986 between Oak Brook and HRH Prince Charles’s Wales Polo Team. This year the Cup has been transformed into a 12-Goal United States Polo Association (USPA) Nationally Sanctioned tournament.

As of Sunday, September 20^th, the current Butler International Cup standings are as follows:

Argentina (2-0)
Larry Aschebrook (0)
Juan Martin Gutierrez (3)
Juan Martin Obregon (5)
Matias Obregon (4)

United States (1-1)
Mariano Gutierrez (4)
Tomas “Toto” Obregon (4)
Horacio Onetto (4)
Jim Drury (0)

Switzerland (1-1)
Richard Harris (0)
Pedro Manion ( 3)
Facundo Obregon (6)
Miguel Gutierrez (3)

Germany (0-2)
Frauke Lueders (0)
Jan Lueders (0)
Anthony Garcia (5)
Mariano Obregon (7)

Argentina leads the field with two wins and zero loses, solidifying their spot in theButler International Cup championship match All eyes will be on Switzerland and the United States to see which team earns the second spot. If both teams win, a shootout will occur to determine who will be playing Argentina in the finals. If Argentina loses it will be three way tie and shootout.

“This is what we had hoped to achieve from this tournament,” explains Oak Brook Polo Club Managing Director, Danny O’Leary. “The culmination of a fun and competitive 12-goal season with participation from other countries who are also ending their professional seasons as well. These teams are playing at their peak, which makes for some of the best watched polo.”

The Butler International Cup tournament kicked off last Friday, September 18^thbetween Argentina and the United States at Las Brisas Farm & Polo Club in Elgin, Illinois. Argentina took an early lead in the first two chukkers before the U.S. grabbed a 5-4 lead at the half thanks to Horacio Onetto’s three back-to-back goals in the third chukker. Argentina’s Juan Martin Obregon would return the favor with three of his own between the fourth and fifth chukker, forcing the U.S. to play catch up. Argentina’s Matias Obregon would score the final goal for Argentina giving them the lead and win.

That same afternoon, Switzerland would play Germany at Arranmore Farm & Polo Club in Oswego, Illinois. In this match, Switzerland’s Facundo Obregon would come out strong putting up three of his six goals in the first chukker. With help from his teammates Pedro Manion and Miguel Gutierrez, the Swiss team would hold their lead for the entire game, while holding Germany to four goals and ending the match 8-4, Switzerland.

On Sunday, September 20^th, Argentina would play Germany in the morning at Las Brisas Farm & Polo Club. Like Switzerland, Argentina would start the match strong by putting up three goals compliments of Matias Obregon, who would go on to score two more goals before the half. With support from teammate Juan Martin Obregon, the Argentina team would end the first half with a five-goal lead over Germany. In the second half, Germany made a strong comeback scorning five goals to Argentina’s two, coming within three goals shy of winning the match. A strong display offense and defense by Germany, but not enough.

That afternoon, the United States would play Switzerland at the Prince of Wales Field in Oak Brook, Illinois. This match started with a much slower pace as both teams defended each other well until the end of the second chukker which was tied 1-1. In the third chukker, the U.S. would breakaway with four goal lead thanks to Tomas Obregon and Horacio Onetto. In the second half, Switzerland would turn up the heat scorning five goals to the United States’ two goals. In the final thirty seconds, Switzerland’s Pedro Manion stole the ball from the U.S. and nearly tied the game in the final few seconds.

The tournament continues on Wednesday, September 23^rd with matches between Germany and the United States, as well as Argentina and Switzerland. These matches will be held at private fields and are not open to the general public. For match results, please follow the Oak Brook Polo Club on Facebook and Instagram.

Oak Brook Polo Club is located at 2606 York Road, seventeen miles from downtown Chicago.A variety of ticket options are available at www.oakbrookpoloclub.com. For general information, event scheduling, and parking directions, please call 630.368.5095 or visit www.oakbrookpoloclub.com.

Photos by Andrew Meier

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Sunday, September 20th marked the halfway point of the 2020 USPA Butler International Cup where four teams representing four countries have been competing to determine who will play in the…

North America, Polo News

La Karina Defeats Spindrift in Rocky Mountain Open

25. August 2020

La Karina defeated Spindrift in the final of the Rocky Mountain Open by a score of 10-9. Carlitos Gracida named Most Valuable Player.

By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by ChukkerTV

La Karina (Brian Boyd, Carlitos Gracida, Stewart Armstrong and Juan Bollini) met Spindrift (John Bickford, Gussie Busch, Jared Zenni and Horacio Heguy) on Field One at McClure River Ranch yesterday to vie for the title in the Rocky Mountain Open.

Spindrift got off to a rocky start and couldn’t make it to the goal in chukker one. Their first foul came barely a minute into the game, with several more to follow, and allowed La Karina’s Gracida to rack up three goals on penalties. In the second chukker the tables were turned, and La Karina couldn’t find the goal. Gussie Busch and Jared Zenni each knocked one in on penalties to end the chukker at 2-3 in favor of La Karina. In the third chukker, each team scored, while Brian Boyd also knocked one in on a penalty two to make it 5-3 for La Karina at the half.

In chukker four, it was back and forth on the penalties again, but Spindrift roared to life in the fifth, with Jared Zenni and Gussie Busch bringing Spindrift within a goal until Gracida scored on a penalty two. The chukker ended 7-8, with La Karina ahead. At the beginning of the final chukker, Gracida brought the score up to 9. John Bickford found the goalposts, and a shot by Horacio Heguy tied things up at 9 all. The final blow for Spindrift came from yet another penalty shot by Gracida, and La Karina edged out Spindrift with a final score of 10-9.

Carlitos Gracida, who scored 8 of his team’s 10 goals, was named MVP. Seven-year-old Open Maradona, owned and played by Stewart Armstrong in the second chukker, was the Best Playing Pony.

In the Just for the Fun of It, subsidiary of the Rocky Mountain Open, White Claw (Lauren Sherry, Vinny Sangaline, Pablo Spinacci, and Nacho Novillo Astrada) took on La Indiana (Michael Bickford, Michael Payne, Nacho Badiola and Tincho Merlos).

White Claw started the match on a strong note, with Vinny Sangaline and Nacho Novillo Astrada scoring while holding off La Indiana to end chukker one 2-0. The head start failed to hold though, and White Claw was unable to get on goal for the next two chukkers. La Indiana’s Payne and Bickford both found the goal in the second and third chukkers to end the half at 4-2 in favor of La Indiana.

The second half of the match started off with both teams frustrated and unable to score, but White Claw poured on the steam in the fifth chukker, with goals from Sangaline, Lauren Sherry and Pablo Spinacci taking the score to 5-4 for White Claw at the horn. The sixth chukker was tight. Michael Bickord tied things up on a penalty three, but White Claw drew ahead on a penalty five by Nacho Novillo Astrada. Payne managed to tie it up again, but a penalty four goal by Novillo Astrada won the match for White Claw with a final score of 7-6.

In the Caras Cup Final on McClure River Ranch Field One, McClure River Ranch (Alejandro Poma, Marc Ganzi, Juan Martin Nero and Juan Bollini) took on Tonkawa (Paul Foster, Jeff Hildebrand, Nic Roldan and Polito Pieres) in the first match of the round robin. Scores carried over from Friday, and McClure River Ranch went on to win by 9-7. In the second match, Seminole Casino (Melissa Ganzi, Alejandra Foster, Pablo MacDonough and Alejandro Novillo Astrada) defeated Tonkawa by 11-10. In the final game of the round robin tournament, Seminole Casino defeated McClure River Ranch by 6-5 to win the title. Alejandro Novillo Astrada took the MVP title for the tournament, and the Best Playing Pony was Matsu, owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm and played by Juan Martin Nero.

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. AVPC has taken this step out of an abundance of caution. 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.

We are closely following the guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC strongly recommends that individuals protect themselves and their communities by minimizing the time spent with others in large groups, and by avoiding close contact with other individuals, especially those who are sick.

AVPC has also implemented testing for the Carbondale Fire Department, which stations an ambulance field side during all tournaments.

The CDC also recommends that you:

* Always wear a face mask in public areas.

• 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. If you cannot wash your hands, use hand sanitizer. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Stay home if you are unwell, except to seek medical assistance.

Although Aspen Valley Polo Club 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 Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida.

2020 Aspen Valley Summer Polo Series

August
Carbondale Classic 8/28 – 8/30

September
The Triple Crown of Polo Aspen 9/1 – 9/6
The Triple Crown of Polo Colorado 9/11 – 9/13

www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com

La Karina defeated Spindrift in the final of the Rocky Mountain Open by a score of 10-9. Carlitos Gracida named Most Valuable Player. By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by ChukkerTV La…

Europe, Polo News

Les Lions / Great Oaks defeats Park Place in extra time in The Cartier Queen’s Cup 2020

24. August 2020

Les Lions/Great Oaks this afternoon received one of the sport’s most important trophies, the Cartier Queen’s Cup. They beat Park Place on The Queen’s Ground at Guards Polo Club in extra time. This tournament is considered one of the most prestigious and renowned events of the British sporting calendar and this year was celebrating its 60^th anniversary. HM The Queen personally gifted the Cup to Guards Polo Club in 1960.

Although today’s final was a little unusual as it was played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic, Cartier proudly continues to sponsor this high-goal tournament. The Maison has been the honoured sponsor for the past eight years and a supporter of polo worldwide for more than 30 years. In addition, Laurent Feniou, Managing Director of Cartier UK, could not attend as he was self-isolating at home due to a recent overseas trip but sent a message to all the teams taking part today.

“It has been incredible to see such powerful games played by some of the very best polo players in the world, during this year’s Cartier Queen’s Cup Polo, despite the unprecedented turn of events this year. I am truly inspired by the resilience and talent of these wonderful players capturing the true essence and spirit of the sport.”

Ten world-class teams had entered this year’s tournament and have been playing over the past three weeks in a bid to reach today’s final. This afternoon, in a thrilling and competitive match Dillon Bacon’s Les Lions / Great Oaks defeated Andrey Borodin’s Park Place, adding their name to an illustrious cohort of teams for the first time. Les Lions were ahead in this game at half-time (4-3) but Park Place rallied in the second half to force the game into extra time. The 17-year-old Jeta Castagnola then fired through the winner for Les Lions / Great Oaks.

Dillon Bacon received the prestigious silver cup from Mr Brian Stein, the Chairman of Guards Polo Club. Dillon was also named the Cartier Most Valuable Player, while the stallion Challo Angelo, played by both Barto and Jeta Castagnola in this match, received the Cartier Best Playing Pony prize, a Cartier rug. Every member of the winning team received a Cartier Tank watch.

Earlier in the day Mr Stein presented Alessandro Bazzoni of the Monterosso Polo Team with the Cartier Trophy, which had been played for this morning. This was the first time in the history of the tournament that a Cartier Queen’s Cup match has been played between a husband and a wife. Alessandro Bazzoni was competing in this tournament for the fourth time while his wife Siri was making her Cartier Queen’s Cup debut with her MT Vikings team. This was a close game played over six chukkas with Monterosso just stealing a 6-5 win in the final chukka. Alessandro was rewarded with the Cartier Most Valuable Player prize in this Cartier Trophy match.

Lions/Great Oaks: Camilo (Jeta) Castagnola (7); Dillon Bacon (2); Bartolome Castagnola Jnr (8); Santiago Laborde (6). Park Place: Andrey Borodin (0); Will Harper (3); Gonzalo Pieres (9); Facundo Pieres (10). Park Place received 1 goal on handicap.

Monterosso Polo Team: Alessandro Bazzoni (1); Guillermo Terrera (7); Ignacio Toccalino (8); Jeronimo del Carril (6). MT Vikings: Siri Evjemo-Nysveen (0); James Beim (7); Sebastian Merlos (8); Juan Martin Zubia (7).

www.guardspoloclub.com

Photos by Tony Ramirez / IMAGES OF POLO

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Les Lions/Great Oaks this afternoon received one of the sport’s most important trophies, the Cartier Queen’s Cup. They beat Park Place on The Queen’s Ground at Guards Polo Club in…