U.S. Polo Assn.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla./POOLE, U.K. (September 28, 2021) – U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), in collaboration with its U.K. licensee, Brand Machine Group, was the Official Apparel Partner for the British Beach Polo Championship 2021 played September 17-18 at Sandbanks Beach in Poole, England.

Through this partnership, U.S. Polo Assn. outfitted the polo players, provided staff outfitting, branded caps for attendees, and global promotion of the event across various digital platforms. This is the first year U.S. Polo Assn. has partnered with the British Beach Polo Championship tournament.

Now in its 14th year, The British Beach Polo Championships, also known as Sandpolo, is the largest beach polo event in the world. Sandpolo is a unique way to watch and play the sport of polo on the stunning shores of Sandbanks Beach, a world-famous destination known for its luxury properties and pristine sand. A twist on traditional polo, Sandpolo is played with an oversized orange ball designed not to get lost in the sand but still move at a high speed.

In the sold-out Sandbanks Beach Arena, thousands of Sandpolo fans were close enough to the action to see all the fast-paced competition between Team Whispering Angel and Team Lightning Commercial Finance during the two-day event. In the end, it wasWhispering Angel (Chris Gregory, Hazel Jackson & Adolfo Casabal) that took the British Beach Championships 2021 title with a 19-14 victory against Team Lightening Commercial Finance (Garrie Renucci, Ollie Cork & Nick Van Open).

“With the U.K. being one of U.S. Polo Assn.’s most loyal and fastest growing markets, we were  proud to be part of the exciting British Beach Polo Championships,” said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing, which manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “We love that Sandpolo is yet another opportunity to expose new polo fans and global consumers to the sport and this brand in such a unique and fun way as Sandpolo.” 

In advance of the event, there were sweepstakes opportunities for fans to win unique prizes and “a piece of the sport,” including a hospitality tent VIP experience and more than five hundred dollars’ worth of U.S. Polo Assn. brand gear and apparel.

“This year’s event received great exposure, thanks in part to U.S. Polo Assn.,” says Johnny Wheeler, the director of Sandpolo. “As the official brand of the United States Polo Association, this partnership for the 14th Annual British Beach Polo Championships was a win-win for everyone involved.”

By Equi-Equipe.

A fantastic Italian team triumphed in the final of the third edition of the U.S. Polo Assn. FIP Ladies European Polo Championship, at the Polo Club La Mimosa in Pogliano Milanese (Italy).

The Italians beat England 6.5-6, therefore also thanks to a 0.5 handicap advantage. In the final for third and fourth positions it was Ireland that beat Germany 5-3 in a penalty shootout after the match had been cancelled due to bad conditions following heavy rain that this morning obliged the Organising Committee to postpone the match for first and second place by an hour from 9 to 10 AM. England’s Heloise Wilson Smith won the prize for the best player in the championship.

For Italy this was the second European gold medal after winning the first edition in Chantilly in 2017 (winning silver in 2019 at Villa a Sesta, beaten by Germany in the final).

The Italian Ladies’ success follows by just a week the Italian Men’s Team win at the European Champions in Sotogrande, Spain.


©Fabio Petroni

 

ITALY-ENGLAND 6.5-6 

It was a very exciting final played on a field that held up in spite of the heavy rain that fell at La Mimosa earlier in the morning. England needed to come back after started off half a goal down and began strongly with Heloise Wilson Smith brilliantly exploiting a defensive indecision by the Italians early on in the game.

The host team reacted quickly, in particular with Camila Rossi scoring from 40 yards after a penalty and ending the first chukka 1-1. The English took the lead in the second chukka in which goals were scored first by Emma Tomlinson Wood, from 40 yards and then by Millie Hughes, who close to the goal posts managed to score off an amazing backhander played by Wilson Smith. In this fast-changing scenario Italy came back to 3-3 with two goals by Rossi, but it was England who was in the lead at the end of the fourth chukka on 4-3, following a penalty that Wood put through the goal posts. The Italians played a real leading role in a fifth chukka that will be remembered, with three goals scored by Rossi and the other rider of Italian origin Maitana Marré. England reacted strongly back at 6-4 for Italy scoring two more goals thanks to Wilson Smith and Hughes, but on 6-6 the team coached by Franco Piazza controlled their opponents last ditch attempts and won 6.5-6 thanks to handicapping.

“It has been a difficult week due to Costanza Marchiorello’s injury in the first match against England – said veteran player Ginevra Visconti, who had contributed to winning the gold medal in 2017 in Chantilly as well as silver in 2018 at Villa a Sesta – The girls however were all brilliant, from Camila Rossi to Alice Coria and Maitana Marré, and winning rewarded us for all the problems we have had to overcome. Obviously this win is dedicated to Costanza Marchiorello, who watched all the marches live from the clinic in which she is hospitalised after breaking her left malleolus.”

Alessandro Giachetti is responsible for the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation’s Polo Department: “These have been two rather intense weeks for us and we are immensely satisfied to have managed to win both European titles first with the Men’s Team and then with the Ladies. It sends an important signal for Italian polo, an additional stimulus to continue to work well especially with the young so as to ensure this sport becomes more popular.”

The federation’s coach Franco Piazza who also coached the Ladies after winning gold with the Men’s Team in Spain said, “These have been two difficult wins, especially for the Ladies after Marchiorello was injured. But they all played brilliantly especially in the final against England.”

IRELAND-GERMANY 5-3 The bronze medal was assigned resorting to a penalty shootout with two series of three shots. Ireland entrusted the job to Ina Lalor, Siobhan Herbst and April Kent, brilliant in avoiding any mistakes. Germany instead fielded Eva Bruhl, Hana Grill and Marie Haupt, getting off to a bad start with a miss by Bruhl and then surrendering when Grill too missed.

 

RESULTS

Sunday, September 26th
Final 1st-2nd place Italy – England 6.5-6
Final 3rd-4th place Ireland – Germany 5-3

Saturday September 25th
Italy – Ireland 5-4
England – Germany 4-2

Thursday September 23rd
England – Italy 6-5.5
Germany – Ireland 6-5.5

Wednesday September 22nd
Italy -Germany 6.5-6
Ireland – England 7.5-3

 

HALL OF FAME

The championship played at La Mimosa Polo Club was the third edition of the FIP Ladies European Polo Championship.

The first was played in 2017 in Chantilly (France) and won by Italy with a team that beat France 5-3 in the final. The second edition was played in 2018 at Villa a Sesta (Italy) with Germany taking gold beating Italy 9-4.5.

The only team to have played in all three finals, Italy is now the only team to have won twice thanks to its success in this Championship in Italy.

The British Beach Polo Championships 2021 (Sandpolo) adjusted magnificently to the later September date hosting their 14th year event over the weekend (Sept 17-18).

Blessed with an Indian Summer, the Blue Flag Beach with golden sand was drenched in its usual sunshine. Sold out with a capacity of 3,000 people on each day, spectators enjoyed a dynamic display of fast paced beach stadium polo. 

This year was the inaugural year for the U.S. Polo Assn. as apparel partner for the event in collaboration with U.K. licensing partner Brand Machine Group.


© USPA

J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing, which manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand said: “With the U.K. being one of U.S. Polo Assn.’s most loyal and fastest growing markets, we were proud to be part of the glamorous and exciting British Beach Polo Championships. We love that there are opportunities to expose new polo fans and global consumers to the sport in such a unique and fun way as Sandpolo.” 

The gripping match result was a reflection of the equal strengths of both teams but it was the success of the strong team work from team Whispering Angel (Chris Gregory, Hazel Jackson, Adolfo Casabal) that took the British Beach Championships 2021 title with a 19 -14 victory against Team Lightening Commercial Finance (Garrie Renucci, Ollie Cork, Nick Van Open). 


© USPA

It was the England Ladies Polo player ranked second in the world, Hazel Jackson’s first year playing on the Sandbanks beach and she said she hopes to be back in action there next year.

Most Valuable Player went to Adolfo Casabal who also won the spectacular charity race with polo pony racing across the sand against a 4 x 4. The Best Playing Pony came from Team Lightening and awarded to the mare Reggae and groom Gussie Thompson. 

Andrew Spate was umpire over the two days whilst Simon Ledger kept spectators captivated with the amazing horseplay with his commentary over both days.

The after parties, always a big highlight at the event, did not disappoint and the celebratory mood was heightened after a year away. Party goers enjoyed the beach backdrop at Friday’s Boogie on the beach and there was an electric atmosphere at Saturday’s Gold closing party.


© USPA

Sandpolo Director, Johnny Wheeler said: ‘It is nothing short of a miracle that all of the infrastructure supplies event staff, security and players delivered this perfect event given the initial uncertainty we always had but it all came together. A perfect finale to the Summer season’.

The British Beach Polo Championships have confirmed that the event will back to the original July dates next year July 8th – 9th 2022.

Now in its 14th year, the British Beach Polo Championships (Sandpolo) is pleased to be staging the delayed 2021 event on 17-18 September on the spectacular blue flag Sandbanks beach, Poole, Dorset.  The appetite from sponsors, players and supporters has been tremendous for this ‘end of season’ tournament. The 3,500-capacity beach stadium for each day is largely sold out. 

Team Whispering Angel (Chris Gregory, Ebe Sievwright, Adolfo Casabal ) and Team Lightning Commercial Finance (Garrie Renucci, Jimmy Wood and Nick Rogerson) will be playing at 3.30 pm on each day. Fringe activities include the ever-popular 4×4 V pony charity race and the renowned beach after-parties.

U.S. Polo Assn. is to be the official apparel partner for the first time:

U.S. Polo Assn., in collaboration with our U.K. licensing partner Brand Machine Group, is proud to serve as the Official Apparel Partner of the British Beach Polo Championships as it returns with great excitement after last years’ cancellation of virtually all sporting events,” said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing, which manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “The U.K. is a strong market for the U.S. Polo Assn. global brand and Sandpolo is a wonderful way to expose new fans to the historic sport of polo.” 

Sandpolo Director, Johnny Wheeler commented: ‘We are thrilled to be finally hosting this year’s event. U.S.Polo Assn. is an excellent fit for Sandpolo and we are looking forward to working closely together to bring polo to the wider audience.’

About U.S. Polo Assn.

U.S. Polo Assn. is the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the nonprofit governing body for the sport of polo in the United States and one of the oldest sports governing bodies, having been founded in 1890. With a multi-billion-dollar global footprint and worldwide distribution through distribution through some 1,100 U.S. Polo Assn. retail stores, department stores, sporting goods channels, independent retailers and e-commerce. U.S. Polo Assn. offers apparel for men, women and children, as well as accessories, footwear, travel and home goods in 180 countries worldwide. Recently ranked the fifth largest sports licensor in License Global magazine’s 2020 list of “Top 150 Global Licensors,” U.S. Polo Assn. is named alongside such iconic sports brands as the National Football League, the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball. Visit uspoloassnglobal.com.

Brand Machine Group– United Kingdom

The Brand Machine Group (BMG) is an international fashion brand owner and licensing specialist, housing a diverse and industry-leading portfolio of fashion, sports and outdoor brands including U.S. Polo Assn., across adults and childrenswear clothing and accessories. With more than 35 years of experience, Brand Machine Group specialises in global licensing, and partners with recognized market leaders to manage a seamless and collaborative process of designing, manufacturing and delivering quality product whilst championing the DNA of its brands. Visit Brand Machine Group.

Coming off an undefeated run to raise their first Silver Cup® and continuing their domination throughout Pacific Coast Open bracket play, Klentner Ranch (Jesse Bray*, Jacob Klentner*, Justin Klentner, Santiago Toccalino, Tomas Garcia del Rio**) established themselves as the team to beat. Although losing injured team captain Santi Toccalino unexpectedly in the semifinals, Klentner Ranch regrouped with Tomas Garcia del Rio and secured their spot in the Pacific Coast Open Final on Sunday, August 29, against Bensoleimani.com (Ben Soleimani, Santiago Wulff, Tomas Alberdi*, Iñaki Laprida). Leading throughout the first half on penalty accuracy, the defending champions held off their opponents’ second-half drive to cap off the 16-goal season with their second consecutive USPA tournament title 11-9 and Klentner Ranch’s third Pacific Coast Open title.

“As we kept winning every game you would have expected a mounting pressure, but it wasn’t like that because Santi [Toccalino] was really instilling us to take it one game at a time.” – Jake Klentner

Although the final was the first full game with Tomas Garcia del Rio, Klentner Ranch found it easy to incorporate him into the team. “Coming into the semifinal and filling Santi’s [Toccalino] role is a testament to how good Tomas [Garcia del Rio] is and how much of a professional he is,” Jake Klentner said. “It was a privilege to play with both him and Santi. They are both such high-caliber players that every time I get to step on the field with them and learn something it’s a privilege and honor.”

Sticking to their original gameplan for the final, Klentner Ranch benefitted from the similarities between the two 8-goalers. “Santi [Toccalino] had a very long team meeting the night before the final,” Justin Klentner said. “He told us, ‘You can do it! Tomas plays like I do – very simple and classic. We’re going to play the way we’ve been playing and Tomas is going to fit into our group. We’re not going to try to adapt ourselves to his style.”

Showcasing his pinpoint accuracy from the penalty line, del Rio quickly created a significant lead with four unanswered goals for Klentner Ranch, including an open backshot made just before rolling over the end line. Silenced throughout the first two chukkers, Bensoleimani.com opened the third with a Penalty 2 conversion but Bray and del Rio immediately countered with a Penalty 2 each. Fighting to gain some forward momentum before the end of the chukker to get his team back in the game, Laprida forcefully broke up a Klentner Ranch play which enabled Wulff to hit a tailshot to goal. Tripled on the scoreboard, Klentner Ranch entered halftime up 6-2.

Reevaluating their offensive strategy, Bensoleimani.com came alive in the second half and quickly began to narrow the gap in the fourth chukker with three consecutive goals. Launching the ball high into the air, Alberdi made a long pass up to Laprida who was perfectly positioned to make the goal. Then, emerging from a pack of defenders, Wulff turned the ball and hit it downfield, arriving just in time to save it from the end line and add an epic open backshot goal to the tally.

Opening the fifth with his third goal of the game, Bray briefly extended the gap to three goals, but Alberdi retaliated with back-to-back Penalty 4 conversions to keep the game competitive. Firing on goal to end the chukker, del Rio gave Klentner Ranch the 9-7 advantage headed into the final chukker.

With the trophy still within reach for Bensoleimani.com, the battle continued in the sixth as Bray opened the scoring once more with a goal on 2021 Silver Cup® Best Playing Pony Cell Tower. Picking up another pair of penalty goals, Alberdi brought the scoreboard within one with less than a minute remaining in regulation. Jumping on a breakaway and sealing Klentner Ranch’s victory, Bray ended the game with a final score 11-9.

Ironically Santi Toccalino substituted for Tomas Garcia del Rio previously in the high goal at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (Wellington, Florida) when he suffered a similar injury. “Santi [Toccalino] helped win my semifinal in Florida when I pulled a muscle,” del Rio shared. “At least I could return the favor to him years later.” Playing in California for the first time, del Rio was eager to help his friend win the trophy. “I would have loved for him to have won, but I was happy to help him out any way I could,” del Rio said. “I want to thank Tomas [Garcia del Rio] for filling in for me, he’s a great friend of mine and he’s also a great player,” Toccalino said. “I was really happy that if I was not able to play that he was my substitute.”

Adopting the mindset of one game at a time, Klentner Ranch’s ability to focus worked in their favor. “We had to keep going forward one game at a time and putting our heads down, making a game plan for the team in front of us rather than the season as a whole,” Jake Klentner revealed. “Jesse [Bray] was instrumental in that. He and I would always send inspirational quotes back and forth to each other.”

Filling in for his father when Klentner Ranch won their first title in 2018, Jake Klentner was proud to raise the trophy on the family team. “I would attribute our success this season to my father because without him none of this would even be here,” Jake Klentner said. “He means so much to me personally, but he also means so much to the club [Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club]. For him to be able to win the Pacific Coast Open for a second year in a row and for him and I to win it together means everything.”

Contributing five goals to the tally, Jesse Bray was named Most Valuable Player. “It’s a great to win MVP, but it means the team did well,” Bray said. “It wasn’t just me out there, everyone played really well today and to win a final like this the whole team has to play well.”

Bray also received the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club award for Best String of the Season. “To receive Best String of the Season means a lot to me and it’s probably my favorite award to win,” Bray commented. “It shows all the hard work my grooms and I have put into my horses as well as everybody who is behind me. My dad [Graham Bray] has made four of the 12 horses I’ve been playing. I had two from Justin [Klentner] that I played for most of the season and the rest have been mine.”

Best Playing Pony honors were presented to 15-year-old Disney, a grey mare played by Jesse Bray as a spare in the first and sixth chukkers. Receiving her second blanket, Disney was previously named BPP of the 2017 Pacific Coast Open Final.

Setting his sights on another open trophy, Justin Klentner aspires to one day add the U.S. Open Polo Championship® to his list of accolades. “I want to win the U.S. Open Polo Championship®, it needs to be on my tombstone when I die!” Justin Klentner exclaimed.

Ending their 16-goal season undefeated, Justin Klentner credited chemistry as the key to their consistent success. “It’s a cliché but Jake [Klentner] is my son so we have great chemistry! Jesse [Bray] is our adopted son, and Santi [Toccalino] just fit right in there. To fit into our group is not an easy thing, we’ve been doing this for a little while now so it was really special. I’m so proud of all of them because they were never rattled and they never quit.” “We had really tough games and we could have lost many of them,” Toccalino added. “Many of them were decided in the last two plays and the same in the final which was decided on the last throw in. Sometimes you get a little bit of luck, but also I think that we built a good group of people, not just a good team with Klentner Ranch.”

*Jesse Bray is a Graduating Team USPA Member. Jacob Klentner and Tomas Alberdi are Team USPA Alumni. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.

**Tomas Garcia del Rio substituted for Santiago Toccalino beginning in the fourth chukker of the Pacific Coast Open semifinal with two minutes remaining.

www.uspolo.org

Photos: ©David Lominska
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ASPEN, COLORADO, USA: On Thursday 19th August 2021, Sentebale hosted the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup at Aspen Valley Polo Club, Colorado, USA and raised nearly $3.5 million in critical funding for the organisation’s core mission: to support vulnerable children impacted by extreme poverty, inequality, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Southern Africa. Under guidance from a leading epidemiologist and in coordination with the local Public Health Department, a reduced version of Sentebale’s annual charity sports match took place for the sole purpose of raising vital funds to support Sentebale’s work.

This year’s Polo Cup, together with The Duke of Sussex’s generous donation, will allow Sentebale to operate at full scale and will mean more children and young people across Lesotho and Botswana will receive essential support, care, and build skills to be more resilient and self-sufficient in the future.

Joining Sentebale Ambassador and Argentine high goal polo player, Nacho Figueras, on the Sentebale Team was the charity’s Co-Founding Patron, The Duke of Sussex. The Sentebale Team battled it out in a round robin tournament against the Royal Salute Team and U.S Polo Assn. Team. The Sentebale Team proved unbeatable, taking the win with a score of 3-0. The Duke scored two goals.

U.S Polo Assn. took second place honours, and Royal Salute was third.

Sentebale is enormously grateful to sponsors and partners for making the day possible; ISPS Handa, Aspen Valley Polo Club, Royal Salute, U.S. Polo Assn., Caribou Club and Long Meadow Ranch Winery.
For more information on today’s event, please read the official announcement on sentebale.org.
 
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©SENTEBALE ISPS HANDA POLO CUP 2021
 
About Sentebale
Sentebale was founded by The Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso in 2006. Sentebale means ‘forget-me-not’ in the Sesotho language, representing a pledge to remember the most vulnerable children in the Southern Africa.Sentebale aims to reach children and young people living with or affected by HIV, especially the most vulnerable, who are additionally challenged by issues of deprivation, exploitation, abuse or neglect. Sentebale’s vision is that all children and young people in Southern Africa are empowered, healthy and resilient and are able to thrive.Many of the challenges children and young people face have been exacerbated by COVID-19.  More children are dropping out of school and teen pregnancy and gender-based violence is increasing amongst adolescent girls. Sentebale continues to use its experience to adapt and respond to these challenges, ensuring its impact is relevant and innovative.Children and young people are at the centre of Sentebale’s work, ensuring they are listened to and the work is driven by their needs and expectations, protecting their rights at all times. Sentebale empowers young people, ensuring they are safe and confident, able to lead and advocate for themselves and their peers. The work is rooted in values of compassion, respect, sustainability and accountability.Sentebale has now reached the next stage in its development with a new five-year strategy, building on the platform established in recent years whilst responding specifically to the increased needs as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sign up to receive Sentebale’s latest news at www.sentebale.org


About ISPS Handa
The International Sports Promotion Society (ISPS Handa) was founded by Dr. Haruhisa Handa in 2006 to further the transformative power of sport across the globe. ISPS Handa funds and promotes a wide-range of sporting events in archery, bowling, boxing, football, golf, polo, rowing, rugby, and swimming, with an emphasis on blind and disabled golf, and continues to lobby for golf to be recognised as a Paralympic sport.ISPS Handa believes in the power of sport to inspire and to change society for the better. They are proud supporters of the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup, which raises funds for Sentebale – the charity founded by The Duke of Sussex, to promote the health and mental wellbeing of young people affected by HIV/AIDS.In addition to many other sporting events globally, ISPS Handa has also been a loyal supporter of the Invictus Games, founded by The Duke of Sussex, since the inaugural 2014 Games.ISPS Handa continues to further these socially responsible causes which adhere to its vision to inspire, create hope, unite and transform.www.ispsinternational.com

 

About Royal Salute 

Royal Salute is an exceptionally crafted and aged Scotch whisky, starting where others end at 21 years old. Created to mark the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and the 21 gun salute that honoured her, the brand is steeped in tradition and proud of its royal lineage, but pushes the art of blending into the modern world with new, innovative and creative blends. Royal Salute is deeply involved in polo – the world’s oldest surviving team sport and a game that is expanding in the modern era and supports more than 15 international tournaments globally.

www.royalsalute.com

www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com

 

Oak Brook Polo Club’s third tournament of the 2021 Season got underway this past Sunday (August 8), with the start of the Chicago Polo Open presented by Heineken.  Returning for its sixth year, this signature polo match took place at the legendary Prince of Wales Field and was between Oak Brook Polo and local rival Beaver Creek.

The afternoon’s theme was “Horses and Hops” which featured the first of two beer festivals presented by Tapville Social. While watching the thrilling polo match, spectators had the opportunity to taste local and Midwest craft brews from a field-side beer garden.

The match-up between Oak Brook and Beaver Creek was the second time these two teams met in the 2021 season. Beaver Creek’s team was comprised of Captain Chris Vangel (Hcap 1), Chad Bowman (Hcap 2), Alfredo Guerenno (Hcap 3), and Lindor Novillo Corvalan (Hcap 4). Oak Brook’s team was led by Jim Drury (Hcap 0), alongside fellow players Tomas Obregon (Hcap 4), Horacio Onetto (Hcap 4), and Mariano Gutierrez (Hcap 4).

Sunday’s match began with the Club’s traditional opening ceremonies presented by Lincoln Way Attorney, Mark Weidman, which included welcoming the hosts of NBC’s Chicago Today show, Courtney Hall and Matt Rodriguez, followed by Chicago food & lifestyle personality D.C. Crenshaw.  Approximately a dozen vintage Land/Range Rovers from members of Chicagoland Rover Club were also present onsite for a pre-match on-field car show and part of the opening ceremony parade. Oak Brook Polo Club president Jim Drury welcomed everyone to match followed by the National Anthem, sung by Alondra Arreola and player introductions.

To begin the match, Beaver Creek was up two goals due to the handicap difference between the teams. Oak Brook’s Obregon scored the first goal of the game followed by two goals form his teammate, Onetto.  Beaver Creek would remain goalless giving Oak Brook a one-point lead going into the second chukker. Oak Brook’s Gutierrez would expand that lead to two and from there, Oak Brook and Beaver Creek would play a game of cat and mouse with Beaver Creek’s Corvalan scoring three goals against Oak Brook’s Obregon and Gutierrez.  At the end of the second chukker, Beaver Creek would close Oak Brook’s lead to one.  In the third chukker Oak Brook’s Onetto and Obregon would score back-to-back goals expanding their team’s lead to 3. Beaver Creek’s Corvalan would answer back with a goal to end the first half 8-6, Oak Brook.

In the second half Beaver Creek got off to a hot start as they held Oak Brook scoreless while putting up two goals by Guerenno and Corvalan to tie the match 8-8.  Corvalan would continue that hot streak going into the fifth chukker by putting up another two goals and giving the Beaver Creek team a two-goal lead over Oak Brook. But Oak Brook’s Onetto and Obregon would answer back with two goals of their own re-tying the match 10-10 going into the 6th and final chukker. Beaver Creek’s Corvalan would be the first to score in the final chukker and give his team a one goal lead and his 8th goal of the match. But that didn’t stop Onetto and Obregon teaming up again for fourth time putting up back-to-back goals and Oak Brook the win with a one goal lead, 12-11.

The Casablanca Polo “MVP” went to Oak Brook’s Obregon while the American Stalls “Best Playing Pony” went to Obregon’s mare.  U.S. Polo Assn. gifts for the match’s runner-up was presented by Alexandra Singer with the Lyon Family Foundation. Runner-up gifts were presented by Marissa Nelums, with Glasshouse Interior and winner’s gift were presented by Lincoln Way Attorney, Mark Weidman.

Oak Brook Polo Club’s next match will be the Championship match of the Chicago Polo Open, presented by Heineken, on Sunday, August 15th @ 3:00 PM. For general information, event scheduling, news, tickets, and parking directions, please visit www.oakbrookpoloclub.com or call 630.368.5095. 

 
Match photos by Andrew Meier
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U.S. Polo Assn. and USA TODAY High School Sports Awards (HSSA) Announce Nation’s Top Student Athletes in the Star-Studded Student Awards Program

The Sport of Polo is Included for the First Time in the 2021 Awards Event

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (August 6, 2021) The USA TODAY High School Sports Awards (HSSA), presented by U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA) has announced the nation’s top athletes in a first-of-its-kind, national student awards show which aired on August 5.

As part of the partnership with U.S. Polo Assn., the ESPY-style award show included for the first time, the country’s top female and male athletes in the sport of polo. Unlike many sports, female and male polo players of all ages play on the same fields together, and at all levels, including professional. In addition, many of today’s great polo players began in their youth, like those being recognized here at this special award event.

The USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, hosted by Michael Strahan and Rob Gronkowski, along with red carpet hosts DJ Khaled and Charly Arnolt, featured top professional athletes like Aaron Rodgers, Shaquille O’Neal, Kerrie Walsh Jennings, Chipper Jones, Laurie Hernandez and many others.

USATODAY High School Sports Awards, one of the most extensive high school sports recognition programs in the country, honors talented high school athletes, coaches and teams. This year, 104 regional and statewide programs culminated to set the stage for the first ever national show, highlighting more than 1,000 honorees in 27 sports categories from 50 states, all vying for the opportunity to be named the top athlete in their sport. The regional honorees and winners were revealed in June and state winners were announced in July. Winners from the state level, chosen from a base of more than 60,000 student athletes and 24,000 schools, made up the honorees for the national show.

All honorees received a special gift box from USA TODAY with commemorative items, including a keepsake co-branded trucker hat from U.S. Polo Assn., the show program and other sponsor gift items.

The national award winner in the girls’ high school polo category was Hope Arellano, featuring finalists, Sophie Grant and Summer Kneece. The national award winner in the boys’ high school polo category was Mackenzie Weisz, featuring finalists Lucas Escobar and Winston Painter.

“On behalf of U.S. Polo Assn., I’d like to congratulate all of the participating athletes and recognize the outstanding winners,” said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing, the worldwide licensor of the multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “It’s been an honor for U.S. Polo Assn. to be the presenting sponsor for this star-studded event where we had the tremendous excitement of introducing the sport of polo to this year’s roster of awards. As an authentic, sport-inspired global brand, we love the opportunity to support up and coming student polo players as well as the amazing athletes from so many other sports.”

Finalists and winners for the category of polo were selected through a stringent process that was conducted by the USPA and included acommittee of internal experts and a diverse group of representatives from within the USPA, Polo Training Foundation and the Interscholastic/Intercollegiate Committee. Ultimately, the winners were selected for being the highest performing and most qualified candidates.

“The USPA is proud to have this opportunity to be included in this prestigious student athlete recognition event and to be able to put forth our best student polo players from around the U.S. on this stage,” said Stewart Armstrong, Chairman of the USPA. “It’s the USPA’s mission to support youth polo players through our interscholastic and intercollegiate programs, and we hope to see these deserving athletes on the professional stage in the coming years. Congratulations to all!”

Among the other 27 sport categories for these elite high school athletes, coaches and teams were baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, gymnastics, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, track and field, tennis, volleyball, wrestling and more. The national broadcast showcased stories and highlights of the nation’s top athletes in each sport and their stellar performances from the past year.

“We were thrilled to partner with a sport-inspired brand like U.S. Polo Assn. and to include polo in our awards this year,” said Crystal Costa, the program’s event director. “Polo is an amazing sport that many people don’t get a chance to see in person. It’s great that we can draw more attention to the sport of polo by including it in an event of this stature for such deserving kids.”

The on-demand awards show can be viewed at Global Polo TV and at USA TODAY, USA TODAY News and USA TODAY Sportswire channels, available on Amazon Fire TV, the Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus and most Smart TVs. It’s also available on Amazon Prime Video Direct and at SportsAwards.USATODAY.com. Stories about the honorees and more program information can also be found at https://sportsawards.usatoday.com/national/honorees/.

 For more information, please visit uspolo.org.

 

 

https://www.ettikonerhof.com/

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (July 27, 2021) – U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand for the United States Polo Association (USPA), welcomes American polo player Matt Coppola as the multi-billion-dollar, sport-inspired brand’s newest global ambassador. Now 26, Coppola has been playing professionally since he was 14 years old and played in the semi-finals of the 2011 U.S. Open Polo Championship at the age of 16. Today, he is one of the highest handicapped American players.

The scope of Coppola’s year-long role as global brand ambassador is broad and designed to shine the spotlight on the dynamic crop of young and talented polo players coming up through the ranks. Coppola will be outfitted in U.S. Polo Assn. apparel and gear both on and off the field, will post regularly about his polo-related and other daily activities on social media, and will engage in media requests for interviews and campaigns.

“U.S. Polo Assn. is proud to welcome professional polo player Matt Coppola to our outstanding roster of global brand ambassadors for 2021,” said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing, which manages the multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “Coppola is an exceptional polo player who has come up the ranks quickly in the U.S. He is an excellent representation of what our brand is all about – sport-inspired, youthful, vibrant and fun.”

Born and raised in Wellington, Florida by show jumper Jesse Coppola and professional polo player Tony Coppola, he developed a love for horses at a very young age. Today, Coppola travels the United States and Argentina to play professional polo throughout the year and works with his father to help give racehorses a second career in polo. Coppola is also a graduating member of Team USPA, a prominent program developed and managed by the USPA to develop young American polo players for the highest levels of competition.

“I could not be more excited to represent U.S. Polo Assn., with whom I have worked over the years through the brand’s sponsorship of the GAUNTLET OF POLO,” said Coppola. “As a professional polo player, it’s meaningful for me to represent a brand that’s authentically connected to polo and gives back to the sport and its players.” 

Coppola has competed in the 2019, 2020 and 2021 GAUNTLET OF POLO® competitions in Wellington and has triumphed in many of these prestigious tournaments. With a shooting accuracy of more than 70 percent, Coppola, who played for Las Monjitas, ranked second out of all the players in the 2019 GAUNTLET and first for shooting accuracy in the U.S. Open Polo Championship. In 2021, he played in the GAUNTLET with Park Place, alongside Andre Borodin, Hilario Ulloa and Juan Britos, winning the prestigious C.V. Whitney Cup and making the finals of the U.S. Open Polo Championship.

To learn more about Coppola and to see him play in these exciting events, visit globalpolo.com.

 

 

https://www.ettikonerhof.com/

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla./SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (July 22, 2021) – U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), announced it will serve as the Official Stadium & Apparel Sponsor for the illustrious Silver CupÒ and Pacific Coast Open at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. U.S. Polo Assn. will provide stadium branding and apparel for both high-profile West Coast polo events.

The historic 2021 Silver CupÒ, which runs from July 23 – August 8, is recognized as one of the USPA’s most prestigious tournaments with a rich history spanning more than 100 years and with many of its winners hailing from the Polo Hall of Fame. In addition, the Silver Cup is one of the only tournaments in California that features the best polo players in the world, including those that play in the prestigious GAUNTLET OF POLO® in Wellington, Florida during the South Florida circuit.

“U.S. Polo Assn. is honored to be part of such historic events as the Silver Cup and the Pacific Coast Open amid the beautiful backdrop of the celebrated Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club,” said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing, which manages the multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “Supporting these high-profile events on the West Coast is yet another example of U.S. Polo Assn.’s authentic connection and love for the sport of polo.”

Founded in 1911, Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club is one of the oldest continuing member clubs of the USPA as well as the largest and most active polo club on the West Coast. Positioned in between the Carpinteria Foothills and the Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club offers an unparalleled backdrop in the western United States.

“We are appreciative of the partnership and support of U.S. Polo Assn. for the historic tournaments played here, including the notable Silver Cup which was first played in 1900,” said Danny Walker, Board Member, Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. “We hope that players and fans enjoy this season’s amazing west coast tournaments and experience the history and excellence of Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, polo in paradise.”

USPA official events, Silver Cup and the Pacific Coast Open, will be live streamed on Global Polo TV at globalpolo.com. Also hosted by Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club will be the USPA America Cup.

 

 

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