United States Polo Association

North America, Polo News

8. March 2018

Established in 1954, the Butler Handicap has steadily gained back its initial prestige since its re-launch at the Greenwich Polo Club (Greenwich, Connecticut) in July 2016. Incorporated into the 26-goal lineup last year at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) in Wellington, Florida, this year’s competition featured a four-team single-elimination format. While superficially the teams remained unchanged from the C.V. Whitney Cup, many player variations took place for similar, yet fresh, tournament play. Despite these shifts, the semifinal double-header on Wednesday, March 7, yielded a repeat final as Colorado defeated Daily Racing Form – DRF Bets 14-11 and Valiente overtook Grand Champions Polo Club 9-6.

Colorado Earn First Spot in Butler Handicap Final
Daily Racing Form – DRF Bets (DRF) entered the Butler Handicap with the same lineup from last week’s C.V. Whitney Cup, eager for a second opportunity to overcome a Valiente organization and make it to a 26-goal final. They were met by Colorado who reinstated Rob Jornayvaz and Juan Britos from earlier 20-goal tournament play. With a team handicap of 25 goals, Colorado was awarded one goal to start the game. DRF began the match firing on all cylinders as 10-goaler Hilario Ulloa made three consecutive goals. DRF ultimately shut Colorado out of the first with a solid 4-0 score. Colorado’s first goal of the game came early in the second off of a Penalty 2 conversion by Diego Cavanagh. DRF countered with an incredible effort, scoring three consecutive goals to gain a notable lead over their opponents 7-2. A quick downpour did not slow down play as a nearly opposite third chukker ensued. Colorado got their feet underneath them and scored three of their own, shutting down DRF to narrow the gap 7-5 at halftime.

Colorado came back in the fourth with renewed energy, eventually overcoming the early DRF onslaught to lead 9-8 at the end of the period. Riding exceptional horses and displaying amazing teamwork, Colorado slowly pulled away from their rivals in the fifth scoring three goals to DRF’s one. An aggressive and hard-fought final chukker, two goals apiece were traded in the last minutes of regulation time and Colorado walked away victorious with a final score of 14-11.

Valiente Maintains Winning Streak to Secure Second 26-goal Final
At the pristine Valiente Farm, a newly-structured Grand Champions Polo Club (GCPC) team, now including U.S. Polo Assn. Brand Ambassador Juancito Bollini and 10-goaler Juan Martin Nero, took on recent C.V. Whitney Cup champions, Valiente, headed by Bob Jornayvaz. Rated cumulatively at 24 goals, GCPC received two goals in handicap versus 26-goal Valiente. The two Valiente 10-goal former rivals showcased their skills early. Adolfo Cambiaso chipping away at Grand Champions’ initial lead with the only goal of the first chukker. In the second, Facundo Pieres took over the scoring with a field goal, followed by two penalty conversions to take the lead 4-3 over GCPC. Trading goals, the teams remained close moving into the half, maintaining the gap 5-4. Grant Ganzi pulled through for GCPC in the second half scoring two goals, but Valiente laid down the hammer in the fourth and fifth chukkers with four goals, each player contributing to the final tally. Valiente secured their second final appearance defeating Grand Champions Polo Club 9-6.

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Photo: David Lominska/USPA

Europe, Polo News

England wins the Bryan Morrison Trophy Arena Match

7. March 2018

Battling severe weather conditions and heavy snowfall, the Hurlingham Polo Association Bryan Morrison Trophy arena match between USA and England took place Saturday, March 3. Traditionally played at the All England Polo Club in Hickstead, England, a frozen arena resulted in a last minute relocation. A break in the weather allowed for the match to be moved to the Westcroft Park Polo Club in Chobham, England. Four chukkers of intense back-and-forth play resulted in England, sponsored by Flannels, defeating USA, sponsored by Playnation, to take home the crystal trophy 14-10.

Both teams fought fiercely from the start with England’s 9-goaler Chris Hyde putting his team on the scoreboard first. Hyde’s goal was countered by USA’s Pelon Escapite. The remainder of the chukker played out evenly; all USA players contributing to the scoreboard. Moving into the second, the score was tied 4-all. “The game was close when I missed a two pointer by a couple of inches, and then they converted a two pointer to tie at halftime,” said Escapite. “I feel like that was our chance at a strong lead.” After halftime, play resumed tied once again 8-8. A field goal by England’s Sebastian Dawnay, followed by a penalty conversion from Hyde broke the tie momentarily. However, USA answered with a goal by Shane Rice.

The score 10-9 in England’s favor, it was anyone’s game entering the final period. Hyde scored the first goal of the chukker, quickly followed by an angled cut shot from Rice. Only a few minutes left in regulation time, Hyde converted again to increase the lead. Rice displayed amazing skill by saving three 25-yard defended penalties, but it was not enough to overcome England in the end. Two more goals from Eden Ormond sealed the win for England 10-14.

“We were down by two in the last chukker and decided to go all in offensively, but England ultimately finished with two more goals,” recounted Escapite. “It is always an honor to represent the USA and I am hoping for a strong rematch on my own horses.”

“We played a couple of practices in the snow and then on the day of the game, it was a great day and it turned out to be a great event. It was an awesome arena and the English were wonderful hosts. I hope that we can have a rematch on our soil.” – USA’s Tommy Collingwood

Shane Rice was awarded The Polo Magazine Most Valuable Player for his amazing defensive work in the fourth chukker. Prada, owned by Richard Blake-Thomas and played by Chris Hyde in the fourth was presented with the Polo Times Best Playing Pony blanket.

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