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North America, Polo News

International Polo Club Palm Beach and United States Polo Association Announce 2022 High-Goal Tournament Schedule and One-Year GAUNTLET OF POLO® Extension

20. October 2021

International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC), in conjunction with the United States Polo Association, is pleased to announce the 2022 high-goal polo tournament schedule and GAUNTLET OF POLO® one-year extension of the original three-year tournament agreement established in 2019. The season will begin on Sunday, January 2, 2022, with the Iglehart Cup, and conclude on Sunday, April 24, 2022, with the U.S. Open Polo Championship® Final.

The three-part high-goal GAUNTLET OF POLO® debuted in February 2019 at International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida. Challenging the status quo and reshaping the trajectory of high-goal polo in the United States, the innovative pinnacle event increased team participation and attraction through prize money. History was made during the inaugural GAUNTLET OF POLO®, when Pilot captured all three events and was crowned GAUNTLET Champion.

The 2022 GAUNTLET OF POLO® will return for the fourth year and begin on February 6-27 with the C.V. Whitney Cup®, continue with the USPA Gold Cup® from March 1-27, and conclude with the illustrious U.S. Open Polo Championship® from March 29 – April 24 on the U.S. Polo Assn. Field. Revising the prize money distribution for the 2022 season, the new format guarantees a total of $200,000 in prize money. $50,000 will be awarded to each of the winning teams of the C.V. Whitney Cup® and USPA Gold Cup®. Similarly, $100,000 in prize money will be presented to the winner of the U.S. Open Polo Championship®. Any team that wins all three tournaments will be crowned the GAUNTLET Champion.

IPC will be welcoming back the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship® beginning on Monday, March 7 and concluding with the final on Saturday, March 19 on the U.S. Polo Assn. Field.

All tournaments except the Iglehart Cup will be livestreamed on Global Polo TV’s (GPTV) OTT platform, accessible on GlobalPolo.com and on major apps including iOS, Android, Roku and Amazon FireTV. The Global Polo Pass annual subscription will be made available starting November 2021 and will include polo events from around the world. The subscription will include access to all livestreamed USPA Official Events, select international events and much more. All USPA Members who have paid their membership dues will receive the Global Polo Pass complimentary once dues are paid in full. Special offers will be available at www.globalpolo.com.

For more information, please visit internationalpoloclub.com.

Polo Tournament Schedule

16-18 GOAL

IGLEHART CUP
January 2

JOE BARRY MEMORIAL
january 2-16

YLVISAKER CUP
January 15 – February 6

18-22 GOAL

U.S. OPEN WOMEN`S POLO CHAMPIONSHIP
March 1-27

GAUNTLET OF POLO

C.V. WHITNEY CUP
February 6-27

U.S. OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP
March 29 – April 24

North America, Polo News

RED, WHITE AND BLUE RETAIN TOWNSEND CUP GLORY

18. October 2021

Sweeping the International Arena Showcase, USA defended two international titles over two consecutive days at New Bridge Polo & Country Club in Aiken, South Carolina. Taking the USPA Armed Forces’ Churchill-Roosevelt winning momentum into the John R. Townsend Challenge Cup, after a one-day rain postponement, on Sunday, October 10, USA (Pelon Escapite, Geronimo Obregon,* Winston Painter*) once again topped England (Julian Daniels, Eden Ormond, Robin Ormond) to add an eighth American engraving on the prestigious Townsend Cup and another title to their 8-1 distinguished international record. As the official apparel sponsor of Team USA, U.S. Polo Assn. proudly outfitted both American teams with jerseys and saddle pads.

“Man, they’re rough! England is always rough. My experience playing against them is always intense. It’s tough to go around them and you’ve got to go through them, it’s hard. They’re competitive.” – Geronimo Obregon

To open the first chukker, defending Townsend Cup Champion and team captain Pelon Escapite quickly put USA on the board with a two-pointer in the first few seconds of play. Sensing the intensity from the beginning of the match, Escapite was aware of USA’s giant expectations. “It’s big pressure,” said Escapite. “We can’t lose in-house. It’s always more pressure to play [here] than away.” Brothers Robin and Eden Ormerod responded in kind for England, each contributing two goals in the first, including a two-pointer from Eden Ormerod. The offensive talents of Geronimo Obregon, who proclaimed himself as not having as much experience in the arena as his teammates made the difference in the first chukker scoring a total three goals.

Obregon attributed his solid start to Mamba a small 11-year-old thoroughbred chestnut mare who, “helped me a bunch, she passed, she stopped, she did everything.” English captain Eden Ormerod scored first in the second, Robin Ormerod adding a goal as well—the brothers working in tandem once again. However, a united American front in Escapite and Obregon found the goal three times, and a Penalty 1 gave USA the edge heading into halftime with a 10-8 lead.

Feeling the rising intensity of the game and not willing to rely on a marginal advantage, USA with coach Tiger Kneece implemented a new tactical strategy for the second half where Obregon would, “switch a lot with Pelon, and Winston [Painter] pushed forward. We rotated a lot and we rotated well. When [Pelon] would push forward, I would stay back. When I would push, he would stay back. We changed the momentum a few times.” This ability to affect the pace of play would allow Escapite to score two more two-pointers in the third.

Painter, a representative for USA in the 2018 Junior Olympics and star in youth polo including the National Youth Tournament Series and Interscholastic/Intercollegiate program normally does not play in the number one position but relished the opportunity, “in interscholastic, I always play back. It was refreshing to have a change of roles. I know both Geronimo and Pelon and I was really happy to share the field with so much wisdom and experience today.”

Unwilling to back down, England continued to battle in the third scoring six goals, including a two-pointer from Robin Ormerod. Hailing from Druid Lodge Polo Club in Salisbury, Wiltshire, both Ormerod brothers spent their formative years playing arena polo, “we have a really nice arena surface at home [Druids Lodge]. In England we play in the winter when the grounds are too soft.” For Eden Ormerod reconnecting in the arena with his brother was a welcome change, “we play together on the grass quite a bit, but it’s been a while since we’ve played in the arena.”

USA entered the final chukker with a slim one-goal advantage and relied on success from Obregon once again scoring back-to-back goals at the onset of the chukker to provide USA some much needed breathing room. Eden Ormerod was aware of the challenge required to take down USA. A member of the 2018 English team and last to defeat USA in the Bryan Morrison (a complimentary tournament held by English invitation) commented on the intense competitive nature between the two nations, “they pushed us, and I hope they feel we pushed them as much.”

The English captain came through for his team once again and scored the only goal for England in the fourth. Painter also knocked in his first of the game and as the final seconds expired the crowd went wild with chants of “U-S-A,” and the Americans could finally look to the scoreboard knowing they would emerge from the battle the victors and eight-time Townsend Cup champions with a final score 18-15.

Scoring a total of eight goals for USA, Pelon Escapite was named Most Valuable Player. In addition to his offensive abilities, Escapite’s toughness was also on display. Escapite was temporarily dismounted in the fourth. “My mare went left, and the ball was on the right. I really wanted to score but I stretched a little too much,” he recounted. Despite feeling a “little sore,” Escapite’s resilience and humility were evident as he commented on his performance, “we got lucky today! I scored a few two-pointers, and two is better than one.”

Best Playing Pony honors were presented to Samurai, a thirteen-year-old Mexican thoroughbred played by Eden Ormerod in the first half of the first chukker and the second half of the third. Ormerod was extremely impressed with his abilities, “he’s super tough, keeps trying for you [and is] super steady and you can always depend on him.” Owner Liv Berube purchased the grey gelding from Lord Lyle in Florida two years ago. Berube could not have been happier for Samurai, “he plays for me, he plays for my polo school, he’s such a good boy. He really shines in the arena.”

With the second consecutive sweep of the International Arena Showcase complete, Obregon is no stranger to winning international titles. As one of the rare players to win both the Townsend Cup and the Westchester Cup (the outdoor version of the competition), Obregon reflected on the honor of winning another prestigious tournament, “it means a lot. This is the first time I’ve represented [USA] in the arena. We wanted to win and wanted to represent the U.S.”

Similarly, Painter commented on the pride behind the celebration, “arena polo has been a huge part of my youth polo career, my first time playing polo was in the arena. [Learning] how important and amazing this opportunity was, I was humbled and grateful to be selected.” Eden Ormerod who has represented England on numerous occasions shared his gratitude, “it was a good game, they scored some good two-pointers, we missed a few penalties. They had some good horses, but we had some good ones too. It was a great exhibition of polo.”

Photos: ©Larry Johnson

North America, Polo News

UNITED STATES POLO ASSOCIATION AND INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB PALM BEACH ANNOUNCE 2022 HIGH-GOAL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE AND ONE-YEAR GAUNTLET OF POLO® EXTENSION

18. October 2021

The United States Polo Association and International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) in Wellington, Florida, are pleased to announce the 2022 high-goal polo tournament schedule and GAUNTLET OF POLO® one-year extension of the original three-year tournament agreement established in 2019. The season will begin on Sunday, January 2, 2022 with the Iglehart Cup and conclude on Sunday, April 24, 2022 with the U.S. Open Polo Championship® Final.

“Our partnership with IPC over the last three years in bringing the GAUNTLET OF POLO® to players, fans and enthusiasts around the globe has been a significant success for the sport,” said Stewart Armstrong, USPA Chairman. “We look forward to building on that success.”

The 2022 GAUNTLET OF POLO® will return for the fourth year on February 6-27, with the C.V. Whitney Cup®, continue with the USPA Gold Cup®, March 1-27, and conclude with the illustrious U.S. Open Polo Championship® March 29 — April 24 on the U.S. Polo Assn. Field. Revising the prize money distribution for the 2022 season, the new format guarantees a total of $200,000 in prize money. $50,000 will be awarded to each of the winning teams of the C.V. Whitney Cup® and USPA Gold Cup®. Similarly, $100,000 in prize money will be presented to the winner of the U.S. Open Polo Championship®. Any team that wins all three tournaments will be crowned the GAUNTLET Champion. IPC will be joining Port Mayaca Polo Club (Okeechobee, Florida) in welcoming back the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship® beginning on Monday, March 7 and concluding with the final on Saturday, March 19 on the U.S. Polo Assn. Field. The closing date for teams for both the 16- to 18-goal series and GAUNTLET OF POLO® is Monday, November 15, while the closing date for the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship® is Wednesday, December 1.

“We are all on pins and needles to see the best that American polo can offer in 2022—passionate high-goal team owners, star athletes, incredible horsepower, and grueling competition,” said Chris Green, USPA Chief Operating Officer. “The USPA is committed to providing a level playing field for all the competitors and eager to see if another GAUNTLET Champion emerges!” he continued.

IPC tentatively plans to welcome spectators so they can enjoy the sport of polo from stadium seating or the fieldside covered patio during brunch in the Pavilion. Details, including possible COVID protocols, are still being finalized and will be released soon at InternationalPoloClub.com.

Lake Worth, FL | Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame | March, 31, 2016 | A still photo of the C.V. Whitney, U.S. Open Polo Championship and Gold Cup trophies against a dark blue backdrop.

2022 IPC POLO SCHEDULE*

16- to 18-Goal

Iglehart Cup
Tournament Date: January 2, 2022

Joe Barry Memorial
Tournament Dates: January 2-16, 2022
Closing Date: November 15, 2021
Limited to six teams

Ylvisaker Cup
Tournament Dates: January 15 – February 6, 2022
Closing Date: November 15, 2021

Limited to eight teams

Women’s Polo

U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship®

Co-hosted with Port Mayaca Polo Club
Tournament Dates: March 7-19, 2022
Closing Date: December 1, 2021
Limited to eight teams

18- to 22-Goal GAUNTLET OF POLO®

C.V. Whitney Cup®
Tournament Dates: February 6-27, 2022
Closing Date: November 15, 2021

**Limited to 12 teams

USPA Gold Cup®
Tournament Dates: March 1-27, 2022
Closing Date: November 15, 2021

**Limited to 12 teams

U.S. Open Polo Championship®
Tournament Dates: March 29 – April 24, 2022
Closing Date: November 15, 2021

**Limited to 12 teams

Contact Polo Manager Haley Bryan at (803) 215-3577 or hbryan2485@aol.com to discuss season plans.

*Please note dates are subject to adjustment.

**The team limit for the 2022 GAUNTLET OF POLO® is 12 teams. IPC will accept additional entries beyond 12 only if their entry is advantageous to the tournament format and scheduling allows.

North America, Polo News

PACIFIC COAST OPEN: HIGHLIGHT OF THE 16-GOAL SEASON AT SANTA BARBARA POLO & RACQUET CLUB

13. August 2021

The only outdoor open trophy on the west coast, the Pacific Coast Open is a staple of high-goal competition at Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club in Carpinteria, California. Competing for the final 16-goal title of the season, six teams will leave everything on the field for a chance to win the impressive trophy, including two-time winners (2020, 2018) and defending champions Klentner Ranch. Located just five miles south of Santa Barbara and 60 miles north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club overlooks the Pacific Ocean providing an attractive backdrop to an active polo calendar. The Pacific Coast Open will begin on Sunday, August 15, with the final slated for Sunday, August 29. On opening day the 7:00pm ET/ 4:00pm PT game between BenSoleimani.com and Farmers & Merchants Bank has been dedicated the Charles Ward Memorial Match, honoring Mr. Ward who was instrumental in club sponsorship. Games will be held on Sundays and Fridays.

Serving as the Official Stadium & Apparel Sponsor, U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association, will provide stadium branding and apparel for the high-profile west coast tournament.

Standing at a striking height of five feet, the glorious silver-and-gold trophy for the Pacific Coast Open is a dazzling sight. Crowned with an eagle supporting a globe and adorned with semiprecious stones, the trophy is mounted on a redwood base, featuring side panels depicting lively polo scenes. Initially titled the All American Polo Trophy, the cup was commissioned in 1908 by friends and members of the Coronado Country Club in Southern California.

Throughout the late 1920s until the early 1940s the tournament was hosted by numerous clubs throughout California. After World War II, the Pacific Coast Open moved to the posh and glamorous Beverly Hills Polo Club until 1952, when it took residency at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, where it remains today. Coming off a win in the Silver Cup®, Klentner Ranch’s 2020 teammates Justin Klentner and Jesse Bray are joined in 2021 by Justin’s son Jacob “Jake”

Klentner and 8-goal Argentine Santiago Toccalino. With four tournament titles, Lucchese holds the most wins of all teams competing (2015, 2012, 2011, 2010), followed by Klentner Ranch and Farmers & Merchants Bank with two (2019, 2017) and Antelope with one (2004). Featuring

father-and-son combinations on multiple teams, the 16-goal rosters feature a variety of young rising stars including several active and graduating Team USPA members and alumni.

2021 PACIFIC COAST OPEN TEAMS:

Bracket I
1. Santa Clara (15) Luis Escobar (5), Lucas Escobar (4), Nico Escobar (5), Federico Escobar (1)
2. Farmers & Merchants Bank (16) Danny Walker (2), Matt Walker (3), Lucas Criado (7), Lucitas Criado (4)
3. Klentner Ranch (16) Jesse Bray (6), Jacob Klentner (1), Justin Klentner (1), Santiago Toccalino (8)

Bracket II
1. Antelope (16) Grant Palmer (1), Santiago Trotz (4), Tomas Garcia del Rio (8), Segundo Saravi (3)
2. Bensoleimani.com (16) Ben Soleimani (0), Tomas Alberdi (4), Iñaki Laprida (7), Santiago Wulff (5)
3. Lucchese (15) John Muse (0), Facundo Obregon (6), Jeff Hall (6), Kristos ‘Keko’ Magrini (3)

“The true challenge in Santa Barbara is to win all of the 16-goal tournaments,” said USPA Executive Director of Services Carlucho Arellano. “Most summers it seems customary that a different team win each trophy. Mainly because it is so difficult to keep a single team’s horses peaking for that long—prime fitness is tricky to maintain. Klentner Ranch just might be able to accomplish the feat and finish the Santa Barbara season with a Pacific Coast Open victory.”

The Pacific Coast Open, will be livestreamed exclusively on Global Polo TV with the purchase of the Polo Pass at globalpolo.com. All USPA playing and lifetime members who have paid their membership dues will receive the Premium Polo Pass complimentary while all USPA Social Members will receive the Polo Pass for free, once dues are paid in full. All games of the Pacific Coast Open will be available with the Polo Pass or the Premium Polo Pass.

Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club is now open to the public for spectating. To purchase tickets please visit sbpolo.com. The club will host Happy Hour after each public match with drink specials, and food available for purchase at the Fieldside Grill. For more information on the Pacific Coast Open and to view the schedule, please visit the Pacific Coast Open tournament detail page on uspolo.org. To purchase a polo pass please visit globalpolo.com/products.

Photos by David Lominska

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The only outdoor open trophy on the west coast, the Pacific Coast Open is a staple of high-goal competition at Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club in Carpinteria, California. Competing…

North America, Polo News

KLENTNER RANCH ESTABLISH THEIR POLO DYNASTY WITH SILVER CUP® VICTORY

11. August 2021

One of the oldest United States Polo Association tournaments, the one-hundred-and-twenty-first edition of the Farmers & Merchants Bank Silver Cup® returned to Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club in Carpinteria, California. After three weeks of play, the gripping final on Sunday, August 8, came down to undefeated Klentner Ranch (Jacob “Jake” Klentner*, Santiago Toccalino, Jesse Bray*, Justin Klentner) and Farmers & Merchants Bank (Daniel Walker, Lucas Criado Jr., Lucas Criado Sr., Matthew Walker). Building off an early and impressive offensive attack, Klentner Ranch delivered at least two goals each chukker, maintaining the lead throughout to capture their first ever Silver Cup® title, 14-12.

“The Silver Cup® is hard to win because it doesn’t come here very often. Being on that cup is very special. I feel like it puts you into polo history. We’re trying to build a family team that plays for generations and it’s important to be a part of a history that’s already taken place.” – Justin Klentner, Klentner Ranch Team Owner

Klentner Ranch asserted themselves early, highlighted by the play of Bray. “We attack, we hit the ball hard and we run. We play simple polo and make sure all four players are involved,” said Bray, as he led the charge with two goals in the first chukker. Farmers & Merchants Bank were awarded a Penalty 1 in the opening stages of the second chukker, involving two of the seven total yellow cards issued during the match. The exceptional play of Criado Jr., scoring two field goals in the chukker, helped tie Farmers & Merchants Bank 3-all, but Justin Klentner scored before the horn sounded to restore a one-goal advantage for Klentner Ranch. High speed, running and open style play highlighted the third chukker, the teams alternating three goals each with back-and-forth action. “The more we ran, the better we knew we would play, ” stated Bray. Jacob Klentner and Matthew Walker added a final tally each to leave the score 7-6 in favor of Klentner Ranch entering halftime.

“We attack, we hit the ball hard and we run. We play simple polo and make sure all four players are involved.” – Jesse Bray

The frenetic pace carried into the second half with nine combined shots between the two teams in the fourth chukker, but it was Klentner Ranch’s accuracy, finishing fifty-three percent from the field, that allowed them to extend their lead. “We took advantage of the opportunities we had. I thought we shot to goal pretty well and our goal percentage was high,” stated Bray.

Teammate Toccalino pushed Klentner Ranch’s lead to three after hammering two field goals through to end the chukker. Desperate to pull within reach, Farmers & Merchants Bank team owner Daniel Walker scored on the opening play of the fifth chukker, but Klentner Ranch responded with Bray’s third goal riding Cell Tower.

A tense final chukker resulted in Farmers & Merchants Bank pulling within one goal after consecutive Penalty 2 conversions from Criado Jr., but Klentner Ranch maintained a narrow lead. Emotions ran high as three yellow cards were issued in the last three minutes, but a final Penalty 4 conversion from Toccalino sealed the victory, as Klentner Ranch celebrated the 14-12 triumph.

Having played Farmers & Merchants Bank three times already this season Klentner Ranch knew their opponents well and Toccalino commented on their winning mindset. “It was really close, as every game we play against them [Farmers & Merchants Bank]. They are a great team and really well mounted. It was important to be positive until the end. We were winning by three, then it was tight and you felt the pressure. But I think we played really well and really calm.”

The Silver Cup® has been played at numerous clubs throughout its illustrious history including Houston Polo Club (Houston, Texas), Greenwich Polo Club (Greenwich, Connecticut) and Aspen Valley Polo Club (Aspen, Colorado), but returning to Santa Barbara for the eighth time, Klentner Ranch finally added their name to the elusive trophy. “The Silver Cup® is hard to win because it doesn’t come here [Santa Barbara] very often. Being on that cup is very special. I feel like it puts you into polo history. We’re trying to build a family team that plays for generations and it’s important to be a part of a history that’s already taken place,” stated team owner Justin Klentner.

“I’m really happy they brought me to the team,” said Santiago Toccalino on joining the Klentner Ranch organization this year. “This organization is a great organization, it’s a family organization. I’ve been received really well and I’m really happy to be here.”

Most Valuable Player was awarded to Jesse Bray for his six-goal performance. Bray attributes much of his elevated play to 8-goal teammate Santiago Toccalino. “The way he can take control of the game is incredible. I’m learning a lot playing with him this summer…I think he has a really incredible mind for the game and the way he plays is similar to the way I think I can play. He definitely makes me play better.”

Bray’s eight-year-old thoroughbred mare Cell Tower, played in the first and fifth chukkers was named Best Playing Pony. “I bought her as a four-year-old from Matthew Gonzalez. Last year was her first season of high goal. I feel very comfortable on her and know I can win any play I go to. She’s strong, has a really nice mouth and a lot of speed, those are her best attributes. She is a very complete mare”.

Entering the Pacific Coast Open, Klentner Ranch is on an impressive run with two USPA tournaments titles after also capturing the Pacific Coast Circuit Intra-Circuit. “We’re having one of those dream seasons. Every time you win, it gets harder and harder because everyone brings all their best horses, all their best strategy,” described Justin Klentner. However, experiencing the season with his son Jake has made it that much sweeter. “It’s truly unbelievable. I’ve been planning this for twenty years. It’s taken me a long time and I have son number two coming up next” Justin Klentner continued. “It means everything to us,” echoed Jake Klentner. “It is a testament of what my dad has built through all these years. He’s a person that got into polo out of pure interest at forty years old and really found a love and a passion for it. Luckily that passed down to me. To win it as a family, it’s massive. I’m getting flashbacks to the [2018] Pacific Coast Open. One more to go.”

The Pacific Coast Open begins on Friday, August 13, with all games to be livestreamed exclusively on Global Polo TV.

*Jesse Bray is a Graduating Team USPA Member and Jacob Klentner is a 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.

uspoloassnglobal.com

globalpolotv.com

www.uspolo.org

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North America, Polo News

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: SCONE VICTORY MARKS A NEW GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS

22. April 2021

Facing a rematch of the C.V. Whitney Cup® Final and well aware of their opponents’ strengths, Scone and Park Place (Andrey Borodin, Matt Coppola*, Juan Britos, Hilario Ulloa) each prepared to leave it all on the field one last time in the U.S. Open Polo Championship® Final. A formidable contender as the only team to reach all three finals, Scone (David Paradice, Adolfo Cambiaso, Poroto Cambiaso, Peke Gonzalez*) met Park Place on Sunday, April 18, both teams looking for their second trophy in the 2021 GAUNTLET OF POLO®. Ending halftime in the lead, Scone gradually took control of the game throughout the second half to cap off the season with the 14-13 win and $200,000 in prize money. Marking Cambiaso’s ninth U.S. Open Polo Championship® title overall, the first victory with his son Poroto made it the most personal of his career.

Riding the momentum of scoring the game-winning shot in the semifinal, Matt Coppola opened up the first chukker for Park Place with a powerful cutshot to goal on grey American Thoroughbred Serena. After each team added a penalty conversion, Coppola struck a second time off a well-placed pass from Hilario Ulloa. Learning after two close losses to Park Place that every goal counts, Scone quickly retaliated with Poroto Cambiaso winning the throw-in and heading straight to goal. “Our strategy today was to play as we had been playing, passing the ball, playing as a team, being in order defensively, and facing the game with a lot of confidence,” Poroto Cambiaso said.

Always looking for opportunities to set up his teammates, David Paradice courageously held off Ulloa giving Adolfo Cambiaso time to level the score 3-all at the beginning of the second. Both sides making strong offensive plays, the scoreboard remained tied as the evenly-matched teams fought to establish a lead in the third. Scoring three consecutive goals including two off the mallet of Poroto Cambiaso, Scone worked efficiently to create the largest lead yet which they would build on in the second half. Holding Park Place to one goal per chukker in the second and third, Scone entered halftime leading 7-5.

As the penalty opportunities added up in the second half, accuracy from the penalty line became a greater factor in maintaining the advantage. Scoring consecutive goals in the fourth, Peke Gonzalez raced forward to receive a beautiful pass from Adolfo Cambiaso which he carried to goal. Keeping his team in the game, Ulloa easily fired his third Penalty 2 between the posts, but Poroto Cambiaso managed to evade defenders and sneak in another goal. As the teams battled for possession in the fifth, Adolfo Cambiaso took advantage of a broken play when the ball was left sitting just in front of Park Place’s goal. Responsible for all of Park Place’s goals in the second half, Ulloa answered back on a breakaway to keep the tally within three.

Entering the sixth chukker up 11-8, Scone had to remain vigilant after witnessing Park Place’s last chukker comeback in the semifinal. Although a choppy sixth chukker with fouls on both sides, Scone was able to hold onto the lead, Adolfo Cambiaso lofted the ball out of the pack from distance to score his fourth goal of the day. As Gonzalez continued to prove deadly from the penalty line, Ulloa attempted to initiate a comeback in the final minutes as they had previously. Riding off Poroto Cambiaso, Ulloa made an impressive nearside shot to initiate the campaign, ultimately adding five goals in one chukker.

As all four matchups throughout the season were decided within one goal, Scone claimed the narrow win 14-13, allowing 15-year-old Poroto Cambiaso to join Nic Roldan as the youngest player to win the tournament.

“This win means everything to me, it’s amazing!” Gonzalez shared. “It’s what we have been working for the whole season, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am very thankful to the entire Scone team, Adolfito and Poroto for giving me the opportunity to play with them, and everyone involved including the grooms and all the guys who are helping the organization day after day. They did a great job throughout the whole season and we couldn’t have made it without them.”

Winning two of the three tournaments his first time competing in the GAUNTLET OF POLO®, Poroto Cambiaso has accomplished much in his career at such a young age. “It’s a pleasure to play with this team,” Poroto Cambiaso said. “I want to thank Bob Jornayvaz who rented us all the horses and it’s incredible to win with a friend like Peke, my dad and David.” Although Adolfo Cambiaso has won the U.S. Open Polo Championship® numerous times, sharing the victory with his son was especially meaningful. “Winning with my son is unbelievable,” Adolfo Cambiaso exclaimed. “Ten years ago he was only five years old so it was a dream that was kind of far away and today it came true. I never thought that I was going to be in the position that I am now, playing in the U.S. Open Polo Championship® Final with my 15-year old son and winning, so I’m really happy. I want to thank David Paradice for trusting me to play with someone who is so young.”

In addition to the title, Scone received $200,000 in prize money while Park Place was awarded $50,000 as the runners-up. In partnership with USPA Global Licensing, this year’s GAUNTLET OF POLO® embraced the spirit of giving with non-profit charities chosen by the finalists also receiving a donation. Scone chose to divide the $10,000 between Homes for Horses Coalition and Polo For Life while Park Place contributed to Polo Players Support Group (PPSG) and Replay Polo.

Adolfo Cambiaso was named Seymour Knox Most Valuable Player. “We tried to maintain our system throughout the tournament,” Cambiaso said. “I was playing more in the back and I think both Poroto [Cambiaso] and Peke [Gonzalez] did a great job. Peke had a great game today and I think we were pretty solid. We made some mistakes, but we ended up playing pretty well.”

10-year-old Argentine mare Gete Leonor (Machitos Libano x Lelina) received the Willis L. Hartman Trophy for the U.S. Open Polo Championship® Final, played in the second and sixth chukkers by Adolfo Cambiaso.

In addition to receiving Best Playing Pony for her performance in the U.S. Open Polo Championship® with Adolfo Cambiaso, 8-year-old Lovelocks Camusericht played in the third chukker (Open El Padrino x Dolfina Querencia) was also presented with Best Playing Pony of the GAUNTLET OF POLO® and IPC Horse of the Year. In need of another horse towards the end of the tournament, Cambiaso called on 10-goaler Pelon Stirling who flew the mare in from Argentina. “There were a couple of horses that came from Argentina at the last minute including Lovelocks Camusericht,” Cambiaso said. “I own her with Pelon Stirling and she came just to play the U.S. Open Polo Championship® and ended up winning multiple Best Playing Pony awards.”

Although Adolfo Cambiaso celebrated his forty-sixth birthday on the day of the semifinals, he remained focused on his goal. “I never thought about my birthday which was when we played the semifinal,” he said. “My mind was always on this day and I was only thinking about winning the U.S. Open Polo Championship® Final. We came to win and now that it’s happened, we really are enjoying it.”

Having a successful first season in the GAUNTLET OF POLO®, David Paradice is looking forward to next season with the Cambiasos and hopefully getting to bring back Peke Gonzalez. “It’s great to win with nice people and great families, I just love it,” Paradice said. “It’s also been great to watch father and son play together and to have a young player like Peke Gonzalez. This is what it’s all about, family and playing with the right teammates who have integrity and just want to get the job done. A lot of people contributed to this win including Bob Jornayvaz, Tim Gannon, the Packer family and Pelon Stirling and I’m very fortunate for Bob Jornayvaz for making it possible for me to play on this team.”

*Peke Gonzalez is an Active Team USPA Members. Matt Coppola is a Graduating Team USPA Member. 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.

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