Tournament Spotlight: The 2021 USPA National Chairman's Cup

FINAL: DEL RANCHO/BLACK OAK 12, FOLLY FIELDS 11

DEL RANCHO/BLACK OAK VS. FOLLY FIELDS

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JACQUELINE MILLER

In a closely fought, back-and-forth contest, Del Rancho/ Black Oak managed to avenge an earlier tournament overtime loss to a strong Folly Fields side and come from behind to take the 2021 Chairman’s Cup on a bright August day at Gibney Field. by Bill Burke

The 8-12 goal tournament would see Del Rancho/Black Oak, Folly Fields, Longmeadow and Galaxy Polo battle for the Chairman’s Cup at Myopia, starting on July 19, with the finals held on Monday, Aug. 3.

“For the players here — and I think we all feel the same — of all the tournaments, this is the one for our competitive spirit that is a great one to play in, and if you’re fortunate, to win,” says Myopia Polo Captain and Del Rancho/Black Oak’s David Strouss.

It all kicked off on the first weekend in mid-July with Longmeadow beating Galaxy Polo, 8-7, and Folly Fields edging out Del Rancho/Black Oak 9-8. Folly Fields then beat Longmeadow 11-8, and Del Rancho/Black Oak topped Galaxy Polo 10-6. With Del Rancho/ Black Oak and Folly Fields then taking the following matches, the stage was set for an August 3 re-match on Gibney Field.

Folly Fields struck first in the opening chukker, with back-to-back goals from Adam Snow and Marcos Onetto — the team’s pair of experienced and skilled four-goalers.

“Adam Snow and Marcos Onetto are two very strong players,” Strouss says. “Adam, of course, was the last U.S. 10-goal polo player in the country, and he still plays professionally.” Nachi Viana answered, scoring three for Del Rancho/Black Oak and maintaining offensive pressure throughout. Folly Fields then evened things when Adam Snow converted two penalty 4s, before Viana knotted things up again.

With the game tied at 4, both teams battled closely before heading into the half with Folly Fields up 6-5.

David Strouss and Johann Colloredo- Mansfeld pushed up front for Del Rancho/ Black Oak, while Mazzocchi and Viana rotated in the back, allowing the team to start the second half on the offense. Viana came out strong, putting two between the posts before Onetto shut down the pressure with his third goal of the game. Strouss said Del Rancho/Black Oak worked to break up Folly Field’s rhythm in the second half by sending Viana and Mazzochi to Snow and Onetto on the hit-ins. Viana, riding his mare Pichicata, scored again, putting Del Rancho/Black Oak up 8-7, and into the lead for the first time.

The teams each scored in the fifth chukker — Manuel Mazzocchi and Onetto — and Johann Colloredo-Mansfeld tallied another. Snow edged Folly Fields closer, scoring to bring the team within one. Viana responded, however, pouncing on a 40-yard penalty 3.

In the end, Folly Fields’ efforts to push Del Rancho/Black Oak to a second consecutive overtime fell just short. Del Rancho/Black Oak claimed the Chairman’s Cup, 12-11.

“You had to play almost perfect polo to beat them,” Strouss says. “Marcus is a phenomenal player, and Adam is still one of the top skill players.”

Scoring eight goals, Viana was named Most Valuable Player. Viana credited horses his brother, Team USPA alum Felipe Viana, gave him for the tournament, citing their speed as a deciding factor.

“We had Nachi, who is one of the best up-and-coming polo players in the United States,” Strouss says of the Del Rancho/ Black Oak side. “He was three goals last year, and he goes up to four goals as of June 1 this year.”

Best Playing Pony went to 15-yearold Pichicata, a Uruguayan mare. Viana describes Pichicata as “powerful,” with a light mouth and an amazing start. The mare was bred on a cattle ranch in San Jorge, Uruguay, by Viana’s father.

“It was all very even right up to the end,” Strouss says of the 2021 Chairman’s Cup. “All four teams were very evenly matched. It took everything.”