47 minute read
Polo around the Globe
By Pamela Flanagan
USA’s Carolyn Stimmel, Bridget Sibson, Athena Malin, Alyson Poor and Pamela Flanagan My passion for polo has taken me all over the world. Winston Churchill’s famous saying, “A polo handicap is a passport to the world,” has certainly held true for me. I have played in the U.S., Mexico, Argentina, China, Guatemala, Canada and most recently, on the U.S. team at the 5th Manipur Statehood Day Women’s Polo Tournament in Imphal, Manipur—the northeastern edge of India. I must say my experience in Manipur was certainly unique. Like most international tournaments, we were able to meet incredible polo women from around the world. The respective polo federations sent teams representing Argentina, Great Britain, Egypt, Indian Polo Association from New Delhi and a local Manipur team.
I had the amazing experience of playing on what is arguably the descendants of the first polo ponies, the Manipuri pony.
I have been drawn to horses for as long as I can remember. My mom loves horses, but no one in my immediate family had horses or rode horses. I am not entirely sure where the fascination stemmed from, but one thing is clear: I have had, and will always
have, an unwavering lifelong love for horses.
I started riding when I was about 4 years old. I rode multiple times a week throughout my childhood, and then went on to boarding school at Culver Academies. Culver has several very impressive horsemanship programs, one of which is polo. I picked up polo and never turned back. I played through the USPA I/I programs throughout high school, college, and even law school. After graduating, I realized I needed horses of my own, so I decided to rescue horses in need of a second chance and turn those horses into polo ponies.
Stella and Nala were my first two rescues (#RescuePonyStella #RescuePonyNala). Working with them, and watching their potential slowly emerge through their tattered exterior quickly turned me into a passionate advocate for rescue horses and horse welfare generally. Since that time, I have rescued, rehabilitated and repurposed six horses of my own, and have helped several other horse lovers do the same. I have continued to play polo around the world and at all levels. Just over two short years after rescuing Stella, I played her in the 2019 Women’s U.S. Open and won. I share all my horses’ stories on my Instagram page: @Pamela_Alina.
Team USA consisted of myself, Athena Malin, Alyson Poor, Bridget Sibson and Carolyn Stimmel. Stimmel, who played in the event last year, was going to help coach and serve as alternate. Ed Armstrong, co-founder of the tournament, was our coach and mentor.
The U.S. team arrived a few days early and had a chance to meet the ponies and stick and ball. It also visited the Ima Keithel Market (mother’s market), a 500-year-old market run exclusively by women, and the Marjing Temple, the only temple for ponies.
The Manipuri ponies were certainly different. These small- to medium-sized ponies are about 12 hands or smaller. Every player used mallets between 45-47 inches. Despite their size, these ponies were tough. At the end of the tournament, prizes were given to the best playing pony and the naughtiest pony. I was fortunate to have played on Thok-thak (“rascal”in Manipuri) the naughtiest pony, and I will say, it was a well-deserved award for this fiery chestnut
pony. The ponies are not exactly the fine-tuned polo ponies you find in other parts of the world, but they are not “naughty” in the traditional sense either. They may not stop quickly, or turn willingly, but they try hard. Never once did a pony kick, buck, rear or try to throw its rider. Some may have been better trained than others, but they were all well-behaved on and off the field.
The polo stadium at Mapal Kangjeibung is magnificent. Located in the center of the city, the stadium has beautifully built rows of comfortable seats on one side, and a speaker system fueled with lively commentary. On the other side of the field sat stables where the horses were kept for the duration of the tournament. The field, with the picturesque foothills of the Himalayan Mountains as a backdrop, was not regulation size, but it still seemed large enough to play a fun, open game. Since the ponies are smaller, they don’t cover nearly as much ground as a Thoroughbred might when they are running flat out, so the smaller-size field did not seem to make much of a difference in terms of play. Further, the field was flat, and well maintained, but a bit hard, so the ball traveled quite far when a player really connected. This allowed the games to open up, which made faster, more exciting matches.
To keep the tournament fair, each match was four chukkers played on a split-string format. The teams switched strings at the half of each game. Thus, every pony played two total chukkers with a rest period in between. Most horses would not have had the stamina to play two outdoor chukkers, but these ponies, even in the second half, seemed to have plenty of spirit. I was amazed at their willingness and endurance.
I was honored to be chosen as one of the players to represent the United States. I was able to get to know polo women from around the world and to bond with the other U.S. women selected for Team USA. Building these relationships is an important facet of
women’s polo. The Women’s International Polo Network was established to help promote meaningful experiences like these. So, traveling with new women from various parts of the world, also helped me bring awareness and participation to the WIPN.
Several organizations came together to make this tournament possible. Produced by Polo Yatra, the women’s polo initiative of Huntre! Equine, the tournament was organized by the All Manipur Polo Association, and presenting sponsor Manipur Tourism played host. Incredible India of the Ministry of Tourism sponsored our international travel, while the U.S. Polo Assn. provided the teams with customized jerseys and outfitted the grooms as well. A formal jersey presentation was held for all the teams.
Local players lent their ponies, and participating teams provided umpires and coaching help when needed. The group effort facilitated a fantastic turnout in the thousands. The draw and bracket configuration had the U.S. team starting by playing in the last game of the second day, while the other teams had one, and some two, games behind them. Prior to that, the U.S. players had umpired and announced games and were anxious to finally play.
Our first game was against Egypt, a new team with an impressive debut. The team quickly figured out the ponies and each other’s style of play. All the years of I/I play allowed the ladies to quickly become a cohesive team. Two minutes into the game, Malin’s pony was sideswiped, causing it to spin and Malin to fall hard, landing her in the hospital, (she is ok now). Stimmel, who arrived after an arduous 36-hour trip from Texas only an hour before the match, jumped in to finish the game. Despite the difficulties, USA prevailed, 8-1.
“Being on a completely different continent, new time zones, noisy city traffic, compromised air quality and the familiarity of the previous year’s games and trip, helped me realize I was in a familiar and foreign USA was runner-up for the second year in a row, this year falling to Great Britain, 5-2.
The U.S. team visited where the Manipur ponies are bred.
Pony preservation
I also took time to learn more about these magnificent equine athletes. This tiny equine lays claim to be the world’s original polo pony. The modern game was said to be created by the British from the traditional game of sagol kangjei of Manipur. The UK Armed Forces Polo Association designated this Manipur tournament the official closing event of Polo150, the celebration of 150 years of polo in England.
Indeed, the convention of calling all polo-playing horses “ponies” comes from this polo heritage horse. Somi Roy of Huntre! Equine, a social enterprise of sports and conservation, is a Manipuri pony advocate. He briefed me on the subject, with a focus on the ponies’ current-day plight, and his efforts to preserve the sacred pony.
In Manipur, these former cavalry ponies are sacred, and as such they are not used for work, nor slaughtered for their meat, but rather solely used for ritual and sport, more specifically polo. In fact, there is even a pony shrine dedicated to these sacred animals. Manipur is considered by many to be the birthplace of modernday polo. With such a rich history, it is important that these sacred horses are preserved for cultural and religious purposes. Just a couple of decades ago, there were thousands of these ponies scattered throughout the state of Manipur. Today, there are only 500 and the number has continued to decline, owing to the loss of their traditional pastures to urbanization.
We visited the farm where some of these ponies are bred. Despite being in the city, the farm was tucked away down a rural road, sitting in a quiet little pocket at the base of the hills. The mares with foals were kept in the large paddocks, while the studs and other horses had already left for the hillsides’ lusher grazing land. These ponies are effectively left wild except for the short period of time in which they are being ridden in polo matches or taken on religious processions.
The people of the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association who run the farm were passionate about their
land all in the same breath,” wrote Stimmel.
Malin was still recovering and heeded doctors orders to rest and not ride so Stimmel continued to play for the team.
Our next opponent was the local Manipur women’s team. Wow, these women were tough! The Manipuri women are fearless, determined women with a unique style of play. They put on a spectacular match, but we were lucky to come out with a 7-1 win.
Stimmel wrote, “This match was exciting, fun and challenging. The Manipur ladies’ improvement from 2019 was impressive. These ladies all played hard and with heart. They know their way around the field and know each Manipur pony exceptionally well.”
The two wins earned us a spot in the final where we faced an 18-goal Great Britain team. Our 15-goal team knew we were in for a challenging match. Team USA held its own in the first half of the match, with the teams either tied or within a goal of each other throughout. But, the Brits took control in the third chukker and the U.S. ultimately suffered a tough 2-5 loss.
Despite the loss, spirits were high. We were all given an incredible opportunity to immerse ourselves in a
ponies and proud of their preservation efforts. I also found Deleep Hawaibam and his team to be open to suggestions, and willing to try new things to help their breeding program continue to succeed. During our visit we spoke about implementing new systems in order to track breeding and avoid inbreeding, and about the importance of intentionally breeding their most athletic, conformationally correct, and healthy horses to create balanced, athletic and healthy offspring.
While at the breeding farm we pulled tail hairs from the horses on the property. We took these samples back to the U.S. and sent them to an equine geneticist at Texas A&M to have the DNA analyzed. Our hope is to establish a specific DNA genetic sequence for the Manipuri Pony. This would allow the State of Manipur to really know what makes their sacred ponies unique, help establish parentage for breeding purposes and ensure the sacred breed is kept pure. These fundamental elements are important in creating a foundation for the main objective: to preserve the Manipuri pony.
Another fundamental component, and the most important element required in the efforts to preserve the pony is equine welfare. After conversing with Somi, he explained the two pillars for his pony preservation project have focused on ponies, and polo. If polo continues, the ponies will have a purpose, and thus be maintained, bred and cared for. And if the ponies survive, polo will continue in Manipur.
After our conversations, Somi was turned on to the idea of adding “welfare” as an essential third pillar. The ponies cannot prosper without proper care. We have had several conversations regarding various ways to ensure pony welfare. We have discussed implementing a government-funded clinic that can help care for the ponies’ basic needs and treat injuries that may occur. We have also discussed organizing educational clinics and fundraisers to provide new or used tack and supplies.
I have created an “Amazon Wishlist” to help get some of these goals in motion. The list includes much-needed supplies that will help improve the ponies’ health, comfort and performance. My hope is that these ideas and conversations will turn into meaningful plans, which result in a happy, healthy, thriving pony population. Preserving these incredible ponies will also preserve the unique and rich culture that these sacred creatures bring to Manipur.
The Manipuri ponies allow a part of history—both horse and polo history—to live on. These ponies gave us polo, a sport that many of us love and cherish. It is only right that in this time of need we do our best to provide these ponies with kindness and support. It is important that we now do our part to ensure these living legacies continue to thrive. Pamela Flanagan, Alyson Poor and Athena Malin pray at the temple of the Manipur pony.
Pamela Flanagan with one of the Manipur ponies.
different culture and experience the Manipuri pony.
While most of the team headed home, Stimmel and Poor joined Armstrong, Somi Roy and a member of the Egyptian team to play an indoor international ladies tournament in Hyderabad. They flew south, arriving at the charming Mrugavani Resort and Spa. Two local Manipur ladies joined the two Americans on a team using traditional-size horses from the Hyderabad Polo and Riding Club. The ladies say they were treated like royalty with amazing accommodations and played in front of ambassadors and dignitaries sitting in the glamorous grandstand. Stimmel enjoyed the tournament saying it was unique and special. • — Carolyn Stimmel contributed to this report.
Pamela Flanagan is a polo player with a 4-goal women’s handicap. She is an attorney, a member of the USPA Women’s Handicap Committee, representative of Hawaii Polo Life, a co-founder of the Women’s International Polo Network, and a passionate advocate for rescue horses. In 2019 Pamela won the Women’s U.S. Open and was awarded the Clint Nangle Equine Welfare Award.
POLO REPORT
DISPATCHES FROM THE WORLD OF POLO
FLORIDA
CROSSFIT EL CID WINS 10-GOAL MAHOGANY CUP
Crossfit’s Cecelia Cochran keeps the ball close while Horseware’s Trevor Niznik keeps the pressure on.
Crossfit El Cid kept its momentum after an undefeated run in preliminary play to capture the final of the 10-goal Mahogany Cup at Port Mayaca Polo Club in Okeechobee, Florida, March 2.
Four teams competed in the tournament played over the course of a month. Crossfit El Cid (Cecelia Cochran, Jason Wates, Pelon Escapite, Jack Whitman) started out strong with a 9-8 defeat of Horseware (Tom MacGuinness, Hugo Lloret, Trevor Niznik, Agustin Arellano). Crossfit’s second victory was over Skaneateles (Marty Cregg, Cesar Jimenez, Joaquin Panelo, Dennys Santana), 10-6. Its final match had it downing Mt. Brilliant (Hutton Goodman, Julian Daniels, Finn Secunda, Juan Monteverde), 12-10. Horseware recovered from its first game defeat to overcome Mt. Brilliant and Skaneateles, both by 10-7. Mt. Brilliant picked up its only win over Skaneateles, 14-10.
Crossfit met Horseware in the final. Crossfit came out firing in the first half to take a decisive lead, 8-2, at the half. Horseware came back after the half with Hugo Lloret on Best Playing Pony Trampita. The team held Crossfit scoreless, while putting one on the board. It repeated the performance in the fifth to start the last chukker trailing, 8-4. The teams traded a goal each before MVP Jack Whitman scored back-to-back goals to ensure the 11-5 victory.
In the 6-goal USPA Presidents Cup,
Crossfit El Cid’s Pelon Escapite, Jason Wates, Cecilia Cochran and Jack Whitman won the Mahogany Cup.
Copperline Farm’s Gaston Lisioli, Ben Ketchum, Milo Dorignac and MVP Justin Daniels won the 6-goal USPA President’s Cup.
four teams battled over three weeks. The final on March 1 pitted Copperline Farm (Ben Ketchum, Justin Daniels, Milo Dorignac, Gaston Lisioli) against Kyne Property Group (Martha Bennett, Emmanuel Huerta, Armando Huerta, Leo Mandelbaum). Strong defense by both teams in the first half kept the match close, 2½-1, in favor of Kyne Property Group. The second half saw Copperline Farm rally, with MVP Justin Daniels scoring two field goals and a Penalty 3 while Kyne came up empty. Copperline held the 4-2½ advantage going into the final period. Kyne was unable to make up any ground in the last seven minutes, while Gaston Lisioli found the mark to seal the victory, 5-2½.
Prada, owned by Orrin Ingram and played by Armando Huerta, was Best Playing Pony.
To get to the final, Copperline crushed Speedwell (Nicole Watson, Mike Egan, Marcos Onetto, Brendan Stenzel), 7-2, and edged Kyne Property Group, 8-4½, but fell to Traveller’s Rest (Tiffany Orthwein, Robert Orthwein, Mia Astrada, Miki Astrada), 3½- 3. Kyne topped Speedwell, 4½-4, and Traveller’s Rest, 4½-2. Speedwell downed Traveller’s Rest, 6-3½.
In the club’s annual Tabebuia Cresta Soleada’s Hope Arellano, Grace Mudra, Ariana Gravinese and MVP Gillian Johnston won the Tabebuia Cup.
Cup, a 16-goal women’s tournament, Cresta Soleada took the title. Six teams began the event, played from March 3-7.
In the final, Cresta Soleada (Ariana Gravinese, Grace Mudra, Hope Arellano, Gillian Johnston) began with a half-goal handicap from San Saba (Annabelle Gundlach, Dawn Jones, Clarissa Echezarreta, Kendall Plank). The first half had the teams matching each other’s goals, allowing Cresta to hang on to the half-goal advantage. Plank had two tallies and Jones converted a penalty for San Saba, while Arellano scored from the field for Cresta Soleada and the team had two penalty conversions.
Cresta Soleada repeated its first-half performance with an Arellano field goal and a pair of penalty conversions but this time San Saba failed to reach the goal, being turned away by Johnson time and again. Cresta Soleada won, 6½-3.
Gillian Johnson was named MVP and Annabelle Gundlach’s Picasa was Best Playing Pony. In preliminary matches San Saba doubled up Avalon Farms/ Speedwell (Margaux Buchanan, Nicole Watson, Izzy Parsons, Alyson Poor), 5-2½, and Cresta Soleada edged BTA/The Villages (Chrys Beal, Pippa Campbell, K.C. Krueger, Paige Boone), 5-4. The last preliminary match saw Cross Fit El Cid (Cecelia Cochran, Kylie Sheehan, Courtney Flynn, Malia Bryan) slip Parrot Heads (Tiffany Orthwein, Roni Duke, Mia Novillo Astrada, Maureen Brennan), 4-3, in overtime.
The winners moved on to the semifinals and a shootout was held with the remaining teams for the fourth semifinal spot. Mia Astrada won the shootout, allowing Parrot Heads to advance. Cresta Soleada eliminated Parrot Heads, 5½-3, while San Saba eliminated Cross Fit El Cid, 4-3.
JULIO AGUILAR JULIO AGUILAR
Ten Oaks’ Paige Boone, Izzy Parsons, Eliza Jacobellis and Kelly Beck won the Florida Circuit Women’s Challenge in Sarasota. MVP Paige Boone’s 12-year-old Argentine mare Viru was Best Playing Pony in the Florida Circuit Women’s Challenge.
TEN OAKS UNDEFEATED IN WOMEN’S CHALLENGE Ten Oaks topped a three-team line up to take the Florida Circuit Women’s Challenge at Sarasota Polo Club in Sarasota, Florida, March 1.
The teams played a round robin, beginning on Friday, Feb. 28, with scores carrying over to Sunday. The opening game saw Avalon Farm (Meghan Shader, Margaux Buchanan, Kylie Sheehan, Alyson Poor) extend the half-goal handicap it received from San Saba (Dawn Jones, Kendall Plank, Taylor Scilufo, Clarissa Echezarreta), thanks to goals off the mallets of Shader and Poor in the first chukker.
Jones put San Saba on the board before long, but couldn’t get any closer, ending the first with Avalon ahead, 2½-1. A defensive battle in the second prevented either team from scoring, keeping the score, 2½-1, for Avalon.
San Saba stayed up to face Ten Oaks (Kelly Beck, Eliza Jacobellis, Izzy Parsons, Paige Boone) in the second round. Fouling in the first chukker created start-and-stop action and allowed Ten Oaks to get on the board first when Beck sunk a Penalty 3. A goal from Plank leveled the score at 1-1 before the end of the chukker.
Ten Oaks took over in the second chukker, scoring three unanswered goals, including a pair from Boone, to end, 4-1.
Ten Oaks carried its momentum into the third round against Avalon Farm. Parsons and Jacobellis scored quick goals to counter the half-goal handicap given to Avalon. Sheehan and Shader responded in the second chukker to take the lead, but a goal by Parsons gave Ten Oaks the 3-2½ win.
With the scores carrying over on Sunday, Avalon and San Saba both needed a win in the first round. Beginning with the 2½-1 lead, Avalon took advantage of San Saba’s early foul trouble, coverting a Penalty 2 and getting a field goal from Sheehan to take a convincing lead, 4½-1. San Saba put one more on the board but it wasn’t enough and Avalon took the win.
San Saba then faced Ten Oaks, which held the 4-1 advantage at the start. San Saba missed a penalty attempt, and adding insult to injury, Boone responded with back-to-back goals. The teams traded goals in the second, ending the round with Ten Oaks ahead, 7-2.
The last round pitted Avalon Farm against Ten Oaks, which held a halfgoal lead. The winner would take the title. Ten Oaks overwhelmed Avalon in an attack led by Boone. She scored three goals added to one from Parsons in the first chukker while Avalon was silenced. Boone struck again in the second. Avalon added one more goal before time ran out with Ten Oaks ahead, 9-3½.
“I think we played well as a team,” Parsons said of Ten Oaks. “Everyone did their job and it allowed Paige [Boone] to come through with the ball on a number of occasions to score. It was a really fun team to play with and a great tournament.”
Boone, high-scorer with eight tallies, was Most Valuable Player.
“Our team had never played together, but we were able to get a practice in last week, which helped us tremendously,” Boone said. “We were all very excited to play together for the first time and we seemed to communicate well on the field. Izzy [Parsons] and I have played against each other before so I was familiar with her style of play. It was so much fun playing together and there was definitely great chemistry on the field.”
Viru, a 12-year-old Argentine mare Boone played in the first chukker, received Best Playing Pony honors. “She’s incredibly handy with explosive power,” Boone said. “She definitely gives me confidence when I play her.” “I think our team was led really well. Izzy [Parsons] and Paige [Boone] both made sure Kelly [Beck] and I understood our jobs and what to do in certain situations,” Jacobellis said. “Kelly was always in front of her man
CHUKKER TV CHUKKER TV
Gracida Wine’s Sterling Giannico, Peco Polledo, Juan Monteverde and Carlitos Gracida won the $100,000 World Cup. Woodrow’s Chris Finley, Sterling Giannico, Agustin Arellano and Hope Arellano won the Top Pony 8-Goal. With them is John Gobin.
if she was following me, which was a game changer. Our positions were always changing, but I think we did a good job adjusting when needed. We also adjusted horses on Sunday which helped us to come out on fire.”
GRACIDA WINE PREVAILS IN $100K WORLD CUP
Gracida Wine rallied in the final chukker to win the coveted $100,000 World Cup, Feb. 15, at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida. In front of a good crowd, the 19- goal Gracida Wine (Carlitos Gracida, Juan Monteverde, Peco Polledo, Sterling Giannico) defeated the 19-goal Dundas Polo (Santos Merlos, Isidro Strada, Salvador Lockey, Jejo Taranco), 12-7.
Tied 6-6 going into the final chukker, Gracida Wine outscored Dundas Polo, 6-1. The lead changed hands six times before Gracida Wine rallied to win its first major tournament.
“We have been working so hard. Hard work pays off,” said Carlitos Gracida, son of Hall of Famer and former 10-goaler Carlos Gracida. “This is a great way to end the tournament.”
Gracida, Monteverde and Polledo were members of the 2018 Palm Beach Illustrated champion team. Giannico, making his winter season debut at Grand Champions, filled the vacant spot left by Tommy Collingwood who was playing at International Polo Club.
Team newcomer Sterling Giannico, who turns 27 in March, was Most Valuable Player. Evancha, played by Giannico, was Grand Champions Best Playing Pony. Vicki, played by Gracida and named after Fort Lauderdale-born Vicki Armour, was American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony.
The lead changed hands six times in rainy and windy conditions. The teams battled to a 2-2 tie at the end of the first chukker. Gracida Wine pulled ahead, 3-2, on Gracida’s 60-yard penalty conversion and pulled away, 5-2, on another Gracida penalty conversion before settling for a 5-3 halftime lead. Dundas Polo started reeling them in late in the fourth chukker and scored back-to-back goals in the fifth chukker to tie the game at 6-6 before Gracida Wine’s heroics in the sixth and final chukker.
Gracida and Giannico shared scoring honors each with a game-high five goals. Monteverde and Polledo each had one goal.
In the semifinals, Dundas Polo defeated Audi, 9-7, and Gracida Wine eliminated Beverly Equestrian, 13-10. The single-elimination, winnertake-all tournament, coming off a year’s hiatus in 2019, is the richest prize purse offered in club history. The tournament showcased the sport and its players at every level competing for one of the richest prize purses in the nation.
Each player on the winning team received $25,000 in prize money. The six-day tournament, open to teams from 0 to 40 goals, featured 10 teams from 12 to 27 goals.
The club also hosts a monthly women’s league. Masai Palm Beach (Courtney Flynn, Alina Carta, Hope Arellano, Pamela Flanagan) won the fourth annual Sunny Hale Memorial Tournament, Feb. 26, at Santa Rita Polo Farm. Masai defeated Avalon Farm (Margaux Buchanan, Kylie Sheehan, Cecelia Cochran, Alyson Poor), 4- 1, and San Saba (Dawn Jones, Kendall Plank, Taylor Scilufo, Clarissa Echezarreta), 3-0, in a six-chukker round robin. Avalon Farm and San Saba played to a 1-1 tie.
Seven-goal (women’s handicap) and U.S. Polo Assn. Brand Ambassador Hope Arellano, 16, was named The Tackeria MVP.
“I’m so excited. I had a really fun game,” Arellano said. “I got to play with Pamela, Alina and Courtney. We’re all great friends so it was a lot of fun.” Twelve-year-old Manucho, owned and played by Kylie Sheehan, was The Tackeria Best Playing Pony.
Masai Palm Beach’s Alina Carta, MVP Hope Arellano, Courtney Flynn and Pamela Flanagan; San Saba’s Kendall Plank, Dawn Jones, Clarissa Echezarreta and Taylor Scilufo; and Avalon Farm’s Margaux Buchanan, Kylie Sheehan, Alyson Poor and Cecelia Cochran
Carta, co-founder of the women’s weekly league, was thrilled with her team and the league’s success.
“It’s great, it was fun to win,” Carta said. “Hope is fun to play with. We played as a team and opened it up. It was great team work and a good feeling. In 8-goal competition, Woodrow rallied in the second half to capture the Top Pony 8-Goal League title, Feb. 29.
Trailing 2-1, 4-2 and 5-3 in the first three chukkers, Woodrow (Hope Arellano, Agustin Arellano, Sterling Giannico, Chris Finley) turned it around in the second half to defeat Altaris (Antonio Aguerre, Jamal Nusseibeh, Santos Merlos, Kris Kampsen), 9-8.
Sterling Giannico was named MVP to finish out an outstanding month. Trick or Treat, played by Agustin Arellano, was Best Playing Pony.
The team finished the league undefeated at 4-0. Altaris finished 2-2. During regular season league play, Woodrow defeated WPL, 10-6; Skaneateles, 9-5; and Altaris, 9-8.
“I think in the first half we were just a little anxious and nervous,” Giannico said. “We relaxed a little more and focused on the ball. We were already celebrating the goal before we even made it. We definitely changed that up in the second half and also did a little bit of changing with the man, which made a huge difference.
“We just took our time, we knew what we had to do. I don’t know what happened in the first half, it just wasn’t us,” he said.
After a slow start in the first half, the Middleburg, Virginia-based Woodrow team shut out Altaris in the fourth and fifth chukkers and led 9-5 early in the sixth chukker. Altaris scored the last three goals of the game but ran out of time to tie it up.
Giannico and siblings Hope, 16, and Agustin Arellano, 22, each contributed three goals.
--Sharon Robb
SCONE TRIUMPHS IN FOUNDERS CUP
On a perfect day that featured sky divers, a one-armed bandit, and great polo, Scone won The Founders Cup, 11-6, over SD Farms to take the $60,000 prize money and the title. The cup is part of Wellington’s World Polo League.
To get to the final, Scone (David Paradice, Poroto Cambiaso, Deigo Cavanagh, Adolfo Cambiaso) edged Seminole Casino (Melissa Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Lucas James, Alejandro Novillo Astrada) while SD Farms (Sayyu Dantata, Guille Terrera, Santi Torres, Juan Martin Zubía) downed Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz, Gringo Colombres, Sebastian Merlos, Jejo Taranco) in semifinal play. In the final, it was clear SD Farms had its work cut out for it as it faced the legendary Adolfo Cambiaso and his 14- year-old son Poroto.
In the final, play ensued with a penalty conversion from Cavanagh to add to Scone’s three-goal handicap, putting the team out front, 4-0. With a somewhat choppy beginning, it took time for the teams to settle into a rhythm, showcasing the very best of international polo talent. Cavanagh added two more to give Scone a 6-0 advantage.
Juan Martin Zubia put SD Farms on the board, but Scone answered back. Scone kept up the pressure, halting all attempts by SD Farms to fall into a goalscoring rhythm. At the same time, Cavanagh shot through the team’s ninth goal to end the first half, 9-1.
Zubia ended the SD Farms’ drought, answering a goal from Cavanagh. The team then won the ensuing throw-in and found the goal but it was quickly answered by Adolfo Cambiaso for an 11- 3 score. SD Farms fought hard to close the gap in the last two chukkers but time ran out with Scone ahead, 11-6.
Dolfina Antonella, played by Poroto Cambiaso, was American Polo Horse Best Playing Pony as well as tournament Best Playing Pony. The AAP Best Playing Pony went to Pintita, also played by Poroto Cambiaso. The WPL Best Playing Pony went to Dolfina Resta, played
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Scone’s Adolfo Cambiaso, David Paradice, Poroto Cambiaso and Diego Cavanagh won the WPL Founders Cup. Valiente’s Bob Jornayvaz, Diego Cavanagh, Poroto Cambiaso and Adolfo Cambiaso won the All-Star Challenge.
by Juan Martin Zubia. All three ponies are owned by J5/La Dolfina breeding. In the subsidiary Wellington Cup final, Marc Ganzi scored the game-winner for Richard Mille (Ganzi, Camilo Castagnola, Barto Castagnola, Pablo Mac Donough), allowing it to edge Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Rodrigo Andrade, Hilario Ulloa, Juancito Bollini), 14-13. Ganzi was named MVP and Maruca, owned by Juan Martin Nero and played by Hilario Ulloa, was Best Playing Pony.
Earlier in the season, Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz, Poroto Cambiaso, Diego Cavanagh, Adolfo Cambiaso) led for most of the game to defeat SD Farms (Sayyu Dantata, Santi Torres, Guillermo Terrera, Juan Martin Zubia), 12-10, to win the WPL All-Star Challenge. Poroto Cambiaso, the only returning player off last year’s winning team, has now won back-to-back tournament titles in the WPL.
Adolfo Cambiaso was MVP and Bravita Solita, played by Poroto Cambiaso, was APHA Best Playing Pony. Dolfina Diosa Coronado, played by Adolfo Cambiaso, was the APHA Horse of the Tournament and Argentine Horse
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Breeder’s Association Best Playing Pony. The WPL Best Playing Pony was VocHo Mentelolada, played by Juan Martin Zubia.
Valiente jumped out to leads of 2-0 and 3-1 with two goals from Adolfo Cambiaso and one goal from Poroto Cambiaso in the opening chukker.
Behind Zubia’s three goals and one from Torres, SD Farms outscored Valiente, 4-1, to take a 5-4 lead after the second chukker. After that it was all Valiente keeping the upper hand and playing well enough to win. SD Farms could get no closer than two goals in the second half.
Cavanagh scored a game-high six goals. Zubia led SD Farms with five goals.
In the semifinals, SD Farms defeated Seminole Casino, 12-8, and Valiente defeated Casablanca, 9-6. Two best playing ponies were selected for the semifinal games: Dolfina Diosa Coronada for Valiente and Diana for SD Farms.
SD Farm’s Juan Martin Zubia tries to outrun Scone’s Adolfo Cambiaso, far left, and Diego Cavanagh, second from right, in the final of the Founders Cup.
PACIFIC C OAST
BENSOLEIMANI.COM TAKES SPRECKELS CUP After a four-year hiatus, the historic Spreckels Cup was held at three levels (2, 6 and 12 goal) at the Eldorado Polo Club in Indio, California, from
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Chris Maloney with Bensoleimani.com’s Ian Schnoebelen, Remy Muller, Gustavo Usandizaga, Tomas Alberdi and Ben Soleimani Chris Maloney presents trophies to Thermal’s Kaile Roos, Sebastian Aycinena, Mariano Gutierrez and Reg Whyte.
Feb. 28-March 8.
Bensoleimani.com took the 12-goal division after doubling up Highwood, 10-5 in the final.
Six teams divided into two brackets played off for the title. In Round 1, Ohana Polo (Erin Brittin, Jesse Bray, Marcos Alberdi, Bayne Bossom) defeated Twin Palms (Chris Maloney, Graham Bray, Juan Curbelo, Herndon Radcliff), 11-6; Bensoleimani.com (Ben Soleimani, Remy Du Celliee Muller, Tomas Alberdi, Gustavo Usandizaga) defeated Bush League (Ryan Robertson,
Gustavo Usandizaga tries to hit the ball out of the air while challenged by Jared Sheldon in the 12-goal Spreckels Cup. Ulysses Escapite, Pelon Escapite, Mitch Horne), 12-11; and Highwood (Ron Mathison, Jared Sheldon, Francisco Rodriguez-Mera, Marcelo Abbiati) defeated Cotterel (Jenny Luttrell-Benardoni, Francisco Benardoni, Julian Mannix, Santi Von Wernich), 9-6.
Round 2 saw Twin Palms get its first win after defeating Cotterel, 10-9; while Highwood picked up its second win, defeating Bensoleimani, 13-6. Ohana also celebrated its second win, this time over Bush League, 11-9.
Bensoleimani and Highwood moved
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on to the final.
Ian Schnoebelen filled in for an injured Ben Soleimani. The first chukker ended in a tie after Sheldon and Alberdi traded goals. Highwood shot out in the second with three in a row but a Penalty 4 conversion from Alberdi kept bensoleimani.com in the game, 4-2. Alberdi scored another penalty early in the third and Usandizaga and Du Celliee Muller followed with goals of their own to take a 5-4 lead at the half.
The fourth saw Alberdi and Sheldon trade goals but Highwood was out of bullets. Bensoleimani took over as Usandizaga went on a shooting spree, counting the next four goals, while Highwood was shutout. Bensoleimani.com celebrated victory in the historic tournament, which dates back to 1909.
Chris Maloney presented the trophy and the traditional red roses to the winners. Usandizaga was MVP and Esfinge, owned by Soleimani and played by Usandizaga, was Best Playing Pony.
Eight teams divided into two brackets lined up for the 6-goal division, played as four chukkers. In Round 1, Thermal (Reg Whyte, Kaile Roos, Mariano Gutierrez, Sebastian Aycinena) defeated Buffalo/Centurions (Cheryl Schindel, Ross Adam, Joe Henderson, Peter Blake), 6-4; Pasadena/Archangel (Tom Schuerman, Jimmy Wright, Ash
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HYT/CPC’s Ricardo Caravetta, Hannah Taylor, Alejandro Nordheimer and Ernie Ezcurra won the 2-goal Spreckels Cup. Fred Mannix presents trophies to Bensoleimani.com’s Tomy Alberdi, Tavi Usandizaga, Remy Du Celliee Muller and Ben Soleimani.
ton Wolf, German Coppel) defeated LaSalle (Micaela Saracco, Nicolas Maciel, Lindor Novillo, Robert Gray), 8- 3; Element 101 (Rodrigo Salinas, Mia Bray, Felipe Sordelli, Greg Hanson) defeated Blazers (Pat Powell, Kyle Fargey, Tim Rudy, Jay Elordi), 8-7; and Bush League (Ryan Robertson, Ulysses Escapite, Danny Walker, Quinn Kyle) doubled up Boss Polo (Lesley Tims, Bayne Bossom, Piers Bossom, Patrick Uretz), 8-4.
In the second round, Pasadena/ Archangel narrowly earned a spot in the final after defeating Blazers, 8-7; Thermal earned its place after defeating Bush League in a tight 7-6 match; Buffalo/Centurions defeated Boss Polo, 7-6, and LaSalle defeated Element 101, 8-7. In the final, Thermal began with a half-goal handicap, and Gutierrez and Aycinena added to it with open-goal penalties. Wright put Pasadena/ Archangel on the board with an opengoal penalty of his own. Aycinena scored a lone goal in the second to put Thermal up, 3½-1, at the half.
Schuerman helped tick away at the deficit with the only goal of the third and another early in the fourth to bring the team within a half-goal. Gutierrez scored one more, ensuring the win.
Gutierrez was MVP and Charlotte, owned by Reg Whyte and played by Aycinena, was Best Playing Pony Six teams divided into two brackets competed at the 2-goal level. In the first round, Alpha Omega (Eileen Duffy, Erik Wright, Malia McCoy, Cameron Smith) defeated Las Virtudes (Valentino Echezarreta, Aaram Safai, Georgia Sperling, Carly Persano), 8-4½; HYT/CPC (Alejandro Nordheimer, Hannah Taylor, Ernesto Ezcurra, Nick Fernandez/ Ricardo Caravetta) defeated K2/Desert Hay (Jenny Gonzalez, Kim Kelly, Antonio Juarez, Armando Gonzalez), 7-1½; and Breva Farms/Marco Place (James A’Court, Lesa Slaughter, Pepe Rodriguez, Adrian de Montfalcon) defeated Bitchstix (Juan Martin Gutierrez, Stephanie Davidson, Craig Russell, Kim Bergman), 7-6.
Round 2 had HYT/CPC advanced to the final after defeating Las Virtudes, 8- 4½; Alpha Omega advanced after defeating Bitchstix, 5-2; and K2/Desert Hay got its first win after defeating Las Virtudes, 6-5½.
In the final, Ezcurra struck first, putting HYT/CPC on the board with a Penalty 4 followed by a field goal. Wright responded, converting a Penalty 4, then a Penalty 2. McCoy gave Alpha Omega the 3-2 edge after capitalizing on a perfect backhand setup from Duffy.
McCoy and Smith added to the lead before Ezcurra added another to cut the gap to two, 5-3. A Penalty 3 conversion from Wright gave Alpha Omega a 6-3 lead at the half.
Smith added a goal early in the third, but HYT/CPC took over. Ezcurra, mounted on the eventual Best Playing Pony, converted a Penalty 2, then scored back-to-back goals. Nordheimer scored his first goal and before you knew it, the game was tied, 7-7.
The final chukker was for all the marbles. Wright converted a Penalty 2 to give Alpha Omega an early edge but Ezcurra responded with his eighth goal to knot it up again. Nordheimer came through just in the nick of time, scoring the game winner, 9-8.
Ezcurra, the game high-scorer, was MVP and his mare Eva was Best Playing Pony.
Earlier in the month, the Fish Creek Constitution Tournament was also played at three levels (12, 8 and 4 goal). In the 12-goal division, five teams played off over two weeks. The final pitted bensoleimani.com (Ben Soleimani, Gustavo Usandizaga, Tomas Alberdi, Remy Du Celliee Muller) against Antelope (Grant Palmer, Santiago Trotz, Marcos Alberdi, Jim Wright) after overcoming Highwood (Ron Mathison, Jared Sheldon, Francisco RodriguezMera, Marcelo Abbiati), Twin Palms (Chris Maloney, Graham Bray, Juan Curbelo, Herndon Radcliff) and Cotterel Farms (Jenny Luttrell-Benardoni,
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Sapa Polo’s Tom Schuerman, Erin Brittin, Igor Seyranov, Jesse Bray and Jimmy Wright won the Fish Creek 8 goal. Fred Mannix is center. Fred Mannix presented trophies to Luna’s Hannah Taylor, Jennifer Alexy, Diego Larregli and Ernie Ezcurra.
Francisco Benardoni, Julian Mannix, Santi Von Wernich).
Antelope began with a 1-goal handicap but bensoleimani.com wasted no time in overcoming it thanks to a goal from Usandizaga. Goals by Palmer and Wright (Penalty 4) put Antelope back out front, 3-1. Usandizaga and Soleimani leveled the score and brothers Marcos and Tomy Alberdi traded goals to keep it tied 4-4. The brothers swapped goals again in the second, keeping it tied, 5-5.
Tomy Alberdi put bensoleimani.com ahead with a Penalty 2, then a Penalty 4. Marcos Alberdi responded with a field goal but it was matched by Du Celliee Muller to keep bensoleimani.com ahead by two, 8-6, at the half.
Palmer scored a lone goal in the fourth to bring Antelope within one before Marcos Alberdi tied it early in the fifth. Tomy Alberdi’s Penalty 2 gave bensoleimani.com the short-lived edge. A Wright Penalty 4 conversion tied the match and he followed with back-toback goals to give Antelope a solid lead, 11-9, going into the final chukker.
Tomy Alberdi brought bensoleimani within one but time was running out. Just when it looked like Antelope would prance away with the win, Usandizaga made a run with 20 seconds on the clock to tie the match and force overtime. Bensoleimani.com took full advantage of the opportunity, winning the opening throw-in and running directly to goal for the 12-11 win.
Usandizaga was named MVP and Trotz’s Sopressa was Best Playing Pony. In the 8-goal division, four teams competed for the title. The teams played off in two rounds to determine the finalists. In Round 1, Antelope (Geoff Palmer, Santiago Trotz, Maco Llambias, Grant Palmer) got the best of Bush League (Virgil Kyle, Ryan Robertson, Ulysses Escapite, Shane Rice), 12-6, and Sapa (Igor Seyranov, Jesse Bray, Jimmy Wright, Erin Brittin) downed FMB (Matthew Walker, Tim Rudy, Dan Walker, Leigh Brecheen), 11-7.
The second round saw Bush League edge FMB, 8-7, while Sapa slipped Antelope, 9-7.
Sapa met Antelope in the final. The teams were closely matched in the first half, with Antelope holding a slight, 4-3, lead after three. Antelope increased the lead to two early in the fourth but Sapa rallied to knot the score at 6-6 after four.
Llambias went off his horse early in the fifth and left the game with a suspected broken arm. Marcos Alberdi substituted for him but while Antelope was adjusting to its new lineup, Sapa took advantage, slamming in three uncontested goals for a 9-6 advantage. Antelope matched Sapa in the last period but the damage was done and Sapa had the 10-7 win.
Bray was MVP and Llambias’ Monje was Best Playing Pony.
The 4-goal had 10 tough teams divided into three brackets. Brackets I and II played cross bracket while teams in Bracket III played within the bracket. The two teams with the best records advanced to the final.
Round 1 saw Sayulita/Breva Farms (Lesa Slaughter, Julie Fernandez, Jose Rodriguez, Joe Henderson) defeat La Serena (Lars Neuman, Inaki Echezarreta, Amin Badr-Din Amin, Mariano Carbone), 9-4½; Luna (Jennifer Alexy, Diego Larregli, Ernesto Ezcurra, Hannah Taylor) defeat Thermal (Reg Whyte, Sebastian Aycinena, Kaile Roos, Jake Stimmel), 9-6; Blazers (Pat Powell, Kyle Fargey, Matthew Schwartz) defeat Bitchstix (Stephanie Davidson, Juan Martin Gutierrez, Felipe Sordelli, Kim Bergman), 9-8½; La Fortuna (Caroline Anier, Luis Saracco, Jay Elordi, Elise Bigelow) defeat Alpha Omega (Erik Wright, Eileen Duffy, Camron Smith, Leandro Flocarri), 8½-7; and Exit Consulting (Ashton Wolf, Rodrigo Salinas, Lamar Rutherford, Greg Hanson) defeat Bush League (Peter Blake, Joanie Jackson, Mitch Horne, Quinn Kyle), 7-2½.
Round 2 had Blazers defeat Bush
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Parker Polo’s Madelyn Cobb, Carly Persano, Grace Parker and Audrey Persano won the Debii $$ Conant Women’s Tournament. Alex Haagen III presents the Gen. Patton trophies to Empire’s Robert Payne II, Robert Payne III, Russell Stimmel and Rob Scapa.
League, 6-3½; La Fortuna defeat La Serena, 6-2½; Thermal defeat Alpha Omega, 7½-4; Luna defeat Sayulita/Breva Farms, 8-6; Exit Consulting Group defeat Bitchstix, 5-2½.
Luna Polo and Exit Consulting met in the final. Luna got off to a great start with Ezcurra knocking in a pair of penalties and Larregli scoring from the field for an early 3-0 lead.
A Penalty 1 early in the second put Exit on the board. Ezcurra struck again, but Wolf responded for a 4-2 Luna lead. Ezcurra scored the only goal of the third on a run from center with a broken mallet to put Luna up by three, 5-2. Alexy and Larregli scored to increase the Luna lead to five. A goal from Salinas and a Penalty 1 cut the Exit deficit to three. The team kept fighting and Wolf cut the difference to two but time wasn’t on their side and Luna took the 7-5 win.
Ezcurra was MVP and Alexy’s Fifi was Best Playing Pony.
PARKER POLO EXCELS IN DEBII $$ TOURNEY
The Debii Dollar Memorial Women’s Tournament final was held on Valentine’s Day as part of Empire Polo Club’s (Indio, California) Friday Night Under the Lights. The tournament was founded by polo pro Mike Conant to honor his wife, polo player Debii Dollar Conant, who died in 1989 in a tragic horse accident at her ranch in Los Almos, California. She was 38.
Parker Polo (Grace Parker, Carly Persano, Audrey Persano, Madelyn Cobb) met Palomar Pools (Elise Pardue, Cybel Jordan, Karen Reese, Bonnie Magill) in the final.
Reese got the scoring started with a Penalty 2, which was countered by a goal from Parker. The second chukker belonged to Parker Polo as the Persano sisters combined for three goals, including a Penalty 3, to take a 4-1 lead. Reese added another, ending the chukker with a difference of two, 4-2, at the half. Magill scored early in the third and now just a goal separated the teams. Audrey Persano’s second Penalty 3 conversion in the third and a field goal early in the fourth doubled up Palomar’s score, 6-3. Reese managed one more goal before the game ended with Parker holding the trophies.
Susan Guggenheim won the inaugural Women’s Longevity Award. Guggenheim became a USPA member in 1985 and is an active player and sponsor. Her Ponytail Polo team has competed in the event for over 10 years. The award was presented by Tania Paneno and Lynni Hutton in memory of Kit Neacy who passed away on Feb. 2. Neacy will be remembered for her passion for polo and her horses, competitive nature and comradery.
Magill received the Dorrie Forstmann Sportsmanship Award. After the tragic loss of her daughter, Margery, last August, Magill not only rallied, but threw herself into her passion for polo. She helps with the kid’s polo program, teaches riding, announces, times, scores and umpires. Magill is competing in Empire’s 1-goal league this year.
The award is named for actor and player Dorrie Forstmann, who took up the sport in 1985. She played with her team, Risky Business, until a tragic mishap left her paralyzed from the waist down in 2002. She was kicked in the back by a playful young horse in a paddock in Wyoming. She died in 2015. In other action, the USPA Gen. George Patton tournament was played at both the 4- and 8-goal levels. In the 8 goal, five teams competed over two weeks. Empire (Rob Scapa, Robert Payne II, Rob Payne III, Russell Stimmel) and Evergreen (Tom Sprung, Carlos Galindo, Carlitos Galindo, Juan Jo Gonzalez) earned their way to the final with the best records. Spindrift (Torrey Ripinsky, John Bickford, Jason Crowder, Catlin Dix) and Santa Ynez (Gina Padilla, Mariano Gracida, Julio Gracida, Meghan Gracida) finished with 1-1 records and Ridgway Hemp (Beau Sta
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Zahedi Chogan’s Francisco Guinazu, Dayelle Fargey, MVP Meghan Gracida and Sy Zahedi won the 4-goal USPA Gen. George Patton. Ridgway Hemp’s Memo Gracida, Alonso Andrade, Agustin Bottaro ad Beau Staley won the 8-goal USPA Congressional Cup.
ley, Agustin Bottaro, Dayelle Fargey, Memo Gracida) ended 0-1.
The final saw a low-scoring first half, with Empire leading 3-1 at the end of three chukkers. Empire’s goals were off the mallets of Rob Scapa, Russell Stimmel and Robert Payne II; while Evergreen’s only goal was a Penalty 2 from Carlos Galindo.
The teams made up for the lack of scoring in the fourth with Scapa, Stimmel and Rob Payne III combining for four goals, while Galindo converted a Penalty 3 and Carlitos Galindo scored a field goal. Leading 7-3, Stimmel and Payne II stretched the lead to six, 9-3. Carlitos Galindo scored another before the chukker ended to enter the sixth behind, 9-4.
Evergreen effectively stopped Empire’s momentum in the final period, while goals by Sprung and Carlitos Galindo brought the difference to three. Time ran out with Empire ahead, 9-6. Scapa was MVP and Carlitos Galindo’s Kahuna was Best Playing Pony.
In the 4-goal division, six teams competed over two weeks. At the end of preliminary play, Zahedi Chogan (Sy Zahedi, Meghan Gracida, Dayelle Fargey, Francisco Guinazu) and Grand Prairie Buffaloes (Ross Adams, Cheryl Schindel, Garret Smith, Joe Henderson) emerged as finalists after going undefeated. Lockton (Tim Kelly, Audrey Persano, Luis Saracco, Chino Payan) and Hanalei Bay (Krista Bonaguidi, Alejandro Gonzalez, Taylor Freeman, Ryan Kerley) went 1-1 and Granite Bay/Archangel (Eric Hammon, German Coppel, Ashton Wolf, Alonso Andrade) and Zephyr (Elizabeth Humphreys, Lesley Tims, Valentino Echezarreta, Ignacio Saenz) ended 0-2.
In the final, Fargey struck first, adding to the half-goal handicap given to Zahedi Chogan. Smith responded for Buffaloes but Zahedi had the answer. Zahedi Chogan led 2½-1 after the first. But Zahedi Chogan was just warming up. Guinazu split the uprights in the second and a Penalty 1, followed by a goal from Zahedi put the team up 5½-1. Buffaloes struggled to reach the goal, while Zahedi Chogan was playing like a well-oiled machine. Over the next two chukkers, Gracida and Guinazu struck twice and Fargey shot through one, all of which went unanswered, giving Zahedi Chogan a 10½-1 lead.
The fifth and final chukker saw Buffaloes rally, catching Zahedi Chogan off guard. Smith hit the mark, then Schindell drove to goal. Smith followed with another and Adams found the mark. The team cut the difference by four, 10½-5. With just seconds on the clock, Guinazu shot to goal from midfield. The ball, high in the air, soared through the posts just after the final horn. Zahedi Chogan held on to the lead for the win. Meghan Gracida was MVP and Guinazu’s Rosita was Best Playing Pony. Action continued with the 8-goal USPA Congressional Cup. Evergreen (Tom Sprung, Carlos Galindo, Nick Cifuni, Carlitos Galindo) met Ridgway Hemp (Beau Staley, Agustin Bottaro, Alonso Andrade, Memo Gracida) in the final. It took almost 14 minutes for the teams to find their rhythm. The teams entered the third chukker level at 1-1.
Evergreen capitalized on some costly mistakes by Ridgway, with Carlitos Galindo converting a pair of Penalty 3s added to a field goal. Gracida scored the only goal for Ridgway, leaving Evergreen ahead, 4-2. Carlitos Galindo and Gracida traded Penalty 4 conversions in the fourth to maintain the difference.
A fire was lit under Gracida in the last two chukkers, allowing Ridgway to smoke Evergreen, 8-2. Gracida counted three goals, including a Penalty 3, in the fifth, added to a goal by Andrade while Evergreen was held to a Penalty 3 conversions from Cifuni. Ridgway held a narrow 7-6 lead going into the sixth.
Gracida sunk a Penalty 2 early in the sixth, then followed it with a run to goal. Bottaro added a goal and Andrade followed with another. Evergreen finally took control of the ball and Carlos Galindo sent it through the posts but time ran out and Ridgway Hemp held the 11-7 lead.
Memo Gracida’s Ballet was named Best Playing Pony. •
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human handler as soon as it realizes no harm is to come it, and sadness, for knowing how brutally many horses are started due to lack of understanding.
Cristobal says, “It’s important to enjoy the moment with the horse, they live in the present. Once they understand with clarity they will not be hurt, they relax and have confidence in you.”
Cristobal explains that he becomes the leader the horse can count on and trust with his safety. After a while, even a completely wild horse becomes curious and confident around its new friend, wanting to be near him. That’s the moment you realize why they do what they do.
The Scarpatis are fearless as they know their method works with feral horses that many would dismiss as too dangerous to work with. This is partly why they are so successful but also they truly listen to the horse and connect mentally by imagining being in its place. This is what brings them the results that cannot be achieved by only performing routine maneuvers.
There is something deeper: Oscar’s philosophy that it takes love, commitment, respect and understanding. Horses can read your emotions and are fully aware of your intentions, so it makes all the difference whether you go out to dominate and force a situation rather than having good intentions of working together to achieve a peaceful partnership.
Their training methods can help understand and solve almost any situation that can arise when working with horses. Oscar says that in life, people are often very disconnected. You have to be in the moment when working with horses and leave all your problems outside the round pen. People often only treat the horse as a means of pleasure or a sport’s tool. If you view them with more depth you will encounter a whole new experience. When the trainer and horse make this connection, the horse will give you his all. Relaxed horses learn much faster and ultimately perform better if they trust their rider. This is the key to producing a superstar who will give you 110%. Pushing horses beyond their mental limits causes anxiety and often unnecessary problems.
The Scarpatis are already well recognized and their methods admired by other professionals. They frequently run demonstrations and courses, and although aware performing a clinic and riding in a day is not ideal, it is an excellent opportunity to show how much cooperation can be achieved between horses and humans with their methods. They also perform tricks such as those shown in the photographs with the polo ponies, to show the level of trust they put in their horses. Cristobal touches the horse with his hands all over.
If a horse is young and not traumatized, it usually can be ridden the first day. Cristobal recommends taking time and giving the horse longer to learn.
If the horse is relaxed, Cristobal can usually mount it within three or four hours.
Once the horse realizes he will not be hurt, he becomes curious and confident around you.
Their legacy is a moral commitment to educating future generations that there is a better way to train horses and how to earn the right to intervene with the life of another in a positive way. As well as learning about horses, we also learn more about ourselves. In turn, as we learn, new possibilities arise in life.
To learn more about the Scarpatis, visit their website: scarpatihorsemanship.com. •
