June 2019 Polo Players' Edition

JUNE 2019

USA edges England in Westchester Cup

$5.00 US/$5.50 Canada

CONTENTS

P L AY E R S’ E D I T I O N

J U N E 201 9

VOL. 22,

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

28 No place like home

6

by Gwen Rizzo

Association News USPA Bulletin Team spotlight

USA win keeps historic trophy on U.S. soil

32 Won and a million

12 Instructors Forum

Pilot takes the Gauntlet title and the cash

38 Go Green

N O. 10

by Mariano Gonzalez

14 Usefuls

by Gwen Rizzo

Dublin captures Gladiator Polo Championship

Clubs join forces

16 Equine Athlete Top talent

JUNE 2019

18 22 24 42

TION P L AY E R S’ E D I

USA edges England in Westchester Cup

OUR COVER Mike Azzaro, on Best Playing Pony Allie, put in a stellar performance in the Westchester Cup. Photo by Alex Pacheco

Polo Scene News, notes, trends & quotes Polo Development Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Polo in the Pampas

by Ernesto Rodriguez

44 58 60 48

Polo around the Globe Calendar Yesteryears Polo Report San Saba takes WCT Open final

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OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN SIGNED COLUMNS ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLISHERS OF THIS MAGAZINE.

2 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

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P L AY E R S’ E D I T I O N THE

OFFICIAL MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE

UNITED STATES POLO ASSOCIATION

Editor & Publisher

GWEN D. RIZZO

Contributing Editors

HEATHER SMITH THOMAS, ERNESTO RODRIGUEZ, ALICE GIPPS, CHRIS ASHTON, TOM GOODSPEED

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VOL. 22, No.10 POLO Players’ Edition (ISSN #1096-2255) is published monthly by Rizzo Management Corp. 6008 Reynolds RD, Lake Worth, FL 33449 for U.S. Polo Association, 9011 Lake Worth RD, Lake Worth, FL 33467.

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4 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

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U S PA B U L L E T I N

Spring Meetings The USPA board of governors and the USPA subsidiaries, committees and staff met in West Palm Beach, Florida, April 17-22, for the 2019 USPA Board of Governors Spring Meeting. The week began with the Chairman’s Cocktail Reception hosted at the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame in Lake Worth, Florida, during which the new Gauntlet of Polo trophy was unveiled.

The reception was followed by two days of committee meetings and division presentations at the Embassy Suites in West Palm Beach. On Friday night, the USPA and the Polo Training Foundation co-hosted a polo party and awards ceremony at International Polo Club Palm Beach’s pavilion in Wellington, Florida.

The April board of governors meeting took place Saturday morning from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. The afternoon went on to feature two polo games that took place at IPC, beginning with the traditional governor’s polo match followed by the Jr. Westchester Cup. The week culminated in the CaptiveOne U.S. Open Polo Championship final at IPC. The following is a brief recap of the committee and subsidiary meetings: Arena Arena polo is strong and growing with 49 circuit events awarded for the year and all national tournaments awarded in 2019. A resolution was passed requiring all national events be umpired by USPA certified umpires. This change will be implemented by the Rules Committee for 2020.

Armed Forces The committee anticipates sending a team to India and will coordinate with the International Committee and USPA Global Licensing, Inc. for branding and endorsement. Additionally, the committee is working in conjunction with the Women’s Committee to start a women’s military tournament.

Audit Chuck Stanislawski was elected chair of the Audit Committee. Following interviews of several candidates, the Audit Committee recommended Habib Nasrullah to fill the vacancy left by the terming out of Gene Burk, which the board unanimously approved.

Chip Campbell put forth a motion to approve Gene Burk as the new chairman of the Nominating Committee. The motion was amended to include corporate council to be in attendance at the Nominating Committee meetings.

6 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Board and Staff Development The board approved new job designs developed by the Board and Staff Development Committee for circuit governors, governors-at-large and lt. governors. The next order of business will include job designs for delegates.

Club and Member Administration Chairman Steven Armour announced that the committee endorsed the club action list approved during the secretary’s report. Included on the list were recommendations to move Liberty Hall Polo Club (Virginia) and Marlan Farm Polo Club (Maryland) from provisional active status to active member club. It was noted that since the 2018 fall meeting, a total of five new clubs have been approved, three active member clubs (101 Polo Club, Beverly Polo Club, Epic Polo Club), one affiliate member club (La Loma Polo Club) and one associate member club (Brisbane Polo Club).

Constitution Charles Smith reported that during the 2018 Fall Board of Governors and Annual Member Meeting the board approved a motion to move the large purchase policy from the policy section to the constitution. This change will be presented as a constitution change for delegate approval at the 2019 Fall Board of Governors and Annual Member Meeting.

Equine Welfare Dr. Manno noted there are a number of ways to report equine abuse and neglect including the USPA hotline phone number, which can be found on the USPA website along with additional reporting information.

An update on the Equine Drugs and Medications Program was provided. Since testing restarted in the fall of 2018, testing has taken place at five clubs. A total of 122 horses from 19 teams have been tested with only two actionable violations found.

Executive The entire committee met in person on Friday, April 19, and discussed some ongoing issues including: umpire admonishment, a catalog vs. outright horse registry, Polito Pieres as a potential USPA ambassador, USPA office space and more.

The board ratified the actions of the Executive Committee since the fall board of governors meeting to present as outlined in the Executive Committee meeting minutes.

U S PA B U L L E T I N

The board of governors meeting was held in West Palm Beach in April.

Finance The board approved the investment policy as updated and endorsed by the Finance Committee.

Handicap Since three independent committees were formed, the board approved the adoption of the new mission statements for the Outdoor, Arena and Women’s Handicap Committees, which will replace the National Handicap Committee Mission Statement.

High-Goal The committee reported that the USPA has done an excellent job of marketing the Gauntlet of Polo in its inaugural year with all three draw parties well attended. The relationship formed this year between the USPA, IPC and USPA Global Licensing, Inc. has benefitted the sport by providing an example of how to work with the host clubs of the USPA’s largest tournaments.

Horse Registry Chairman Stewart Armstrong offered the development of a horse catalog as a stepping block for ultimately creating a horse registry. The catalog would consist of the best horses playing in the United States, beginning with those competing in the Gauntlet of Polo.

International Joseph Meyer reported that U.S. teams swept both the Townsend Cup and International Intercollegiate Challenge Cup played at IPC in January. In April, USA took the Junior Westchester Cup over England

for the second consecutive year in a row with a final score of 6-4. The Westchester Cup was contested on Sunday, April 28. Coached by Julio Arellano, USA, represented by Mike Azzaro, Peke Gonzalez, Geronimo Obregon and Jared Zenni, found itself in a pulsepounding overtime chukker. Obregon delivered the final goal to capture the Westchester Cup, 9-8, for the first time since 1992.

The International Committee is working with the Women’s Committee and the Federation of International Polo to have a U.S. team compete in the Women’s World Cup, which will be played in Argentina in April 2020.

Nominating USPA CEO Bob Puetz updated the board that the Nominating Committee will be chaired by Gene Burk. The committee will be meeting in May to propose a slate for the 12 board-approved governor-atlarge seats.

Rules/Rules Interpretation Chris Green reported that Midstates Circuit Governor Trey Schott and Team USPA member Jesse Bray are the two newest members of the Rules Committee, replacing former Midstates Circuit Governor Mark Sedacca and Nic Roldan. The committee will undertake two major initiatives before the fall meeting: revising the arena rules to incorporate within them the optional tournament conditions for various arena rules; and working to consolidate the outdoor rules and international rules into a single set of rules with key differences between them at different goal levels clearly identified.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 7

U S PA B U L L E T I N

Safety Chairman Dr. Thor Norregaard announced that two well-known helmet manufacturers, Casablanca and Charles Owen, have tested their helmets in-house and believe they will pass the NOCSAE Polo Standard. USPA Chairman Chip Campbell asked for helmet prototypes, prices and a legal review on potential liability to be presented at the fall meeting in order to make a final decision on whether or not the association will move forward with the mandate.

Tournament Mike Carney reported that the Tournament Committee met to discuss the awarding of 2020 National Tournaments. They tabled three tournaments for later discussion: the Silver Cup, the National Outdoor Commander-in-Chief Cup, and the U.S. Open Arena Championship.

Chair Erica Gandomcar-Sachs gives the Women’s Committee report.

Women’s Polo Women’s Committee Chair Erica GandomcarSachs reported that the relocation of the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship to Florida was highly successful, boasting eight teams. IPC will host the event in 2020 with the final featured on the U.S. Polo Assn. Field No. 1.

In an effort to boost the number of clubs hosting USPA women’s tournaments, the committee has decided to create a reimbursement program for clubs hosting a qualifying tournament. Clubs will have to fill out a post-tournament questionnaire in order to receive a reimbursement of $250.

Young Players Chairman Todd Thurston announced new committee members, including Hope Arellano, Zach

8 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Grob, Jim Wright, Mason Wroe, Costi Caset, Kylie Sheehan, Jared Zenni and Grant Ganzi.

Communications Department USPA Marketing, LLC The USPA Polo Network livestreamed 102 winter season games and 78 during the Gauntlet of Polo.

The platform was rebranded to match the Gauntlet branding guidelines. There were 651,282 unique views across all platforms streaming the USPA Polo Network, including uspolo.org, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The department built a state-of-the-art landing page for the Gauntlet and three tournament detail pages on uspolo.org, resulting in a 166-percent increase in traffic to the site from last year.

In a continued effort to support the polo industry and bring awareness to topics surrounding USPA tournaments, the department wrote special interest stories during the Florida high-goal season. The articles highlighted top horses, teams, polo club managers and commentators. Also, the department has focused on circuit governor interest articles with the goal of making the leadership more relatable and therefore more approachable to membership.

Polo Development, LLC Polo Development, LLC encompasses Club and Membership Development, Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Polo, Team USPA and Junior Polo Committees and associated programs. Throughout the second half of 2018 and the first half of 2019, Polo Development, LLC has been conducting a strategic planning process to best address the needs of USPA membership and align its programs to sustain the sport of polo for future generations.

This year’s changes to the PDI program included a shift to a grant-based program, removal of the $10,000 request limit, inclusion of capital improvements/infrastructure and incorporation of multiyear requests. This year, 110 clubs applied. Specific to capital projects, a 50 percent matching policy was established. PDI requests predominately addressed individual club needs for arena facilities/ improvements.

The board approved the revised Team USPA Committee mission statement, and the Team USPA Committee policy. Team USPA will refocus specifically on developing higher-rated American players.

Umpires, LLC From January through April 2019, 26 professional umpires were under contract, 18 of which were officiating at seven winter clubs in Florida, equating to 621 games to date. In California, seven umpires

U S PA B U L L E T I N

were officiating at two clubs for a total of 186 games.

In the Intercollegiate/Interscholastic program, 21 umpires were under contract, officiating a total of 124 games within 18 tournaments. For the upcoming spring and summer, 16 clubs have requested fulltime umpires for their seasons.

For a $500 fee, the PUMP/8 Program enables a club to receive a professional umpire for national or circuit events 8 goals and under. This program remains an overwhelmingly popular resource.

Umpires, LLC is on schedule to umpire between 130150 PUMP/8 tournaments this year, a definite increase from 117 in 2018.

Global Licensing, LLC Michael Prince reported that the brand has reached $1.7 billion in revenue. Further, it is expanding into more markets and categories in 2020, while other brands are closing stores and going out of business. U.S. Polo Assn. is currently ranked No. 42 in the top 150 licensors, surpassing Coca-Cola, Professional Golfers’ Association of America and the National Hockey League.

The most recent advertising campaign was photographed at Empire Polo Club (Indio, California) where the iconic Coachella music festival is held.

Featuring the recognizable, bright colors of U.S. Polo Assn., the advertisement is both aspirational and widely appealing to the target demographic.

Also, the increased involvement and sponsorship opportunities with the new nationwide collegiate outreach program have been a success with 19 colleges signed up this year. Through this initiative, players at colleges and universities across the country sported U.S. Polo Assn.-branded product to wear in their polo games and on campus throughout the polo and academic season. The program has provided a multitude of USPA college polo teams with jerseys, white pants and polo shirts while simultaneously allowing U.S. Polo Assn. to form new ambassador relationships with players at the participating schools.

The Gauntlet has overall been a huge success and USPAGL has built a relationship with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. The Polo Life video has exposed potential new fans to the sport of polo by showcasing the lifestyle of the game and the brand in Wellington, Florida.

• • • •

Awards Woman of the Year: Dawn Jones Russ Sheldon Award for outstanding contribution to arena polo: Danny Scheraga Tom Hughes Umpire Award: Charlie Muldoon Clint Nangle Equine Welfare Award: Pamela

Flanagan • Hugo Delmar Jr. Sportsmanship Trophy: Skey Johnston Jr. and Stewart Armstrong • General George S. Patton Jr. Award: Karl Hilberg

Bob Puetz, Erica Gandomcar-Sachs, Woman of the Year Dawn Jones and Lindsay Dolan

Russ Sheldon Award winner Danny Scheraga, Dan Coleman and Bob Puetz

Mike Manno, Lindsay Dolan, Equine Welfare Award winner Pamela Flanagan and CEO Bob Puetz Bob Puetz, Britt Baker and Umpire Award winner Charlie Muldoon

CEO Bob Puetz, Stewart Armstrong, Chip Campbell and Skey Johnston Jr.

Bob Puetz, Mark Gillespie and Patton Award winner Karl Hilberg

Published by the United States Polo Association Offices at 9011 Lake Worth Rd., Lake Worth, Florida 33467 • (800) 232-USPA Chairman: Chip Campbell President: Tony Coppola Secretary: Stewart Armstrong Treasurer: Sam Ramirez Chief Executive Officer: Robert Puetz

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 9

HAYLEY HEATLEY

U S PA B U L L E T I N

The Aiken NYTS qualifier was one of four held in April.

National Youth Tournament Series The National Youth Tournament Series Championship Cecil Smith Cup and Girls All-Star division will be held at New Bridge Polo Club in Aiken, South Carolina, Sept. 5-8.

Thirteen teams competed in four qualifiers during the month of April including tournaments held at Port Mayaca Polo Club, International Polo Club Palm Beach, Aiken Polo Club and Prestonwood Polo Club. NYTS qualifiers are open to junior players born after Jan. 1, 2000, holding a minimum of a minus-1 handicap. For more information on the NYTS program, visit uspolo.org, or contact your local polo club.

Young Player Outreach The second review date for YPO applications is July 1. The Young Player Opportunity Grant is intended to provide funding for youth players to use for opportunities that will cultivate, train, develop and educate American polo players 19 and under in an effort to enhance their playing ability at a young age. Applicants are encouraged to be creative and thoughtful when seeking funding opportunities.

Eligibility details and application documents are available on uspolo.org.

10 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Middle School Do you have a group of players in grades 5-8? Make sure to let us know if you are interested in hosting a middle school tournament. The middle school program runs from August to December at clubs all across the country. If you are interested in hosting a tournament, contact Emily Dewey at edewey@uspolo.org.

Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Thank you to all of the volunteers, host sites, horse providers, umpires, managers, parents, coaches and players for a wonderful I/I season. This season saw success among teams both new and old and a plethora of talented youth polo players. We can’t wait to see you next season!

Intercollegiate Scholarships Are you a current intercollegiate or senior interscholastic player, planning on playing on an intercollegiate polo team? Six $4,000 scholarships are available through the USPA Intercollegiate Scholarship program. Requirements can be found on uspolo.org.

Applications will be accepted from April 1 to June 3.

Contact Amy Fraser at afraser@uspolo.org for more details.

U S PA B U L L E T I N

Cessna A new era of polo takes flight

C

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS.COM

meaningful way so it was asually gathered around El Sur worthwhile for me,” Campbell Polo Club’s barn in remarked. “Now, 14 years later, Wellington, Florida, on a I’m playing at the highest level I’ve Friday morning, drinking maté, ever played, in the U.S. Open Polo members of the Cessna Polo Team Championship, so that is pretty exude a friendly familiarity and good for me personally. undeniable camaraderie after only “Any time you get on a field a few months together. against a 10-goaler like Hilario The intricacies of crafting a Ulloa, for me that’s a big deal. balanced high-goal team, relatively Those are the little things that I unknown to those outside of the value and get out of this polo community, with the experience that make it worth me selection of a winning spending the money. It isn’t often combination of ingredients you get on a field in a competitive (including compatible environment with one of the top personalities, horse depth and players in the world,” Campbell playing ability) is the first strategic explained. step towards a successful season.

Recognizing a unique Jumping at the opportunity to opportunity in the 2019 season participate in high goal this Chip Campbell with the inaugural Gauntlet of winter, USPA Chairman Chip Polo, Campbell and good friend and fellow USPA Campbell III’s leap into the 22-goal Gauntlet of Polo officer, Secretary Stewart Armstrong, decided to put as Cessna team owner reinforces the association’s together teams, simultaneously exposing new talent reasoning for lowering the event’s handicap level, to the highest levels of play while getting to enjoy the allowing for new faces to make their high-goal debut. ride themselves.

Joined by Team USPA member Felipe Viana, “I’m 54 years old, but I’m still relatively fit and Ezequiel “Gallego” Martinez Ferrario and Felipe healthy for my age and I still feel like I can move “Pipe” Marquez, Campbell struck a harmonious around pretty well on the field,” Campbell shared. “If chord, surrounding himself with determined I can carry my 2-goal handicap with these guys and teammates to reach the C.V. Whitney Cup semifinals play at this level where I can contribute and be part in their first season together. of the team, that’s very personal to me. I wanted to Introduced to the world of polo as a child by his participate in these tournaments before something stepfather, Campbell’s budding hobby was cut short happens that might prevent me from doing so and after only a couple of years at age 12 when his take advantage of the opportunity now.” mother divorced. Finding his way back to the sport Introducing a few horses from his own Clearwater by chance, Campbell’s love for the game was breeding program to the intensity of high goal, reignited later in life at 40.

Campbell is grooming his string in preparation for “I went for almost 30 years without riding a horse the day they will be passed down to his son, 2-goaler and then came back into the sport just by Camp Campbell. happenstance,” Campbell said. “I was visiting my inReceiving a third-party sponsorship through his laws and I saw my childhood friends, who I rode personal friendship with the former president of with, all playing polo and said to myself, ‘I can do Textron Aviation, manufacturer of Beechcraft and this! I was better than they were when I was 10!’”

Cessna Aircraft, Campbell was able to secure Cessna Within two months he was all in, purchasing a as the official team sponsor and make his high-goal truck, trailer and four polo ponies, and traveling to dreams a reality. the mecca of polo in Argentina in search of a new challenge.

“By then I had the means to participate in a (continued on page 56) POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 11

INSTRUCTORS FORUM

Recipe for success Be organized on and off the field

By Mariano Gonzalez

The best teams win before they even make it to the field. On the field you need focus, discipline and patience.

12 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

hot and screaming at you, don’t respond to it. Be calm. You don’t want to waste energy you need to play.

Don’t let them get in your head. Keep your focus on the play and be patient.

Look for teammates with the same style as yours, meaning they have the same concepts and will back you up. No matter what position you start at, be ready to rotate and back up your teammates when necessary.

Always work on improving your string. Get the best horses you can afford and ride everyday. Be sure the horses are well-suited for your style and level of play.

Fast doesn’t necessarily mean its a good horse. You will need one that can stop and turn too. The more you ride, the better your horsemanship skills will become, giving you an advantage.

ALEX PACHECO

The best teams win before they start the season.

They spend money on horses, put together a team of quality players who work well together and they are organized both on and off the field.

If you want to be successful on the field, even against the toughest teams, be super disciplined, focused and patient. Put a team together where everyone will have something to offer. It is better if everyone gets along and uses good communication skills. Ideally, the players will talk to each other to avoid mistakes, but will not be abusive to each other.

Screaming never helps. The best players rarely get yellow cards or scream at their teammates. They are too focused for that. The players who lose their tempers, usually lose the game.

If you are on a team with a player that is getting

Managing your horses is also really important. You don’t ever want them to get worn out. Get your horses fit for the type of polo they will be playing. If you are playing a long season, don’t get them too fit too soon or they will peak too early and be tired for the second half of the season.

Know your horses so if they start to get tired when you are playing them, you will know when to get off them. Pay attention to how much you play each horse. If your horses are getting played too much too often, they will likely start breaking down.

Organize your horse list against your teammates’ lists so if one of you has a weak chukker, the other players can plan to be on better horses.

Penalty shots are a big part of the game. Even if one player on your team usually takes the penalty shots, it is still important for everyone to practice taking them on a regular basis. Some teams like having one person take the Penalty 4s and someone else taking the open-goal penalties. It really doesn’t make a difference. It is all mental. Hit every penalty shot as if it is a Penalty 4. Don’t change your swing or hit with less power when taking open-goal penalties.

Practicing the penalty shots will help with your timing and your swing. When everyone on the team practices taking penalty shots, if the person who usually takes them is on a horse that won’t settle down, another teammate can take over.

Watch some of the better players to see how they do things, like ride, swing, control the ball and defend. Learn little things from many players. A lot of young players make the mistake of watching the best, flashiest player and try to copy what he does. Without the horses and skills, they will never be able to do what that player does. Watch the players that play more of the old style, those that keep focused, stay calm, have patience and use all of their teammates.

Selfish players will try to do it all themselves and will often lose. Holding the ball too long is dangerous and you can’t hold it forever. When playing against the best players, if you sneeze, they will make you pay. Have a solid game plan before you go out on the field and stay disciplined. •

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USEFULS

Joining forces Clubs, players benefit from working together

MELISSA RATH

Supporting and growing grass-roots clubs are imperative to the health and longevity of the sport.

Players and clubs all benefit when area clubs learn to work together.

Decades ago, clubs in California established the Pacific Coast Arena League. Played each year throughout the summer, each club hosts the

Kailey Eldredge, Ian Schnoebelen and Skylar Dale compete in the PCAL at California Polo Club.

competition for a weekend. Participating clubs are required to have a minimum number of players competing in each event. The tournaments are held at three levels, from beginner to 3 goals.

Players earn points for wins and sportsmanship, MVP and Best Playing Pony awards at each event.

Points are tallied throughout the season, with awards given at a year-end banquet. Entry fees are minimal, with a portion going toward league prizes and the banquet.

Last September, OC Polo Club hosted 19 teams on its PCAL weekend. Players came from several southern California polo clubs including Central Coast, Lakeside, California and Poway. The games were very competitive with several requiring shootouts to determine a winner. California Polo Club hosted the year-end award banquet.

This type of competition benefits everyone. It encourages clubs to interact with each other, and offers players opportunities to travel and meet other

14 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

players. When the players are having more fun and facing better competition, they are more likely to want to improve and continue playing. This type of comaraderie is beginning to catch on.

Two years ago, three polo schools in the Washington, D.C. area held their inaugural InterAcademy Polo Tournament at the Seneca Polo Club arena. Students from Mountain View Polo School in Charles Town, West Virginia; and Seneca and Congressional Polo Clubs in Poolesville, Maryland, got a taste of tournament play.

School instructors Nico Eurnekian, Wayne Briere and Hugo Pasten coached from the sidelines and Laura Goddard umpired.

The event was put together by Equine and Polo Network of the Atlantic (EPoNA), a polo network in the Maryland, D.C. and Virginia area to organize events, exchange ideas and share resources.

“Inter-Academy Tournaments have been a huge success for us and our partner clubs in Maryland. It gives our polo club members, most of whom do not own horses, an opportunity to travel and compete with and against other club members who play at the same level as they do, and in a fun, social atmosphere. The Inter-Academy Tournaments are a welcome change from playing the same people all season in one club.” explained Mountain View’s Goddard. “The tournaments also give our players a goal to work towards—a reason to practice more and prepare for a competition. Many of the players are not at a level of experience yet or are not comfortable with competing in USPA tournaments yet, and inter-academy tournaments give them an opportunity to play in a less formal environment that still has an element of competition, but with emphasis on having fun, learning and socializing with other players.”

To keep the competition fair and fun, the clubs assign handicaps to each player on a scale of 1-5, ranging from a complete novice with minimal riding skills to players that know the rules well and can carry the ball at a canter. The teams are made by mixing players from different clubs to create teams of equal handicaps.

Goddard said the tournaments were equally successful on the field as in the arena. “We did use a

NANO’S POLO MALLETS

USEFULS

Mountain View Polo’s Hugo Pasten and Laura Goddard, Congressional Polo’s Neil Agate and Nico Eurnekian and Seneca Polo’s Wayne and Kate Briere host an Inter-Academy tournament.

shortened field so players did not have to carry the ball as far and run as much,” she said.

In 2018, the Texas Arena League made its debut and it continued this past winter. This year, four events were held over three months at three different locations: Legend’s Horse Ranch in Kaufman, Two Wishes Ranch in Lockhart and Midland Polo Club in Midland.

Played at two levels (0- to 3goal and 3- to 6-goal), players and teams competed for points based on win/loss/tie in each tournament.

Individual points were also given to Sportsman, MVP and Best Playing Pony award winners. Additional awards were decided on by committee or voting by fans and players.

Aside from club tournaments, USPA tournaments were held during the events.

Players in USPA events also received points for the National Arena Amateur Cup, to be held in November at OC Polo Club in California.

Educational opportunities, like an arena rules review, an equine nutrition workshop, a vet discussion and game training with a professional umpire, were offered in conjunction with the TAL. According to Robin Sanchez, 119

players on 40 teams from over 20 clubs participated in its inaugural year and this year saw a 50 percent increase in number of players as well as a 60 percent increase in number of teams. That included players traveling hundreds of miles and

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Because of the success of the Texas Arena League, Midland and Willow Bend are sending teams to compete in each other’s 8-goal events and 12 clubs are combining efforts to grow participation in USPA women’s tournaments with the introduction of the Mid-Continent Women’s Polo Series. (continued on page 54)

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E Q U I N E AT H L E T E

Top talent Horses honored after competitive season Photos by Shelley Heatley

Martinez also attended the presentation.

ognized several horses for their outstanding play during this year’s high-goal season, including the highly-competitive Gauntlet of Polo.

The Best String of the Season was awarded to 10-goaler Polito Pieres’ string, including Machitos Versuit, Pulguin, Villera, Esplendida, Rabbit, Machitos Pangia, Soul and Milky Way. Pieres was a member of the Aspen team, which went 8-3 during the Gauntlet of Polo. Pieres scored over half—67 in fact—of his team’s 122 goals during the season.

Scoring that many goals likely wouldn’t be possible without incredible horses to carry him.

Polito’s string was honored with a bronze trophy presented by former 10-goaler Eduardo Heguy. Polito’s father, former 7-goaler Paul Pieres, accepted the bronze on Polito’s behalf. The horses were stabled at Marcos Bignoli Jr.’s La Calavera Ranch during the season. Bignoli and groom Francisco

Horse of the Year, an honor voted on by players competing in the high goal, went to Facundo Pieres’ Open Canosa, a 10-year-old bay mare known for her explosive power and quick stops and turns.

She was also awarded Best Playing Pony of the Gauntlet of Polo.

From the Pieres’ breeding operation, she is out of La Chusma by Open Lo Viste. La Chusma was a famous mare of Carlos Gracida’s. She was sold to Kerry Packer’s Ellerston Polo when Facundo’s father, Gonzalo, was playing with him. La Chusma became one of Gonzalo’s best horses. When Kerry Packer got out of polo, she went to Gonzalo. Lo Viste is out of one of Ellerstina’s best broodmares, La Ilusión.

She was saddle broke by Polito Ulloa, father of 10goaler Hilario Ulloa, and trained by Ellerstina’s team SHELLEY HEATLEY

Paul Pieres, Marcos Bignoli Jr. and Francisco Martinez with Machitos Versuit, Pulguin, Villera, Esplendida and Rabbit

INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB Palm Beach rec-

16 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

CRISTINA FERNANDEZ

E Q U I N E AT H L E T E

of trainers led by Francisco Irastorza. This was her first season playing in the U.S. after playing in the Argentine Triple Crown for the last three years.

Pieres generally plays her one chukker, in the fourth or fifth period. He said Open Canosa gives him a lot of confidence when he plays her. Pieres played for the winning Pilot team, finishing with a 16-0 record.

He says she is really nice to ride but as soon as she is in a game situation she is very competitive. He doesn’t usually play her in practices because she gives so much every time she is on the field and needs time to relax. After a long season, she will enjoy some turnout in Virginia until its time to come back for next season.

Groom Julian Pettinato, Gillian Johnston, Luis Escobar and Jasmine

The Wembley Award went to Luis Escobar’s Jasmine. The Wembley Award honors horses that have enjoyed long careers in high-goal polo. It was named for the dark bay gelding, Wembley, who was retired from the sport in 2016 at 22 years old. Today he is enjoying his retirement at Mimi Gracida’s ranch in North Carolina.

Jasmine, a 16-year-old grey mare, continues to compete in high-goal polo. Escobar, a member of the Santa Clara team, played her in the Gauntlet of Polo.

• POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 17

ALEX PACHECO

Facundo Pieres and Horse of the Year Open Canosa

POLO SCENE

N E W S • NO T E S • T R E N D S • Q U O T E S

HAPPY RETIREMENT! HEAD Club celebrates polo Subhead school horse’s career

IT IS NOT OFTEN A HORSE comes along who influences as many people as Orange County Polo

Snoopy poses with members of the polo club at his retirement party. He also enjoyed carrots and horse cookies.

18 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Club’s trusty lesson horse, Snoopy. In his late 20s, Snoopy is still going strong and is sound and spunky! The club, located in Silverado, California, celebrated the career of this amazing horse with a retirement party on April 28.

He has always been a polo natural, contributing so much to the sport and its new players while remaining in such amazing physical shape. After 11 years in our school, we have decided to retire him to my backyard with Banjo, another famous OCPC [horse] who happens to be 31 years old!

Snoopy was originally purchased from Stan and Kim Townsend by Matthew Fonseca. Apparently, he was originally called Mr. T but a groom confused his name and the new name—Snoopy—stuck.

Fonseca said, “He was always a nice horse to be around and it was hard for me to let him go.” He ultimately sold him to Dan Horn at Eldorado Polo Club.

I was cleaning tack and Matthew came galloping in bareback with just a halter on the most adorable giant bay horse. Dan’s barn manager, Cyndi Barnestorm, and I used to fight over who got to ride him in sets because he was so comfy. I told her the very first day that I wanted dibs on him when Dan was finished. Dan played him in 12 goal for years. In 2006, Dan was shifting to slightly shorter-statured horses and I had the opportunity to sell Snoopy to up-and-coming new player, Rick Paicius. Snoopy taught him the ropes of the sport and a couple years later Rick was kind enough to give him to me as a lesson horse for OC Polo.

“He was a hell of a polo pony! Just goes to show that you select good animals with good confirmation, good minds and playing ability and take care of them and they last,” said Horn.

Throughout the next 11 years, Snoopy taught countless students and was the gateway for many into the sport. Joanna Faulkner said, “Snoopy was my very first polo lesson in October of 2014. Snoopy took such great care of me despite being a tall glass of water! I enjoyed his joyful slobber once we really got going and typically received a foamy kiss at the end of a lesson. Snoopy was personally part of the beginning of my polo journey. I will never forget him being my first teacher and helping me fall so in love with polo. He is one of the reasons that I fell in love with the sport and I wish him a very well-deserved retirement full of long sunny days and lots of snacks!”

In addition to being used for adult lessons, Snoopy was a barn favorite with the interscholastic players. Mariel Bialy explained, “Snoopy taught me what it meant to play as a team—as horse and rider.

Without one another, the game cannot exist. He taught me to put my all into the play, and in return he would give me multiple pony goals. Love you, Snoopy!”

Snoopy’s party was a great success! He posed for many photos, spent some time running in the arena with his lesson pony pals, ate his body weight in carrots and enjoyed homemade horse cookies.

—Heather Perkins

POLO SCENE

HORSE HEADCARE Club holds equine Subhead first aid class

Dr. Rosenbaum discussed how to take vital signs.

Participants went home with stethoscopes and thermometers.

JIM BREMNER

Dr.text Joe Rosenberg of Paniolo Equine Services (Mira Mesa, California) spent much of the class discussing places to check for a horse’s pulse, vital signs, information to provide to the vet if you think your horse is colicking and identifying when a horse is in distress through elevated heart rate and respiration.

He provided a handout on what to include in your equine first aid kit, including a short tube (like 6 inches of a water hose) to stick in the opening of a horse’s nostrils in case of a snakebite on the muzzle. He discussed the different types of colic typical for the West Coast, such as sand colic from eating hay off the ground in a sandy bottom stall. In most cases, these kinds of colic can be mitigated by providing slightly elevated eating options.

Dr. Rosenberg suggested always having emergency contact information placed in front of each horse’s stall, getting your horse microchipped (which you then register) and discussing with your local barns and horse community where the equine evacuation areas are in case of fire, flooding or other emergencies.

He went over applying a bandage for a cut or injury to the lower legs, and then had a lengthy discussion on quarantine procedures and biosecurity. Dr. Rosenberg used to work for the Department of Agriculture and oversaw several outbreaks of various contagious diseases among various livestock populations. Horse quarantine is a very difficult thing to manage, and everyone must adhere to the procedures set forth by barn management (or the state officials) in order to quickly contain the disease.

Polo horses are so mobile and so close to one another before, during and after the matches and practices, so disease in a polo community could be devastating.

Attendees were treated to a free stethoscope and thermometer for attending. The event was created and managed by club member Gillian Young, and was provided free to members of Poway Polo Club and Poway Valley Riders Association, but was open to the public for a small fee. About two dozen people showed up for the inaugural class.

Other clubs may consider having this type of class for their members. The information is invaluable and may help save a life one day. By inviting other area equestrians, you can get to know them and they might be able to help you in the event of an emergency. And you just might recruit a few new polo players.

Special thanks to Poway Valley Riders Association for hosting the event and to Dr. Joe Rosenberg for donating his time to lead the class, and to Jim Bremner for taking the photos even while he was attending the event.

JIM BREMNER

MEMBERS OF POWAY POLO CLUB in Poway, California, and its parent facility Poway Valley Riders hostedAREA an equine aid class TAssociation HE TRIANGLE POLOfirst CLUB text with a discussion on quarantine and biosecurity measures.

About two dozen people attended the event. Area residents were invited as well.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 19

POLO SCENE

WELLHEAD WISHES

Subhead Event raises funds for clean water in Africa

WHILE MOST 16 YEAR OLDS in Sarasota, Florida, are focused on the cool waters lapping on the

Pippa Campbell, center, and Jamie Klauber, right, present trophies to the winners.

area’s picturesque beaches, Pippa Campbell thinks about the lack of water in African villages.

Both of Pippa’s parents grew up in Africa—her father, 7-goal polo player Stuart Campbell was born in South Africa and her mother, Victoria was born in Zimbabwe—so the family visits there regularly.

On a visit there last year, the family drove through the villages and Pippa noticed women and girls carrying 5-gallon water buckets on their heads. She learned they walk for three miles each week to fetch water to use for drinking, cooking and washing.

Though she had seen it before, the reality of it never really sunk in until last year.

That’s when she decided to take action.

She contacted Jaymie Klauber, who owns the Epic Polo Club, and asked for his help in putting together a benefit polo match. Klauber was happy to help and the two began planning.

The goal was to raise $8,000, enough to install a well with a sturdy hand pump in Livingston, Zambia, to provide access to clean water for the Sinandunda and Komanyana villages.

“Building a well in their village would allow each family access to clean water, which would improve their health, save them hours of walking and help build a better community,” African women and girls carry water she said. The project will help those living in poverty get some3 miles on their heads each week for thing we take for granted everyday. drinking, cooking and washing.

The match was held on March 16 at Klauber’s club in Sarasota. Teams were sponsored by Sequoya Holdings and Charity and Weiss International Realty. The benefit included a kids’ game, the main game and equestrian demonstrations. The benefit raised $5,370.

If you’d like to help Pippa reach her goal, you can donate by sending a check to Well Wishes Donation Fund, 379 Peacemaker RD, Monticello, FL, 32344, or by donating to an account at Wells Fargo Bank in Florida. Name on account: Well Wishes Donation Fund; Routing No.: 063107513; Account No.: 5546838540.

Sitting this game out? Be a good observer. Watch as much polo as you can. Pay attention to what the great players are doing away from the ball.

SanDiegoPolo@hotmail.com

20 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

ALEX PACHECO

PARKER’S POLO MINUTE

POLO SCENE

RELIVING HISTORY Polo returns to Fort Sam Houston

Gen. Buchanan presents trophies to Gal Shweiki, Javier Insua, Walker Hobby and John Greening.

DAVID MURRELL

for the second year in a row, polo returned to Fort Sam Houston.

The U.S. Polo Association Southwest Circuit played a match on Saturday, March 30, at 11 a.m. on the parade field between cross streets of Henry T. Allen and Schofield Roads. The match was free and open to anyone who could access the post.

This year’s match had an Army team returning to face an Air Force team. With three players (Gal Shweiki, John Greening, Javier Insua) returning from last year’s winning team and joined this year by 2nd Lt. Walker Hobby (USMC) the Army team again proved victorious, convincingly defeating the Air Force team of Sgt. Rob Phipps, (USAF), Brady Williams, Cmdr. Karl Hilberg, (USN) and Pud Nieto.

Historically polo was a popular and significant sport to the military. Practically, it helped improve the riding skills of cavalrymen, but many Army leaders realized it also taught leadership, teamwork and strategy. Notable advocates and players included Gen. John Pershing, Gen. George Patton Jr., and Medal of Honor recipient Col. Gordon Johnston.

Johnston, who was stationed at Fort Sam as the Chief of Staff for the Second Division, died from his injuries when his horse tripped, rolled over and crushed him in the midwinter polo tournament March 8, 1934. Johnston was 59 years old.

During his career Johnston was called the most decorated man in the United States Army. He was awarded every medal the nation was authorized to confer and seven additional foreign awards.

Along with the Congressional Medal of Honor, Johnston’s awards include the Distinguished Service Cross and Distinguished Service Medal. He also wore three silver stars for his actions in the Philippine Insurrection and the Spanish American War. While in the 82nd Infantry Division, he took part in the successful rescue effort for “Maj. Whittley’s Lost Battalion” and he was an early founder of the American Veterans Association, known today simply as AMVETS. The Col. Gordon Johnston Sportsmanship Award was awarded to 2nd Lt. Walker Hobby for demonstrating the greatest courage and sportsmanship in the match. This was the first presentation of the award, which was adopted by USPA as a national award this year.

Other awards included the Lt. Col. Tommy Hitchcock (Air Corps) Most Valuable Player award, which went to John Greening and the Sgt. Reckless (USMC) Best Playing Pony award, which went to Sonita, owned and played by Brady Williams.

“As appreciation for equine therapy has grown, polo has seen an increased interest and a reconnection with the military. It’s a fun game and anybody, no matter their age or background, can pick it up and enjoy it,” said Karl Hilberg.

—Maj. Jamie Dobson •

DAVID MURRELL

IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY, a polo match would’ve been a common sight on Army bases, and now

Gen. Buchanan bowls the ball in to begin the match.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 21

P O L O D E V E L O P M E N T, L L C

Young Americans USA defends title in Junior Westchester Cup

By Hayley Heatley

Timmy Dutta leads the pack in the Junior Westchester Cup final.

The USA Junior Westchester Cup team swiftly defeated England in a fast, wide open game against the talented English Junior team at the International Polo Club in Wellington, Florida, April 20. Corp. Zach Grob, a member of Team USPA, carried the colors to kick off the match.

The 5-goal U.S. team consisted of Olivia Uechtritz, Bayne Bossom, Lucas Escobar and Timmy Dutta, coached by Jared Sheldon. The 6-goal England team had Monte Swain-Grainer, Milly Hine, Ned Hine and Will Harper, coached by Malcolm Borwick.

In a tightly-contested first chukker, England received a Penalty 2, giving Ned Hine the opportunity to put the first goal on the board.

Though England initially appeared to have the upper hand, Escobar powered through the opponents, scoring three unanswered field goals to

22 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

put USA in the lead in the second chukker. England remained disciplined, launching an offensive attack led by Ned Hine to close out the first half, 3-2, in favor of USA. Another Penalty 2 conversion by Ned Hine opened the third chukker of play, equalizing the score at 3-all. Harper picked up on the English momentum, stealing the coveted ball midfield and scoring an impressive goal to push England ahead by one, 4-3. Bossom added a final field goal to end the third chukker of play level once again, 4-4.

With the score tied to begin the fourth and final chukker, the pressure was on. A perfectly placed pass from Dutta in front of the goal drew in the opponents, resulting in Penalty 1 awarded to USA. The home team rallied as Escobar converted a Penalty 4 to push USA ahead by two goals in the

SHELLEY HEATLEY

P O L O D E V E L O P M E N T, L L C

Olivia Uechtritz, Timmy Dutta, Lucas Escobar and Bayne Bossom gave USA its second Junior Westchester Cup victory.

final three minutes of play. USA turned its focus to defending its lead as time dwindled down. USA rode off the field victorious, earning its second consecutive Junior Westchester Cup title in a 6-4 win over England.

Lucas Escobar was named MVP, scoring four of the six goals during the match. Best Playing Pony honors were awarded to Timmy Dutta’s Diamanté, an 8-year-old Thoroughbred mare.

“It’s an honor and a dream to compete in my sport for my country,” Dutta said. “My teammates, coach and the organization have been amazing and we did really well. We came out and showed who we are and I’m really proud.”

Milly Hine received the Sportsmanship award and Ned Hine received MVP of the England/USA exchange week.

Coach Jared Sheldon, an alumnus of the Team USPA program, traveled to Florida to work with the U.S. players throughout the week.

“Playing simple and being disciplined with the man was crucial to our win. We were not tight with our man the first two chukkers, but once we dialed that in and started stretching out our knock ins, it all started to click,” explained Sheldon.

The Junior Westchester Cup was held at the end of a busy week of polo for the eight participating players. Since 2005, the Polo Training Foundation and Grand Champions Polo Club have jointly hosted the PTF International Cup in conjunction with an international exchange made possible by the Ganzi family. After trying horses and playing a practice, the players mixed teams for the PTF International Cup. PTF (Monte Swain-Grainger, Milly Hine, Timmy Dutta, Lucas Escobar) defeated Grand Champions (Olivia Uechtritz, Bayne Bossom, Ned Hine, Will

England’s Monte Swain-Grainer, Milly Hine, Ned Hine and Will Harper

Harper), 3-2. Bossom and Swain-Grainger were named MVPs and Harper was awarded the Sportsmanship award. Gallega, played by Ned Hine, owned by Valiente, was Best Playing Pony.

Aside from practices, drills, and the PTF International Cup matches, the players watched the incredible semi-finals and final of the U.S. Open Polo Championship, the culmination of the Gauntlet of Polo.

•

Lucas Escobar scored four of USA’s six goals and was MVP.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 23

I N T E R C O L L E G I AT E / I N T E R S C H O L A S T I C

Top of the class Maryland, Prestonwood capture titles

By Emily Dewey • photos by Kaylee Wroe

Houston’s Anson Moore, atop Open Best Playing Pony Tattoo, challenges Gardnertown’s John Dencker.

Nestled between pecan groves, the Brookshire Polo Club’s (Brookshire, Texas) expansive covered arena is set among multiple barns, paddocks, a swimming lake and tennis court. It created a picturesque calm before the storm that was the 2019 National Interscholastic Championship Tournament. Although a peaceful setting, leisure was the furthest down on the priority list upon opening the gates to welcome all tournament competitors.

Game 1 of the National Interscholastic Championship hit the ground running with an open division match, featuring Lakeside and Maui. Seven goals were scored in as many minutes, all earned by Lakeside, leaving Maui off the scoreboard. Maui persevered and ended the game with three goals scored yet fell far short of Lakeside’s total of 21.

Game 2 featured the Maryland and Houston A open teams that kept the crowd on its toes with scores never more than a one- to two-goal spread. That all

24 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

changed after the halftime break, when Houston came back with a vengeance. It took control, scoring six goals to Maryland’s goose egg in the third chukker. It kept up the pressure in the final seven minutes, securing its spot in the final with at 17-4 victory at the game-ending whistle.

The ladies stepped into the irons on the second day of competition. Maryland and the Equestrian & Polo Center of Boston lined up to start Thursday’s semifinal games. Maryland took no prisoners, setting the tone right off the bat and amassing a 10-goal lead.

E&PC Boston rode hard to match Maryland’s speed and skill, but was unable to keep up. Maryland stretched ahead for the win with an impressive score of 33-2.

Houston A took on Maui in the other semifinal. As the game played out, Houston A proved to be the stronger team with a final score of 17-9.

Friday’s open semifinals began with Prestonwood

I N T E R C O L L E G I AT E / I N T E R S C H O L A S T I C

Girls’ Champions: Maryland Polo Club’s Coach Kelly Wells, Abbie Grant, Catie Stueck, Olivia Reynolds and Sophie Grant

and Lakeside Varsity facing off for the first throw-in of the day. Prestonwood struck first and often to lead the Lakeside team 3-1 after the first chukker. The flood gates opened in the second chukker and the team from Dallas extended its lead to 13-1. The second half played out similar to the first, with Prestonwood dominating for a 24-2 win.

The second semifinal proved to be an exhilarating match between Gardnertown and Houston A. Gardnertown got on the board following a three-goal lead by Houston A in the first chukker. Houston A continued its barrage of goals to hold an 8-4 lead going into the second half. Gardnertown played an impressive second half, but Houston A ran away with the win, 18-12, securing its place in the championship game.

A defensive battle ensued for the Girls’ National Interscholastic Championship final, bringing Houston A and Maryland head-to-head. Houston A’s sharp shooter, Grace Mudra, gave her team a twogoal lead to start the first chukker, but Maryland’s powerful sister duo, comprised of Abbie and Sophie Grant, answered back with three goals to take control of the game heading into the second chukker. A battle of the back shots was the theme in

the second, with both sides executing beautiful plays, only allowing their opponents a single goal to end the half with Maryland leading by a tight 4-3.

The Grant sisters found their mark in the third, scoring three consecutive goals between them before

Grace Mudra pilots Girls’ Best Playing Pony Sonita.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 25

I N T E R C O L L E G I AT E I N T E R S C H O L A S T I C

Maryland’s Madison Jordan was Open Sportsmanship Award winner.

Boston’s Ariadne Dogani was Girls’ Sportsmanship Award winner.

Mudra could add her fourth goal of the day to the board, ending the chukker, 7-4, with Maryland distancing itself still further. Defensive strategy would win the day, with Maryland holding Houston scoreless in the fourth and adding four more to the tally to end the game with a commanding 11-4 Open Champions: Prestonwood’s Coach Vaughn Miller, Niklaus Felhaber, Johann Felhaber and Vance Miller

26 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

victory and a repeat national championship.

“I am so incredibly proud of my team and how hard we’ve all worked this past year. Each of us played our hearts out in the final game and I am so happy all of our hard work payed off,” remarked Maryland senior Abbie Grant. “I’ve had the opportunity to play on the Maryland girls’ team since I was in seventh grade and I’ve loved every second of it. This year was really special not only because it was my first year as captain, but also because it was my last year of interscholastic polo and I couldn’t be happier with how it ended.”

Sophie Grant (Maryland), Abbie Grant (Maryland), Grace Mudra (Houston A) and Elizabeth Owens (Equestrian and Polo Center of Boston) were selected as girls’ tournament All-Stars. Equestrian and Polo Center of Boston’s Ariadne Dogani received the Sportsmanship Award, Best Playing String was presented to Houston and Best Playing Pony honors were presented to Sonita, owned by Brady Williams, an I/I alum and supporter from the Texas Tech University program.

Shots from distance and stellar defensive plays led the way for Prestonwood to make its return to the top of the open division of the National Interscholastic Championship. Striking immediately from the first

I N T E R C O L L E G I AT E / I N T E R S C H O L A S T I C

Girls’ All-Stars: Boston’s Elizabeth Owens, Maryland’s Sophie Grant, Houston’s Grace Mudra and Maryland’s Abbie Grant

chukker, Johann Felhaber dominated the scoring with two consecutive two-point shots followed up by two field goals from Niklaus Felhaber. Although Grayson Price and Anson Moore each scored one to chip away at the early lead, Prestonwood led significantly after the first, 6-2. The offensive battle continued into the second with strong field goals

USPA Governor-at-Large Steven Armour presented Mark Prinsloo with Best Playing String Awards in both divisions.

Open All-Stars: Houston’s Grayson Price, Gardnertown’s Winston Painter, Prestonwood’s Johann Felhaber and Maryland’s Parker Pearce

from both Felhabers and Vance Miller III, but Houston A’s Price struck back from both the penalty line and the field to narrow the gap, the score sitting at 9-6 in favor of Prestonwood by halftime.

Proving deadly from the penalty line, Price was responsible for converting four of Houston’s five total goals scored in the second half of play. The Felhaber duo retaliated with four goals in the third chukker.

Houston held Prestonwood scoreless in the fourth, but Prestonwood maintained a narrow edge, ultimately winning, 13-11.

“Our team came together organically—we’re best friends and we worked hard for two years to get here,” commented Vance Miller. “We trust each other on the field and play for each other. No one is selfish. We really are a band of brothers.”

Grayson Price (Houston A), Parker Pearce (Maryland), Johann Felhaber (Prestonwood) and Winston Painter (Gardnertown) were selected as open tournament All-Stars. The Sportsmanship Award was presented to Maryland’s Madison Jordan, Best Playing String was again presented to Houston and Best Playing Pony of the final was presented to Tattoo, owned by Anson Moore.

The I/I team would like to extend a huge thank you to Mark Prinsloo for organizing all on-site needs for the tournament, and Brookshire Polo Club and Scott Wood for hosting the tournament. Students were only able to compete because of the amazing horses provided by Brady Williams, Listo Polo and Houston, Oklahoma State University, Prestonwood and Texas A&M Polo Clubs. Special thanks to the umpiring team of John Bianco, Bradley Biddle, Robert Lyn Kee Chow and Chris VanLoon for their work in the arena.

• POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 27

No place like home USA win keeps historic trophy on U.S. soil

By Gwen Rizzo

U.S. reclaims Westchester Cup for the first time since 1992

Peke Gonzalez makes a run on Geisha, named Best off-thetrack Thoroughbred.

28 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

ALEX PACHECO

ALEX PACHECO

A determined U.S. squad narrowly defeated an English team, 9-8, in overtime to win the historic Westchester Cup trophy at International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida, April 28.

Since its inception in 1886, the Westchester Cup, or International Cup as it was called back then—a competition played between the U.S. and Great Britain—had been played 17 times prior to this year.

The U.S. had won it 10 times, while Great Britain counted seven wins. There were other unofficial contests that are not included in the count, such as a 1900 match between a group of Americans living in England and a British team (the Brits won) as well as a two-game series between a U.S. team and an Australasia team played in 1988 (the U.S. won).

Following a disappointing showing by the U.S. in the Westchester Cup match held in England last summer—its fourth consecutive loss—the USPA issued a challenge for the cup to be held on U.S. soil this season. The challenge was accepted and plans got underway to field a competitive team to face the Brits.

Organizers believed the best chance of fielding a competitive team with the best players and horses was to hold the contest around the winter high-goal season in South Florida. But, playing it while teams were still competing in the Gauntlet of Polo would be nearly impossible. If a player or horse were injured during the contest, it could adversely effect a team’s chances in the Gauntlet so most players were not willing to take the chance, or contractual obligations forbid them to.

So, the contest was schedule for the week following the Gauntlet. That would allow players on both sides to have a week to practice together.

In the early days of the contest, teams would transport their strings by ship and had the luxury of focusing on the contest for weeks, if not months.

Today, with the advent of professional polo, players no longer have the luxury of such time and are limited to mere days to prepare in between tournaments they are under contract to play in. Gone are the days of playing merely for pride in your country when you have horses to feed and other bills to play.

Nowadays, the visiting team is typically at a distinct disadvantage since, unless its players already have strings in the country the contest is being played in, it is usually playing unfamiliar horses.

This year, to level the playing field a bit, the U.S. agreed to have one player on each team mounted on pooled horses similar to what is done in the FIP championships. A group of horses was put together and each horse was graded by representatives from both teams as A, B or C based on playing ability. The horses were divided among the two players, with each player getting equal numbers of A, B and C horses.

The remaining players could use their own horses or lease horses on their own.

The U.S. team, outfitted by U.S. Polo Assn., consisted of Geronimo Obregon (4), Peke Gonzalez (6), Mike Azzaro (6) and Jared Zenni (6), coached by Julio Arellano. Alternates included Jeff Blake (6), Costi Caset (6) and Tommy Collingwood (5). Flannels England, outfitted by the British polo association’s Hurlingham 1875 brand, fielded a team with Henry Porter (3), Ollie Cudmore (6), Jack Richardson (7) and Tommy Beresford (6).

The pooled horses were played by Obregon and Beresford. Zenni and Gonzalez both competed in the Gauntlet and had their own horses. Gonzalez also had the pick of his father, Mariano’s string. Azzaro had brought three quality horses to Florida to sell and supplemented those with leased horses. Porter competed in the Gauntlet, so he had a string of horses in town and Matias Magrini leased the lion’s share of horses to the other two British players.

Separately, the teams were given opportunities to practice throughout the week.

On game day, the teams paraded around the field led by mounted flag-bearers. Each country’s national anthem was played before the game got underway.

England started out aggressively, with Richardson running the ball to goal out of the opening throw-in.

Gonzalez got on the board with a Penalty 2 conversion followed by a run to goal on his dad’s grey mare, Geisha, for a 2-1 lead after the first seven minutes.

Coach Julio Arellano talks strategy with alternate Tommy Collingwood, Peke Gonzalez and Jared Zenni.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 29

DAVID LOMINSKA

Richardson passed to Cudmore for a tally in the second, followed by a neckshot to goal from Richardson but Azzaro, with Beresford glued to his hip, leveled the score. Porter had four incredible runs to goal only to have the ball bounce just outside the posts. Unanswered open-goal penalties in the third

Geronimo Obregon celebrates after pushing the ball between the posts to win the match.

30 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

ALEX PACHECO

Jared Zenni, Julio Arellano, Mike Azzaro, Peke Gonzalez and Geronimo Obregon

propelled USA to a 5-3 lead at the half.

Gonzalez, who hustled the entire match, outran the pack on a fast bay Thoroughbred to split the uprights in the fourth, doubling up England’s score, 6-3. A hard-hit backshot from Beresford bounced off Azzaro’s left hand. Tough as nails, he took a half a minute to shake it off. A minute later Beresford drew a Penalty 1 helping to get England back in the game.

A well-hit Penalty 5 by Zenni headed toward the backline, but miraculously, Azzaro made a difficult backshot that spun the ball into the goal. With 20 seconds left on the clock, Richardson, with Gonzalez on his heels, brought England within two, 7-5.

Both teams were hustling and USA saw two attempts go wide before Beresford manuevered through traffic to bring England to within one, but a Penalty 2 by Gonzalez put the difference back to two to end the chukker. Cudmore missed the mark early in the sixth. USA was also having difficulty around the goal with two shots going wide and a third miraculously knocked out of the air by Beresford in front of the goal. At the halfway mark, Cudmore hit the target to bring England within one, 8-7.

USA was desperately trying to maintain its narrow lead, but with just under two minutes left, Zenni’s high hook briefly stung Richardson and gave England a Penalty 2, tying up the match. With just over a minute left, Cudmore got several lengths ahead, but Azzaro, mounted on a fast horse, made a Herculean effort to speed past a teammate and back the ball out

DAVID LOMINSKA

of the goal mouth just in the nick of time. It was so close, umpires reviewed the footage to be sure the potential game-winner hadn’t crossed the goal line. As the teams jockeyed for position, regulation time ran out, forcing overtime.

In one of the most competitive games of the season, the sparse fans remaining in town were getting their money’s worth as the teams readied themselves for sudden death. A vocal English contingent let their team know they had support, and it seemed to help.

When the game got back underway, a miscued knock-in jumped the boards giving England possession at the 45-yard line. Beresford aimed for goal but it arced just wide. A minute later Cudmore got a hold of the ball and shot to goal but it too went wide. USA breathed a sigh of relief. With 4:40 left, Gonzalez, back on Geisha, made a mad dash to goal but Cudmore defended. Desperate, Gonzalez shot the ball under the belly but it just missed. England got the ball back on the other side of the field but USA regained possession. Zenni picked it up along the boards at midfield and passed to Obregon who took three shots at the bouncing ball to get it between the posts for the exciting win.

Scoring the game-winner earned Obregon MVP honors. Azzaro’s Allie, a chestnut mare he played in portions of the second, fifth and overtime, was named Best Playing Pony, while Geisha, played by Gonzalez in portions of the first, sixth and overtime, was the Retired Racehorse Project Off-the-Track

Thoroughbred Best Playing Pony. England didn’t go home empty handed as Tommy Beresford was presented with the Sportsmanship Award.

Azzaro was on the committee to put together the U.S. team. “This was the first year that I was able to be a part of the organization that chose the team, and I felt these three guys were champions. To beat a team like England, [that] has beaten us several times, you have to have a champion team on the field and these guys were warriors,” Azzaro explained.

Arellano and Peke Gonzalez were on last year’s team that suffered defeat. Arellano, still recovering from a riding injury last summer, was a perfect fit as coach.

“We needed to win after having not won since 1992, especially since it was here, with a home-field advantage, there was no excuse,” Arellano said. “Hats off to the English because it could have gone either way, so I’m very proud of the guys. Everyone stepped up to the plate and they played as a team, which is all I wanted. ... I wanted them to leave it on the field and have no regrets.”

Peke Gonzalez added, “It’s an awesome feeling to win. I went last year to play in England and we lost there so to win here at home is lovely.”

A week prior, a Junior Westchester Cup was played with Olivia Uechtritz, Lucas Escobar, Bayne Bossom and Timmy Dutta playing for the U.S. while Monte Swain-Grainer, Milly Hine, Ned Hine and Will Harper mounted up for Flannels England. (See page 22) •

Ollie Cudmore and Mike Azzaro duel for the ball.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 31

Won and a million Pilot takes the Gauntlet title and the cash

By United States Polo Association

Pilot dominates Gauntlet series with 16-0 winning streak

32 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS.COM

Systematically defeating each of its opponents in the C.V. Whitney and USPA Gold Cups, Pilot carried its undefeated streak into the final leg of the Gauntlet of Polo, seeking not only the prestige associated with the inaugural title, but the potential $1 million prize.

Producing a stellar performance, Pilot advanced 5-0 to face finalist Las Monjitas (5-0) for the CaptiveOne U.S. Open Polo Championship final on Sunday, April 21, at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida.

Dominating the game from the first chukker with unrivaled offensive power plays, Pilot capped off its flawless 22-goal season with a decisive 12-7 victory and solidified its place in history as the first Gauntlet champion.

“The key for our team is a great organization, but it extends all the way to the grooms, trainers and pilots who take care of the horses. Our team manager, Gonzalo de la Fuente, put it all together and without that we would not be here today. It did not happen by accident, we just did the best we could every day,” said team owner Curtis Pilot Exploding from the first throw in, brothers Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres secured two field goals within the first few minutes of play, setting in motion an offensive freight train that Las Monjitas would

have difficulty stopping. Adding an automatic Penalty 1 and another quick field goal from Matias Gonzalez, Pilot assumed a commanding lead with Las Monjitas yet to find its way onto the scoreboard.

Retaliating against Pilot’s aggressive onslaught, Francisco Elizalde was determined to break through defenders and hammered a neckshot between the posts, resulting in Las Monjitas’ first goal of the game to end the opening chukker, 4-1. Mirroring one another in the second, Elizalde and Facundo Pieres each added a Penalty 3 conversion to their tallies to maintain the gap. Although several of Las Monjitas’ shot attempts continued to elude their mark in the first half, the team successfully shutdown Pilot’s 10goaler from scoring in the third. Picking up the only goal of the chukker on a penalty conversion, Elizalde narrowed the deficit to two, securing all of Las Monjitas’ goals and ending the half 5-3.

Returning for the second half of play, Pilot regrouped to play an undeniably strong fourth chukker similar in intensity to its first. Missing an opening Penalty 4 opportunity, Facundo Pieres made up for it with two consecutive field goals, followed closely by an impressive neckshot from Gonzalez from over 100 yards out. Continuing to lead the charge for this team, Elizalde countered with a field goal of his own, only to have it negated

Pilot’s Facundo Pieres, Gonzalo Pieres, Curtis Pilot and Matias Gonzalez

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 33

Matias Gonzalez holds off a determined Francisco Elizalde. Gonzalez was MVP of the U.S. Open while Elizalde was MVP of the Gauntlet.

34 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

ALEX PACHECO

by a tally from Gonzalito Pieres.

Relentless in its pursuit of the Gauntlet title, Pilot continued to increase its lead as Facundo Pieres ran with blistering speed past his competitors to score.

Striking for the first time late in the fifth, Hilario Ulloa made a strategic play to split the uprights with just 40 seconds left. Pilot had doubled up Las Monjitas heading into the sixth, 10-5.

Gonzalito Piere’s confidence was evident in a demonstration of exceptional skill and agility in the final chukker, when he stole the ball from Ulloa and continued his drive to put it between the posts, extending Pilot’s lead to six with four-and-a-half minutes remaining.

“Gonzalito had an amazing day,” Facundo Pieres said of his older brother. “I told him after the game that, for me, it was his best game of the season, and I was very happy because we needed him. He’s a player that in important moments is always there.”

Ultimately, Pilot’s force, powered by the Pieres brothers, could not be contained. Las Monjitas was unable to build the momentum needed to overtake it with Ulloa’s final two goals. Sweeping the tournament, Pilot earned the $250,000 purse (plus a $500,000 bonus for winning all three tournaments, added to its previous $250,000 prize winnings), and the honor of having its name inscribed on the inaugural Gauntlet trophy.

Having only played with the Pieres brothers in the 20-goal previously, Curtis Pilot was overjoyed to win the Gauntlet in its inaugural season.

“When I first came into the sport, I’d never ridden a horse until I was 49. I’ve been playing for about 10 years now and I always wanted to play with Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres. The first time we ever played in the 22-goal, we won every game and I couldn’t be any happier. It’s like a fairy tale and a dream come true for all of us, the whole team.”

Reflecting over the course of the season, Facundo Pieres talked about the pressure to win the Gauntlet as the only team eligible following its C.V. Whitney Cup win.

“It was a long season for both the horses and our team and we have been doing great, but if we lost today it was going to be tough for us, so we felt some pressure to win today,” he said. “We won 16 games in a row and you cannot do that with just the four of us.

We needed the horses, vets, grooms and everybody to make this happen.”

Not having won the U.S. Open Polo Championship with his brother since 2009, Facundo Pieres also spoke about what the win meant to the team.

“It was a very special day for us as brothers also,”

Aspen:

22

Park Place:

Tomas Schwenke Lucas James Pablo “Polito” Pieres Stewart Armstrong

2 7 10 3

Andrey Borodin Juan Britos Nico Pieres Lucas Diaz Alberdi

Cessna:

21

22 0 8 9 5

Pilot:

22

Chip Campbell 2 Felipe “Pipe” Marquez 6 Ezequiel Ferrario/ E. Astrada 7/8 Felipe Viana 6

Curtis Pilot Matias “Colo” Gonzalez Gonzalo Pieres Jr. Facundo Pieres

0 3 9 10

Coca Cola:

Postage Stamp Farm:

22

Gillian Johnston Steve Krueger Julian de Lusarreta Ignacio Novillo Astrada

Daily Racing Form: Geronimo Obregon Santiago Cernadas Agustin Obregon Jared Zenni

Equuleus: Joe DiMenna/ Milo Dorignac Iñaki Laprida Magoo Laprida Mariano Gonzalez

Iconica: Maureen Brennan Peke Gonzalez Sebastian Merlos Matias Magrini

La Indiana: Michael Bickford Facundo Obregon/B. Urbina Jeff Hall Tomas Garcia del Rio

22 2 4 8 8

22 4 6 6 6

22 0 7 8 7

22 1 5 8 7

22 2 6 7 7

A. Gundlach/L. Schwenke Joaquin Panelo Mariano Aguerre/J. Pittaluga Valerio “Lerin” Zubiaurre

Santa Clara: Benjamin Avendano Mariano “Nino” Obregon Jr. Ignacio “Cubi” Toccalino Luis Escobar

SD Farms: Sayyu Dantata/ T. Dutta Pelon Escapite Juan “Tito” Ruiz Guiñazu Peco Polledo

0 6 8 8

22 3 6 8 5

22 2 6 8 6

Stable Door Polo:

21

Henry Porter Santino Magrini Victorino Ruiz Santiago Toccalino

3 4 6 8

Tonkawa:

22

Jeff Hildebrand/ M. Bryan Agustin “Tincho” Merlos Guillermo “Sapo” Caset Sterling Giannico

0 8 10 4

Las Monjitas:

22

Old Hickory Bourbon:

21

Camilo Bautista Francisco Elizalde Hilario Ulloa Matthew Coppola

0 8 10 4

Will Johnston Jason Crowder/S. Erskine Miguel Novillo Astrada Stevie Orthwein

2 6 9 4

he said. “It was a really special year especially for Curtis Pilot and his family. I knew how important it was for him to win and to feel this happy energy so I wanted to do that for him.”

Extending his appreciation to substitute Mia Bray, Curtis Pilot wanted to give her a special thank you for playing in his absence at the beginning of the C.V. Whitney Cup. “I didn’t get to play the first three games and I want to give Mia Bray a shout out,” Pilot said. “She stepped in and made sure that we won the first three POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 35

ALEX PACHECO

games so that we could be here today.”

Most Valuable Player of the CaptiveOne U.S. Open Polo Championship final was awarded to Pilot’s Matias Gonzalez. Gauntlet of Polo Most Valuable Player was presented to Las

The Pilot team is mobbed by fans and media after the U.S. Open win.

36 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS.COM

Gonzalito and Facundo Pieres pull personal trainer Pablo “Campeón” Erbin into the pool following their big win.

Monjitas’ Francisco Elizalde.

“I can check that off my bucket list,” Gonzalez said with a smile about winning MVP. “This is a dream come true. I don’t think I can put it in any other way because it’s just a huge honor to win the Gauntlet here in Wellington where I was raised.”

Facundo Pieres’ bay mare, Mega Chistosa, who he played in the first and sixth chukkers, was named Best Playing Pony of the U.S. Open final; his Open Canosa was named Best Playing Pony of the Gauntlet of Polo; and Best Playing Pony of the U.S. Open tournament was Francisco Elizalde’s Dolfina Molinera.

Pilot indicated he plans to donate the prize money to a cancer-related charity. Pilot’s eldest daughter, Nikki Pilot Carlisle, 34, a mother of three, lost her year-long battle with breast cancer Feb. 13.

Pilot wore a NPC arm band in her honor throughout the Gauntlet.

After the tournament, Gonzalo Pieres’ handicap was returned to 10 goals. His teammate Matias Gonzalez will be raised from 3 to 4 goals. Other handicap changes to Gauntlet players include Francisco Elizalde going from 8 to 9, while Sebastian Merlos will be lowered from 9 to 8. Tomas Garcia del Rio and Lucas James will go from 7 to 8 while Jeff Hall will drop from 7 to 6. Pipe Marquez, Nino Obregon and Torito Ruiz will go from 6 to 7, Lucas Diaz Alberdi and Peke Gonzalez will go from 5 to 6 while Luis Escobar will go from 5 to 4.

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS.COM

Geronimo Obregon will go from 4 to 5, Timmy Dutta will go from 2 to 3 and 2-goal Tomas Schwenke will go to 3 in June and 4 in January. His brother Leon Schwenke will go from 0 to 1. Gillian Johnston will drop from 2 to 1.5.

In the Open subsidiary Hall of Fame Cup, SD Farms edged Old Hickory Bourbon, 11-10, in

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS.COM

Curtis Pilot gave Mia Bray a shoutout for filling in for him.

SHELLEY HEATLEY

Pilot’s Gonzalito Pieres and Las Monjitas’ Hilario Ulloa race down the field nose to nose in the Open final.

Las Monjitas’ Camilo Bautista and Pilot’s Curtis Pilot

overtime after a golden goal by Tito Ruiz Guiñazú.

Pelon Escapite led SD Farms with four goals including three Penalty 2s. Jason Crowder, returning after shoulder surgery, led Old Hickory Bourbon with four goals. SD Farms’ Peco Polledo was named MVP. Miguel Novillo Astrada’s Ponderosa was Best Playing Pony.

• POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 37

Go Green Dublin captures Gladiator Polo Championship

By Gwen Rizzo • Photos by Alex Pacheco

Juan Martin Obregon gets free, backed up by teammate Tito Ruiz.

38 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Dublin’s Mariano Obregon goes up on the handle bars to make a deep neckshot.

Dublin retaliated after a first-round loss to down Palm Beach in the final and take the Gladiator Polo Championship title, 12-8, at International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida, April 13.

The season began in mid-March with a player draft held at International Polo Club Palm Beach’s pavilion. In the days leading up to it, over two dozen players, rated 5 goals or higher in the arena, showed off their talent in practice matches, hoping it was enough to secure a spot on one of the four teams.

At the draft, the hopeful players sat on bleachers at the back of the room while team representatives, limited to 60 seconds, took turns choosing their draft picks. Former 10-goaler Tommy Biddle was the top pick. As the players were chosen, they walked from the back of the room to the stage while a screen behind them offered player stats. Once chosen, players conferred with the team representatives to build the strongest teams.

In the end, 12 players were chosen to fill the four teams, along with an alternate for each team. After the draft, the players who did not get chosen were offered a beer before they left.

“The environment of the draft was awesome,” said second pick Pelon Escapite. “It was really a cool concept to bring into the sport. I’m very glad to be a part of this ...”

The teams were divided into two brackets, playing in a cross-bracket format. The top team in each bracket went to the final. Games were played as six five-minute chukkers at night in the club’s

large 330-foot by 225-foot lighted arena with allweather footing. Bracket I was New York and Palm Beach, while Bracket II had Dublin and Los Angeles. The matches began March 16 in the arena, dubbed the U.S. Polo Assn. Coliseum.

Play got started on March 15. The first match

Juan Martin Obregon moves in to defend Tommy Biddle, who was No. 1 in the draft.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 39

Dublin’s Juan Martin Obregon, Nino Obregon and Tito Ruiz with Mark Bellissimo, Tom MacGuinness, George Linley and Glen Allen

had New York facing Los Angeles. New York’s alternate, Jesse Bray, was called up to play after Jason Crowder broke his collar bone, requiring surgery, before the first game began. New York was familiar with arena play and controlled the match.

On the other hand, Los Angeles struggled to find its groove and grew frustrated throughout an unnecessarily rough match. A strong New York trio struggled with horse issues but ultimately prevailed, 15-14, taking home a check for $18,000. Jesse Bray was named MVP of the match. After the game, Gringo Colombres was reportedly fined for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The second match was fast and clean with Palm Beach ousting Dublin 12-8. It was just the type of

Dublin (3-0) Ezequiel “Gallego” Ferrario Tito Ruiz Mariano “Nino” Obregon Alt. Juan Martin Obregon

Los Angeles (0-2) 7 8 7 6

Tomas Garbarini Gringo Colombres Santi Toccalino Alt. Wes Finlayson Alt. Santi Wulff

8 8 7 6 6

Palm Beach (2-1)

5T 7T 8T 4 4

New York (1-1) Pelon Escapite Mike Azzaro Jason Crowder Alt. Jesse Bray Alt. Costi Caset

40 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Geronimo Obregon Victorino Ruiz Tommy Biddle Alt. Brandon Phillips

6 7 9 6

action-packed match fans were hoping for. Toro Ruiz took match MVP honors.

“It was a pleasure playing with [Geronimo Obregon and Toro Ruiz] and it really felt great with these guys tonight. The plan was for them to really work in the back and then I either cut off the back end or pick up the trash plays in front of the goal.

They made goals and they played great,” said Biddle. “It was always our strategy that not everyone needs to go in offensively and that someone needs to stay back and that worked well for us tonight.”

Biddle said being picked first in the draft added some stress for him in the first game. “I felt some pressure ... going into tonight. It was a tough thing to be picked first and being rate 10 goals in the arena, I know that everyone is looking at that,” he explained. “Maybe it’s not all flash, but I wanted to be steady in setting up plays, but I was just happy the horses played well and we’ve put together a really good team.”

After a few tweaks to improve the stadium, play resumed two weeks later with Los Angeles taking on Palm Beach. Tomas Garbarini was replaced on Los Angeles by alternate Santi Wulff. Palm Beach started out strong and didn’t let up. Meanwhile, Los Angeles couldn’t seem to find the goal and was trailing at the half. Wes Finlayson took over for Wulff and gave the team so traction but it wasn’t enough and Palm Beach easily prevailed. Palm Beach took home a check for $18,000.

A Ninja match featured two children’s teams prior to the Gladiator final.

The following week, Dublin took on New York in one of the most exciting games of the series.

Gallego Ferrario was out with a sore elbow and was replaced by alternate Juan Martin Obregon, brother of Nino Obregon. The brothers’ chemistry seemed to strengthen the team. New York got on the board first and led after the first period but Dublin bounced back in the second, holding New York scoreless and doubling up its score, 12-6. Play went back and forth with, at one point, Azzaro scoring a two-pointer only to have Geronimo Obregon answer back seconds later with his own two-pointer. New York chipped away at the deficit but Dublin held a narrow lead through most of the match. New York wouldn’t give up and managed to tie the match late in the sixth. Dublin took back the lead but with just seconds left, New York made a Hail Mary shot to tie the score only to have it bounce against the wall just shy of the goal. Dublin held on for the 20-18 win.

Nino Obregon was named match MVP and Dublin walked away with another check for $18,000.

Dublin faced Palm Beach in the final, in a rematch of first-round play. Nino and Juan Martin Obregon (with Tito Ruiz) faced their brother Geronimo backed by Torito Ruiz and Biddle.

Palm Beach took an early lead but Dublin methodically chipped away at the difference, coming to within one in the fourth and eventually taking the lead. Palm Beach wouldn’t let up and racked up three goals in the sixth, but fell just short as Dublin came away with the 17-14 win and the

$30,000 prize money. Nino Obregon, who counted five goals in the win, was named MVP. Palm Beach settled for the runner-up prize of $15,000.

“We started shooting on goal early, but didn’t make that many and then in the second half they started to go in. We just kept shooting and even when we were down by three or four, we kept our cool and kept going through the game and it eventually paid off,” Nino Obregon said. “We had a team change early in the season since one of our players was injured. Juan Martin jumped in and I’ve played with him a lot. He’s my brother, so it worked out really well.”

Dublin team owner, CEO and Horseware Ireland founder Tom MacGuinness, was excited to see his team win the title.

“Firstly, I’d like to thank Mark [Bellissimo] because this is a product of Mark’s imagination and Horseware was a product of my imagination. The world is about our imagination and how we can imagine something better and something different.

I personally believe we can get this on ESPN and turn polo into a phenomenal mainstream sport.”

Earlier in the season, the club hosted six top women players who were in town competing in the U.S. Women’s Polo Open Championship in its first Amazon Polo match. London’s Hazel JacksonGaona, Lia Salvo and Hope Arellano edged San Antonio’s Nina Clarkin, Dawn Jones and Sarah Wiseman, 9-8, earning $6,000 for their efforts. San Antonio went home with $3,000.

• POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 41

P O L O I N T H E PA M PA S

Experience prevails Veteran team defeats teens in República Argentina Cup

By Ernesto Rodriguez • Photos by Sergio Llamera

Tomás Rueda, Pancho Bensadón, Isidro Strada and Pascual Sáinz de Vicuña

The final of the 91st edition of the República Argentina Cup (the traditional tournament organized by the Argentine Polo Association for teams from 0 to 40 goals) was the classic duel between experience and youth. On one side of Palermo’s Field No. 2, was the quartet of La Esquina, with a survivor of the team that played the 2017 Argentine Open (the Spaniard Pascual Sáinz de Vicuña) and Francisco Bensadón, a veteran of high-goal polo. On the other side, two

teenagers—Camilo and Bartolomé Castagnola, sons of Lolo castagnola and nephews of Adolfo Cambiaso— tried to impose their ambitions and freshness as the heart of La Chavita/La Natividad.

The road for both quartets had not been easy. The previous classification (teams must win their ticket in each of the 16 regional tournaments in which the map of the Argentine polo is divided) finally allowed 12 teams to take part in the contest played in parallel at Palermo and the AAP complex in Pilar (on the outskirts of Buenos Aires) beginning on Thursday, April 4. The teams that entered had handicaps ranging from 14 to 24 goals and were divided into three zones that were resolved by round robin system; the winners of each bracket and the best runner-up guaranteed passage to the semifinals of the most important trophy.

La Esquina (Pascual Sáinz de Vicuña, Isidro Strada, Francisco Bensadón and Tomás Rueda) won its three preliminary matches to top Zone A. La 42 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Chavita/La Natividad (Camilo Castagnola, Franco Veronesi, Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. and Matías Machado), Trenque Lauquen (Ignacio Arbelbide, Juan Martín García Grossi, Simón Prado, Juan Agustín García Grossi) and La Bamba de Areco ClickPolo (Antonio Heguy, Cruz Heguy, Joaquín Pittaluga and Rodrigo Rueda) ended 2-1, but with more net goals, La Chavita topped Zone B. The same thing happened in Zone C, with La Quinta (Simón Zavaleta, Juan Carlos Harriet, Michel del Carril and Luke Tomlinson) edging out El Desafío on net goals after both finished with 2-1 records. The fourth team to advance to the semifinals was La Bamba de Areco ClickPolo—another team with two notable heirs in Antonio Heguy, son of Pepe Heguy, and Ruso Heguy’s son, Cruz—being the best runner-up of the three zones.

The remaining teams dropped into one of two subsidiary tournaments. The semifinals for those as well as the main Republic Cup were played at the Pilar property on Thursday, April 11. In the clashes that gave the tickets to the main event, La Chavita/La Natividad defeated La Quinta 11-9, after conceding a handicap goal, in a highly-equal match in which the suspense was present until the sixth and last chukker.

In the other semifinal, La Esquina, after giving a four-goal handicap, edged La Bamba de Areco ClickPolo, 11-10, in overtime, thanks to the gamewinner from Pancho Bensadón. The Heguys were up, 10-7, going into the final chukker but could not withstand the pressure of their hardened rivals, who forced equality in the regulation period and won in the overtime.

The definition of the Republic Cup, which dates back to 1929, was held on Saturday, April 13, in Palermo. The two subsidiary cup finals were played first in Pilar.

For the Canada Cup, Chapaleufú Escorihuela RUS (Iván Lariguet, Nicolás Garzarón, Agustín Canale and Andrés Lariguet) recovered the two-goal handicap given to LZ Cartagena de Indias Imperial (Alejandro Bleckwedel, Tomás Gómez Naar, Clemente Zavaleta and Valentín Novillo Astrada) in the first period to end the first 14 minutes on top, 6-3. There, Valentín Novillo Astrada rallied his team to close the fifth chukker, 8-all. In the decisive minutes, the best work

P O L O I N T H E PA M PA S

Experience edges out youth as Pancho Bensadón gets by Camilo Castagnola.

of the Lariguet brothers guaranteed the victory by a tight 11-10.

The subsidiary Copa Diario La Nación was also decided on the same field, with the clash between El Desafío (Marcos Goti, Francisco del Campo, Tomás Fernández Llorente and Felipe Dabas) and Coronel Suárez (Segundo Amadori, Santiago Harriott, Marcos Harriott and Diego Araya). “The Colonels” started 40 because of the handicap difference, but it took El Desafío just 14 minutes to neutralize the difference.

What seemed like an overwhelming pace was stopped by the vigorous defense imposed by Coronel Suárez.

This generated a highly-contested match, goal to goal, which was tied 11-all with 50 seconds remaining.

Diego Araya missed a 60-yard penalty so an overtime had to be played. After some inconsequential moves, Felipe Dabas made a remarkable maneuver to convert the goal that sealed El Desafío’s victory.

For the main trophy, La Esquina regained the initial disadvantage of two goals in the first chukker, which closed 3-all. In the second, Isidro Strada shined, giving his team a light of three (7-4), making the match an uphill mission for La Chavita/La Natividad. While the youngsters in green got closer in the score, they had to paddle against the current in the four remaining periods. They had the desire, but lacked what was needed to break the domain of their experienced rivals. The final bell confirmed the triumph of La Esquina, by 13-9, to reiterate the victory achieved in 2012.

The Jaime Amorín trophy for the best horse of the final match went to Peregrino Venucina, played

by Bensadón, while the Argentine Horse Breeder’s Association Award for Best Product went to

Pancho Bensadón and Isidro Strada embrace after the well-earned victory.

Machitos Blusera, owned by Sáinz de Vicuña.

“It’s a dream afternoon. Back to winning in Palermo, like seven years ago, and taking the [award] for the best horse is a momentous achievement for any foreign polo player who has the honor of stepping onto Palermo,” explained the excited Spaniard. To add to the festivities on the podium, there was a special shower of champagne for Rueda, who was celebrating his 31st birthday.

“This cup is special for my family because my father and my brother Rodrigo have won it. Now it’s my time, a huge birthday present,” he said.

In the other tent, the adolescent vehemence of the Castagnolas translated into sad faces. “We did everything wrong, everything upside down, nothing came out. I am very angry,” said Bartolomé, the eldest son of Lolo Castagnola. His father, more thoughtful, put everything in balance. “I am proud that the kids arrived to the last game of this prestigious tournament by themselves, but I wanted [them] to win it. That’s it, the defeats also [teach us].

And [you can learn at any age].”

• POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 43

POLO AROUND THE GLOBE

Careyes, Mexico 20th Agua Alta Cup caps season Photos by Rebecca Foltz

Costa Careyes Polo Club is located three miles south of the Costa Careyes resort, on the Pacific Ocean, south of Puerta Vallarta. Founded in 1990, the club includes two regulation polo fields steps from the ocean, 60 playing ponies for visitors and stabling for 150 horses. The season runs from November through April.

In January, the club held its annual Chinese New Year event. The tournament celebrated the Year of the Pig, with four teams. New to Careyes was the Sttaton Polo team of David Sttaton with his polo manager, Luis Perez, and Antonio Madrazo and Gerald Munoz; Cabinet Connection was a family affair team of Chris and Will Falk with cousin David Buller and Brian Boyd; Mangorace included Gary Magness, Nico Millan, Domingo Aldaco and Ernesto Ramirez; and Guadalajara included the young guns Diego Gonzalez, Memo Jimenez and Manuel Matos playing with Tomas

Columbia’s Miguel Gomez tries to out run members of the Agua Alta team, including Milo Ardissone, who reaches for the hook, in the Agua Alta final.

44 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Elliot. Practice games were set for all the visitors to get used to their horses. Afterward, a fieldside draw decided who would play who.

In the first match, Sttaton Polo fell to Guadalajara, 3-1 while Mangorace got the best of Cabinet Connection, 4-3, in a fast-paced match.

Nico Millan scored all his team’s goals while Will Falk led Mangorace with a pair.

In the consolation on Sunday, Feb. 3, Cabinet Connection slammed the door on Sttaton Polo, 63. Once again, Will Falk was the leading scorer with four goals. Perez had two for the Sttaton foursome. In the final that followed, Guadalajara was the first on the scoreboard with a goal by Matos. But, Millan took charge for Mangorace, leading the scoring with five goals and ensuring the victory.

That night a spectacular celebration for the Chinese New Year was held in the Plaza for all.

Action continued March 19-24, with four teams competing in the Arte Careyes Mexico tournament, played in conjunction with the annual Careyes film festival.

Consolation winner in the previous tournament, Cabinet Connection kept the same line up and was the team to beat. Guadalajara (Guillermo Jimenez, Manual Matos, Diego Gonzalez and Manual Yerena), Careyes (Giorgio Brignone, Tomas Elliot, Daniel Arellano and Gilberto Denis) and Mangorace (Nico Millan, Domingo Aldaco, Manuel Rios and Bautista Elliot) rounded out the roster.

As always, play was very competitive and each game was decided by just a half goal. Cabinet Connection and Guadalajara ended up in the final.

That game was back and forth every chukker.

Guadalajara began with 1½-goal handicap and quickly added to it with a pair of goals while holding Cabinet Connection to one. Cabinet Connection rallied in the second with a trio of goals from Will Falk to take a narrow 4-3½ advantage into halftime.

Will Falk increased the lead in the third with two goals while Guadalajara was held to one.

Gonzalez and Matos each scored in the fourth to put their team up by a half goal, but with just a

POLO AROUND THE GLOBE

minute on the clock, Chris Falk made a breakaway, sending the ball through the posts for the 7-6½ win and giving fans their money’s worth.

In the consolation, Careyes edged out Mangorace, 4-3½.

Next up was the annual Agua Alta tournament, played over Holy Week (Semana Santa), always the week before Easter. Alberto Ardissone and Giorgio Brignone created the Agua Alta tournament 20 years ago for their friends to come and enjoy the Careyes resort.

This year, six 7- to 9-goal teams competed, each playing the others, and the teams with the two best records advanced to the final. The event drew players from Portugal, Italy, Colombia, England, Argentina, USA, Brazil, Switzerland, Monaco, Czech Republic, Spain, Peru and Mexico, making it a truly international event.

Sponsors included The Mallet Social Club of Guadalajara, TUCANE and owner Jose Antonio Amutio providing the very colorful team jerseys, Paralelo 19 and Pedro Verea of the El Careyes Club and Residences, Pulseras Marin, a unique jewelry

Cabinet Connection/La Karina’s David Buller, Chris Falk, Will Falk and Brian Boyd won the Arte Careyes Mexico Tournament.

Participants in the 20th Annual Agua Alta Cup POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 45

POLO AROUND THE GLOBE

Mariachis entertain the crowd.

Colombia’s Federico Uribe, Juan Martin Cabal, Rodrigo Mosquera and Miguel Gomez de Parada won the Agua Alta tournament.

46 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

line, Intercam Bank, Volkswagen Vallarta, Herradura tequila and Jack Daniels. Special thank you to Froylan Caballero of Top Sports & Mexico Polo Tour who was responsible for much of the sponsorships and the large group that came from the MALLET Social Club to enjoy the week of polo and festivities.

After close and exciting preliminary matches—eight of the 16 games were decided by just a half goal—Colombia (13-year-old Juan Martin Cabal, Rodrigo Mosquera, Federico Uribe, Miguel Gomez de Parada) and home team Agua Alta (Milo Ardissone, Guillermo Li, Carlitos Hernandez, Kiki Cassanova) met in the final.

Both teams came out firing, with Colombia finding the mark twice and Agua Alta scoring three times. By halftime, Agua Alta led 5-3½.

Colombia shot back in the third with three goals, interrupted just once for an Agua Alta tally, giving it a narrow lead, 6½-6. With spectators on their feet, the last seven minutes saw the teams vying for control, each splitting the uprights twice, leaving Colombia ahead for the win, 8½-8.

Colombian fans were so excited and ran into the field to embrace the winners.

In the first consolation match, Switzerland

POLO AROUND THE GLOBE

Nico Milan, Ernesto Ramírez, Domingo Aldaco and Gary Magness won the Chinese New Year event.

(Cedric Schweri, Chris Falk, Will falk, Brazilian Joau Novaes) edged out another home team, Careyes (Brian Boyd, Oscar Garibay, Tomas Elliot and Juan Galan), 4½-4, to take fifth place. The next match saw Portugal (brothers Vale and Pancho Aguilar, Manuel Matos, Guillermo Jimenez) fall to Argentina Jaguares (Andrea Vianini, Martina Lowe, Nico Fontanarrosa, Rebecca Foltz/ Javier Goyeneche), 8½-6, in the match for third place.

The trophy presentation, orchestrated by Giorgio Brignone, was festive as he honored all the players, sponsors, grooms, field managers, polo manager Susan Stovall and USPA-certified umpires Chad Kraml and Matias Baibiene. He also recognized Miguel Gomez de Parada, who provided all the horses for the visitors and has played in the tournament every year since its inception.

Brignone also presented awards, including Amateur High Scorer for the tournament to Portugal’s Manual Matos, while Pro High Scorer went to Colombia’s Federico Uribe. Best playing pony went to Ferrari, an 8-year-old mare owned and played by Milo Ardissone, son of tournament creator Alberto Ardissone.

Afterward, everyone celebrated at a one-of-a-kind party, capping off a special week for everyone. •

Giorgio Brignone and Alberto Ardissone founded the Agua Alta tournament.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 47

POLO REPORT DISPATCHES FROM THE WORLD OF POLO

FLORIDA

RAMON CASARES

SAN SABA TAKES WCT OPEN FINAL

San Saba’s MVP Sarah Wiseman chases down WPL’s Milli Sanchez in the final of the open division of the Sunny Hale’s Legacy WCT.

T

he Sunny Hale’s Legacy WCT final at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida, April 6, was a day to remember the greatest women’s player and visionary of all-time.

San Saba (Dawn Jones, Clarissa Echezarreta, Lia Salvo, Sarah Wiseman) defeated WPL (Delfina Blaquier, Courtney Asdourian, Nina Clarkin, Milli Sanchez), 6-4, to win the open division. Lia Salvo scored a game-high four goals for the winners.

Sarah Wiseman of Great Britain was

48 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

selected MVP. Grand Champions Best Playing Pony was Resynosa, played in the third chukker by Jones.

Panamana, played by Clarkin and owned by La Dolfina, was the American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony. The APHA was created in 2006 by Hale to recognize polo ponies in America and encourage events that showcase them and hardworking dedication of grooms.

In the 16-goal division, Melinda’s Prospect (Cindy Halle, Malia Bryan,

Kylie Sheehan, Anna Winslow) defeated Blue Pegasus (Jennifer Williams, Kerstie Allen, Millie Hine, Alyson Poor), 8-5½.

Sheehan was MVP after leading Melinda’s Prospect with three goals.

Halle and Bryan each had two goals and Winslow added one. Hine led Blue Pegasus with three goals and Williams had two goals.

Bryan earned Best Goal of the Day honors and Hines was awarded the Fair Play Award.

P O L O

R E P O R T

Joanne Smicklas presents trophies to Melinda’s Prospect’s Kylie Sheehan, Anna Winslow, Malia Bryan and Cindy Halle.

Beverly Equestrian’s MVP Tolito Ocampo, Hilario Figueras, Geronimo Obregon and Bill Ballhaus won the Top Pony 12 Goal.

WPL’s Juan Bollini, MVP Gussie Busch, Nico Harriott and Santos Bollini won the Limited Edition 8-Goal Series.

RAMON CASARES

San Saba’s Sarah Wiseman, Dawn Jones, Lia Salvo and Clarissa Echezarreta won the open division of the WCT final.

A week prior, the club ended its third season of a women’s weekly league with Speedwell (Malicia von Falkenhausen, Nicole Watson, Alina Carta, Belinda Brody, Clarissa Echezarreta) rallying in the fourth to tie San Saba (Cindy Halle, Slaney O’Hanlon, Cecelia Cochran, Anna Winslow, Rileigh Tibbott), 3-3.

In other action, Beverly Equestrian (Bill Ballhaus, Geronimo Obregon, Hilario Figueras, Tolito Ocampo) rallied to capture the Top Pony 12-goal series title, 13-10, over Igea (Adam Lipson, Santino Magrini, Toro Ruiz, Johnny Redlich). Ocampo, 26, was named MVP. He led Beverly Equestrian with eight goals. Best Playing Pony honors went to Figueras’ Casita Robada, an 8-yearold mare from the Cria Yatay

breeding program.

The game was close in the first half with the teams tying 1-1 in the opening chukker and Igea scoring a lone goal in the second chukker. Igea outscored Beverly 3-2 in the third for a 5-3 halftime advantage.

Beverly Equestrian roared back in the second half, outscoring Igea, 10-5.

Tied 7-7 going into the final chukker, Beverly Equestrian scored three unanswered goals to clinch the victory.

On April 1, WPL (Santos Bollini, Nico Harriott, Gussie Busch, Juan Bollini) knocked off Dutta Corp.

(Juanse Olivera, Timmy Dutta, Tolito Ocampo, Tim Dutta), 12-11, in a thrilling overtime period to take the Limited Edition 8-goal.

With the score tied, 11-11, Juan Bollini scored the winning goal just 30

seconds into extra time. After missed scoring opportunities by both teams, Bollini picked up the loose ball on a broken play and scored.

Gussie Busch, 23, was MVP after scoring a game-high eight goals, including seven penalty conversions.

In a hotly-contested, penaltymarred game that had more chatter than a morning talk show, the lead changed hands 14 times before going into overtime. Both teams led during the game and had opportunities to win in regulation time at the penalty line and from the field.

“The game was a little sticky with all the fouls in the beginning,” said Busch. “We finally opened it up and thank God in overtime we pulled it out and got the win.”

—Sharon Robb

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 49

P O L O

R E P O R T

Ginny Orthwein presents trophies to San Saba’s Clarissa Echezarreta, Dawn Jones, Rileigh Tibbott and Hope Arellano.

Postage Stamp’s Brandon Phillips, Nic Manifold, Annabelle Gundlach and Antonio Aguerre won the Woodcock 6 Goal.

ML Bar Ranch’s Mia Bray, Steve Krueger, Cody Ellis and Drew Luplow won the USPA President’s Cup.

Skaneateles’ Marty Cregg, Costi Caset, Mariano Obregon and Cesar Jimenez came from behind to win the 12-goal.

SAN SABA PREVAILS IN 11TH TABEBUIA CUP San Saba topped a four-team roster to win the 11th Annual Tabebuia Cup at Port Mayaca Polo Club in Okeechobee, Florida, March 9.

San Saba (Rileigh Tibbott, Hope Arellano, Dawn Jones, Clarissa Echezarreta) edged Crossfit El Cid (Malia Bryan, Kylie Sheehan, Cecelia Cochran, Pam Flanagan), 6-5. Hope Arellano was MVP and Andrea, owned

by Wes Bryan and played by Malia Bryan, was Best Playing Pony.

In the subsidiary, Royal Poinciana Plaza (Nicole Watson, Jennifer Williams, Mia Bray, KC Krueger) defeated Icon Global/WIPN (Danielle Lussi, Olivia Uechtritz, Alyson Poor

50 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

and Courtney Asdourian).

In the inaugural Woodcock 6 Goal final, Postage Stamp Farm (Annabelle Gundlach, Brandon Phillips, Nick Manifold, Antonio Aguerre) defeated Horseware Ireland (Tiffany Orthwein, Tom MacGuinness, Hugo Lloret, Santos Merlos), 9-4.

A strong first half set the tone, with MVP Aguerre helping his team with three field goals to lead, 6-1.

Horseware put three goals on the board to give the team a fighting chance going into the last chukker, however, it was unable to maintain the momentum when Gundlach came out on Best Playing Pony Picassa and scored two field goals to seal the win.

In the playoff rounds, Horseware edged Postage Stamp, 7-6; Speedwell

(Nicole Watson, Steve Orthwein, Segundo Merlos, Rob Boyd) beat Shamrock (John Walsh, Hayden Walsh, Trevor Niznik, Max Segunda), 3-2; Horseware topped Speedwell, 6-5; Postage Stamp bested Shamrock, 3-2; Shamrock overcame Horseware; and Postage Stamp downed Speedwell, 5-1.

The next day, ML Bar Ranch (Fox Benton/Mia Bray, Drew Luplow, Steve Krueger, Cody Ellis) defeated Speedwell/ Crossfit El Cid (Nicole Watson, Cecelia Cochran, Jason Wates, Robert Orthwein), 11-5, in the final of the USPA President’s Cup. Speedwell played a strong defense in the first half against the undefeated ML Bar team but ML Bar managed to double up its score, 4-2, at the half.

Ellis kept up the pressure in the second

R E P O R T

RAMON CASARES

P O L O

Valiente’s Bob Jornayvaz, Pamela Flanagan, Mia Cambiaso and Adolfo Cambiaso won the inaugural Mixed Doubles Championship.

half with four goals to lead, 9-3, going into the final seven minutes. The teams matched goals to keep ML Bar ahead for the win.

Cody Ellis was MVP and Wates’ Remy was Best Playing Pony.

Four teams competed, including Skaneateles (Marty Cregg, Cesar Jimenez, Marcos Onetto, Dennys Santana) and Aliano’s Realty (Nick Aliano, Tim Kine, Hugo Lloret, Charly Cendoya).

A few days later, ML Bar (Fox Benton, Drew Luplow, Cody Ellis, Jason Crowder/Pedro Gutierrez) nearly knocked off Skaneateles (Marty Cregg, Cesar Jimenez, Mariano Obregon, Costi Caset) in the final of the 12-goal USPA Heritage Cypress Cup, but a rain delay allowed Skaneateles to regroup and come from behind for the win.

In the final, the teams battled back and forth in an exciting first half, ending tied 5-5. ML Bar outscored Skaneateles 3-1 in the fourth to lead 86. Caset brought Skaneateles within one early in the fifth but Ellis pushed the difference back to two. With a minute remaining in the period, heavy rain fell and thunder clapped overhead. The teams toughed it out to finish the chukker, but a tornado warning put the game on hold.

The next day, the teams played out the last chukker. Skaneateles managed

Bob Jornayvaz helps Colorado’s Rob Jornayvaz, Juan Martin Zubia, Jero del Carril and Adolfo Cambiaso hoist the Triple Crown trophy.

to tie the game and force overtime. In the extra period, the teams battled for five minutes before Jimenez got on a breakaway to score the winning goal for the well-deserved 11-10 victory.

Ellis was MVP and his Muscle Milk was Best Playing Pony.

To get to the final, ML Bar edged Island House (Peter Holowesko/ Emmanuel Huerta, Keko Magrini, Dylan Rossiter, Toro Ruiz), 11-10 in over time and Skaneateles, 10-9, while Skaneateles overcame Island House (forfeit) and Horseware (Tom MacGuinness, Hugo Lloret, Charly Cendoya, Robert Orthwein), 15-12.

Island House notched a win over Horseware, 10-8.

VALIENTE WINS MIXED DOUBLES Valiente came away the winner in the final of the inaugural WPL U.S. National Mixed Doubles Championship held at Valiente Polo Farm in Wellington, Florida, April 5.

Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz, Pamela Flanagan, Mia Cambiaso, Adolfo Cambiaso) defeated Audi (Milli Sanchez, Nina Clarkin, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Marc Ganzi), 6-4.

Created by WPL co-founder Bob Jornayvaz, the unique first-of-its-kind game featured two men and two women with combined male and

female handicaps on each team.

“It was so much fun, it was great,” Jornayvaz said. “I am really happy. I think we took women’s polo to another level in terms of just accelerating the pace. I am really proud of the girls and how they played. They did well. I am just so proud of what they did.”

Jornayvaz, who grew up playing mixed doubles in tennis, came up with the idea to help promote women’s polo, the largest growing sector of polo throughout the world.

Ten-goalers Nina Clarkin of Great Britain and Adolfo Cambiaso of Argentina were named Female and Male Most Valuable Players.

“It was great fun,” Cambiaso said.

“I hope in the future we can get eight teams and play a real tournament flat out with handicaps. We can go six chukkers.”

The fast, wide open four-chukker game was a battle from the opening chukker. The lead changed hands six times before Flanagan and Clarkin scored back-to-back goals in the final three minutes to put the game away.

Adolfo Cambiaso, Mia Cambiaso and Flanagan each had two goals. For Audi, all four players scored one goal.

Fausto, a 6-year-old gelding played

by Mia Cambiaso in the third chukker and owned by La Dolfina, was Grand Champions Best Playing Pony.

Augustina, a 14-year-old mare,

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 51

USA’s Paul Hobby, Billy Mudra, Bryon Middleton and Joe Fitzsimons won the Legation Cup in Houston.

played by Flanagan in the third chukker and owned by J5 Equestrian, was named American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony.

The WPL season finale saw Colorado capture the Triple Crown of Polo after topping the eight-team tournament undefeated at 5-0, winning $90,000 in prize money.

After two rain delays in the over two hour match, Colorado (Rob Jornayvaz, Juan Martin Zubia, Jero Del Carril, Adolfo Cambiaso) prevailed 9-8 in a wet, wild finish at a rainsoaked Grand Champions Polo Club.

The start of the game was delayed 40 minutes and again with just under four minutes remaining because of torrential rain.

After a couple of inches of rain fell in a few hours, several club officials walked the field to ensure it was safe once the rain let up.

In the first half, Colorado jumped off to a 3-0 lead early in the second chukker, catching Audi off-guard.

Audi had trouble with its passing game and had to contend with Colorado’s early counter attacks.

Ganzi got Audi back on track with a Penalty 2 conversion for Audi’s first goal, 3-1, late in the second chukker.

After Cambiaso missed a goal, Ganzi took the ball from 150 yards out and raced to goal to cut the lead to one, 32, to end the chukker.

52 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

KAYLEE WROE

R E P O R T KAYLEE WROE

P O L O

Horsegate’s Carlos Ramirez, Lance Stefanakis, Nick Stefanakis and Ariel Mancebo won the 4-goal Spring Cup.

After an exchange of goals by Del Carril off the throw-in and Kampsen after a nice backhand pass from Roldan, Audi trailed, 4-3, to start the third chukker before Colorado took control and led 7-3 at the half. Behind the one-two punch of Zubia and Del Carril, Colorado scored five consecutive goals in the third and fourth chukkers for a 9-3 advantage at the end of the fourth.

Unfazed, Audi (Marc Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Pablo MacDonough, Kris Kampsen) staged a big turn around with five consecutive goals after finding its system that got it to the final. Penalties and rain took its toll on Audi’s momentum and it came up short.

—Sharon Robb SOUTHWEST

USA TRIUMPHS IN LEGATION CUP USA edged England in the seasonopening Legation Cup, presented by André Clouet, at the Houston Polo Club in Houston, Texas, March 31.

In a defensive battle, it took a pair of Penalty 2s in the second chukker to put England (George Cadogan, Jeremy Pemberton, Charles Cadogan, Will Emerson) on the board, allowing the team to carry a 2-0 lead into halftime.

The crowd walked the field at halftime, enjoying complimentary champagne, divot stomping and the automobiles on display from Bill Fick Ford, Land Rover Houston Central and Porsche of West Houston. The break proved beneficial to USA (Joe Fitzsimons, Bryon Middleton, Billy Mudra, Paul Hobby) as Middleton slammed in three in a row, catching England by surprise.

Leading by one going into the final chukker, the teams traded goals, leaving USA ahead by one, 5-4, enough for the win.

Charles Cadogan was MVP and Bryon Middleton’s Max was Best Playing Pony.

A week later, on April 6, Horsegate (Lance Stefanakis, Nick Stefanakis, Ariel Mancebo, Carlos Ramirez) edged Rovers Romphouse (Minerva Adina, Debbie Shelton, Tom Crea, Agustin Arrayago), 8-7, to win the Spring Cup. Ramirez scored back-to-back goals to get Horsegate on the board early in the first. Arrayago put Rovers on the board to end the first, 2-1. Mancebo scored two in a row in the second and Nick Stefanakis sunk a Penalty 3, but Shelton hit the mark and Arrayago added two more to keep it close, 5-4.

Horsegate increased the lead in the third when Mancebo added two more and Lance Stefanakis scored while Rovers was held scoreless. Trailing by

R E P O R T

KAYLEE WROE

KAYLEE WROE

P O L O

ML Bar Ranch’s Abby Benton, Fox Benton, Cody Ellis and Drew Luplow won the Blue Bonnet and Lonestar Cups.

ML Bar’s Cody Ellis slaps a hook on Cody Woodfin in the final of the Blue Bonnet Cup .

Rocking P’s Daniella Price, Cara Kennedy, Jack Whitman and Grayson Price and Pecan Acres’ Joe Mack Stimmel, Winston Painter, Madie Outhier and Grace Parker. Pecan Acres won the USPA Centennial Cup, 5-4, over Rocking P.

four going into the last chukker, Rovers rallied when Arrayago scored a pair and Shelton sunk a Penalty 3, but they ran out of time and Horsegate held on for the narrow victory.

ML Bar Ranch (Abby Benton, Fox Benton, Cody Ellis, Drew Luplow) dominated 4-goal action for the next two weeks. First, it defeated Bearsden (Al Pepi, Ignacio Saenz, Cody Woodfin, Carol Farnsworth), 7½-6, in the Blue Bonnet Cup. Ellis struck first, sandwiching goals around one from Saenz in the first chukker and adding to ML Bar’s halfgoal handicap. Woodfin scored early in the second, but Abby Benton responded with a Penalty 2 conversion.

Woodfin scored, followed by Pepi for a narrow lead, but Luplow put ML Bar

back on top, 4½-4, at the half.

Bearsden took control in the third with a pair of unanswered goals by Saenz but ML Bar retaliated in the final chukker with unanswered goals

by Abby Benton, Fox Benton and Ellis for the win.

Ellis was named MVP and Saenz’s gelding, Rey, was named Best Playing Pony.

The next week, ML Bar faced Sullivan Group (Joanie Jackson, Sarah Prinsloo, Mark Prinsloo, Nick Cifuni) in the Lonestar Cup final.

ML Bar again started with a halfgoal handicap, which would prove crucial. Sullivan group jumped out front in the first seven minutes with goals by Jackson and Cifuni, while ML Bar was held to a single strike

from Abby Benton.

Jackson traded goals with Luplow in the second to maintain Sullivan’s narrow lead, 3-2½. Neither team was able to reach the goal in the third chukker so it came down to the last seven minutes. Prinsloo scored early but Luplow and Ellis scored to give ML Bar the 4½-4 edge.

Cifuni was named MVP and Fox Benton’s beautiful grey mare, Hershey, was Best Playing Pony.

PECAN ACRES YOUTH ACE USPA CENTENNIAL CUP Four teams of school-aged polo players, traveling as far away as California and Connecticut, participated in the spring USPA Centennial Cup—Texas Youth

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 53

USEFULS

POLO REPORT (continued from page 15) Outdoor Challenge, April 5-7.

The first preliminary game took place on a beautiful Friday afternoon at the host club, Pecan Acres Polo Club in Fulshear, Texas, between Horsegate (Anson Moore, Grace Mudra, Lance Stefanakis, Will Mudra) and Rocking P Polo (Grayson Price, Jack Whitman, Cara Kennedy, Daniella Price). The game was a close one, resulting in a shootout ultimately allowing Rocking P Polo to advance to the final with a score of 6-5.

Saturday morning was the next preliminary game again at Pecan Acres between Vintage Polo (Bayne Bossom, Bridget Price, Lily Lequerica, Joe Bob Lequerica) and Pecan Acres Polo (Joe Mack Stimmel, Winston Painter, Madi Outhier, Grace Parker). Vintage Polo gave it all it had, but unfortunately it was no match for Pecan Acres Polo, with the final score at 10-2.

Sunday brought heavy thunderstorms all throughout south Texas and not a dry field was to be found until Tuesday afternoon. The consolation was played at Horsegate between Vintage Polo and Horsegate.

The final was held at Rocking P Polo between Pecan Acres Polo and Rocking P Polo. The game was fast and hard-fought with incredible plays by all players.

Pecan Acres was victorious in the end, winning with a score of 5-4.

The MVP and Best Playing Pony trophies were sponsored by Vintage Polo and L.A. Waters Quarter Horses. Pecan Acres’ Winston Painter, who scored three goals, was MVP while Best Playing Pony went to Pancho, owned by Agustin Arrayago and played by Rocking P’s Jack Whitman.

•

54 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Sanchez pointed out that the league also was a benefit for those leasing as well as buying and selling horses. Some of the players that leased horses ended up buying them. “Karl Hilberg was able to try several horses during TAL and

purchased one of them. The ability to try horses without having to travel to multiple locations is a huge plus,” she explained. Hilberg, who lives in San Antonio, tried horses from Oklahoma, Midland and Dallas.

“The success and growth of TAL is in part due to a dedicated committee whose

Texas Arena League Awards After four events over three months, the dust settled and the Texas Arena League awards were presented.

Competition was so tight, flight winners and runners-up couldn’t be determined until the final matches were played. The league is formatted so teams play different teams at each location. There is not a final, per se, but historically the top two teams have not played each other until the final event.

As the last games finished, there were tight races in all categories, necessitating tiebreaking criteria for some. An overflowing trophy table had a lot to feature. The winning team in each flight took home custom-made belt buckles and the runner-up team won mallet bags. Sportsmanship in each flight won a highly-coveted Catena Swiss watch. MVP was given a gear bag from U.S. Polo Assn. full of apparel and other items. Best Playing Pony was draped with a cooler while the Best String won a gift certificate from Superior Equine Sports Massage Therapy and a horse brush.

High Point Individuals in each flight were presented with engraved Bombers spurs from Jackrabbit Tack and the High Point Overall won a pair of custom-made boots from AB Boots. The Fan Favorites (voted on by the spectators) took home gifts from Galvin Agency/American National Insurance. Best Team Player in each flight was recognized with an engraved Grizzly cup as was the Players’ Choice Competitor (voted on by the players). Best Host Club, also voted on by the players, has a giant banner to proudly display in their arena.

Kyle McGraw, who took home a buckle in the 0-to 3-goal flight, a mallet bag in the 3to 6-goal flight and High Point Overall, reflected on his experience in TAL. “The team from Midland last year won the 3 to 6 goal and talked about what a great time they had. I’ve played on the grass, but not in the arena before. This sounded like a fun thing to do in the off-season and it has been fantastic,” McGraw said. “Playing in the games has been fun but the camaraderie, the fellowship, the fun—that is the highlight for me. It’s hard-knocking in the games but everyone has been a good sport and getting along well. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know a whole new group of players.”

Midland Polo Club received a banner to hang in its arena after being voted Best Host Club.

USEFULS

goals are shared—create a fun and competitive series of events, grow the sport through spectators who turn into polo school students who turn into C-Flight TAL players who eventually play the higher-level flights, buy horses and play regularly at their home clubs,” explained Sanchez. “The arena is the key. It makes the games more appealing to spectators, gets the participants into one location for the

camaraderie and provides a venue for playing the dizzying amount of games that need to be played to make each event happen.”

Why not be the first to reach out to clubs in your area to form a league and start growing polo? The USPA offers resources for starting a league through its arena committee or through its Polo Development, LLC. •

1

0- to 3-Goal Flight Winning team—Legacy (Kyle McGraw, Ashley Owen, Javier Peralta) Runners-up–Central Texas Polo Assn. (Tres de la Paz, Zoe Lehmer, Gal Shweiki, Javier Insua, Holly Wood) Catena Sportsmanship–Jack Crea U.S. Polo Assn. MVP–Sidro Olivas Nutrena Best Playing Pony–Isabella, owned and played

by Kelly Coldiron Superior Equine Sports Massage Therapy Best String– Brady Williams’ DaVinci, Platinum, Sonita, Rosie, Caloosa, Cisco, Mary, Stella Jackrabbit Tack High Point Individual–Ashley Owen Best Team Player–Cindy Von Falkenhausen

2

3

3- to 6-Goal Flight Winning Team–Legend’s Horse Ranch (Nacho Estrada, August Scherer, Stephen Lacy, Omar Polio, JT Shiverick) Runners-up–Legacy (Kyle McGraw, Loreto Natividad, Ashley Owen) Catena Sportsmanship–Greg Summers U.S. Polo Assn. MVP–Javier Insua Nutrena Best Playing Pony–Solita, owned and played by Javier Insua Superior Equine Sports Massage Therapy Best String– Greg Summers (who also mounted Wyatt Myr) Jackrabbit Tack High Point Individual–Loreto Natividad Best Team Player–Wyatt Myr

4

5

Overall Awards High Point Overall–Kyle McGraw Players’ Choice Competitor–Ashley Owen (the player that most embodies the best aspects of Texas Arena League) Fan Favorites–Mark Osburn, Matt Kenney, Nacho Estrada, Ashley Owen Best Host Club–Midland Polo Club Every team took home a bottle of CCC Ranch Wine, compliments of Kelly Coldiron.

1. Greg Summers won Best Sportsman and Best String; 2. MVP Javier Insua with Best Playing Pony Solita; 3. High Point Overall winner Kyle McGraw gets measured for a new pair of boots from AB Boots; 4. Robin Sanchez presents Catena Best Sportsman to Jack Crea; 5. Kelly Coldiron’s Isabella was Best Playing Pony in the lower flight.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 55

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS.COM

U S PA B U L L E T I N

SD Farms’ Pelon Escapite challenges Cessna’s Chip Campbell for the ball in the Gauntlet of Polo.

(continued from page 11)

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS.COM

Cessna’s Pipe Marquez brought six horses from Colombia and four from Argentina for the Gauntlet.

“He came to stay with me in Sheridan, Wyoming, in the summer of 2018 and was exposed to polo for a weekend. Seeing the opportunity to advance their brand not only in the equine world, but in the polo community, he actually called me out of the blue and asked to sponsor our team,” Campbell explained.

As the president of Campbell Companies of Louisiana, managing partner in several real estate and oil/gas partnerships, and heavily involved in the

56 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

land and timber business, Campbell has a vision for what increased corporate sponsorship could do for American polo.

“It helps further what we are trying to accomplish in the USPA as far as legitimatizing the sport, bringing sponsors in and creating a business atmosphere with commercial interests for the tournaments that promote the value of these cups,” he said.

Intentionally anchoring his team with the selection of a strong captain, Campbell enlisted Argentine 7-goaler Ferrario, whom he had played with previously in Argentina, and built a compatible team around him and his game. Considering Colombian 6-goaler Marquez, team manager Gonzalo Tevez was uncertain because he did not have any horses in the U.S., but was confident the team and his friend Ferrario could help mount him.

“Ferrario used to go to Colombia to play and that’s how he met Pipe 10 years ago,” Tevez said.

“Pipe was in business at the time, but when they met he told him that he wanted to play polo professionally. Ferrario told him to come to Argentina, so Pipe went and spent the season living with him and playing at the club.”

Having never played in the States before, Marquez embraced the huge opportunity to improve as a player and capitalize upon the experience, bringing his best horses from Colombia and Argentina.

“My team believed in me and told me to bring the ones from home that I felt comfortable with and that

worked best for me,” Marquez shared. “I brought six from Colombia and three from Argentina and fortunately they have been good.”

Rounding out the team, Campbell was determined to find a strong Team USPA member, bringing in 6goaler Viana. “He’s the one who we knew the least, but he exceeded our expectations and fit very well with the team,” Tevez said. “We couldn’t be happier with him.”

Viana said, “This is our home and the [winter in South Florida is the] time for us to improve. When we get help from a team owner who brings American players onto their team, it’s our chance to play with the pros and learn from them. Every time we wear our whites is when we improve.”

Since taking the field in February, members of Cessna have progressed in the short months they’ve been teammates, propelled by their collective desire to give their best effort.

“When we got the opportunity to come here, Gallego made it a priority and brought his best horses from Argentina,” Tevez said. “Felipe Viana came to Argentina to spend some time with us and although he wasn’t looking for horses, he found three or four that he really liked and made an effort to buy them. Marquez also brought everything he had from Colombia.”

Hungry from the onset, they enlisted the coaching of Michel Dorignac and have continued to train three to four times per week as a team, their chemistry growing as a result. Overcoming a few obstacles inherent over the course of a long season, including minor horse injuries, Viana separating his shoulder and an arm injury for Gallego requiring a substitute (Argentine Polo Association President Eduardo Novillo Astrada) for one game, Cessna has banded together, allowing their setbacks to push them forward in their pursuit.

“Our team overcoming those things and remaining competitive to win or come very close are all things that draw you together and create that team bond,” Campbell said.

Echoing his sentiments, Marquez commented on the positive energy of the group as they have become closer since spending a lot of time together. “For me it’s been an amazing season so far with these guys.

The best thing about the team [is] the good vibes you feel at the stable. Everybody is doing their job and trying to accomplish the same goal,” he said.

“We are very aware that some of these other organizations are repopulating their string over the course of the season. We don’t have that luxury so we are the underdogs, but we are doing the best we can and that makes it much more gratifying when

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS.COM

U S PA B U L L E T I N

you do enjoy success,” said Campbell.

Although falling short of the Gauntlet of Polo trophy in its inaugural year, Cessna enjoyed the experience of participating for the United States’ most prestigious cups. Playing an active role in the positive impact the Gauntlet has already had on the sport, Campbell is proud of the progress being made to elevate the level of play for young Americans.

“Look at Mia Bray, Matias Gonzalez, and Felipe Viana,” Campbell remarked. “There are more Americans playing in this tournament than there were last year and 16 teams participating where there were only four or six teams in the same tournaments last year. This should inspire young players to come into the sport if we, as the USPA, can give them a platform where there’s ease of entry.”

If everything works out, the team members of Cessna are looking forward to the prospect of playing again next season.

“It’s certainly my intent. I will only put a team together with teammates that I like to be around and I certainly like this group,” Campbell said.

•

Determined to find a strong Team USPA member, Campbell brought in Felipe Viana, above.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 57

CALENDAR

June APRIL 20-JUNE 29 Saturday Margarita League Willow Bend, Little Elm, TX APRIL 24-JUNE 5 Wagener 4 Goal Wagener, Aiken, SC MAY 3-JUNE 24 Pro-Pool League Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, CA M A Y 31 - J U N E 9 Vic Garber Cup (8-12) Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, CA USPA Congressional Cup (8) Willow Bend, Little Elm, TX White Pants Open (4-8) Mashomack, Pine Plains, NY JUNE 1 USA versus Chile Newport, Portsmouth, RI Top Pony Cup Prestonwood, Oak Point, TX Farmington Cup Farmington, Farmington, CT

JUNE 2 Joseph Poor/Stan Bradford Cup Myopia, South Hamilton, MA Oskie Rice Memorial Cup Maui, Makawao, HI Horses & Horsepower Brandywine, Toughkenamon, PA Team Hawaii vs Team Australia Hawaii, Waialua, HI JUNE 2-4 National Arena Challenge Cup Commonwealth, Paris, KY JUNE 5-26 Wednesday League (0-4) Willow Bend, Little Elm, TX J U N E 6 - 16 USPA Sportsmanship Cup (6-8) Nashville, Nashville, TN Shreve, Crump & Low Cup Greenwich, Greenwich, CT JUNE 8 Hunterdon Polo Classic Fieldview Farm, Pittstown, NJ

Chukkers for Charity Seneca, Poolesville, MD

Belmont Stakes Cup Prestonwood, Oak Point, TX

Intra Club Matches New Orleans, Folsom, LA

Endangered Wolf Benefit Spirit Valley, St. Louis, MO

12th Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic Liberty State Park, NYC, NY

Poland vs USA Farmington, Farmington, CT

USA vs. Mexico Franklin Polo, Nashville, TN

Newport Cup Newport, Portsmouth, RI

JUNE 1-2 NYTS Qualifier Atlanta Regional, Tyrone, GA

JUNE 8-9 NOPC Summer Classic New Orleans, Folsom, LA

Open Season Cup (0-2) Congressional, Rockville, MD

Arena WCT Challenge (8) Seneca, Poolesville, MD

JUNE 1-3 National Arena Challenge Cup Commonwealth, Paris, KY

J U N E 8 - 13 Summer League (4) Southampton, Water Mill, NY

JUNE 1-SEPTEMBER 1 Women’s Polo League Denver, Denver, CO

JUNE 9 CG Rice Cup Myopia, South Hamilton, MA WCT Women’s Arena Challenge Maui, Makawao, HI

58 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Chester County Hospital Charity Brandywine, Toughkenamon, PA Team Hawaii vs Team Australia Hawaii, Waialua, HI Horses & Horsepower Oak Brook, Oak Brook, IL JUNE 9-23 Independence Cup (8) Southampton, Water Mill, NY Copa Americana Play Polo, Westerville, OH J U N E 10 - J U LY 2 6 One-week Summer Camps Central Coast, Los Osos, CA J U N E 12 - 13 Midstates Circuit Women’s Challenge Buffalo, Wainfleet, Ontario J U N E 1 2 - 16 NYTS Qualifier Houston, Houston, TX J U N E 1 3 - 16 USPA Sportsmanship Cup (0-4) Farmington, Farmington, CT J U N E 14 - 16 USPA Gen. Brown (8) Willow Bend, Little Elm, TX J U N E 14 - 2 3 Intra-Circuit (8-12) Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, CA J U N E 14 - 3 0 USPA Officers Cup (8) Mashomack, Pine Plains, NY J U N E 15 Players Cup (0-4) Kraftig, St. Louis, MO Mallets & Moonlight Mohawk Park, Tulsa, OK Symphony Cup Prestonwood, Oak Point, TX Sportsmanship Cup Farmington, Farmington, CT Pro Series Clinic Mountain View, Charles Town, WV

CALENDAR

June USA vs Scotland Newport, Portsmouth, RI The Ultimate Polo Experience Denver, Sedalia, CO Teen Cancer America Will Rogers, Pacific Palisades, CA J U N E 1 5 - 16 NYTS Qualifier Bluewater Creek, Rogersville, AL NYTS Qualifier Cerro Pampa, Petaluma, CA Intro to Polo Clinic Seattle, Enumclaw, WA Umpire Clinic Heritage Farm, Canaan, NH Green Cup (0-4) Congressional, Rockville, MD Father’s Day Matches New Orleans, Folsom, LA J U N E 16 Neil Ayer Cup Myopia, South Hamilton, MA NYTS Qualifier Central Coast, Los Osos, CA Players Cup Big Horn, Sheridan, WY George Manoa Invitational Maui, Makawao, HI Hawaii Polo Life Invitational Hawaii, Waialua, HI J U N E 16 - 3 0 Monty Waterbury Cup Greenwich, Greenwich, CT J U N E 17 - 2 4 Nalo Olo League Honolulu, Waimanalo, HI J U N E 19 - J U L Y 2 4 Copa Miércoles (8) Mashomack, Pine Plains, NY J U N E 19 - 3 0 USPA Officers Cup (4-8) Nashville, Nashville, TN

JUNE 20-22 PTF College Fair & Youth Clinic Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, CA J U N E 21 - 2 2 Victory Cup Fontanel, Whites Creek, TN J U N E 21 - 2 3 USPA Gen. Patton (0-4) Willow Bend, Little Elm, TX J U N E 21 - 3 0 Makeup/Knockout (8/tbd) Willow Bend, Little Elm, TX JUNE 22 Patriot Cup Prestonwood, Oak Point, TX International Polo Challenge Mashomack, Pine Plains, NY Newport vs Boston Newport, Portsmouth, RI Texas Polo Cup Dallas, Red Oak, TX Connecticut Cup Farmington, Farmington, CT Intro to Polo Clinic Seattle, Enumclaw, WA JUNE 22-23 23rd C.D. LeBlanc Memorial Will Rogers, Los Angeles, CA JUNE 22-29 East Coast Open Women’s (14-20) East Coast Handicap Women’s (8-12) Newport, Portsmouth, RI JUNE 23 Agassiz Club Cup (0) Myopia, South Hamilton, MA Bucky King Memorial Big Horn, Sheridan, WY Military Assistance Project Charity Brandywine, Toughkenamon, PA Butler Challenge Cup Oak Brook, Oak Brook, IL

Corona Cup Seneca, Poolesville, MD J U N E 2 3 - J U L Y 21 New York Cup (8) Southampton, Water Mill, NY JUNE 24-29 Interscholastic Polo Summer Camp Gardnertown, Newburgh, NY JUNE 27-30 USPA Centennial Cup (0-2) Acoaxet, Tiverton, RI JUNE 28 Boone County Polo Charity Match Hickory Hall, Whitestown, IN JUNE 28-29 NYTS Qualifier (0-4) Gardnertown, Newburgh, NY NYTS Qualifier Buffalo, Wainfleet, Ontario JUNE 28-30 McHugh Cup (4) Brandywine, Toughkenamon, PA J U N E 2 8 - AU G U S T 2 5 8-Goal League Oak Brook, Oak Brook, IL JUNE 29 Pacific Coast Arena League Lakeside, Lakeside, CA People Helping People Tourney Central Coast, Los Osos, CA JUNE 29-30 NYTS Qualifier (-2-2) Buffalo, Wainfleet, Ontario, Canada Woman’s Challenge (0-2, 4-6) Arranmore, Chicago, IL Congressional Cup (4-8) Congressional, Rockville, MD JUNE 30 Clive Ushijima Trophy Hawaii, Waialua, HI Fremont Motors Trophy Big Horn, Sheridan, WY

Jerry McGreggor Memorial Jacaranda Cup Maui, Makawao, HI

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 59

Y E S T E RY E A R S

Westchester Cup U.S. regains cup in 1921 after 1914 loss

NATIONAL SPORTING LIBRARY & MUSEUM, F. AMBROSE CLARK SCRAPBOOKS COLLECTION (MC0031)

So keen was the interest developed in polo after its introduction as a game in England and the United States, that, only 10 years from the time the first contest was held on this side of the Atlantic in 1876, an international match was played between England and the United States for an International Polo Challenge Cup which had been offered by the Westchester Polo Club of Newport to be played for

The 1921 English team of Maj. V.N. Lockett, Capt. Lord Wodehouse, Maj. F.W. Barrett and Lt. Col. H.A. Tomkinson

by English and American teams.

It was not until 1870, that polo was first played in England under modern rules. For many years prior thereto, however, English Regimental teams had played in India, and it was only six years after the sport was first tried out in Great Britain that it was introduced to the United States. James Gordon Bennett was the man who was responsible for the beginning of polo in America, for it was he who arranged for a game at the old Dickels Riding

60 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Academy at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 39th Street in New York City. Later in the spring of that same year, the scene of the games was shifted to the old Jerome Park track of the Westchester Racing Association. There it achieved great popularity, which resulted in the rapid spread of the sport throughout the East. One of the earliest formal clubs to be organized was the Westchester Polo Club of Newport, in 1877.

This was followed in 1881 by the Meadow Brook Club, and others came in quick succession.

Interest in the sport mounted rapidly, and in 1886, the Westchester Polo Club invited the Hurlingham Club of England to send a team to Newport to play for an International Challenge Cup. The matches were played late in the summer and the English team won both games, the first by a score of 10-4 and the second by 14-2. William Thorne, Raymond Belmont, Foxhall P. Keene and Thomas Hitchcock made up the American team, while the British team was composed of Capt. T. Hone, Richard Lawley, Capt.

Malcolm Little and John Watson.

The contemporaneous view of the play of the American team indicated that American polo in 1886 was not, so far as team play went, up to the standard of first class English polo. The American team did not play well together and thought too much of their individual play. They had not then mastered the backhander and did not try to keep the ball up and down the middle of the ground.

Y E S T E RY E A R S

For 14 years, interest in the cup was dormant, insofar as the United States was concerned, but in 1900 a group of Americans, who were then living in England, or on the Continent, presented a challenge to the Hurlingham Club. This American team was defeated in the only match played at Hurlingham by a score of 8-2. W. McCreery, F.J. Mackay, Keene and L. McCreery made up the American four, which was opposed by Capt. J.G. Beresford, Frederick Freake, Walter Buckmaster and Watson, who had organized the Hurlingham team which first won the cup.

In 1902, the polo association, determined to send a formal challenge to England for the cup, organized a team which played a series of three brilliant matches against the defending English four, only to be defeated by scores of 2-1, 6-1 and 71.

Keene, a veteran of both the 1886 and 1900 teams, was captain of the American four and had with him Lawrence Waterbury, James Waterbury Jr., John Cowdin and Rodolphe Agassiz. The English team included Cecil Nickalls, Patterson Nickalls, Buckmaster and Charles Miller. The victory of the American team in the first match was entirely unexpected, and for the time it appeared that the cup would return to the United States. However, in the following matches, the English four outplayed the Americans and won with comparative ease.

NATIONAL SPORTING LIBRARY & MUSEUM, F. AMBROSE CLARK SCRAPBOOKS COLLECTION (MC0031)

NATIONAL SPORTING LIBRARY & MUSEUM, F. AMBROSE CLARK SCRAPBOOKS COLLECTION (MC0031)

The American team was not deterred by an unseasonable April snow storm during practice at Sunbury in 1921.

King George V, Queen

In 1909, following several years of preparation, Mary and the Prince the polo associations authorized Harry Payne of Wales (later Edward VIII) arrive at the Whitney, for Meadow Brook, to challenge for the Hurlingham Club for cup. This was destined to be a turning point not only the international in the history of American polo, but also in the match in 1921. game itself, for the reason that Mr. Whitney had developed a team that played by a system, which completely subordinated the old style of individual play that had marked the game until that time. The POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 61

Y E S T E RY E A R S

NATIONAL SPORTING LIBRARY & MUSEUM, F. AMBROSE CLARK SCRAPBOOKS COLLECTION (MC0031)

The Americans took the first match, 11-4.

It was played June 18, 1921.

American team was mounted on the best ponies, which Mr. Whitney had been able to assemble over a period of four years, and the team which he selected to make the trip was one that had survived a severe process of elimination. James and Lawrence Waterbury, who had played in 1902, were two of the members of the team. Mr. Whitney was a third, while Devereux Milburn, of Buffalo, was the fourth and Louis E. Stoddard was spare man.

This team played a game that was a complete revelation to the English. It won the first match by a score of 9-5. The English team consisted of Capt.

Herbert Wilson, Freake, Patterson Nickalls and Lord Wodehouse, but the demonstrated superiority of the Americans was such that the English completely recognized their line-up for the second match, and took the field made up of Harry Rich, Freake, Nickalls and Capt. Hardress Lloyd.

This change, however, did not strengthen the English team sufficiently to make it a match for the affectionately termed “Big Four,” and the Americans won the second and final game by a score of 8-2.

The tremendous interest excited by the 1909 international series had a telling effect on the game both in the United States and in England. It became exceedingly popular almost overnight, with the 62 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

result that the English set about welding together a team which should invade America for the purpose of attempting to regain the cup.

Accordingly, a challenge was issued for a set of matches in 1911, and an English team arrived in this country late in the spring for the series of games that was to be played at the Meadow Brook Club, in Westbury, Long Island. The United States relied on the team, which had been successful in 1909 and was not disappointed in the outcome, although the English team played brilliantly, and did not admit defeat until the final minute of play. The first match was an American victory by a score of 4½-3, and the second even closer, was won 4½-3½. The English team consisted of Capt. Leslie Cheape, A. Noel Edwards, Capt. Hardress Lloyd and Capt. Herbert Wilson.

Two years later, England once more challenged for the cup, and again the United States relied on its victorious team of 1909 which had withstood the assaults of 1911, a team which was affectionately known as the Big Four. Two of the 1911 English players, Cheape and Edwards, were in the British line-up, which included also Capt. Ralph Ritson and Capt. Vivian Lockett. The American team, although hard pressed, emerged a victor, the score being 5½3 in the first match and 4½-4¼ in the second. For

Y E S T E RY E A R S

NATIONAL SPORTING LIBRARY & MUSEUM, F. AMBROSE CLARK SCRAPBOOKS COLLECTION (MC0031)

Play in the second match on June 22, 1921. The Americans won 10-6.

the first time since it had been undertaken to challenge for and then to defend the cup, the Big Four was unable to play through the matches without a change, a substitution in the first match taking place when Louis Stoddard replaced James Waterbury, who was injured, and this change held good through the second match.

So close had been the scores of the 1913 matches that the English renewed their challenge for 1914, and in that series of games they triumphed over the American team, returning to England with the cup. The Big Four had lost Mr. Whitney, who retired from the game after the 1913 play, the defending team being made up of Rene La Montagne at No. 1, James Waterbury at No. 2, Milburn at No. 3 and Larry Waterbury at back. The English team had Capt. Henry Tomkinson, Cheape, Capt. Frederick Barrett and Lockett. Both matches were played at Meadow Brook. The first was won by England by a score of 8½-3 and the second by 42ž.

The war caused a discontinuance of polo both in the United States and England, and it was not until 1921 that conditions made it possible for an international match to be played. In that year, a challenge was sent on behalf of the polo association, after systematic preparations had been made for the

selection and development of a team.

Of the men who had defended the cup for American in 1914, Milburn was the only player available, but Stoddard, who had been a reserve player in 1909 and 1913, and had played through one of the matches in that year, also became a candidate for the team, together with Charles Cary Rumsey (a substitute in 1914), Earle Hopping, J. Watson Webb and Thomas Hitchcock Jr. These players constituted the squad, which went to England and from which the team was eventually chosen, with Stoddard at No. 1, Hitchcock at No. 2, Webb at No. 3 and Milburn at back.

The war had left the ranks of the English antebellum teams fairly intact and it was possible for the defending nation to select a combination composed of Tomkinson at No. 1, Barrett at No. 2, Wodehouse at No. 3 and Lockett at back. Each of the four had experience in previous international matches, and the American team was prepared for a bitterly fought series. However, the careful course of preparation through which Milburn had brought his team, and the defensive combination play, made it possible for the Americans to capture both games and bring back the cup to the United States. The first match was won by a score of 11-4 and the second 10-6.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 63

Y E S T E RY E A R S

The 1921 American team of Louis A. Stoddard, Thomas Hitchcock Jr., J. Watson Webb and Devereux Milburn

In commenting on the brilliant play of the American team, the expert of the “Polo Monthly” wrote: Analyzing the form of the players full credit must be given to the Americans for a brilliant all-around display. Mr. Milburn was wonderful considering the physical disability under which he was laboring.

“I did not enjoy the game very much,” he confessed subsequently. “Usually I look forward with pleasure to hitting the ball, but this time it was not a bit enjoyable, especially when I had to hit on the nearside.”

To the onlooker, there was no trace of Mr. Milburn’s discomfort, and in the circumstances he must be considered to have put up an heroic game.

His backhanders seemed as powerful as ever. Mr. Watson Webb surpassed himself. When it is borne in mind that his usual place in the game is No. 2, we must admit that he filled the position of No. 3 with amazing success. All through the practice games he was the most consistent member of the team, and he touched his finest form in the international match.

Except for the error of judgement which produced a bad cross, Mr. Watson Webb’s display was practically faultless. He was ever in the right place, and the direction he gave to the ball was supremely

64 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

judicious. He was the one player who caught the eye of the brilliant Daily Mail cartoonist, Tom Webster, whose sketches following the match were the best things that have been done in the way of polo caricature. Mr. Watson Webb was the perfect pivot of the team, and he exhibited powers of leadership which will serve America in good stead whenever it becomes necessary to find a successor to Mr. Milburn.

Mr. Hitchcock, too, was a great success. His youthfulness did not prevent him from playing a steady game for the most part. Excepting Lord Wodehouse, there was not a member of the England team whose hitting approached the length of Mr. Hitchcock’s. He proved himself an international artist in the real sense, and he will be the nucleus of America’s strongest team for many years. Mr. Louis Stoddard was seen to great advantage. His exceedingly speedy ponies gave him a constant pull over the English defense, but he could not have made good use of that advantage unless he had played with fine discretion and judgement. When the men behind him drove the ball up, the American No. 1 was invariably in the right place.

• Reprinted from the 1923 USPA Year Book

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