December 2021 Polo Players' Edition- Party On!

Party On!

Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships Celebrate 10 Years

Photos by Steve Hooper & Bruce Yeung

Jared Sheldon and Nic Roldan battle in the Molina Cup.

The supersized Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships: Presented by Talking Stick Resort, wrapped up its 10th Anniversary on the polo field at WestWorld of Scottsdale, Oct. 23, with a celebration of new teams, new victories and new attendees.

More than 12,000 fans turned out for the event that welcomed teams from Arizona, Aspen Valley, Argentina, Colombia, as well as Wellington, Florida and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Ticket revenue increased this year more than 180% compared to 2019. The numbers were a pleasant site for The Polo Party’s Title Sponsor Bentley Scottsdale, which returned for its 7th year.

“The festivities and the enthusiastic crowds were an incredible sight to see on Saturday,” said Beli Merdovic, GM of Bentley Scottsdale. “It’s a strong indication that the Valley and polo fans are ready to get out again and that they did by enjoying a great day of polo and luxury.”

Among the new attractions were a complimentary zip line that greeted guests in the parking lot for an enjoyable ride to the front entrance and a morning beer festival, featuring specially selected collections of stouts, sours, porters, ales and others, that greeted polo goers upon entry into the all-day event.

The event featured four great matches with top players, including polo legend Nic Roldan as well as Melissa Ganzi and son Grant Ganzi, along with other top players from around the world.

Sponsored by Edmiston, Aspen Valley—the nation’s fastest growing polo club—won an unprecedented sixth title Saturday in front of the largest crowd of the day.

The team of Grant Ganzi, Melissa Ganzi and Nic Roldan/Juan Bollini defeated La Mariposa Argentina Polo Club (Martin Morey/Keri McKeone, Mariano Darritchon, Jared Shelton), 9-6, to win the coveted Molina Cup in the featured match.

Trailing by two goals at the half, Aspen Valley rallied in the second half. Starter Nic Roldan, injured while hiking in the mountains, was unable to play in the second chukker and was replaced by Bollini.

Melissa Ganzi scored four goals, all from the field, and was named MVP.

“It’s always fun to play with my mom,” said Grant Ganzi, brand ambassador for Casablanca, who also scored four goals, all on penalty shots, including a 60-yarder. “It’s nice to always play with her and even against her.”

Aspen Valley Polo Club’s sister club, Grand Champions Polo Club, based in Wellington, Florida, with KC Schmeits, Vinny Sangaline and Juan Bollini also came up big with a 7-3 victory over Bogota (Diego Flores, Robert Herrero, Andres Camacho). Bollini scored five goals, including three penalty shots, and Sangaline added two goals.

Grand Champions’ Vinny Sangaline knocks the ball out of the air in the game against Bogota.

In other games: Arizona Polo Club (Abi Slater, Vinay Bangalore, Alejandro Pompo) defeated Medellin Polo Club (Courtney Parker/Natalie Camacho, Felipe Ochoa, Stephen Bentz, Emilio Urrea), 11-5; and Santa Fe, New Mexico (Jerome Drake, John Welsh, Jared Sheldon) defeated Jet Set Polo (Julia Kline, Leigh Medaris, Dayella Fargey), 6-5.

Jet Set Polo’s Julia Kline.

Aspen Valley Polo Club’s Melissa Ganzi says Scottsdale’s extravagant Polo Party has helped increase polo’s exposure and popularity.

A contestant in the Canine Couture Dog Fashion Show.

“I think anything that gains traction for the sport and brings more eyes or more views in today’s world with digital and social media is good for the sport,” Ganzi said. “I hadn’t played in front of a crowd like that in a while,” she continued. “It was a great event. I was happy to be out there and happy to play. I had a fun time playing in front of a fun crowd. They did a really good job this year.”

Jared Sheldon keeps the ball from Juan Bollini, who took over for an injured Nic Roldan in the Molina Cup.

The sport of polo is always the centerpiece of The Polo Party. Event founder and Scottsdale public relations executive Jason Rose continues to raise the bar every year since he started the event in 2011 and this year was no exception as many new sponsors joined the festivities like Draft Kings, Go Puff and Cayman Islands.

Abi Slater handles the bouncing ball.

In addition to polo, fans enjoyed rugby and lacrosse matches and the favored Canine Couture Dog Fashion Show presented by Lugari Pet Salon; the World’s Longest Catwalk Fashion Show on Grass produced by Phoenix Fashion Week; a preview of Barrett-Jackson’s 2022 Car Collector Scottsdale Auction; and halftime performances by the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show.

More than 12,000 fans attended the event at WestWorld of Scottsdale.