LARRY JOHNSON
USA’s Geronimo Obregon swipes at a bouncing ball on the fly.
Here to Stay International Townsend Cup remains in USA
Pelon Escapite led USA to victory over England in the Townsend Cup, held at New Bridge Polo and Country Club in Aiken, South Carolina, Oct. 10. It was part of an International Arena Showcase, which included a match between the USPA Armed Forces and the British Armed Forces. Originally scheduled for Oct. 1, rain postponed the match 24 hours, but by game time the arena was in top shape, allowing for a fast, exciting match. The 8-goal Escapite was joined by 7-goal Geromino Obregon and 2-goal Winston Painter. Both Escapite and Obregon, whose families are from Argentina, have played a lot of arena polo, particularly in the Gladiator Polo series in Florida several years ago. The 17-year-old Painter began playing polo in middle school at the Gardnertown Polo Club in Newburgh, New York. He went on to play in interscholastic polo, NYTS events and other 40 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
USPA- and PTF-sponsored events, including playing in England and Argentina. Playing for England was 6-goal Julian Daniels, who has lived and played in the U.S. for decades, although much of his polo time has been in outdoor play. He saddled up alongside experienced arena players—brothers Robin and Eden Ormerod. The Ormerod’s own Druids Lodge Polo Club in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. Established by their parents in 1994, the club is home to some 50 members and includes an all-weather lighted arena, four grass polo fields, a club house, guest accommodations and stabling for up to 80 horses. Though the brothers play together quite a bit, they admitted its been awhile since they’ve played in the arena. “We have a really nice arena surface at home. In England, we play in the winter when the grounds are too soft,” explained Eden Ormerod.
