November 2021 Polo Players' Edition- Polo Scene

POLO SCENE

CHUKKERS FOR CHARITY

Event Supports Children, Youths and Adults with Disabilities

The new private cabana set-up gave everyone a front row seat to the action.

THE 25TH ANNUAL Chukkers for Charity polo match on Sept. 11 at Riverview Farm in Franklin, Tennessee, raised over $200,000 to benefit Rochelle Center’s services to adults with disabilities, allowing them to be as independent as possible in the community, and to Saddle Up!’s equine-based activities offered to children and young adults with disabilities.

Chukkers for Charity brings attention to these two important charities and the tireless work they do everyday to better the lives of those they serve.

Country star Layla Tucker sang the National Anthem.

“This year’s event was incredible,” said Debbie Chadwick, president of Rochelle Center. “From our generous sponsors, selfless volunteers, supportive media partners, tailgaters and so much more, I am proud of this event and so grateful for the continued support of our programs and the programs at Saddle Up!”

Executive Director of Saddle Up! Audrey Kidd added, “Orrin Ingram’s 25 years of support of Chukkers for Charity couldn’t have been more aptly celebrated than with this glorious day at Riverview Farm. The weather, the setting, and the exceptional play created an event to remember. Our guests loved the new private cabana set-up where everyone got a front row seat for the action. Of course, no event is possible without creative co-chairs, a hard-working committee, generous sponsors and a devoted army of volunteers. Everyone impacted by the work of Saddle Up! and Rochelle Center is so grateful.”

Dancers perform during halftime.

Guests were treated to country star Layla Tucker singing the National Anthem followed by Saddle Up! riders mounted on their therapy horses that participated in the opening ceremony. Rochelle Center participants also attended the match and mingled with guests throughout the afternoon.

The competing teams included Ironhorse Farms (Armando Huerta, Orrin Ingram, Lexie Armstrong, Wes Finlayson) and Lo Key Ranch (Bayard Erb, Cesar Rangel, Zulu Scott-Barnes, Stevie Orthwein). The players have a plethora of wins and achievements, making this match a competitive one. In the end, Ironhorse Farms was the winner. Armando Huerta’s chestnut mare Selma was Best Playing Pony and Stevie Orthwein took MVP honors.

POLO CLASSIC

Match Benefits National Sporting Library & Museum

NetJets’ Daymar Rosser, Nacho Figueras and Hilario Figueras greet fans.

©SAS Equine Photography

THE NSLM POLO Classic was held Sept. 12 at Great Meadow Polo Club in The Plains, Virginia. Spectators were treated to two matches, The Founders Cup and The Mars Cup. Presented by Mars Equestrian, the NSLM Polo Classic raised funds to preserve, promote and share the literature, art and culture of equestrian, angling and field sports, as well as to advocate for the conservation of open space necessary for these pursuits. A portion of the proceeds will also be donated to local food banks in support of community members who have suffered loss and hardship the past year-and-a-half, and Work to Ride.

Nacho Figueras, Wil Ballhaus, Andy Hertneky and Bill Ballhaus competed for the Mars Cup.

©Erin Gilmore Photography

The Founders Cup between TTR|Sotheby’s International Realty (Annalise Phillips, Laura Farrell, Tano Vial, Doug Barnes) and NSLM (Debbie Nash, Bill Ballhaus, Tolito Fernández Ocampo, Jonas Larguia), kicked off with a ceremonial ball toss by NSLM Executive Director Elizabeth von Hassell. After four chukkers, teams were locked in a 5-5 tie, but a handicap goal for TTR|Sotheby’s put the team ahead. Phillips was MVP, while Barne’s Valentino was Best Playing Pony.

After the first Dog Divot Stomp, the Orange County Hounds, led by Huntsman Reg Spreadborough took to the field in NSLM Polo Classic tradition. Afterward, the six-chukker Mars Cup began with a ceremonial ball toss by Ikdeep Singh, president of Mars Petcare North America. The match saw father-andson duos on both teams—Nacho and Hilario Figueras for NetJets and Bill and Wil Ballhaus on Holman Hill. Joining the Figuerases were Andy Hertneky and Daymar Rosser. For Holman Hall, brothers Tolito and Lucio Fernández Ocampo joined the Ballhauses. Holman Hall took the 9-8 edge. Wil Ballhaus was MVP and Andy Hertneky’s Taruha was Best Playing Pony.

Coco Chanel, with owner Ineke Kreeger, won Best Dressed Dog.

©Imagine Photography

The National Sporting Library & Museum is located in Middleburg, Virginia, the heart of beautiful horse country. Founded in 1954, the renowned research library and fine art museum highlight the rich heritage and tradition of country pursuits. Angling, horsemanship, shooting, steeplechasing, foxhunting, flat racing, polo, coaching and wildlife are among the subjects you can explore in the general stacks, rare book holdings, archives and art collections. The NSLM offers a wide variety of educational programs, exhibitions and family activities throughout the year, and is open to researchers and the public.

DOG DAYS

Ohio Match Benefits Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Event

Players from Hickory Hall and Cincinnati Polo Clubs played in the match.

THE CINCINNATI POLO CLUB in Loveland, Ohio, held a charity match to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night national fundraiser. Club social member Gwlenys Reid connected the club to Debra Ruelman, whose husband Peter is battling a condition associated with blood cancers. The Reulmans and their team walked in the Light the Night fundraiser in October, holding lanterns as they crossed the bridges of the Ohio River. The polo event assisted in their fundraising efforts.

The dog-themed match was organized in just a few short weeks, with a bake sale, including homemade “pupcakes” watermelon “pupscicles”, hotdogs and homemade dog treats. There was also a special doggy photo booth and someone dressed as a dog mascot to sell 50- 50 raffle tickets. The weather was ideal for the match, attracting a large crowd.

The Cincinnati Polo Club partners with local charities for all its home games.

Eight members of the Hickory Hall Polo Club joined 14 members of the Cincinnati Polo Club for a spirited eightchukker match. The teams paraded on the field prior to the match as Cincinnati Polo Club president Rev. Torie Front trumpeted the National Anthem. A 7-year-old cancer patient, Brennan, rolled out the ball to start the match. Hickory Hall prevailed but the real winner was the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, that benefited from the $1,800 raised.

The Cincinnati Polo Club, owned by Tom and Dianne Wygle, partners will local charities for all its home matches. The charities provide volunteers to work the gate, and help with things like timing, scorekeeping and flagging, and keep proceeds from the matches.

FUN IN FRANCE

GPL Event Held in St. Tropez

Four teams competed in the GPL event.

IN MID-SEPTEMBER, members of the Gay Polo League traveled to St. Tropez, France, to participate in the first GPL tournament hosted by the St. Tropez Polo Club, Sept. 17-19. The tournament included players from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Spain and the U.S. The event was organized by Argentine pro Mariano Darritchon and club manager Julio Zavaleta.

Four teams competed in the event, each anchored by a professional player, and all donning U.S. Polo Assn. jerseys. Teams included Cherry Knoll Farm (Scott Hartzel, Gus Larrosa, Chip McKenney, Darritchon), Gordon W. Ross ReMax Real Estate (Rafik Boughadou, Rachel Spencer, Gordon Ross, Tomas Joaquim), Passport Magazine (Peter Secor, Saïd Ait-Ouaraz, Alexandre Rata, Julio Zavaleta), Alpilles Polo Club (Eva Marquard, David Bouclier, Aurelian Crochon, William Prestise).

Cherry Knoll’s Gus Larrosa races to catch ReMax’s Rafik Boughadou.

After a day of stick-and-ball practice, a draw was held along with an Argentine dinner and dance party with one of St. Tropez’s top DJs. The games began the following day where Cherry Knoll advanced to the final over Passport, while Alpilles Polo Club advanced over Ross ReMax. In the final, Cherry Knoll edged Alpilles, 5-4. Cherry Knoll gained the early lead, but Alpilles tied it up 4-4. With just 30 seconds left, Larrosa scored a penalty to clinch the Cherry Knoll victory.

In the consolation, Secor led Passport to a 3-1 victory over Ross ReMax. After the matches, players gathered for the trophy ceremony. Dr. Eva Marquard took MVP honors. GPL President Chip McKenny said, “I want to express our collective gratitude to Mariano and Julio for creating such an exceptional experience for GPL and our players and guests. Everything about Polo Club St. Tropez was top notch; the polo club, the ponies, the pros, the parties, the endless wine, the energy, and most of all, the hospitality extended to our group.” Later, the club hosted an Argentine asado that lasted well into the evening.

—Rebecca Baldridge

SAND POLO

Action On and Off the Field at Beach Arena Polo

Chris Gregory, Hazel Jackson, Adolfo Casabal, Garrie Renucci, Ollie Cork and Nick Van Open.

©Bold Media Agency/Bold Media UK

THE 14TH ANNUAL British Beach Polo Championships were held Sept. 17-18 at Sandbanks Beach in Poole, England. Blessed with an Indian Summer, the Blue Flag Beach’s golden sand was drenched in its usual sunshine. A capacity crowd of 3,000 people each day enjoyed a dynamic display of fastpaced beach stadium polo.

U.S. Polo Assn. was the apparel partner for the event, in collaboration with U.K. licensing partner Brand Machine Group. President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing explained, “With the U.K. being one of U.S. Polo Assn.’s most loyal and fastest growing markets, we were proud to be part of the glamorous and exciting British Beach Polo Championships. We love that there are opportunities to expose new polo fans and global consumers to the sport in such a unique and fun way as Sandpolo.”

The gripping match was a reflection of the equal strengths of both teams but it was strong teamwork from Whispering Angel (Chris Gregory, Hazel Jackson, Adolfo Casabal) that led to a 19-14 victory over Lightening Commercial Finance (Garrie Renucci, Ollie Cork, Nick Van Open).

It was Jackson’s first year playing on the Sandbanks Beach and she said she hopes to be back in action there next year. Jackson is ranked second in the world in women’s polo.

The teams played in front of a capacity crowd of 3,000.

©Bold Media Agency/Bold Media UK

Most Valuable Player went to Adolfo Casabal, who also won the spectacular charity race with a polo pony racing across the sand against a 4 x 4. Reggae, a mare playing for the Lightening team, was Best Playing Pony. Her groom Gussie Thompson was also recognized.

Andrew Spate served as umpire over the two days while Simon Ledger kept spectators captivated with the amazing horseplay thanks to his commentary over both days.

The after parties, always a big highlight at the event, did not disappoint and the celebratory mood was heightened after a year away. Partygoers enjoyed the beach backdrop at Friday’s Boogie on the Beach and there was an electric atmosphere at Saturday’s Gold Closing Party.

Sandpolo director, Johnny Wheeler said, “It is nothing short of a miracle that all of the infrastructure, supplies, event staff, security and players delivered this perfect event given the initial uncertainty we always had. We never quite knew we could pull it off until the last minute but it all came together. A perfect finale to the summer season.”

DUAL PURPOSE

Benefit Supports Trauma Center and Celebrates War Hero

Mounted park police present the flag.

AFTER A YEAR HIATUS due to COVID-19, the 23rd Ronny Maher Memorial polo match returned to the Maryland Polo Club in Jarrettsville, Maryland, Aug. 6.

Over 500 attendees were treated to an evening of fine food, great polo and music all to benefit R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma at the University of Maryland Medical Center. The event honors Ronny Maher, an avid foxhunter who fell in love with polo at age 60. A member of the Maryland Polo Club, Maher fell while out foxhunting on Thanksgiving Day in 1996, leaving him a quadriplegic. The Trauma center did all it could for him after the fall. He died of respiratory failure eight months later at 72 years old.

Col. Orville Hughes celebrated his 100th birthday.

Maher’s son Ron Maher organizes the event each year. The evening began with a 100th birthday tribute to a hero of the Greatest Generation, Col. Orville Hughes, and what a 100 years it has been. U.S. Army Command Sgt. Major Lyon gave a stirring speech in honor of Hughes, telling the incredible story of the combat veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. This true hero and family man still drives and lives on his farm on his own.

Jessica Cook and Ron Maher.

Before the matches, the Montgomery County mounted park police presented the flag for the playing of both the U.S. and Jamaican National Anthems. Then, Hughes threw in the ceremonial first ball as USA (Trevor Reeves, Roberto Carreras, Parker Pearce, Zoey Bivalacqua, Luke Merrick) took on Jamaica (Nate Berube, Charlie Chambers, Zach Byles, Shane Chin, Sophie Grant). Jamaica led the first three chukkers. USA rallied after the champagne divot stomp, closing the gap to within two goals, but Jamaica hung on for the 8-6½ victory.

Guests and players mingle after the match.

The party continued well after the trophies were presented. The success of the event is due in large part to Ron Maher, club manager Nate Berube and club president Olivia Stringer Berube.

—Rob Slade