Polo Players' Edition June 2021

JUNE 2021

Scone Captures U.S. Open Title

$5.00 US/$5.50 Canada

Summer Season Special FOR THE HORSE TACKERIA POLO SADDLE – Made in England to our specifications. A standard for polo saddles for over 25 years. Available in all-leather, suede seat, or full suede.

Sizes 17”, 18” & 19” REG $2199.00 NOW $1899.00

BUFFALO STIRRUP LEATHERS – English-made and

PALERMO II POLO SADDLE – The second generation of our Palermo saddle has been updated to include all of the advances now available for polo. Additional padding in the seat, and the overstuffed under panels are a benefit to both horse and rider. In standard leather, suede seat or full suede. Dark brown. Sizes 17”, 18” & 19” REG $989.99 NOW $889.99

TACKERIA POLO BANDAGES – Set of four, available

HURLINGHAM POLO SADDLE – This saddle provides both the quality and performance needed for polo at a great value. Made in Argentina with a deep seat and square cantle. Available in all-leather, suede seat, or full suede. Sizes 15”, 16,” 17”, 18” & 19” REG $649.99 NOW $549.99

RONMAR NYLON HALTER – Triple-ply nylon halter

ARGENTINE COMPLETE POLO BRIDLE – Pelham bridle with leather cavesson, 2 straight reins, martingale, and double adjustment breastplate.

REG. $289.00 NOW $239.99 Also available with rawhide cavesson REG. $299.00 NOW $245.00 ARGENTINE MARTINGALES – Available in Havana or London Tan REG. $62.99

NOW $49.00

especially strong, this leather stretches a great deal but resists breakage. 1¼ X 54 inches.

REG. $149.99 NOW $129.99

in black, white, red, royal, navy, hunter, kelly, maroon, teal, and gold.

REG. $17.99 NOW $15.99 Six or more sets NOW $14.50 each

VINYL TAIL TAPE – ¾ X 50 yards per roll.

REG. $1.75

with throat snap. Horse or large horse size. Made in USA. Available in black, red, royal, navy, hunter or maroon.

REG. $23.99 NOW $21.00

SOLID BRAID POLY LEAD ROPE – ” diameter with heavy snap, 9-feet long. Available in black, red, royal, navy, hunter, kelly or maroon.

REG. $10.99 NOW $9.50 ROPE HALTER WITH POLY LEAD – 5/16” knottedstyle rope halter, includes ” diameter lead, 7-feet long.

Available in black, royal or kelly green.

REG. $14.99 NOW $10.00

ITALIAN OPEN FRONT TENDON BOOTS – Available in black or white REG. $76.99

TACKERIA NEOPRENE-LINED GIRTH – Triple

NOW $1.00

NOW $66.00

elastic, removable neoprene liner with heavy nylon web overlay and nylon-reinforced tabs. Brown or black.

Sizes 42-50.

REG. $84.99 NOW $74.99

DELUXE OPEN FRONT TENDON BOOTS –

DOMESTIC CHAFE-LESS CONTOUR GIRTH –

PROFESSIONAL’S CHOICE VTECH GIRTH –

Premium leather with roller buckles. While supplies last.

REG. $84.99 NOW $65.00

Available black or brown. Sizes 42-54 inches.

REG. $95.99 NOW $90.99

DOMESTIC CHAFE-LESS EQUALIZER GIRTH –

PROFESSIONAL’S CHOICE BALLISTIC OVERREACH BOOTS – BB252 or BB253

Premium leather with roller buckles. While supplies last.

REG. $97.99 NOW $75.00

TACKERIA NON-SLIP OVERGIRTH WITH ELASTIC – Made from strong, durable nylon with rubber grip strips and elastic end for better fit. REG. $53.99

NOW $48.00

WIDE POLO IRONS – Wide platform iron with strong tread, stainless steel, 5” width REG. $62.99

NOW $50.00

Available in black or white REG. $29.99

NOW $24.99

Durable Ballistic nylon outer cover with ultra-shock lining REG. $36.99 NOW $32.99

PROFESSIONAL’S CHOICE SPORTS MEDICINE BOOTS – Available in black, navy, crimson, royal or white.

SMBII 100 SMBII 200

(561) 793-2012 • FAX (561) 795-0691

REG. $72.95 REG. $72.95

NOW $63.99 NOW $63.99

Summer Season Special (561) 793-2012

•

FAX (561) 795-0691

Prices Effective through July 15, 2021 All Items Shipped Via UPS & Charged to Visa, Master Card, American Express or Discover

FOR THE PLAYER HURLINGHAM ZIPPER FRONT POLO BOOTS –

MACWET MICROMESH GLOVE – All grip, no slip.

Made in Argentina.

PALERMO ZIPPER FRONT POLO BOOTS –

The Macwet Aquatec micromesh grip actually improves when wet. A favorite of Adolfo Cambiaso.

Pair REG. $50.99 NOW $44.00

Made in Argentina with premium hand-selected leather.

REG. $ 799.00 NOW $719.00

STEPHENS POLO ELBOW PADS – HTK/Gel-Eze

REG. $ 649.00

NOW $569.00

U.S.P.A. WHITE JEANS – Available in waist sizes 3040, even sizes and inseams. REG. $50.00

NOW $34.00

UMPIRE SHIRTS – 100% cotton, available in L, XL, or 2XL

REG. $54.99

NOW $49.99

ARGENTINE PREMIUM QUALITY HIPWOODSTYLE KNEEGUARDS – Two strap Three strap

REG. $ 197.99 REG. $ 214.99

NOW $159.99 NOW $174.99

ECONOMY HIPWOOD-STYLE KNEEGUARDS – With velcro closures.

Two strap Three strap:

protection cup is molded into the elbow shape and is surrounded by a thick, lycra sleeve with elastic ends for secure fit.

REG. $179.99 NOW $149.99

MEXICAN SPURS – Handmade, engraved stainless steel spurs. Available in short- or long-shank.

REG. $174.99 NOW $149.99 POLO SPURS – Imported stainless steel spurs with 1” band, brass buttons and rowels.

REG. $34.99 NOW $29.99 POLO MALLET BRACLET – Made of Alpaca silver.

REG. $24.99

REG. $119.00 REG. $119.00

NOW $99.00 NOW $99.00

POLO MALLET KEY CHAIN – Made of Alpaca silver REG. $25.99

FRANKLIN POLO GLOVE – Cabretta leather palm for precise fit. The choice of top polo players around the world.

Pair REG. $32.99 NOW $ 29.00 Right hand REG. $17.99 NOW $ 15.00

NEW ITEMS

NOW $19.99

ENGLISH / SPANISH DICTIONARY FOR HORSEMEN – More than 65,000 words and phrases.

REG. $22.95

NOW $10.99

KRONO GEAR BAG –

PROFESSIONAL’S CHOICE 2XCOOL SPORTS MEDICINE BOOT – Neoprene-free boot designed with ultra-lightweight, super breathable materials that provide support and 4-way stretch. Lined with 2XCool performance fabric that provides natural cooling minerals and wicks moisture. Pair NOW $98.99

KRONO POLO WHITES – Designed for polo, the panel on the inside of the leg removes the friction created by seams on regular jeans. Cotton twill with 2% elastane for comfort and durability NOW $110.00

KRONO ELBOW GUARDS – Comfortable slip-on design. Includes two elastic straps with ends for added adjustment and fit.

NOW $18.99

NOW $99.00

KRONO POLO GLOVES – Durable synthetic suede leather with double Velcro closure for great fit.

NOW $45.00

Stylish signature horse camouflage print, perfect for your boots, knee guards and gloves with separate helmet compartment. In gray or pink.

NOW $150.00

KRONO MALLET BAG – Accommodates up to 20 mallets in main compartment. Three independent compartments for additional storage, with wheels for easy transport. Stylish signature horse camouflage print. Available in gray or pink.

NOW $250.00

Please call or visit our web site for additional Sale Items Visit our web site for additional information at www.tackeria.com or email us at info@tackeria.com

CONTENTS

P L AY E R S’ E D I T I O N

J U N E 2 0 21

VOL. 24,

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

30 Seeing Red by Gwen Rizzo

6

Scone prevails in U.S. Open Championship

N O. 10

Association News USPA Bulletin Horse feature

34 Friends missed by Dan Harvey Pedrick and Lucas Noel

14 Instructors Forum

International polo community mourns

By Megan Flynn

16 Ask an Umpire 18 Equine Athlete

By Gwen Rizzo

20 Polo Scene

News, notes, trends & quotes

OUR COVER Scone’s Poroto Cambiaso outpaces Hilario Ulloa in the U.S. Open final.

Photo by Alex Pacheco

24 Polo Development 26 Intercollegiate/Interscholastic 40 Polo in the Pampas

by Lucas Noel

57 Calendar 60 Yesteryears 46 Polo Report Sapa Polo Takes Rossmore & Cash

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

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 U.S. POLO ASSN. CONGRATULATES U.S. OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP® FINALISTS TEAM SCONE AND TEAM PARK PLACE

GWEN D. RIZZO

Contributing Editors

HEATHER SMITH THOMAS, ALICE GIPPS, LUCAS NOEL, C. MAYBE ORTIZ, SARAH EAKIN

Editorial Board BOB PUETZ, TONY COPPOLA, TOM BIDDLE, DAWN WEBER, AMI SHINITZKY Art Director DAVID BEVERAGE Prepress THE OVID BELL PRESS # L I V E A U T H E N T I C A L LY | @ U S P O L OA S S N

Advertising & Editorial Offices USPA Member Subscription Inquiries (800) 232-8772 OR FAX (888) 341-7410 ldolan@uspolo.org

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©Copyright 2021 by United States Polo Association..

No part of this issue may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic or electronic process without written permission of the publisher. Paul Brown illustrations are ©2018 and are reprinted by permission of Paul Brown Studios, Inc., P.O. Box 925, Hedgesville, WV 25427. Subscription rates: $45/one year, $78/two years. Other countries (air mail), $78 drawn on U.S. bank/one year, $144 drawn on U.S. bank/two years.

(GST:134989508). Subscription problems call (561) 968-5208.

VOL. 24, No.10 POLO Players’ Edition (ISSN #1096-2255) is published monthly by Rizzo Management Corp. for U.S. Polo Association, 9011 Lake Worth RD, Lake Worth, FL 33467. Periodicals postage paid at West Palm Beach, FL and additional mailing offices. (USPS: 079-770).

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Polo Players’ Edition, 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

Over 30 years of providing q y equipment and service qualit

EEquipment, i t tack, t k mallets, ll t barn supplies, ffeeed, supplements – Everything for the horse and rider Locat ated at at Santa Baarbara Polo Club (Carpinteria) & Eldoorado Polo Club (Indio) www.jhh . e.com | 760 7 342 2212 | jhhepolo@ggmail.com |

@jaccksonholeemporium

U S PA B U L L E T I N

During the week of April 12-17, the USPA convened for the spring board of governors, committee, and LLC meetings. Due to ongoing travel restrictions and social distancing guidelines the USPA decided to hold the meetings virtually once again.

The following committees met throughout the week of April 12-16, each hosting a Zoom meeting open to the committee members, board, staff and USPA members: Armed Forces Committee, Club and Membership Administration Committee, Young Players Committee, Constitution Committee, Women’s Committee, Rules Committee, Safety Committee, Arena Committee, Equine Welfare Committee, Tournament Committee, Audit Committee, Finance Committee, Board and Staff Development Committee, and the Executive Committee. In addition, the Umpires, LLC, Polo Development, LLC and communications/marketing gave hour-long presentations.

Below please find a recap of the Saturday board of governors meeting and links to presentations: Secretary’s Report Secretary Mr. Smith ratified the previous actions of the board in his secretary’s report, and the board approved the club actions list endorsed by the Club and Membership Administration Committee. The list outlined clubs that are fully compliant and will have active status for the year, provisional clubs and clubs that are not in compliance. Mr. Smith also summarized the circuit governor election timeline, which will begin in June.

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

Treasurer’s Report Treasurer Mr. Rudolph presented a brief financial report. He stated the USPA is in a solid financial position. The overall budget approach is to remain conservative and continue to evaluate the global situation and proceed with several different options.

Finance Committee Report Mr. Ramirez Jr., committee chairman, provided an overview of the recent committee meeting. He stated the USPA’s investment portfolio is performing in accordance with the investment plan. Mr. Bikkesbakker, Meketa Investment Group, discussed the portfolio and reported it was performing better than expectations.

Global Licensing President & CEO of USPAGL Michael Prince provided an update on U.S. Polo Assn. and the current global economic situation. He noted the financial flexibility it was able to afford its licensees throughout the pandemic helped strengthen relations. They are predicting a five percent growth coming out of the pandemic followed up by doubledigit growth in future years.

Other highlights include USPA Global Licensing partnering with the National High School Awards and USA Today to have a polo award included for the first time along with other sports. They continue to market the authentic connection to the sport of polo.

Mr. George Dill was elected for another three-year term to serve on the USPAGL board and Mr. Anthony Coppola was elected to serve as ex officio.

DAVID MURRELL

U S PA B U L L E T I N

Joe Bob Lequerica battles with Brady Williams in the Texas Arena League.

Services Reports: Arena Committee Ms. Robin Sanchez reported that arena polo continues to thrive and be successful around the country. Arena leagues are continuing to gain momentum. The Chicago, Illinois, area is starting an arena league to be played in conjunction with its grass season. The Pacific Coast Arena League is optimistic that it will be able to begin playing again soon. The Northeastern Circuit is in the preliminary discussion phase to establish an arena league, and finally the Texas Arena League just completed its season.

The committee is creating a plan of action to support a high-goal spectator series in 2022 and is working on a social media/marketing/branding strategy to create a base for spectator involvement and sponsorships for USPA tournaments, the highgoal series and arena leagues.

Audit Committee Chairperson Habib Nasrullah presented the committee report. There were no inquiries or investigations within the last year. Mr. Stanislawski termed out of the committee. The board of governors approved Mr. Robert Burk as a new committee member. The board also approved Tim Kelly as new committee chair, which is a one-year term and rotates between the committee members.

Board & Staff Development Committee Chairman Mr. Rizzo gave a summary of the

committee’s accomplishments. The USPA board approved the Diversity and Inclusion Resource Guide along with a new USPA Diversity-EqualityInclusion Committee led by Mr. Agapito Morgan.

Club and Member Administration Committee Chairman Mr. Armour summarized the actions of the committee. The board approved waiving the member requirements for active member clubs that participate solely in intercollegiate polo for 2021.

Given the ongoing restrictions, many colleges and universities were unable to obtain their typical memberships and the USPA did not want to penalize them by removing their club status due to the unforeseen situation. The clubs will remain active through 2021.

Constitution Committee Chairman Mr. Jornayvaz reported that the committee had been working on various policies for the last several months. The board approved a new conflict of interest policy and a code of ethics to be signed and adhered to by volunteers. Additionally, the Executive Committee approved changing the name of lieutenant governor to circuit ambassador, and the board approved the responsibilities that accompany that volunteer position. Finally, the board approved several revisions to the disciplinary policy.

Handicap Committees Handicap changes can be found at uspolo.org.

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

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS

U S PA B U L L E T I N

route that is on the field and no closer than 30 yards from the spot where the ball is placed for the penalty shot.

Rules that will be considered by the committee for possible revision in 2022 include Outdoor Rule 1.c, which concerns the effect of handicap changes during a tournament; Outdoor Rule 1.f (the American Rule); and Outdoor Rule 5.g and Arena Rule 14.f (the whipping rules).

The Arena Rules subcommittee is also considering proposing additions to the procedural provisions of the arena rules for 2022. All rule revisions must be approved by the board of governors.

Tournament Committee The board approved the national and sanctioned tournament applications as presented.

Women’s Polo Committee The committee presented a proposed modification to the Tournament Stimulus Program guidelines to allow women’s events with an upper handicap limit of 20 goals or below to qualify for the Tournament Stimulus Program. The request has been approved by the Executive Committee for the remainder of 2021.

Rules Committee The committee had a productive Zoom conference on Tuesday, April 13, and discussed many issues and initiatives. In addition to the recently-announced variance from Outdoor Rule 4.a and Arena Rule 3.a(2) (the NOCSAE helmet rules), two variances to the outdoor rules are being prepared by the committee for consideration by the chairman and Executive Committee. If they are approved, they will apply to all polo played in the remainder of 2021 under the outdoor rules.

The first is a variance to Outdoor Rule 33 that would give umpires the option of issuing a player three yellow cards for post-game misconduct, which would require that player to sit out for the first four minutes of play in his or her next game of equal or higher handicap for the same team with no substitute allowed for those four minutes of play in that game.

The second is a variance to Outdoor Rules 36 and 37 that would allow players who are off the field during the execution of defended penalties to return to their proper position before or after play is called, as long as they return unobtrusively by a 8 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Young Players Committee The committee presented a motion to revise the current committee structure, which the board approved. The new structure allows the committee chair to select committee members that represent different facets of polo including, arena, women’s, high goal, etc. to ensure young views are representative of the entire polo community.

Umpires, LLC The Umpires, LLC gave a full report on the initiatives and areas of focus throughout the year along with plans for the future. Umpires, LLC discussed the success of the Tournament Stimulus Program. In 2020, the Umpires, LLC sent umpires to over 160 TSP tournaments and 112 have been applied for to date. It highlighted the technology aspect of umpiring and presented all the various tools it utilizes to help elevate the game, including the new scheduling app, how it utilized instant replay during the game, and showed a comprehensive post-game analysis of umpire performance.

The board ratified the actions of the Umpires, LLC.

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS

U S PA B U L L E T I N

Mackenzie Weisz played for Coca-Cola in this year’s Gauntlet of Polo.

Marketing/Communications Report Assistant Vice President of Marketing for USPA Global Licensing Shannon Stilson presented a summary of the U.S. Open Polo Championship’s reach and streaming platforms/networks that will be utilized. CBS Sports aired the U.S. Open Polo Championship final on Sunday, May 9, at 2 p.m. ET. Eurosport aired the game on Monday, May 10, at 7 p.m. CET. Director of Communications Matt Baran, opened the Communications Department presentation with a breakdown of website metrics and discussed the elevated graphic package featured during livestreamed tournaments. Continuing to highlight and familiarize fans with the polo pony, horse features remained a large focus for the department throughout the Gauntlet of Polo. Communications Manager Cristina Fernandez presented on the process of tournament coverage and the improvements made since having to pivot social media strategies due to the pandemic.

Communications Coordinator Jewel Connelly touched on “This Week in Polo” and how the newsletter serves to educate the membership with timely information.

Polo Development, LLC Polo Development, LLC’s presentation highlighted the recent changes to its programming

and the strategic direction of advisory committees associated with polo development moving forward into the second half of 2021.

Interscholastic/Intercollegiate, under the leadership of Ms. Liz Brayboy, the I/I staff, committee, and overall community have been navigating the I/I tournament structure during COVID-19. In addition to the I/I tournament structure, the presentation outlined the I/I Committee focus on new strategic initiatives, such as alumni networking and engagement.

In Junior Polo, Mr. Tiger Kneece replaced Ms. Chrys Beal as chair of the Junior Polo Committee.

Under Ms. Beal’s leadership the National Youth Tournament Series launched and grew, culminating in the playing of the 2020 NYTS Championship final on U.S. Polo Assn. Field 1 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (Wellington, Florida).

Moving forward, Mr. Kneece and a newlyrestructured Junior Polo Committee will work to build on the foundation of a successful NYTS program and look to explore other specific areas of development within junior polo, including more international youth polo opportunities and closer collaboration with Team USPA. The Team USPA Committee is chaired by Mr. Mason Wroe who was appointed in 2019 after a strategic planning process retooled the direction of the Team USPA program. During the presentation, POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 9

U S PA B U L L E T I N

focus of the committee and return on investment through capital improvements versus noninfrastructure-related requests.

The board approved the ratification of the actions of the Polo Development LLC. The board also approved revisions to the Team USPA and Junior Polo Committee policies.

Mr. Wroe updated the attendees on the on-field successes current Team USPA members have achieved and how the shift to a smaller group of participants has allowed for more impactful grants to be awarded.

Finally, Mr. Bob McMurtry, Polo Development Initiative Committee chairman, updated the attendees on the overall impact of the PDI program for the past three years since the program strategically shifted to include, and primarily focus on, capital improvements/infrastructure. From 20192021 over $1.7 million in grants were awarded to member clubs to support club-level investment in polo fields, arenas, stabling, etc. Factoring in the minimum 50 percent match, that equates to almost $4 million in total project costs supported. The PDI Committee will be busy during the summer exploring the possibility of including a second window for applications in the fall and the overall Published by the United States Polo Association Offices at 9011 Lake Worth Rd., Lake Worth, Florida 33467 • (800) 232-USPA Chairman: Stewart Armstrong President: Tony Coppola Secretary: Charles Smith Treasurer: Steven Rudolph

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

KEYSTONE PRESS/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

New Business Mr. Armstrong presented, and the board approved the following motion: Be it resolved by the Board of Governors of the United States Polo Association that we extend our profound respect and gratitude to Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, for his passion for the game of polo, his establishment of the Guards Polo Club and his participation throughout his lifetime. He has lent stature, grace, and character to our great sport for which we are eternally grateful.

Additionally, one of Chairman Armstrong’s biggest initiatives is for the USPA to own property in the Wellington, Florida, area to help underpin growth, showcase teams, players and horses as well as unite the community. He reported that he is still exploring land options.

The fall meetings will take place in Virginia with the exact location and dates to be determined.

DAVID MURRELL

U S PA B U L L E T I N

Intercollegiate/Interscholastic The Feldman Cup This year’s Feldman Cup drew former players from Culver Academies, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas, Texas A&M, Southern Methodist University and Texas Tech for an amazing weekend of old-school rivalry and competitive arena polo.

Congratulations to the Texas Mustangs, consisting of August Scherer, Zain Saud and Jason Atkins for their win in the A Flight, and the Longhorn Cowgirls, consisting of Katie Anderson, Robin Sanchez, and Kim Buttram for their win in the B Flight. Thank you to Legends Polo Club, Robin Sanchez, and all others involved for hosting a fun weekend of I/I alumni polo!

To learn more about the Feldman Cup or how you can be involved as an I/I alumni check out the I/I pages on uspolo.org.

Middle School League USPA’s I/I Middle School League is open for business! Middle School tournaments can now be hosted all year round by USPA clubs. The Middle School League is open to all players grades 5-8. If your club has a group of middle schoolers interested, please check out the Middle School page at uspolo.org or email Emily Dewey at edewey@uspolo.org for more information.

Polo Alumni Network Are you interested in connecting with teammates and mentors from your past collegiate polo days?

Maybe you are looking to donate a pony to a collegiate team? Or perhaps you are graduating and looking for internship opportunities at clubs across the country? You can do all that and so much more by connecting with polo alumni near you!

The USPA I/I Program’s Club & Sustainability Alumni Engagement Committee has been working on several projects to help polo alumni connect with members and clubs across the country. The first initiative the committee is launching is the Polo Alumni Network, a Linkedin page for polo

alumni and current players to network and build their connections in the industry.

Please make sure to join the page and invite your teammates and friends to join! To sign up go to Linkedin.com and search Polo Alumni Network.

Texas Mustangs’ August Scherer, Zain Saud and Jason Atkins won the Feldman Cup.

Fundraising Program We know it’s a little early, but it is time to get a head start on planning for your back-to-school fundraisers.

The I/I Funding & Awards Committee has been hard at work building out the Fundraising Program to help teams receive more bang for their buck.

Moving forward there will be a two-tier system that will allow you to apply for up to $2000 in fundraising reimbursement. The updated program offers staff and committee support during the planning process and the opportunity to increase your revenue.

To learn more about the program please check out the new guidelines and the evolving ideas document at uspolo.org.

Please note the fundraising deadline is rolling and open to both interscholastic and intercollegiate teams. If you have any questions about the fundraising program please contact Ali Davidge at adavidge@uspolo.org.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 11

U S PA B U L L E T I N

Coming to America Peke Gonzalez’s Carpacho

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS

Carpacho’s long neck and high-set head offer a comfortable ride at speed.

A newer addition to Peke Gonzalez’s string, 8-yearold Carpacho (Dolfina Cuarteto x Machitos Alcaparra) has evolved from a promising green horse to one of the 6-goaler’s best in just three years together. Invited to try the bay gelding while playing in Argentina, Gonzalez jumped to make the purchase after immediately taking note of Carpacho’s supple mouth and ease of lateral movement.

Competing with Gonzalez in two Argentine tournaments in 2019, Carpacho was among the four horses chosen to come to the United States through the assistance of a Team USPA grant. Although the pair only played three games with Postage Stamp Farm before the 2020 USPA Gold Cup was canceled, this year Carpacho has excelled in his first full Gauntlet of Polo, helping Scone reach all three finals and secure the 2021 USPA Gold Cup and U.S. Open Polo Championship trophies.

Ready and willing to commit to any play wholeheartedly, Carpacho is the 22-year-old’s secondand sixth-chukker weapon, typically doubled during semifinals and finals.

Despite not having the classic polo pony build, Carpacho’s long neck and high-set head are surprisingly comfortable at high speeds, winning

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS.COM

by Jewel Connelly/United States Polo Association

over Peke’s father, Mariano Gonzalez after just a few practices. Spending the majority of 2020 turned out at Maureen Brennan’s Llangollen Farm in Virginia, Carpacho benefited from the extended rest after a long international flight and has returned this season in prime condition. Anticipating a long career ahead, Gonzalez is looking forward to Carpacho’s continued growth as he gains more experience in the seasons to come.

How did Carpacho come to be in your string?

I bought Carpacho in Argentina from [Juan Cruz] “Tero” Magrini, Matias Magrini’s brother, and he is from Lucas Monteverde’s breeding. When I was playing in Argentina in 2018, Tero called my father and said, “I have a green horse that might work for you or Peke if you want to come try him.” When I got on him I really liked that he moved really well [laterally], had a great mouth and was very relaxed and calm. We bought him at the end of the season and turned him out and then I played him the following year in the Municipalidad del Pilar Cup and the Copa Cámara de Diputados. I was able to fly Carpacho and three other horses to the United States with a Team USPA grant. His Gauntlet of Polo debut was in 2020 with Postage Stamp Farm in the USPA Gold Cup. I played him in the three games before the

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

U S PA B U L L E T I N

tournament was canceled due to COVID-19, but the idea was for him to play both the USPA Gold Cup and the U.S. Open Polo Championship.

What are Carpacho’s greatest strengths on the field?

He’s a very complete horse and really comfortable to ride. He has a lot of speed, a great mouth and he’s really good moving [laterally]—his steps are very firm.

You can get a good ride off or even make a quick turn and then take off running really fast and stop.

You can do basically whatever you want on him because he gives you that opportunity. He’s always ready for you.

Do you have a favorite playing memory on Carpacho?

I scored a goal in the USPA Gold Cup final that I was really happy about against Tonkawa. Also he performed really well in the USPA Gold Cup semifinal against Park Place in the sixth chukker. I made a play where I turned for my own back shot and then we got a foul. Although I missed the Penalty 3, he did a really good job that day. It was key for me to give him confidence and keep him going for the game. It was a really close game and Carpacho really helped me get into the game and try to finish that sixth chukker.

Have you seen any improvement in him from last season to this season?

I think this year he’s playing a little better, but I’m not sure if it is because of how the flight from Argentina impacted him last year. Sometimes the flight doesn’t have much effect on one horse and the other three are tired. It depends on how each horse takes it. But usually, the first year is a little tougher for them to adjust. Luckily, I only played Carpacho in three games last year because he felt a little heavy in comparison to the other horses that had already

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS

Describe his personality.

He’s really quiet at the field and he can adjust to fit my horse list—you can place him wherever you want. If you don’t know him it may seem like he’s going to buck you off at the beginning of the season because he swings his tail around, but he won’t do anything. At the start of the Gauntlet he did great as a spare and now I’m doubling him, and he has continued doing well.

He gets a little hot at the beginning when you ride singles. He will pull you around a little bit because he wants to go, but he doesn’t do much more than that.

played in the C.V. Whitney Cup. He was still good during that time, but he has become more solid because he had a year of rest.

Carpacho holds steady while Peke Gonzalez reaches out to flip the ball into the goal.

Where do you hope to see him in the future?

I hope he continues improving because he’s still young for a gelding. He might be even better next year, but right now the plan is to keep playing in the Gauntlet of Polo so he can improve even more. After the Florida season he will go back to Llangollen Farm in Virginia, and if I have the opportunity to play this summer in the 16 goal, I will definitely take him to Santa Barbara [Polo & Racquet Club in Carpinteria, California].

• POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 13

INSTRUCTORS FORUM

Kicking tires Choosing a horse to add to your string

By Megan Flynn

Be honest about what you are looking for, how much you are willing to spend and what you expect of the horse.

When shopping for a new horse, find a reputable seller who is willing to work with you to find the right one and will take it back if you don’t get along with it.

That person could be your polo school instructor, your pro or someone else you trust. Most reputable sellers will also take the horse in on trade or resell it for you when you outgrow it. I do that with not only my own horses, but horses I have sold as an agent. I have good relationships with many players who I go to when I have a buyer. If I sell someone else’s horse, it is because I feel comfortable endorsing it.

You also want a seller who will be honest with you about the horse. It may be a good polo pony, but if it kicks at other horses or doesn’t stand at the trailer, you want to know ahead of time so you can determine if it is something you can deal with.

When someone comes to me looking for a new horse, I always ask them a few questions that help me determine what kind of horse would work best for them. It is important for a buyer to be matched with a suitable horse so they will feel safe and won’t be scared riding it. You don’t want to put a buyer on a horse that is going to run off with them or leap around. The more a player enjoys their horses, the more fun they will have and the longer they will stay in the sport.

It helps when the buyer knows what they want before they start shopping.

These are some of the questions I ask prospective buyers: Does it matter if the horse is a mare or a gelding?

Some people have a preference for either mares or geldings. I find players that come from other disciplines, like jumpers, would rather purchase a gelding

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because that is what they are used to, while polo pros often only want mares. I sell a lot of horses suitable for 8-goal polo and below. At that level, there usually isn’t that much of a difference.

How tall are you?

Size matters since I don’t want to put a big guy on a little horse. A player that is too big for a horse will likely break it down after a while. I also don’t want to put a little girl on a huge horse since she will have to swing a longer, and thus heavier, mallet and might strain her arm swinging it.

What is your budget?

Be honest about what you can spend. I am not going to show someone a $35,000 horse if their budget is $20,000. If you are on a tight budget, I can usually find something nice in a lower-price range but it may take me a little longer and the horse may have a little age on it or might require some maintenance. I still try to find a suitable, safe horse. Just because it is in a lower price range, I’m not going to show a horse that isn’t a nice horse, like a runaway or one that is fried.

What is your level of play?

A lot of my buyers play 6-goal and under and some are beginners. A starter horse, or one suitable for 2goal polo, is likely not going to be the horse they could play in the 8 goal. I find a lot of Quarter Horses that scoot around and are easy for the 2 goal but won’t have enough go for the 8 goal.

The position you play likely won’t make much of a difference when choosing a horse unless you are playing at the higher levels. The horses I sell for 8 goal and under can usually work well in any position.

What type of horse do you like?

Sometimes what a person describes as the type of horse they like is not what they mean. A beginner might come and say I like a fast horse. What that often means is they don’t want a horse they will have to really work on to get it to move or wail-on it before it will canter. They want something they can kick and it will canter and they can kick again and

INSTRUCTORS FORUM

it will go a little faster.

I’ve had a lot of people tell me what type of horse they want, but at the end of the day, it is not always what they end up buying and loving.

My personal preference is a Thoroughbred. I love them, but that is just my style. That said, I have a barn full of Quarter Horses because they are generally easier to train for polo and they tend to be more tolerant. It doesn’t hurt that a lot of them have some color on them (i.e., paints, palominos, duns, etc.), which some people look for.

If you tell me you like a horse with a big stride, I am probably not going to show you a small horse. I don’t want to waste my time or the buyers. If a buyer says they like a horse that is 15.2-15.3 hands, and I have one that is 15.1 but I think will suit them, I’ll say, hey, this is a really nice horse but it’s a little smaller than you want.

I consider the buyer’s answers as I put together a group of horses for them to try. I prefer if I can also watch the player ride and play and see the horses they already have in their strings. I try to match that style with what horses I have in the barn. I also try to gather horses from other reputable sellers I know so the buyer has a variety of horses to try. I don’t just sell my own horses, or my friends’ horses, I pick horses that will suit the client best, no matter who they belong to.

Where I spend time—places like Indio, California; Sheridan, Wyoming; or Houston, Texas—I can see horses being worked around the clubs. I can see owners riding, stick-and-balling and practicing them so, usually I’ve seen a horse regularly before I show it to one of my clients.

Many of my buyers come from out of state to purchase horses from me. Ultimately, I try to have around six horses ready for them to try. I generally allow the buyer to stick and ball the group of horses first. They can eliminate any horses they don’t get along with before playing a practice. After the first practice they eliminate any horses that aren’t a good fit. They can then practice the remaining horses one more time before making a decision. I do not recommend buying a horse that you have not played.

Once a horse is chosen, I strongly recommend getting it vetted, which protects not only the buyer, but the seller and any agent too. The buyer generally picks their own vet, however, if they don’t have or know a vet, I can offer them a few local vets for them to choose from.

There are different levels of vetting you can have done. People coming from other disciplines, like

jumping, often know what they want checked. If it is a new player competing in lower-level polo, a basic vet check with flexion will likely be enough. If something comes up on the flexion test, then I recommend going further, like taking an x-ray to see what might be the problem.

If an issue is found, discuss with the vet whether it is something that will limit the horse’s use or if it is something that can be treated or may go away. If, for instance, the horse doesn’t sweat and you live in a hot, humid climate like Houston or Florida, it probably isn’t a good idea to buy the horse. Some injuries, like minor bowed tendons or bone chips, might be OK depending on how bad it is and what level the horse is going to play. You really have to look at it on a case-by-case basis.

If you decide to buy a horse, be sure to ask the seller or agent what the horse eats; if it has been staying in a stall, in turnout or both; how much exercise it is used to getting; and what type of bridle it goes in. When someone buys a horse from me I always take a picture of the bit that they played the horse in when they tried it so they can order the same one.

The key to buying a horse is to be honest about what you are looking for and what you expect of the horse and convey that to the seller. This will help the seller or agent find something that suits you well, which will make polo all the more fun.

Minimally, do a basic pre-purchase exam of any horse prior to buying it. If a flexion test finds any issues, xray the leg to see what the problem is.

Megan Flynn is a USPA certified polo instructor.

Her Hidden View Farm Polo specializes in polo for the amateur player. She runs a polo school as well as buys, sells and trains polo horses for amateur players.

Follow her on Facebook or Instagram, or for more info, go to hiddenviewfarmpolo.com • POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 15

ASK AN UMPIRE

Tried and Tested A look at the umpire certification process

By Dana Fortugno

I am asked about umpire certifications all the time. Many players think we no longer certify umpires—that is simply not true. We do certify umpires. In fact, we certify them all the time and any of our professional umpires can certify. Boom! Who knew? I did.

We are, however, considering some improvements to the certification process and yes, technology is driving these changes. I am going to tell you all about the process—what it was, what we are considering, and how being a USPA certified umpire is different than being a USPA professional umpire.

First, the way it was: Before the shift in Umpires, LLC management, we used paper forms when certifying a club umpire. Only one staff member could certify outdoor umpires, and one could certify arena umpires. We had rules we had to adhere to.

For example, umpires would have to be evaluated every three years or they would no longer be certified (we had to keep track of this).

Umpires had to pass the rules test, of course, but we could complete the certification forms before they took the test. So, many umpires were observed umpiring on the field but only a few took the test. We had to somehow figure out who did not take the test and separate them out.

By the way, the test answers were floating around out there as a PDF file and players used this to cheat on the test (an open book test). Who cheats on an open book test with no time limits? Polo players do. I heard a rumor that one polo 16 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

mom (of a very notable polo family) would take the test for all the young players in her house—nice example, mom. Those players never learned to navigate the rule book, so I guess they can just call mom if they have an issue on the field.

Then, we had to store the paperwork and manually keep up with hundreds of forms and no system to categorize and search them. It was a mess.

That is the history, and I am happy to leave it in the past. It is an understatement to say that we have come a long way. We now focus on doing a great job, killing our mission with innovation and enthusiasm (instead of trying to just keep our jobs by staying under the radar, so to speak). Yup, I said that and it’s true.

Second, as promised, here are some changes we are considering making and why. We had to solve the following problems before we could begin with a new

ASK AN UMPIRE

policy: players cheating on the test; observed umpires not taking the test; storing the certification forms; searching the certification forms; and keeping up with re-certifications. That’s a tall order.

We discovered an App called PoloSK, created by Jocelyn Berneche, a polo player and IT code writer (what a combination). We worked with Berneche to solve these issues and more. We use the App now.

What does that mean? It means all our problems with certifications are now managed and solved for now. We now have all 25 of our umpires able to certify club umpires. They log into the App and if the club umpire has not taken and passed the test, the App will not allow us to certify them.

The rules test is now on the App as well, and the questions are randomly generated from a pool of questions, so each test is unique. We are considering making that test shorter and easier for club umpire certifications. If you fail, you can take it again (but it is a different test each time). Good luck cheating on this one. The App stores the certification form and reminds us when it is time to re-certify that club umpire. Yup, no more paper, easily searchable and it’s linked to the USPA database so it is always up-to-date. It won’t even let us certify umpires that have not paid their dues. It does all that and much more.

Lastly, what is the difference between a USPA certified umpire and a USPA professional umpire?

We have about 25 or so professional umpires.

These guys and gals are trained and supported like no other program. It is truly impressive. We are outdone by NASA and SPACEX supporting their astronauts but nobody else—not even the police offer this level of support (I know).

We have umpire-only web pages that are full of videos, rules updates, charts and so forth. We give them quick reference guides and pregame study materials; we have meetings and more meetings; we pass around videos; we provide radios, go pro cameras and replay iPads; and the best part is there are four of us on call all the time for emergency questions (not life and death emergency—polo emergency, the most important kind).

I was told that the rule book reads just fine, and the umpires are professionals so they should be able to keep up. I took that comment to the bank and our umpires are doing well—very well. Now, that is for professional umpires that we pay and can require them to keep up. A club umpire does not have to keep up with everything (rules changes, interpretation changes and so forth). In fact, unless you are getting paid, nobody can keep up and I

mean nobody! I have seen proof.

It would be unfair to ask a club umpire, who has another normal job, to do all the things we require our professional umpires to do. It is just too much for them. So, we are hesitant to put our umpire stamp on club umpires without requiring them to do the impossible.

Instead, we are considering certifying them with “CU” meaning club umpire.

This would mean they passed the written test and have been observed by one of the umpires to ensure they have a basic understanding of the rules and the game. They can then umpire at whatever level they are accepted by a club. In other words, their personal umpire reputation and handicap will determine what level a club asks them to umpire. We do not want to take responsibility for them, but they can for themselves.

This way, we certify club umpires but we do not endorse them.

They can make mistakes and that is on them, on their personal reputation, not ours. If one of our umpires makes a mistake that could have been avoided with our support, they get fined or terminated because it is our collective reputations now on the line. That is big difference.

We think these changes will work better for everyone under the current complex and everchanging rules. We will keep you updated once these decisions are made.

• POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 17

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

Build to last Manage your horses well throughout the season

By Gwen Rizzo

Like hibernating bears, many polo players across the country are coming off a long, cold winter. They are likely not in shape and may even be carrying a few extra pounds. The same is likely true for their horses.

When summer finally arrives, many are anxious to get right back out on the field where they left off in early fall. As tempting as that may be, doing so will likely injure your horses, and even if you don’t notice it right away, they likely won’t last the season.

Horses that are not properly conditioned prior to competition are at risk for season-ending injuries.

When getting your horse’s into shape, take your time and gradually build up their strength. The general rule is one week of conditioning is needed for every month your horses have been out of work. Some horses may need less time whiles others more.

An older horse or one with a chronic condition may need extra time getting fit. And horses that have been kept in a barn with a small paddock will be less fit than those turned out in a large field, walking much of the time. If they are walking up and down hills in turnout, even better.

Former 9-goaler Tom Goodspeed offers a general timeline for getting horses fit: Take the horses out for walks for the first 10 days or so. This can be done individually or in sets. Then add in trotting for 5 minutes, doubling the amount of trotting time every few days. Trotting helps build up leg muscles in both the horse and rider. After two weeks of trotting, you can add slow lopes. Begin with 5 minutes of loping, then add more time every few days. When you are up to 15 minutes of trotting in both directions, and a few minutes of cantering, you can start backing off the trotting while adding more cantering. Work up to about 15 minutes of cantering in both directions.

After 4 to 6 weeks of regular exercise, start stick and balling before starting chukkers. The first few practices you play, don’t make any big runs, even if your horses are feeling good. Keep the horses in a slow canter, and don’t chase after every ball. After a week or so, add a run, then bring the horse back into a canter. The next practice, add another run.

After two or three weeks of practices, your horses will likely be fit enough for tournament play.

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Keep in mind that when you begin to practice, your horses may be feeling good. Warm them up before you go out on the field and be careful the first few times you swing the mallet. Some horses will buck or get excited early in the season and a swinging mallet is often just the excuse it is looking for to act up. Also, don’t get too comfortable when riding a fresh horse. Goodspeed says to get organized before you get on, adjusting the stirrups, tightening the girth and straightening the reins.

Also, don’t drop the reins to adjust a helmet or put gloves on. If you are asked to sign a club waiver or need to switch jerseys, get off the horse first. Don’t try to do it while you are mounted.

Always check your horses’ legs after they play for signs of injury, such as swelling, lumps or bumps.

Don’t ignore any signs; doing so may lead to more serious injury. If you see any issues, have the horse examined by a veterinarian.

Once your horses are fit and playing, the key is to keep them in good shape through the end of the season without overdoing it. Many years ago Hall of Fame polo veterinarian Paul Wollenman determined that healthy, fit polo ponies often will start to show signs of wear and tear after about 50 chukkers. That remains true.

“I find that somewhere around the 50th chukker, we begin to see signs of sore suspensories, sore sesamoids and general inflammation of the fetlock joint capsules,” he wrote.

He goes on to explain that this is especially true with horses with old injuries and those that are overworked.

“Based on my observations in Florida, there seem to be two types of horses that experience suspensory and fetlock problems, the first being those who arrive with old ankle injuries that get sore as soon as the ‘legging-up’ process, or early play begins. I liken them to a truck traveling on a bad tire that will eventually pop as soon as the truck is overloaded.

“The second candidate is the nice, clean-legged horse who arrived in peak form, and plays and plays and plays. Then, in the middle of a seemingly harmless practice chukker, the horse pulls up with a fractured sesamoid,” he explained.

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

The 50-chukker rule includes practice chukkers. If your season lasts from May through September and you are playing a horse one chukker three times a week, you will reach 50 chukkers by the end of the season. If you double chukker a horse, or play more days you will reach that number much sooner.

Keep track of how often each horse is played. If you have a big game and double up a horse, consider not playing it in the next practice. Don’t play every chukker at Mach 1. Play smarter so you aren’t chasing all the time.

Field conditions are also important when preventing injury. Clay-based or compacted fields can be hard, especially if they are not regularly watered. The concussion from hard fields can put a lot of stress on joints, especially for a horse with old injuries. The same is true for wet, slick fields. If you find yourself on slick fields, keep it slow and don’t make sharp turns to prevent the horse from sliding and possibly pulling or tearing a muscle.

Something else to consider is the weather. Temperatures can climb in the summer and the heat can take a lot out of a horse. High heat combined with high humidity is even worse. The general rule is if the temperature added to the percent humidity is above 150, it is not safe to ride. Veterinarian and polo player

Stephanie Massey Colburn explained, “Horses are most effective at cooling themselves when the total temperature in Fahrenheit and humidity add up to less than 130. Above 130, horses have increased difficulty regulating their body temperatures and cooling themselves. At a heat index of 180 or above, your horse’s ability to cool itself is ineffective, thus, when competing at these conditions you put your horse at increased risk of developing illness secondary to heat stress.”

It is important horses stay hydrated for muscles to function properly.

Colburn reminds us to provide plenty of fresh water and supplement with electrolytes so horses can sweat appropriately to cool themselves.

Research has shown horses benefit from water, even before or right after playing. Offer water while the horses are at the trailer. If access to water is not available at the field, bring it with you.

When parking your trailer, position it to provide shade so horses are kept out of the sun before and after playing.

Additionally, be sure the trailer is well ventilated and don’t leave the horses on the trailer longer than necessary.

Managing your horses well from start to finish will lessen the chance of injury and allow you and your horses to enjoy the season even more.

• POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 19

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POLO FOR HEAD JOCKEYS Arena event Subhead raises funds for PDJF

JOCKEYS may be accustomed to galloping Thoroughbreds, but swinging a polo mallet while gal-

Jorge Vasquez and emcee Gary Stevens

loping, not so much. The Polo for Jockeys event allowed jockeys to experience what some Thoroughbreds can do after they are retired from racing, and raise money at the same time.

The event was held at Commonwealth Polo Club in Paris, Kentucky, April 23. It was organized by club co-founder Jorge Vasquez, whose family is involved in racing, including a brother who is a retired jockey. The event was a fundraiser for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

Four chukkers were played with each chukker a separate match. Players Juan Valerdi and Gustavo Olea anchored the teams and played in each chukker alongside current and retired jockeys.

Gainesway Farm and Mt. Brilliant Farm were title sponsors for the match and other farms sponsored each team. Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens emceed the event.

Game 1 had Team Valor (Olea, Shelly Moran-Taylor, James Bruin) taking on Don Alberto (Valerdi, Michael Heath, PJ Cooksey). The second game pitted Godolphin at Jonabell Farm (Olea, Rowdy Luark, Anthony Stephen) against Silver Springs Training (Valerdi, Thiago Canuto, Geena Lucille). Game 3 saw Winstar Farm (Olea Chris McCarron, Rosie Napravnik) battle Vinery Sales (Valerdi, Crystal Conning, Patrick Morral), and Game 4 had Safari North Farm (Olea, Susan Moulton, Chris McCarron) face Bowling Bloodstock (Valerdi, Matt Bowling, Carl Faulconer).

Club members competed in a second match. Gainesway (Carter Carnegie, Taylor Nackers, Sean Curtain, Ben Lynch) faced Mt. Brilliant (Luis Ansola, Donald Nickou, David Priest).

Prior to the matches, a blind horse, led by a seeing-eye pony, brought the flag into the arena for the national anthem. Later, Seattle Slew jockey Jean Cruguet threw in the first ball.

A total of $20,000 was raised from admission and a silent auction, which included jewelry, art, racing memorabilia and equestrian items.

Guests enjoyed live music, food and drinks.

Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron

A blind horse, guided by its seeing-eye pony, carried the flag.

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POSTPONED Fall season abruptly ends in Argentina

THE Argentine Polo Association recently announced the postponement of its fall season due to the ongoing global pandemic in South America.

“The AAP Board of Directors, advised by its Subcommittee on Medicine, has determined to reschedule the dates of the official tournaments beginning Monday, April 26, until the 2021 Spring Season.This decision responds to the high demand of the public and private health system caused by the second wave of COVID-19 that the country is going through,” a press release indicated. “Polo is a sport whose practice implies a certain physical risk, and the AAP understands that avoiding any type of eventuality that requires medical attention derived from the competition will help in terms of space occupation and professional demand for emergency care related to the pandemic. Likewise, the AAP recommends that all member clubs cease competitive activity as long as this pressing situation continues.”

The postponement included the 33rd Abierto La Cañada at the Club de Polo La Cañada, as well as the Argentine Amateur Championship at La Aguada Polo Club, both in Open Door.

After a drop in March, COVID-19 cases have increased five-fold in the country in the past 30 days. The CDC is recommending travelers, even those vaccinated, avoid travel to Argentina.

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

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BOOK REVIEW Player Danny Melville pens book.

AS THE TITLE unabashedly proclaims, this 242-page book traces a quirky family history that first appears in Scotland, thence to the United States, and finally ends up in Jamaica, only to be dispersed once again. .

A pivotal period in this family’s journey begins when ancestor Thomas Arnold Briggs, originally of Little Compton, Rhode Island, did invent—in the period of industrial innovation and expansion that marked American society in the latter half of the 19th century—the wire stapling machine. This device in its scaled-down form eventually became a commonplace item on every office desktop on the planet. His efforts gave birth to the Boston Wire Stitcher Company, a name later shortened to Bostitch. The wealth this ingenuity produced endowed the Melville family’s descendants for generations to come.

Spoiler alert: The main character in this book (as author Danny Melville declares at its end) is Jamaica itself; its extraordinary historical journey of violence, greed, war and slavery is the background. All this and more is brought into focus as the narrative reveals the kaleidoscopic diversity of a Caribbean island of lush and sultry climate, 11,000 square kilometers of breathtaking vistas and—incredibly—an ongoing blending of its disparate inhabitants into a culture known for its optimism and irrepressible spirit.

The first inhabitants of the island were the Taino or Arawak people who migrated from South America about 2500 years ago. Nice folks, by most accounts, who did nothing to deserve the ill treatment they received from Christopher Columbus in 1494 and the Spanish settlers who followed him. Soon these aboriginals were gone, leaving only the name they had called their island paradise: Xamayca.

The Spanish invaders were disappointed in not finding the gold they sought there. In their dispirited mood they failed to establish a strong enough presence to fend off the English who hovered dangerously nearby. Under the leadership of Adm. Sir William Penn (whose wayward eponymous son became a Quaker and founded the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania), the Limeys routed the Spanish from the island in 1655 and banished The author’s father, all of those they could find to Cuba and beyond. Some others fled John Melville, circa 1950. into the mountains of the interior along with many runaway African slaves where they became known as Maroons. Slavery was finally abolished by the British on Aug. 1, 1834, a holiday still celebrated by Jamaicans the evening before as “Watch Night.”

Some Sephardic Jews who had fled Portugal to the Caribbean also ended up on Jamaican soil and centuries later became a branch of the extended Melville family.

The Spanish tried vainly to recapture Jamaica—even France had a go at it—but the English colony was there to stay and endured until Alexander Bustamante and Norman Manley led the island to full independence in 1962.

Which brings us to the latter’s granddaughter, Rachel Manley, the co-author of this very book. An accomplished writer and poet, Manley was a schoolmate and lifelong friend of Mrs. Danny Melville (née Carole Anne Brennan). Her voice in the narrative is a rock steady counterpoint to main protagonist Danny Melville’s

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GOOD SPORT Club presents Pacific Coast Award

THE EMPIRE POLO CLUB in Indio, California, recently announced Rodney Fragodt was honored with the 2020 USPA Pacific Coast Circuit Sportsmanship Award. The award is presented annually by the United States Polo Association in each circuit to promote good sportsmanship in polo and recognize those individuals who exemplify this quality.

The award was presented to Rodney Fragodt, owner of the California Polo Club, an arena club in Los Angeles, California, by USPA Governor-at-Large Vicky Owens.

CUSTOM MADE MALLETS Professional and Prompt Mallet Repair Service Tipa Wood Heads Wide Selection of Canes Rodney Fragodt and Vicky Owens.

very personal and sometimes shocking anecdotes and remembrances that drive the story. Together the two Jamaican-bred authors create a literary banquet of ackee, rice and peas that describes a large family of remarkable contrasts, social class tension, fractured color barriers, and some gnarly personalities to be reckoned with.

Not ignored in the tale is the enduring presence of the island nation’s patron saint, the ineffable Bob Marley, whose uplifting melodies and transcendently poignant lyrics unite the hearts of all Jamaicans.

And of course polo is there, too, like a Greek chorus—Sirens, calling to the bold men and women of Jamaica (and especially to members of the Melville family!) to take up the challenge of saddle, stick and ball for the sheer hell of it. This sporting and social activity has been popular in Jamaica for onlookers and players alike ever since the British army introduced the ancient game to the island in 1882. The Jamaican land-owning class embraced polo with unbridled enthusiasm and throughout its long run has seen various clubs come and go, many illustrious players come ashore to play against local teams, and a few bones and hearts broken along the way.

Lost Stitches is a tale of discovery and loss, confession and redemption, anger and forgiveness, and Love. Above all, it is about life’s inescapable requirement to accept what cannot be changed, and a never ending search for meaning.

—Dan Harvey Pedrick

We supply cane, grip & heads for repair We have light mallets for women & children

NEW MALLETS IN STOCK OPEN YEAR-AROUND We honor Visa/Mastercard/AMX 3500 Fairlane Farms Road Suite # Wellington, FL 33414 www.polomallets.com info@polomallets.com

(800) 903-NANO (6266) Tel: (561) 793-4911 Fax: (561) 793-4714 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 23

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

Ready, set, go!

NYTS qualifier season gets underway

By Hayley Heatley

The summer polo season looks bright. The National Youth Tournament Series program offers young players, aged 19 and under, the opportunity to play with and against their peers in USPA circuit events. The qualifier tournaments take place beginning early in the spring and culminate in the NYTS National Championship Cecil Smith Cup and NYTS Girls National Championship held in early September. This year’s national championship is slated to be held in Chicago, Illinois, at the historic Oak Brook Polo Club and surrounding clubs.

Clubs interested in hosting a NYTS Qualifier, please email NYTS@uspolo.org or visit uspolo.org for more information.

The NYTS qualifier season got started with the following events:

HAYLEY HEATLEY

Empire’s Elise Pardue, Tennyson Hamir, Rosie Gonzalez and Ajay Moturi topped Empire’s NYTS.

Empire Polo Club Indio, California The club kicked off the qualifier season, hosting five teams in the tournament, played in conjunction with its junior tournament honoring Margery Magill.

Players, representing multiple clubs throughout California, participated in the two-day tournament.

A majority of the players participate in both the USPA Interscholastic program and the NYTS program.

Teams A+ Welding: Ana Sophia Wolf, Piers Bossom, Helena Bache, Nicholas Fernandez Empire: Tennyson Hamir, Elise Pardue, Rosie Gonzalez, Ajay Moturi Yolo Polo: Mike Estrada, Lily Gonzalez, Taylor Olcott, Zachery Cobbs Sutter Buttes: Morgan Manos, Matias Wolf, Kyla Douglas, Caroline Mathews Horse Park: Rolando Llamas, Lars Neumann, Alyssa Garcia, Simone Harper Final: Empire defeated A+ Welding, 4-2.

All-Stars: Piers Bossom, Lars Neumann, Taylor Olcott, Elise Pardue, Caroline Mathews, Ajay Moturi, Nicholas Fernandez, Lily Gonzalez Best Playing Pony: Taylor Olcott’s Rubio Eldorado Polo Club Indio, California Four teams competed in the tournament. Taylor Olcott’s gelding, Rubio, was awarded his second Best Playing Pony award within the month. Due to COVID-19 restrictions throughout 2020 and 2021, the club was unable to hold its weekly junior polo program, however, it is eager to be back to its full junior polo schedule in 2022.

Teams Bush League: Quinn Kyle, Ulysses Escapite, Zain Hamir, Taylor Olcott Eldorado: Elise Pardue, Mike Estrada, Tennyson Hamir, Ana Sophia Wolf, Alyssa Garcia Seattle Polo: Colby Smith, Matias Wolf/Brock Rubin, Ajay Moturi, Morgan Manos Yari Daimyo: Riley Jordan, Augie Spear, Simone Harper, Rosie Gonzalez Final: Bush League defeated Eldorado, 7-3.

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

KERRI KERLEY

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

Bush League’s Ulysses Escapite played in Eldorado’s NYTS.

All-Stars: Colby Smith, Riley Jordan, Virgil Kyle, Rosie Gonzalez, Elise Pardue, Taylor Olcott, Mike Estrada Best Playing Pony: Taylor Olcott’s Rubio

(continued on page 56)

Indalecio Pieres’ Media Sombra was Best Playing Pony in International Polo Club’s Qualifier I.

POLO TRAINING FOUNDATION

International Polo Club Palm Beach Wellington, Florida The Polo Training Foundation hosted the annual Jimmer Newman Memorial with the top three flights played as NYTS qualifiers. The talent displayed among the young players is indicative of a promising future for the next generation of players. The 2020 NYTS National Championship, played at IPC and the nearby Port Mayaca Polo Club, generated a buzz of excitement for the local players.

IPC Qualifier II Teams Power Group/Total Care: Cruz Bilbao, Josefina de la Fuente, Sebastian Mandelbaum, Valentina Tarazona Grand Champions Polo School: Lion Mandelbaum, Liz Brassart, Guiliana Tarazona, Boyett Watridge

IPC Qualifier I Teams Red Barn/Purina: Benjamin de la Fuente, Begonia de Narvaez, Antonio Villamil, Benjamin Obregon Tackeria: Tomas Caro, Tomas Gouet, Indalecio Pieres, Santos Teves Final: Red Barn/Purina defeated Tackeria, 8-4.

All-Stars: Begonia de Narvaez, Benjamin Obregon, Tomas Caro, Indalecio Pieres Best Playing Pony: Inda Pieres’ Media Sombra

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

The Feldman Cup National alumni tournament attracts six teams in Texas

By Abi Abel • Photos by David Murrell

August Scherer was MVP in the Feldman Cup tournament.

Texas Mustangs galloped away with The Feldman Cup, defeating Triple Threat in the final, 17-14.

Legends Polo Club in Kaufman, Texas, was filled with passionate intercollegiate and interscholastic alumni April 24-25, all competing for the USPA national I/I alumni tournament—The Feldman Cup. This year’s tournament drew former players from Culver Academy, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas, Texas A&M University, Southern Methodist University and Texas Tech University for an amazing weekend of old-school rivalry and competitive arena polo. Horsemanship was also in top form with players riding their personal horses as well as horses from Legends Polo Club and the Texas A&M polo program.

Six teams competed in the event overall, four vying

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

for the chance to have their names engraved in a coveted spot on the Feldman Cup trophy, and two teams in a B-flight.

The first semifinal of the Feldman Cup pitted Texas Mustangs (Zain Saud, Jason Atkins, August Scherer) against Hufflepuff (Cuatro Tolson, Don English, Megan Rahlfs) with Hufflepuff receiving one goal on handicap. Scherer and Atkins each scored a goal for Texas Mustangs, only to be answered by Tolson and Rahlfs. Texas Mustangs benefited from a Penalty 1 and a goal scored off one of Hufflepuff’s ponies late in the chukker, giving the team a narrow 4-3 lead. Three goals from Scherer and one from Tolson in the second took the teams to halftime with a score of 7-4 in favor of Texas Mustangs.

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

A high-scoring third chukker saw Saud and Scherer combine for four goals, while Rahlfs led the opposing team with three to bring the score to 11-10 in favor of Texas Mustangs.

“The key success of our team dynamic was that each of us recognized our roles early on and stuck to them throughout and it got us the win,” Saud commented.

The energy was high headed into the fourth, and all six players upped their game, but Texas Mustangs outscored Hufflepuff, 5-2, to end the match on top, 16-13, and earn its place in the final.

Gig’Em Gals (Amanda Massey, Stephanie Massey Colburn, Abi Abel) went up against Triple Threat (Brady Williams, Mark Osburn, Lara Straussfeld) for the second semifinal. Gig’Em Gals had a lead of 6-4 over Triple Threat after a hard-fought first chukker.

The second chukker saw Colburn scoring two from the field answered by Straussfeld with two and one from Osburn to bring the score to a tight 8-7 at halftime in favor of Gig’Em Gals.

Everyone was on their toes in the third chukker as Triple Threat brought the heat. Straussfeld and Osborn put two each on the board while Colburn tallied twice for Gig’Em Gals, giving Triple Threat an 11-10 lead. Williams and Straussfeld scored early in the fourth. Gig’Em Gals was awarded a Penalty 1 before the game ended, 13-11, advancing Triple Threat to the final.

The final was held on the second day of competition, with Triple Threat staring with a threegoal leg-up on handicap. In the first chukker, Texas Mustangs came out strong with five goals, but two goals from Straussfeld leveled the playing field, 5-all.

Play heated up in the second with Straussfeld and Williams each scoring a goal, but Scherer retaliated with six goals to take the game into the half with a score of 11-7 in favor of Texas Mustangs.

Triple Threat rallied in the third and upped its

game with four goals. Texas Mustangs hung onto the lead with one goal contributed from each teammate, bringing the third chukker to a close with a score of 14-11. The final chukker saw some strong play both offensively and defensively from all six players and incredible horsemanship. Scherer jumped out with the first goal of the fourth and was answered by two goals from Straussfeld and one from Osburn. A strong offensive force, Scherer sealed the win with three additional goals, ending the game with a win for Texas Mustangs.

Participating in the inaugural Feldman Cup in 2014, Atkins was excited for the opportunity to reunite with fellow alumni again.

“It’s great to see people I haven’t seen in a while,” Atkins said. “Robin [Sanchez] always does such a

Top, left: Horsemanship Award Winner Stephanie Colburn. Above: Texas Mustangs’ August Scherer, Zain Saud and Jason Atkins won the Feldman Cup.

Feldman Cup Best Playing Pony was Brady Williams’ Platinum.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 27

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

Longhorn’s Stephanie Colburn, Robin Sanchez and Kim Buttram won B Flight.

great job putting these events together. If you ask who are the people that keep I/I polo going, I guarantee her name will always come up.”

August Scherer was named MVP. “It was an awesome weekend and successful event at Legends Polo Club,” Scherer said. “Our strategy was focused around throw-in execution, creating picks to create space, and aligning our horse strings correctly. Also, the Saturday barbecue was undoubtedly the highlight with great food, atmosphere, and karaoke!”

“My strategy was basically riding people off and staying out of August’s way,” Atkins added. “He is a machine!”

Best Playing Pony honors were presented to

Longhorn’s Robin Sanchez was B Flight’s Horsemanship Award winner.

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

Platinum, owned and played by Brady Williams. Don English was awarded the Sportsmanship Award, while the Horsemanship Award was given to Stephanie Massey Colburn.

“The best part about the tournament was seeing familiar faces again and rekindling some old rivalries,” Saud said. “All the games in the tournament were very evenly-matched, and a high level of polo was played throughout.”

“It was great seeing people from before, after and during my time in I/I,” Straussfeld added. “We are all still quite competitive. Our team did well because we’d all been competing in Texas Arena League, and even though we hadn’t played together before, we knew each other’s playing styles.”

Meanwhile, in B-flight, the all-women Longhorn Cowgirls came away the winner over A-OK after two matches.

In the first game, A-OK (Omar Polio, Amanda Osburn, Julio Trevino) dominated the first, when each of its players added to two handicap goals it began with, and Osburn converted a penalty shot, to lead, 6-2. Longhorn Cowgirls (Kim Buttram, Robin Sanchez, Katie Anderson) rallied in the second chukker, with an all-out team effort bringing the team to within one, 10-9, at the half.

The third chukker was hard fought with the teams both adding goals, but Longhorn Cowgirls were able to take the lead, 12-11. In the final chukker, the Longhorn Cowgirls applied relentless pressure. It was awarded a Penalty 1, before Buttram added three goals, Anderson tallied two more, and Sanchez added one goal to take the win, 19-12.

Polio was in fine form in the next game, scoring three for A-OK added to tallies from Trevino and Osburn. Two goals from Anderson ended the first chukker with A-OK leading Longhorn Cowgirls, 8-2.

With a goal from Trevino, A-OK maintained the lead in the second despite two more goals from Anderson and one from Sanchez, entering halftime, 9-5.

With each player landing on the scoreboard, A-OK stayed strong in the third, holding Anderson to one and extending its lead to 12-6. The fourth was another competitive chukker with Longhorn rallying.

Buttram and Sanchez each scored three from the field, however Osburn and Trevino kept fighting and with five more goals brought the score to 17-12, giving A-OK the win.

With each team counting a win, net goals were used to determine a winner. The Longhorn Cowgirls prevailed by two, 31-29.

First-time participant Omar Polio was MVP. “It was great being able to see old friends come

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

SMU coach Tom Goodspeed gave a hand at the gate.

together to play while being able to support our former college clubs,” Polio said. “In our second match, our team was able to better cover our men and get along the walls to defend against the other team. Being placed on a team with people we’ve never played with before was a challenge, so it took us [until] the second game to get a better feel of how to work as a team and build off our

individual strengths.”

Best Playing Pony honors were presented to Pamela, owned by Legends Polo Club and played by Kim Buttram.

“It was a good competition and I really enjoyed playing with other former I/I players,” Buttram commented about her first Feldman Cup experience.

“The horses all played really well and I would definitely do it again.”

Julio Trevino received the Sportsmanship Award.

The Horsemanship Award was presented to Robin Sanchez.

“It’s fun to watch a bunch of fabulous fellow alumni battling it out for the Feldman Cup,” said SMU coach Tom Goodspeed. “It’s really a joy to watch all these flights and levels.”

Receiving the Texas Arena League Best Host Club honor in 2020 and 2021, Legends Polo Club had another successful event and all participants enjoyed the weekend festivities. The camaraderie among the I/I players was warm with respect and admiration.

Also, Julio Trevino won the Karaoke King Award by bringing down the house with his rendition of Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca.”

•

A-OK’s Omar Polio, center, was MVP and Legend’s Panela, played by Longhorn’s Kim Buttram, right, was Best Playing Pony in B-Flight.

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

Seeing Red Scone prevails in U.S. Open Championship

By Gwen Rizzo

Hilario Ulloa puts the pressure on Peke Gonzalez in the Open final.

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

into the last chukker before winning 13-10.

In the U.S. Open, the final leg of the Gauntlet, Scone eliminated Tonkawa, 10-6, in the quarterfinal, before eliminating defending champion Pilot (Curtis Pilot, Facundo Pieres, Gonzalo Pieres, Keko Magrini), 14-10, in the semis.

Park Place and Scone both entered the final with 3-1 records. Both teams felt good about their chances, having confidence in their teammates and horses, but knew it would be a battle. And it was.

Park Place started off on the right foot with Coppola slicing the first ball into the goal just two ALEX PACHECO

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS.COM

The color red often indicates a danger or threat.

This season, the red-shirted Scone team was the exclamation to that point, proving to be the greatest threat to the other teams vying for a Gauntlet title.

Scone capped off the season with a victory in the U.S. Open Polo Championship, April 18, at International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida. It was the second of three Gauntlet tournaments the team claimed this season.

The team was led by 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso, who turned 46 on April 15 and seems to be showing few signs of slowing down. Not only is he a talented player, but his ability to organize teams and collect a seemingly endless supply of horses, is unmatched in the sport today. He has been plagued with back problems the last year or so, but as long as his back holds up, he is likely to be a contender in any tournament he plays. His fire to win is still burning bright. This season, his teammates consisted of his 15-year-old son Poroto, 22year-old Peke Gonzalez and 62-year-old Australianborn David Paradice, playing in the U.S. for the first time.

Scone faced Park Place, a team led by 10-goaler Hilario Ulloa with Juan Britos, Matt Coppola and Andrey Borodin. Park Place was the spoiler for Scone’s Triple Crown run, edging the team in the C.V. Whitney Cup, the first leg of the Gauntlet. The teams stayed within a goal of each other throughout the match with the exception of two chukkers when Scone briefly got ahead by two. Knotted at 10-all ending regulation, Borodin substitute Jack Whitman scored the golden goal for Park Place in sudden death. It was Scone’s first loss of the season.

Ultimately, it was the one goal that kept Scone from claiming the Gauntlet title and a $500,000 bonus.

Scone narrowly ousted Park Place, 9-8, in the semifinal of the next leg, the Gold Cup. Entering the final with a 3-1 record, Scone met Tonkawa (Jeff Hildebrand, Lucas Escobar, Sapo Caset, Fran Elizalde) in the final, carrying a seven-goal lead

minutes into the game. A minute later, Ulloa sunk a Penalty 2. Scone got into the game when Adolfo Cambiaso buried a Penalty 4. Coppola added his second goal under pressure from Gonzalez. Scone won the ensuing throw-in and Poroto took it straight to goal with Britos on his heels. Park Place held a 32 lead at the end of the first, but the game was leveled in the second when Cambiaso and Gonzalez found the mark and Borodin carried the ball to goal, ably assisted by Britos who held off an opponent.

Both teams also had shots go wide and the chukker ended with a Park Place foul.

Scone began the third with a Penalty 2, which Gonzalez easily tapped in. Adolfo passed to Poroto for the next two goals, putting Scone ahead by three,

Scone’s Peke Gonzalez, Poroto Cambiaso, David Paradice and Adolfo Cambiaso won the U.S. Open.

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

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS.COM

Adolfo’s Lovelocks Camuseritch, who flew in just for the Open, was named Best Playing Pony of the Open and the Gauntlet, as well as IPC Horse of the Year.

7-4, but a Penalty 2 given to Park Place cut the difference to two, 7-5. Another Park Place foul ended the chukker and the half.

Coach Julio Arellano used the halftime break to keep the Park Place team positive and focused, and strategized with the players for the second half. For Scone, it needed to keep doing what it was doing.

Adolfo regularly sent the ball to Poroto and if he was being covered, it would be sent to Gonzalez. At times, it was difficult to tell the difference between father and son, who share a similar helmet, physique and riding style. While Paradice wore the No. 1 shirt, he worked hard at defense. Gonzalez was tasked with taking the open-goal penalties (he was 4 for 4), while Adolfo took the Penalty 4s. On the other side, Ulloa took all the penalties.

Poroto said, “Our strategy today was to play as we had been playing, passing the ball, playing as a team, being in order defensively, and facing the game with a lot of confidence.”

The fourth chukker began with a Penalty 2 for Scone, which Gonzalez converted. Park Place knew it would have to keep pressing but over the next few minutes started showing some cracks. Runs by Coppola and Ulloa went just wide, as did a Penalty 4.

Scone was not having the same luck. Gonzalez picked up a pass from Adolfo and running flat out, found the goal with an angle that offered a target of just inches. Ulloa converted a Penalty 2 but soon after Poroto picked up a pass from his father, slipped a Coppola hook and put it through the posts. Scone

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

had doubled the difference and now held a 10-6 lead.

As the chukker ended, Poroto saved a goal by hitting it over his own back line, setting Park Place up for a Safety, but making the team work for it.

Ulloa accepted the challenge and sent the ball between the uprights. Scone was unable to capitalize on a Penalty 4, but Cambiaso made up for it, jumping on a miss hit from Park Place and sending the ball in one shot to goal. Ulloa then took the ball out of the lineup, hitting the target. Later, Cambiaso and Ulloa both had shots go wide. The chukker ended with Paradice caught in the way of Ulloa who was accelerating to goal. Scone was ahead, 11-8.

The final chukker began with a Penalty 2 for Park Place, which Ulloa converted. It was just what the team needed to start its comeback. But Scone wasn’t having it. Adolfo shot from distance and hit the mark then Gonzalez capitalized on a pair of open-goal penalties to take a five-goal lead with just over four minutes left. Everything would have to go its way if Park Place was going to have a chance of winning, but it was up for the challenge.

Hilario ran to goal with Poroto on his hip, then sunk a Penalty 3 at the two-minute mark. Britos carried the ball to goal but was ridden off by Gonzalez; fortunately, Ulloa was there to clean up.

The team was down by two, 14-12, with a minute remaining. A Park Place win was all but impossible but Ulloa wouldn’t give up. He crossed the goal line with his final goal at the one-second mark, but it wasn’t enough and Scone took the win, 14-13.

@AGUSFONDAPL

Scone pocketed the $200,000 prize money and will have its name engraved on the base of the historic U.S. Open trophy. Runner-up Park Place settled for $50,000.

Adolfo Cambiaso was named MVP and horses he played went home with a bevy of horse prizes.

Valiente’s 10-year-old Gete Libelula (Machitos Libano x Lelina) was the Willis L. Hartman Best Playing Pony of the final; his 8-year-old Lovelocks Camuseritch (Open El Padrino x Dolfina Querencia) was Best Playing Pony of the U.S. Open tournament and the entire Gauntlet, and was also named IPC Horse of the Year. Finally, his 11-year-old Dolfina Maria (Durazno x Dolfina Celina) was the Best Argentine Bred horse of the Open final. Lovelocks Camusericht is co-owned with Pelon Stirling. Adolfo had the mare flown in from Argentina, one of a couple, in the last weeks of the season to fortify his string for the Open.

La Indiana’s Michael Bickford was named MVP Patron of the Gauntlet.

The win was Adolfo Cambiaso’s ninth U.S. Open title, tying him with Carlos Gracida for the second most wins and seven short of Memo Gracida’s record of 16. Playing with his son made this win all the more meaningful for Adolfo.

“Winning with my son is unbelievable. Ten years ago he was only 5 years old so it was a dream that was kind of far away and today it came true,” Adolfo explained. “I never thought that I was going to be in the position that I am now, playing in the U.S. Open

with my 15-year-old son and winning, so I am really happy. I want to thank David Paradice for trusting me to play with someone who is so young.”

The team also thanked Valiente’s Bob Jornayvaz, who helped the team with horses. Adolfo normally plays with Jornayvaz who sat out this season.

“I loved participating in the tournament and playing with Adolfo, but above all, I loved the team, the family and the people who were involved. I am very thankful to Adolfo and Bob Jornayvaz who enabled me to do this,” Paradise explained.

Gonzalez was thankful for the opportunity. “This win means everything to me. It’s amazing! It is what we have been working for the whole season. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said. “I am very thankful to the entire Scone team, Adolfito and Poroto for giving me the opportunity to play with them, and everyone involved, including the grooms and all the guys who are helping the organization day after day. They did a great job throughout the whole season and we couldn’t have made it without them.”

Days after the final, handicap changes were announced. Poroto, who was rated 6 goals this season, went to 8 goals June 1 and will go to 9 goals on Jan. 1. He is likely to meet or beat his father’s accomplishment of being the youngest player to reach 10 goals when he was 17. Gonzalez will go from 6 to 7 goals beginning Jan. 1.

On Park Place, Coppola went from 4 to 5 on June 1, while Britos will go from 8 to 9 Jan. 1.

•

David Paradice, Matt Coppola, Juan Britos, Adolfo Cambiaso and Poroto Cambiaso stay close in the U.S. Open final.

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

Friends lost International polo community mourns

Prince Philip

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, beloved husband of Queen Elizabeth II, passed away on April 9, at Windsor Castle. His funeral procession and ceremony took place on Saturday, April 17, on the sun-filled grounds of the castle and in St. George’s Chapel, where he was interred.

Philip was born on the island of Corfu in the Ionian Sea and at the time was sixth in the line of succession to the Greek throne. His original name at the time of his birth on June 10, 1921, was Philippos, Prince of Greece and Denmark, and was later known as Philip Mountbatten.

Homer himself could hardly have painted a more dramatic portrait of a character who navigated gutwrenching twists of luck and destiny. Born in the cross hairs of historical chaos, Philip lived in the limelight of public attention and—his fatal flaw— occasionally provoked explosive controversy with a hasty remark. What should be of overriding interest to readers of these pages, however, is the fact that the prince became a convert to and a lifelong booster of modern polo as well as other equestrian sports.

Philip’s mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, was born in Windsor Castle in 1885, a greatgranddaughter of Queen Victoria. Although her parents were more German than British, Alice was raised as an English princess. London was the main residence of Alice’s family but she also spent time in Malta as her father, an officer in the Royal Navy, was sometimes stationed there. It was on the island of Malta that modern polo was first played in Europe, in 1868.

At only 17 years of age Princess Alice met a distant relative, Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, with whom she quickly became infatuated. Upon marrying Prince Andrew in 1903 Alice became 34 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark. In the 10 years after marrying into what turned out to be the most unstable royal family in Europe, Alice mothered four daughters. She even managed to win over an increasingly anti-monarchist Greek public, for a time. Prince Andrew, however, never truly devoted to his wife and children, often ignored them.

By 1912, Greece was sinking into a state of political turmoil as another brutal war in a series of conflicts broke out with Turkey. On March 18, 1913, Andrew’s father, King George I, was assassinated by a Greek anarchist eerily presaging the similar event the following year in Sarajevo that would ignite a massive global war. Andrew’s eldest brother, Constantine, ascended the throne as Constantine I after his father’s death.

In 1914, when The Great War began, Prince Andrew continued to visit Britain as he had done in the past, but since his brother, the king, declared neutrality for Greece in order to stay out of the war, the British began to suspect that Andrew was a German asset. King Constantine and his government fought so furiously over the country’s neutrality policy that in June 1917, public support turned against the monarch and he was forced to abdicate.

The Greek royal family, including Alice, her husband, and their children, fled the country to exile in Switzerland.

The empty throne was soon offered to and accepted by Alexander, the second son of the recently deposed Constantine. Incredibly, Constantine was restored to the throne after King Alexander died of blood poisoning after being bitten by a monkey. Alice and her family returned to Greece to give it another try and moved into Mon Repos, a villa on Corfu that had once belonged to Andrew’s father.

But political pandemonium continued when the

restored monarch reversed his previous policy (which he reckoned had cost him his throne in 1917) and launched another attack on Turkey. This action in due course produced a disastrous military defeat for Greece with the result that Andrew and a handful of other military scapegoats were arrested, tried, and sentenced to be shot. In the middle of this episode, Alice gave birth to a fifth child—Philip—on the kitchen table of their island home. Not long afterwards, King George V of England succeeded in helping Prince Andrew to flee. The family boarded a British warship and sailed away into another humiliating exile with the baby Prince Philip stowed in an orange crate as a makeshift cradle. The other unlucky defendants were duly executed.

Alice’s life as a conventional royal princess was suddenly over. Denied entry to the U.K as the wartime neutrality issue still rankled, the bedraggled family arrived in Paris as refugees who had lost not only their fortune but also their sense of purpose.

Eventually her husband moved on to southern France with a new mistress while Alice’s mental state entered a long decline.

Philip’s sisters were married off, one-by-one, to German aristocrats who joined the Nazi Party after Hitler dismissed the Weimar Republic in 1932.

Princess Alice eventually suffered a full nervous breakdown and was forcibly institutionalized by her family for five years. Young Phillip, still bearing the title of Prince of Greece and Denmark, drifted ashore in England and was taken under the wings of his Mountbatten uncles, brothers George and Louis.

At this point an opportunity for Philip to attend the venerable Cheam School presented itself.

Although an outsider, Philip quickly adapted to the life of an English schoolboy, proving himself both a good student and an enthusiastic participant in athletic games. He was not bullied as he towered over most of his classmates and possessed a mature self confidence beyond his years.

In 1933, Philip’s sister Theodora and her husband, Berthold, Margrave of Baden, moved into Schloss Kirchberg in Salem, Germany, and convinced those other members of the extended family who had been collectively looking after Philip that it would be a splendid thing if her young brother were to join her family there and attend Schule Schloss Salem, which they owned. This was when Hitler seized full power and began his evil Nazification of every aspect of German society.

Kurt Hahn, the Jewish headmaster of Schule Schloss Salem publicly denounced the new Fuhrer and was quickly arrested and thrown in prison.

Prince Philip speaks with Pablo RincónGallardo during a trip to Mexico, 1964.

Behind them, left, is Jesus “Chucho” Solórzano.

Representations from the U.K. were made and the brave fellow was allowed to leave the Reich. With the help of friends, Hahn transferred to Scotland and founded Gordonstoun School and carried on with his career as an innovative educationalist. Philip stayed on at Salem for the term but, after Hitler’s bloody “Night of the Long Knives” purge, his father stepped in and insisted that his son return to England. There he entered Hahn’s new establishment and continued his studies.

As Philip progressed through the grades at Gordonstoun School he lost one of his benefactors, in 1938, when his uncle George died soon after suffering an injury. Now exclusively under the mentorship of Louis Mountbatten, Philip was encouraged to steer towards a naval career as his uncle felt his young nephew was well suited to follow this family tradition.

Philip had doubtless at least considered polo by this time as “Uncle Dickie” Mountbatten had written and published his book, An Introduction to Polo, several years before and had a polo field at his rented country estate of Adsdean House in Surrey.

Mountbatten had even patented a design for a modern polo mallet head in this period—the first person to do so—establishing himself as a recognized polo expert committed to the process of improving and refining the ancient game that the British had discovered in Manipur nearly a century before.

But Philip’s career as a poloist never got off the ground before cascading events cut it short. War was imminent by 1939 when, having finished his studies POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 35

KEYSTONE PRESS/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Philip learned the game from his uncle, Louis Mountbatten.

He hung up his mallets for good in 1971.

at Gordonstoun with distinction, he hung up his mallets and entered the The Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. His naval career there was accelerated by the rising tempo of events and the officer cadet, after graduating at the top of his class, soon found himself a midshipman at sea— but not before he had gotten The Galloping Game under his skin and, more importantly, made the acquaintance of the Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King George VI and his royal consort, Queen Elizabeth, during a royal visit to Dartmouth.

By 1940, Philip was in action in the Indian Ocean on board HMS Ramillies. Later he served in HMS Valiant and in 1941, was mentioned in dispatches for his part in the Battle of Cape Matapan, which dealt the Italian fleet a crucial blow in the Eastern Mediterranean. Two months later, Louis Mountbatten, who was in command of HMS Kelly, lost his ship and half his crew in the Battle of Crete where Philip was also fighting. When the two met up in Egypt shortly after the latter incident, Mountbatten was still stained with oil—and his young nephew responded with one of his first cheeky comments, which would come back to haunt him.

In 1942, Philip’s days as an apprentice sailor were long behind him as he rapidly made sub-lieutenant, then lieutenant, and was appointed one of the youngest first lieutenants in the Royal Navy, serving as second in command of HMS Wallace in the North Sea. On a few brief occasions during the war the young officer visited the royal family. His growing interest in the Princess Elizabeth—and hers in him—became a subject of discreet mention between her parents and among other royal family intimates. It goes without saying that just one of the passions they shared was a deep love of horses.

By the time Philip—Prince of Greece and Denmark still—got up his nerve to ask the king for his daughter’s hand in marriage in 1946, there is no

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

doubt the pros and cons of the match had been thoroughly discussed and debated deep within the royal chambers. Certain problems may have been identified, e.g., 1. the prospective groom was not a citizen of the U.K. (solved: he would renounce all other nationalities, join the Church of England and apply for British status); 2. he had a royal title, but a foreign one (solved: he would renounce this also); 3. he had a foreign-sounding name (solved: he officially adopted the anglicized name of Mountbatten); 4. he was a serving officer in the Royal Navy and had little money (solved: he would be engaged to the future Queen of England and would resign his commission, if required).

That latter solution might have stuck in the future father-in-law’s royal craw, but if it did, the wise king swallowed hard and chose to make his daughter and his wife simultaneously happy ever after—and made his obeisance to the inexorable forces of nature.

Hours before the wedding, King George VI bestowed the title His Royal Highness on the former Philip of Greece and Denmark and proclaimed him Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich—a royal re-minted!

Elizabeth arrived mid-morning at Westminster Abbey on Nov. 20, 1947, with her father, the king, in the resplendent Irish State Coach. The ceremony was officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher, and the Archbishop of York, Cyril Garbett.

The event was broadcast by BBC Radio to millions of people around the world.

After a reception and ball at Buckingham Palace (which surely was a snorter!) the newlyweds boarded a train to Hampshire at Waterloo Station to spend their first wedding night at Broadlands, the home of Philip’s uncle (by then Earl Mountbatten of Burma and the last Viceroy of India; Edwina Mountbatten had inherited the property in 1939). From there the couple traveled to Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate where seasonal rains hopefully kept them focused on indoor activities for the remainder of their honeymoon.

Soon the couple moved to Malta where Philip was posted, given his first command, and where polo grounds and a gentle winter climate awaited.

But the prince refused the Call to Adventure at first (which came mainly from his mentor Uncle Dickie) until he fully realized his wife was an ardent fan of the game. Before he left Malta to sadly resign his commission and abandon his cherished naval career, he had begun to play—and the hook was set.

Not for the first time in the life of Philip of Greece circumstances engulfed him. At this point it was the

GORDE HUNTER/CALGARY ALBERTAN

almost inevitable likelihood of Elizabeth’s ascent to the throne, which would dictate from then on the direction his life would take. Little did he realize the moment was only months away. On Feb. 6, 1952, the king’s valet entered the royal bedchamber at Sandringham with His Majesty’s morning tea before another planned day of hare hunting to find his sovereign cold and still. Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, had now to fully embrace his office of Royal Consort, one that he may not have relished but which duty he performed to the best of his ability for the remainder of his life.

For the rest and recreation side of things, the duke moved on to a career as an international polo player, eventually achieving a respectable 5-goal Hurlingham Polo Association handicap. He arranged polo activities to coincide with his official tours when he could and booked dedicated polo junkets to many countries when he dared, including Canada, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, Jamaica, and many more (much to the consternation of Treasury officials!).

He also won some notable tournaments and was “mentioned in dispatches” for his performance in numerous others. Philip had occasion to win the British Open Gold Cup at Cowdray Park, the Royal Windsor Cup, and the Cowdray Park Challenge. His Windsor Park team reached a final in a tournament in Boca Raton, Florida. He played in the Hurlingham Open in Argentina with the Heguy brothers, and in Mexico with Pablo Rincón-Gallardo.

This is just a partial segment of a very long list.

Philip distinguished himself as a benefactor and promoter of the game in a number of ways and helped to rebuild its organizations and infrastructures in the United Kingdom after the war.

These efforts included support for British Pony Club Association competitions, specifically designed to encourage young riders by providing them with opportunities in polo and other equestrian disciplines—including access to horses—that they might not be able to reach on their own. Numerous charities benefited from the proceeds of various polo, carriage driving, and other equestrian events promoted by Philip, including Riding for Disabled Association, of which his daughter, Princess Anne, is still a director.

Philip’s greatest legacy to his oft-declared favorite sport was doubtless the creation of the Guards Polo Club, now the largest in Europe in terms of membership, number of grounds, and prestigious tournaments. Conveniently located near his own backyard on the edge of Windsor Great Park, the

club is set in the stunning natural surroundings of Smith’s Lawn, formerly a relief landing ground and base for British and Allied military aircraft during World War II. The duke, an RAF-trained pilot, who sometimes flew his own aircraft to distant appointments, was the last person to officially fly from the airfield in 1953. He founded the polo club there in 1955 and served as club president for an astonishing 66 years.

The Duke of Edinburgh hung up his mallets for the last time in 1971, transferring his equestrian focus to the growing sport of competitive carriage driving—a slightly more sedate pursuit, perhaps, but still providing enough danger to hold his interest. He served as president of the International Equestrian Federation from 1964 to 1986, during which time he was involved in defining the rules and regulations for several equestrian sports, including carriage driving.

The Duke of Edinburgh was a nobleman of the old school. More outspoken than diplomatic, he was in many ways a paradox: gregarious yet a loner, courageous but cool under fire, a quintessential sportsman who hated to lose, an environmentalist and a hunter, a cultured gentleman and a blunt critic. Ever dedicated to his family and his adopted church and country, he was all this and much, much more. Love him or loathe him—but do not expect to see his like again.

—Dan Harvey Pedrick •

A political cartoon ran in a Canadian newspaper after Philip’s visit. The Calgarians had given him a stetson hat during the visit.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 37

Marcos Uranga

April was a month of deep sorrow for the Argentine and international polo families. Three former polo association presidents passed away within a matter of weeks.

First, we said goodbye to Marcos Uranga on April 8. Then, on April 19, Luis Alberto Lalor died and just five days later, on April 24, Francisco Dorignac suffered a heart attack that ended his life. The deaths created a sudden lapse of deep pain.

Marcos Uranga left a global legacy that no one will ever forget. Born in Buenos Aires in 1936, Uranga was the son of Susana Rey and Carlos, an outstanding polo player, board member and also the one who scored the first goal on the Palermo fields at the inauguration in 1928.

In 1969, Marcos married Silvia Rueda and together they had seven children (Marcos Jr., Delfin, Paula, Diego, Juan and Mariano) and more than 20 grandchildren. His son Delfín, was a member of the national team that won the third FIP World Cup in 1992 in Santiago, Chile.

Uranga always highlighted having played and won the first Polo Clubs World Cup, a tournament with 24 teams (12 with Argentine polo players and another 12 with foreigners), giving him the idea to start an international polo federation. Vice president of the AAP at the time, he began expanding the concept and idea of establishing the FIP. In 1982, the AAP invited all national associations to a meeting with the aim of joining forces to have a voice in the International Olympic Committee, promote competitions, unify the rules of polo and continue developing the sport. However, the World Cup initiative with national teams was initially resisted because no one wanted to compete head-tohead with Argentina.

After that meeting at the Jockey Club in San Isidro, the FIP was born with Marcos Uranga as president, a position he held until 1997. He also served as polo association president from 1983-1987.

“If we can’t play because the others don’t have the stars we have, let’s have a more accessible handicap competition,” offered Uranga at the time. That was the birth of the 14-goal World Cup. The first one was held in Buenos Aires in 1987 and was a logistical challenge for that time. The transportation of horses from different parts of the world was very expensive.

So, Uranga summoned the Argentine breeders association and incorporated them into the project.

Horses were gathered and fairly divided among the teams, a system used today by host countries.

Complicating matters, the Falklands War between 38 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Argentina and the United Kingdom caused the Commonwealth to boycott the competition.

Uranga himself later recalled the enormous task in putting the competition together.

“It was a very unpleasant situation. But with Glen Holden we decided that we had to convince the world that this was something international, beyond the barriers of one country,” Uranga said. “So, we started to travel and we went to Asian countries, where there is more history and tradition of polo. In India we met the Maharajas, who played a lot with each other. And the one from Jaipur, who had always played with his father, decided to donate a cup to us to make a world championship” He also wanted to promote polo globally.

“My goal was to create a large and international polo family, a group of people heterogeneous in nationality, but homogeneous thanks to their affinity to polo. I believe that the goal of sport is to unite people, nations and, most importantly, the family.

We must practice sport internationally with young people and not focus on competition, but on camaraderie among all … If we want to grow, we must renew ourselves; sport is constantly evolving and that is how the federation should remain. I have started a project that has grown worldwide, reaching remote locations such as China, growing ties through nations, personalities, governments, players and family: it is the greatest legacy I can leave.”

Uranga, who passed away at the age of 84, also held important positions outside polo. He was director of the National Bank of Argentina, had a leading role in the Argentine Rural Society and was second in charge at the Ministry of Agriculture.

Luis Lalor

Born on Sept. 24, 1928, Luis Alberto Lalor passed away on April 19 at 92 years old.

“Gallego” belonged to one of the most traditional families in this sport. Reaching an 8-goal handicap, he won the Argentine Open with Coronel Suarez in 1959. He also won the Hurlingham Open, and several other prestigious tournaments in Argentina, as well as the Deauville Gold Cup in France three times (1960, 1971, 1974).

He served as president of the Argentine Polo Association (1975-1981), a position held by his brother Alfredo (1969-1972) and later, his son Luis Eduardo Lalor (2009-2013).

Under his presidency, in 1975, the Match of the Century, a game commemorating the first polo match played in Argentina and the first in the history of world polo to be disputed at 80 goals, was held.

The teams were called Venado Tuerto (Horacio Heguy, Gastón Dorignac, Juan C. Harriott Jr., Francisco Dorignac) and El Trébol (Alberto Pedro Heguy, Daniel Gonález, Gonzalo Tanoira, Alfredo Harriott) in memory of those who played the leading roles in the 40s. Venado Tuerto won, 7-6.

Lalor also played an important role in giving polo back its international momentum. After a decade without taking place, the Cup of the Americas was played again between Argentina and the United States. In both November 1979, in Palermo, and in May 1980, in San Antonio, Texas, Argentina defeated the United States.

Lalor was married to María Angélica Urquiza and was the father of five children (Angélica, Martina,

Luis E, Luz and Rocío), grandfather of 13 grandchildren (Victoria, Félix, Segundo, Lucas, Inés, Mía, Mateo, Abril, Santos, Pedro, Camila, Lola and Luz), and great-grandfather of two (Justo and Magnolia).

Francisco Dorignac

The polo community also lost Francisco Dorignac.

Born in 1938, “Frankie” received a 10-goal handicap in 1963. A decade later, the team captain played Back for Santa Ana when the team won the Argentine Triple Crown. In addition, he won the Argentine Open Championship two other times (1971, 1982), as well as numerous other notable tournaments in Argentine. He also won the 1960 Gold Cups in both France and Spain.

Dorignac was a member of the Argentine national team that won the Cup of the Americas against the U.S. in 1966 and 1969. He also umpired the 1979 series.

He was president of the Tortugas Country Club from 1980 until his death. He also served three terms as president of the Argentine Polo Association (19871991, 2005-2009, 2013-2017). During his first term, he helped repair lingering conflicts with England’s polo community resulting from the Falklands War. He organized a team to play in England in 1988 as well as a reciprocal visit the following year, ending the standoff. In his last term, he focused on working with the pro players, improving umpiring and promoting and expanding the sport.

Dorignac passed away at the age of 84. Sadly, his death followed just days after his son, Emilio, passed away at the age of 43. Frankie’s wife María Marta died in 2014.

He leaves behind three children (Agustín, Valeria and Francisco) and 15 grandchildren.

It was a sad April of deep desolation with the departure of three men who have left an indelible mark on the world of polo.

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

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

Family business Cuatro Vientos takes the prize in Copa República

By Lucas Noel • Photos by Sergio Llamera

Cuatro Vientos, led by Santiago Chavanne, won the Copa República Argentina by beating Argentine Polo Association President Eduardo Novillo Astrada’s La Aguada team in the final. The duel for the title turned out to be an attractive match between fathers and sons of two experienced elite players.

Since 1929, the Copa República Argentina has always had an enormous and magnificent tradition of presentations by the most important families of Argentine polo. One of only two tournaments in the world played without a handicap limit (Grand Champions host the 0- to 40-goal $100,000 World Cup), handicaps are given in order to compensate for the inequalities between some foursomes, making

the matches in this tournament extremely attractive.

This edition was clearly no exception with 16 teams of between 8 and 25 goals representing 11 circuits.

Teams from 0 to 40 goals participate, with the clubs disputing a playoff in the different circuits that make up the polo map in Argentina. The winners of these circuits qualify to play the final stage at the Argentine Polo Association venues in Pilar and Palermo.

Divided into four brackets, 16 foursomes fight to be the top of their bracket, thus earning a place in the semifinals. The tournament, which always features talented amateur players from the interior of the country, also saw familiar high-goal talent in

Santiago Chavanne, chased by Eduardo Novillo Astrada, cut La Aguada’s comeback short.

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

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

Lorenzo Chavanne and Cruz Novillo Astrada

David ‘Pelon’ Stirling, Guillermo Terrera, Santiago Toccalino, Iñaki Laprida, Jerónimo del Carril, Alfredo Bigatti, Martín Podestá Jr., Diego Araya and Eduardo Novilla Astrada.

Cuatro Vientos, with 19 goals, shared a bracket with Betania (21), MediaLuna (8) and Venado Tuerto (19). With two wins and a draw, it advanced to the semifinals, knowing the opponent it would face was the favorite: Sauveterre with 10-goal Stirling, the multi-champion with La Dolfina. And Pelón was not alone. The Uruguayan-born player was backed by the experienced 8-goaler Ignacio Toccalino, along with Santiago Stirling, Pelón’s brother with an important international career, and Tomás Gagliardi.

But Chavanne is a born leader. With the motivation of sharing the side with his 13-year-old son Lorenzo, together with Facundo Llosa (6) and Santiago Zubiaurre (5), he prepared to give the great blow of the competition. Cuatro Vientos managed the six-goal difference they started with due to their lower handicap and withstood the pressure until celebrating the final, 15-14, earning them the right

to define the competition at Campo Argentino de Palermo.

In the title match, the team of Eduardo Novillo Astrada and his son Cruz were waiting for them. La Aguada, completed with Matías Machado (5) and Alfredo Bigatti (8), advanced to the final after overcoming the six-goal handicap it gave Trenque Lauquen-Thai Polo in its semifinal to win 14-11.

On the decisive day, the team of Santiago and Lorenzo Chavanne started with a 5-0 advantage on the scoreboard due to the handicap difference with their rival and the truth is, in the first chukker it seemed that it was not going to last long. La Aguada, thanks to a great afternoon by Alfredo Bigatti, came out with everything to reduce that disparity and quickly scored two goals.

However, from the third period, Cuatro Vientos got its game in order. They recovered the calmness and style that had carried them to the final, adjusted the gears of their defense and, more importantly, began to score to manage a margin of at least three goals. The team from Open Door thus saw its 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

comeback cut short and became more uncomfortable with the development of the game.

The clear improvement of Cuatro Vientos allowed it to reach the final chukker ahead, 11-8. With the great skill of its four members, including the young Lorenzo, it matched La Aguada’s only goal in the last period and was worthy of the huge final celebration on the legendary Field 1 at Palermo.

In this way, Cuatro Vientos registered its name for the first time in this traditional tournament.

Santiago Chavanne revived the success he obtained as champion in 1996 with the La Martina team, accompanied by Juan Piombo, Marcial Socas and none other than Adolfo Cambiaso.

Meanwhile, his son Lorenzo, born on Dec. 4, 2007, won the title at the age of 13 years, 3 months and 28 days; only 15 days older than Camilo Castagnola, born Dec. 13, 2002, who was champion

on March 26, 2016 at the age of 13 years, 3 months and 13 days.

The experience of Santiago Chavanne at Back and a hierarchy greater than the handicap of his three teammates certified a superlative championship of Cuatro Vientos and a well-deserved title in a new victory for father and son in the Copa República Argentina.

In addition to getting his name engraved on the Republica Cup trophy, Santiago Chavanne’s horse Ve Ocho Feliz, who he played, won the Jaime Amorin trophy for Best Playing Pony in the final as well as the best Argentine bred horse, an award presented by the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Association.

La Aguada was presented with the Independence Cup trophy for runner-up.

The main subsidiary trophy, the Diario La Nación Cup went to Coronel Suárez, after it defeated Ivi

Cuatro Vientos Lorenzo Chavanne Facundo Llosa Santiago Zubiaurre Santiago Chavanne

19 1 6 5 7

Arelauquen-Patagonia Juan Gramajo Francisco del Campo Miguel del Carril Lucas Torales

22 5 5 6 6

Coronel Suárez Marcos Harriott José Araya Santiago Araya Diego Araya

22 4 5 6 7

Betania Justo Calafell Tomás Alberdi Juan Calafell Jerónimo del Carril

21 2 5 6 8

MediaLuna Francisco Rattagan Joaquín Copello Juan Arbelbide Segundo Copello

8 1 2 3 2

San Francisco de Asis Román Rampello Tomás Leguizamón Martín Podestá Matias Mac Donough

16 3 3 7 3

Venado Tuerto Juan Gallegos Simón Crotto Guillermo Cavanagh Francisco Irastorza

19 3 4 6 6

Sauveterre-Monterosso Tomás Gagliardi Santiago Stirling Ignacio Toccalino David Stirling

25 2 5 8 10

Chapaleufú-El Tilo Beltrán Laulhé Blas Bensadón Rufino Bensadón Gastón Laulhé

14 1 0 7 6

La Baguala-Tapia Pablo Frías Silva Bautista Micheletti Luis Padilla Rodrigo Rueda

18 3 4 4 7

La Violeta-Synergy Benjamin Gadea Felipe Martinez Ferrario Felipe Márquez Ochoa Andrés Crespo

20 3 6 6 5

La Aguada Matias Machado Cruz Novillo Astrada Alfredo Bigatti Eduardo Novillo Astrada

24 5 4 8 7

Araucaria Facundo Dartiguelongue Marcos Dartiguelongue Tomás Dartiguelongue Gastón Dartiguelongue

14 2 3 5 4

Trenque Lauquen-Thai Juan Garcia Grossi Simón Prado Bautista Arrastúa Agustin Marcos

18 3 5 6 4

Ivi Maray-Black Hound Manuel Serra Lucas Boccolini Sebastián Petracchi Ignacio Laprida

16 2 2 4 8

La Justina Ignacio Herrero Bautista Garaycochea Guillermo Vallarino Deigo Vallarino

12 1 4 3 4

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

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

Cuatro Vientos’ Santiago Chavanne, Santiago Zubiaurre, Facundo Llosa and Lorenzo Chavanne

Maray-Black Hound, 14-11. Ivi Maray-Black Hound began with a six-goal handicap but Coronel Suárez quickly began chipping away at the difference, leveling the score at 8-8 at the half. Ivi Maray-Black Hound kept within one goal in the fourth and two in the fifth, but couldn’t make up the difference.

The second subsidiary, the Canada Cup, went to the 8-goal MediaLuna, which began with a whopping

14-goal handicap against the 22-goal ArelauquenPatagonia. The scrappy MediaLuna team held off the stronger Arelauquen, that worked hard to overcome the headstart. Whittling away at the difference, Arelauquen made progress each chukker, but not enough. The closest it came was six goals, but by then time had run out and MediaLuna celebrated the victory.

•

Cruz Novillo Astrada, Santiago Chavanne, Lorenzo Chavanne and Eduardo Novillo Astrada

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 43

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

A father’s pride

Lorenzo, 13, and Santiago Chavanne, 43, enjoyed winning an important cup together.

Santiago and Lorenzo Chavanne wrote their names in the long list of parents and children who won the República Argentina Cup. A triumph that once again certifies the inexhaustible renewal of the Argentine polo base.

Polo must be one of the most familial sports in the world. Tradition and legacy. It is a common fact that it has had a wonderful new chapter in the last República Argentina Cup. The protagonists of this brand new conquest have been the Chavannes, Santiago and Lorenzo, father and son. With the Cuatro Vientos team they lifted the trophy after beating La Aguada, 12-9, in the final held in Palermo. The decisive duel was actually a meeting between two generations, since the formation of the Open Door club included Eduardo Jr. and Cruz Novillo Astrada. The current president of the Argentine Polo Association had already won this competition in 1990, together with his father Eduardo and two of his brothers, Miguel and Javier.

In other words, whatever the outcome of the match had been, this article on parents and children would have been justified.

The República Argentina Cup has been disputed since 1929 and the first winner was Dorrego. Most of the great champions in the history of the high 44 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

handicap have played it and even won it. Names such as Juan Carlos and Alfredo Harriott; Francisco and Gastón Dorignac; Antonio, Alberto Pedro, Horacio Antonio, Bautista, Eduardo and Ignacio Heguy; Adolfo Cambiaso; Bartolomé Castagnola; Pablo Mac Donough and David ‘Pelón’ Stirling, among others.

If one asks the best Argentine polo players about their aspirations in their country, after the Triple Crown, the Cámara de Diputados Cup and the República Cup are the favorites.

The truth is that for many players, appearing at the Tortugas, Hurlingham and Palermo Opens are inaccessible. It is complex both because of the category of these competitions and because of the organization imperative to participate at that level.

The Cámara de Diputados Cup is only one step below. Therefore, it is also a difficult barrier to overcome. The República Cup, on the other hand, is arguably more within reach. Although many of the participants make enormous efforts to be present, the teams do not have handicap limits, everyone can compete after qualifying in their respective circuits throughout Argentina and the most desired prize is to end up playing on Palermo’s Field No. 1—The Cathedral—in Buenos Aires.

Moments after the final ended, Santiago

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

Chavanne, 43, could not hide his expression of great satisfaction as he observed the immense joy of 13year-old Lorenzo. In the semifinals they had just pulled off a major coup by eliminating the heavy favorite, Sauveterre-Monterosso, a team that had none other than David Stirling as the leader. The nine-time Palermo Open champion, 10 handicap and one of the best in the world, was accompanied by Ignacio Toccalino (8) and Santiago Stirling (5), his younger brother.

Standing at the Back position, for Santiago this victory also tastes a bit like personal revenge, a return to the spotlights of the main stage. Champion of this competition in 1996, playing with La Martina, 15 years later he defended, attacked, ordered and above all, guided his son in his first big steps in polo, on no less than the grass of the most important field in the world.

Santiago is a former 8 handicap (9 abroad) with an important past in the Triple Crown. In 2004, he was called by Adolfo Cambiaso to join La Dolfina.

Teammates since they were teenagers when they participated together in several tournaments, Cambiaso added him to the Cañuelas organization after the departure of the brothers Sebastián and Juan Ignacio Merlos. The 2002 champion, after losing three finals (2000, 2001 and 2003), Adolfo was looking for a change that would allow him to once again lift the most significant title of all.

Bartolomé Castagnola remained on the team while Chavanne and the Mexican Carlos Gracida, champion with La Espadaña and Ellerstina, were incorporated. The foursome never really worked, did not win any of the Triple Crown tournaments and, as the seasons went by, it would be the only formation of La Dolfina that would not reach the final of the Argentine Open between 2000 and 2020. The Cañuelas team quickly turned the page and the following year, having incorporated Lucas Monteverde and Mariano Aguerre, it returned to be a regular on the highest place of the podium, a privilege it still holds today.

Chavanne was also a member of El Metejón, Chapa I and Pilará. In 2010, he made the decision not to play in Argentina anymore because there had been no competitive project options to follow.

Abroad, he continued to play with patron Nicky Sen. But over the years, and the growth of his children— Lorenzo, Pedro (11) and Alexia (6)—the desire to

share a field with them and start competing as a family increased his enthusiasm.

At the moment, his eldest son, who plays at the No. 1 position, is the recipient of most of his instruction. His remarks are usually energetic and Santiago himself confesses, “I talk to him all the time, he is used to me talking to him, sometimes not in the best way, but the truth is that he takes it well.

It is a polo code and it is what will happen to him when he starts to play a little more seriously.”

For his part, Lorenzo cannot hide a logical and understandable excitement, despite his young age.

“I’m still a kid, but the truth is that I would love to be a professional. Obviously, I have to work really hard to become one,” he said. “Anyway, I don’t think that I'll dedicate to anything that is not related to polo. I think I’ll do anything, but for sure it will be related to horses.”

And his desire has strong and tenacious roots.

After all, Santiago says, “We live in the countryside, in a polo club, and the truth is that polo is basically everything. They are very fanatical about it, so am I, and we enjoy it and are very motivated.”

The big question then is whether he is tempted by the possibility of returning once again to the main stage of the Triple Crown.

“No, I’m done. I’m well into the kids. I’m happy like this. This is another moment and mine in high goal polo is over,” he said. “I’m happy playing with the kids and that’s what I’m here for, to try to make the breeding improve and for them to have better horses. That’s what I’m all about today.”

•

Santiago Chavanne can’t hold back his excitement after winning the Republica Cup with his son.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 45

POLO REPORT DISPATCHES FROM THE WORLD OF POLO PAC I F I C C OA S T

KERRI KERLEY

SAPA POLO TAKES ROSSMORE & CASH

Sapa Polo’s Jesse Bray muscles his way between an approaching Remy Du Celliee Muller and Tomas Alberdi in the Rossmore Cup final.

T

HE Eldorado Polo Club in Indio, California, completed its season with the 12-goal USPA Rossmore Cup and Polo Skins Game on March 21.

Sapa Polo came away the winner of both, taking the trophies as well as $24,000 in cash.

Sapa Polo (Igor Seyranov, Jesse Bray, Marcos Alberdi, Bayne Bossom) took on Bensoleimani.com (Ben Soleimani, Juan Curbelo, Tomas Alberdi, Remy Du Celliee Muller) in a final match where each chukker was

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

worth $6,000.

Tomas Alberdi struck first, sinking a Penalty 2 for bensoleimani.com but Marcos Alberdi got that back with a penalty conversion of his own. The teams were tied 1-1, meaning the $6000 rolled over to the winner of the second chukker. Marcos Alberdi split the uprights with a field goal, then followed with Penalty 2, both that went unanswered, giving Sapa the $12,000 bounty.

Sapa kept up the momentum with

Marcos Alberdi scoring one and Bray tallying two, to take a 6-1 lead, and earning another $6,000.

The halftime break didn’t stop Sapa’s momentum. Marcos Alberdi counted a pair of Penalty 2s and field goal added to one from Bossom to increase the lead to 10-1 at the end of the fourth. The team had also earned another $6,000.

Bossom traded goals with Tomas Alberdi in the fifth, rolling the $6,000 into the next chukker. Alberdi

R E P O R T

KERRI KERLEY

KERRI KERLEY

P O L O

Sapa Polo’s Igor Seyranov, Bayne Bossom, Marcos Alberdi and Jesse Bray won the Rossmore Cup and a total of $24,000.

and Bossom struck early in the sixth, taking a 13-2 lead. It seemed like Sapa would win another chukker, but Rossmore fought back. Soleimani got the team rolling with a drive to goal.

Soon after, Tomas Alberdi sent a Safety shot dead center through the uprights. Regulation time ran out with Sapa leading, 13-4, in the Rossmore Cup, but there was still $12,000 up for grabs and the teams were tied 2-2 in the chukker.

The overtime chukker didn’t last long as Du Celliee Muller scored to give bensoleimani.com the loot.

Club President Mike Ward was on hand to present the trophies. In addition to the trophies and prize money, Marcos Alberdi was MVP, earning him $1,500, and Jesse Bray’s I know was Best Playing Pony, earning Bray $1,500.

The same day, the final of the 6goal Pacific Coast Circuit Governor’s Cup was played. Dungar/Element 101 took on Evergreen in the final. The teams didn’t have an easy task in the semis. Dungar/Element 101 (Peter Milner, Greg Hanson, Jared Sheldon, Rodrigo Salinas) had to advance over defending champion Boss Polo, while Evergreen (Tom Sprung, Carlitos Gracida, Cacho Galindo, Charlie Caldwell) needed to eliminate LaSalle, the Spreckels Cup winners.

In the final, Caldwell and Gracida

Evergreen’s Cacho Galindo, Carlitos Gracida, Charlie Caldwell and Tom Sprung won the Governors Cup.

sent the ball through the posts early on. Sheldon struck for Dungar/Element 101 but it was answered by a goal from Caldwell. Galindo’s Penalty 2 conversion ended the chukker with Evergreen ahead, 4-1.

Sheldon and Galindo traded Penalty 2s in the second to end the half with Evergreen ahead, 5-2. Galindo stole the show in the third with four unanswered penalty conversions to increase the lead to seven, 9-2, with seven minutes left.

Dungar/Element 101 would need to take control in the last period if it wanted a chance to win, but Evergreen had other plans. Galindo scored back-to-back goals to put the game out of reach. Still, Dungar didn’t have quit in it. The team was awarded a Penalty 1, then Salinas found the goal after a run. Hanson scored two in a row to come within five but by then, despite the effort, time had run out and Evergreen was the champion.

Governor Danny Walker presented Rich Roenisch bronzes to the winners and a check for $7,500. Runners-up took home trophies and $2,500.

Galindo was named MVP and Charlie Caldwell’s Martha was Best Playing Pony.

Also the same day, teams battled in the 2-goal Amateur Cup. The final had Boss Polo (Piers Bossom, Corey

Williams, Aaram Safai, Felipe Alberdi) facing Casa S3 (Cameron Smith, Pat Ringer, Bonnie Magill, Marcial Socas).

In a low-scoring affair, a lone goal in the first from Smith was matched by a lone goal by Williams in the second, ending the half, 1-1. Boss Polo jumped out front in the third with goals by Bossom and Alberdi. Boss Polo continued to apply pressure in the final period, with Bossom converting a Penalty 2 then scoring from the field for a 5-1 advantage. Ringer broke through the Boss Polo defense but his goal was negated by one from Alberdi. Boss Polo hung on for the 62 lead.

Williams was MVP and her mare Carrot was Best Playing Pony.

Earlier that month, on March 10, the club hosted the USPA Spreckels Cup played at both the 6- and 12-goal levels.

The 6-goal division pitted LaSalle Properties against Dungar/Element 101 in a rematch of an early game when LaSalle prevailed, 8-7.

This time, Dungar/Element 101 (Peter Milner, Greg Hanson, Jared Sheldon, Rodrigo Salinas) began with a half-goal handicap. Sheldon added to it with a Penalty 4 conversion but LaSalle (Bob Gray, Luis Saracco, Marcos Llambias, Micaela Saracco) fought back. Saracco scored twice but

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

R E P O R T KERRI KERLEY

KERRI KERLEY

P O L O

Boss Polo’s Felipe Alberdi, Piers Bossom, Cory Williams and Aaram Safai won the 2-goal Amateur Cup. KERRI KERLEY

each goal was answered by Sheldon, ending the first seven minutes, 3½-2.

The back and forth continued in the second chukker. Llambias converted a Penalty 4 but Dungar/Element 101 was awarded a Penalty 1. Saracco got the last word of the chukker to bring the match back within a half goal, 4½-4. A lone goal by Llambias in the third gave LaSalle a narrow first-time lead at the half, 5-4½.

Sheldon gave Dungar/Element 101 back the lead in the fourth with a big neck shot at a difficult angle.

With 10 seconds on the clock, Llambias shot a 130-yard Hail Mary that found the mark with two seconds to spare, giving LaSalle the win.

The heroics earned Llambias MVP honors and Salinas’ Tangerine, coowned by Danny Juarez, was Best Playing Pony.

In the 12-goal division, Cavallo Ranch (John Bickford, Max Menini, Tomas Obregon, Alejandro Gonzalez) took on Bensoleimani.com (Ben Soleimani, Juan Curbelo, Tomas Albredi, Remy Du Celliee Muller) in a running and open final game.

Bensoleimani.com began with three quick goals, then Curbelo trad-

Cavallo Ranch’s Tomas Obregon, Alejandro Gonzalez, Max Menini and John Bickford won the 12-goal Spreckels Cup.

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

Lasalle Properties’ Robert Gray, Luis Saracco, Maco Llambias and Micaela Saracco won the 6-goal Spreckels Cup at Eldorado Polo Club in Indio, California.

ed penalty shots with Obregon. Gonzalez scored one from the field and Obregon converted another penalty shot to bring Cavallo within one, 4-3.

Alberdi and Soleimani swapped goals with Obregon in the next two chukkers, maintaining the one-goal difference at the half, 6-5.

Both teams clamped down on their defense in a scoreless fourth.

Obregon’s Penalty 2 conversion leveled the score at 6-6 but Alberdi shot from the field to give bensoleimani.com back the lead, 7-6.

Curbelo traded Penalty 3s with Obregon in the sixth before Bickford knotted the score with a run to goal.

With 90 seconds left, Menini gave Cavallo its first lead on a well-placed Penalty 5 shot. Gonzalez added another for good measure ensuring Cavallo the 10-8 win and the title.

As is tradition, the winners received the historic Spreckels Cup filled with two dozen red roses.

Gonzalez was MVP and his Dobel was Best Playing Pony.

—Tony Gregg contributed

HANALEI BAY ACES 4-GOAL LIONS CUP Hanalei Bay came out roaring in the final of the 4-goal Lion’s Cup and never let up, taking the title and some cash in the annual tournament held at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, March 28.

Hanalei Bay (Krista Bonaguidi, Joe Coors, Rob Payne III, Cacho Galindo) faced La Fortuna/Blazers (Elise Barlow, Pat Powell, Kyle Fargey, Luis Saracco).

La Fortuna/Blazers got on the board first, thanks to a goal off the mallet of Saracco but costly mistakes allowed Hanalei Bay to take a considerable lead after the first seven minutes. Payne capitalized on a pair of Penalty 3s, sand-

R E P O R T

JIM BREMNER

JIM BREMNER

P O L O

Hanalei Bay’s Krista Bonaguidi, Joe Coors, Robert Payne III and Cacho Galindo won the 4-goal Lions Cup at Empire Polo Club.

wiched around a field goal from Galindo, who also drained a Penalty 4 to give Hanalei a 4-1 lead. Payne increased the lead in the second with back-to-back goals. Fargey converted a Penalty 3 to keep La Fortuna in the game, 6-2, at the half.

La Fortuna made the most of a pair of open-goal penalties but was unable to convert a third. Fargey had brought the team within two, 6-4, while the team held Hanalei Bay silent. La Fortuna had seven minutes left to make up the difference, but Payne kept moving the finish line. A two-goal deficit became three-goals early in the fourth. Saracco scored to cut it back to two, but Payne converted a Penalty 2 then shot through a field goal to increase the difference to four with time running low. Saracco got in one last goal before time expired with Hanalei Bay ahead, 9-6.

Cacho Galindo was MVP, while Luis Saracco’s Sonrisa (Chapaleufu Polola x Dolfina Maradona) was Best Playing Pony.

The winning team was awarded $12,000, but La Fortuna/Blazers didn’t go home empty-handed. The runners-up took home $4000.

The same day, Ryan/Domino (Nicolas Maciel, Paige Sullivan, Paul Sullivan, Grant Lockhart, Martin Tassara) won the 8-goal Coachella League final over Mother Chukkers/ Sawyer Col. West (Sukey Forbes, Henry Trione, Ignacio Deltour,

Ryan/Domino’s Nicolas Maciel, Paige Sullivan, Paul Sullivan, Grant Lockhart and Martin Tassara won the Coachella League.

David Barnett, Juan Semper) and Lockton (Tim Kelly, Max Menini, Nacho Velasco, Julie Fernandez). Ignacio Deltour’s V-Power was Best Playing Pony.

SOUTHEASTERN

BUNNIES CONQUER IN EASTER BASKET BATTLE The Triangle Area Polo Club in Hurdle Mills, North Carolina, enjoyed a winter season in its covered arena. Matches were played two-on-two.

The season concluded with the Easter Basket Battle, pitting Bunnies (Maud Eno, Matt Hanssen) against Peeps in the four-chukker division.

Bunnies took a 9-7 lead into the half and expanded it to 15-9 after the third.

Peeps fought back to within one, 15-14, before Bunnies bounced back with three straight goals for the 18-14 win.

In the two-chukker division, Sheana Funkhouser and Amy Dunlap jumped out to a quick start and never looked back, defeating Riley Davis and Ade Holloway, 11-4.

The season began with the club’s annual Super Ball tournament. Played in pairs, each player plays one chukker with each of the other players. The champion is the player with the best record. In the two-horse division, Tammy Havener won a shootout over

Bunnies’ Maud Eno and Matt Hanssen won the Easter Basket Battle.

Tammy Havener won the Super Ball tournament in the two-horse division.

Nicole Romach, while in the one-horse division, Riley Davis out-shot Sheana Funkhouser.

The action continued into March with one- and two-horse divisions. The two-horse division was played in pairs with players representing their alma mater. UVA alumnus Maud Eno joined forces with David Brooks to defeat Duke alum Tammy Havener, who

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

DAVID MURRELL

R E P O R T

DAVID MURRELL

P O L O

San Antonio’s Trey Crea, Lauren Sterr, Wes Alston and Joaquin Arguello won the Gen. Patton tournament at Two Wishes Ranch.

Riley Davis won the Super Ball tournament in the one-horse division.

Will Walton’s Best Playing Pony Xena helped him put in an outstanding performance, including scoring all of his team’s goals.

teamed up with Nicole Romach, 22-16.

Eno and Brooks then defeated UNC Greensboro/Maryland’s Leslie Brooks and Molly Matthews, 27-15. Duke’s Havener and Romach then topped UNC Greensboro/Maryland’s Brooks and Matthews, 31-27. With a 2-0 record, UVA’s Eno and Brooks took the win.

In the one-horse division, players rotated teammates. The winner was determined by a shootout with the accurate UNC Chapel Hill alum Riley Davis topping Ohio State’s Peggy Baron-Antolin. It was Davis’ second straight shootout victory.

SOUTHWESTERN

Maud Eno and David Brooks won March Madness in the two-horse division.

Riley Davis won March Madness in the one-horse division with Triangle’s Roxy.

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

SAN ANTONIO WINS PATTON TOURNAMENT The Central Texas Polo Association kicked off its spring season with the Southwest Circuit Gen. George S. Patton Jr. tournament, April 10-11, at its Two Wishes Ranch polo facility in Lockhart, Texas.

Six teams participated, with at least one player on each team having a military connection. As it turned out, 18 of 25 players had military connections, as did both umpires: Robin Sanchez and Karl Hilberg. Players came from across

the circuit, including Austin, College Station, Dallas, Houston, Lockhart and San Antonio.

The first round pitted Kanthaka (Sylvia Kampshoff, Philipp Kampshoff, Gal Shweiki, Jack Crea), Oak Bend Farm (Chris Ballard, Jessica Mignone, Joss Leufrancois, Will Walton) and Legends (Mark Osburn, Brady Williams, Nacho Estrada, Lara Straussfeld) in a round robin with Oak Bend Farm advancing to the final. The second round robin had Villa Ecleto (Morgan Tennant, Arturo Campos, Patrick MacLeod, Lalo Ramirez), San Antonio (Trey Crea, Lauren Sterr, Wes Alston, Joaquin Arguello) and JD Polo (Javier Insua, Zoe Lehmer, John Greening, Taimur Zeb, Ariel Rodriguez) battling it out. In the end, San Antonio advanced.

The final between Oak Bend Farm and San Antonio was played the next day. Will Walton put Oak Bend Farm on the board early in the game, but San Antonio responded with goals from Trey Crea and Joaquin Arguello to take a 2-1 lead. The second chukker mirrored the first with the same players striking again, ending with San Antonio leading, 4-2, at the half. Oak Bend took over in the third with Walton striking twice while San Antonio was silenced, knotting the score at 4-4 going into the final period. With neither team willing to concede, the play was fast and furi-

R E P O R T

CURT LEIMBACH

CURT LEIMBACH

P O L O

Hillcroft’s Vaughn Miller Jr., Herndon Radcliff, Mason Wroe and James Miller won the National Inter-Circuit Championship.

ous. Both teams had near misses, including a Penalty 4 attempt from Walton that was blocked by Crea. With less than a minute to go, Arguello came through with a decisive goal, giving San Antonio the win. Arguello was name MVP and Walton’s Xena was Best Playing Pony. JD Polo’s Taimur Zeb took home the Sportsmanship Award.

Thanks to all those that made the event so successful, including Ariel Rodriguez and the Two Wishes team; USPA and USPA Umpires, LLC, photographers Debbie and David Murrell; prize provider Royal B Threads; umpires Robin Sanchez and Karl Hilberg; and all the wonderful horses.

FLORIDA

HILLCROFT FARM IS INTER-CIRCUIT CHAMP Hillcroft Farm defeated Glen Farm in the final of the 10-goal USPA National Inter-Circuit Championship, held at Sarasota Polo Club in Sarasota, Florida, March 14.

The final was a rematch of the opening game between Hillcroft (Vaughn Miller Jr., Herndon Radcliff, Mason Wroe, James Miller) and newcomer Glen Farm (Sam Clemens, Tommy Huber, Marcos Onetto, Stuart Campbell).

Tito’s Maddie Grant, James Uihlein, Alan Martinez and Joe Wayne Barry won the USPA Commander-in-Chief Cup.

Each of the finalists’ first three games were decided by just one goal.

The start of the final showcased Hillcroft’s determination to build an early lead. Wroe made an early impact to give his team a two-goal advantage, which was increased to three after a Penalty 2 conversion from Radcliff. Clemens countered the early runaway to get Glen Farm on the scoreboard and leave it trailing, 3-1, at the end of the first. Carrying the momentum into the second period, Clemens added his second goal of the game on a Penalty 2, but it was Hillcroft who reorganized and took control of the game.

Radcliff’s second goal doubled up Glen Farm. Holding Glen Farm scoreless for the remainder of the first half, Miller and Miller Jr. scored, propelling Hillcroft into halftime holding the 6-2 lead.

In a near repeat of the first chukker, Hillcroft turned back to its duo of Radcliff and Wroe for a combined three-goal fourth chukker to complete a run of six unanswered goals that began in the second chukker. Facing a 9-2 difference, Glen Farm tried to chip away and pull within reach, beginning with Huber’s first goal of the game, followed by a Penalty 3 conversion from Onetto, but Hillcroft’s active defense prevented a run in the late stages of the game. Miller Jr. and

Huber traded goals in the sixth, but Hillcroft built an insurmountable 10-5 lead as time expired.

Vaughn Miller Jr. was named MVP and Mason Wroe’s 20-year-old Quarter Horse gelding Cheeks was Best Playing Pony.

Two weeks later, Tito’s Handmade Vodka defeated Hillcroft Farm in the 10-goal USPA Commander-in-Chief Cup. Entering the final as the only undefeated team, Tito’s (Maddie Grant, James Uihlein, Alan Martinez, Joe Wayne Barry) demonstrated why they were the team to beat, converting six penalties on route to the 13-9 victory over Hillcroft (Vaughn Miller Jr., Herdon Radcliff, Mason Wroe, James Miller).

Hillcroft had its sights set on a second consecutive tournament victory but a determined Tito’s consistently hammered penalties in the second half, scoring seven consecutive goals to run away with the game.

The first chukker started off with a strong Hillcroft racing out of the gate to build a 3-1 lead with goals from Wroe and Radcliff. Wroe followed with a Penalty 4 to keep the momentum in Hillcroft’s favor. Miller contributed his first goal of the game in the second.

Winning each of their previous games by at least two goals, Tito’s began

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

R E P O R T SNOOPY PRODUCTIONS

CANDACE FERREIRA / GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO

P O L O

Smithfield Farms’ Craig Callen, Bauti Crotto, Julio Ezcurra and John Klopp won the 6-goal Madelon Bourdieu Memorial.

working its way back into the game, beginning with a field goal from Uihlein, followed by a Penalty 2 conversion from Martinez. Fouls changed the pace of the game before the end of the half, allowing Tito’s to level the scoreboard after Martinez made his third and fourth penalty conversions. Outscoring Hillcroft, 3-2, in the third chukker, Tito’s leveled the score at 6-all.

Both teams rallied in the fourth with Wroe and Miller starting off the scoring, but Tito’s retaliated with another penalty conversion and field goal of its own to keep the game close.

“Although we struggled a bit to get a good offensive flow going in the final, we still marked our men well, drew fouls, and Alan was deadly from the penalty line,” Grant said.

Taking the skills from a strong intercollegiate/interscholastic background, Grant ignited a second-half surge for Tito’s with her first goal of the game.

The tie was broken in a decisive fifth when Martinez picked up three unanswered goals to give his team its first lead of the game, 11-8. In the sixth chukker, Martinez converted his sixth penalty goal and capped off his exceptional performance with a field goal to secure the 13-9 victory for Tito’s.

With 10 goals, Alan Martinez was named MVP and his 9-year-old Thoroughbred mare Phoenix was Best Playing Pony.

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

Woodmere Polo’s Gussie Busch, Henry Porter, Santos Merlos and Alex Burkland won the Limited Edition 8-goal.

SMITHFIELD VICTORIOUS IN BOURDIEU MEMORIAL Smithfield Farms came out on top of the Madelon Bourdieu Memorial final at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida, on April 14.

Smithfield Farms (Craig Callen, Bauti Crotto, Julio Ezcurra, John Klopp) battled Rafool Polo (Raymond Rafool, Nico Harriott, Henry Porter, Gussie Busch).

Seconds into the foul-riddled match, Smithfield was awarded a penalty but was unable to convert it. Porter put Rafool on the board with back-to-back penalty conversions and Ezcurra put Smithfield on the board with a penalty shot of his own. Busch scored on a run to goal but Crotto responded. Porter converted another penalty in the second and Crotto answered with a Penalty 4 conversion. Busch split the uprights on another run, ending the half with Rafool ahead, 5-3.

Porter increased Rafool’s lead in the third to four, but with seconds left in the chukker, Crotto cut it to three, 7-4. Crotto carried the momentum into the fourth, adding two more goals, bringing the team to within one, 7-5. With just over a minute left, Ezcurra got past Busch and found his way to goal to force overtime. Ezcurra did it again two minutes into sudden

death to give Smithfield the win, 8-7.

Crotto, high scorer with six goals, was MVP and his La Suerte was Best Playing Pony.

The tournament is played in memory of polo player Madelon Bourdieu, mother of the club’s director of polo operations, Juan Bollini.

Play continued in the Limited Edition 8-goal, with Woodmere Polo (Alex Burkland, Santos Merlos, Henry Porter, Gussie Busch) taking on White Birch (Joseph Schwartz, Chris Brant, Nick Manifold, Kris Kampsen). Play went back and forth in the first chukker, with the only score coming from a Penalty 5 spot hit tapped in by Kampsen.

Kampsen converted another penalty in the second, while Merlos sunk a Penalty 2, ending the chukker, 2-1, for White Birch.

Merlos completed a hat trick and Porter made a coast-to-coast run in the third, while holding White Birch to one, ending the half, 6-2, for Windmere.

Schwartz scored on a pass from Kampsen early in the fourth, kickstarting a White Birch comeback. Kampsen scored a trifecta, including a pair of penalties, to tie the score at 6-all. Merlos hit the target, but Kampsen responded to keep it level, 7-7. Kampsen gave White Birch the lead early in the fifth with a Penalty 2 conversion but Manifold accidentally put the ball between the posts for Woodmere to level it at 8-

R E P O R T

CANDACE FERREIRA / GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO

P O L O

Richard Mille’s Paco de Narvaez, Marc Ganzi, Pablo Mac Donough and Jeta Castagnola captured the Triple Crown of Polo.

all. Busch gave the lead back to Woodmere, ending the chukker, 8-7. Busch struck again early in the sixth to increase the lead to two, but a pair of Penalty 2 conversions by Kampsen knotted the score yet again. Woodmere broke the tie late in the chukker to take the 11-10 win.

Santos Merlos was MVP and his gray mare Guri Amalia was Best Playing Pony.

RICHARD MILLE TAKES TRIPLE CROWN OF POLO The World Polo League season largely belonged to Richard Mille, topping an eight-team roster to capture three of four titles in 26-goal play, held at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida, from Feb. 5April 17.

The team of Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola, Pablo Mac Donough and Paco de Narvaez finished off its season with a victory in the Triple Crown of Polo. Previously, it prevailed in The AllStar Challenge, then The Founders Cup. The team fell to Casablanca in the final of the Palm Beach Open.

Preliminary play began in the Triple Crown of Polo on April 1. Richard Mille held a 2-1 record going into the semifinals, its only loss coming at the hands of Tamera (Ale Poma, Diego Cavanagh,

Old Hickory Bourbon’s Matias Magrini, Cody Ellis, Santino Magrini and Stevie Orthwein won the Monty Waterbury Cup.

Santi Torres, Jejo Taranco), a team that entered the semifinal with a 3-0 record.

Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Barto Castagnola, Juan Martin Nero) also held a 3-0 record to earn a spot in the semis. The last semifinal spot went to the 2-1 Orea (Sugar Erskine, Justin Daniels, Torito Ruiz, Nacho Novillo Astrada).

Richard Mille advanced over Casablanca, 12-10, in the first semifinal, while Tamera advanced over Orea, 7-6.

That set up the final between Richard Mille and Tamera.

Cavanagh put Tamera on the board in the first 40 seconds, adding to a handicap goal. Taranco added another a few minutes later with an 80-yard shot through the posts, giving the team a 3-0 advantage. Richard Mille got on the board with a Penalty 3 conversion by Castagnola to end the chukker, 3-1.

Mac Donough hit the target early in the second, but Taranco responded.

Castagnola scored late in the chukker to bring Richard Mille within one, 4-3. A Penalty 5 conversion in the opening minute of the third extended Tamera’s lead to two, but Castagnola shot back with two in a row to level the score at 5.

Torres gave Tamera the lead with backto-back goals to end the half, 7-5.

Recalling their earlier loss to Tamera, Richard Mille dug deep in the second half. It shut Tamera down in the fourth while Castagnola converted a

Penalty 3 and Ganzi jumped on a pass from Castagnola and sent it through the post for a 7-7 tie.

Castagnola gave Richard Mille a brief lead in the fifth but Taranco knotted the score once again. A Penalty 3 conversion by Mac Donough was also answered by Taranco, ending the period, 9-9. The sixth began with a Penalty 2 in favor of Richard Mille, which Castagnola converted then followed with a field goal, giving Richard Mille a two-goal advantage. Tamera converted a penalty to cut the deficit to one, but time ran out, leaving Richard Mille holding the trophy.

Pablo Mac Donough was named MVP, while his Suspicasia was named the Best Argentine Bred and his Irenita Subara was WPL Best Playing Pony.

Marc Ganzi’s Molapata Tinta was named APHA Best Playing Pony.

OLD HICKORY CAPTURES MONTY WATERBURY CUP The 18-goal USPA Monty Waterbury Cup went to the home team the first year it was played at Port Mayaca Polo Club in Okeechobee, Florida. Four teams competed in the event played from April 3-17.

Old Hickory Bourbon (Matias Magrini, Cody Ellis, Santino Magrini, Stevie Orthwein) faced Postage Stamp

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

P O L O

R E P O R T

Bill Campbell, center, presents trophies to Citizen’s Holly Chamberlain, Charly Quincoces, Alfredo Guerreno and Midge Ellison at The Villages.

Farm (Annabelle Gundlach, Facundo Obregon, Mariano Aguerre, Matias Gonzalez) for the final on April 17. It was the second time this season the teams met in a final. Old Hickory came out on top, 12-9, of the 18-goal USPA Butler Handicap, March 5.

This time, Postage Stamp jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after back-toback goals from Gundlach. Orthwein and Matias Magrini matched the goals in the second, but a pair of penalty conversions from Obregon put Postage Stamp back in the lead. Postage Stamp continued to press, outscoring Old Hickory Bourbon, 2-1, in the third to take a 6-3 lead into the half.

Old Hickory Bourbon made the most of the halftime break, coming back in the fourth with renewed vigor.

Ellis got the rally going with a goal, followed by a pair of goals by Santino Magrini to tie the score. Obregon found the uprights to give Postage Stamp back the lead, 7-6, late in the chukker. Santino Magrini tied the match again in the fifth and Orthwein gave Old Hickory a first-time lead going into the last chukker, 8-7. It was still anyone’s game and both teams had opportunities but both teams’ defenses clamped down, preventing anymore scoring. Old Hickory held on for the narrow win.

“I think our simple style and teamwork helped us get through some

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

Fross & Fross’ Alfredo Guerreno, Nate Berube, Midge Ellison and Thom Fross won the 6-goal Aviv Clinics tournament.

tough games,” Ellis said. “We were a well-mounted team and worked well for each other.”

Santino Magrini, who scored three goals and tied the score twice, was named MVP, and Facundo Obregon’s 10-year-old gray mare, Sapphire, was Best Playing Pony.

On the way to the final, both teams defeated Iconica (Maureen Brennan, Magoo Laprida, Juan Cruz Marcos, Mariano Gonzalez) and Bushwood (Mike Davis, Tommy Panelo, Kris Kampsen, Henry Porter).

CITIZENS VICTORIOUS IN CITIZENS BANK 6 GOAL The Villages Polo Club in The Villages, Florida, held the Citizens First Bank 6-goal tournament, April 16-18. Four teams competed in the tournament with the winners of the Friday matches moving on to the final on Sunday.

Citizens First (Midge Ellison, Alfredo Guerreno, Charly Quincoces, Holly Chamberlain) met Fross & Fross (Thom Fross, Nate Berube, Paige Boone, Francisco Llosa) in the final.

Fross & Fross began with a half-goal handicap and it hung on to it through the first two chukkers after the teams matched goals. Guerreno and Quincoces scored two goals apiece, but they were matched by goals from Fross,

Berube and Llosa. Citizens was kept off the scoreboard in the third while Fross converted back-to-back Penalty 2s for a 6½-4 score at the half.

Quincoces took the ball coast to coast, cutting the deficit early in the fourth, but Fross & Fross tightened its defense, not allowing Citizens to get any closer. Citizens kept pressing and at the four-minute mark of the fifth and final period, Quincoces brought Citizens within a half-goal, 6½-6. The Citizens defense kept Fross & Fross from responding and with under a minute left, Citizens was awarded a penalty. Quincoces’ shot was knocked down by Berube but Guerreno pounced on the loose ball and connected with the goal. With 32 seconds left, Fross & Fross made a last-ditch effort to gain the lead. Llosa shot to goal but it went just wide as time ran out.

Holly Chamberlain was named MVP and Guerreno’s Golden Coin, an 8-yearold bay mare, was Best Playing Pony.

“Everybody played really cohesively those last two chukkers, and that’s what was really important,” said Chamberlain. “We were far more collected as a team and we played much better defense together, and it really made it a lot of fun there late.”

The following week, four goals by Berube gave Fross & Fross the win in the 6-goal Aviv Clinics tournament.

Fross & Fross (Thom Fross, Midge Elli-

R E P O R T

REBECCA FOLTZ

REBECCA FOLTZ

P O L O

Giorgio Brignone and Alberto Ardissone congratulate La Karina’s Conrad Kissling, Chris Falk, Carlitos Gracida, Brian Boyd and Benito Hernandez.

son, Nate Berube, Alfredo Guerreno) began with a one-goal handicap and Berube added to it in the first two minutes. United HealthCare (Mateo/Cruz Bilbao, Cameron Smart, Paige Boone, Francisco Bilbao) answered with Smart hitting the mark, but Guerreno had the last word, ending the first, 3½-1.

Berube scored again less than a minute into the second and Fross followed with a goal to increase the lead.

Mateo Bilbao shot through a goal to end the second, 5½-2. Boone scored two in a row early in the third but Berube added another, ending the half with Fross & Fross on top, 6½-4.

United Healthcare kept pace in the second half, matching Fross & Fross goal for goal. Cruz Bilbao tallied early in the fourth, but his goal was answered by Guerreno. Berube scored in the fifth, but Smart responded.

Time ran out before United HealthCare was able to get any closer, and Fross & Fross held on for the 8½-6 win.

Nate Berube took MVP honors and Midge Ellison’s Rolex, a 9-year-old bay gelding, was Best Playing Pony.

In a consolation match, The Villages Insurance (Holly Chamberlain/ Liv Berube, Kim Smith, Horacio Lizaso, Charly Quincoces) narrowly edged Arden’s Fine Jewelers (Jamie Demericas/ Lou Pendas, Miguel Lis-Planells, Chavelo Briones, Francisco Llosa), 54½. The Villages led by a half goal

Agua Alta’s Gian Carlo Brignone, Patrick Boyd, Milo Ardissone and Benito Hernandez won the Agua Alta Cup at Costa Careyes.

after the first but Lis-Planells’ lone goal in the second turned the tables.

Neither team reached the goal in the third and a Quincoces goal in the fourth was matched by Lis Planells to keep it close. Quincoces gave The Villages the lead early in the fifth but Demericas snatched the lead back. It looked like Arden’s would take the win but Quincoces fired at the goal with one second to spare for the win.

BORDER

LA KARINA VICTORIOUS IN CONSTITUTION CUP The 8-goal USPA Constitution Cup was held at Costa Careyes Polo Club in Jalisco, Mexico, March 27-April 3. Six teams played in the event, held concurrently with the 3-goal XXI Agua Alta Cup, which drew another six teams. The teams in each event were divided into two brackets.

Players from 12 to 72 traveled from New York, Argentina, Switzerland, California and all parts of Mexico to play at the club located on the Pacific Ocean.

The opening night was hosted by Alberto and Kari Ardissone at their Agua Alta villa. A team draw was held and USPA team jerseys were distributed to the players as guests enjoyed La Dama, a new organic tequila.

In the final of the Constitution Cup, La Karina (Brian Boyd, Carlitos Gracida, Benito Hernandez, Chris Falk) faced FunFruit (Ricardo Cos, Ricardo Cos Jr., Diego Solorzano, Tomas Elliot). An injured Falk was replaced by Conrad Kissling, who had just arrived from Madrid. FunFruit began with a handicap goal but La Karina came to play and quickly took control. Ricardo Cos Jr. was accurate from the penalty line, scoring all but one of his Penalty 2s and 3s, but it wasn’t enough as La Karina amassed an 11-4 lead. Carlitos Gracida led the La Karina scoring with six goals.

All the players in the tournament voted on the MVP awards. Benito Hernandez won MVP Pro and Ricardo Cos Jr. took MVP Amateur.

In the XXI Agua Alta Cup, the home team took the top prize. Agua Alta (Milo Ardissone, Gian Carlo Brignone, Patrick Boyd, Benito Hernandez) took on San Jorge (Jorge Suarez, Juan Galan, Joel Acosta, Miguel Chavez). The action went back and forth in the first half, with Agua Alta gaining a 6-4 lead at the half. Agua Alta was just getting going and held San Jorge to a single goal in the second half while tallying four more. Agua Alta prevailed, 10-5.

Hernandez led the scoring with six goals in the afternoon. Joel Acosta, high-scorer for San Jorge, was MVP Pro and crowd favorite Jorge Suarez was MVP Amateur.

•

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

HALEY BRYAN

T E A M U S PA

IPC Qualifier III Teams GJ Racing: Joseph Schwartz IV, Maeve Reicher, Harrison Reicher, Landen Eckbo Daniels Chukker TV: Ava Rose Hinkson, Ramon Caro, Joaquin Vilgre La Madrid, Pacito de Narvaez Mayer Ranch: Addie Politi, Finn Secunda, Jack Whitman, Jem Handler Final: Chukker TV defeated Mayer Ranch, 3-1.

All-Stars: Joseph Schwartz IV, Landen Eckbo Daniels, Finn Secunda, Jack Whitman, Pacito de Narvaez Best Playing Pony: Landen Daniels’ Blue

Hope Arellano, Summer Kneece, Alea Crespo and Inez Onetto won the Aiken I qualifier.

(continued from page 25)

Final: Power Group/Total Care defeated Grand Champions Polo School, 3-2.

All-Stars: Cruz Bilbao, Sebastian Mandelbaum, Guiliana Tarazona, Boyett Watridge Best Playing Pony: Guiliana Tarazona’s Capri

Aiken Polo Club Aiken, South Carolina The spring season in Aiken provides a myriad of opportunities for amateur, professional and young players to train and play competitive polo. Each year, the level of play at the NYTS qualifier increases, demonstrating the success of the strong youth polo program in the area. Junior Committee Chair Tiger Kneece, has been a longtime supporter of the NYTS program in Aiken and has coached at the championship event several times. Due to weather, the qualifier was divided into two events.

Aiken I Teams Sapa Investments: Inez Onetto, Alea Crespo, Summer Kneece, Hope Arellano Creative Financial Strategies: Owen Halliday, Daniel Arnold, Gracie Brown, Winston Painter

HALEY BRYAN

Final: Sapa Investments defeated Creative Financial Strategies, 9-5.

All-Stars: Hope Arellano, Winston Painter, Summer Kneece, Daniel Arnold Best Playing Pony: Winston Painter and Gabby Crespo’s Chilena Aiken II Teams Polo Adventures: Dolores Onetto, Reagan Leitner, Robyn Leitner, Aiden Meeker Aiken Youth Polo: Robby Mooney, Madison Jordan, Brianna Jordan, Hardy Pemberton Estrella Equine: Zoey Bivalaqua, Virginia Gwinn, Sophie Grant, Josh Escapite

Sophie Grant, Robyn Leitner, Hardy Pemberton, Reagan Leitner and Aiden Meeker were All-Stars in the Aiken II qualifier.

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

Round Robin winner: Polo Adventures All-Stars: Aiden Meeker, Sophie Grant, Reagan Leitner, Robyn Leitner, Hardy Pemberton Best Playing Pony: Aiden Meeker’s Beckham •

CALENDAR

June APRIL 29-JUNE 20 Spring Pro-Pool League Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, CA MAY 8-JUNE 5 Saturday League (4) Willow Bend, Little Elm, TX M A Y 19 - J U N E 6 Pete Bostwick Memorial (8) New Bridge, Aiken, SC MAY 22-JUNE 6 USPA Players Cup (4) Aiken, Aiken, SC MAY 27-JUNE 6 USPA Masters Cup (6) Midland, Midland, TX MAY 28-JUNE 6 Vic Graber Cup (12) Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, CA MAY 30-JUNE 6 Constitution Cup (4) Roseland, Crozet, VA JUNE 1-30 Arena Chairman’s Cup (12) 4- to 6-goal League 8-goal League Great Meadow, The Plains, VA JUNE 2-6 Rosemary Cup (10) Willow Bend, Little Elm, TX J U N E 2 - 13 Stissing Cup (4) Mashomack, Pine Plains, NY J U N E 2 - J U L Y 14 Summer League (4) Southampton, Watermill, NY JUNE 4-5 Masters Cup (4) Cerro Pampa, Petaluma, CA JUNE 4-6 I/I Alumni Tournament (3) Garrison Forest, Owings Mills, MD Celebration of the Horse Denver, Sedalia, CO JUNE 5 South of Zero Cup Play Polo, Westerville, OH

Belmont Stakes Cup (6) Prestonwood, Oak Point, TX JUNE 5-6 Carpathia Cup New Orleans, Folsom, LA CTPA Allied Services Cup (5) Texas Military, Poteet, TX JUNE 6 Joseph Poor & Stan Bradford Cup Myopia, South Hamilton, MA NYTS Houston, Houston, TX JUNE 6-20 Greenwich Bronze Cup (16) Greenwich, Greenwich, CT J U N E 7 - 13 Tommy Hitchcock Memorial (8) New Bridge, Aiken, SC J U N E 8 - J U LY 2 2 Independence Cup (8) Southampton, Watermill, NY J U N E 10 - 13 Spring Finale Midland, Midland, TX J U N E 11 - 1 3 Women’s Challenge (10) Roseland, Crozet, VA USPA Gen. Brown (6) Willow Bend, Little Elm, TX J U N E 11 - 2 0 USPA Intra-Circuit (12) Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, CA JUNE 12 NYTS Giant Valley, Hamden, CT Stella Chalice Trophy Farmington, Farmington, CT J U N E 12 - 13 NOPC Summer Classic New Orleans, Folsom, LA Arena WCT Maryland, Jarrettsville, MD

J U N E 1 2 -19 Patriot Cup (6) Prestonwood, Oak Point, TX J U N E 13 Neil Ayer Cup Myopia, South Hamilton, MA NYTS Midland, Midland, TX J U N E 13 - 2 7 Argentina Cup Play Polo, Westerville, OH J U N E 16 - J U L Y 5 USPA Officers Cup (8) Mashomack, Pine Plains, NY J U N E 17 - 19 National Arena Challenge Cup (3) Brandywine, Toughkenamon, PA J U N E 18 - 2 0 Arena Women’s Challenge (8) Seneca, Poolesville, MD Willow Bend Cup (6) Willow Bend, Little Elm, TX McHugh Tournament (4) Brandywine, Toughkenamon, PA J U N E 19 Texas Polo Cup (4) Dallas, Red Oak, TX Bill Thomas Memorial (4) Tinicum, Erwinna, PA J U N E 19 - 2 0 Father’s Day Matches New Orleans, Folsom, LA JUNE 20 C.G. Rice Cup Myopia, South Hamilton, MA JUNE 20-27 David L. King Memorial (4) Roseland, Crozet, VA JUNE 22-24 NYTS Maryland, Jarrettsville, MD JUNE 23-26 Masters Cup (8) Farmington, Farmington, CT

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

CALENDAR

June / July J U N E 2 3 - J U LY 4 Greenwich Silver Cup (16) Greenwich, Greenwich, CT

J U N E 3 0 - J U LY 3 Arena Constitution Cup (3) Triangle, Hurdle Mills, NC

J U L Y 4 - 11 USPA Cyril Harrison Cup (4) Myopia, South Hamilton, MA

JUNE 24 Patton Cup (4) Maryland, Jarrettsville, MD

J U L Y 1 - 11 Harrison Cup (8) Myopia, South Hamilton, MA

J U LY 6 - AU G U S T 1 Eddie Moore Memorial (8) Mashomack, Pine Plains, NY

J U N E 2 4 - J U LY 3 Congressional Cup (6) Chicago Int’l, Oswego, IL

J U LY 1 - 15 Presidents Cup (8) National Eight Goal (8) Intra-Circuit Cup (12) Governors Cup (6) Beverly, The Plains, VA

J U LY 7 - 2 5 Greenwich Gold Cup (16) Greenwich, Greenwich, CT

J U LY 2 - 4 Players Cup (4) Fairfield, Haysville, KS

J U LY 7 - AU G U S T 4 Hampton’s League (6) Southampton, Watermill, NY

JUNE 25-27 Oak Point Cup (4) Willow Bend, Little Elm, TX Women’s Tournament Greater Niagra, Wainfleet, Ontario

J U LY 7 - AU G U S T 1 USPA Eduardo Moore Invitational (8) Mashomack, Pine Plains, NY

Brandywine Polo Club will be hosting the 3-goal USPA National Arena Challenge Cup, June 17-19, and the 8-goal USPA Eastern Circuit Arena Challenge Cup, July 15-17.

J U N E 2 5 - J U LY 4 Intra-Circuit Cup (12) Arranmore, Oswego, IL JUNE 26 22nd International Polo Challenge Mashomack, Pine Plains, NY The Maroons 1925 Polo Cup Tinicum, Erwinna, PA JUNE 26-27 Centennial Cup (0) Sugarbush, Shelburne, VT 24th CD LeBlanc Memorial (1) Will Rogers, Pacific Palisades, CA JUNE 27 Agassiz Club Cup (2) Myopia, South Hamilton, MA Dallas Symphony Cup Prestonwood, Oak Point, TX J U N E 2 7 - J U LY 3 Lt. Governor’s Cup Denver, Sedonia, CO

Independence Cup (4) Willow Bend, Little Elm, TX USPA President’s Cup (8) Brandywine, Toughkenamon, PA J U LY 3 Independence Cup Farmington, Farmington, CT Freedom Pony Cup Play Polo, Westerville, OH

J U N E 2 7 - J U L Y 11 Oak Brook Polo Open Oak Brook, Oak Brook, IL

J U L Y 3 - 31 Tuckerman Cup (4) Myopia, South Hamilton, MA

JUNE 28-29 NYTS Gardnertown, Newburgh, NY

J U LY 4 Fireworks Challenge Cup (6) Prestonwood, Oak Point, TX

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

J U L Y 8 - 11 Congressional Cup (2) Play Polo, Westerville, OH Players Cup (4) Giant Valley, Hamden, CT Women’s Challenge Cup WCT Maryland, Jarrettsville, MD J U L Y 8 - 17 Officers Cup (8) Chicago Int’l, Oswego, IL J U LY 8 - AU G U S T 2 8 Rincon League Pro-Am (8) Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, CA J U L Y 9 - 11 NYTS Roseland, Crozet, VA

ELIZABETH HEDLEY

JUNE 25 NYTS Greater Niagra, Wainfleet, Ontario

CALENDAR

July Summer Sizzle Cup (4) Willow Bend, Little Elm, TX J U LY 9 - 18 Robert Skene Trophy (16) Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, CA J U LY 9 - 2 4 USPA Masters Cup (4) Mashomack, Pine Plains, NY J U LY 10 SOCT Dream Ride Cup Farmington, Farmington, CT Max Berger (4) Tinicum, Erwinna, PA J U L Y 1 0 - 11 Sportsmanship Cup (6) Seattle, Enumclaw, WA USPA Constitution Cup Play Polo, Westerville, OH J U L Y 1 0 - 17 Arena Masters Cup (12) Denver, Sedonia, CO J U L Y 11 - 2 5 American Cup (16) Greenwich, Greenwich, CT J U LY 12 - 2 6 Chairman’s Cup (12) Myopia, South Hamilton, MA J U LY 13 - AU G U S T 12 New York Cup (8) Southampton, Watermill, NY J U L Y 1 5 - 17 Arena Challenge Cup (8) Brandywine, Toughkenamon, PA J U L Y 16 Sand Cup (4) Maryland, Jarrettsville, MD J U L Y 16 - 1 8 Congressional Cup (4) Fairfield, Haysville, KS Heat Wave Cup (4) Willow Bend, Little Elm, TX J U L Y 17 Cowboy Cup Farmington, Farmington, CT

Independence Polo Cup (4) Dallas, Red Oak, TX USPA Women’s Tournament Greater Niagra, Wainfleet, Ontario J U L Y 17 - 1 8 HYT Polo Challenge (1) Will Rogers, Pacific Palisades, CA NYTS Franklin, Franklin, TN USPA/PTF Seniors Tournament (4) Blackberry, Batavia, IL Centennial Cup (0) Sugarbush, North Ferrisburg, VT J U LY 18 Butler Challenge Cup Oak Brook, Oak Brook, IL Easton’s Ranch Cup Sheridan WYO Rodeo Final Big Horn, Big Horn, WY J U LY 18 - 2 5 USPA National Chairman’s Cup (12) Myopia, South Hamilton, MA J U LY 2 0 - 2 5 Shane Winkler Tournament Big Horn, Big Horn, WY J U LY 2 2 Constitution Cup (6) Maryland, Jarrettsville, MD J U LY 2 2 - 2 5 Sunny Hale Legacy WCT (16) Brandywine, Toughkenamon, PA J U L Y 2 2 - 31 Gen. George S. Patton Jr. (6) Morgan Creek, Yorkville, IL J U LY 2 2 - AU G U S T 1 George S. Patton Jr. (12) Las Brisas, Elgin, IL J U LY 2 3 - 2 5 WCT Sunny Hale Legacy Cup (8) Brandywine, Toughkenamon, PA J U LY 2 3 - AU G U S T 8 USPA Silver Cup (16) Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, CA

J U LY 2 4 Bronco Challenge Farmington, Farmington, CT Arby Dobb (4) Tinicum, Erwinna, PA J U LY 2 4 - 2 5 Arena Amateur Cup (3) Barrington Hills, Wacounda, IL Stan Ackley Cup Play Polo, Westerville, OH WRPC Women’s Tournament Will Rogers, Pacific Palisades, CA J U LY 2 5 - AU G U S T 8 USPA Governor’s Cup Denver, Sedonia, CO J U L Y 2 7 - 31 East Coast Open Women’s Champ. (20) Westchester, Portsmouth, RI J U L Y 2 8 - 31 New England Pro-Am Farmington, Farmington, CT J U LY 2 8 - AU G U S T 1 East Coast Women’s Handicap (12) Westchester, Portsmouth, RI Players Cup (4) Lexington, Lexington, KY J U LY 2 8 - S E P T E M B E R 8 Fall League (4) Southampton, Watermill, NY J U LY 2 9 - AU G U S T 1 Players Cup (4) Simsbury, Simsbury, CT Amateur Cup (1) Congressional Cup (2) Central New York, Ithaca, NY J U LY 3 0 - AU G U S T 1 Constitution Cup (4) Fairfield, Haysville, KS Note: All dates are subject to change.

“USPA” refers to tournaments sponsored or sanctioned by the United States Polo Association.

Signifies prize money available.

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

Still Champions Old Westbury proves too powerful for five other Open teams

By Peter Vischer

The Open final drew a large crowd to Meadow Brook Polo Club’s International Field in Westbury, Long Island.

If the Open Championship tournament of 1938 had an especial interest, it was rather to be found in the performance of the stars through whom Britain hopes to achieve victory in the international matches of 1939 than in the emphatic triumph of the defending champions, Old Westbury.

The story of the actual tournament may be told in few words: Old Westbury simply had too much power for the opposition. There never was a moment when Old Westbury was in the slightest danger and there never was a moment, while the ball was in play, when the outcome of any match involving Old Westbury was in the slightest doubt.

Michael Phipps, despite injuries to his shoulder

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

that kept him on the ground for one game, was a magnificent No. 1. Beautifully mounted, he was in great form and proved himself an eager and an accurate forward.

Cecil Smith, at No. 2, was every inch the 10-goal star. He dominated the Old Westbury attack in every one of its three games. In 24 chukkers of the best polo we have, he failed to take a shot at the enemy goal in only four; indeed, in those 24 chukkers he failed to score in only five! He scored 24 goals in all, an average of a goal a chukker, out of 47 chances created for him by his teammates and himself, or an accuracy of just under 50%. Who could in his wildest dreams, imagine a solider No. 2 than this?

Y E S T E RY E A R S

The Old Westbury team of C.V. Whitney, Stewart Iglehart, Cecil Smith and Michael Phipps receive the trophy from Mrs. C.V. Whitney.

Of Stewart Iglehart, the No. 3, little more need be said than he completely overshadowed the great Tommy Hitchcock in the final match. Up to then Hitchcock had been the outstanding personality of the tournament, so you can judge for yourself what great polo Iglehart played. Incidentally, he was the only Old Westbury player to get through the series without being hurt. Iglehart likes it best when the going is tough.

C. V. Whitney, organizer of the side, played brilliantly at Back. The newspaper paid him a compliment for the manner in which he assembled the side. They said that, with Hitchcock at Back, he had put on the field next year’s international team.

We might go a step further and say that Old Westbury is an international team as it stands, tribute enough to the game he personally played.

Yes, Old Westbury simply had too much power for its opposition. They demoralized a very promising Aknusti side to win, 13-6. With Mike Phipps on the sidelines and Ivor Balding at No. 1, they teased an ambitious Aurora side before they put on the pressure to win by 14-8. And in their big match, against Greentree in the final, they didn’t fool a moment and ran up the biggest victory of all, 16-7.

The principal interest in this tournament wasn’t in Old Westbury but in the team Winston Guest put together called the Jaguars, which had Gerald Balding and Eric H. Tyrrell-Martin, captains of British international teams and Britain’s main reliance for 1939, at No. 3 and Back.

Originally the side had another British internationalist at No. 1, Hesketh Hughes, but he couldn’t ride the Guest ponies and none of his fellow countrymen would lend him any others. So Hughes,

having given this foretaste of what a job the British will have to obtain a real string of horses for 1939, retired in favor of James P. Mills. That made the Jaguars (Mills, Guest, Balding, Tyrrell-Martin), according to English standards, a 33-goal team.

Greentree drew the Jaguars in the opening match of the tournament and there was great interest among polo followers to see how the proposed British international defense would do against a team led by Thomas Hitchcock Jr., likely to be the captain of our next international team. Hitchcock was a No. 3 for

Greentree’s No. 1 Pete Bostwick handles the ball despite pressure from Jaguars’ Eric Tyrrell-Martin.

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

The final match was held up for some time when Jock Whitney laid his cousin low.

Hitchcock was at his brilliant best against the Jaguars when Greentree won, 15-9.

Greentree, with Pete Bostwick at No. 1, Roberto Cavanagh from Argentina at No. 2, and John Hay Whitney at Back.

The conflict made by far the best match of the tournament, until it broke up as described in some detail elsewhere in these pages. It might easily have been anybody’s game, even after Tyrrell-Martin

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

elected to take the big chance to win on the theory that “we might as well get licked by six goals as by one.” The cold fact of the matter is that TyrrellMartin’s gamble did not come off and Hitchcock, seizing the opportunities so generously opened up to him, led his team to a 15-9 victory.

Actually, up to the moment of the big gamble, the Jaguars deserved to win. They had created 15 scoring opportunities for themselves in the first five chukkers, suffered some very bad luck, yet scored six goals. Greentree had managed to work out only 10 shots at the Jaguar goal during the same time, yet had scored six goals themselves, two on shots by Cavanagh and Hitchcock that must have traveled over 75 yards squarely between the posts.

This supremacy of the Jaguars made their overanxiety to win, their reckless attempt of a possibly unnecessary gamble, all the more difficult to understand. Be that as it may, they provided—from the psychological as well as the physical point of view—the best match of the tournament.

There were other features worth commenting on.

Foremost was Capt. C T. I. Roark’s valiant play for Aknusti, on which he found himself at No. 3 with two Gerry brothers in front of him and the dashing Raymond Guest at Back. Roark played beautiful polo against Old Westbury when his teammates failed him dismally—and repeated with a greater performance in the Monty Waterbury tournament that followed the Open when, with this teammates in full support, he defeated the Jaguars (with the Hon. Keith Rous at No. 1 in place of Mills) by 16-9.

It must have been some pardonable satisfaction for Roark, who was left off England’s 1939 squad, so easily to have found the chinks in the armor of the men chosen in his place!

Another feature that must not be overlooked was the sportsmanship with which Aurora and the Ramblers entered the tournament. Neither team imagined it had a snowball’s chance but went out to do its best just the same, to keep the event from being a walk-over for Old Westbury.

As a matter of fact, both teams had something very interesting to show. For three periods, Aurora had Old Westbury on the run; Seymour Knox was in eagle-eyed form at No. 1, young Skiddy von Stade was an energetic No. 2 and Ricardo Santamarina from Argentina a brave Back. And in young Lewis Smith at No. 3, Aurora had a player who may well make his mark in the game.

The Ramblers (W.G. Reynolds, G.S. Smith, R. E. Strawbridge Jr., J. C. Rathborne) never looked like winning their match against Greentree, the final

Y E S T E RY E A R S

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

Aknusti’s Robert Gerry Jr., Elbridge Gerry, C.T.I. Roark and Raymond Guest, shown with Mrs. Raymond Guest. They won the Monty Waterbury that was played with handicaps by the Open teams.

Greentree’s Roberto Cavanagh reaches for the ball along the sideboards just behind Cecil Smith.

score reading 20-7, but in Reynolds and Gerry Smith they introduced two good players to the top tournament of the country who should be welcome for many years to come.

The same Open teams then participated in the Monty Waterbury Cup tournament, competing under

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

handicap. Preliminary matches were postponed after a deluge of rain put an end to the wonderful weather the Open had been enjoying.

Once the skies cleared, for the second year in a row, this produced exciting polo with a final round match that was, in many respects, the best played game of the year. This tournament found the Aknusti team of Elbridge T. and Robert L. Gerry Jr., captain C.T.I. Roark and Raymond Guest reaching the peak of its form.

Aknusti started the tournament by defeating the Jaguars, 16-9, on Sept. 10. Two days later, Ramblers edged Aurora, 12-11. Soon after, more rain arrived.

When play could finally be resumed on Sept. 24, Old Westbury met a Roslyn side (J.H.A. Phipps, the two Earl Hoppings, John M. Schiff), which had not appeared in the Open. Old Westbury, with Ivor Balding substituting, this time for Cecil Smith who had chipped his elbow in the Open final but finished the match, took a few periods to find itself and then romped onward to a 16-13 victory.

The next day, Aknusti surprisingly eliminated Greentree in a well-played semifinal match, 13-9.

Once more was Capt. Roark in magnificent form and in receipt of first-rate support. The second semifinal had Old Westbury defeat Ramblers, 19-11. That set up a very closely-fought final round with Aknusti defeating Old Westbury, 11-8.

•

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