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
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