June 2021 Polo Players' Edition - Polo Report

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.

The 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 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.

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

©Kerri Kerley

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

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

©Kerri Kerley

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 6-2 lead.

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

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

©Kerri Kerley

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 each goal was answered by Sheldon, ending the first KERLEY With 90 seconds left, Menini gave Cavallo its first lead seven minutes, 3½-2. The back and forth conKERRI on a well-placed Penalty 5 shot. Gonzalez added tinued in the second another for good measure chukker. Llambias convert- ensuring Cavallo the 10-8 ed a Penalty 4 but Dun- win and the title. gar/Element 101 was As is tradition, the winawarded a Penalty 1. Sarac- ners received the historic co got the last word of the Spreckels Cup filled with chukker to bring the match two dozen red roses. back within a half goal, Gonzalez was MVP and 4½-4. A lone goal by Llam- his Dobel was Best Playing bias in the third gave Pony. LaSalle a narrow first-time lead at the —Tony Gregg contributed 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, Llam- ed penalty shots with Obregon. Gonbias shot a 130-yard Hail Mary that zalez scored one from the field and found the mark with two seconds to Obregon converted another penalty spare, giving LaSalle the win. shot to bring Cavallo within one, 4-3.

The heroics earned Llambias MVP Alberdi and Soleimani swapped goals honors and Salinas’ Tangerine, co- with Obregon in the next two owned by Danny Juarez, was Best chukkers, maintaining the one-goal Playing Pony. difference at the half, 6-5.

In the 12-goal division, Cavallo Both teams clamped down on Ranch (John Bickford, Max Menini, their defense in a scoreless fourth. Tomas Obregon, Alejandro Gonzalez) Obregon’s Penalty 2 conversion levtook on Bensoleimani.com (Ben eled the score at 6-6 but Alberdi shot Soleimani, Juan Curbelo, Tomas from the field to give Albredi, Remy Du Celliee Muller) in a bensoleimani.com back the lead, 7-6. running and open final game. Curbelo traded Penalty 3s with

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

©Kerri Kerley

Bensoleimani.com began with Obregon in the sixth before Bickford three quick goals, then Curbelo trad- knotted the score with a run to goal.

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

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

©Kerri Kerley

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, sandwiched 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.

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

©Jim Bremner

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.

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

©Jim Bremner

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, 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.

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

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

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

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 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.

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

©David Murrell

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

©David Murrell

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

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.

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

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

S OUTHWESTERN

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

©Curt Leimbach

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).

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.

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

©Curt Leimbach

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

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.

SMITHFIELD VICTORIOUS IN BOURDIEU MEMORIAL

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

©Candace Ferreira/Grand Champions Polo

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.

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

©Snoopy Productions

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-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

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

©Candace Ferreira/Grand Champions 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, 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

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

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

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-

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

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 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

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

©Rebecca Foltz

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.

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

©Rebecca Foltz

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.