March 2017 Polo Players' Edition by United States Polo Association

M A R C H 2 01 7

Roldan builds a better string

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CONTENTS M A RC H 201 7

VOL. 20,

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

24 USA! USA!

USPA BULLETIN

Two U.S. teams prevail in international matches

28 It’s a HYT!

6 Association news 10 Instructors Forum

32 Ticket to ride by Gwen Rizzo

12 14 16 20 22 40

Program offers concierge polo in the heart of LA Players like Nic Roldan are betting on off-the-track Thoroughbreds

38 Chrome finish by Gwen Rizzo

Leading racehorse officially retires

M A R C H 2 01 7

OUR COVER Cubana is one of several off-the-track Thoroughbreds in Nic Roldan’s high-goal string. Photo by: Enrique Urdaneta Roldan builds a better string

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

NO. 7

42 57 58 59 60

by Tom Goodspeed Usefuls by John Alan Cohan Equine Athlete by Gwen Rizzo Polo Scene News, notes, trends & quotes

Team USPA Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Polo in the Pampas

by Ernesto Rodriguez

Global Letters Calendar Marketplace Yesteryears POLO REPORT

46 Tournament results

Patagones wins two titles at GCPC

OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN SIGNED COLUMNS ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLISHERS OF THIS MAGAZINE.

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Editor & Publisher GWEN D. RIZZO Deputy Editor STEVEN A. RIZZO Contributing Editors

HEATHER SMITH THOMAS, ERNESTO RODRIGUEZ, ALICE GIPPS, CHRIS ASHTON, TOM GOODSPEED

Editorial Board

TONY COPPOLA, TOM BIDDLE, DAWN WEBER, SUNNY HALE, AMI SHINITZKY

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©Copyright 2017 by USPA Global LLC. 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 ©2016 and are reprinted by permission of Paul Brown Studios, Inc., P.O. Box 925, Hedgesville, WV 25427. Subscription rates: $48/one year, $82/two years. Other countries (air mail), $81 drawn on U.S. bank/one year, $148 drawn on U.S. bank/two years. (GST:134989508). Subscription problems call (561) 968-5208. VOL. 20, No.7 POLO Players’ Edition (ISSN #1096-2255) is published monthly by Rizzo Management Corp. 6008 Reynolds RD, Lake Worth, FL 33449 for USPA Brand LLC., 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, 6008 Reynolds RD, Lake Worth, FL 33449. Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement No. 40612608. Canada Returns to be sent to Imex Global, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2.

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

From CEO Duncan Huyler The evolution of any enterprise involves progress and change. Someone much smarter than me once said if you are not moving forward or improving you are inevitably going backwards or regressing. Embracing the status quo is not a solution for long term success. The sport of polo is no exception. While the roots of polo in this country date back over 130 years from its humble beginning at the Dickel’s Riding Academy on the corner of 5th Avenue and 39th Street in New York, New York, the sport is currently embraced across the United States by thousands of faithful participants from middle school youth to highly-skilled professionals. As the national governing body for the sport in this country, the USPA is challenged with finding ways to make the sport more relevant in the landscape of recreational and entertainment alternatives, as well as more accessible, diverse and inclusive to a wide audience of participants and spectators. The association is constantly looking to other organizations with similar challenges and opportunities such as U.S.

equestrian and other mainstream sports, including baseball, soccer, lacrosse and others. Major League Baseball has made a concerted effort to engage inner city youth to provide a platform for the sustainability of America’s pastime. MLB’s Urban Youth Academy was founded in 2006 in Compton, California. As a not-for-profit organization, the UYA aims to set the standard for baseball and softball instruction, teach and educate in urban America and enhance the quality of life in the surrounding communities. From its inception in 1989 through the 2015 season, reviving baseball in inner cities has grown from a local program for boys in South Central Los Angeles, California, to an international campaign encompassing more than 200 cities and as many as 200,000 male and female participants each year. The United States Equestrian Federation recently launched an initiative called “Bring the Joy of Horse Sports to as Many People as Possible,” along with an effort to promote the benefits of horserelated competitions, as well as a rebranding of U.S. equestrian to be more

Save The Date

tion for the coming year. Questions can be directed to Steve Lane, Head Umpire Instructor at slane@uspolo.org.

The April Board of Governors meeting will take place on April 22 at the Embassy Suites in West Palm Beach, Florida. USPA members are invited to attend committee and LLC meetings on April 20 and 21. For more information and a complete schedule, please visit uspolo.org.

Umpire Management Program

Online Umpire Tests The required online tests to become a certified umpire are now available. All umpires seeking to acquire or retain certification are expected to take the current year Outdoor or the Arena Rules test and obtain a grade from the USPA. In order to receive or maintain an Umpire Certification from “CU” to “AA” the minimum 6 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

member friendly and grassroots focused. Murray Kessler, the new president of the USEF, shared a two-hour presentation on the revamped website. Basketball rules changed in 1981 to eliminate the jump-ball that followed every basket made to promote a more athletic and fan friendly version of the game by allowing for alternating possessions. In 1913, the out-of-bounds rule was changed to the current rule of the team touching the ball last when it goes out of bounds loses possession. In this country, sports have a major role in the free time of our citizens. It is important that we continue to evolve in an effort to promote our sport as a healthy meaningful alternative to as many participants and spectators as possible while embracing change and progress along the way. The USPA is dedicated to providing opportunities at all levels of polo and assisting our member clubs in support of their efforts.

grade of 96 percent (Outdoor) and 94 percent (Arena) must be met on the annual rules test. Each certified umpire must complete the rules test by December 1 of each year in order to maintain certifica-

Each USPA circuit is allocated “UMP” funds based on the amount of member clubs, registered players and affiliate members within the circuit. The Umpires, LLC UMP is focused on reimbursing a portion of umpire fees and expenses to clubs who hire professional or certified umpires for tournaments with four teams or more. There is a total amount of $118,000 allocated to the 13 circuits of the USPA. Over 40 USPA member clubs received umpire reimbursements through UMP in 2016.

Pump/8 Initiative USPA Umpires, LLC is continuing the Professional Umpire Management Program’s umpire initiative. Member clubs hosting a USPA National or Circuit event, 8-goals or under, are eligible to receive one umpire. The program will cover the cost of travel, housing, ground transportation and salary for one umpire. •There is a maximum of three USPA National or Circuit tournaments (outdoor and/or arena), 8 goals or below, that are eligible for a PUMP/8 umpire per year, per club. •Tournaments must have a minimum of four teams participating. •Clubs must reserve an umpire with a minimum of 14 days’ notice prior to the beginning of the event. •Clubs must fill out an Umpire Request application and pay a nonrefundable deposit of $500 before an umpire will be scheduled. •Clubs will receive one umpire per tournament, and all their expenses will be paid by USPA Umpires, LLC: travel, hotel and salary. •Maximum of 10 consecutive tournament days for a PUMP/8 umpire. •Clubs must follow USPA Tournament Conditions and USPA Rules. Tournaments must have two mounted umpires, plus a referee for outdoor tournaments. •Clubs, which already acquired an

umpire under contract, will be credited for games played. •Clubs must send a schedule of all tournament games played. •Request for credit and game schedules will not be considered or accepted after 60 days of the tournament end date. •Umpires are limited, and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

nized by the United States Equestrian Federation will identify themselves to the players and have an official USPA testing badge. Upon discovering a positive test, the owner and/or player of the horse selected for testing (who may, or may not, be the same person) could be charged with a conduct violation according to the USPA rules and/or by-laws.

For more information on these offerings and the online umpire tests, please visit uspolo.org, click on the “Association” tab, then follow the “programs” tab. A link with Umpires, LLC information provides a full list of programs and requirements.

The USPA Equine Drugs and Medications Program includes detailed information about permitted, restricted and prohibited drugs, medications and substances, as well as rules regarding enforcement and sanctions for EDMP rules violations. Complete, up-to-date information can be found on uspolo.org under the “Association” tab, then selecting “Programs,” then scrolling down to the “Forms and Documents” tab. Questions concerning the program can be emailed to equinewelfare@uspolo.org.

EDMP Reminder In a continuing effort to ensure the welfare of mounts, the USPA Equine Drugs and Medications Program will be on the road to several USPA clubs to test at USPA events throughout the year. For players competing in USPA tournaments, all mounts may be subject to testing per the USPA Equine Drugs and Medications Program rules. Random testing will be conducted field side after the game. The USPA asks for team and individual player cooperation with the testing veterinarians and technicians. Licensed veterinarians who are recog-

Published by the United States Polo Association Offices at 9011 Lake Worth Rd. Lake Worth, Florida 33467 (800) 232-USPA

Chairman: Joe Meyer President: Chip Campbell Secretary: Tom Gose Treasurer: Sam Ramirez Chief Executive Officer: Duncan Huyler

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

NYTS Kickoff The NYTS tournament season kicks off March 1. Throughout the spring and summer, young players from around the country will have the opportunity to compete against their peers in fun, competitive outdoor polo, with the national championships held in Santa Barbara, California over Labor Day weekend. If your club would like to host a NYTS tournament, contact NYTS@uspolo.org.

Team USPA In India Team USPA players Anna Winslow, Carly Persano, Audry Persano and Stephanie Massey completed a whirlwind tour of India in January as part of the “Polo Yatra” organized by Huntré! Equine. The USPA team defeated the HPA in the 2nd Manipur Statehood Day Women’s Polo Tournament. In addition to playing, players taught clinics and promoted the conservation of the traditional Manipur polo pony. Team USA competes against a Manipur team on Day 1 in India.

YPO On Both Coasts The first YPO Clinic of 2017 was held in Wellington, Florida and brought seven young players into town for a threeday clinic from Team USPA players Santi Torres and Geronimo Obregon. The 8 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Team USA and Britain competed in the intercollegiate International Challenge Cup.

young players began with skills and drills and swing analysis before moving onto lectures on bits and bitting at Tato’s polo equipment store, and body condition scoring at the Jan Pamela polo facility. With coaching from Santi and Geronimo, the kids were broken into teams for fun and fast chukkers. The last weekend in January, 16 young players from California, Wyoming, Alabama, and Minnesota met at Eldorado Polo Club for a weekend full of riding and hitting drills, player performance analytics and coaching chukkers. I n addition, the young players heard lectures on strategy, body condition scoring, bits and bitting, and other horsemanship topics. USPA’s certified polo instructor Henri duToit and Team USPA players Patrick Uretz, Pedro Lara and Jorge Estrada gave the YPO group valuable insights into the world of polo with tips on how to improve their skills.

Newly Certified Instructors Kit Collins (Cincinnati), Khai Agon (Honolulu Polo Club) and Francesca

Finato (South Bay Polo Club) are the newest instructors to earn their polo instructor certification. A special thank you to Empire Polo Club and Connie Atkinson for the exceptional facility and horses. Contact Jess Downey by email at jdowney@uspolo.org for information about the program.

Intercollegiate News Congratulations to the USA intercollegiate team that boasted a 15-13 win over SUPA Britain during the 5th Annual International Challenge Cup held at the Equidome in Scottsdale, Arizona. The team included Dalton Woodfin (Texas A&M University), Julia Smith (University of Virginia), Jillian Tietje (Cal Poly) and Liam Palacios (Cornell University). Thanks to coach Megan Judge, Border Circuit Governor Dan Coleman and the entire crew for making this event so spectacular!

Varsity Letter Program Did you compete in this year’s interscholastic regular and tournament season? If so, make sure you check out the Interscholastic Varsity Letter Program on uspolo.org. Contact Ali Davidge by email at adavidge@uspolo.org for more details. Applications are due May 15.

Without officials Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just recess. USPA Umpires, LLC To date, our professional umpires have officiated over 1,800 ames, at over 80 clubs includ 9 international clubs. For more information r rdin professional umpir either Charles Muldoon: cmuldoon@uspolo.or or For information r

at your club. Please contact Mitchell: mmitchell@uspolo.or

ardin umpire clinics, please contact Steve Lane: slane@uspolo.or

BY TOM GOODSPEED

BEHIND FRONT LINES How to position yourself when playing No. 3 or No. 4

ast month, I wrote about playing the No. 1 and No. 2 position. This month, I offer advise for the No. 3 and No. 4. Again, being familiar with the responsibilities of each of the positions will help you be a better player. If you are a No. 1, you will be more successful marking the No. 4 if you have a full understanding of the No. 4’s responsibilities. In general, the No. 3 will mark the No. 2 and the No. 4 will mark the No. 1. This, of course, can change throughout the game or may be different if the person you are suppose to be marking is not evenly matched to you in terms of ability. Position No. 3 Often times, the No. 3 is the most experienced player on the team and serves as the quarterback. But, just because a player has the highest rating on the team, does not necessarily mean he will make a good No. 3. Successful No. 3s are those that are unselfish and are able to make the most of their teammates. Field awareness is one of the most important qualities of a strong No. 3. Not all players have the ability to see the entire field and anticipate developing plays. A good No. 3 will make lightening fast decisions and possess a superior level of play anticipation, literally running various potential play scenarios, both offensively and defensively depending on the positioning of the players on the field, often at a full gallop. A successful No. 3 will be able to hit short, medium or long shots well at whatever angle necessary to reach the teammate in the optimum position for a pass. He will also be able to handle the ball or hit away effectively when 10 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

necessary. Long-ball hitting can be a huge asset, but placing the ball in a position of advantage for your teammates is for more important than hitting a long ball to no where, or worse yet, to the advantage of your opponents. The best hitters can hit a moving ball, a ball out of the air or on the bounce as easily as they can hit a ball that is perfectly set up. An important quality for a No. 3 is to keep cool under pressure. The ability to read and adapt to the play as it is happening and make good split-second decisions is an asset. It also helps if you can nail your Penalty 4s. This shot requires loft and accuracy, a skill that is seldom found in most amateurs. A player that has a high percentage of consistency with 60-yard penalties is a rare commodity and a real asset to any team. Even those who are very good at hitting these challenging shots tend to have good and bad days on conversion percentages. The No. 3 may or may not be taking knock-ins, depending on the team. If he does, he typically tries to hit a long shot toward the side lines on the side of the goal posts he is hitting in from, however he can play the ball to either side depending on the positioning of defenders. If the hitter has a long ball, he will usually try to launch one out to his No. 1 or No. 2. If the opposing No. 4 lines up to the other side of the goal posts on knockins, he may hit across field to him. There is no rule against going in front of the goal with knock-ins but it can be ill advised to do so with less experienced hitters, as a missed play may be a great scoring opportunity for the opponent. Top-rated players are aware of the close proximity of the goal but are normally

not intimidated by it due to their skill level. When the opponents are knocking in or taking spot or mid-field hits, the No. 3 will usually be marking the opposing No. 2. When defending a Penalty 4 hit, the No. 3 will usually stand in the goal along with the opposing No. 4. In lower-goal polo, the No. 3 is often the player who helps direct his teammates to position them properly. In higher-goal polo, the players are generally well aware of where they should be positioned depending on the play. They may be communicating, but are clearly aware that any verbal communication is also being heard by the opponents. At lower levels of play, we encourage players to communicate with each other verbally, whereas in higher levels of play, the less said, the better. However, open polo aside, constant positive verbal communication is a real asset in most levels of play. Position No. 4 The No. 4’s responsibility is to guard what is often referred to as the back door. The No. 4’s optimal skill set is to successfully read the developing attack by the opponent, place himself in a position to get advantage on the opposing No. 1 and pick up a play to the ball. The No. 4 is expected to make solid angled back shots. He doesn’t necessarily have to make long shots, although being able to do so is a real asset. A well-placed angled shot of 20-30 yards gives a clear change of the line of the ball, allowing your teammates a chance to get to the new line. It will also force the opponents to adjust to the new line, and if wellplaced may not give your opponents any play on the ball at all.

If the ball is hit straight back into trailing players, that may set your opponents up to intercept the back shot and continue on their offensive drive. A good No. 4 will be able to turn the play from defense to offense with strong back shots from either side of the pony at any angle to a position that will advantage his teammates while holding off the opposing No. 1. One of the most common defensive plays is for the No. 4 to tail the ball at an angle from right to left, allowing trailing teammates to turn to the angled back shot, transitioning from defense into offense thanks to a well-placed tail. In order for this transition to work well, it is important teammates are on the same pages with back shot terminology. For some, “tail” is always from right to left when viewing the No. 4 from behind, while “open” is from left to right. However, “tail” is based on which side of the horse the hitter is on. An offside tail is right to left, but a nearside tail is left to right. Open (or away) is always away from the hitter’s horse. Some players use “tail” to be one direction and “open” to be the other direction regardless of the side you are hitting on. Either option works, as long as your teammates know ahead of time. A great back also has the skill to turn the ball when necessary. Some players believe backing the ball is the only play, however turning might be more advantageous if your teammates are out of position or being marked carefully. If you have plenty of time, a reliable horse and the ability, turning the ball may be more effective than backing it. The No. 4 can then face the field with three teammates in front of him waiting for the pass. The most powerful hitter on the team usually takes the knock-ins. If the No. 3 is tasked with taking the knock-ins, the No. 4 is generally lined up on the far side of the goal posts. This gives the No. 3 the option to hit to the sidelines to the No. 2

or across field to the No. 4. If he hits to the No. 2, the No. 4 drops in behind the No. 3 as he advances up the field. The same applies to mid-field and spot hits, as well as Penalty 4s. The No. 4 will wait off to the side to either take a pass or drop in behind the No. 3 after he hits. If the No. 4 is taking the knock-ins, this allows the No. 3 to be further up field to help on attack. In the Argentine Open, where all the players are of nearly equal caliber, the No. 4 will almost always take the knock-ins. In high-goal polo in the U.S., the No. 4 position is sometimes occupied by an amateur player. If he is a strong-enough hitter, he may take the knock-ins, but more than likely he will play a supporting role to the No. 3. When the other team is taking a knock-in, mid field or spot hit, the No. 4 covers the opposing No. 1. When the opponents are taking a Penalty 4, the No. 4 usually stands in front of the goal with the No. 3. In the throw-in, the No. 4 usually stands at an angle just behind the No. 3. The angle makes it easier to turn back if the ball goes all the way through the lineup, past all the players. It also puts the No. 4 in a better position to defend a fast break by the opponents. However, if the ball does not go all the way through the players in a bowl-in, the No. 4 may be responsible to advance the ball up field on offense from the back door. If the No. 4 is standing too far off to the side hoping to defend the fast break, he may be on too much of an angle to get to the line, so the No. 3 may be the better player to play a ball that goes all the way through on a bowl-in. If the opposing No. 4 plays in tighter behind his No. 3 in the throw-in, you may need to come in closer to cover the opposing No. 4. Sometimes a team will line up the No. 4 alongside his No. 1 and No. 2 with the hope of a ball deflecting onto his waiting mallet. This can be risky because if the ball goes all the way through the players, the opposing No. 4

will have no one covering him. This play puts more defensive responsibility on your No. 3 to cover both the opposing No. 3 and 4. To summarize, the No. 1 and No. 2 are offensive players charged with negating the opponent’s defense and putting scores on the board. The No. 3 is the quarterback, taking passes from the No. 4 and sending the ball up to his No. 1 and 2. The No. 4 is the back charged with shutting down the opponent’s offensive drives and getting the ball back up to his No. 3. One of the most important aspects of playing any of the positions is discipline. Running up and down the field with reckless abandon may be fun and somewhat therapeutic, but is not very productive to the team and even worse, is hardly ever healthy for the ponies underneath you. Another important aspect is effort. It is not easy to continually transition from offense to defense and back again. Mistakes will be made just by the very nature of the movement on the field, but continue to try to do better than the four players you are up against. Polo is far more about recovering from miss-executions than it is about perfect execution. Practice perfect execution as well as preparing for times when things don’t go as planned. You will be better prepared for whatever situation gets tossed at you. The path to wining is often through a large forest of losing. You may or may not be the strongest team, but if your team works together, covering all four positions better than the other teams, you are setting the foundation for a winning effort. Tom Goodspeed is a renowned polo instructor, coach and horse trainer. He achieved a 5-goal handicap outdoors and 9 in the arena. He can be reached at polotom@usapolo.com.

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

BY JOHN ALAN COHAN

TAXING TIMES Some argue the tax court is biased in favor of the IRS

he U.S. Tax Court is a critically important institution. It is the most common forum in which taxpayers litigate federal tax disputes. The court frequently decides IRS assertions that the taxpayer understated the correct tax liability, resulting in a tax “deficiency.” Many commentators argue that Tax Court judges are biased in favor of the IRS. Judges hear cases alone, without a jury. Many Tax Court judges have worked in the IRS Chief Counsel’s office or in the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. The Tax Court does not assign judges randomly to cases. The procedures are extremely burdensome. The burden of proof is “preponderance of the evidence,” which is a loose standard of evidence, and highly subjective. It means the IRS could win if 51 percent of its evidence is more convincing to the judge than the taxpayer’s. The Tax Court makes budget requests to Congress’ tax-writing committees. In justifying its budget requests, the Tax Court invariably explains to congressional committees how well it is enforcing the tax laws. A Tax Court judge, Diane L. Kroupa, was indicted on tax evasion, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and obstruction charges, raising questions about whether any of her rulings could be vulnerable to challenge as a result. (Judge Kroupa abruptly resigned prior to the indictment without explanation. Her husband, now divorced, was also indicted.) As a Tax Court judge, Kroupa heard and decided a wide range of cases, including some that came down against taxpayers in the horse and cattle industries. In October 2016, she pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the IRS and other crimes. When sentenced at 12 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

a later date, she is likely to serve a significant prison term. Another judge, L. Paige Marvel, has also been harsh with respect to the horse industry. In a recent case, Carmody v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 2016-225, Judge Marvel came down hard on a taxpayer’s efforts to run his horse racing venture profitably. The taxpayer, Jerald Carmody, has owned race horses for more than 20 years, mainly as co-owner with others, and worked full-time as a sales representative for a helicopter company. He owned lower-priced horses, which were actively raced in Washington State. Professional trainers were employed. He spent time every day on his horse racing activity, researched horses that would be in competition, and searched for other horses to purchase. He purchased and improved a five-acre property with a 4,000 square-foot barn, horse stalls, a 5,000-square-foot arena, indoor horse shelters, and nine pastures. He personally cleaned stalls and pastures. Some of the horses won several races each, and one was the all-time race winner at Emerald Downs with 21 wins. Mr. Carmody was named owner of the year at Emerald Downs. The races entered ranged in purses from $8,000 to $50,000. During a 10-year period, the taxpayer’s losses were from $16,064 to $81,345, with no profit year. But there was income in each year, ranging from $17,917 to $128,068. When horses were retired from racing, they were sold or given away. Of 36 horses sold, there was a net gain on only eight of those sales. Mr. Carmody had a horse racing bank account, but paid for expenses out of his personal account as well as the

racing account. Mr. Carmody kept a folder for each horse with various receipts and documents related to that horse. Judge Marvel said that Mr. Carmody did not use any of his records to reduce losses or to achieve profitability. The court noted that Mr. Carmody had no written business plan, no budgets and no economic forecasts. “In fact, the record is devoid of any credible evidence that petitioner engaged in any meaningful financial management with respect to his horse racing activity.” The court said, “While a taxpayer need not maintain a sophisticated cost accounting system, the taxpayer should keep records that enable the taxpayer to cut expenses, generate or increase profits, or evaluate the overall performance of the operation.” The court also faulted Mr. Carmody for commingling his personal and horse racing finances. “This commingling of personal and horse racing activity funds is not indicative of a business-like practice.” The court also noted that Mr. Carmody realized no profits in a 20-year period, and that “he contends that he suffered losses because he reinvested his gross receipts back into the horse racing activity and that he used his gross receipts to improve his barns, arena, and other horse racing activity property. Petitioner’s contentions are woefully insufficient to justify or even explain an unbroken string of over 20 years of substantial losses.” The court concluded that the petitioner did not engage in his horse racing activity with the predominant, primary, or principal objective of making a profit. The only silver lining in this case is that the judge rejected the IRS’ accuracyrelated penalties because the taxpayer had

Certified Equine Appraisals Professionally certified equine valuations for:

Tips for horse businesses: • Review records to reduce expenses or enhance the possibility of generating income

Donations • Purchases • Sales • Injury or death • Bankruptcys Disputes & litigation • Liquidations • Audits • Insurance • Fraud

Peter Rizzo, ASEA Certified Equine Appraiser 561.777.6448 or email: rizzo.poloworks@gmail.com

• Keep track of expenses on a per-animal basis • Prepare: • financial statements • profit and loss projections • budgets • breakeven analyses • marketing surveys

reasonably relied on his accountant’s advice in taking the deductions. One of the important lessons in this case is that taxpayers need to somehow review records so as to reduce expenses or enhance the possibility of generating income. It is important to keep track of expenses on a per-animal basis. And it is important to prepare financial statements, profit and loss projections, budgets, breakeven analyses, or marketing surveys, as the IRS considers these to be significant financial tools to aid in evaluating the overall performance of an operation. John Alan Cohan is an attorney representing people in federal and state tax disputes, IRS appeals, and Tax Court litigation, and is a long-standing author of a legal advice column published in numerous sporting magazines. In addition, he advises organizations on compliance with newly enacted laws and regulations. John is also author of the book, “Turn Your Hobby Into A Business -- The Right Way.” He can be reached at: (310) 278-0203, or email at johnalancohan@aol.com. His website is JohnAlanCohan.com POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 13

BY GWEN RIZZO

HARDY HOOVES Daily maintenance will help keep your horses’ feet in good shape

n often repeated phrase is no foot, no horse. It is relevant because if your horses’ feet are suffering, they will likely show signs of lameness and it will be difficult to keep shoes on their feet. To keep your horses’ feet in the best shape possible, have an experienced farrier trim them on a regular schedule, generally every five weeks. In between visits, clean and care for your horses’ feet on a daily basis to lessen the chance of a major issue. No two horses have the same feet. Some horses have large feet, while others have small delicate feet. Genetics and injuries can cause defects in the foot. On top of that, environment can have an effect on the condition of your horses’ feet. My farrier suspects even the soil pH may have an effect on horses’ feet. Foot problems can be devastating for horses because of the weight they carry and the shock absorbing properties a healthy hoof has. To stay healthy, hooves need to maintain moisture, but too much moisture can be damaging. Many polo horses gets rinsed off with a hose on a regular basis. Daily baths can cause problems with the feet. If you have problems with your horse’s feet, limit the number of times the horse is bathed. Hoof sealants work well to keep moisture in while repelling unwanted moisture, if you use the right one. Do not use products that are thick, sticky and attract debris, which can invite bacteria into cracks or nail holes. Products that contain ingredients like formaldehyde and acetone can dry out the feet. My farrier recommends Fiebings Hoof Dressing, applied daily, and I have had good luck with it. You can also apply disinfectants made 14 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

specifically for hooves that help kill bacteria in cracks and nail holes. Products such as hoof hardeners for overly wet conditions sometimes come in handy; however, it is best to speak with your vet or farrier before using them as they can sometimes do more harm then good. Lysol (in an areosol can) can also be useful to spray into cracks to kill bacteria.

frog sole

When cleaning your horse’s feet with a hoof pick, follow the natural V-shape of the frog. Be careful not to dig into the frog or heel.

Supplements can be added to feed to supply added nutrients for building stronger, healthier hooves. Some work better than others so ask your farrier or vet for recommendations. A hoof pick is an essential tool used to clean out your horse’s feet. Picking the feet out helps to knock out any rocks or other objects that may be lodged in there, which can lead to bruising, injury or abscesses. Use a brush to remove any dirt that remains once you pick the feet. Some hoof picks have a small brush attached. Once clean, you will be able to get a better look at the foot to check for thrush, bruising, cracks, foreign objects, or loose shoes or nails.

Using the hoof pick, pick the foot by following the natural lines along the sides of the triangle-shaped frog on the bottom of your horse’s foot, beginning at the point and moving back toward the heel. Be careful not to dig into the frog or the heel bulb, as you may injure the horse. Remove any dirt or debris on the sole (the area between the frog and the edge of the foot, where the shoe is). A strong odor and a black gooey substance is usually a sign of a fungal infection called thrush, that eats away at the frog tissue. It often occurs when horses stand in wet, dirty conditions, like dirty stalls or mud. To treat it, keep the horse in a clean environment and kill the fungus using an anti-fungal medication. There are many different types of medication on the market, so again, ask your farrier or veterinarian for recommendations. If you catch it quickly, simply apply the anti-fungal medication to the area. If the thrush has gotten bad, you may need to soak cotton in medication and pack it into the effected area. Puss may indicate an abscess. Abscesses are caused by bacteria making its way into the sensitive areas of the hoof and can be very painful. Abscesses can be the result of trauma to the foot, a foreign body, a shoeing problem or many other issues. The infection makes its way out either through the coronet band or the bottom of the foot. Report any problems to your farrier or vet. Again, the longer a problem festers, the worse it will get. Some horses are more susceptible to hoof problems than others. Even with the best care, you may still have issues, however, checking the feet daily will u allow you to catch a problem early.

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SOUTHAMPTON HUNT & POLO CLUB style POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 15

POLO SCENE N E W S

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NO T E S

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T R E N D S

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Q U O T E S

CLUB DEDICATION

JIM BREMNER/POLOZONE.COM

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

Helen Patton, granddaughter of Gen. George Patton, spoke at the field dedication. JIM BREMNER/POLOZONE.COM

HE EMPIRE POLO CLUB in Indio, California hosted a field dedication ceremony in honor of Gen. George S. Patton Jr. on January 29. Patton is well known as one of the greatest and most colorful generals in U.S. Army history. He was an avid polo player and an accomplished horseman and athlete. In honor of Patton’s military accomplishments and to celebrate his love of horses and the sport of polo, Empire Polo Club named its main Sunday polo field, The General Patton Field. A new flagpole and plaque honoring Gen. Patton was unveiled during the ceremony. In an article in the April 1923 edition of “The Cavalry Journal,” reporting on the Army Polo Team of 1922, Patton wrote, “The virtue of polo as a military accomplishment rests on the following: it makes a man think fast while he is excited; it reduces his natural respect for his own safety—that is, makes him bold; it should teach restraint under exciting circumstances. For the cavalryman, it is the nearest approach to mounted combat; it makes riding worthwhile; keeps a man hard. Finally, it should teach better horse Gen. George S. Patton Jr. management.” Actor and former polo player Sylvester Stallone was on hand for the ceremony, along with guest speaker Helen Patton, granddaughter of Gen. George S. Patton and honorary chair of the Gen. Patton Museum. The ceremony was followed by the final of the USPA Gen. George S. Patton polo Members of the Army were on hand for Eldorado Polo Club’s field tournament. dedication and the final of the George S. Patton tournament final.

JIM BREMNER/POLOZONE.COM

Field named in honor of polo-playing general

Actor and former polo player Sylvester Stallone attended the field dedication.

PURPOSEFUL POLO

Benefit match raises more than $500,000

THE FOURTH ANNUAL POLO FOR A PURPOSE was held at International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington,

Florida on January 16. Cancer survivor Brandon Phillips, 5 goals, served as honorary chairman of the event and played in the benefit match. Phillips was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1992 at just 14 years old. He wasn’t expected to make it, but with five months of aggressive chemotherapy treatment, he beat the odds. Since then, Phillips has dedicated himself to giving back and helping find a cure. Since its inception four years ago, the event has grown exponentially. The first year it raised $70,000 and this year it raised more than $500,000 with the largest turn out yet, surpassing last year’s attendance of 600. The event began with a poolside cocktail reception before guests enjoyed a gourmet luncheon, live and silent auctions and a polo match. Added this year was a post-match concert by Gipsy Sound Revolution. It was a familyHonorary chairman Brandon Phillips and friendly event with a kids’ zone offering face co-chairs Visse Wedell, Penny Bradley and PJ Rizvi painting, a bounce house and other games. Phillips enlisted the help of polo players Nic Manifold, Kris Kampsen and Jeff Hall to join him on the Pegasus Builders team while Mariano Gracida, Martin Pepa, Nic Roldan and Jeff Blake played for the Hadden Landscape team. It was a spirited match with the teams vying for the Penny Cup, named after Penny Lee Blanchard who died of cancer in October 1991. Penny’s sister PJ Rizvi is a dressage rider and friend of Phillips who co-chairs the Polo for a Purpose event. Proceeds from the event benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. While the event raises funds for lifesaving blood cancer research, it also helps support local patients and their families by providing criticallyneeded financial aid.

PARKER’S POLO MINUTE “There are times when you can trust a horse, times when you can’t and times when you have to.”

BY PARKER SCOTT

Even when the umpire is wrong, the umpire is right. Never argue with the umpire. Move on with a smile. A nice smile.

—Anonymous SanDiegoPolo@hotmail.com

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 17

LOST TREASURES

Polo memorabilia finds its way home

HE HUNGARIAN TEAM’S fourth place at the Berlin Olympics in 1936 is proudly referred as one of the greatest moments in Hungarian polo history. However, many details of this great achievement were lost in the turmoil and difficult years that followed the Second World War in Hungary. Dr. György Ivanics, president of the Magyar Polo Club, was pleased to receive an invitation to attend a press conference at the National Museum of Hungary on October 3 to announce the museum’s acquisition of pre-WWII polo memorabilia. The invitation came from Dr. Peter Spyers-Duran, a stepson of Mr. Dezsó Kovács, perhaps the best Hungarian player of the era and a member of both the Olympic squad and the team that won the European Championship title in Hamburg in 1939. The event was attended by members of Mr. Kovács’ family as well as the director of the national museum.

Dr. György Ivanics, far right, speaks with the Spyers-Duran brothers, stepsons of Col. Kovács, at the National Museum of Hungary.

Prior to WWII, Hungarian polo was dominated by military staff and the Hungarian elite. Mr. Kovács was a coronel in the Hungarian cavalry, playing on the cavalry’s Honvéd Polo Team. His memorabilia opened a window to the lively polo scene of the 30s in Hungary. The items offered included his membership card to the Magyar Polo Club, silver trophies from the Wenckheim and Meklenburg competitions and a collection of polo photos, highlighting events held at the two main polo fields of Budapest (both

Top left, Col. Kovács’ membership card to the Magyar Polo Club; top right, Col. Kovács’ mallet head used in the 1936 Olympics; bottom right, silver trophies from Wenckheim and Meklenburg competitions; bottom left, a silver plate given to Col. Kovács after finishing third in the 1936 Olympics.

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

BABY, BABY!

Players celebrate births

TEVIE AND MARGARET ORTHWEIN celebrated the birth of their first child, daughter Hazel on January 28. She weighed in at healthy 7 pounds, 6 ounces. We are delighted to her both mother and child are doing well. Ginny and Steve Orthwein are thrilled to be first-time grandparents as well, rushing to the hospital in Wellington, Florida to hold the dark-haired beauty shortly after she was born.

Col. Dezsó Kovács

abandoned after the war) and the Berlin Olympics with players and spectators. One photo featured a female player and, according to family members, Mr. Kovács’ wife was the only female player in Hungary at the time. Some of the most interesting relics were a silver plate and Mr. Kovacs’ mallet and stirrups, all from the 1936 Olympic games. Col. Kovács’ stepsons, the Spyers-Duran brothers (both of whom live in the U.S.), told many interesting and anecdotal stories, which shed light on the colorful history of many of the items offered. For example, much of the memorabilia had to be saved from the ruins of their house in the Buda castle following its bombing. The items were hidden at different places during the communist period when polo was not allowed for political reasons. The family collection was moved to the U.S. in 1989 and now finds its place in the National Museum of Hungary, where a small polo history exhibition will be organized in the coming months.

Kris Kampsen has had his ups and downs the past year. He was out of polo for months after injuring his neck in a bike accident, requiring surgery. He had finally healed enough to get back in the saddle last fall. Then, on November 28, he and his wife Ali celebrated the birth of their first child, son Rowan Alexander Kampsen in New York City. Kris says he and his wife are so happy being parents, adding, “It’s the Hazel Orthwein best thing in the world.” This season, he has been competing in the 20-goal with Annabelle Gundlach’s Postage Stamp Farm team. On February 12, while defending a penalty during a quarterfinal match of the Ylvisaker Cup, he was hit in the face with a polo ball, which broke his cheek. The injury required surgery to the orbital bone. He will be out for four weeks but expects a full recovery and said he’ll be ready to rock!

Kris Kampsen is recovering from surgery after being hit in the face with a polo ball. He was also injured last year after falling while riding a bike in Aspen, Colorado.

Rowan Alexander Kampsen

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 19

Globe trotting Team USPA members tour India The United States Polo Association established Team USPA in 2009 to grow and sustain the sport of polo by identifying talented young American players and providing opportunities to grow their abilities. By Hayley Heatley

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

Team USPA’s Carly Persano coaches Nasr Polo’s youngest member Aparna Dhulipala.

conservation of the Manipuri pony breed. “I was extremely honored to be playing the final of the 2nd Annual Statehood Day Women’s Polo Tournament at the birth site of modern polo on the Manipuri ponies, a breed on the verge of extinction,” said Massey. “All these ladies are excellent riders [and] players and showed not only incredible horsemanship, but we also shared compassion and a love for these sweet Manipuri ponies. Each of my teammates displayed a love for polo, the people of India and the ponies of Manipur. I hope that by playing in this tournament we can continue to raise awareness to help save this incredible breed of pony.” In addition to the tournament, Team USPA led a series of clinics for the

MANIPUR PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB

The Team USPA women’s team put on a high-scoring show, claiming victory in the 2nd Annual Manipur Statehood Day Women’s Polo Tournament hosted by the All Manipur Polo Association and the Manipur Department of Tourism. The team, comprised of Audry Persano, Carly Persano, Anna Winslow and Stephanie Massey, played the tournament at the culmination of the 2017 India International Women’s Polo Tour. Manipur is credited with being the birth place of modern polo and hosts tournaments at the historic Mapal Kangjeibung Polo Grounds. The use of the traditional Manipuri pony adds to the rich heritage of the sport. Hurlingham Polo Association, All Manipur Polo Association and the United States Polo Association each entered a complete women’s team into the weeklong field tournament. After two rounds of bracket play, an undefeated Team USPA faced off against the Hurlingham Polo Association in the final. Team USPA dominated play from the first chukker, scoring five unanswered goals in the first period of play. Carly Persano quickly added another goal at the beginning of the second chukker, but HPA came fighting back. A strong offensive performance by Team USPA in the final chukker solidified its win, 9-3, over HPA. “Over the course of the trip, I was so impressed with the camaraderie displayed by my teammates and our ability to mesh so well and play together as a team,” said Team USPA’s Stephanie Massey. Massey is a fourth-year veterinary student at Texas A&M and took a special interest in the

Team USPA women at the opening ceremony in India.

MANIPUR PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB

USPA Governor-at-Large Steve Armour, center, managed and coached the Team USPA players in India: from left, Carly Persano, Anna Winslow, Stephanie Massey and Audry Persano.

Manipur women to build on the skills taught during last year’s trip. Activities included foot mallet polo and strategy talks as well as mounted demonstrations. The team hoped to create lasting excitement for the sport amongst the female players. Team USPA, the United States Polo Association and Huntré! Equine joined forces to make the 2017 India International Women’s Polo Tour, known as “Polo Yatra,” (meaning pilgrimage) successful. The three organizations aimed to support, develop and promote women’s polo throughout India and increase the prevalence of polo worldwide. USPA Governor-at-Large Steve Armour managed and coached the team. He is passionate about polo in India and enjoys seeing the continued improvement of the local players. “We wanted to help develop polo for women in India and develop the sport of polo. This year we added [the city of] Hyderabad to the tour,” said Armour during a local TV interview. Polo Yatra began at the Palace Polo Grounds in Jaipur, situated beneath the Mundota Fort and Palace built on top of the Aravali Range. The fort and palace are over 400 years old and are home to an impressive polo facility including riding trails, a polo arena, a stick-and-ball field and 80 stalls. The Team USPA women played a mixed game with the Jaipur players at the beautiful club. Sightseeing trips to the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Amber Palace and City Palace rounded out their stay before heading to Hyderabad. Once in Hyderabad, the focus shifted from playing grass polo to arena polo and

teaching the local players. The Nasr Polo Club invited female players from across all of India to participate in the clinics led by the Team USPA players. “It’s been an exceptional week of women’s polo and we are all so impressed at the progression of the Indian ladies from the beginning to the end of the week,” said Team USPA member Stephanie Massey. During an interview with the local TV station, teammate Audry Persano expressed her excitement. “It is very special to be here. It’s a once-ina-lifetime opportunity. It’s amazing to see the potential of the women players here. We hope to open people’s eyes to how

women can progress in the sport.” After a series of clinics, Nasr Polo club hosted the First International Women’s Arena Night Polo Tournament. Stephanie Massey and Carly Persano joined Sonia Jabbar from Delhi and Rajvi Rao from Hyderabad to form the Nasr-India team. Audry Persano and Anna Winslow played alongside Namrata Kishore from Chennai and Chaya Vailbase from Hyderabad as Team USPA. An intense game came down to the wire, with Nasr Polo narrowly coming out on top 12-11. The women of Team USPA laid a foundation for successful growth of women’s polo in India over the past two years. Somi Roy, the founder of Huntré! Equine spoke of the success of the program. “We find ourselves defining a much-needed space for women in India to play polo. It’s historic, it’s breaking boundaries and its redrawing the landscape for women’s polo in India. Anchored in Manipur, where women excel in polo as in every other field, we are connecting small cultures to the international arena.” Women’s polo is still in the beginning stages in India, but there is great hope for the future.

Team USPA members give a white board lesson in Manipur.

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

Challenge Cup USA overcomes Britain 3-2 BY JENNY SCHWARTZ AND EMILY DEWEY

ntercollegiate players had the rare opportunity to represent their college and country in the 2017 USPA International Intercollegiate Challenge Cup at the WestWorld Equidome in Scottsdale, Arizona, during the Barrett-Jackson classic car auction on January 14. The United States Polo Association and Schools & Universities Polo Association, the British equivalent of the USPA Intercollegiate/Interscholastic program, played in the first International Intercollegiate Challenge Cup in 2013. The United Kingdom and the United States alternate hosting this annual tournament. Both teams had each won the cup twice prior to this year’s match. The pressure was on for members of the USA team, including Liam Palacios (senior at Cornell University), Team USPA member Julia Smith (5th year senior at University of Virginia), Dalton Woodfin (senior at Texas A&M University) and Jillian Tietje (sophomore at California Polytechnic State University). The U.K. team was comprised of Tobias Small, Samuel Boreham, Minnie Kerr-Dineen and Robin Omerod. “I felt honored to be chosen to represent my school,” Palacios said. “I thought it was a great opportunity to be able to play with students I normally compete against to represent our country.” The teams greeted each other over breakfast on Friday morning and had the chance to meet USPA Umpires, LLC umpire, Robert Lyn-Kee-Chow, one of the three umpires on hand for the weekend’s games. Lyn-Kee-Chow answered questions centered on new arena rules from the I/I team and spent time explaining the differences between USPA and HPA arena

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

USA’s Jillian Tietje, Dalton Woodfin, Julia Smith and Liam Palacios took the win in the International Intercollegiate Challenge Cup at the WestWorld Equidome in Scottsdale.

rules with the SUPA team. The teams loaded up after breakfast and left for the WestWorld Equidome to familiarize themselves with the venue and horses. Anyone watching the practice could tell the upcoming game was going to be quite the battle. Friday night, the teams headed out to the home of USPA Border Circuit Governor Dan Coleman for a welcome that was catered by his amazing wife, Sarah Coleman. The college players were able to meet and mingle with the highgoal arena players from the International Military and Townsend Cup players, as well as the participants of the weekend’s Sherman Memorial Tournament. Each team had its own breakfast meeting on Saturday morning before leaving again for WestWorld to watch the Military and Townsend Cup matches. Between visiting the USPA Polo

Development, LLC booth to explain polo to interested car auction attendees, the college students were able to watch team USA bring home the victory in the arena. Dinner was a quick turnaround after the Townsend Cup, and the teams were delighted to share space with the Townsend Cup players for another night. Sunday proved to be an early morning, with team breakfast meetings and an early departure time to avoid traffic on the way to WestWorld. While the wait through the consolation and final of the Border Circuit Sherman Memorial drummed up some nerves, once the players stepped into their irons, all worries seemed to wash away. “I was tremendously excited,” remarked Smith. “It was an honor to play for my country alongside and against such great people and players.” The U.K.’s Omerod got off to a fast

start scoring two consecutive goals in the first two minutes of play. The USA did not stay off the board long. Smith took a shot on goal on a Penalty 4 that went wide to the right but teammate Palacios was there to drop on the line and knock the ball into the goal with ease. Omerod scored his third goal of the game, a twopoint shot after a strong breakaway downfield. The U.K. kept the lead throughout the chukker and the period ended with a score of 6-3. Woodfin retaliated in the second with three goals for USA to tie the game 6-all. From that point on, the teams remained neck and neck. The U.K. and the USA remained tied until Palacios scored with 10 seconds remaining before the half to pull the USA ahead by one, 9-8. With the U.K. trailing by one at the beginning of second half, Omerod immediately scored to tie the game yet again. The U.K. brought its best defensive game into the arena while shooting with accuracy and precision. One of these accurate shots included a 15-yard neckshot, miraculously clearing an opposing horse in front of goal. Players did not tire as the clock was winding down and the USA was awarded a Penalty 3 with six seconds left in the chukker. Woodfin was able to score after the ball went right of goal and the U.K. came out on top at the end of the third chukker 11-10. The International Intercollegiate

USA’s Julia Smith carries the ball while Jillian Tietje tries to hold off a pair of opponents that are following closely behind.

Challenge Cup was anybody’s game going into the final chukker. Woodfin tied the game 12-all halfway through and quickly scored again out of the line-up to put USA on top. These young college players could have allowed the frantic nature of a close game to rattle them, but like professionals, they remained level headed and consistent. With just over a minute remaining, Smith “walked the dog” to goal with both teammates on the boards behind her. She was ridden off by Omerod just in front of goal and Woodfin was able to tap the ball in to put the USA ahead by one. When the 30-second horn

Hurricane, owned by George Dill and played by USA’s Dalton Woodfin and Britain’s Tobias Small in a split-string format, was honored as Best Playing Pony.

sounded, Smith hit the ball up on the boards on the nearside and took a neckshot to goal to win the game 15-13. The Most Valuable Player was awarded to the well-deserving U.K. player Robin Omerod and I/I’s Dalton Woodfin received the Sportsmanship Award. Best Playing Pony honors were presented to Hurricane, played by SUPA’s Toby Small and I/I’s Dalton Woodfin. All of the horses provided for the event were owned by George Dill and were unfamiliar to the players. “Watching the college players adapt to unknown horses is always a rewarding experience,” remarked Charles Smith, chairman of USPA Polo Development, LLC. “The horsemanship I witnessed in this game by the American and British players was impressive and these young players should be commended.” While the win was an exciting end for the I/I team, the students brought more home from the weekend event than a trophy. “This experience brought together a handful of collegiate players from across the country and gave us the opportunity to compete together. While playing alongside people who are usually my opponents, I redefined my perspective of what it means to be a part of a team,” explained Tietje. “They all became more than just my teammates; they became my friends.” POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 23

USA! USA!

Two U.S. teams prevail in international matches Photos by Elizabeth Hedley

he U.S. team edged England 18-16 in a spirited final of the historic John R. Townsend Challenge Cup in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 14. The U.S. has won six out of seven times the cup has been played.

U.K.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Max Charlton, here dueling with Shane Rice, scored five goals in the second period and three in the third to tie the match at 11.

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

Attendees of the Barrett-Jackson Car Auction at the WestWorld Equidome in Scottsdale were treated to a hypercompetitive game of high-goal arena polo that was a battle until the very end. The John R. Townsend International Challenge Cup is a high-goal arena match played between the United States and the United Kingdom dating back to 1923. Named for John R. Townsend, the Cup was first played in Manhattan in 1923. Townsend was a prominent figure in New York society and a longtime horseman who was an advocate for arena polo in the early years of its development. The trophy was first presented by Townsend for the Class A Championship from 1921 to 1933. In 1923, Townsend decided to offer the trophy for an international arena event, pitting a U.S. team against a team from England. It was this historic arena match that spurred the growth and development of arena polo in the U.S. The trophy continued to be awarded to winners of the Class A Championship, which became the Senior Championship in 1934 and was played for until 1957. Today, the trophy is engraved with winners of all three tournaments. After the U.S. team won the Townsend Cup trophy in its inaugural year, the competition took a hiatus for more than 80 years. It was brought back in 2004 and again went to the U.S. team. It was shelved until 2008 when the U.S. again prevailed. In 2011, the match was held for the fourth time with the title going to the U.S. team 15-9. The U.K. squad was victorious for the first and only time in 2013 after the match went into overtime. The U.S. team got the trophy back in 2015 when it prevailed 17-12. This year, the USA team was represented by 10-goaler Tommy Biddle Jr., Shane Rice (7-goals) and Steve Krueger (4-goals). Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jonny Good (8-goals), Max Charlton (9-goals), Ed Banner-Eve (5-goals), along with coach Michael Amoore, arrived in Arizona earlier in the week with one objectiveâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; bringing the perpetual trophy back to the U.K. U.K. made it on the board early in the first chukker, but Krueger quickly answered, foreshadowing a pattern that would prevail throughout the match. USA

Top: Jonny Good heads downfield with Tommy Biddle in hot pursuit.

Left: Tommy Biddle necks the ball amid protest from Max Charlton.

Steve Krueger clashes with Jonny Good.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 25

The players marked each other closely after USA took an early 6-2 lead in the first chukker.

MVP Steve Krueger digs the ball out of the throw-in on Best Playing Pony Woody.

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

fought hard against a talented team of Brits, ending the first chukker with a 6-3 lead. Team USA veteran Biddle Jr. began the second chukker with a booming twopoint backshot to goal that brought the crowd of 1500 to its feet, bringing the score to 8-3. Charlton retaliated, scoring three consecutive goals in the first three minutes, adding an additional two later in the chukker. USA continued to score however, maintaining the lead at 10-8 going into the half. With extreme confidence, USAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Krueger scored at the onset of the second half. Charlton, hungry for the win, made a decisive shot from the 40-yard line to put an additional two goals on the board, followed by another out of the line-up to tie the game at 11-all. A goal from Banner-Eve put the U.K. in the lead by one, but an attempt to clear the ball from in front of the U.K. goal by Good resulted in one for USA. The game was tied 12-all going into the final chukker and the U.K. quickly pulled ahead by two. Biddle Jr., determined not to let his team stay down for long, answered with a two-pointer to tie it back up. Krueger and Rice, anxious to keep the Townsend Cup trophy at home, combined for four goals for the USA to recapture the lead 18-14. Feeling the pressure, Charlton scored a two-pointer with two minutes left in regulation play. Time was running out but the battle continued, and Biddle Jr. lofted the ball into the rafters with less than six seconds left. The ball was thrown in and the U.K. had an immediate break away. Charlton took a strong shot, but time ran out before the ball could reach the goal. USA captured the Townsend Cup title with the final score of 18-16. The Most Valuable Player of the game was awarded to Team USPA member Steve Krueger. Best Playing Pony was presented to Woody, owned by George Dill. In conjunction with the John R. Townsend International Challenge Cup, intercollegiate players represented their country and schools in the International Intercollegiate Challenge Cup (see results page 22). In addition, the International Military Challenge Cup and the Sherman Memorial were played (see results page 52).

Top: Jonny Good dribbles the ball in mid-air surrounded by USA defenders. Right: Seven-goaler Shane Rice, 10-goaler Tommy Biddle and 4-goaler Steve Krueger battled to keep the Townsend Cup trophy on U.S. soil. Below: Kris Bowman, Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane, horse owner George Dill, USA players Tommy Biddle and Steve Krueger with Best Playing Pony Woody (Biddle and Krueger both played the horse a chukker); Bottom, left: England fielded a team with 9-goaler Max Charlton, 8-goaler Jonny Good, 5-goaler Ed Banner-Eve coached by Michael Amoore; Bottom, right: Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jonny Good shows off his stick work, while USAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Steve Krueger waits for his chance to pounce.

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

It’s a HYT!

Program offers concierge polo in the heart of LA

YT Polo makes it easy for new players to be introduced to the sport, and supports them as they improve at their own pace. It also brings clients to play grass polo at other area clubs.

The closing line in the movie, “Pretty Woman” is “This is Hollywood, land of dreams. Always time for dreams, so keep on dreaming.” Most people associate Hollywood with dreams of movie star fame and glory, however, at a barn within horseback riding distance of the iconic Hollywood sign, Hannah Taylor and her HYT Polo are making polo

dreams come true for aspiring polo players at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. Taylor is the founder and owner of HYT Polo. She shares the passion for polo with Angelenos hungry to escape the concrete jungle via a little equine therapy. As the exclusive polo school of

Ernie Ezcurra leads a group of students on a trail ride through the 4,000-acre Griffith Park for a change of scenery.

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

the Los Angeles Equestrian Center and Will Rogers Polo Club, HYT Polo offers polo lessons, arena matches and fullcare horse board at the LAEC Burbank location adjacent to Griffith Park. HYT Polo also provides clients with grass polo at historic Will Rogers Polo Club in Pacific Palisades and gives clients a literal escape from Los Angeles

by transporting horses and clients to Santa Barbara Polo Club in the summer and Eldorado Polo Club in the winter. The HYT Polo grass polo program at Will Rogers offers everything from a coaching league for pure beginners to competitive month-long 4-goal leagues. Taylor got hooked on polo following a visit to Casa de Campo Polo Club as a 17-year-old on a family vacation from Toronto. She fell in love with polo so strongly that she returned to Casa de Campo to learn polo, working off her polo lessons by giving beach rides and training horses. She then moved to Los Angeles, got married, and continued to teach and play polo. When she set up HYT Polo in 2013 at LAEC, her goal was to provide players with a venue in the heart of the city where they could easily be involved in the sport and have fun. “We aim to make polo really accessible,” said Taylor. “Our lesson prices are as affordable as taking tennis or golf lessons. We also make it easy for people who are busy with jobs and families as we offer full-care board, horse transport and groom service at games. I call it concierge polo as it is completely full service.” A highlight of the program is the annual club field trip to a major destination. The field trips started with an outing to Wellington, Florida, then 11 clients journeyed last year to Buenos Aires, Argentina to watch the matches at Palermo and play polo in the pampas. Next year’s trip will be an excursion to Oahu to play beach polo and go surfing in the tropics. Lynda Murray is a successful interior designer who pilots her own plane to run projects all over the world, then escapes to HYT Polo when she can for her polo fix. “I love the camaraderie, the horses, and the whole program at HYT Polo,” said Murray. “Hannah makes it really easy for me to play. I am so busy with work that I would never be able to play polo without Hannah to organize the horses and grooms to have everything tacked up and ready for me at games.” HYT Polo is structured to enable beginner players and busy professionals to step in to polo life at their own pace.

Ezcurra explains a play to students during one of his chalk talks.

For the players who are constrained by time or finances, the club offers lease horses for lessons and matches. HYT Polo clients interested in horse ownership can take advantage of a lease to own program with HYT Polo horses. “The lease to own program makes it easy for players to really get to know a horse before they make the final decision whether to buy or not,” explained Taylor. Taylor and her main pro and instructor Ernie Ezcurra also search out suitable mounts at other barns and guide clients through the trial process when needed. Three-goal professional polo player Ernie Ezcurra is an essential part of the HYT Polo program. Ezcurra says he started playing polo in Argentina with a 40-inch mallet on a pony as a 5-year-old. He went on to play professionally in Calgary, Indio, Florida and New York. Ezcurra explains his teaching philosophy and why students at HYT

Students duel in a kids’ match at the LA Equestrian Center’s arena.

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

HYT Polo offers arena polo at its LAEC location and takes clients to Will Rogers, Santa Barbara and Eldorado Polo Clubs for grass polo.

Polo improve in their polo under his instruction. “We start with the basics and learning to ride well. No. 1 and ABC is we teach you how to ride well and then to play.” HYT Polo clients sing his praises as an instructor. “Ernie brought my polo game up by 80 percent this year,” said Murray, “and I have been riding for 25 years! I committed to individual lessons with Ernie this past season and he really helped me with my riding. We did a lot of work without stirrups and at the end of the season in a match game at Will Rogers, when I lost a stirrup on a play close to goal, I still had the confidence to lean out and score the shot on goal thanks to Ernie’s help in strengthening my riding. A year ago I would have had to pull up or fallen off in that situation.” Ezcurra does more than just teach and play polo. He cooks a Thursday night barbecue and leads polo players on trail rides in Griffith Park when a change of scenery for horses and people is desired. A successful club is more then just playing polo games and Ezcurra makes sure people feel welcome 30 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Three-goal Ernie Ezcurra does more than just teach and play polo, he also cooks a Thursday night barbecue.

Hanna Taylor, shown here on Margarita, takes great pride in providing high-quality horses to the people in her program.

Hannah Taylor rides Lemon Drop, an all-around horse that played for two different pros as well as amateurs at Will Rogers, twice winning Best Playing Pony.

to just hang out and enjoy being at the barn. “The polo friends at the club become family because we spend so much time together at the barn,” said Murray. The club welcomes players of all ages. Thirteen-year-old Jayme Stone had only been on a horse a few times before he took his first lesson with HYT Polo two years ago. Jayme’s father, Stephen credits HYT Polo’s lesson program with teaching Jayme about all aspects of riding and playing polo. Stephen Stone proudly said, “Jayme is now a confident rider who can’t wait for the new season of polo to start so he can continue learning from the great people at HYT Polo.” Stone also praised the great horses that Jayme took lessons on as a beginner rider. Now Jayme plays on two horses of his own that Taylor personally searched out and selected for him to buy. Polo horses are generally considered to be 70-80 percent of the game and Taylor takes great pride in providing high quality horses to players in the HYT Polo program. In keeping with the spirit of fun at the barn, all the horses are named after cocktails. The aptly named palomino, Lemon Drop exemplifies the qualities of the upper-level string at HYT Polo. She played for two different pros as well as amateurs at Will Rogers this past summer, twice winning Best Playing Pony. Taylor praised her palomino as a horse that gets you to the ball. “And she gets you there fast, almost reading your mind. She is one of those ponies that makes everyone a better player.” Café Zurich is the star of the lesson program. Taylor said the black and white paint mare is usually the horse she starts all of the beginners on. “In five years she has never set a foot wrong, never lost or even scared a rider.” Café Zurich has another claim to fame. Her silhouette is featured in the club’s logo. Taylor describes her paint mare as colorful in both looks and personality, a little whimsical, a little different—just like her program.” Quality horses, fun polo, friends and barbecues. It all adds up to a slice of polo paradise in the heart of Los Angeles. POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 31

JUAN LAMARCA

Ticket to ride Players like Nic Roldan are betting on off-the-track Thoroughbreds By Gwen Rizzo

ust a few years ago, it was not uncommon to hear how Argentine polo horses were better than American-bred polo horses. But that seems to be changing. There is no doubt some amazing horses have come out of Argentina, but American-bred horses can shine just a bright.

Consider Bob Jornayvaz’s horse Chocolate. After Adolfo Cambiaso played the California-bred gelding in the U.S. Open, he asked Jornayvaz if he could bring him to play the Argentine Open. The horse went on to win the 2013 Lady Susan Townley Cup for best horse in the Argentine Open final. He was the first American-bred horse to win the award. Other Argentines have also taken to 32 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

American Throughbreds. Santiago Wulff won two Best Playing Pony awards in January at Grand Champions Polo Club, the first on Parca and the second on Negrita. Both horses are off-the-track Thoroughbreds. “Eighty percent of my horses are American Thoroughbreds,” Wulff said. “They run a lot and they can take a lot of polo. They are very strong. I have a few

Argentine horses but most of them are American thoroughbreds.” Hall of Famer Gonzalo Pieres once credited the American Thoroughbreds in John Oxley’s string with helping to get him to 10 goals. Nic Roldan, one of the highest-rated American players, also recognizes the quality in American Thoroughbreds. “I was buying a lot of horses in Argentina at

ENRIQUE URDANETA

Tulsa is one of Nicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best horses. She was purchased off the track as a 4-year-old by James Armstrong and Orrin Ingram. Trained by Armando Huerta, she is a total superstar!

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

Cubana, an off-the-track Thoroughbred, is one of Roldan’s favorites. She was foaled in 2010 and broken as a yearling in Kentucky by Bella Lowes, who remembers her fondly as being straightforward and having an amazing attitude. Kris Kampsen and Martin Phagouape bought her as a 3-year-old. Kampsen was keen to buy her after recognizing her sire, City Zip, as one of the top sires in racing. Kampsen said she is an incredible mare and he was impressed by how effortlessly she moved as soon as he sat on her. Roldan says, “She’s got it all: the power, the handle, an amazing mouth. She has really good balance and great conformation. After Phagouape and Kampsen introduced her to polo, Kampsen started playing her at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida. Roldan purchased her from Kampsen and played her in the 2015 East Coast Open. She is playing her first full season of high-goal polo this year, and recently won her first Best Playing Pony award in a Joe Barry Cup match at International Polo Club in Wellington. Roldan said the recognition was very satisfying, particularly because it was one of the first horses he finished after Kris Kampsen and his organization gave her the foundation. “It is a great experience. Honestly, I have two more that are coming up in the ranks that are going to be even better,” says Roldan.

one point in my career. Now, honestly, I prefer to buy horses here in the United States. If you can find a good Thoroughbred, there is nothing better,” he says. “I’ve grown to really love the Thoroughbred—the breed, their temperament and their power.” Today, about 40 percent of his horses are Thoroughbreds and he is looking for more. Roldan grew up in Bob Daniels’ Pony Express organization and went out on his own at 15 years old. Daniels provided Roldan a string of Argentina mares and an easy payment plan. “Bob was very kind to me to get me a string of horses … We did a deal where I would pay him … whenever I could, and that’s sort of what kick-started my career,” said Roldan. 34 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

CHICHI UBINA

Best Playing Pony

Cubana, in front, made her debut in the 2015 East Coast Open. She performed well in very competitive matches and has matured into an even better horse this year.

As those horses got older or were injured, Roldan started replacing them with new horses and started building his string. “Still to this day, all I do is try to improve my string. I spend most of my money on horses. … I’m still not at the point that I want to be. I am always trying to find new horses and better my string. You can never have too many good ones and polo has become so competitive. There are so many good organizations; the level of polo and horses has become so high. For the most part, at the high-goal level, everyone is well-mounted,” said Roldan. Mounting yourself is difficult according to Roldan. “It’s very tough and has gotten tougher as the years have gone on. There are very few teams that

have horses for the players anymore. … The price of horses has gone up and it’s harder to find the good horses,” he said. At one point, when Roldan was playing a lot in Argentina, he had a breeding operation there. When he started playing year-round with Marc and Melissa Ganzi and spending less time in Argentina, he opted to stop breeding. Roldan said, “It didn’t make sense. To have a breeding operation, it takes a lot of time and effort and you have to have a farm. You have to have trustworthy people. For me, it doesn’t work. It is just a waste of money. I’d rather buy horses I can see, I can feel, I can ride and I know what I am getting.” Instead of breeding horses, Roldan likes his chances when he purchases

ENRIQUE URDANETA

Sombra is an off-the-track Thoroughbred Nic purchased from Martin Estrada.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 35

ENRIQUE URDANETA

Cubana has a bright future ahead of her. She recently won her first Best Playing Pony award in high-goal competition.

horses that have the right build and already have an introduction to polo. “The only way the horse won’t make it in high-goal or I can fail with the horse is if I mess it up. If everything is done right, that horse can go on to become a polo pony or even an outstanding polo pony,” said Roldan. A friend of Roldan’s, 5-goaler Kris Kampsen, has a young horse operation, getting horses off the track and introducing them to polo. Kampsen’s organization starts them stick-andballing and playing slow practices before Roldan buys them. Roldan has purchased three horses from him and all three are playing in high-goal polo. “It’s been pretty successful. He’s got a really good eye,” Roldan said of Kampsen. “I buy them in the 4- to 5year-old range and they have a year into them in slow polo. I don’t play low- or medium-goal polo so I don’t have time to 36 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

make them. I’m always competing at the top levels so I prefer to get them when they are already established with slow practices. All I have to do is fine tune them and let them mature into a highgoal polo pony.” Roldan admits its not easy finding horses and he has made some mistakes. “There were horses I thought had enough power and they didn’t and I’ve had bad luck with injuries,” explained Roldan. “The idea is to try to make a minimum amount of mistakes. You can’t get a decent horse that plays high-goal polo for less than $50,000 and a good one for less than $100,000. When you are spending that amount of money, there is no room for error. … The worst time to buy is when you need them or when you are getting pressured. If you feel like you are rushed and you cut corners, that’s when you make mistakes.”

Thoroughbreds come in all shapes and sizes but Roldan looks for powerful types that are bigger boned and 15.1 to 15.2 hands tall. “I need a horse that is not too fine, more on the stocky side with big shoulders, short cannon bones, good hock angle and nice head carriage,” explained Roldan. “They don’t have to be overly correct, but they have to have a good mouth, good laterally and they have to be powerful. … I like to run. It’s a very physical style of polo for the most part. While I need a horse with power, I also need horses with enough handle for me to make plays, do the stop and go.” In high-goal polo, most of the bigger organizations have several hundred horses. In order to compete, an individual player minimally needs 15-16 horses. “Most players in the big organizations start with 20 horses,” says Roldan. “They’ll start with 10 [in the 20-

goal] and they save 10 or more to start fresh for the 26-goal. At our level, that is the only way to compete. Some players are seriously well organized and have huge support from their organizations. They have depth of quality horses. “There is no science to this game. It is as clear as day. The teams that win have the best organization, the best horses.” In his quest to improve his string, Roldan looks for horses everywhere. People approach him if they have a nice horse they think will suit him and Roldan asks if he sees a horse he likes. He has purchased horses from Adolfo Cambiaso, Mariano Aguerre and Nick Manifold and Nacho Figueras. “I buy them literally from anyone. I don’t have anyone specific I buy them from. It’s pretty much wherever I can find a good horse that suits me, which is not that easy to begin with, let alone everyone is trying to find that special horse,” says Roldan. While racing is all about the bloodlines, Roldan says he doesn’t pay attention to them at all. Instead, he looks for the right build, athleticism and mind. And he gives them the time to mature before pushing them too hard. “I don’t like to push horses before they are 6 or 7. If you give them that extra six months to a year, you are guaranteed the horse is going to last longer. It is going to mature better. Roldan is also hands-on when it comes to his horses. “I am at the barn every morning and every afternoon. I am involved with everything,” he explains. “I’ve got a great group of guys that work for me. My main guy, Osvaldo used to work at the track and he’s an incredible rider. He really knows how to get the horses ready. But we are a team. I want to be involved in everything. “If a horse isn’t going well, we all try to figure out what we can do to improve it whether it’s changing the bit or the feed, working with the vets. It is a lot of work to get these horses to the polo field, let alone keep them sound. They don’t speak so the guys working with them have to understand that and work with [others]. We work with chiropractors, we want to make sure they live the most comfortable and happy life and perform at their best.”

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

Chrome finish

Leading racehorse officially retires By Gwen Rizzo

(C)BARBARA D. LIVINGSTON/NICROLDAN.COM

olo player Nic Roldan had a meet and greet with California Chrome, the all-time leading North American horse in earnings won. He was named American Horse of the Year in 2014 and 2016. Chrome ran his last race just days after meeting Roldan.

Nic Roldan, at 8-goals one of the highest-rated American polo players in the world, recently made his way to Barn 2 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida before sunrise to meet champion racehorse California Chrome on January 23.

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

Roldan was joined by polo players Kris Kampsen, who specializes in training off-the-track Thoroughbreds, Julian del Lusaretta, Luchino Ortiz de Urbina and Mia Cambiaso; polo pony trainer Martin Phagouape; and polo vets Daren Tamplin from Palm Beach

Equine and Adolfo Cambiasoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vet Juan Pablo Quiroga. Nikki Walker, granddaughter of Gulfstream Park owner Frank Stronach, advisory board member of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and an accomplished

ENRIQUE URDANETA

NANO’S POLO MALLETS

Nic Roldan, far left, visits with California Chrome’s trainer Alan Sherman, groom Raul Rodriguez and work rider Dihigi Gladney. Roldan was impressed with how the team welcomed him.

equestrian, was also on hand. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, based in Lexington, Kentucky, is a nonprofit organization that accredits, inspects and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retire, retrain and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Walker was joined by TAA representatives Stacie Clark, Belinda Stronach, Danielle Nichter and Ashton Moynihan. Roldan watched California Chrome train, then had a meet and greet with him afterward, including a photo shoot opportunity. The encounter offered an excellent opportunity for champions of their respective sports to meet and, considering almost half of Roldan’s polo string is off-the-track Thoroughbreds, it was an opportunity to find ways for polo and racing to work together to provide a wonderful, useful future for the many off-the-track Thoroughbreds once their racing careers are over. Roldan’s polo horse trainers Osvaldo and Terri Gallitelli came from the racing industry. Thanks to Terri’s amazing work, the opportunity arose for Roldan to come watch California Chrome train for the final race of his career before he retired, the $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational. After

the race California Chrome retired to stud at Taylor Made Farm in Nicholasville, Kentucky. Roldan had unprecedented access to the horse in one of the most important weeks of his life. He watched the horse get saddled up then train. Afterwards, the horse was bathed and Roldan was allowed hands-on access. After Chrome’s bath, trainer Alan Sherman gave Roldan an opportunity to hold the awe-inspiring horse, which Roldan described as a surreal moment. “I felt like I had never held a horse before. I thought what if he gets away!” The polo group enjoyed talking to Sherman and Dihigi Gladney, California Chrome’s work rider. “It was wonderful how we were welcomed and how the race fraternity was interested to hear about the off-thetrack Thoroughbreds used in our sport,” said Roldan. “On the way back home we joked that California Chrome was not too big for polo and that given he was retiring anyway after the weekend, he may just make it in time for the U.S. Open this year ... well, in our dreams anyway!” Roldan and Terri Gallitelli presented California Chrome with a halter and stallion halter they had made by Quillin Leather & Tack in Lexington, Kentucky as a token of their appreciation.

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BY ERNESTO RODRIGUEZ

CARNIVAL Brazil’s Tigres Invernada takes Copa de Oro PHOTOS BY SERGIO LLAMERA

or the first time in its 17-year history, the Copa de Oro was not organized by Gonzalo Pieres, but by the Argentine Polo Association. Argentina’s Gold Cup, the most traditional tournament for patrons, went to C. Tigres Invernada, a full Brazilian squad. There are few people in polo as innovative as Gonzalo Pieres. The former 10-goaler was encouraged to organize a patron’s cup on Argentine soil, mimicking the tournaments usually held in the United States and Great Britain. Pieres recalls, “In the late 1990s, I bought my share of Ellerstina from my Australian patron Kerry Packer, my partner in launching the club, and I decided to hold a tournament that would allow me to keep the club going. Thus in 1999 the Copa de Oro (Gold Cup) was born.” The contest became a benchmark in the region and its format was later copied by other big teams such as La Dolfina with its Copa de Diamante (Diamond Cup), La Aguada with the Julio Novillo Astrada Cup and Alegría with the Copa America (Americas Cup), allowing amateur players to enter 20-goal competitions sharing fields with seasoned professional players. Copa de Oro had its natural evolution with the introduction of a second tournament of lesser value (La Copa de Plata—Silver Cup—up to 14 goals), both of which were disputed on the fields at Ellerstina and La Baronesa, the two clubs run by the Pieres family. Run in parallel with the celebration of the Argentine Open, the events offer patrons a chance to attend the most important polo event in the world and play for a few days. 40 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

The tournament had 15 editions under the leadership of Pieres, the last two won by HR, the team of Iranian patron Ben Soleimani, accompanied by Cristian Laprida, Hilario Ulloa, Sebastian von Wernich (2014) and Facundo Fernández Llorente (2015). At the beginning of 2016, Pieres, the polo magician from General Rodríguez, decided to focus on other projects and presented a proposal to the Argentine Polo Association to take charge of organizing the contest. APA General Manager Ignacio Manifesto explained, “It seemed like a great opportunity to add a 20-goal tournament to the Association’s calendar.

Copa de Oro had its name and prestige, and we could add the appeal of offering the patrons to play the definition of the tournament in Palermo.” Five teams between 19 and 20 goals were seduced by the new Copa de Oro format, which began with a qualifying round to rank the top two teams that would move on to the final. The action began on November 24 at the APA’s Alfredo Lalor Complex in Pilar with two matches decided by a single goal: Tigres Invernada, an absolutely Brazilian quartet led by Dudú Junqueira, surpassed venezuelan patron Camilo Bautista’s Las Monjitas 7-6. The

Los Monjitas’ Francisco Elizalde can’t quite reach Tigres Invernada’s Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade in the final of the Copa de Oro. Ribeiro de Andrade was named MVP.

Tigres Invernada’s Pedro Zacharías, Dudú Junqueira, José Klabin and Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade took home the Copa de Oro, played for the first time in Palermo.

other match had venezuelan patron Miguel Mendoza’s Power Infrastructure slip past Patagones, organized by California-based Argentine Gonzalo Avendaño, 9-8. The second round unfolded five days later on November 29 on Palermo’s Field 2. Patagones defeated Swiss banker Fabien Pictet’s The Emerging 198, making its debut, 12-9 as a prelude to the 123rd Argentine Open quarter-final clash in which Cría Yatay Colony gave the big surprise against La Aguada-Las Monjitas.

The next day, back in Pilar, Tigres Invernada added its second success, this time against Power Infrastructure by a clear 17-10. On Thursday, December 1, two more matches in Pilar, 35 miles from Buenos Aires, saw Las Monjitas defeat Patagones 12-8 and The Emerging 198 outperform Power Infrastructure 12-11. For the fourth date, the action returned to Palermo. On December 3, Tigres Invernada secured its third victory, this time against The Emerging 198 by a narrow 7-6, as a

Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade went home with a bounty of trophies including the championship Copa de Oro, MVP, Best Horse of the final for Tía Intrusa (shown here) and Best Polo Argentino product for his horse Open Gymnast.

Tigres Invernada: José Klabin Pedro Zacharías Dudú Junqueira Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade

20 2 6 4 8

Las Monjitas: Camilo Bautista alt. Federico Virasoro Martín Donovan Francisco Elizalde Eduardo Novillo Astrada alt. Alejandro Novillo Astrada

20 0 1 4 7 9 8

Patagones: Juan Jauretche Ignacio Negri Santiago Chavanne Gonzalo Avendaño

20 5 6 7 2

Power Infrastructure: Miguel Mendoza Santiago Zubiaurre Joaquín Pittaluga Ignatius du Plessis

20 0 5 7 8

The Emerging 198: Fabien Pictet Héctor Guerrero Milo Fernández Araujo Alejandro Agote

19 0 5 7 7

preface to the Open’s semifinal in which La Dolfina Sancor Seguros beat Cría Yatay Colony. The next day, Las Monjitas beat Power Infrastructure 9-7 as a preview of the match in which Ellerstina Johor left behind Alegría Assist Card to reach the Open final. The qualifying round ended on Tuesday, December 6 in Pilar: Tigres Invernada completed the preliminary matches undefeated by beating Patagones 11-10 while Las Monjitas made sure it was the other finalist after overcoming The Emerging 198 10-9. On Thursday, December 8, Palermo’s Field 2 received the definition of the Copa de Oro with the same two teams that had opened the contest, although there were new faces. For Las Monjitas, patron Camilo Bautista was replaced by Federico Virasoro, while Eduardo Novillo Astrada left his place to his brother Alejandro. And although the youngest Novillo Astrada converted the first goal of the match, the initial seven minutes were dominated by Tigres Invernada, that went (continued on page 59) POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 41

Rommy Gianni’s Cartier team won the 2017 Snow Polo World Cup after downing Melissa Ganzi’s Badrutt’s Palace Hotel team 7-4 on January 29. The final was the culmination of three days of outstanding polo, fun and Swiss hospitality for the 15,000 guests gathered Polo on the frozen Lake St. Moritz on the frozen Lake St. PHOTOS BY IMAGES OF POLO/TONY RAMIREZ AND Moritz. FOTOSWISS.COM/GIANCARLO CATTANEO St. Moritz is known for its winter sports. It twice hosted the Olympic Winter Games (1928 and 1948) and numerous ski and bobsleigh world championships have been held there. At 1856 meters above sea level, the climate is dry and pleasant all year round—the sun shining 322 of 365 days makes even the harsh winter

DESTINATION: SWITZERLAND

Jesse Bray handles the ball for Badrutt.

cold bearable. Spa guests have flocked to St. Moritz since the Bronze Age. Mineral springs in St. Moritz were discovered some 3400

The snow polo event and all its infrastructure is held on the frozen Lake St. Moritz.

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

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Badrutt’s Melissa Ganzi puts the pressure on Cartier’s Dario Musso in the final.

years ago and, even then, attracted visitors from far away to the barren mountain valley with its pleasant climate. This is complemented by firstclass hotels and excellent restaurants. The lake is also used for “White Turf” horse races held for three weekends every February since 1907, skijoring

races with Thoroughbred horses racing with skiers in tow and ice cricket. The lake, with a surface of just under a half-mile and some 144-feet deep, has been the venue for snow polo for 32 years. The ice must be a minimum of 12 inches thick, but is often twice that thickness. Polo was cancelled once, in

Badrutt’s Alejandro Novillo Astrada comes in to challenge Cartier’s Chris Hyde in the final.

S P O T L I G H T

2012, because the ice was not thick enough. The lake not only holds the polo field, but the entire snow polo infrastructure from the pony staging area to the VIP tent and spectator seating. While snow polo is held in Aspen, Colorado in the United States, Cortina, Italy and Tianjin, China, the Snow Polo World Cup is unique in that it is the only snow polo held on a frozen lake. Hotelier Teto Gaudenzi established snow polo in St. Moritz in 1985. The games are played with four players on each team, however the field is smaller than an outdoor field: 87 x 218 yards depending on weather and snow conditions. Federation of International Polo rules apply. The games are announced by Jan Erik Franck, an HPA umpire and polo coach. He has also played in the event, competing on the 2013 BMW team, which finished second to Cartier. He has announced polo games around the world. “I try to entice the audience by making the commentary as entertaining and at times as amusing and funny as possible,” says Franck. “I always try to get the audience involved in the game in order to create a fair and lively atmosphere, which is also appreciated by the players and spurs them on, especially in front of a crowd like in St. Mortiz.” The event, played every year on the last weekend in January, began with a team presentation on Thursday, January 26, at Sunny Bar at the Kulm Hotel. The matches got underway the next day with last year’s runner-up Cartier taking on Perrier-Jouët for the President’s Cup trophy. Spectators flocked from across the Alps and wider afield to bask in the glorious Engadin sunshine and enjoy the world renowned hospitality synonymous with St. Moritz and the polo action. “It is without a doubt the most prestigious snow polo event in the world and a must-see for any player or polo aficionado. St. Moritz is the über of all snow polo tournaments on the planet,” POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 43

says Franck. The large crowd was not disappointed as the action was swift. Perrier-Jouët’s Swiss captain Fabio Meier scored the first goal on a fast run. Cartier responded with a pair of goals. Cartier, led by Chris Hyde and Dario Musso, kept up the pressure throughout the game ultimately prevailing 7-4. The next game pitted Melissa Ganzi’s Badrutt’s Palace Hotel team against Maserati, made up of the Beh family making its snow polo debut, for the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel Cup. Ganzi and Jesse Bray were fresh off their World Snow Polo Championship in Aspen and their experience was evident. Badrutt, led by four goals from Alejandro Novillo Astrada, went on to plow Maserati 7-1. The next day, Badrutt’s Palace Hotel took on Perrier-Jouët for the Maserati Cup. Novillo Astrada, playing the tournament for the first time, took to the snow with ease, and backed by Ganzi, Bray and Swiss Tito Gaudenzi, the Badrutt team proved too tough for Perrier-Jouët, which fell 6-2. The second game of the afternoon had Cartier taking on Maserati for the Deutsche Bank Wealth Management Challenge. The teams couldn’t reach the goal in the first chukker, but Cartier soon found its form and took a 4-0 lead. The Behs fought back but could not recover from the early deficit. The game ended with Cartier ahead 6-2. That evening, guests and players enjoyed a sumptuous black-tie gala dinner at Badrutt’s Palace Hotel. The evening’s entertainment included a special Azeri display of dancing and music and a catwalk show with models showcasing Cartier’s Magicien Collection. Badrutt’s Palace Hotel met Cartier in the final on Sunday, January 29 for the Cartier Cup. The weather was spectacular and the surface was perfect, 44 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Badrutt’s Palace Hotel’s Melissa Ganzi keeps her eye on the bouncing ball.

Cartier’s Dario Musso, Chris Hyde, Rommy Gianni and Charlie Wooldridge won the Snow Polo World Cup. Last year, Cartier had to settle for runner-up.

The horses are tacked up in a comfortable tent before going out on the ice.

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

allowing for a fast and thrilling final. Chauffeur-driven Maseratis shuttled VIP guests and players to the frozen lake while spectators snuggled up in the grandstands sipping Perrier-Jouët. The teams played a defensive battle in the first chukker, preventing any scoring. Cartier turned up the heat in the second with Hyde and Musso

S P O T L I G H T

combining for three goals while Badrutt’s was held to one from Novillo Astrada. “We had a tough half chukker and that’s what’s so dangerous about the Cartier team,” Ganzi said. “If you let your guard down, they can score instantly and that’s what happened. Otherwise we were very even and

Spectators came out in their finest fashions.

VIP guests were treated to a variety of delicious artisanal cheeses, paired with champagne.

Guests and players enjoyed a sumptuous black-tie gala dinner at Badrutt’s Palace Hotel.

well-matched.” Badrutt fought back in the third, equalizing the score at 3-all, but it was short-lived as Charlie Wooldridge broke the tie in favor of Cartier. Cartier unleashed a trio of goals in the fourth before Novillo Astrada found the goal for Badrutt. It was too little, too late as the final whistle sealed the 7-4 victory in favor of Cartier. Hyde was rewarded with the Most Valuable Player award as he celebrated his sixth snow polo victory. Best Playing Pony honors went to Promise, a grey mare played by Hyde. “This is the best the surface has been and played really fast,” Hyde said. “That was a very tough team.” “I am very proud of how our team played to get here,” Ganzi said. “Obviously, it is disappointing not to win. But to lose to such as strong team that is so well-organized, has won here for many years and trained in Europe in preparation for coming here is OK. They are a strong team and I was honored to play in the final. “We look forward to coming back next year. Each year we are improving. We were third last year, second this year and hopefully we can win next year.” In the consolation game, PerrierJouët won the La Martina Cup with a 54 victory over Maserati. Teams and VIP guests celebrated the tournament that evening with a private farewell party. —Sharon Robb contributed to this report. POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 45

POLO REPORT DISPATCHES FROM THE WORLD OF POLO FLORIDA

CHUKKERTV

PATAGONES WINS TWO TITLES AT GCPC

Patagones wins the throw-in during the final of the Aspen Valley 8-Goal Cup at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida in early February. The team went on to defeat Odosan 15-11.

atagones teams succeeded in two tournaments at the Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida to start of the season. On January 28, Patagones won the battle of the unbeatens with a hard-fought 11-8 victory over Dutta Corp in the final of the Limited Edition 12-Goal Series. Patagones (Santi Wulff, Joaquin Avendano, Benjamin Avendano, Tavi Usandizaga) finished the tournament

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with a perfect 4-0 record but it wasn’t easy against Dutta Corp (Tim Dutta, Timmy Dutta, Piki Diaz Alberdi, Carlitos Gracida/Mariano Gracida). Patagones survived a marathon battle with Dutta Corp in a penaltymarred game. Usandizaga, 30, was named Most Valuable Player for his outstanding play. He shared team-high scoring honors with Wulff. Each had four goals. Joaquin Avendano, 16, scored one goal

and his 18-year-old brother scored two. “My team is very fun,” Usandizaga said. “It’s young guys and a good group. We have a very good organization. This was the first time we played together as a team.” Wulf’s 11year-old American Thoroughbred mare Parca was Best Playing Pony. “I’ve had her since she was 4 so I made her,” Wulff said. Wulff said the victory was sweet because he played with his nephews

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Patagones’ Joaquin Avendano, Santi Wulff, Tavi Usandizaga and Benjamin Avendano won the Limited Edition 12-goal Series.

Joaquin and Benjamin Avendano. It was the first time Wulff teamed with Usandizaga. “We changed our strategy and started hitting the ball at once without touching or holding it,” Wulff said. “We opened up the field and it worked. The kids that played with us started to score goals and be more involved. I play with my nephews so I know how they play since they were small.” Dutta Corp was dealt a severe blow when Carlitos Gracida was injured early in the game. The 4-goaler suffered a severe riding muscle strain with 2:18 left in the second chukker. He tried to return to the lineup but was unable to. He was replaced by his younger brother Mariano Gracida. With so many fouls, it was hard for both teams to find a rhythm in their offensive attack. Patagones and Dutta Corp had two-goal leads during the game. It wasn’t until the final chukker when Patagones, leading 9-8, shut out Dutta Corp and got goals from Usandizaga and Wulff that it was able to put the game away. “The first four chukkers we never got the chance to open the game,” Usandizaga said. “We changed our positions. I played back and Santiago tried to go with Piki. I think that was the key to start opening the game.” Patagones won its second tournament of the season-opening

Radio/TV host Gayle Bass presents trophies to Patagones’ Joaquin Avendano, Santi Wulff, and Benjamin and Santi Avendano.

month with a 15-11 victory over Odosan in the Aspen Valley 8-Goal Cup Handicap final on February 5. Patagones (Joaquin Avendano, Santi Wulff, Benjamin Avendano, Santi Avendano) finished with a 3-1 record. Odosan (Joe Chai, Juanse Olivera, Matt Coppola, Nick Manifold) evened its record at 2-2. This time around, Wulff played with three nephews. “We are having fun and the boys are playing amazing. ... They learn polo here in Wellington and in Argentina. They have been playing this sport a long time now.” Benjamin Avendano, 18, a freshman at Lynn University, scored four goals including one penalty shot. Wulff scored a team-high five goals, Joaquin Avendano had three goals and Santi Avendano added one. The chemistry among teammates was obvious from the opening chukker. Patagones played with confidence throughout the match, jumping out to a 3-1 lead early in the opening chukker. Odosan worked its way back to tie the game at 5-5 late in the second chukker but Patagones pulled away for good in the third chukker. Patagones led 10-6 at the half and never relinquished its lead in the penaltyriddled second half. Santi Avendano, 20, a sophomore at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, returned from school in time to join the team.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t have a lot of time to practice beforehand, I had been away,” Santi Avendano said. “We were very fortunate. We have been playing together for so long that we figured it out in the first chukker. We analyzed and figured out our strategy and we kept using that synergy.” For the second week in a row, one of Wulff’s American off-the-track Thoroughbreds was selected Best Playing Pony. Negrita, a 6-year-old dark brown mare playing her second season, was ridden by Wulff in the second chukker. “Eighty percent of my horses are American thoroughbreds,” Wulff said. “They run a lot and they can take a lot of polo. They are very strong. I have a few Argentine horses but most of them are American Thoroughbreds.” Odosan’s Matt Coppola scored a game-high nine goals despite having an off day at the penalty line. Nick Manifold added two goals. In each of the tournaments, winners were named in both the main tournament and a handicap section. While Patagones won the Limited Edition 12-goal Series, GSA captured the Limited Edition 12-Goal Series Handicap. GSA, the youngest team in the tournament with four teenagers (Henry Porter, 17; Santino Magrini, 15; Juan Zubia, 17; Torito Ruiz, 18), defeated Beverly Equestrian (Bill

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GSA’s Santino Magrini, Henry Porter, Juan Zubia and Torito Ruiz won the Limited Edition 12-goal Series Handicap final.

Ballhaus, Hilario Figueras, Inaki Laprida, Ramiro Cordero), 12-6. Playing together for the first time, GSA (Global Student Accommodation) led from start-to-finish. GSA finished the tournament with a 3-1 record, its only loss to Patagones on a penalty goal in overtime. Beverly Equestrian ended with a 2-2 record. Ruiz, rated at four goals, scored a team-high six goals, and was named Most Valuable Player. Ruiz and Magrini are cousins and put the team together. GSA jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the opening chukker and led 6-2 after two chukkers. Beverly Equestrian tried to dig itself out of a hole in a penaltyfilled third chukker, shutting out GSA while scoring two goals and trailed by only two (6-4) at the half. GSA took control in the fourth chukker holding Beverly Equestrian scoreless while getting goals from Ruiz and Zubia for an 8-4 lead. “I thought we could win,” said Zubia, the team captain and highestranked GSA player at five goals. “It’s good to play against the older players. It’s nice playing with friends and young players.” GSA continued to control the momentum and never lost its poise in the final two chukkers including the sixth chukker where it outscored Beverly Equestrian, 3-0. “The more we started to lead the

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

Seacap’s Kris Kampsen, Henry Porter, Mike Davis and Santino Magrini won the Aspen Valley 8-Goal Cup over Hawk Hill.

more we played better as a team because we began to relax a bit,” Porter said. “When we relax we start playing better as a team.” Zubia scored three goals, Porter had two and Magrini added one goal. Laprida, a 7-goaler, led Beverly Equestrian with four goals, all on penalty conversions. Cordero and Figueras each had one. Magrini and Porter were also successful in the Aspen Valley 8-goal Cup. Playing for Seacap, along with Kris Kampsen and Mike Davis, the team defeated Hawk Hill’s Tiernan Tognini, Bauti Crotto, Gringo Colombres and Phillip Mactaggart 1311 in the championship final. Seacap finished the tournament with a perfect 4-0 record. Kampsen introduced Davis, who had a dressage background, to polo a year ago. His daughter still competes in dressage. “Kris talked me into playing polo,” Davis said with a smile. “It was an easy transition from dressage. I enjoy the camaraderie. Coming from dressage it’s a little bit different. “He is playing unbelievable,” Kampsen said. “He won a bridle today so he gets to buy another horse.” British player Henry Porter, 17, was named Most Valuable Player. It is the first MVP honor Porter has won while competing in the U.S. Porter played well defensively and had a spectacular

80-yard goal in the fifth chukker when Seacap had a three-goal unanswered run for a 12-8 lead. Rosinanta, ridden by Porter, was selected Best Playing Pony. Kampsen scored a game-high 10 goals including six on penalty shots. Magrini added two and Porter had one goal. Crotto was leading scorer for Hawk Hill with six goals. Colombres added three goals. MacTaggart and Tognini each had one goal. At 12, Tognini was the youngest player in the 8-goal tournament. The teams battled back and forth for the advantage in the opening two periods. Hawk Hill jumped out to a 3-0 lead capitalizing on Seacap’s penalties. Colombres scored from the field and Crotto added two Penalty 2 conversions. Seacap minimized its penalties in the second chukker to outscore Hawk Hill, 4-1, and tie the game at 4-4. Seacap took a 6-4 halftime advantage and never relinquished the lead despite Hawk Hill keeping the game close, coming within one goal in the fourth chukker (8-7) and fifth chukker (9-8). MacTaggart called it “a war out there.” Going into the sixth chukker, Kampsen told his teammates, “don’t make fouls, play hard, win the throwins and we will win this game.” And they did.

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Willow Farm’s Mike Egan, Brendon Stenzel, Andres Weisz and Ted Brinkman won the Metropolitan 6-Goal Cup over Banks Mill Feed.

In 6-goal action, Willow Farm knocked off Banks Mill Feed to win the Metropolitan 6-Goal Cup final, while Hawk Hill captured the Metropolitan Cup 6-Goal Handicap title. Willow Farm avenged an early tournament loss to Banks Mill Feed to win a thrilling 8-7 upset on January 31. Banks Mill Feed (Hope Arellano, Agustin Arellano, Gillian Johnston, Lucas Arellano) was undefeated going into the final. Willow Farm (Mike Egan, Brendon Stenzel, Andres Weisz, Ted Brinkman), the oldest team in the tournament, broke a 7-7 tie in the final minute of the four-chukker match-up. Both teams finished the tournament with 31 records. Andres Weisz scored six goals, including the game-winner and was named MVP. “This is a great team,” Weisz said. “Ted and Mike put it together. I didn’t expect this outcome. They were undefeated and beat us pretty well. They murdered us by six or seven goals in that first game. “Today we came a little more prepared,” Weisz said. “We knew what we did wrong. We had a really bad day that day. We knew we had to mark and play more efficient and we did.” Banks Mill Feed jumped out to a 31 lead in the opening chukker with goals from Lucas Arellano, Johnston and Agustin Arellano and led 5-3 at the

Hawk Hill’s Philip MacTaggart, Gringo Colombres, Juanse Olivera and Nico Diaz Alberdi won the Metropolitan Cup 6-Goal Handicap.

halftime break. In the second half, Willow Farm started converting its goals while shutting out Banks Mill Feed, 3-0 in the third chukker. The well-matched teams tied three times (5-5, 6-6, 7-7) before Weisz’ heroics. Weisz, Brinkman’s son-in-law, is the newcomer to the team this year. Egan, Brinkman and Stenzel have plenty of chemistry after playing together for several years. “We have a bit of a history of playing together,” Egan said. “It’s great that Andres gets to play with his father-in-law and I get to play with my good friend from Toronto. “We worked very hard at trying to stick with our strategy today and it seemed to work. I am happy with the win. I like beating little kids. We’re the oldest team in polo. “All three of the Arellanos are fantastic players and Gillian, of course, has the experience and wisdom. They are a fantastic team. It was a pleasure playing them.” Berta, an 8-year-old mare ridden by Johnston and owned by G-String, was named Best Playing Pony. Lucas Arellano led Aiken, South Carolina-based Banks Mill Feed with three goals. Johnston had two. Hope Arellano and Agustin Arellano each had one. “These Arellano kids have been

playing great,” Weisz said. “Julio and Meghan should be proud of them. They played great and most importantly they are really wellbehaved kids on the polo field.” In the Metropolitan Cup 6-Goal Handicap, Hawk Hill led from Start-tofinish, jumping out to a 4-0 lead early in the second chukker and went on to defeat Grand Champions, 5-2. Hawk Hill (Nico Diaz Alberdi, Juanse Olivera, Gringo Colombres, Philip MacTaggart) had too much offensive firepower and team chemistry for Grand Champions (Richard Desich, Santos Bollini, Grant Ganzi, Lucas Lalor). Hawk Hill finished the tournament with a 3-1 record. Grand Champions evened its record at 2-2. MacTaggart, 60, a late starter in polo, was named Most Valuable Player. MacTaggart was introduced to the game in 2006. He plays under the colors of his farm, Hawk Hill. “Nobody likes to lose,” MacTaggart said. “Whether it’s the 20-goal or the 6goal, Gringo hates to lose. They are young and they are hungry. We had fun out there. “It’s fun to win the tournament, it beats losing,” MacTaggart said. “It is a beautiful day.” Colombres has played with MacTaggart for four years. “He is amazing,” said the Argentine 6-goaler. “He has improved a lot. This last

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Patricio Vasquez presents trophies to Arena Constitution Cup winners Matias Sosa, John Vasquez and Dr. Selina Passante Watt.

year he has gotten better horses and he is more fit. He is really enjoying polo.” Olivera led Hawk Hill in scoring with two goals. Alberdi, MacTaggart and Colombres each had one goal. Ganzi scored all of Grand Champions goals in the second and third chukker. Colombres agreed with MacTaggart’s description of his mentality when it comes to playing polo. “He’s right, I don’t like to lose,” Colombres said. “It’s better when you have a smile. I never have a smile when I lose.” Hawk Hill had a combination of veteran experience with MacTaggart; youth with 14-year-olds Olivera, a freshman at Wellington High School, and Alberdi; and steadying influence of Colombres, a member of the La Indiana team that recently won the 20goal Joe Barry Memorial Cup. —Sharon Robb

FLYING COW TAKES CONSTITUTION CUP

The Flying Cow polo team defeated ML Farms to take the USPA Circuit Arena Constitution Cup at the Flying Cow Polo Club in Wellington, Florida on January 15. The Flying Cow team’s Matias Sosa, John Vasquez and Dr. Selina Passante Watt defeated ML Farms’ Joseph

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

Eric Amat and Doc Fredericks present trophies to ML Farms’ Kathryn Lynn O’Connor, Belinda Brody and Laura Willson.

Schwartz, Horton Schwartz and Kathryn Lynn O’Connor. Flying Cow began with a two-goal handicap and the battle began from the first throw-in with the teams trading goals back and forth. Flying Cow amassed five goals in the first thanks to four by Vasquez and one from Sosa. The father and son duo of Horton and Joseph Schwartz combined for four goals to keep it close, 7-4. Vasquez scored a pair in the second to one from Horton Schwartz to give Flying Cow a four-goal advantage at the half. Passante Watt and Sosa found the mark in the third, but Horton Schwartz knocked in four to cut the deficit to two. Joseph Schwartz tallied early in the fourth, but that would be the end of the scoring for ML Farms. Meanwhile, Vasquez went on a tear with four goals of his own added to another from Sosa to take a convincing 16-10 win. ML Farms rebounded the following week with a win in the Second Annual Women’s Invitational, played on January 21. This time ML Farms fielded a team with Kathryn Lynn O’Connor, Belinda Brody and Laura Willson. The team downed Maryland Polo, with sisters Hannah and Olivia Reynolds, along with newcomer Ashley Gugino, 10-1. ML Farms got off to a quick start

with Laura Willson slamming in a trio of goals added to one by Belinda Brody. Hannah Reynolds connected for Maryland ending the first chukker with ML ahead 4-1. Brody came alive in the second and went on to score five more goals, added to goals by Willson and O’Connor. Brody was named MVP for her efforts and her pony Matilda took Best Playing Pony honors. Dr. Selina Passante Watt’s Palm Beach Equine team took third place. Both tournaments were sponsored by Tato’s Mallets. Thanks go to club owner Richard “Doc” Fredericks and manager Cristian Vasquez.

VILLA DEL LAGO TOPS HERBIE PENNELL CUP

Hilario Ulloa led Villa del Lago Modere to victory in the season-opening Herbie Pennell Cup final at International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida on January 1. Three teams entered the singleelimination tournament. Mt. Brilliant (Bo Goodman, Jason Crowder, Santi Chavanne, Julian Daniels) were eliminated by Villa del Lago (Jim Zenni, Agustin Obregon, Hilario Ulloa, Carlucho Arellano) 12-10 in a firstround game. Villa moved on to the final against Postage Stamp Farm

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Villa del Lago’s Jim Zenni, Agustin Obregon, Hilario Ulloa and Carlucho Arellano won the Herbie Pennell Cup at IPC.

(Annabelle Gundlach, Kris Kampsen, Mariano Aguerre, Brandon Phillips), which had received a bye. Villa got off to a good start in the final with unanswered goals by 10-goal Ulloa and Obregon in the first seven minutes. Ulloa scored a Penalty 2 early in the second, but Kampsen answered with Penalty 3 conversions to get Postage Stamp in the game. Arellano tallied for Villa, but Phillips responded with a Penalty 2 conversion to come within one, 4-3, after two periods. A pair of goals by Ulloa in the third were matched by Aguerre and Phillips to keep it close, 6-5, at the half. Villa jumped ahead by four in the fourth with three goals that were left unchallenged. Postage Stamp fought back in the fifth with Aguerre scoring twice but those goals were matched by Zenni and Obregon. Kampsen and Aguerre split the uprights in the sixth period while Villa was held to a Penalty 3 conversion by Arellano but the damage was done and Villa took the 12-9 win. Hilario Ulloa, high-scorer with eight goals, was named MVP and Mariano Aguerre’s Machitos Manitoba was Best Playing Pony. In the next 20-goal event, La Indiana (Michael Bickford, Gringo Colombres, Jeff Hall, Mike Azzaro) held off a spirited comeback by Mt. Brilliant (Bo Goodman, Jason Crowder, Santi Chavanne, Julian

Joe Wayne Barry presents trophies to La Indiana’s Mike Azzaro, Jeff Hall, Gringo Colombres and Michael Bickford.

Daniels) to capture the Joe Barry Memorial Cup with a 13-10 victory on January 22. The event is played in memory of Harold “Joe” Barry who was elected into the Polo Hall of Fame in 1999. Barry was undoubtedly one of America’s greatest polo players and the inscription on his Hall of Fame induction award read: “In the tradition of the Barry excellence, Harold, “Joe” Barry, a galloping oak tree with the soul of a poet, took his place in the forefront of American polo. An impenetrable Back at 9-goals, no one could hit a longer ball or provide a more reliable presence. Soft spoken off the field and ever the gentleman on the field, polo has no better role model than Joe. A horseman practically from birth, his talents with them are renowned—a chip off the old block. As an internationalist, he played twice on the USA squad in the Cup of the Americas, and brought home the Coronation and Camacho Cups. Six U.S. Open Championships, three Gold Cups, three Silver Cups, two Butler Handicaps and two North American titles bear witness to an awesome career.” Barry passed away May 18, 2002 in Brookshire, Texas at 58. Eight teams entered the tournament. In preliminary matches played January 4-12 the divisional standings were: Tonkowa (3-0), Mt. Brilliant (2-1), La Indiana (1-2) and

Villa del Lago (0-3); and, Grand Champions (3-0), Goose Creek (2-1), Postage Stamp (1-2) and Coca Cola (03). The top two teams in each division (Grand Champions and Tonkowa) earned the right to a bye to the January 18 semifinal round. In a mini-quarterfinal round played January 15, Mt. Brilliant defeated Postage Stamp 12-9 and La Indiana defeated Goose Creek 12-10. The teams advanced to the semifinals where La Indiana defeated Tonkowa 10-6 and Mt. Brilliant overcame Grand Champions 12-11. In the final, Jason Crowder began the scoring giving Mt. Brilliant its first and only lead of the afternoon. La Indiana took control of the first period after Bickford and Hall scored field goals around an Azzaro penalty conversion to make it 3-1. La Indiana poured it on with four field goals, two by Colombres, and one more from Bickford and Azzaro. Crowder, the sole scorer for Mt. Brilliant, scored his second goal for a 7-2 lead going into the third period that had all four La Indiana players score field goals. Hall, Colombres, Bickford and then Azzaro blanked the Mt. Brilliant squad for an 11-2 halftime score. Colombres was outstanding in his masterful stickwork, defense and long runs to goal. Second half scoring belonged to Mt. Brilliant by an 8-2 edge, but amounted to too little, too late against a smart La

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Pathlight Investors’ Dan Coleman, Theo Wakefield and Zak Coleman (standing in for Dan Faherty) received Sherman Memorial trophies.

Rancho Naranjo’s Niklaus Felhaber, Fritz Felhaber and Franz Felhaber won the 2016 National Amateur Cup.

Indiana team, led by Azzaro’s fourth goal in the fourth and his fifth goal in the fifth period. In the fourth, Mt. Brilliant’s Goodman scored a field goal and Crowder, who had a great tournament overall, converted a penalty shot to end the scoring at 12-4. After Azzaro scored in the fifth, Crowder converted another penalty, with teammate Daniels scoring his lone tally for the day. Mt. Brilliant saved its best polo of the day for the sixth chukker. Crowder scored three straight field goals and a penalty conversion to close the gap to three for a 13-10 La Indiana victory. Crowder was high-scorer with eight goals. MVP honors went to Mike Azzaro and Best Playing Pony went to Gringo Colombres’ Africano. BORDER

PATHLIGHT INVESTORS ACES SHERMAN MEM

Rancho Naranjo (Franz, Fritz, Niklaus and Johann Felhaber) gave up an early lead, falling to Pathlight Investors (Theo Wakefield, Dan Faherty, Dan Coleman) 11-10 in the final of the USPA Border Circuit Sherman Memorial final hosted by Arizona’s Being the Change Polo Club and held at WestWorld’s Equidome on January 14. The tournament was held in

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conjunction with the International Townsend Cup, the International Intercollegiate Challenge Cup and the International Military Challenge Cup. Rancho Naranjo’s Fritz Felhaber struck first, but Pathlight’s Theo Wakefield responded by hammering in two in a row. Felhaber nailed a pair of Penalty 3s and Franz Felhaber scored to give Rancho a 4-2 lead. Pathlight found its rhythm in the second scoring three in a row to take the 5-4 lead. Niklaus Felhaber wrapped goals around one from Wakefield to tie the score at 6-all after two chukkers.

The ball hops out of reach in the International Military Challenge Cup between the British Armed Forces and U.S. Armed Forces teams.

Each of the Pathlight players found the goal in the third, with Wakefield managing two, while Rancho was held to a pair of goals by Niklaus Felhaber, giving Pathlight a 10-8 advantage going into the final period. A Penalty 1 put Rancho within one goal but Dan Faherty responded. Fritz Felhaber found the goal but time ran out with Pathlight ahead by one. Theo Wakefield led all scorers with

P O L O

Pathlight’s Steve McFarland, Thomas Phelps, Stephen Bentz and Dan Faherty won the 2016 Constitution Cup in Arizona.

seven goals, earning him MVP honors. In the consolation round robin, VIP Mortgage (Jorge Estrada III, Vinay Bangalore, Tom Schuerman) shut out Texas Military (Chris Jones, Karl Hilberg, Steve McFarland, Bob Brotherton) 10-0 in the first round and beat APA (George Estrada, Zak Coleman, Savanah McFarland, Thomas Phelps) 7-4 in the second round. APA defeated Texas Military 10-3. In the International Military Challenge Cup, the British Armed Forces team defeated U.S. Armed Forces 11-8. It was the first time in 23 years military teams from the U.K. and U.S. squared off in the United States, in part caused by the long deployments of both countries’ armed forces overseas to Afghanistan and Iraq after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The last arena match was played in Maryland in 1994, which saw the U.S. team emerge victorious. British Armed Forces was led by Gearoid O’Connor, Mark Cann and Ed Whitechurch, while Chris Jones (USMC) , Karl Hilberg (Army) and Rob Phipps (Air Force) wore red, white and blue. Neither team has played together before other than a quick session to get used to their horses the previous day. Each team greatly improved throughout the match. Contrary to the old adage that old soldiers never die, they just fade away, Maj. Mark Cann played in 1994 against

R E P O R T

VIP Mortgage/APA Coyotes’ Conrad Loretto, Theo Wakefield, Sarah Coleman and Dan Coleman won the 2016 Congressional Cup.

U.S. Army Maj. Mark Gillespie. Cann played again this year, while Gillespie served as coach for the U.S. team. Maj. Cann demonstrated his many years of experience by scoring the vast majority of goals for the winning side. The Brits (two Army officers and a Royal Air Force squadron leader) got off to a strong start with Cann putting five goals on the board while Jones scored three for the U.S. Hilberg scored early in the second to bring U.S. within one but three more goals from Cann doubled the U.S.’s score at 8-4. Hilberg nailed two goals in the third, but O’Connor scored to keep a threegoal lead. The teams matched goals in the fourth period, leaving the British team ahead at the bell. Jones was the standout for the U.S. team but his efforts were in vain. Rockin’ Horse, owned by USAF’s Chris Jones, was honored as Best Playing Pony. Mark Cann was high scorer with all but one goal to his credit. The players appreciated the camaraderie generated by this event and are looking forward to an ongoing exchange between the two countries.

RANCHO NARANJO TOPS NATIONAL AMATEUR CUP

Rancho Naranjo hung on to a threegoal handicap it started with to edge VIP Mortgage 14-11 in the final of the

2016 USPA National Amateur Cup hosted by Polo Azteca Polo Club in Phoenix, Arizona on December 19. Four teams competed in the event held over two days. VIP Mortgage (Dan Coleman, Theo Wakefield, Dan Faherty) crushed Pathlight Financial (Allison McFarland, Steve McFarland, Johann Felhaber, Conrad Loretto) 16-6 in the opening match. Rancho Naranjo (Niklaus Felhaber, Fritz Felhaber, Franz Felhaber) had similar luck against Be The Change (Zak Coleman, Savannah McFarland, Thomas Phelps), taking a 9-2 victory. Be The Change downed Pathlight 11-7 in the last preliminary match. The final pitted Rancho Naranjo against VIP Mortgage. VIP overcame the three-goal handicap given to Rancho Naranjo in the first chukker, but a pair of goals by Niklaus Felhaber knotted the match at 5-5. Niklaus and Fritz Felhaber each scored unanswered goals in the second to take the 7-5 lead. In the third, Theo Wakefield scored a hat trick to give VIP the lead. Niklaus Felhaber tied the score again and Franz Felhaber gave Rancho a one-goal advantage. Dan Coleman found the goal to end the chukker with the teams tied at 9-9 going into the final chukker. Dan Faherty gave VIP the advantage but Rancho responded with a deluge of goals, including one from Franz and two each from Niklaus and Fritz. Wakefield had the last word, but

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

R E P O R T LACEY WINTERTON.COM

JIM BREMNER/POLOZONE.COM

P O L O

Empire’s Erik Wright, Jim Wright, Rob Scapa and Oliver Jin won the 4-goal USPA Gen. George S. Patton Jr. tournament.

it wasn’t enough and Rancho Naranjo took the win. Niklaus Felhaber was MVP and Oakie, owned by George Estrada Jr. was Best Playing Pony. A month earlier, on November 23, the club held the Border Circuit Arena Amateur Cup, also played as the Orlando Garrido Memorial. Three teams played off in a round robin for bragging rights. In the opening round, VIP Mortgage (Dan Faherty, Dan Coleman, Steve McFarland) fell to Being the Change (George Estrada, Zak Coleman, Thomas Phelps, Savanah McFarland) 5½-5, but rebound to defeat Polo Azteca (Vinay Bangalore, Allison McFarland, Jorge Estrada) 6½5. Being the Change took its second win after edging Polo Azteca 6-5 for the title. Zak Coleman was named MVP and his horse Blackie was Best Playing Pony.

PATHLIGHT SHINES IN CONSTITUTION CUP

Pathlight Financial edged VIP Mortgage (Dan Coleman, Sarah Coleman, Zak Coleman, Allison McFarland, Savanah McFarland) 5-4 in the 2016 USPA Constitution Cup held at Being the Change Polo Club in Phoenix, Arizona on December 11. Two teams competed for the trophy.

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

Cotterel’s Matthew Fonseca, Jenny Luttrel-Benardoni, Juan Curbelo and Ruben Coscia won the 12-Goal Carlton and Keleen Beal Cup.

Pathlight (Thomas Phelps, Dan Faherty, Steve McFarland, Steve Bentz) struck first with a goal by Dan Faherty. Savanah McFarland put VIP Mortgage on the board and teammate Zak Coleman followed with a pair of goals to take a 3-1 lead. Dan Coleman and Steve Bentz traded goals in the second and Bentz scored the only goal of the third to enter the final chukker with VIP ahead 4-3. Faherty tied the score then scored the game-winner, earning MVP honors. Earlier in the month, the club held the 2016 Congressional Cup with two teams vying for the title. VIP Mortgage/APA Coyotes’ Sarah Coleman, Dan Coleman, Conrad Loretto and Theo Wakefield (Jaime Rizo Patron was alternate) took on Polo Azteca’s Dan Faherty, Thomas Phelps, Allison McFarland and Jorge Estrada. Wakefield put VIP Mortgage on the board with a lone goal in the first period. Conrad Loretto scored in the second, putting VIP ahead 2-0 at the half. Estrada sandwiched goals around one from Wakefield in the third to bring Polo Azteca to within one 3-2. The fourth period had Dan Coleman trade goals with Dan Faherty leaving VIP with the 4-3 edge at the final bell. Dan Coleman’s Bucky was named Best Playing Pony.

CALIFORNIA

EMPIRE POLO CAPTURES GENERAL PATTON 4-GOAL

Empire Polo got the best of Prima Polo, 11-6, in the final of the General George S. Patton Jr. 4-Goal at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California on January 29. The match was played following a ceremony dedicating the main Sunday field to honor Gen. George S. Patton, renaming it The General Patton Field. Empire began with a one-goal handicap and Jim Wright added another after scoring the first goal of the game on a Penalty 5A. Ignacio Deltour, Jenny Alter and Xander Duetsch reached the goal to put Prima ahead 3-2. The lead would be shortlived as Empire bounced back with three goals to Prima’s one in the second. Prima was shut down in the third and fourth, while Jim and Erik Wright combined for five goals to take a 10-4 advantage. Erik Wright traded goals with Deltour in the fifth and Deltour added a lone goal in the sixth, but it was not enough to overcome the Wrights’ scoring spree. Prima’s Ignacio Deltour was named Most Valuable Player and Jim Wright’s mare Chimichurri won Best Playing Pony honors.

P O L O

R E P O R T

Participants in the Copa de Careyes included Robert Payne III, Lorenzo Ceixell, Giorgio Brignone, Nick Mathers, Maxi Fernández, Nick Clark, Jaime Rincón-Gallardo, Guillermo (Billy) Steta; winners Milo Ardissone, Manuel Matos, Alberico Ardissone and MVP Carlitos Hernández; Olivier Duguet, Sarah Magness, Nico Milan and Joe Henderson.

COTTEREL SECURES BEAL CUP VICTORY On an almost perfect Southern California afternoon in early February at the Eldorado Polo Club in Indio, California (78 degrees and sunny), Jenny Luttrel-Benardoni’s Cotterel Farms (Luttrel-Benardoni, Ruben Coscia, Juan Curbelo, Matthew Fonseca) was in control (most of the way) of Geoff Palmer’s Antelope group (Palmer, Santiago Trotz, Jared Sheldon, Remy Du Celliee Muller) as it rode to an impressive 15-8 win in the 12-Goal Carlton and Keleen Beal Cup. Antelope started quickly to lead early, as Jared Sheldon jumped out front to score easily. Ruben Coscia got that back in short order and it appeared the tussle was going to be close, at least in the early going. Juan Curbelo then scored for Cotterel to lead by one, but Remy Du Celliee Muller replied with his first of the day and the first chukker ended in a tie at two apiece. The Idaho farmhands led again in the early second with a counter from Matthew Fonseca but a Geoff Palmer Penalty 2 conversion for the Pronghorns brought the count to even (3-3) once again to end the frame.

Cotterel continued to flex its muscle in the third with Fonseca getting his second and Coscia counting on a Penalty 4 strike to lead by two. Du Celliee Muller got one back for Antelope but Coscia, with his third of the day, got the two-goal advantage back. Sheldon’s second goal of the game brought Antelope to within one at the half (6-5). Antelope saw some light in the early fourth as Sheldon grabbed his third to tie the count at six. The tie score didn’t last long however, as Coscia and Curbelo scored to get back the two-goal lead going to the fifth (8-6). Fonseca’s third, an absolutely brilliant set up from Coscia to the center of the goal from 45 yards to the right and two yards off the line (the announcer’s shot of the day), gave Cotterel its biggest lead of the game at three. A safety conversion from 65 yards for Santiago Trotz and a Penalty 2 strike from Palmer brought the Pronghorns within one but that would end their scoring for the day. Coscia, with a Penalty 2 and one from the field, regained the Cotterel three-goal advantage to end the fifth at 11-8. Coming out in the final frame, the Idahoans did not simply try to protect the lead but played like the winners

they were about to be, as they applied relentless pressure to score four unanswered counters: LutterelBenardoni with one, Curbelo with two, and Coscia notching his second Penalty 4. Antelope was unable to recover and it was over. LuttrelBenardoni and her Cotterel cohorts clinched the victory and the Carlton and Keleen Beal 12-Goal Cup. Coscia, with his very steady and impacting play was the obvious choice for MVP, and Reliquia, owned by Cotterel Farms and played by Curbelo, wore the Best Playing Pony cooler back to the barn. —Tony Gregg INTERNATIONAL

AGUA ALTA TRIUMPHS IN COPA DE CAREYES

Agua Alta powered to victory over Magness in the final of the Copa de Careyes in Costa Careyes, Mexico on December 31. Holiday time is always fun for families and friends to get together, but polo tournaments make it even more special. December 27-31, players from USA, Portugal, Australia,

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

P O L O

R E P O R T

Agua Alta’s Angela Colterjohn, Maxine Moellhausen, Alberico Ardissone and Hans Giebeler won the ladies tournament.

England, South Africa, Argentina, Italy, Singapore and Mexico came to Careyes Polo Club for the Annual Copa de Careyes and to enjoy the magic of the private-gated resort, Careyes, located on the Pacific Ocean, south of Puerta Vallarta. Four 6-goal teams played each other with the two best teams vying for the Copa. Team Magness (Sarah Magness, Joe Henderson, Nico Millan and Olivier Duguet) won all its games on the way to the final. Agua Alta, with Alberico Ardissone, 16-year-old Milo Ardissone, Manuel Matos and Carlitos Hernandez, was beaten once by the Magness team but needed to beat Careyes/Ruby’s Café (Nick Mathers, Giorgio Brignone, Lorenzo Creixell, Rob Payne) to insure its spot in the final. Agua Alta did just that by beating Careyes/Ruby’s Café 10½-6. Steta Polo team’s Guillermo Steta, president of the Mexican Federation de Polo, shipped in 21 horses for the event. He was joined by Maxi Fernandez, Nick Clark and Jaime Rincon. The final day began with the consolation match pitting Steta Polo Team against Careyes/Ruby’s Café. Giancarlo Brignone, son of Giorgio, who is the founder of the polo club, played for his father in the subsidiary. Steta Polo struck early, scoring five goals in the first two chukkers while Careyes had nil. Careyes’ struggles

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

The family event included Anabel Colterjohn, Will Klinteberg, Angela Colterjohn, Susan Stovall, Melanie Daign and Richard Colterjohn.

reaching the goal continued while it seemed the Steta team couldn’t miss. Nick Clark had two for the winning team and Fernandez led the game with six. Final score was 8-3½ in favor of Steta Polo. For the final, Agua Alta, made up of players under the age of 30, was ready to go against the Magness team. All players brought their game faces and best horses for the event. The first three goals were scored by Agua Alta while Magness was held to one. Agua Alta kept up the pressure in the second and third chukkers, tallying four more goals while Nico Millan managed three for the opposition. The scoring evened out in the fourth and fifth chukkers but the young Agua Alta team had already established the victory. High scorer and MVP for the day was Carlitos Hernandez with six goals. Millan led Magness with five. Traditional tequila was served after the game to all players as well as sterling silver sombreros to the winners. The club hosted its annual ladies tournament in January, with a fun family event at the same time. Players were invited from all over Mexico, Canada and USA to visit the club and enjoy the beach and warm weather, relax and, of course, play polo. Two teams played eight chukkers of polo over the two-day tournament, which ended in a tie. The Stick & Ball Co. team of

Elizabeth Goodwin Welborn, founder and creator of the boutique Stick & Ball Co. clothes line; Anabel Colterjohn, student at St. Andrews University in Scotland; Giorgio Brignone, owner and founder of the Careyes Club; and Manuel Rios, local player and trainer, were pitted against Agua Alta’s Alberico Ardissone, wellknown name in the Mexican polo world; Maxime Moellhausen, originally from Austria; Angela Colterjohn, event rider and player from Toronto; and Hans Giebeler, longtime resident of Careyes. Play was back and forth with Welborn scoring three goals the first day, leading her team to a 5-3 advantage after the first four chukkers. Goals for the Agua Alta team were off the mallets of Moellhausen, Colterjohn and Giebeler. On the second day, Agua Alta was out to win and scored two goals in the first chukker to tie the game. The score remained even after every chukker, forcing a shootout to determine the winner. All players participated in the shootout, first shooting from the 40yard line and then the 30-yard line. The win eventually went to Agua Alta. Elizabeth Goodwin Welborn was named MVP. For the evening activities, players watched their matches on the 30 by 40foot screen in the Plaza de los Caballeros.

Kudos to organizers

Thanks for the memories

I would like to extend a very well deserved thank you to Dan and Sarah Coleman for the tremendous event they put on over MLK weekend. The Townsend Cup, Military Challenge, I/I Challenge, plus the five team Sherman Memorial took a tremendous team (Dan, Sarah, Azteca Polo and their volunteers; Mark Gillespie from Armed Forces Committee; Ed Armstrong; Polo Development, LLC; Umpires, LLC; USPA I/I program; USPA Global; horses from all but especially from George Dill; and all those I am failing or do not know to mention). [The activities started] with the Sherman Memorial semis at Azteca on Thursday, home cooked New Mexican food at the Coleman’s on Friday, the Military and Townsend on Saturday, the Sherman Memorial consolation and championship matches and ended with the I/I Challenge on Sunday. Trophies [were supplied by] the USPA for all events and [with] supporting staff from Polo Development and Chukker TV ... again a lot to coordinate and set up and the team made it happen. I cannot think of enough kind words to say about how great this event was and how efficiently it was run by Dan and his team. I also have to give a special thanks to the umpire team—Ronnie Hayes, Robert Lyn-Kee-Chow, Dana Fortugno and Bradley Biddle—that ensured the games were all played and executed smoothly. Karl Hilberg Poteet, Texas

I read with interest your article and photos on Filipino polo, the Los Tamaraos Polo Club and especially the Elizalde brothers in the August issue of Polo Players’ Edition. My father, Adm. Eugene R. Hering, then a young U.S. Navy doctor, played with the Elizaldes in 1939 and early 1940. In digging through some old family memorabilia, I came across a somewhat tarnished trophy of Dad’s from that period of his polo life. It was the 5-goal Parker Cup, played at Manila Polo Club during the 1940 Season. It must have been the start of the season because it lists the date as December 31, 1939. On the reverse side is listed the team, Los Tamaraos Greens, and the team members: E. Roxas, C. Perez Rubio, J. Elizalde, and E.R. Hering. Dad considered Juan Elizalde one of his best friends ever. He spoke of him often. I have attached a photo from that period of Dr. E.R. “Bud” Hering, my mother Mrs. Irene Watson Hering and me. The inscription on the back reads: The “Horsey” Hering’s, Los Tamaraos Polo Club, Manila P.I., April 1940. (Kip age 2 yrs 11 mos). After his retirement from the Navy in 1955, Dr. Hering built his polo field of dreams in Lakeside, California and founded what is now the still very active Lakeside Polo Club. Thanks for bringing back the memories. Kip Hering Lakeside, California

Kip Hering, just under 3 years old, with his parents Dr. Bud Hering and Irene Watson Hering at the Los Tamaraos Polo Club in Manila, Philipines.

Going to the dogs I enjoyed the article by Heather Smith Thomas titled “Home bound” concerning stall rest (Dec. 2016). Here is something in the horse’s life that can be positive: a dog companion. Some horses really like that. Labrador Retrievers work well, perhaps the best as the companion. Tom Garcia Lake Worth, Florida POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 57

MARCH

JA N UA RY 2 6 - A P R I L 8 Gladiator Polo-Arena (25) International, Wellington, FL

M A R C H 1 - 19 Wayne Brown Memorial (6) Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, FL

M A R C H 16 - 19 Border Circuit Intra-Circuit (8-12) Las Canchas, Villa Canales, Guatemala

F E B RUA RY 2 2 - M A RC H 4 Iglehart Cup (20) International, Wellington, FL

MARCH 1-25 The Top Pony Series (12) Grand Champions, Wellington, FL

M A R C H 17 - 19 Tournament (12) The Villages, The Villages, FL

F E B RUA RY 2 2 - M A RC H 5 C.V. Whitney Cup (26) International, Wellington, FL

MARCH 1-26 Madelon Bourdieu Memorial (6) The Limited Edition Series (8) Grand Champions, Wellington, FL

F E B R U A R Y 2 2 - M A R C H 11 Sterling Cup (16-20) John T. Oxley Memorial Trophy Grand Champions, Wellington, FL F E B RUA RY 2 4 - M A RC H 12 Schroeder Manatee Ranch Cup (8) Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, FL M A R C H 1 - 11 $50,000 National 12-Goal Grand Champions, Wellington, FL M A RC H 1 - 18 IPC Member’s Challenge (18) International, Wellington, FL

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M A R C H 2 - 11 USPA Heritage Cup (12-16) Port Mayaca, Okeechobee, FL MARCH 3-26 SKINS Tournament (12) Rossmore Cup (12) Eldorado, Indio, CA M A R C H 3 - 31 March League (4) Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, FL MARCH 4-26 USPA Circuit Governors Cup (6) Eldorado, Indio, CA MARCH 5 Molly’s House Benefit (10) Port Mayaca, Okeechobee, FL MARCH 8-26 USPA Gold Cup (26) International, Wellington, FL M A R C H 1 0 - 19 USPA Congressional Cup (4) USPA Constitution Cup (6-8) Empire, Indio, CA Mahogany Cup: pairs (10-12) Port Mayaca, Okeechobee, FL MARCH 12 Celebrity Polo Charity Cup Grand Champions, Wellington, FL M A R C H 1 2 - 19 The BG Challenge Cup (8) BG Polo, Vero Beach, FL

Circuit Arena Women’s Challenge Yale Polo, Bethany, CT M A R C H 17 - A P R I L 2 USPA National Inter-Circuit (12) Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, FL MARCH 24-26 Tournament (12) The Villages, The Villages, FL MARCH 24- APRIL 2 USPA Lions Cup (4) USPA Champions Cup (6-8) Empire, Indio, CA Shady Lady: pairs (8-12) Port Mayaca, Okeechobee, FL MARCH 25-26 Rusher Cup (3) Being The Change, Phoenix, AZ MARCH 25-27 Easter Cup (6) Port Mayaca, Okeechobee, FL MARCH 26 University of Miami match BG Polo, Vero Beach, FL MARCH 26- APRIL 2 Butler Handicap (26) International, Wellington, FL MARCH 29- APRIL 9 USPA Ringling Cup (6) Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, FL MARCH 29- APRIL 23 U.S. Open Polo Championship (26) International, Wellington, FL M A R C H 31 - A P R I L 2 Tournament (12) The Villages, The Villages, FL

M A R C H 14 - 1 5 Polo 101 Class The Villages, The Villages, FL M A RC H 15 - A P R I L 1 National 20-Goal Santa Rita Abierto Grand Champions, Wellington, FL

Note: All dates are subject to change. “USPA” refers to tournaments sponsored or sanctioned by the United States Polo Association.

MARKETPLACE (continued from page 41) to the break in the lead 4-1. The second chukker saw a barrage of goals from the orange-shirted Las Monjitas, including three from Alejandro Novillo Astrada, to turn the score in its favor, 5-4. In the next chukker, the table was again turned and it was the Brazilian quartet who scored four in a row to take back the lead 8-5, led by an inspired Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade. The fourth chukker was the first to see balanced play from the teams, with two goals per side. The efforts of Francisco Elizalde helped bring Las Monjitas to within one goal, 11-10, heading into the last chukker full of suspense. Ribeiro de Andrade started the final process in just 30 seconds, winning the ball in the throw-in and escaping by the right side without anyone able to stop him, as he scored his seventh goal of the

afternoon. With a two-goal deficit, Las Monjitas shifted to attack but could only reach the goal once thanks to a corner from Elizalde with less than a minute on the clock. The final bell consecrated the triumph of Tigres Invernada by 12-11. After receiving la Copa de Oro as champion of the tournament, Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade received a handful of trophies: Most Valuable Player; Best Horse of the final for his mare Tía Intrusa; and the Best Polo Argentino product for his Open Gymnast. “It was our goal to win in Palermo. We prepared conscientiously because it seemed very important to us to [showcase] our country’s polo. I spent three months preparing to play this tournament. The sacrifice paid off,” explained José Klabin, No. 1 for the champions and president of the Brazilian Polo Federation.

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POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 59

BY DENNIS J. AMATO

POLO YEARBOOKS Associations throughout the world have issued annuals since the early 1900s

ince the arrival of “modern polo” in the 19th century, various polo groups and associations in all parts of the world have issued their own yearbooks. While there is no standard template for these annuals, they do share many common characteristics. Most yearbooks, for example, include a directory of all the individual members along with their handicaps, a list of participating clubs, the rules of the particular association, a summary of the significant tournaments of the prior year, a compilation of the winners of major tournaments dating back to their inception and a calendar of events for the upcoming

year. Most yearbooks are replete with photographs interspersed among their pages memorializing both outstanding players and some of the more important matches of the past season. While the Polo Association of America (as the USPA was originally named) is not the world’s oldest polo organization, it does enjoy the distinction of publishing not only the first yearbook but also the annual with the longest record of virtually continuous issuance. The first of the “Blue Books” was actually brown with the only known copy residing at the National Museum of Polo in Florida. The inaugural 1890 leather

Early American publications included those for association members, as well as the general public.

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

volume was small (4¼” x 5¾”) as well as thin (19 pages). Within its covers were a list of the officers of the association, the member clubs, the organization’s by-laws and the rules of the game. In the following year, 1891, the cover was changed to a white-cloth one and inside for the first time, there was a roster of players with their handicaps along with summaries of the association’s tournaments of the prior year. However, it was not until the 1899 yearbook that contests for the upcoming year were included. This fundamental format both in terms of the external design and the internal content would continue basically unchanged through the 1922 edition. It should be noted that few of these early volumes contained a formalized narrative section and none had any photographs. In 1923, the association issued the first of the current style of yearbooks, which were the larger size (7” x 9½”), clad in blue and contained both extensive commentaries as well as a number of photographs. With the exception of the period from 1943 through 1948 when publication ceased due to the Second World War and its aftereffects, these yearbooks have remained an annual tried and true staple of the American polo community. In addition to the yearbooks, three other publications by the association are worth noting. The first were separate handicap lists, which were issued from at least the early 1900s through at least the early 1930s. The second was the separate “Guide for Polo Umpires” written by the noted umpire Capt. Wesley J. White. The guide went through six editions between 1929 and 1935 followed by a reprint in 1963.

The third were the rule books. In 1934 Charles Meurisse & Co. of Chicago, which had been given permission by the USPA for many years to publish the organization’s rules in its catalogues, began issuing a standalone pocket-sized edition for the first time. These quite useful booklets continued until 1941. Similarly, A.G. Spalding & Bros. did market its own “Handy Book of Rules” during the 1920s and 1930s. In the postwar years, the USPA initiated its own publication, which continued to be expanded over time. The 2013 version, for example, is a comprehensive compendium of “By-Laws, Constitution, Rules of Outdoor and Arena Polo, Rule Interpretations, Tournament Conditions [and] Umpire Guide.” While the polo yearbooks and their ancillary publications were meant for association members, there was a somewhat competing annual targeted to the general public. These “yearbooks” were the brainchild of the American Sports Publishing Company, which in 1904 offered for sale Hugh Louis Fitzpatrick’s “Equestrian Polo” (also known as “Spalding’s Equestrian Polo Guide”). This small book provided a summary of the game of polo as well as winners of the Polo Association Championships, the rules of the sport and a listing of the American players by club. In addition to its extensive narrative sections, the book contained numerous photographs as well as advertisements. It is believed from other editions that have been found that this book was most likely published annually until 1910. In 1911, the publisher launched a more ambitious annual alternatively entitled “Spalding’s International Polo Guide” or “Spalding’s Polo Guide” as part of its famous “Red Cover” series surveying innumerable sports. These yearbooks provided detailed reviews of polo played throughout the U.S. in the prior year, a listing of players by club with their handicaps, rules of the Polo Association, etc. They were also profusely illustrated throughout. These Spalding guides were published at least through 1923 and may have been terminated once they became

Noted umpire Capt. Wesley J. White authored a “Guide for Polo Umpires” for the American polo association. Six editions were printed between 1929-35, followed by a reprint in 1963.

somewhat redundant when the Polo Association in 1923 converted from its smaller yearbooks to its now familiar larger “Blue Books.” Two other American organizations that issued their own annuals should also be highlighted. The first was the Indoor Polo Association of America, which came into existence in 1915 and was merged

into the USPA in 1954. The IPA published an official manual commencing, it is believed, in 1923 and ending in 1952. These publications though were not always issued on an annual basis. Moreover, some were for a calendar year (e.g. 1927, 1934, 1940, etc.), while still others were for the winter indoor season (e.g. 1923-24, 1931-32, 1952-53, etc.).

The United States Women’s Polo Association, which was founded in 1937, issued five annuals from 1937 through 1941. The association was discontinued in 1941 or ‘42.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 61

There was also a predecessor organization, the National Indoor Polo Association formed in 1910 but apparently, it never gained any traction. The second group that circulated its own yearbook was the United States Women’s Polo Association, which was founded in 1937 and continued until 1941 or 1942. It issued five annuals: 19371941. Finally, reference should be made to two regional American “yearbooks” the “Peninsula Polo Annual,” an Illustrated record of the season of 1912-13 in San Mateo, Hillsborough and Burlingame, and the “California Polo Annual,” 191314. However, both volumes were one-time affairs without any sequels. The United States has not been alone in having a rich tradition of polo yearbooks. In England, there has been a long history of annuals but the pattern has been somewhat different than the one seen across the pond. While the official organization for English polo, the Hurlingham Polo Committee, was founded in 1875, it did not publish yearbooks at the outset, or at least none that has come to light to my knowledge to date. However, the committee did distribute various rule books, such as one I procured many years ago: “Hurlingham Club, Rules and By-Laws, with Rules of Measurement and Rules of the County Polo Association.” In this 1914 edition, the reader is informed that it represents the 33rd edition with the first one dating all the way back to May 1, 1875! However, the absence of an official Hurlingham yearbook was offset by several privately printed publications. Among the two earliest to have surfaced were L.V.L. Simmonds and E.D. Miller’s “The Polo Annual,” which seemed to have started in the early 1900s and E. D. Miller’s “Polo Players Guide and Almanack” (sic), which first appeared around 1910. Both annuals, it is conjectured, ended operations with the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. A more significant entrant among the privately published yearlies came about 62 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

in 1910 when the editors of the magazine, The Polo Monthly, which had released its debut issue in March 1909, published the first of its yearbooks: “The Polo Player’s Diary.” This quite handsome and richly illustrated volume was tantamount to an official guide to English polo and its pages provided readers with a summary of the 1909 Westchester Cup; a record of past international matches; Hurlingham Committee rules; Hurlingham, Ranelagh and Roehampton Club tournaments; County Polo Association Tournaments;

and summaries of various polo clubs and tournaments abroad. Over the years, I have been fortunate in acquiring other volumes of The Polo Player’s Diary: 1912, 1914 and 1915. My presumption is that this annual continued to be published throughout World War I and possibly for several years thereafter as its benefactor, The Polo Monthly, never suspended publication during this period. At some point, the editors of The Polo Monthly, under the expert direction of

The absence of an official Hurlingham yearbook was offset by several privately printed publications, with the first appearing in the early 1900s.

The Hurlingham Polo Association began issuing its own year books beginning with its 1951 edition and launched a separate annual “Arena Polo Year Book” in 1994.

Arthur W. Coaten, replaced The Diary with a new annual, “The Polo Year Book.” Thus far, the oldest issue I could find was one for 1923 at the Dartmouth University Library. Not surprisingly, the Second World War brought the end of these publications with the 1939 volume being the final one published. It was in the postwar years that the Hurlingham Polo Association, which as of 1925 was the re-designated name of the Hurlingham Club Polo Committee (as of 1903, it had become the successor to the original Hurlingham Polo Committee) started its own yearbooks with its 1951 edition and has continued with an annual publication ever since. In addition to the “Hurlingham Polo Association Year Book,” the HPA in 1994 launched the publication of a separate annual: “The Hurlingham Polo Association Arena Polo Year Book.”

Some of the earliest international polo annuals were from Vienna, India, Africa and the Levant.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 63

Two other British annuals merit note. The first were those from the County Polo Association, a separate organization that would not be merged into the HPA until 1949. The oldest edition of the so-called “Red Books” I have come across to date was the one for 1913, while the last was for 1939. I would caution that others may exist outside these parameters as the County Polo Association’s lifespan was from 1899 to 1949. The second set of annuals originated from the Royal Naval Polo Association. I am fortunate in having in my collection

Turning to another part of the world, Argentina, we find its association emulated its polo peers in issuing yearbooks. According to the well-known historian Horace Laffaye, following the establishment of the Asociación Argentina de Polo in late 1922, a small, privately printed yearbook in English was distributed in 1923. In 1927, a more ambitious attempt was made when Vincente J. Reisse published his “Anuario Argentino de Polo, Resumen Completo de la Temporada de 1926,” which was very much modeled on the annuals of the USPA at the time.

The Royal Naval Polo Association printed annuals from 1930 to 1939. A successor publication, “Seahorse” began in the 1950s, followed by “The Royal Naval Saddle Club Year Book and Hand Book” in the 1960s.

what I believe to be the complete set of 10 volumes from 1930 to 1939 as well as an RNPA Handbook (1st edition, 1934) and the RNPA’s “Introduction to Umpiring” (Revised, 1937) by “Marco” (Lord Mountbatten). In addition, I have secured a few volumes of a successor publication from the 1950s with the clever and engaging title of “Seahorse, The Year Book of the Royal Naval Polo Association and Hunt Club” (which by the early 1960s was retitled “The Royal Naval Saddle Club Year Book and Hand Book”). As an aside, while many countries had army polo teams in the early years, U.K. is the only nation, as far as I know, that fielded teams from both its Navy and Air Force. 64 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

However, it was not until 1930 that the Asociación initiated its own official yearbooks, which were circulated continuously until the one covering the period 19491952 (printed in 1953). Two final official yearbooks were issued for the 1979 and 1980 seasons. In more recent times, the magazine Centauros has filled the gap with the equivalent of an annual among its pages. Another country that was noted for its polo yearbooks was India. The Indian Polo Association, which was largely a British-Army-run enterprise, published Volume I for 1892-93 of “The Polo Annual,” which continued under this name until Volume IV for 1895-96. Starting

with Volume V for the 1896-97 season, the yearbook was named “The Polo Calendar.” It appears the last issue was Volume XXXVI for 1939. [In 1936, the IPA went to a calendar year from the prior convention of a seasonal one (e.g. Volume XXXII for 1934-35).] Needless to say, polo yearbooks have not been confined to the aforementioned countries. While it would be impossible to catalogue every national annual ever issued, the following is a sampling of others that I have located in some 35 years of collecting polo memorabilia: “The Polo Calendar,” Showing Results of Tournaments for 1926 -1927 and 1927-1928, Volume VIII from The Egypt, Sudan & Palestine Polo Association; “The Polo Calendar,” 1953-54, the first volume from the then newly-formed Pakistan Polo Association; “Polo de Paris, Annuaire” from the Union des Polo de France/Polo de Paris with editions from 1956 to 199697 located so far; and the “Canadian Polo Annual,” Yearbook of the Canadian Polo Association, an annual begun in 1986. I have also seen a few annuals from two Vienna-based regional polo organizations: the first were issued in the 1910s by the Reit und Polo Klubs group and the second were disseminated in the 1930s by the Central European Polo Association. The widespread issuance of polo yearbooks around the world has arguably been yet another unifying element in the sport. These annuals have consistently proven to be invaluable not only to participants and followers of the game at the time of their publication but also to historians and researchers for years to come. For these annuals, the old expression of “what is past is prologue” is very likely to ring true. The author would like to note that few complete sets of the aforementioned yearbooks have been found. Consequently, many of the dates of publication have been educated guesses. Any further reader insights on any of these yearbooks would be most welcome.

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