J A N U A R Y 2 01 9
Polo Party In Scottsdale $5.00 US/$5.50 Canada
CONTENTS JA N UA R Y 201 9
VOL. 22,
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
26 Polo stars
6
Hall of Fame class of 2019 revealed
30 Namesake
by Gwen Rizzo
Association News
USPA Bulletin Club Spotlight
12 Instructors Forum
Carlos Gracida Jr. hopes to carry on his dad’s legacy
36 Record-breaker
NO. 5
by Cindy Halle
16 Equine Athlete
photo by Dave Seibert
Polo championship draws big numbers
18 22 24 40
J A N U A R Y 2 01 9
by Stephanie Colburn, DVM Polo Scene News, notes, trends & quotes
Team USPA Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Polo in the Pampas by Ernesto Rodriguez
OUR COVER Players Barclay Knopp, Kareem Rosser, Shariah Harris and Ashley Busch at The Polo Party in Scottsdale, Arizona. Photo by Dave Seibert
42 Polo around the Globe 60 Yesteryears 64 Calendar 46 Polo Report Travieso clinches North American Cup
Polo Party In Scottsdale $5.00 US/$5.50 Canada
OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN SIGNED COLUMNS ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLISHERS OF THIS MAGAZINE.
2 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
THE
OFFICIAL MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE
UNITED STATES POLO ASSOCIATION
Editor & Publisher
GWEN D. RIZZO
Contributing Editors
HEATHER SMITH THOMAS, ERNESTO RODRIGUEZ, ALICE GIPPS, CHRIS ASHTON, TOM GOODSPEED
Editorial Board BOB PUETZ, TONY COPPOLA, TOM BIDDLE, DAWN WEBER, AMI SHINITZKY
Art Director DAVID BEVERAGE Prepress PUBLISHERS PRESS Advertising & Editorial Offices USPA Member Subscription Inquiries (800) 232-8772 OR FAX (888) 341-7410 ldolan@uspolo.org
General Subscription Inquiries 6008 REYNOLDS RD LAKE WORTH, FL 33449 (561) 968-5208, FAX (561) 968-5209 www.poloplayersedition.com
Visit us on the Web at www.poloplayersedition.com
E-mail: info@poloplayersedition.com ©Copyright 2019 by United States Polo Association.. No part of this issue may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic or electronic process without written permission of the publisher. Paul Brown illustrations are ©2018 and are reprinted by permission of Paul Brown Studios, Inc., P.O. Box 925, Hedgesville, WV 25427. Subscription rates: $45/one year, $78/two years. Other countries (air mail), $78 drawn on U.S. bank/one year, $144 drawn on U.S. bank/two years. (GST:134989508). Subscription problems call (561) 968-5208. VOL. 22, No.5 POLO Players’ Edition (ISSN #1096-2255) is published monthly by Rizzo Management Corp. 6008 Reynolds RD, Lake Worth, FL 33449 for U.S. Polo Association, 9011 Lake Worth RD, Lake Worth, FL 33467. Periodicals postage paid at West Palm Beach, FL and additional mailing offices. (USPS: 079-770). POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Polo Players’ Edition, 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
Gauntlet of Polo The United States Polo Association, USPA Global Licensing and International Polo Club Palm Beach are elated to announce a thrilling new high-stakes tournament series for the sport—the Gauntlet of Polo. This heart-pounding competition is a true survival of the fittest, where the world’s preeminent teams, most skilled athletes and finest horses will come together for three months at the U.S. Polo Assn. field at IPC in Wellington, Florida, where they will battle head-to-head for the coveted C.V. Whitney Cup, the USPA Gold Cup and the U.S. Open Polo Championship. In this competition, there is more on the line than trophies and titles. The Gauntlet is the ultimate test and the team that wins all three tournaments will be crowned Gauntlet Champion, taking home a total prize of $1 million—the largest purse in the history of the sport. The Gauntlet of Polo is anticipated to bring in tens of thousands of fans from around the world and should break attendance records, creating an immediate positive effect for the Palm Beach community and surrounding areas. The 2019 tournament series begins with the C.V. Whitney Cup held February 13-24, 2019 and continues with the USPA Gold Cup, February 24-March 24, 2019, culminating with the U.S. Open Polo Championship March 27-April 21, 2019. The games will be livestreamed on the USPA Polo Network each week, with the final match aired to millions of viewers on CBS Sports on April 28 at 2 p.m. EDT. The final match will also be replayed globally in Latin America, Europe, Asia and India. “The Gauntlet will challenge the world’s top players and horses to strive for the most prestigious trophies in the United States and provide a new platform for athletes, teams, sponsors and polo fans,” said Robert Puetz, CEO of the USPA. “Vying for $1 million in prize money over the course of three months, the strongest 6 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
The Gauntlet of Polo, encompassing three tournaments, has a prize of $1 million.
teams and most talented players in the game will arise, elevating both their preparation and horses for the chance to etch their names in American polo history as the Gauntlet Champion.” The Gauntlet brings the passion and drive of this esteemed sport to the foreground, testing the players’ mental and physical acumen as they compete in the most challenging and most valuable polo tournament in the continental U.S. “In order to expand interest in the sport, it is essential that emerging players, as well as new teams, have the opportunity to participate in elite tournaments,” said Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners and owner of IPC. “Supported by the immense and historic addition of prize money this season and our unprecedented partnership with the USPA and USPAGL, we will ensure a change in the trajectory of polo in this country.” For the first time in the sport, the tournament series will include a winner-takeall prize money format guaranteeing $125,000 to each of the winning teams of the C.V. Whitney Cup and the USPA Gold Cup, and a $250,000 prize for the winner
of the U.S. Open Polo Championship. A $500,000 bonus for any team that wins all three tournaments in consecutive order will serve as an additional incentive, yielding $1 million in total prize money and recognition as the Gauntlet Champion. “The idea of the Gauntlet of Polo is to create something new and different that will draw attention to the tournament series and emphasize the difficulty of a team winning the sport’s ultimate test—three tournaments, but only one champion,” said David Cummings, chairman of USPAGL. “As the first event held in partnership between the USPA, IPC and USPAGL, the Gauntlet of Polo will elevate not only the spectator experience but will display the raw power and refined athleticism of the players and their horses. And we are proud to have the field name home of U.S. Polo Assn., the official licensed brand for the USPA.” For polo, the Gauntlet of Polo represents the challenge created by linking the C.V. Whitney Cup, the USPA Gold Cup and the U.S. Open Polo Championship. The Gauntlet will be the sport’s ultimate test and greatest prize. Tickets for all Gauntlet of Polo events are now on sale at www.internationalpoloclub.com.
Equine Welfare Equine Reporting Tip Line An anonymous tip line has been established for reporting equine abuse and neglect. The USPA Equine Welfare Committee encourages anyone making a report to first reach out to their local ani-
mal control to report the issue. If you would like to make your report to the USPA, we ask that you please leave as much detail as possible in your message. Be sure to include the city and state as well as the name of the person you are reporting, how many horses are involved
Gauntlet of Polo teams Brookshire:
22
Park Place:
Scott Wood Lucas James Pablo “Polito” Pieres Pedro Falabella
A 7 10 5
Andrey Borodin Juan Britos Nico Pieres Tommy Collingwood
Cessna:
21
Pilot:
22
Curtis Pilot Facundo Pieres Gonzalo Pieres Jr. Matias Gonzalez
A 10 9 3
Postage Stamp Farm:
22
Chip Campbell Ezequiel Martinez Ferrario Felipe Marquez Felipe Viana
Coca Cola: Gillian Johnston Wesley Finlayson Julian de Lusarreta Ignacio Novillo Astrada
Daily Racing Form: Jared Zenni Geronimo Obregon Santiago Cernadas Agustin Obregon
Equuleus: Joe DiMenna Iñaki Laprida Magoo Laprida Mariano Gonzalez
Iconica: Maureen Brennan Peke Gonzalez Sebastian Merlos Matias Magrini
La Indiana: Michael Bickford Facundo Obregon Jeff Hall Tomas Garcia del Rio
2 7 6 6
22 2 4 8 8
22 6 4 6 6
22 A 7 8 7
22 1 5 9 7
22 2 6 7 7
Annabelle Gundlach Valerio “Lerin” Zubiaurre Mariano Aguerre Joaquin Panelo
Santa Clara: Nico Escobar Mariano Obregon Jr. Ignacio “Cubi” Toccalino Luis Escobar
SD Farms: Sayyu Dantata Peco Polledo Juan “Tito” Ruiz Guiñazu Jesse Bray
22 A 8 9 5
A 8 8 6
22 3 6 8 5
22 2 6 8 6
Stable Door Polo:
21
Henry Porter Santino Magrini Victorino Ruiz Santiago Toccalino
3 4 6 8
Tonkawa:
22
Jeff Hildebrand Agustin “Tincho” Merlos Guillermo “Sapo” Caset Sterling Giannico
A 8 10 4
21
Los Monjitas:
22
Team Name TBA:
Camilo Bautista Hilario Ulloa Francisco Elizalde Matthew Coppola
A 10 8 4
Will Johnston Jason Crowder Miguel Novillo Astrada Stevie Orthwein
2 6 9 4
and any information you think is pertinent. You may also leave your name and phone number, which will be kept confidential if you are willing to be contacted for additional information. Anonymous tip line number: (866) 563-5534. Reporting forms can also be found online at uspolo.org and may be sent by email to equinewelfare@uspolo.org. Drugs and Medications Testing The resumption of medication testing in polo ponies competing in USPA-sanctioned tournaments began in late summer and will gradually increase moving forward. We encourage all members to review the drugs and medications rules in order to become familiar with the process. Please review the responsible party clause, which essentially states that if you mount a horse and go on to the field to play, you are responsible for the medication condition of that horse. This is true whether you own the horse, rent the horse, borrow the horse, are playing the horse for another owner or are being provided horses to play by a sponsor or pooled horses in a tournament. If you are playing horses that do not belong to you or that you do not have under your control, it is important you inquire as to their medication condition. It is especially important to make your grooms and barn managers aware of this situation. Medication testing will take place at all levels of polo, including high, medium and low goal, as well as intercollegiate/ interscholastic and arena tournaments throughout the year at various polo clubs around the country. The rules can be found on uspolo.org. Published by the United States Polo Association Offices at 9011 Lake Worth Rd. Lake Worth, Florida 33467 (800) 232-USPA
Chairman: Chip Campbell President: Tony Coppola Secretary: Stewart Armstrong Treasurer: Sam Ramirez Chief Executive Officer: Robert Puetz
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 7
UNITED STATES POLO ASSOCIATION
Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Thank you to Certified Polo Instructor Cindy Halle who conducted eight intercollegiate player clinics in conjunction with I/I College Polo 101—club consulting series at Washington State University, the University of Idaho, Oklahoma State University, Virginia Tech, Washington & Lee University, Montana State University, the University of Texas and Texas Tech University. Thank you to Certified Polo Instructor Connor Deal for conducting swing & riding analysis to the participants of I/I invitational tournaments; Mustang Madness, hosted by Central Coast Polo Club; and Fall Fandango, hosted by Legend’s Ranch.
Middle School League That’s a wrap! Thank you to all of our host sites and participants in the 2019 I/I Middle School League. Host Sites include Aiken/New Bridge Polo Club, Garrison Forest School, Marlan Farm, Prestonwood Polo Club, Central Coast Polo Club, Gardnertown Polo Club, Yale Polo & Equestrian Center, Chicago, Lakeside Polo Club and Maui Polo Club.
Intern Program Are you interested in pursuing a career in polo? Are you a recent college graduate interested in getting involved in the polo industry? Do you want to learn more about running a club or polo school from knowledgeable professionals? If any of these sound like you, the USPA internship program might be a great fit! We are here to help connect young aspiring polo professionals with successful clubs and managers. We 8 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Cindy Halle, third from right, conducted eight intercollegiate player clinics, including this one at Virginia Tech.
have opportunities ranging from the bigger to smaller clubs across the country for an array of experience levels. If you are interested, email Ali Davidge at adavidge@uspolo.org to learn more about the opportunities available.
Team USPA Team USPA members took advantage of the multitude of playing opportunities south of the equator during the main season in Argentina. Remy du Celliee Muller and Jesse Bray competed among 35 teams The middle school crew at Marlan Farm
in the Sojo 18-goal tournament as part of the training program at Estancia Don Urbano. Julia Smith played alongside Naomí Schroeder (2), Camilia Rossi (5) and Inés Lalor (6) in the 16- to 18-goal upper handicap division of the Copa Myriam Heguy organized by the Argentine Polo Association. Felipe Viana, Matt Coppola and Matias Gonzalez also spent time in Argentina preparing for the upcoming winter season. Jared Zenni made his mark in Argentina, qualifying for the Triple Crown with La Cañada. Around the other side of the globe, Cacho Galindo took the field with Garangula in Australia, playing in multiple leagues with the team while also riding young horses for the organization.
Junior Polo/NYTS The National Youth Tournament Series program is preparing for the upcoming qualifier season. If your club is interested in hosting a tournament, please contact Amanda Snow, asnow@uspolo.org.
Trey Schott Midstates Circuit Governor
S
tarting upwards of 500 horses for a variety of disciplines, ranging from polo, to eventing, and hunter jumpers, Midstates Circuit Governor Trey Schott has established himself as a jack-of-all-trades over the course of his diverse equestrian career. A semi-retired equine veterinarian and former 5-goal professional polo player, Schott has shifted his focus to training and developing green horses alongside his son, Buck Schott, on their family-operated River Mountain Farm in Versailles, Kentucky, and RMF South in Sarasota, Florida. Schott is passing on his lifetime of knowledge of horse care and training to his son, Buck, who plans on carrying on the family polo tradition. “My days of seeking silver trophies and tournament wins are over,” Schott, who played professionally for over 20 years, said with a laugh. “Now, it’s about finding and making the right horse and passing that on to Buck.” Elected to serve his first term this year as circuit governor, Schott intends on giving back to the sport by facilitating and rejuvenating polo in the Midstates. Growing up in an equestrian family, Schott started riding in western performance as a teenager before discovering his love for polo. “My grandfather and father were both involved in horses and my four older sisters competed with American Saddlebreds, but nobody in my family had roots in polo,” Schott explained. On his father’s Wesridge Farm in Cincinnati, Ohio, Schott learned to play polo at the age of 15 with his father’s business partner, Bob Sieber, and Sieber’s three sons who stabled their horses at the facility. From there, he played and worked with his two younger
brothers, Lou and Hal, and former Midstates Circuit Governor Mark Sedacca. “That was our summer team for three years before we all headed to college and summer pro jobs,” Schott explained. An avid horse lover, Schott knew from an early age he wanted to become an equine veterinarian and was determined to finance his own education after his family filed for bankruptcy when he was 18. “I pulled myself up by my bootstraps and I started my own business to put myself through undergrad at the University of Cincinnati and then Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine,” Schott explained. “During the school year, I worked as a [horse] dentist and a farrier at River Downs and Beulah Park [racetracks] and summers as a polo pro at Detroit Polo Club in Michigan. “During undergrad, I took a semester off to spend nine months in Trenque Lauquen, Argentina, with Hector Barrantes, Cacho Merlos and Gonzalo Pieres.” Working hard to make his dream come
true, Schott learned a variety of skills along the way and ultimately graduated with his DVM in 1981. Pursuing his career in both polo and veterinary medicine, Schott joined a practice in Lexington, Kentucky, where he specialized in Thoroughbred reproduction, farrier science, sport horses and lameness for over three decades. Now semi-retired from veterinary practice, Schott has more time to dedicate his focus to RMF’s polo division. The entire Schott family is immersed in horses. “My wife Elaine runs the hunter jumper division of RMF and we’ve owned and managed the farm ever since it opened it 1985,” Schott said. “Her side of the family is a Midstates polo family (Strouss) with her father, uncles and brother, Callan, all polo players.” His daughter, Callie Schott, is following the path of her mother as a hunter jumper trainer and seasoned Grand Prix show jumper. Schott is happy to share his love of the sport with his son, working alongside him at both their home base in Kentucky, and seasonally in Florida. Spending the winter season in Sarasota, Schott brings 25-30 horses down to RMF South from December until April, buying, training and selling throughout the year. “Buck and I start the horses during the first year and Buck will take them on and finish them,” Schott said. Having started in the sport himself over 10 years ago, Buck has grown up in polo, learning everything from horse care to training techniques from his father. “He’s taught me how to be patient with green horses, educated me in farrier skills, dental work and basic vet care, including administering all medications, suturing and stapling, POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 9
bandaging techniques and preventative care,” said Buck. Living and working in the hub of the racing industry, the father-and-son pair have had a large presence in the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover Polo Division hosted at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington,
Trey played professionally for over 20 years. He is shown here on Cowgirl in 2011.
10 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Kentucky. Demonstrating the skills of repurposed off-the-track Thoroughbreds for new careers in polo, the Thoroughbred Makeover is a program Schott is passionate about, having competed for his fifth year this October. “I support and have taken horses from New Vocations and Maker’s Mark
Secretariat Center based at KHP, two organizations dedicated to racehorse adoption and reschooling,” Schott said. “I think the Thoroughbred Makeover is a great program for retraining OTTB’s and finding them new disciplines and new homes. Polo is definitely a great avenue for a second career.”
Participating in the Thoroughbred Makeover consecutively for the last three years, Buck Schott won his first year, competing in 2016 on Pound Cake (Strong Angel), a mare repurposed from New Vocations. “It’s not just an excellent program, but as a trainer, participating in the Thoroughbred Makeover forces you to buckle down and develop your horse to reach a certain point,” Buck said. “Just by doing this competition the horse will be at least three months ahead of schedule for the winter season.” Identifying the inherent strengths and suitability of the Thoroughbred horse, the Schotts continue to integrate promising young prospects into their training facility, producing quality ponies for the advancement of the sport. Now concentrating his energy towards revitalizing the Midstates Circuit, Schott hopes to spark the circulation of players from club to club. Posing a challenge for the region—encompassing Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and part of Canada—is the relatively far distance between clubs and decreasing
Elaine, Callie, Buck and Trey Schott enjoyed some time at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida. The entire family is involved in horses. Elaine and Callie train and compete with hunters and jumpers, while Buck and Trey focus on polo ponies.
membership, which has hindered travel across the circuit. “I want to see if we can start a new tournament series, following the concept
Buck and Trey at the 2016 Thoroughbred Makeover in Lexington, Kentucky, with Buck’s winning mare, Pound Cake.
that we had in place 20 years ago,” Schott said. “We had a host center and clubs would travel for one or two weekends to compete against each other. I’d like to use both Detroit Polo Club and Lexington Polo Association as host centers to get people to travel and replicate this in the summer.” In addition to member clubs, Schott wants to generate the same emphasis on travel with the Middle School League and interscholastic teams within the circuit. Echoing his father’s sentiments, Buck also expressed the need for the larger clubs in the Midstates to invite smaller clubs for a weekend of affordable polo. “If the host club makes it more appealing with reasonable green fees and economic stabling, then people will be much more likely to come,” Buck said. “My dad usually has common sense and realistic ideas, and I think the creation of tournament host clubs could be a much needed way to bring people and clubs together. We need to put the fun and friendship back into polo. In Sarasota and here in the Midstates, polo will thrive as a family tradition.” If you’d like to get in contact with Trey about your club he can be reached at rmfhorses@msn.com. POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 11
I
N
S
T
R
U
C
T
O
R
S
F
O
R
U
BY CINDY HALLE
M
POLO RESOLUTIONS Take steps to improve your polo experiences this year
Y
ou have finally renewed your USPA membership for 2019 (or intend to do so ASAP) and are looking forward to this year’s polo. As you think back to all of the good and not so good times you had last year, consider what you can do to improve your experiences this year. How about making a list of New Year’s Polo Resolutions? Here are some ideas to contemplate: I will (really) read the rules I know you’ve “read” the rule book a million times, skimming it when you need a cure for insomnia or looking up that rule about something when there is an issue during a game. But I mean, really read it! No, it’s not John Steinbeck but it will help you understand the game better, play better and know about things like substitutions, executions of penalties, what to do if your equipment is broken or you have a lame horse ... the list is a long one. Some rules are changed to better the game and you need to keep up with the changes. You will understand what the umpires are seeing much better if you have actually read the rules, especially the interpretations that go along with them. You could go wild and even take the rules tests to see if you fully understand the rules! Maybe even go out on a limb and take an umpire clinic so you can umpire games or at least understand the concepts better. Umpires LLC’s Robert Lyn Kee Chow noted that an NFL game has seven officials on a field plus a zillion camera angles for instant replay—that’s on a field 100 yards by 50 yards. Extrapolate that to a polo field and we would have 12 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Read the rule book so you understand the rules better. And always respect game officials.
42 officials. That should give you a sense of the challenge it is to umpire polo. If you understand the rules, what the umpires are seeing and the challenges they face in such a fast, constantly changing game then you will understand the game better. I will always respect officials We all want to win games and our blood is up but there is no room for verbal abuse of officials (and for that matter opponents and teammates). They are trying to do the best job they can and it is a very difficult job. Your opponent this week may be your teammate a few months from now so keep things positive. Your good attitude will be contagious (hopefully) and improve the experience for everyone. Also, in taking energy and focus from the game to berating an official or getting flustered because of a teammate’s ill-advised shot, you lose focus on the play at hand (or the next play at hand). I will be as fit as possible Just like the usual New Year’s resolu-
tions around fitness and diet, get in better shape this season. Find a professional who can design a program to target muscles needed for polo while working on your flexibility and cardiovascular fitness. (Think core muscles, which will help your back not take the strain). Make time to stretch before and after games when you can. I know it’s tough—we want to get on the field and get our horses back home after the game but five minutes will make a difference. If you are over a healthy weight, see what you can do to lose weight. This will be easier on your body as well as your horses. If you are in good shape keep up the good work and stay that way. Make sure you hydrate all day before you play, especially in hot, humid conditions, and eat properly. Those games in which you became fatigued or weren’t reacting as quickly can be a thing of the past with some work and focus. I will give back/pay it forward I bet we can all think of someone who helped us along the way in learning or
improving our polo or getting us into this sport. Be that person to someone else who wants to learn or improve their game. Loan a horse or horses to a young player so they can practice with you; take time to work with a beginner on their riding or their shots; encourage a lesser player with positive comments; or invite a new member to play with you in a tournament. We need to grow the sport and we want to be encouraging and helping new players so they stay in polo. It will make you feel good too and those newer players will probably rise to the occasion. I will help my polo club Help organize a youth tournament, announce, time games when you can or learn to umpire. The easiest thing to do to help the sport is take a minute at the end of a game to chat with a spectator, let
them get a photo of their family with your pony, invite them back again and thank them for coming out to watch polo. Volunteer on a USPA committee that needs people with your experience or skill set.
Help someone that is interested in learning more about the sport by giving your time, loaning a horse or organizing a clinic.
I will set goals What is the big tournament you really want to win? Who will your team be? How can you prepare you and your horses towards this goal? You will need some games and tournaments to get you ready for the “big one� so get a plan together now. Take a look at the handicap changes and plan your team. Evaluate your string. Are they appropriate to achieve your goals? Are any ready for an easier job or do any need to be retired? (You can donate them to an I/I program and fulfill (continued on page 59)
This Year
#LIVEAUTHENTICALLY
@USPOLOASSN | USPOLO.ORG POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 13
Why the GAUNTLET OF POLO™? By David Cummings, Chairman of USPA Global Licensing, Inc. and Bob Puetz, CEO of United States Polo Association
In a recent news release, the United States Polo Association (USPA), USPA Global Licensing (USPAGL) and International Polo Club (IPC) announced a new name, the “GAUNTLET OF POLO™,” for a three-part high-goal tournament series: the C.V. Whitney Cup, the USPA Gold Cup®, and the U.S. Open Polo Championship®. Why not stay with the Triple Crown of Polo or pick a more traditional name like the USPA Grand Slam, or the USPA World Series, or the USPA National High Goal Challenge, etc.? How did the GAUNTLET OF POLO™ evolve? Let’s start at the beginning. To entrust the sport entirely to USPA member clubs was not advancing USPA’s long-term goals. The number of premier clubs is limited. Each has their own priorities. Many struggle to make financial ends meet. It is not reasonable for clubs to be expected to invest in the USPA’s larger mission of elevating and growing the game to a national, and even international, audience. The inevitable result would potentially be a decline in attendance, shrinking team entries, USPA media rights, sponsorship value as well as a decrease in overall corporate sponsor interest. The USPA has a responsibility to the sport on a holistic level. To grow its base of members, players, teams, competitions and fans. To deliver value to those same stakeholders, particularly the members. The USPA has the opportunity to capitalize on its position as the sanctioning body to influence the
branding and marketing of the events in a manner that enhances USPA as a respected global sports property, while increasing the avidity of the core fan base and elevating the sport to attract new fans. We can learn from the experiences of other professional sports. The USPA is not unlike other governing bodies who have suffered from reduced participation. In looking at successful governing bodies, many are in control of their destiny, and upheaving the status quo, by establishing an owned and controlled “pinnacle event.” Examples are the NFL’s Super Bowl, the MLB’s World Series and All-Star Game, the NBA’s Playoffs and All-Star Game, the NHL’s Winter Classic events, the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs and All-Star Race, and the PGA TOUR FedEx Cup Playoffs. The USPA saw an opportunity to do the same by packaging its three Advertisement
14 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
“marquee” events into one compelling “pinnacle competition.” And there in lies GAUNTLET OF POLO™. The catalyst to build this pinnacle competition was ignited when the USPA decided to lower these three tournaments from 26 to 22 goal tournaments. This action presented the USPA with an opportunity to reshape the trajectory of high goal polo in the USPA and increase the growth and interest in the sport. Thus, the development of an innovative sponsorship and partnership with the International Polo Club of Palm Beach (IPC). This new relationship allowed the USPA to resume its proper position as “the leader” in the sport, employ strategies to increase team participation and generate excitement through prize money. After defining the goals and objectives of the new pinnacle competition which were focused on: 1)
Increase participation of teams and American players; 2) Increase overall event attendance; 3) Enhance the spectator experience to benefit IPC members, event guests and the local community; 4) Elevate the competition and game day experiences for players, team owners and corporate sponsors; and 5) Broaden spectator reach on digital, mobile, social and broadcast channels, particularly for the CBS special telecast. Our Valued GAUNTLET OF POLO™ Partners To build value in this sport property, we have assembled a professional team with proven and successful track record with decades of collective experience in sports marketing, broadcasting, public relations, legal and branding expertise to assist IPC, the USPA and USPAGL parties to accomplish their goals and objectives over the next three years. Adam G. Mersereau is a business lawyer and partner of Butler Rikard and Mersereau in Jacksonville, Florida. Brian Woyt is the CEO and chief strategist for brand, content and digital for Wolf and Missile of Jacksonville, Florida. Adam has worked extensively with the International Olympic Committee and PGA TOUR while Brian has developed marketing strategies and brand positioning for the Travel Channel and served as the senior director of global brand marketing for the PGA TOUR. Barbara Karasek, CEO of Paradise Advertising & Marketing, is an experienced data-driven brand marketer and public relations practitioner, and has worked with the USOC, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, and SeaWorld Entertainment. Wrigley Media, our creative director for broadcasting, and Carr-Hughes Productions work together to enhance our broadcast on CBS to make it compelling for non-polo viewers to grow the sport outside of its core audience. Jerry Kaye, a freelance designer, will work with Brian Kaminer, Sr. VP of Design for Global, to develop a premium clothing line for the new series. With this expertise coupled with the marketing
teams of IPC, the USPA and USPA Global Licensing, we are confident in succeeding to build a new brand that the USPA can own and monetize. The GAUNTLET OF POLO ™ Naming Process Before we can name an event, we must define the brand’s DNA. Over the last 12 months, Brian Woyt led our organization and stakeholders through a step-by-step process to crystallize the brand’s mission, vision, passion, expertise, economics and long term potential. The mission of the new brand is to develop the elite stage to showcase the best of polo in order to grow the sport, build awareness for the USPA, provide sponsorship opportunities, stimulate competition, and elevate the player, team owner, fan and corporate sponsor experiences. The GAUNTLET OF POLO ™ Brand Position The brand’s position is to be polo’s ultimate test. A series: Many challengers. Three events. One Champion. It’s survival of the fittest as the world’s preeminent teams, most skilled athletes and finest horses come together for three months to battle head-to-head to prove who is the best. The prize: the richest in the sport. The competitors: the best in the world. The location: like no other. For polo athletes, fans and sponsors, this collection of events is polo’s ultimate test. The GAUNTLET OF POLO ™ Brand Name The naming of the series is a critical and intricate part of developing a sports property or any other brand. Our goal is to re-engage with the current IPC membership and community and attract the younger polo and equestrian consumer. To accomplish this, we must give our spectators both a better polo competition and game day event experience. It’s an opportunity to redefine our offerings and create something new and different that has a “coolness” with intention to draw
attention, generate enthusiasm and entice the younger demographics to get involved in our sport. Our challenge is to create a name for the tournament series that is memorable, intuitive and “catchy” for the fans, as well as exciting, descriptive, engaging, sophisticated enough to tie directly back to the positioning statement, is commercially viable for a wide range of licensing efforts, and able to be registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office. GAUNTLET OF POLO ™ Industry Support After months and several presentations with multiple options, the USPA Executive Committee reluctantly agreed to the “GAUNTLET OF POLO™.” To their credit, they were willing to step out of the traditional comfort zone and try something new and different. The “GAUNTLET” comes from the phrase “throw down the gauntlet” which means to challenge or confront someone. In its earliest use, it was not intended as a metaphor, rather as a physical action intended to issue a formal challenge or competition. What better descriptive term to depict USPA’s ultimate challenge for the GAUNTLET OF POLO™ series? When we approached Billy Stone, the executive producer for CBS Sports Network, and his design team with the GAUNTLET concept, they readily accepted the new tournament series name, stating “we wholeheartedly support the GAUNTLET OF POLO™ and was worried you were coming to us with the Triple Crown of Polo, or the World Series of Polo or something overused or outdated. The GAUNTLET is new, progressive and consistent with other sport properties.” As the marketing initiatives have commenced, we are pleased to report that GAUNTLET OF POLO™ has been well received by the general media. We are building momentum as we have a real story to tell with a new series, a historic number of 16 team entries in all three tournaments, and an unprecedented purse of $1 million in prize money.
Advertisement
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 15
E
Q
U
I
N
E
A
T
H
L
E
T
E
BY STEPHANIE COLBURN, DVM
TIED WITH A BOW Regenerative medicines can preserve tissue functionality
P
oor healing capacity of tendons and ligaments is a huge problem in sport horses, with bowed tendons being on the forefront of injuries sustained by lower-goal polo ponies. Regenerative medicine techniques to repair equine tendons have been on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine, but cost can play a huge factor in deciding how to proceed with treatment for these injuries. I can remember, within the last 10 years, how there were many different regenerative medicine therapies, all quite pricey, and none with enough scientific evidence to guarantee the results that would justify treatment versus simply just kicking your horse out to pasture for a few months to heal. Are regenerative medicine techniques worth the hefty price? Yes, if affordable. Utilizing regenerative medicine techniques in combination with rest and a rehabilitation program is the best way to successfully treat tendon injuries. There are many reasons why polo ponies sustain tendon injuries. The sport itself asks a lot from our equine athletes. We ask them to gallop at top speeds, require quick stops and turns, and we expect them to win hard ride offs. Many injuries can be related to the level of use and conditioning afforded to our mounts or lack of conditioning in some cases. We may be weekend warriors, but that is not the best recipe for success in our mounts. Playing surface can be another major factor. Playing or riding surfaces that are too hard or footing that is too deep, wet or muddy, can all be factors for injury. One also cannot forget the importance of routine hoof care and basic conformation and the role they can play
16 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
in tendon injuries. Tendons are elastic structures; their composition is similar to the many cords that make up a rope. Their elasticity allows them to stretch like a bungy cord. When tendons tear without treatment, they scar. The fibrous scar tissue material that fills in tendon tears is functionally deficient compared to normal tendon and does not allow the tendon to stretch. This stiffer tissue can reduce performance and increase the chance of tendon reinjury. Due to poor blood supply, tendon injuries take a longer amount of time to heal than bone. In general, it takes about three months for a bone to heal, but tendons can take many months, some even up to one year to heal. Regenerative medicine-based cell therapy has improved the quality and speed of tendon and ligament healing. Although, many practitioners still see
Stem cells are injected using ultrasound guidance to help generate tissue in tendon injuries. Stem cell therapy is typically more expensive than other therapies but offers promising results.
Approximate Tendon Healing Times Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDFT): 8-12 months Deep Digital Flexor Tendon (DDFT): 12 months Check Ligament: 3-4 months Suspensory (forelimb): 4 months Suspensory (hindlimb): 8-12 months success with tendon splitting, where the fluid pocket within the injured tendon is “split” or drained to increase blood flow and healing to the area. The aim of regenerative medicine is to promote healing of tissue in a way that preserves the functionality of that tissue, maintaining the strength and elasticity of the original tissue and decreasing the likelihood of scar formation. There are many regenerative medicine techniques used to improve tendon injuries in the horse: Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP, a concentrated amount of platelets in a small volume of blood plasma with many endogenous growth factors), stem cells (bone marrow or adipose tissue derived), Interleukin receptor antagonist protein (IRAP), and Pro-stride. Stem cells and PRP are used more with soft tissue injuries, with stem cells typically being the most expensive therapy for owners. IRAP, an antiinflammatory therapy designed to block interlukin-1—a major inflammatory substance released during injury—is mainly used as a joint therapy. Pro-stride incorporates IRAP and is another antiinflammatory joint treatment for arthritis and joint inflammation. Many medical resources now proclaim the benefits of utilizing regenerative medicine techniques. In 2017, The
Polo requires a lot of galloping and quick stops and turns, putting a lot of pressure on tendons. Many injuries can be related to the level of use and conditioning of the horse, or lack of it.
Veterinary Journal analyzed different regenerative medicine treatment techniques (bone marrow stem cells (BM), adipose derived stem cells (AT), and PRP) on tendon injuries in horses compared to treating tendon injuries with saline (saline would be similar to simply just resting your horse). All regenerative medicine techniques used on the tendons increased healing quality compared to not treating, and those tendons where stem cells or PRP were utilized had improved ultrasound exams earlier than non-treatment groups. Bone marrow stem cells and PRP had the best tendon tissue regeneration, leading to better tendon functionality. The advantages of PRP also show the platelets positively influenced the early
ProTip: Examine your horses daily, checking for soundness before they are exercised or played. Mentally note how each of your horses’ legs look (you can do this when bandaging the legs). Knowing how your horses’ legs normally look will help you recognize minor differences. Catching problems early will help prevent major injuries and ultimately save you money and time while the horse is unable to perform.
stages of tissue regeneration and the early phase of healing and may decrease the reoccurrence of tendon injury. The reinjury rate for horses treated with regenerative medicine techniques was significantly lower than when horses were treated with conservative or medical management alone. Thus, showcasing that regenerative medicine techniques can offer sport horses improved quality of tendon healing. Even with regenerative medicine techniques, tendon injuries still need time to heal in combination with a rehabilitation program and serial ultrasound examinations to determine the progression of tendon healing. For any injury your horse has sustained, please consult with your
veterinarian on his or her best recommendations for post-injury recovery and plans for gradually getting back into work. Serial ultrasounds can be another tool that helps assess tendon healing so work can be optimized at the appropriate time and should be performed if clinical signs of injury reoccur. Jumping back into work too quickly can result in worsening of the tendon lesion, while progressing too slowly can result in athletic loss of the horse. In conclusion, regenerative medicine techniques in combination with controlled exercise, time and routine ultrasonographic examinations will provide the best opportunity for tendon healing and injury prevention in the future.
Be sure to check over your horses’ legs when bandaging them.
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 17
POLO SCENE N E W S
•
NO T E S
•
T R E N D S
•
Q U O T E S
FAIR GAME College fairs, matches held on both coasts
T
HE SIXTH PTF EAST COAST COLLEGE FAIR was held Sept. 29, at the PTF-owned Hickox Field in Old Westbury, New York. After, an interscholastic match was held at Bob Ceparano’s Country Farms arena in Medford, New York. Nine college coaches and representatives from Cornell, Colorado State, UConn, Kentucky, Oregon State, Skidmore, Texas A&M, Virginia and Yale explained their programs to many high school and middle school students from all over the Eastern half of the U.S., as well as an exchange student from China, who had just played his first chukker. Brandon Alcott from Oregon State also provided information for West Coast schools. Each school had a table and coaches interviewed the students individually or in small groups. Middle and high-school students had opportunities to speak with the nine Students and parents were thrilled by coaches on hand at the East Coast College Fair in Long Island, New York. the opportunity to scope out so many college programs at one event. The coaches were excited to meet students with an interest in their programs and appreciated the opportunity to speak with younger students about how important it was to achieve good academic standing in order to play polo in college. For the second year, the PTFsponsored a West Coast College Fair in October at the Santa Barbara Training Center in Carpinteria, California. This gave exposure to the Western schools and also was a great opportunity for players to learn about college programs and to get to know the coaches. Representatives came from Cal Poly, UCSB, USC, Oregon State, Cornell, U.Va., and Westmont. There was also material distributed from Skidmore, and Alcott was helpful with information from Stanford, Idaho, Montana and Washington State. Afterward, the kids competed in a After learning about the different college polo programs, students attending the West Coast College Fair in Carpinteria, California, played a match game at the training center. match game at the training center.
18 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
EXTRA CREDIT Clinics and tournaments planned for 2019
T
HIS PTF IS MAKING plans for its 2019 clinics and tournaments. Last summer, the PTF joined University of Virginia to host two interscholastic clinics and tournaments. The first was held in July with 14 participants guided by instructors Robert Lyn Kee Chow, Bill Matheson, Lou Lopez and Danny Scheraga. They were assisted by new Virginia barn manager and PTF Daniel J. Wallace Jr. PTF Intercollegiate Player of the Year Jessica Schmitt, Cale Newman, Jack McLean and Jim Deal. The players were put through lessons in polo equitation, hitting skills and strategic gamesmanship. They also reviewed video and scrimmaged two chukkers daily. The second clinic-tournament combination was held in August with 30 participants. The action began midday Thursday and finished midday Saturday. The new PTF National Junior Board first met in March 2018. The board is comprised of young players across the U.S. who have an interest in supporting PTF programs to help young players. One of their first recommendations was to begin an annual interscholastic arena clinic and tournament on the West Coast, similar to the highly-successful clinics the PTF co-sponsors at the Virginia Polo Center. The first clinic and tournament was held in June at the Santa Barbara Training Center in Carpinteria, California. Former 10-goal arena player Joe Henderson was a tremendous help instructing, along with the father-son duo of Danny and Jeff Scheraga. Martin Peres and Blue Bannister were the outstanding student players in the group. To reserve your spot for the 2019 Virginia clinics and tournaments, contact the Virginia Polo Center (434) 979-0293. To reserve your spot for the West Coast clinics and tournaments contact the PTF (888) PTF-POLO.
PTF Executive Director Danny Scheraga, far left, and UVA coach Lou Lopez, far right, hosted 30 students at their second clinic and tournament in Virginia in August.
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 19
EXCHANGE STUDENTS American students compete in New Zealand
Zak Coleman, Johnny Kirton, PTF Executive Director Danny Scheraga, Lucy Grigg, Conner Jenkins, Taylor Palacios and Grace Grotnik enjoy dinner in New Zealand.
professional polo-playing sons, gave the players a great chalk talk and helped them think about what their basic strategy would be. The first game against Christ College was played Nov. 21. Christ College included Rohan Tennekoon, who traveled to the USA with a team last September; Henry Batchelor; Ed Davidson, whose dad Willie organizes all the SUPA polo in New Zealand; and George Hutchinson. Starting out close, teamwork and great horses propelled USA to victory. Afterward, the Wood family hosted a barbecue. The next day, USA faced Zoe Reader from Rangi Ruru, Tom Turner and Bradley Pugh from St. Andrews and Sky Turner from St. Margarets. Once again, USA was well mounted and came away with another win. The next match had USA facing a mixed team that included Jenkins, Lachie Applebee, Winston Hutchinson and Lucy Grigg. This was the toughest game yet, but USA pulled it out at the last minute, 4-3. Following the match, Lachie’s mom, Trudy, hosted a JANET SCHERAGA
Nov. 16-26, for a series of matches against three high school teams and culminated in an international test match against a New Zealand National team. It was sponsored by the PTF. Zak Coleman (Virginia and Arizona), Grace Grotnik (Massachusetts), Conner Jenkins (Hawaii), Johnny Kirton (Hawaii) and Taylor Palacios (New York) were selected from a pool of 21 applicants who had participated in at least one PTF program in the previous two years. Selections were based upon ambassadorial skills, ability to ride strange horses and lastly, overall polo skills. This group of players stood out in the first two categories, and it turned out they had an instant affinity for great teamwork, and because of that went undefeated in four games. Leaving the USA Nov. 16, and flying all night, four of the team arrived in Christchurch Nov. 18 (losing a day crossing the international dateline). They immediately went to watch polo where they met up with teammate Conner Jenkins, who is living in New Zealand, working polo for the Woods family and attending Christ College (a high school). Fortunately for the U.S. team, Conner wasn’t enrolled yet at Christ College, so he was not able to play for it, and thus was eligible to play for the U.S. The next day, the team traveled to Hamner Springs Thermal Pools about two hours north of Christchurch. The outside temperature was in the 50s but the swimmers quickly warmed up in the natural hot springs. That night, back in Christchurch, the students attended a meet and greet at a museum and met their hosts and most of their opponents. The following day, students went to Emma Dormer’s farm where they tried some of the horses they would play in the final test match. As it turned out, they also played these horses in one of the early matches. Plans to try horses at the Wood’s family farm, were rained out so Charlie Wood, the oldest of Roddy Wood’s (who managed the Guards Polo Club in England for 20 years) three
POLO TRAINING FOUNDATION
FIVE AMERICANS TRAVELED to Christchurch, New Zealand,
New Zealand’s Zoe Reader, Kaleb Watson, George Cronin, Henry Batchelor and Lachie Applebee and USA’s Conner Jenkins, Zak Coleman, Taylor Palacios, Grace Grotnik and Johnny Kirton. USA won all four of its games, including this International Test Match.
20 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
JANET SCHERAGA
DANNY’S TACK SHOP
695.
$
00
Also available in Havana Leather American Express, Mastercard & Visa accepted
Danny’s Tack Shop also offers a complete line of products for all your polo needs.
Grace Grotnik shows her team spirit on the New Zealand beach.
Olathe Boots—$279 Chukker Bridle complete w/bit Gag—$399 Pelham—$359
This suede saddle has a steel-reinforced tree which is lined with latex rubber panels to assure comfort and
Marcos Heguy Saddle
an excellent fit for both player and horse. 70 Clinton Street • Tully, New York 13159 Phone/Fax 315-696-8036 • E-mail: dannypolo@aol.com
wonderful barbecue at her home, where the Americans met George Cronin, and Kaleb Watson who had come down from the North Island for the test match. Due to rain in the forecast, the test match was moved up a day. Although it meant playing four days in a row, we were happy to get the games in. The Kiwi team had Watson, Henry Batchelor, Appleby and Cronin. Trailing 3-1, the U.S. teamwork began to improve and they tied the match at 3-3 about midway through the fourth chukker, forcing overtime. Overtime began with a knock-in by Jenkins, who was fouled, giving USA a Penalty 5B from midfield. Jenkins can unload the ball pretty consistently, so he sent all three teammates forward and dropped the ball just left of goal on about the 30-yard line. Coleman was able to drop in and put it through for the winning goal. This is only the second time that a visiting team has won The James Wood Cup for International Test Matches. “Our hosts treated us like royalty the entire week, and I was extremely proud of our players, who were complemented several times on their behavior both on and off the field,” said PTF Executive Director Danny Scheraga. “Special thanks go to Monique EllisMartin, who supervises the Christ College program, housed the boys and is our main contact on this exchange; Rangi Ruru girl’s school for housing Grace; Willie Davidson for organizing all the polo; the Wood family for all their help; and for all the families that supplied horses for our players,” Scheraga said.
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 21
Opportunity knocks Seven members competing in Gauntlet of Polo 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
Team USPA players took home an impressive number of trophies and titles during the 2018 season. From the USPA Rossmore Cup Skins Tournament and Pacific Coast Open to the U.S. Open Championship, the dedication this group of young American players has to the sport of polo is evident. While each player’s individual goals may vary, the general consensus is that the players are eager to compete in the highest level of polo possible in order to continue improving. A smaller pool of teams and limited number of roster slots made breaking into the 26-goal level a challenge. With the U.S. Open Championship, C.V. Whitney and USPA Gold Cup being lowered to 22 goals in
themselves on a national stage. “The lowering of the U.S. Open from 26 goals to 22 goals is a major victory for American polo. It allows the USPA to enforce rules similar to that of England and Argentina, requiring all teams to have at least one player from the nationality of where the tournament is taking place. Working closely with Mark Bellissimo, it has always been a point of emphasis to create opportunities for up-and-coming American players; whether it be through Gladiator Polo, or the lowering of the high-goal handicap,” explained Gates Gridely, a member of Team USPA who helps run Gladiator Polo and is a USPA certified instructor for The Polo
Matt Coppola, 4 goals
Jesse Bray, 6 goals
22 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
2019, a window has opened for many young American players looking to stepup into the next level of play. Team USPA currently has four 6-goal players, one 5-goal player and four 4-goal players, in addition to several Team USPA alumni carrying a 4-goal handicap. An unprecedented 16 teams entered the trio of tournaments—the USPA Gold Cup, the C.V. Whitney and the U.S. Open—named the Gauntlet of Polo. A combination of the new handicap level, the American player rule and a limited number of 10-goal players available created the perfect storm for American players looking to prove
Wesley Finlayson, 4 goals
School at International Polo Club Palm Beach. “We are very excited to see the amount of American participation at IPC this season and we look forward to a large number of Americans competing on both the field and the arena. We also look forward to the number of amateurs competing in the sport of polo through The Polo School at IPC,” he said. The newly released 22-goal rosters feature seven Team USPA players. Before embarking on what is sure to be a highly competitive season, some
players, including U.S. Open defending champion MVP Jared Zenni, spent the fall in Argentina searching for horses and speeding up their game in the fast practices found throughout the country.
NANO’S POLO MALLETS
• Wesley Finlayson (Coca-Cola) • Felipe Viana (Cessna Polo Team) • Geronimo Obregon (Daily Racing Form) • Matias Gonzalez (Pilot) • Jesse Bray (SD Farms) • Matt Coppola (Las Monjitas) • Jared Zenni (Daily Racing Form)
CUSTOM MADE MALLETS Professional and Prompt Mallet Repair Service Tipa Wood Heads Wide Selection of Canes We supply cane, grip heads for repair Matias Gonzalez, 3 goals
Felipe Viana, 6 goals
We have light mallets for women
NEW MALLETS IN STOCK OPEN YEAR-AROUND We honor Visa/Mastercard/AMX 3500 Fairlane Farms Road Suite # Wellington, FL 33414 www.polomallets.com info@polomallets.com
Geronimo Obregon, 4 goals
Jared Zenni, 6 goals
(800) 903-NANO (6266) Tel: (561) 793-4911 Fax: (561) 793-4714 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 23
Tween time Active middle school league includes 10 tournaments BY EMILY DEWEY
P
icking up this fall for its second year, the USPA I/I Middle School Tournaments have increased in every way possible. Ten tournaments were held across the country from Connecticut to Hawaii, hosting over 70 players from grades 5-8. Each player enters the tournament as an individual and teams are created by the hostsite tournament committee. In addition to tournament winners, four All-Stars, one sportsman and a best playing pony are named at each tournament. Check out the re-caps below to see how the teams near you faired!
Arizona Wildcats’ Emerson Bond, Troy Wakefield and Benjamin Faherty won at Lakeside Polo Club.
Lakeside Polo Club In a round-robin format, the team of Emerson Bond, Benjamin Faherty, and Troy Wakefield was victorious over all other teams in the southern California tournament. Benjamin Faherty, Brynja Rotscheck, Trent Wakefield, and Troy Wakefield were named All-Stars, and Roque Sarmiento was chosen for the sportsmanship award. Benjamin Faherty’s 24 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Manzanita was selected as Best Playing Pony.
Team Teclita’s Gaston Gomez, Jonathan Wallace and Luke Howe won at Yale Polo & Equestrian.
Yale Polo & Equestrian Center In Saturday’s first rounds, both Team Teclita and Team Tecate prevailed over Team Luna and Team Wind River. The consolation game saw Team Luna top Team Wind River, while the final was a close game with Team Teclita (Gaston Gomez, Luke Howe and Jonathan Wallace) edging out Team Tecate. Kaya Brownell, Sophia DeAngelis, Luke Howe and Saralyn Painter were named as AllStars, while Sophia DeAngelis was selected for the sportsmanship award. Saralyn Painter’s Armana was named Best Playing Pony. Maryland Polo Club Drumcliffe Grey’s Madison Jordan, Nahla Thomas and Jeannie Velasquez bested all competition in the four-team tournament. Marisol Jimenez, Brianna Jordan, Madison Jordan and Rory Knox were named to the All-Star team and Nahla Thomas was selected as the sportsmanship award recipient. Marlan Farm’s Roscoe was selected Best Playing Pony.
Drumcliffe Grey’s Jeannie Velasquez, Nahla Thomas and Madison Jordan won at Maryland.
Gardnertown Polo Club In a four-team tournament, Sami Iahn, Saralyn Painter, Trey Ramirez and
Gardnertown’s Sami Iahn, Saralyn Painter and Daniell Scott (Trey Ramirez not pictured)
Danielle Scott of Team A prevailed over the other competitors. Daniel Arnold, Sophia DeAngelis, Catelyn Godey and Saralyn Painter were chosen as All-Star team members. Sophia DeAngelis was elected to receive the sportsmanship award. Saralyn Painter’s Armana was chosen as Best Playing Pony.
Garrison Forest School In a five-team tournament, Drumcliffe Grey’s Kylie Beard, Sophia Chiasera and Gaston Gomez bested all competition. Kylie Beard, Sophia DeAngelis, Rory Knox and Josie Smith were named to the All-Star team and Graham Absolom was selected as the sportsmanship award recipient. Garrison Forest School’s Pica was elected Best Playing Pony.
Central Coast Polo Club Central Coast Blue’s Sara Espy, Dylan Stern and Alyssa Neville topped Central Coast Red to claim the tournament. Blair Conlan, Sara Espy, Morgan Manos and Dylan Stern were selected for the All-Star team, and Linnea Johnson was recognized with the sportsmanship award. Alyssa Neville’s Tequila was chosen as Best Playing Pony.
Polo Adventures’ Maddie Godard, Brianna Jordan and Summer Kneece won in Aiken.
Aiken Polo Club Polo Adventures’ Maddie Godard, Brianna Jordan and Summer Kneece topped Equus Events to claim the tournament. Josh Escapite, Brianna Jordan, Madison Jordan and Summer Kneece were selected for the All-Star team, and Virginia Gwinn was recognized with the sportsmanship award. Tiger Kneece’s Pate, ridden by Maddie Godard, was chosen as Best Playing Pony.
Drumcliffe Grey’s Gaston Gomez, Kylie Beard and Sophia Chiasera won at Garrison Forest.
Prestonwood’s Trenton Werntz, JB Long and Estephanie Turrubiartes won in Texas. Maui Black’s Jayci Jay Clark, Ka’ili Rice and Kaya Tyrrell won at Maui Polo Club.
Maui Polo Club Maui Black’s Jayci Jay Clark, Ka’ili Rice and Kaya Tyrrell took home the trophies, besting Maui White. Jayci Jay Clark, Emily Coflin, Ka’ili Rice and Kaya Tyrrell were selected for the All-Star team, and Elizabeth Miranda was recognized with the sportsmanship award. Jayci Jay Clark’s Kula Girl was named Best Playing Pony.
Central Coast Blue’s Alyssa Neville, Dylan Stern and Sara Espy won at Central Coast.
Prestonwood Polo Club Prestonwood’s JB Long, Estephanie Turrubiartes and Trenton Werntz took home the trophies, besting El Paso Rancho Naranjo. Francesca Felhaber and Trenton Werntz were selected for the All-Star team, and Alec Felhaber was recognized with the sportsmanship award. Trenton Werntz’s Peanut was named Best Playing Pony.
At publication time, Barrington Hills Polo Club was planning to play their Middle School Tournament the weekend of December 16-17. Find their results on the I/I Facebook page! The USPA I/I Middle School Tournaments are offered during the fall season and are open to all players 5th-8th grade. If you would like to host a tournament, or have an interested player for 2019, please contact Emily Dewey edewey@uspolo.org for more information. POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 25
Polo stars
Hall of Fame class of 2019 revealed
KRYSTAL ZASKEY
P
olo’s finest to be honored at the annual Hall of Fame dinner gala at the National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame in Lake Worth, Florida, February 15.
The board of directors of the National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the following individuals will be honored at its annual induction ceremony next month: Daniel Gonzalez Hall of Fame Selected as the Hall of Fame Award winner, Daniel Gonzalez was a part of the American polo scene for over 35 years, known both as a player and a coach. A 926 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
goal player in the U.S. and rated 10 in Argentina, he won every high-goal tournament played on the Pacific Coast, including the Pacific Coast Open and Butler Handicap. His international record is astounding, having won major tournaments in England and France and the most important Argentine tournaments, including seven wins in the Argentine Open between 1961 and 1973. His most compelling attribute may be his
commitment to pass on his knowledge of polo to others. Bringing players and teams to California to play for 39 consecutive years, Daniel has coached with dedication. The gift of his knowledge and polo expertise has proven to have influenced countless numbers of young, aspiring polo players. Gerald Matthews Balding Hall of Fame Gerald Matthews Balding, a dashing
Daniel Gonzalez
figure of the Golden Age of polo in the 1930s, was chosen posthumously for the Hall of Fame category. After the first World War and in his 20s, English-born Balding was invited by Robert Strawbridge, then president of the United States Polo Association, to come to America to train our boys how to play the game. He made the trip and became an instructor for the Rumson Polo Club in Rumson, New Jersey. He went on to become an internationally known star. A 10 goaler in England he was the captain of the British national team and as a 9 goaler in America he won the Junior Championship in 1928, the U.S. Open in 1935 and 1936 and the Monty Waterbury Cup in 1930 and 1935. Balding represented America winning the 1930 Hurlingham Champion Cup with the Hurricanes team and rode with the American squad against Argentina in the Cup of the Americas in 1936. Karlene Beal Garber Philip Iglehart Award Karlene, part of a legendary polo family, has created her own legacy, paving the way for a bright future for the sport. From 1997 to 2011 she chaired 11 of 14 annual charity events on behalf of the Polo Training Foundation. What began as a small gathering quickly became an international affair. It was a
Gerald Balding
catalyst for major donations to the PTF. On the playing field she made history in 1999 with her all-women’s BTA team with Caroline Anier, Susan Stovall and Kristy Waters joining her in defeating the entire field of 13 mixed teams in Eldorado Polo Club’s (Indio, California) January 4-goal league. That season they also won the February 4-goal league and
the Junior Officer’s Cup. Karlene has served as PTF chairman, a USPA Governor-at-Large, an FIP ambassador and an owner of the Eldorado Polo Club. John B. Armstrong Philip Iglehart Award John B. Armstrong will be honored POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 27
Karlene Beal Garber
posthumously with the Philip Iglehart Award. A second generation polo enthusiast, Armstrong played and won his first tournament in 1937, starting a career that saw him reach a 6-goal handicap and spanned 65 years. During that time he served the USPA as Southwest circuit governor during the 1950s and was vice-chairman from 1960 to 1962. Some of his biggest contributions to polo were his influence and the example of sportsmanship and good character he set for generations of players both on and off the field. He guided them with tips on horsemanship, team play and general good advice. Armstrong helped organize polo across South Texas and put on a number of special events to benefit
Mr. Polo with Memo Gracida
28 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
others, among them a match with Prince Charles, a special match to honor Cecil Smith and an international match between the USA and Spain at Retama. He took teams to England, Pakistan and Guatamala. He was, in a manner, a lifelong ambassador of polo. Mr Polo Horses to Remember Memo Gracida’s memorable old war horse, Mr. Polo, who more than lived up to his name, recently died at the age of 35. Playing in his first U.S. Open at age 4, the magnificent chestnut Thoroughbred gelding played with heart for Gracida through over 10 years of high-goal polo. He played two chukkers under Gracida in each of eight U.S. Opens wins. He earned many
John B. Armstrong
Conover and J. Monty Waterbury
Best Playing Pony honors in other major tournaments along the way, including the Camacho Cup, and was featured in Sports Illustrated magazine. Conover Horses to Remember In the early 1900s, Conover was part of the incomparable string of Harry Payne Whitney. He was regarded as a star of the international matches from 1909 to 1914, played by Whitney as well as Monty Waterbury. Both Whitney and Waterbury are Hall of Famers and half of the legendary “Big Four” who, aided by a select group of amazing ponies, dominated international polo in those years. After a long and illustrious
playing career, Conover was used as a mount for the Whitney children. “This is a stellar group of individuals, all of whom have made amazing contributions to the sport of polo in this country” says the Museum’s Executive Director, George DuPont. “We are looking forward to welcoming them as they join the others who have Tickets are $250 each (tax deductible portion $125) To purchase, contact Brenda Lynn at the Museum of Polo 561.969.3210 or 561.969.7015 email: polomusuem@att.net
been honored in the polo Hall of Fame.” Nominating Committee chairman Peter Rizzo added, “The Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame is the place where we remember and honor all of our remarkable players and our amazing horses. Our sport is built on the wonderful contributions made by so many notable men and women who have promoted and preserved the great traditions of the past.” The awards gala and induction ceremony will take place at the National Museum of Polo on Friday, February 15. The event typically sells out so be sure to make reservations early. Tickets are $250 each (tax deductible portion $125). The annual Hall of Fame awards dinner is the most important fundraising event for the museum, a 501(c) 3, not-for-profit organization. POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 29
Namesake Carlos Gracida Jr. hopes to carry on his dad’s legacy by Gwen Rizzo
P
olo great Carlos Gracida planted the polo seeds for his two sons. Today, they are building on some of what their dad started and making a name for themselves along the way.
30 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
approach it,” explained Carlitos. With an open mind, he was able to take in a lot, even getting the most out of dressage lessons to learn about different aspects of horsemanship. “[The dressage lessons] taught us a lot,” he said. “It taught us to slow down what we were doing and focus on little movements and little things that you maybe don’t think about as a polo rider. Monty taught us that any relationship is mental and there always has to be a boundary of respect and space. It has to be enjoyable for both of us so I have to enjoy it and the horse has to enjoy it.” Carlitos says he tries to apply the things he has heard and seen through those experiences by replaying them in his mind. Once they were comfortable on a horse, the boys began stick and balling with their dad and eventually playing. When Carlitos was 15, he got an opportunity to play in the 2006 U.S. Open, filling in for Kevin Mokarow, who reinjured his groin in the first chukker of the Mokarow Farm team’s first game. The team included his dad, his Hall-ofFame uncle, Memo and Temmy Willington. At the time, Carlitos called it the biggest game of his life but today he admits he wasn’t that focused on polo then. “I was going to school and doing other sports as well. At that time, it was just part of my life, it was just there,” he said. It wasn’t until he finished high school that he began to take polo more serously. In the Open game, his dad was nervous for him, telling reporter Sharon Robb after the game, “I was very nervous for Carlitos, because he is still very green, and to come in the U.S. Open against one of the best teams was asking a lot. I didn’t want to push him because he is my son. I was thinking if we lost, I hope he doesn’t quit polo. But I am very happy, he did very well.” The team went as far as the semifinals. Over the years, Carlitos and Mariano got to play a lot with their dad, who imparted a lot of polo wisdom on them. “He would always tell me, ‘it’s a difficult sport, so you have to simplify it and not make it so difficult. It’s already difficult
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 31
GABRIELLE STODD
As the oldest son of one of the best polo players of all time, Carlitos Gracida grew up around horses and polo. While others may see it as a novelty, for Carlitos and his brother, Mariano, it was all they knew. “I loved the horses, so for me that is something that I always enjoyed. It was always a part of my life so for me, home is the barn ... just being here with the horses and the dogs,” he explained. “This is what makes me feel at home because homes always changed for us.” Carlitos’ father, Carlos Gracida, reached a 10-goal handicap by the time he was 25 years old and held onto it for 15 years. He won nine U.S. Opens, five Argentine Opens and 10 British Opens. On three separate occasions he won the U.S., British and Argentine Opens in the same year, something no other player has accomplished. At the height of his career, in 1994, not only did he win Opens in three different countries, but he also won the Argentinean Triple Crown. That year, he was the only foreigner to ever win Most Valuable Player in the Argentine Open. Carlos Gracida was also known for his incredible horses. Always willing to learn more, he studied under famed horse trainer Monty Roberts, and in 2012 he was recognized by Queen Elizabeth II for his efforts to eliminate violence in the training of horses. While Carlos was a highly-respected international polo star, for Carlitos he was just dad, and their polo lifestyle was nothing out of the ordinary to him. “It was just our life. ... I still don’t know any different,” explained Carlitos. Carlos passed along his love of horses to his two sons. The boys began riding by the time they were 3 or 4. He taught them to ride and care for horses and had them learn from others as well. “He taught me what he knew from his father as well as what he learned on his own,” said Carlitos. “We also did dressage lessons with [polo player] Joel Baker’s wife, Charlotte; I did vaulting growing up; and ... spent a lot of time with Monty Roberts. “I learned you can always improve on your horsemanship and see what’s best for the horse with different ways to
CHIARO FOTO
Like their father, Carlitos and his brother take great pride in their horses, especially when they power past one of the sport’s best players, like Juan Martin Nero, above. Carlitos says winning this $100,000 World Cup final in April was his most memorable moment in polo so far.
enough.’ So, he gave me a lot of tips and points to simplify the game,” explained Carlitos. As the boys got older, Carlos spent more time with them one on one when working with the horses. He would ask them to stick and ball or just ride some of his good mares. He also shared his polo knowledge with them, teaching them different polo strategies. “If you are playing and you are on the other team’s half and you get the ball defensively (meaning the goal is behind you) and you are on the boards, he’d say hit down the boards, always,” explained Carlitos. “If you are in the middle, always hit a tail. If you are in front of a goal, always hit open ... and if you are attacking on the boards, always shutdown to zero so someone can run down the middle for the pass,” Carlitos said. “[Those are things] Memo and [my dad] did. That way when they got to the game, they didn’t even have to talk. They didn’t have to yell, ‘tail!’ They already knew that if they were here, they hit tail,” he said. “It is just a way to simplify the 32 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
game. Now, modern polo is very different and it is a bit more improvised. But, in a pressure situation, playing it simply is less risky.” Carlitos says the type of polo his dad played was more of a team sport. “If you know what I am going to do, that’s a team. If I just get to the ball and then decide, the result can be effective but it is a lot more risky.” While he admired his dad, Carlitos admits his dad was older when he was playing with him, and the game has changed since then. “The [players] my generation look up to are [Adolfo] Cambiaso and Facundo [Pieres]. For me, I learned to be dedicated because that is something my dad did, that is something Memo did and that is something Cambiaso does now. Cambiaso is at the barn every day no matter what,” said Carlitos. “What I learned is that if you are going to do something, your life has to revolve around that. There is always competition, so if the other guy is doing five hours, you have to do six. If the other guy’s doing 10 hours, you have to do 12 hours. For me, it
is the horses. [Polo] is a game of horses. You always try to improve your game and you can watch players and learn their styles but the biggest advantage is to know the horses.” He continued, “Cambiaso is the master at that and that is why he shines so much. He knows every horse on the field. If you are on a slow one and he’s on a fast one, he’s going to run. If you are on a fast one and he’s on a handy one, he is going to [slow the game down]. He always has two spares on each side, one fast, one handy, so depending on what play he is going into, he gets on that horse. He didn’t dedicate himself to his horsemanship as much as my father did, but he dedicates himself to the horses. He knows the horses and he is with them all day.” Four years ago, Carlos Gracida died as a result of a polo accident in Wellington, Florida. While losing your father is never easy, Carlitos decided to move forward, working with some of the things his father has started. “In a way, it was an opportunity. Now, everything I do is because of me and
GABRIELLE STODD
Above: Carlitos was MVP in the recent Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial. Left: Carlitos and his brother are now selling wine under the Gracida brand.
everything I earn is because of me. People can’t say I have what I have because of him,” Carlitos explained. “He did give me a lot of help and initiative on certain relationships. I am grateful for the relationships he helped me start, but the polo stuff, it all depends on [me] as an individual.” Nowadays, Carlitos, 27, spends the winters in Florida and the summers in Aspen, Colorado. Mariano, 25, also spends winters in Florida, but summers are in Denver, Colorado. Carlitos counts the players and grooms he is around every day as his family. The majority of his time is spent in the barn with his horses and dogs. At 4 goals, Carlitos would love to follow in his father’s footsteps as a 10-goal great, but he is realistic. “I want it all, but definitely want to do well in tournaments. If I want to progress, I need to always have better horses,” he said. “When I finished high school, I went to Argentina and was with Cambiaso one day. He told POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 33
34 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
ALEX PACHECO
me not to go buy a nice car [with my earnings], but instead buy a horse. I try to save a little bit of money for me, but most of the time I put my money back into my horses. I am at a point that I don’t have kids, I don’t have a lot of expenses so I try to grow as an individual and invest in myself, because I believe in it.” Carlitos and his brother are a team when it comes to their horses. They have about 30 horses between them, some made, some in training. They purchase green horses, most of which are sent to Mexico to be started by the same guy who used to train the best horses for their dad. After the initial training, the young horses come back to the states to be finished by the brothers. Some of the horses are sold, while they will keep others. Some of the horses they have sold have gone to players like Cambiaso, Facundo and Tim Dutta. “It’s hard to sell them. I am very picky. If it is one of my good ones, it is expensive and I want to make sure they are going to a good home.” Carlitos said. “I have to be sure it is going to be taken care of and if it is going from me to them, it has to be a better situation for the horse.” While some horse sellers take pride in seeing a great player play one of their horses, Carlitos isn’t necessarily one of them. “For me, the pride is in scoring a goal on Cambiaso, not having him score the goal,” said Carlitos. “It is satisfying for the horse’s career [to be played by good players]. I see [the horses] as individuals, so it is satisfying to see they made it to the top. Last year, Juan Martin Nero played a great mare of ours in the World Cup and the U.S. Open. It was nice because I sold her to Cambiaso as a 5year-old.” The brothers like to keep their horse operation relatively small, choosing quality over quantity. “I am very picky about the horses I own, and I know what standard I want my name attached to,” he said. They also have a few of their father’s good playing horses that still play. “For me, they are the bar. They are the quality I am continuing to pursue. With the couple of mares my dad made, I am like, OK, this is what a good horse is like. This is what a good horse should feel like, this is what it should play like,
Mariano, Carlos and Carlitos Gracida with Carlos’ mother at his Hall of Fame induction in 2012. He died two years later.
what it should look like.” Carlitos has some frozen embryos from some of his dad’s good horses he may eventually use, but as he points out, breeding is expensive and you have a lot of money in the babies before they are old enough to play. One of Carlitos’ most memorable games was the final of the $100,000 World Cup last April. “I won with Tommy Collingwood who is like my brother. ... We weren’t part of an organization. We put it all together. When we needed to practice, we would call everyone and ask, where can we practice. It was all because of our efforts. Nothing was given to us. We did it on our own. We mounted ourselves. We weren’t getting paid and we were playing our own horses so that is always a big risk. I was investing my time and money for that month to win that tournament. “It was huge and very important to me because it was the first high-goal tournament I’ve won. And the first highgoal tournament I scored the winning goal for.” Carlitos and Collingwood teamed up with Juan Monteverde and Peco Polledo. They defeated Grand Champions’ Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Juan Martin Nero and Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 10-9. With the game tied and just over a minute left, Carlitos, riding his brother’s horse, slipped past Nero and crushed a neckshot
through the air dead center through the posts. “I always say my horse scored the goal because she blew past Juan Martin [Nero] and he is the best defender in the world, so for me, that is the satisfaction I get from my work,” he said. “[Playing against top players] lets me know where I am as a professional. When you play against Juan Martin, you know what level your horses are at, what level your game is at and I think we showed him our level is good and our horses are good.” Carlitos and his brother have also been building their Gracida Legacy lifestyle brand, something their father started shortly before his death. “I wanted to do it because it was something [my dad] was pursuing ... something he saw potential in and he wanted to put a lot into. I would like to finish it really well,” explained Carlitos. Most recently, the brothers created a wine brand honoring their father. The Gracida Legacy website says, “The wine carries on [Carlos Gracida’s] legacy by coupling the most prestigious sport in the world with an age-old tradition of celebration through wine enthusiasm. The wine, produced in Spain, is sold in three varieties: Gran Reserva (a Tempranillo Cabernet blend), Chardonnay and Rosé. It is distributed regionally in several states including
Florida, Tennessee and Texas. It will soon be available in Colorado and will hopefully expand to other areas as well. They are also working on getting it in restaurants. The Gracidas also put on an annual polo event in Wellington, Florida, played on the anniversary of their father’s death. “It is to celebrate the life of horses and everything they’ve done for our community. They are the reason we are here and they are the reason Wellington is here,” Carlitos explained. They also have a foundation they’ve set up that Carlitos plans to use to help underprivileged kids. “What I want to do is have kids from broken homes come here and spend time with me. Maybe if they want to be polo players or athletes, they can come see what it takes to do that, how much work it takes. If they want to go to college, they can do an internship with people I know through polo,” Carlitos said. “My father was always thinking about other people and how he could help them.” Carlos Gracida is honored each fall at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, through its Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial tournament. Played this year for the fifth time, Carlitos and his brother joined forces with their cousin Julio Gracida and friend Riley Ganzi for the Gracida Wine team. They took on the American Polo Horse team with Santos Bollini, Weston Gracida, Wes Finlayson and Whistle Uys. Gracida Wine shut out American Polo Horse, 3-0, in the first half. They continued to dominate in the second half, finishing ahead, 6-2. Carlitos was named MVP of the match. “I don’t have mixed emotions, I have great emotions,” Carlitos told Robb. “I appreciate everything from everybody, everyone being here and everyone playing. For me it’s an opportunity to have fun and I am grateful that everyone helps me create that.” Mariano added, “It’s bittersweet for us always. He was a great father and we always miss him. Many people who knew him won’t forget him and they are not going to stop remembering him so it’s nice. It’s special, it’s not about winning or losing. Every time there is something for my father, it’s special.”
IS YOUR RIG CHUKKERED OUT? See Tony Coppola for: • Four Star Aluminum Trailers • Hannover Steel Trailers • New and Used Trucks/Trailers Available at All Times Call Tony:
(561) 793-6422 or 793-2012 Ten-goal Adolfo Cambiaso has been winning in the Texas Polo Luxe Edition Saddle for eight seasons everywhere he plays: Florida, England and Argentina
DALLAS •www.Texaspolo.com • 214 - 720 - 0233 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 35
Record-breaker Polo Championships draw big numbers Photos by Dave Seibert
T
he eighth annual Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships in Scottsdale, Arizona, brought together the best of everything—polo players, cars, music and fashion— November 10-11, breaking records for tickets sales, food sales, performances and more.
Arizona might be best known for the Grand Canyon, but in the world of polo, it is increasingly getting attention for its Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships. According to organizers, this year further boosted its presence with crowds of over 11,600 people, a half-dozen polo matches, high-profile polo players, the world’s longest catwalk fashion show, collector cars and so much more.
On the smaller outdoor field, teams were played three per side rather than four. Ralph Lauren model and polo player Nacho Figueras made his debut in Scottsdale, teaming up with Melissa Ganzi and her son Grant on the BarrettJackson Aspen Valley Polo Team for the event’s signature Molina Cup on Saturday. The team took the title for the fourth consecutive year, 12-5, over
Clogau Wales sponsored by Bentley Scottsdale. The Wales team included Ricky Cooper, Pete Webb and Ashley Busch, a U.S. Polo Assn. global brand ambassador. Grant Ganzi was MVP. In other Saturday action, Scottsdale Maserati Arizona Polo Club (Bill Stalcup, Martin Vidal, Diego Florez, Andres Camacho) prevailed, 8-6, over Talking Stick Resort Italy Polo (Matteo
Nacho Figueras made his debut at the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships.
36 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
de Paolis, Mario Elser, Massimo Elser); Molina Fine Jewelers Palm Beach Polo Club (Brian Boyd, Marc Ganzi, Juan Bollini) defeated Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty’s World All-Stars (Tony Yahyai, Juancito Bollini, Carlitos Gracida), 8-5; Safeway Albertson’s Work to Ride (Hulian Penados, Shariah Harris, Kareem Rosser) beat Spiritual Gangster Polo Azteca (George Estrada, Allison Freeman, Jaime Rizo, Theo Wakefield), 5-4. While the matches were being played, numerous musical and cultural performances were taking place, including The Phoenix Symphony showcasing Mozart; Phoenix Theatre performing some of the greatest Broadway musical songs of all time; performances by bagpiper Ford Dudley, The Phoenix Opera, the Phoenix Boys Choir, mute rapper Isaiah Acosta with vocals by Trap House and violinist Monica Nia Jones performing AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck”; and a poetry slam. The highlight of the day’s music was the Pilgrim’s Rest Gospel Choir, which represents the state’s largest AfricanAmerican congregation, singing the national anthem as Red Bull Skydivers delivered the American flag to the field. The matches continued Sunday with the Battle of the Sexes match, honoring the late Sunny Hale. The ladies of the France Luxe team (Natalie Camacho, Sheryl Sick, Danielle Travis) crushed Sanderson Lincoln (Barclay Knopp, Felipe Ochos, Vinny Sagalin), 8-1.
Spiritual Gangster’s Nacho Figueras, Melissa Ganzi and Juan Bollini won the international match over Talking Stick Resort. Figueras and Ganzi also won the Molina Cup for the fourth time.
Over 11,000 people attended the event over two days.
The action concluded with an international match pitting Spiritual Gangster’s Melissa Ganzi, Nacho Figueras and Juan Bollini against Talking Stick Resort’s Marc Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida and Juancito Bollini, a U.S. Polo Assn. global brand ambassador. The match was a bit of a domestic fight with husband and wife, Marc and Melissa Ganzi, and father and son, Juan and Juancito Bollini, battling it out. In the end, Spiritual Gangster pulled out the 94 victory. Figueras was MVP. Car enthusiasts strolled through the many collector cars on site, a preview of the Barrett-Jackson 2019 Collector Car Auction. The Apex Cup, courtesy of the POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 37
U.S. Polo Assn. global brand ambassador Ashley Busch played in the Molina Cup. Her husband, professional stock car racing driver Kurt Busch, left, was on hand for the event.
landmark new Apex Motor Club in Maricopa, Arizona, debuted, recognizing the top cars on site, including collector cars courtesy of Barrett-Jackson, Ferrari Club of Arizona, Porsche Club, Scottsdale Corvette Club, Arizona Classic Thunderbird Club, AZ Lamborghini Club, Corvette Club of America, as well as cars of Apex members and dozens of other Arizona car owners. For the first time, the world’s farthest rugby sevens match was played. Led by 38 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Arizona State University’s rugby team, the match was played on a field nearly two and a half times longer than normal. Field-side tents had something for everyone including the F.A.B. (fashion, art and beauty) tent, featuring a pop-up art gallery by the Scottsdale-based Larsen Art Gallery and Auction; sideline manicures by the Talking Stick Resort Spa; fashion displays by Evan’s Furs and LoveOverH8, a socially conscious clothing line by local resident Cheryl Najafi; and Velveteria, a Los Angeles-
based museum devoted to velvet art works. A wine, cheese and chocolate tent offered samples of extensive selections of each available for purchase. A romantic “couples cabanas” on the west side of the polo field provided a private tent for two with a complimentary bottle of champagne and a superb view of the polo action and McDowell Mountains. The DJ-infused party tents had eight DJs playing on site at one time.
Carlitos Gracida, U.S. Polo Assn. global brand ambassador Juancito Bollini and USPA Border Circuit Governor Tony Yahyai
The World’s “Longest” Catwalk fashion show included 10 U.S. Polo Assn. models in polo whites and polo brights to represent its summer collection.
USPA Pacific Northwest Circuit Governor Sheryl Sick, Danielle Travis and Natalie Camacho won the Battle of the Sexes match. With them is Border Circuit Governor Tony Yahyai.
Hall Pass, the country’s most unusual pop-up sports bar debuted, allowing sports fans to enjoy football and other games on televisions throughout the day. Fan favorites returned, including the Arizona Humane Society Canine Couture: A Dog Fashion Show Like No Other, presented by Lugari Pet Salon. Additionally, Phoenix Fashion Week produced the third annual World’s “Longest” Catwalk fashion show. U.S. Polo Assn. outfitted 10 models in polo whites and polo brights to represent its summer collection in the fashion show. U.S. Polo Assn. also offered in-store promotions and ticket giveaways with instore purchases at partnering stores to drive consumer attention to the event. The U.S. Polo Assn. logo was also featured on players’ jersey in the polo matches. Other attractions included a luxury tent experience by Neiman Marcus, Steak 44 and Barrett-Jackson; the Molina Fine Jewelers VIP tent; an unusual mid-field skybox where horses entered and exited the field; and numerous local restaurants and food trucks including Fried & Fizzy, Arizona’s first pop-up restaurant and food truck featuring fried chicken and champagne. The Sunday Brunch presented by Scottsdale Maserati anchored Sunday’s festivities. “Whether it’s ‘the next Phoenix Open’ as one of our guests called it this weekend, or ‘the best polo event in the world’ as the captain of the Wales Polo Team does, there’s no doubt that this was another memorable year for the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships, and a moment that saw the event go from big and beautiful to bucket list,” said Jason Rose, co-founder of the Scottsdale Polo Party. “It couldn’t have happened without the blue-chip roster of sponsors, partners and guests that make it all possible. We’re grateful. We’re appreciative. And we’re very fortunate to be in their very good company,” he said. Rose’s goal is for the event to become to polo what the largest tournament in the world, The Waste Management Phoenix Open, is to golf. Plans for 2019 are already under way. POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 39
P
O
L
O
I
N
T
H
E
P
A
M
P
A
BY ERNESTO RODRIGUEZ
S
SUPER TEAM The best teams can beat you even when they don’t play well
D
Harriott and Alberto and Horacio Heguy, unique. “When they play well, they beat you. And when they play badly, they do too. They always win,” explained Tanoira, then the elegant leader of the Mar del Plata team. Tanoira was direct witness to the domination by Coronel Suarez during the 1960s and ‘70s. Today, the same thing happens with La Dolfina Sancor Seguros, another quartet that, like Coronel Suarez in its time, is rated the maximum 40 goals. “We won because we had to win. On
the court maybe there were no big differences. But we have a huge team, with attitude and excellent level of play,” said Adolfo Cambiaso after the final of the 77th edition of the Tortugas Country Club Open. It was not always like that for Cambiaso & Co. In fact, until the first triumph of this series, in 2013, La Dolfina had never lifted the Emilio de Anchorena Cup since Adolfito preferred to keep his best horses for Hurlingham and Palermo. SERGIO LLAMERA
espite not showing the best version of itself, La Dolfina Sancor Seguros defeated Ellerstina, 11-9, to get its sixth consecutive title in the Tortugas Country Club Open, the first step in the Argentine Triple Crown. Gonzalo Tanoira, one of the best players of all time, once gave a magnificent explanation of what made the Coronel Suarez team, comprised of brothers Juan Carlos and Alfredo
Adolfo Cambiaso praised his team for its attitude and excellent level of play.
40 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
La Dolfina Sancor Seguros: 40
“Since Milo Fernández Araujo took over as coach he convinced us that we had to play all at 100 percent because it was important to mark positions from the first match. And we understood it. That’s why we started to win and we did not stop anymore,” acknowledged the leader of the (almost) unbeatable quartet. The 2018 version of the Country Club Open located on the Pan-American Highway, some 25 miles north of Buenos Aires, had eight title contenders, between 31-40 goals, with a direct elimination system that also premiered a subsidiary cup for the teams that had lost in the initial round. The contest opened with two days of quarterfinals. On Wednesday, Sept. 26, La Dolfina Polo Ranch clearly defeated La Aguada, 14-9, despite a remarkable performance by Diego Cavanagh, author of seven goals. Next, La Dolfina Sancor Seguros swept Alegría-La Irenita, by a convincing 21-5, with Pablo Mac Donough as best scorer, hitting eight conquests. A day later, other strong results had Las Monjitas beat Albertina Abu Dhabi–with Nic Roldan debuting in the Triple Crown—by a wide 18-4, with notable work by Facundo Sola and Guillermo Caset, authors of 15 goals between them. Not to be outdone, Ellerstina premiered 40 goals and presented a new game plan, with Nicolás Pieres as No. 3 and his brother Facundo taking his place as back. Cría Yatay suffered, surpassed by a wide 18-7. The first semifinal, held on Thursday, Oct. 4, was the clash between the two representatives of La Dolfina. And the 40goal team had no mercy on the “younger brother” beating it 18-9. “At least we won the first chukker,” was the jocular response of Diego Cavanagh, No. 1 of La Dolfina Polo Ranch. A while later, Ellerstina took two periods to unlock the match against Las Monjitas in a remarkably fast game until it was unreachable for the team in orange. The final score (15-10) seemed little for such a demonstration by Ellerstina.
Adolfo Cambiaso David Stirling Pablo Mac Donough Juan Martín Nero
10 10 10 10
Ellerstina:
40
Pablo Pieres Gonzalo Pieres Nicolás Pieres Facundo Pieres
10 10 10 10
La Aguada:
32
Alejandro Novillo Astrada Alfredo Bigatti Julio Novillo Astrada Ignacio Novillo Astrada
8 8 7 9
La Albertina Abu Dhabi:
31
Nicolás Roldán Francisco Elizalde Ignacio Toccalino Alfredo Cappella Barabucci
7 8 8 8
Las Monjitas:
36
Facundo Sola Hilario Ulloa Guillermo Caset Julián de Lusarreta
9 10 10 7
La Dolfina Polo Ranch:
32
Diego Cavanagh Guillermo Terrera Alejo Taranco Ignatius Du Plessis
8 8 8 8
Alegría-La Irenita:
32
Juan Martín Zavaleta Clemente Zavaleta Frederick Mannix Matías Mac Donough
8 7 9 8
Cría Yatay: Valerio Zubiaurre Cristian Laprida Joaquín Pittaluga Ignacio Laprida
32 8 8 8 8
Two days later, the semifinals of the subsidiary were played. Albertina Abu Dhabi beat Cría Yatay, 15-11, after receiving a goal on handicap, while La Aguada needed overtime to beat AlegríaLa Irenita, 14-13, with a goal from Alfredo Bigatti. The definition was postponed and does not yet have a game date. At the same time, in the property that the Argentine Polo Association owns in Pilar, the Remonta and Veterinary Tournament was defined, offering two
places for the Palermo and Hurlingham Opens. La Cañada Angiocor Daily Racing Form gave the surprise, defeating the thus-far unbeaten Alegría Fish Creek with a goal in overtime when Jared Zenni converted a 30-yard penalty. The triumph generated a three-way tie between these two quartets and Pilará EN that was defined in favor of La Cañada by that agonizing victory. In the other zone, 24 hours earlier, La Ensenada beat La Esquina LM, 13-7, decreeing that for the first time in 62 years no Heguys will compete in Palermo since Chapaleufú, the third in contention in that bracket, lost against both teams. On Sunday, Oct. 7, the first 80-goal final was celebrated in Tortugas, a hot match between two giants. Thanks to a sizzling start by David Stirling, La Dolfina took a 3-0 lead in the initial chukker that would condition the process in the next six periods. When Ellerstina managed to match 5-all at the beginning of the fifth chukker, La Dolfina was a machine and scored four unanswered goals to get back in the lead. The Pieres’ honor allowed them to be only one down (10-9) with four minutes on the clock. “We had our moments, we went against the wind all the game but failed some penalties in decisive moments. That was the difference: we failed, they did not,” acknowledged Gonzalo Pieres, top scorer of Ellerstina with four goals. At that boiling moment, Pelón Stirling appeared, stealing the ball, scoring the decisive goal and securing the MVP award. “The prize is something nice, you can see that they gave it to me for the goal at the end. But the most beautiful thing is to have a team that goes ahead in any circumstance,” explained the Uruguayan player. At the time of the horse awards, Bárbara, owned by Valiente Polo and played by Cambiaso, was chosen as the best horse in the tournament, while Open Léxica, owned by Ellerstina SA and played by Gonzalo Pieres, was elected as the best Polo Argentino horse. POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 41
Commitment, companionship and above all: passion. That is what Lawyers Polo is about. A tournament that aims to bring together polo lawyers from different parts of the world for a week on a polo field. The main concept is the exchange of ideas and professional experiences in the most spectacular clubs Eighth edition of Lawyers Polo held in Tangier in the world. PHOTOS BY SNOOPY PRODUCTIONS After seven editions (Buenos Aires, Madrid, Toronto, Dubai, Paris, Bangkok and Sotogrande) the 2018 tournament was held in Tangier, Morocco. PGH La Palmeraie, the exclusive polo club owned by Patrick
DESTINATION: MOROCCO
Guerrand-Hermès, includes three fields on the Atlantic Ocean. Eight teams, 32 players and many family and friends were part of the Lawyers Polo 10th anniversary: a week of polo, beach and adventures among which there were 16 polo matches, a black-tie cocktail and a Moroccan party. The eighth edition of Lawyers Polo (the tournament was not played in 2013, 2014 or 2017) also featured a series of special trophies offered by the Royal House under the blessing of Haut Patronage from the King Mohammed VI and the participation of the Royal Fantasy. The eight teams included lawyers and players from: Argentina, Austria,
Fantasia, the traditional Moroccan ceremony, celebrates the bond between man and horse. A group of riders in elaborate costumes gallop in a straight line, brandishing muskets. A synchronized firing of guns makes it sound as if a single shot has been fired.
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
S P O T L I G H T
The event was held at PGH La Palmeraie, the exclusive polo club owned by Patrick Guerrand-Hermès. The club has three polo fields on the Atlantic Ocean.
A Moroccan dinner party, trips to the beach and other adventures gave everyone a chance to experience the local culture.
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 43
Cortijo’s Alfredo Vargas, Luis Nieto, Elspeth Talbot and Felipe Mendes de Almeida took the Lawyers Polo title.
Above: PGH La Palmeraie club owner Patrick Guerrand-Hermès and artist Alejandro Moy present Eduardo Bérèterbide a Moy sketch for being Most Gentleman Player.
Above: Lawyers Polo cofounder Eduardo Bérèterbide and host Patrick Guerrand-Hermès kick off the Lawyers Polo celebration.
Shawn Coulson’s Joel Romero solidly hooks Gávea North’s Jacinto Peralta Ramos in the consolation for third and fourth place. Shawn Coulson won.
44 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Morocco, Malaysia, Portugal, Slovakia, Singapore, Switzerland, Chile, Venezuela, Brazil, United Kingdom and the United States. The matches began on Tuesday, Sept. 25, with Mena Legal defeating Texas Monthly, 6-4; Cortijo defeating Bodega Fin del Mundo, 8-4; Gavea North defeating Quantocoin, 5-3; and Shawn Coulson defeating Kerres Partners, 9-1. Second-round games had Bodega Fin del Mundo defeating Quantocoin, 3-2; Cortijo defeating Gavea North, 4-2; Shawn Coulson defeating Texas Monthly, 5-3; and Mena Legal defeating Kerres Partners, 9-4. Mena Legal took its third win, defeating Shawn Coulson, 6-4; Gavea North edged Bodega Fin del Mundo, 3-2; Cortijo crushed Quantocoin, 9-4; and Kerres Partners got the best of Texas Monthly, 3-1. The final and consolation matches were played on Saturday, Sept. 29. Texas Monthly prevailed over Quantocoin, 3-1,
Cortijo: Luis Nieto (Columbia) Alfredo Vargas (Venezuela) Elspeth Talbot (United Kingdom) Felipe Mendes de Almeida (Portugal)
2 1 1 0 0
Shawn Coulson: Juan Vigo (Argentina) Rachid Arfaoui (Morocco) Joel Romero (Argentina) Piero Dillier (Switzerland)
2 2 0 0 0
Gávea North: 2 Jacinto Peralta Ramos (Argentina) 2 Guillermo Steta Mondragon (Mexico) 1 Miguel Caetano Freitas (Portugal) -1 Gerry Gan (Singapore) A Texas Monthly: Sergio Eguiguren (Chile) Mohamed Filali (Morocco) Paul Hobby (United States) Carlos Portugal Gouvea (Brazil)
2 3 0 0 -1
for seventh place honors. Bodegas Fin del Mundo edged Kerres Partners, 2-1, for fifth place, while Shawn Coulson slipped Gavea North, 3-2, for third place. The final pitted Mena Legal against Cortijo, both with 3-0 records. It was a
Quantocoin: Eduardo Bereterbide (Argentina) Alston Beinhorn (United States) Carlos Rivas (Venezuela) Joseph Fitszimons (United States)
1 1 -1 1 0
Kerres Partners: Ahmed Moukachi (Morocco) Christoph Kerres (Austria) Martin Magal (Eslovaquia) Farid Rifaat (Austria)
1 1 0 1 -1
Bodega Fin del Mundo Jose Frías Silva (Argentina) Joachim Feller (Germany) Misty Allen (United States) Rodrigo Sola Torino (Argentina)
2 2 1 -1 0
Mena Legal: Sidi Mojamet (Morocco) Dinyar Madon (India) Philip Saame (Germany) Luca Frontini (Italy)
1 2 0 0 -1
close match but in the end Cortijo prevailed, 6-4. Cortijo’s Alfredo Vargas was named MVP, while Most Gentleman Player went to Quantocoin’s Eduardo Bérèterbide.
The players and teams were introduced at a black-tie gala. The event brings together lawyers from around the world to mingle, network and enjoy some polo competition.
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
TRAVIESO CLINCHES NORTH AMERICAN CUP
Travieso’s MVP Pite Merlos gets past Audi’s Brandon Phillips in the 20-goal USPA North American Cup. Merlos scored four second-half goals, rallying his team and winning the match.
I
n a wild finish, Travieso rallied in the second half to win the coveted USPA North American Cup, Oct. 27, at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida. Trailing by five goals (9-4) at halftime, Travieso (Tony Calle, Grant Ganzi, Juan Cruz Merlos, Pite Merlos) staged an incredible comeback for a stunning 14-13 overtime victory over Audi (Wes Finlayson, Brandon Phillips, Pablo Spinacci, Marc Ganzi) in one of the most exciting finishes in
46 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
the cup’s history. Travieso was relentless in the second half, shutting out Audi in the fifth chukker, 4-0. Travieso outscored Audi 94 in the final three chukkers before Grant Ganzi came up with the gamewinning Penalty 2 conversion with 3:41 left in sudden death. Audi played a near-perfect first half, jumping out to a 4-1 lead in the opening chukker with goals from Finlayson and Ganzi and two goals on handicap. Audi continued to control the momentum in
the next two chukkers to extend its lead to 6-3 after two chukkers and 9-4 at the half. Travieso clawed its way back into the game in one of the most amazing turnarounds. Merlos scored two goals and Ganzi converted a Penalty 3 to outscore Audi, 3-2, in the fourth chukker, to trail 11-7. Travieso outscored Audi, 4-0, in the fifth to tie the game at 11-11 on Ganzi’s goal off a rebound with 24 seconds left. Former 10-goaler Pite Merlos was
R E P O R T GABRIELLE STODD
P O L O
named MVP after the playmaker sparked the comeback and scored four second-half goals. “It’s a great feeling to win like this, coming back in extra time,” Merlos said. “I’m so sorry for Audi because they were a great challenge.” Five-year-old Bliss, played by Spinacci and owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm, was selected Best Playing Pony. In the Just For the Love Of It subsidiary, Gracida Wines (Carlitos Gracida, Whistle Uys, Mariano Gracida, Julio Gracida) defeated FlexJet (Melissa Ganzi, Pablo Dorignac, Pablo Spinacci, Juan Bollini), 11-9. The tournament kicked off the club’s fall high-goal season. In the USPA National Twenty Goal played next, Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Whistle Uys, Julio Gracida, Pablo Spinacci) defended its title with an 11-9 defeat of FlexJet (Melissa Ganzi, Jason Crowder, Jeff Blake, Juan Bollini). In a repeat of last year’s final, Casablanca broke open a close game in the sixth chukker, outscoring FlexJet, 31, to clinch the victory. Pablo Spinacci, 41, was named MVP. Playing from the back, Spinacci was the defensive leader and also scored three goals including a penalty conversion. He finished with seven goals for the tournament. “I am very happy with the game and that we won,” Spinacci said. “It was a good game. I liked our team, they were easy to play with.”
USPA CEO Bob Puetz presented the National Twenty Goal trophy to Julio Gracida, Pablo Spinacci, Grant Ganzi and Whistle Uys.
Bliss won her second Best Playing Pony award, for the final, under Spinacci. Tornado, a 7-year-old chestnut gelding played by Uys and owned by Franklin, Tennessee-based Graymar Farm, was Best Playing Pony for the tournament. Cupid, a 7-year-old grey gelding owned by Julio Gracida was the American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony. Playing together for the first time in the tournament, Casablanca opened with a one-goal lead on handicap and built a 3-1 lead after two chukkers, outscoring Flexjet, 2-1 and 1-0. Behind Blake’s three goals, FlexJet outscored
Casablanca, 3-1, to even the score at 4-4 at the half. Behind Spinacci’s two goals and another goal from Ganzi, Casablanca regained the lead, 7-6, at the end of the fourth chukker. Spinacci scored with 28 seconds left in the chukker. FlexJet bounced back to outscore Casablanca, 2-1, with goals from Crowder and Blake to take an 8-7 lead before another Grant Ganzi goal scored at the 2:15 mark tied the game, 8-8. It was all Casablanca in the final chukker. Uys scored early with 7:11 on the clock to retake the lead, 9-8. Two minutes later, Uys scored again for a 108 advantage. Melissa Ganzi converted a
MVP Pablo Spinacci leads the pack in the National Twenty Goal. Whistle Uys, on Best Playing Pony Tornado, is far left.
GABRIELLE STODD
Travieso’s Pite Merlos, Juan Cruz Merlos, Grant Ganzi and Tony Calle took the 20-goal USPA North American Cup over Audi.
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 47
R E P O R T GABRIELLE STODD
P O L O
Tony Calle, Justin Daniels, Whistle Uys (not shown) and Jeff Hall won the Triple Crown of Polo. With them is artist Ramiro Britto.
30-yard penalty to trail by one with 3:48 left. After FlexJet missed two scoring opportunities, Julio Gracida scored the insurance goal with 18 seconds left. Uys, making his final appearance of the fall, finished off an outstanding season. Uys was a member of four winning teams during the medium-goal season, three titles with Sebucan and one with Whitehall Ranch. To get to the final, FlexJet defeated Travieso (Tony Calle, Carlitos Gracida, Pablo Dorignac, Tommy Biddle), 12-8, and Casablanca edged Audi (Marc Ganzi, Mariano Gracida, Juancito Bollini, Jeff Hall), 10-9. In other high-goal action, American Polo Horse won the coveted Triple Crown of Polo’s third and final leg of the 2018 polo series, Nov. 14. Playing in the dark, Justin Daniels converted a 30-yard penalty shot with 5:05 left to give APH (Justin Daniels, Tony Calle, Whistle Uys, Jeff Hall) a thrilling 7-6 sudden death overtime victory over Flexjet (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Julio Gracida, Jeff Blake). Hall, the team’s field general, was named MVP. Daniels scored a game-high four goals including the game-winner. The evenly-matched 16-goal teams exchanged the lead seven times before Daniels converted a 30-yeard penalty to tie the game at 6-6 with 2:42 left in regulation time. Both teams had scoring
48 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
USA’s Juan Bollini, an injured Juancito Bollini, Jeff Blake, Grant Ganzi and Marc Ganzi won the International Cup.
opportunities before the game went into sudden death overtime. APH led 2-1 after the opening chukker and 4-1 midway through the second chukker before FlexJet battled back to shut out APH, 2-0, in the third chukker and went into halftime tied, 44. The game was tied twice, 5-5 in the fifth and 6-6 in the sixth, before Daniels’ heroics. The APHA Best Playing Pony went to Garinche, a 4-year-old bay gelding played by Gracida in the fourth chukker. The season concluded with the International Cup and the Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial. USA captured the International Cup for the seventh year in a row. In an exciting finish, USA remained undefeated with a hard-fought 9-7½ victory over Azerbaijan. USA’s Marc Ganzi, Grant Ganzi, Jeff Blake and Juan Bollini led for most of the game to turn back the upset-minded Azerbaijan team of Rashad Hasanov, Elcin Jamalli, Andres “Lala” Laplacette, Adrian Laplacette and reserve Amil Namazov. Bollini was replacing his son, Juancito, who was injured in an earlier game. The Laplacettes are Bollini’s nephews. Blake, a three-time U.S. Open champion, was named MVP. At 6-goals he was the highest-rated member of the team. Team USA dominated most of the
hard-fought, physical game. Azerbaijan made it interesting late in the game. Trailing 8-4½ with 1:27 left in the fourth chukker, the aggressive Azeris scored three unanswered goals before Elcin Jamaili missed a scoring opportunity and Marc Ganzi scooped it up to score an insurance goal. The APHA Best Playing Pony was Nadia, a 5-year-old chestnut mare played by Marc Ganzi, and Grand Champions Best Playing Pony was Fendi, an 11-yearold dark bay mare played by Adrian Laplacette. Both horses are owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm. Later that day, Gracida Wines won the Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial. The fifth annual game that attracts family and friends from all over the world, honors the polo great who died tragically in February 2014 at the age of 53. It was only fitting Gracida Wine, with Gracida’s sons Carlitos and Mariano, nephew Julio Gracida and Riley Ganzi, defeated APH’s Santos Bollini, Weston Gracida, Wes Finlayson and Whistle Uys. Gracida Wine took a 3-0 halftime lead behind two goals by Julio Gracida and Ganzi and never trailed in the fourchukker game. Carlitos Gracida, 27, an up-andcoming 4-goaler, was named MVP. The club also hosted a busy mediumgoal schedule from Oct. 12 to Nov. 18, dominated by Pablo Pulido’s Sebucan.
R E P O R T
GABRIELLE STODD
P O L O
Gracida Wines’ Julio Gracida, Mariano Gracida, Riley Ganzi and Carlitos Gracida won the Legends of Polo Gracida Memorial.
Tony Coppola presented the Tackeria Cup to Casablanca’s Mariano Gracida, Juancito Bollini, Julio Gracida and Grant Ganzi.
Sebucan’s Whistle Uys, Juancito Bollini, Pablo Pulido and Carlitos Gracida won the U.S. Trust Cup.
Olexa Celine presented the Fall Classic trophys to Sebucan’s Julio Gracida, Whistle Uys, Mariano Gracida and MVP Pablo Pulido.
The Tackeria Invitational got the season started, Oct. 12-14. In front of a good crowd on an unseasonably hot day, Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Julio Gracida, Mariano Gracida) won a hard-fought overtime decision over FlexJet (Santos Bollini, Lucas Escobar, Kris Kampsen, Juan Bollini) in the final. FlexJet controlled most of the game until the sixth chukker when the game was tied twice, 8-8 and 9-9, before Mariano Gracida scored the winning goal in a crowd of players around the goal mouth to clinch the victory. Gracida, the youngest son of Hall of Famer and former 10-goaler Carlos Gracida, was named Most Valuable Player. He scored four goals including one in the sixth chukker to tie the game and the game-winner in overtime.
Cupid, a 6-year-old gelding owned by Julio Gracida was Best Playing Pony. To get to the final, FlexJet advanced over Santa Clara, 11-9, and Casablanca dominated Sebucan, 9-5. In the subsidiary, Santa Clara (Fernando Chavarria, Whistle Uys, Brandon Phillips, Luis Escobar) tied Sebucan (Carlitos Gracida, Pablo Pulido, Marc Ganzi, Pablo Dorignac), 10-10. On Oct. 22, Sebucan rallied in the fifth chukker to win the U.S. Trust Cup. After a scoreless fourth chukker, Sebucan (Pablo Pulido, Juancito Bollini, Whistly Uys, Carlitos Gracida) scored three goals in the fifth chukker for a thrilling 9-7 victory over ChukkerTV (Gerardo Patin, Brandon Phillips, Julio Gracida, Juan Bollini). South African Whistle Uys was named MVP. Seven-year-old mare
Cortina, played by Juancito Bollini in the fourth chukker and owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm, was Best Playing Pony. The lead changed hands nine times before Sebucan took charge in the fifth chukker after a scoreless fourth chukker. Uys opened the fifth chukker, taking a 6-5 lead followed by goals from Gracida and Juancito Bollini for an 8-5 lead going into the sixth chukker. Juan Bollini scored with 4:32 left to cut the lead to 8-7, and Carlitos Gracida converted a Penalty 3 at 2:44 to clinch the win. In the subsidiary, Newport (Gene Goldstein, Grant Ganzi, Juan Cruz Merlos, Kris Kampsen) dominated Travieso (Justin Daniels, Tony Calle, Mariano Gracida, Pablo Dorignac) for an impressive 12-6 victory. The following week, a new Sebucan
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 49
R E P O R T
GREGORY S. RATNER
P O L O
Gwen Rizzo presented Fall Plates trophies to Sebucan’s Pablo Pulido, Pablo Dorignac, Whistle Uys and MVP Julio Gracida.
line-up (Julio Gracida, Whistle Uys, Mariano Gracida, Pablo Pulido) eked out a 10-8 victory over Audi (Santos Bollini, Justin Daniels, Brandon Phillips, Pablo Dorignac). Pablo Pulido was MVP and his 10year-old grey mare, Alexa, was Best Playing Pony. Sebucan saw balanced scoring with Pulido scoring four goals, Mariano Gracida three, Whistle Uys two and Julio Gracida one. Audi started out with a two-goal handicap and was led by three goals off the mallet of Santos Bollini. Sebucan (Pablo Pulido, Pablo Dorignac, Whistle Uys, Julio Gracida) kept up its momentum into the Fall Plates tournament, defeating Audi (Tony Calle, Marc Ganzi, Brandon Phillips, Carlitos Gracida), 14-10. Audi, a 13-goal team, started off with a 2-0 lead and built a 3-2 advantage after the opening chukker. Sebucan found its momentum, outscoring Audi, 4-1, to take a 6-4 lead after two chukkers. Audi took advantage of Sebucan fouls in the third chukker, converting three penalty shots to go into halftime tied, 7-7. The halftime deadlock was the closest Audi would get. Sebucan, playing four-man team polo controlled the last three chukker, outscoring Audi, 4-2, for an 11-9 lead, 1-0 to lead 12-9 and 2-1 for the final 14-10 score. Julio Gracida, 30, one of the most
50 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Whitehall Ranch’s Bill Lane, Sugar Erskine, Whistle Uys and Pablo Dorignac won the Polo Gear Challenge Cup.
dominant players on the field, was named MVP. His 12-year-old mare Fantastic Roo was Best Playing Pony. On Nov. 11, Whitehall Ranch (Bill Lane, Sugar Erskine, Whistle Uys, Pablo Dorignac) knocked off Sebucan (Pablo Pulido, Mariano Gracida, Julio Gracida, Tito Gaudenzi) to win the Polo Gear Challenge, but it wasn’t easy. The lead changed hands nine times. Sebucan started off with a 3-0 lead on handicap, but was shut out by Whitehall Ranch, 1-0 and 2-0, in the first two chukkers to begin the third chukker tied at 3-3. Whitehall Ranch outscored Sebucan, 3-1, with goals from Dorignac, Lane and Uys for a 6-4 halftime lead. Sebucan came out hot in the fourth chukker, dominating the throw-ins to outscore Whitehall Ranch, 3-1, to end the chukker tied at 7-7. Julio Gracida scored off the throw-in to open the fifth chukker and scored again on a 100yarder in the air to put sebucan up 9-7 with 3:07 left in the chukker. After the teams exchanged goals, Sebucan led 10-8 with 4:45 left in the sixth chukker before costly penalties enabled Whitehall Ranch to rally with three clutch penalty conversions. With 12 seconds left in regulation time, Erskine converted a 60-yard penalty to clinch the win and end Sebucan’s hopes of winning its forth consecutive tournament of the season.
Dorignac, who scored a game-high five goals, was selected MVP. Daphne, a bay mare played by Lane and owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm, was Best Playing Pony. The Pedro Morrison Memorial on Nov. 18 capped off the medium-goal season. Aspen Valley (Morgan Van Overbroek, James Rogerson, Mariano Gracida, Carlitos Gracida) defeated St. Moritz (Reto Gaudenzi/Daniel Crasemann, Tony Calle, Jeff Hall, Marc Ganzi), 3-1 in the final of a round-robin match. In the other rounds, St. Moritz defeated American Polo Horse (Sebastien Le Page, Santos Bollini, Pablo Dorignac, Tito Gracida), 4-1, and Aspen Valley defeated American Polo Horse, 4-2. Carlitos Gracida, who scored four goals, was named MVP. Tuesday, a 5year-old dark bay mare, was selected APHA Best Playing Pony. Played by Dorignac, she is owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm. In other action, St. Moritz (Morgan Van Overbroek, Pablo Dorignac, Mariano Gracida, Reto Gaudenzi) won the four-chukker Reto’s Birthday Cup, honoring Reto Gaudenzi, one of the sport’s greatest visionaries. They beat Aspen Valley (Sebastian Le Page, James Rogerson, Juan Bollini, Tito Gaudenzi) Van Overbroek was MVP. —Sharon Robb
P O L O
Fross & Fross’ Malia Bryan, Hope Arellano, Gillian Johnston and Meghan Okerlund (not shown) won The Village’s women’s tourney.
FROSS & FROSS ACES WOMENS TOURNAMENT Fross & Fross defeated Arden’s Fine Jewelers, 10-7, to win A Flight in the Arden’s Fine Jewelers Women’s Tournament held at The Villages Polo Club in early November. The teams played off over two days. Earning a one-goal advantage due to handicap, Fross & Fross (Hope Arellano, Malia Bryan, Gillian Johnston, Meghan Okerlund) faced Arden’s (Anja Jacobs, Paige McCabe, Courtney Asdourian, Claire Brougham) for the first fourchukker round on Nov. 2, neither team finding the mark between the goal posts in the first chukker. Working as a solid and cohesive unit, Fross & Fross came alive in the second, creating the opportunity for Arellano to make backto-back field goals. “Hope is probably one of my favorite people to play with,” Johnston said. “She is absolutely amazing and makes my job easy. I know if I can get her the ball, she is capable of doing all the hard work.” Striking once in the third, Arellano added a third goal to her tally. Asdourian answered back to put Arden’s on the board. Shutting out Arden’s yet again in the fourth, Arellano sealed the first day’s win with a final powerful swing of her
R E P O R T
Galaxy Home’s Trevor Baldwin, Facundo Iglesias, Toto Obregon and Alan Martinez won the Lake Advisory Group 8 Goal.
mallet, scoring all of her team’s goals to end the game, 5-1. Returning to the field the next day with renewed vigor, Arden’s was determined to capture the second game. Starting off the scoring for Fross & Fross, Johnston’s opening goal was countered by two from Arden’s Fine Jewelers. Mirroring the scoring in the second, Asdourian’s goal was challenged by two more from Arellano. “An advantage for our team was that Malia, Gillian and I have played together many times and we have played against Meghan Okerlund many times as well. This familiarity allows us to work really well together as a team,” said Arellano. I felt that in the second game the other team was more prepared for our game plan.” As the battle continued into the third, each side earned a penalty conversion with Asdourian picking up her second from the field. Moving into the final chukker trailing by one, Fross & Fross was still in a comfortable spot leading overall by three net goals. Fross & Fross blocked all attempts from the field, but a penalty allowed Brougham to claim an easy shot. Arellano’s rapid shots on goal throughout the tournament allowed Fross & Fross to win in overall goals despite losing the second game. Hope Arellano was MVP and Frank, an 8-year-old gelding owned by Paige McCabe, was Best Playing Pony.
The following week, Galaxy Home Solutions (Alan Martinez, Toto Obregon, Facundo Iglesias, Trevor Baldwin) defeated Citizens First (Miguel Lis Planells, Winship Rees, Charly Quincoces, Stuart Campbell), 11-7, in the Lake Advisory Group 8-goal Tournament. Martinez, a fan favorite, dazzled in his season return to the club, finding the sweet spot between the posts five times in the first half before putting the victory away with three pivotal tallies in the second half. “Playing here is just amazing,” said Martinez after the win. “The Villages is like my second home. I love coming back here, I’ve got a lot of friends around here and I feel like the crowd really knows my name ...” Citizens began with a one-goal handicap but it only took Galaxy 34 seconds to overcome the handicap when Baldwin found the mark. Martinez wrapped goals around one from Quincoces to end the first with Galaxy ahead, 3-2. Martinez added three more over the next 14 minutes while Citizens was shut out. Martinez traded goals with Quincoces in the fourth and fifth to start the sixth with Galaxy ahead, 9-4. Citizens rallied in the sixth, scoring three goals including a pair of penalties but the deficit was too big to overcome. Iglesias and Obregon added one each to
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 51
P O L O
R E P O R T
Citizens First’s Alan Martinez, Alfredo Guerreno, Facundo Iglesias and Midge Ellison won The Villages Insurance 8 goal.
take the win. In mid-November, Citizens First (Midge Ellison, Facundo Iglesias, Alfredo Guerreno, Alan Martinez) defeated The Villages Insurance (Paul Wodsworth, Paige McCabe, Nick Johnson, Francisco Bilboa), 9-8, in overtime. After leading 5-1 through two chukkers of play, Citizens could only watch as Insurance fought its way back to force overtime, on the strength of six goals over the final four periods of play by Insurance’s Bilboa. Paige McCabe tied the match at 7-7 after carrying the ball more than half the length of the field early in the sixth and final chukker of play, before Guerreno tapped home a long feed from Martinez to put Insurance back up 8-7 with 1:57 to play. Bilbao earned a turning foul with just 20 seconds remaining, before sending his fifth penalty-shot conversion high through the pipes to send the match into overtime. A mad scramble off the opening throw-in of the extra period saw all four Citizens team members touch the ball, before Guerreno came away with possession and passed ahead for the game-winning tally to Martinez, who recorded his seventh goal of the day. The fall season came to a conclusion with the City Fire/Lefty Lyall Family Feud tournament, as the campaign closed with the annual event featuring
52 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
City Fire’s Stuart Campbell, Winship Rees, Ian Campbell and Pippa Campbell won the Family Feud Tournament.
teams comprised of familial ties. With developing talent taking priority over deciding scorebook tallies, bragging rights were on the line as the season finale pitted husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, and other family connections against one another in the lighthearted event. This year’s family-themed tournament featured five teams playing across two flights with levels of play organized by individual player handicap total. City Fire (Pippa Campbell, Ian Campbell, Winship Rees, Stuart Campbell) defeated Arden’s Fine Jewelers (Jenny Pascarella, Janis Pascarella, Senter Johnson, Nick Johnson, Jason Pascarella), 13½-10, in the top pool of competition, played over two days. City Fire narrowly led Arden’s Fine Jewelers, 5½-5, after day one. Stuart Campbell got right to work on day two, hammering in two in a row in the opening chukker. Senter Johnson scored for Arden’s with 35 seconds left in the chukker. Stuart Campbell and his son, Ian, scored in the second. Nick Johnson tallied to end the chukker. Arden’s was shut out in the third while Stuart Campbell and his daughter, Pippa, added goals. Ian Campbell and Jason Pascarella traded goals in the fourth to end the match with City Fire on top. In the secondary pool, Fross & Fross
claimed victory on goal aggregate (8-6) over Galaxy Home Solutions to round out the Thanksgiving weekend event. Ava Hinkson (Galaxy Home Solutions) led all scorers on the day with three goals, while Kimberly Von Stade (Fross & Fross), Fernando Torres (Fross & Fross) and Mateo Bilbao (Citizens First) each tallied twice for their respective teams.
SOUTHWESTERN
TONKAWA CAPTURES USPA BEAL CUP IN TX Four tough teams lined up for the 14goal USPA Keleen & Carlton Beal Cup at the Houston Polo Club in Houston, Texas, Sept. 28-Oct. 7. Unfortunately, Mother Nature wasn’t cooperating and the first round of games had to be postponed. When the fields dried out, Tonkawa (Jeff Hildebrand, Matt Coppola, Mason Wroe, Joaquin Panelo) took on Eureka (Rene Campos, Jorge Cernadas, Alvaro Ara, Jason Crowder). Tonkawa got the upper hand, crushing Eureka, 15-4. Later that day, BTA (Kelly Beal, Toly Ulloa, Steve Krueger, Jeff Hall) faced Whitehall Ranch (Bill Lane, Trevor Niznik, Sugar Erskine, Santi Torres). It was a closer match, but in the end, BTA defeated Whitehall Ranch, 14-10.
R E P O R T
KAY;EE WROE
KAY;EE WROE
P O L O
Beal Cup winners: Tonkawa’s Mason Wroe, Joaquin Panelo, Matt Coppola and Jeff Hildebrand with Chrys Beal and Brooks Ballard
Tonkawa and BTA advanced to the final, facing each other for the third straight year. Early on, the game remained tight, both teams trading goals in the first two chukkers with Tonkawa pulling ahead in the third with goals from Wroe, Coppola and Panelo, bringing the score to 7-3. At halftime, guests were treated to a champagne divot stomp, car displays from Land Rover Houston Central and Jaguar Houston Central and live music from a flamenco guitarist. Tonkawa extended its lead after the half with goals again from Wroe, Panela and Coppola. BTA’s Krueger put in two goals from the penalty line to cut the deficit to 10-5. Coppola and Panelo were successful again in the fifth with two goals apiece. Krueger knocked one in from 60 yards out for a 14-6 score going into the final period. BTA mounted a comeback with four goals from Krueger and a goal apiece from Hall and Ulloa but time ran out and Tonkawa had the 14-12 win. Matt Coppola was named MVP and his Veleta was named Best Playing Pony Pro. Best Playing Pony Sponsor went to Mechita, owned by Jeff Hildebrand. The same four teams competed for the USPA H. Ben Taub Memorial. The games got underway with Tonkawa edging Whitehall Ranch, 11-10, and BTA topping Eureka, 14-8. In the
H. Ben Taub Cup winners: BTA’s Kelly Beal, Toly Ulloa, Steve Krueger and Jeff Hall with Tommy Biddle and Kitch Taub
second round, Tonkawa edged BTA, 65, and Whitehall Ranch slipped Eureka, 10-9. The third round had BTA edging Whitehall Ranch, 12-11, but before the next match could begin, the skies opened up. The rain postponed the final 10 days, until Oct. 31 when BTA took on Tonkawa for a repeat of the previous final. With rain limiting the time left in the season, the H. Ben Taub final was also played as the first game of the Texas Open. Despite unfavorable weather in the second half of the game, both teams fought hard for the title, with BTA coming out ahead, 10-7. Play started out even as both teams matched each other in goals scored—Krueger and Ulloa scoring penalty conversions while Coppola nailed a pair of goals. “It’s been a tough season for everyone to get anything going in any sort of rhythm, but we had a good couple of practices to get ready and try to keep it simple,” explained Krueger. “We moved the ball well and tried to play off each other a little more than making individual plays.” Eager to gain the edge on its adversary, BTA scored three goals in the second, while shutting Tonkawa out for the entirety of the chukker. While both teams traded goals back and forth throughout the third, BTA finished out the first half doubled up on its opponent, 8-4.
Rain came at the top of the fourth, but both teams were determined to finish what they had started. Tonkawa mounted a comeback and sunk three consecutive goals to come within one of BTA. In a fight to the finish, BTA capitalized on two more shots on goal to take the day’s win and the H. Ben Taub Cup title, 10-7. “It’s been really difficult with the rain to get the team going,” said Hall. “The first game we played them we didn’t have time to get the horses ready with the rain. Then when we played them in bracket play the second time, we didn’t play with Steve because he got hurt in an 8-goal game and we lost that game going into the sixth chukker winning by three. Today we kept it together for six chukkers and that was the result. Everybody played well and when that happens we win.” Toly Ulloa was MVP and his 14-yearold homebred mare, Lavina Caprichosa, was Best Playing Pony. In 8-goal action, the Regional President’s Cup final was delayed for over two weeks due to rain, but BTA (Chrys Beal, KC Krueger, Rob Stenzel, Steve Krueger) and Ghurka (Fox Benton, Drew Luplow, Cody Ellis, Brad Mallet) finally played off on Oct. 30. The two teams topped the seven that began the tournament. Displaying strong defense early in the first chukker, both teams protected their goals well, neither scoring from
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 53
R E P O R T KAY;EE WROE
KAY;EE WROE
P O L O
Ghurka’s Drew Luplow Cody Ellis, Brad Mallet and Fox Benton won the USPA Regional President’s Cup in Houston.
the field. Ending the first with a single Penalty 2 conversion by KC Krueger, BTA’s one-goal lead was short-lived in the face of Ghurka’s powerful advance throughout the remainder of the first half. Nailing an impressive 40-yeard cut shot, Cody Ellis scored back-to-back goals in the second on the heels of teammate Brad Mallet. Entering the third chukker down by one, BTA’s Rob Stenzel made his first goal off a pass from KC Krueger, but Ellis retaliated with three consecutive goals of his own to widen the gap. Stick and balling his fifth goal of the game across his opponent’s end line, Ellis doubled up the scoreboard, 6-3, in favor of Ghurka. Securing the only goal of the fourth, Mallet scored on the nearside adding to Ghurka’s tally to steadily increase its advantage. Each side matching the other goal-for-goal in the final two chukkers, BTA could not generate the offensive momentum necessary to overcome Ghurka in the second half. Converting an advantageous Penalty 2, Chrys Beal was quickly answered back by a neckshot from Ellis to maintain the gap. Heading into the final chukker, 8-4, Ghurka could not be stopped as Drew Luplow ran downfield to score with Beal closely in pursuit. Although the final goal belonged to BTA, Ghurka rode away with the win, 9-6. Scoring six of Ghurka’s nine goals, Ellis was name MVP and his second
54 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Team Tejas’ Charlie Fridge, Charles Fridge, Neil Osburg and Hernan Tejera took the 4-goal Autumn Classic.
chukker mare, 8-year-old Shimeneez, was Best Playing Pony. “I bought her from Jake Stimmel this past winter in Florida and she is out of Greg Goodman’s Mt. Brilliant Farm breeding operation in Lexington, Kentucky,” Ellis said. “She is a very fun and fast mare with a lot of attitude both on and off the field.” On the way to the final, BTA topped Horsegate, 6-2, when the game was halted due to rain. The next three games were cancelled for rain until Oct. 5 when Ghurka edged Sela Polo (Sofia Landa, Isaac Sepulveda, Diego Velarde, Tommy Biddle), 10-9. The next day, Pegasus/ Propoganda (Paul Hobby, David Andras, Mason Wroe, Nick Cifuni) slipped Rocking P/ Team Tejas (Carl Price/ Grayson Price, Charles Fridge, Marcos Villanueva, Tolly Ulloa), 9-8. The next game was cancelled but play resumed on Oct. 9 with BTA defeating Cinco Canyon Ranch (David Marks, Tommy Costello, Bryan Middleton, Geronimo Obregon), 12-10. In the semi-finals, BTA edged Pegasus/Propoganda, 5-4, while Ghurka edged Horsegate, 9-8. In the roundrobin consolation, Cinco Canyon Ranch tied Sela, 3-3. Sela got the best of Rocking P/Team Tejas, 4-2 and Cinco Canyon Ranch slipped Rocking P/Team Tejas, 3-2. In the 4-goal Autumn Classic, eight teams battled for bragging rights, but once again, rain caused numerous
games to be cancelled. The final came down to Team Tejas (Charlie Fridge, Charles Fridge, Neil Osburg, Hernan Tejera) and Sullivan Group (Joanie Jackson, Sarah Prinsloo, Nicolas Gomez, Mark Prinsloo). Team Tejas came out on top, 7-4½, to win the Autumn Classic title.
EASTERN
DONATELLI VET WINS USPA AMATEUR CUP
Donatelli Vet edged three other teams to win the 4- to 6-goal USPA Amateur Cup at Seneca Polo Club’s arena in Poolesville, Maryland, Oct. 13-14. The matches began with MC Squared (Marisa Bianchi, Cindy Halle, Camilla Lancaster) overcoming Seneca Polo (Greg Grigorian, Kristen Wenning, Wayne Briere, Dario Sottomayor), 22-17. Donatelli Vet (Catie Stueck, Patricio Fraga-Errecart, Javier Donatelli) then edged Vikings (Joe England, Esteban Fernandez, Charlie Muldoon), 8-6. That put MC Squared in the final against Donatelli Vet. It was a tight match the entire time, but in the end Donatelli was ahead, 10-8, when the final horn sounded. Patricio FragaErrecart was MVP. In the consolation match, Vikings slipped Seneca Polo, 12-11.
R E P O R T
PAT MICHAELS
P O L O
Donatelli Vet’s Javier Donatelli, Catie Stueck and MVP Patricio Fraga-Errecart won the USPA Amateur Cup.
PAIGAHS SEAHORSE CUP On an unseasonably cold and windy Oct. 21, three teams competed in the annual USPA Paigahs Seahorse Cup at Mountain View Polo in Charles Town, West Virginia. The 2-goal arena tournament was generously sponsored by Shamsiya Shervani and Paigahs Equestrian Gear. The teams played off in a round robin to determine who would get their names engraved in the perpetual trophy. In the first round, Brookemont (Karen Simons, Eloris Snyder, Juan Carlos Gonzalez) took on Donatelli Vet (Willow Longerbeam, Lea Jih-Vieira, Javier Donatelli). Gonzalez scored the only two goals in the first chukker. Donatelli Vet answered back in the second with a pair of goals by Longerbeam and one from Donatelli but Gonzalez added two more and Simons hit the mark twice to take the 6-3 victory. Gonzalez had the hot stick in the next round against Paigahs (Shamsiya Shervani, Khris Baxter, Hugo Pasten), scoring four lone goals in the first chukker. Paigahs matched those in the second off the mallets of Baxter and Pasten, but Gonzalez added another and Snyder hit the target for a 6-4 win. With two wins Brookemont had earned first place so the last round was
for runner-up honors. Donatelli led his team with three goals added to two from Longerbeam. Paigahs kept it close with Baxter finding the mark with the only two-pointer of the game and Pasten adding another. With Donatelli leading Paigahs, 5-3, going into the final chukker, both teams dug in, hoping to land a win. Paigahs managed to tie the score, 7-7, on goals by Pasten and Baxter. Longerbeam and Donatelli scored their teams goals but it was Donatelli’s second goal with just 30 seconds left that sealed the 8-7 victory for the Donatelli Vet team.
The Brookemont team will have its name etched on the annual trophy and each teammate took home a silver cup. Juan Carlos Gonzalez also took home the MVP trophy and the Best Playing Pony blanket for his mare Angelina. After the match, players and spectators braved the chilly weather to enjoy an incredible spread of homecooked Indian food prepared by Shamsiya Shervani. The tournament and Paigahs polo team is named to honor Shervani’s grandfather. His last name was Paigahs and his team was Seahorse. PAT MICHAELS
BROOKEMONT BAGS
Brookemont’s Karen Simons, Juan Carlos Gonzalez and Eloris Snyder won the USPA Paigahs Seahorse Cup.
MC Squared’s Cindy Halle keeps her cool despite Javier Donatelli coming in quickly in the final of the Amateur Cup in Maryland.
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
Umpire David Brooks and NC Secretary of Commerce Anthony Copeland presented the cup to UNC’s Tammy Havener, Carson Tucker, Sheana Funkhouser and Mark Hauser.
WCHL and Hickory Furniture Mart battled in the Harvest Cup. WCHL prevailed 15-13 after a shootout.
Surface 678’s Leslie Brooks, Tammy Havener and Amy Dunlap won the USPA Sportsmanship Cup at Triangle Area Polo Club.
The Candied Yams proudly displayed their Turkey Cup trophies with members of Mash Taters and Gravy.
SOUTHEASTERN
UNC TRIUMPHS IN
BATTLE OF THE BLUES Triangle Area Polo in Hurdle Mills, North Carolina, had its fall season get off to a late start after a visit from Florence—Hurricane Florence that is! When the dust finally settled, the club hosted its annual Battle of the Blues, presented by VisitOrangeCountyNC. Employees, students and alumni for University of North Carolina and Duke University battled on the polo field in the 6th annual match. UNC won the inaugural match, but Duke has dominated it the last four years. Early on it looked as if Duke would easily make it five wins as it jumped out to a 3-0 lead. UNC came roaring
56 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
back, ending the first half knotted at 5all. The teams exchanged goals in the third to keep the score level, 7-7, going into the final chukker. Carson Tucker scored twice for UNC to put it up 9-7 with just two minutes to go. But Duke was not ready to let go. Tammy Havener found the mark and just after the 30-second warning horn sounded, Bella Hamon tied it up to send the match to a shootout. Havener, Tucker and Sheana Funkhouser all made their shots to give UNC the 12-11 victory. North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Anthony Copeland was on hand to present the trophies to UNC. He also presented a state capital flag signed by Governor Roy Cooper to club owners David and Leslie Brooks for their work in the North Carolina equine and tourism industries.
Next up was the Harvest Cup presented by Rocking B Saddle Shop. Hickory Furniture Mart (Chris Wolf, Tammy Havener, Amy Dunlap) took on WCHL 97.9 (Jordan Lee, Banks Holcombe, Brayden Foster). Hickory was making it look easy as each teammate scored twice, posting a 6-0 lead. Lee ended the chukker with a run and a two-pointer to put WCHL on the board. Lee and Holcombe each shot twopointers into the goal in the second to tie the score. With the teams continuing to battle, Hickory held on to a narrow, 8-7, lead at the half. The teams matched each other in the third but another deuce by Holcombe gave WCHL a first-time lead. Wolf scored to level the score and force a shootout. WCHL ended the shootout ahead to win the match and take the title.
P O L O
Tammy Havener, Sheana Funkhouser, Pat Bodager and Mark Hauser won the Leftovers Cup at Triangle Area Polo Club.
The action continued with four teams playing for the USPA Sportsmanship Cup. In the semi-finals, Hickory Furniture Mart pulled out an 8-7 win over the Girls I/S and Surface 678 defeated WCHL 97.9, 10-8. In an exciting consolation match, the Girls I/S edged WCHL, 11-10, in a shootout. The final between Surface 678 and Hickory started off even before Surface took a 4-2 halftime lead. The teams swapped goals in the third until Leslie Brooks took over in the fourth, scoring three goals on Best Playing Pony Hot Rod for a 9-4 victory. Hickory’s Chris Wolf was named MVP. The always epic battle for the candy-filled Jack-O’-Lanterns was played between the Witches and the Ghosts. It turned out to be the Witches’ day, but they were nice and shared their candy with the Ghosts. The coveted Turkey Cup was next, with the Candied Yams, Mash Taters and Gravy battling for the most coveted trophy in polo—or at least at Triangle Polo—played the weekend before Thanksgiving. The Yams came out on top with a 3-2 win over Mash Taters and a 5-3 win over Gravy. Tammy Havener and her ponies Blondi and Doc were named duos of the day. The Leftovers Cup finished out the season. Dressing’s Tammy Havener, Sheana Funkhouser, Pat Bodager and Mark Hauser held on for a 9-8 win
R E P O R T
Marine Corps’ Agustin Arrayago, Anson Moore, Leigh Hales Fulkerson and Taylor Morris with Tina Bracy and Karl Hilberg
over Stuffing. Carson Tucker and her pony JJ were named Leftover’s duo of the day. David and Leslie Brooks thank all of their members, sponsors and participants for a great 2018 season. SOUTHWESTERN
MARINE CORPS TAKES GEN PATTON TOURNEY
After a two-week rain delay, Central Texas Polo Association held the USPA Gen. George S. Patton Tournament Nov. 3-4. Teams representing Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard had players from Indiana,
Houston and McAllen playing with locals. The first chukkers of a round robin saw Army (Lance Stefanakis, Jack Crea, Ariel Mancebo, John Greening) take on Navy (Sylvia Kampshoff, Gal Shweiki, Philipp Kampshoff, Karl Hilberg). Stefanakis and Mancebo scored to add to Army’s half-goal handicap while Kampshoff scored Navy’s lone goal. In the second, Navy held Army scoreless while Philipp added two more goals. The next round had Army vs Air Force (Kyle Brown, Morgan Tennant, Lalo Ramirez, Thomas Phelps). Ramirez scored in the first, but Army responded with two in the second. The
Army’s Jack Crea gets a two-stride lead on Marines’ Leigh Hales Fulkerson in the final of the Gen. Patton Tournament hosted by Central Texas Polo Association.
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 57
P O L O
R E P O R T
last round had Navy against Air Force and again, Ramirez jumped out with a lone goal in first chukker. Both teams scored twice in the final chukker leaving Air Force with the win. With all teams winning one match it was net goals and then win-loss record to determine Army would advance to the final. The second match featured Marine Corps (Taylor Morris, Leigh Fulkerson, Agustin Arrayago, Anson Moore) vs. Coast Guard (Javier Maldonado, Chloe Rivas, Zubair Hamir, Tres De La Paz), Coast Guard started with a half-goal advantage, but the first chukker was all Marine Corps as Arrayago scored three goals. Morris and Arrayago scored one and Moore two while Maldonado scored Coast Guard’s only goal. At the half Marines led 7-1½. The Marine Corps kept the pressure on with two more goals from the field and a Penalty 1 in their favor. The final chukker had Rivas and Fulkerson trading goals for a final score of 11-2½. Marines advanced to face Army in the final. The next day, matches were at the CTPA’s Two Wishes facility. The consolation round robin featured Air Force vs Coast Guard in the first round. Air Force jumped out to a 5-1 advantage. Coast Guard redeemed itself in the next game against Navy, scoring two unanswered goals. The final round saw Air Force dominate Navy, 5½ to 2. In the final between Army and Marine Corps, Moore scored first, but Crea retaliated with back-to-back goals. Fulkerson and Morris added to the Marine’s score to take back the lead. In the second, Mancebo’s goal was quickly matched by the Marines. Marines led by a goal at the half. Army started the second half with a great run to goal by Stefanakis but it
58 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Army’s Daniel Fernandez, MVP John Greening, Taimur Zeb and Carter Heltzen won the Teddy Roosevelt Tournament.
was matched by Moore. In the last chukker, neither team was able to score until Morris scored her second goal just shy of the horn to give Marines the 6-4 win. Army’s Jack Crea was MVP; Mariposa, owned by Army’s Lance Stefanakis, was Best Playing Pony; and Army’s John Greening was Best Sportsman. The CTPA welcomed special guest Tina Bracey through the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). Bracey bowled in the first ball to begin the game and helped present trophies. She later wrote in part, “... It was a pleasure to meet other horseloving individuals and learn more about the classic sport of polo. ... The friendliness of Texas horse enthusiasts will always remind me that although my husband has passed away, I will always find ‘family’ in a stable nearby.” On Nov. 17-18, the CTPA hosted the 6th annual Teddy Roosevelt tournament with six teams made up of players from Oklahoma, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio joining club players. This event was sponsored by the Texas Military Polo Club and the USPA Armed Forces Committee. Six teams represented Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. In the first round robin, Army-Black (Carter Heltzen, Taimur Zeb, John Greening, Daniel Fernandez) took care
of business defeating Coast Guard (Kelly Coldiron, Steve Gilchrist, Nacho Estrada, Greg Summers), 4-½, in the first round. Marine Corps (Chris Ballarad, Leigh Fulkerson, Taylor Morris, Agustin Arrayago) beat Coast Guard, 3½-1, in the second round, while Army-Black shutout the Marines, 6-0. The second round robin had ArmyTan (Roxy Riggs-Mounter, David Crea, Tom Crea, Jack Crea) defeating Air Force (Tres De La Paz, Gal Shweiki, Javier Maldonado, Ariel Rodriguez), 31½. Returning to the field, Air Force fell to Navy (Rob Cojocaru, Thomas Phelps, Wyatt Myr, Karl Hilberg), 3½-2. The last round had Navy narrowly defeating Army-Tan, 2½-2, to advance to the final against Army-Black. Due to rain, the last games were held at the ATX facility in Manor, Texas. In the consolation matches Marine Corps defeated Army-Tan, 4½-3, and Coast Guard defeated Air Force, 2½-1. In the final, Navy began with a halfgoal handicap but Army-Black was first to score with a Penalty 3 conversion from Greening. The second chukker was all Army as Fernandez, Zeb and Heltzen tallied to end the half, 4-½. The teams traded Penalty 3s in the third chukker before Navy came alive in the fourth with Phelps scoring back-toback goals and Wyatt a third. Navy was attacking again when the final horn sounded, ending the match with Army holding the half-goal lead, 5-4½. MVP honors went to John Greening, Carter Heltzen’s Carli was Best Playing Pony and Karl Hilberg was Best Sportsman. The success of both tournaments was thanks in large part to supporters, including Robin Sanchez, Karl Hilberg, Julie Hilberg, Jack Crea, Holly Wood, Javier Insua, John Greening, Ariel Rodriguez and u Two Wishes Ranch.
No matter how well you play, there is always room for improvement. Take a lesson from a better player you respect so you can improve.
(continued from page 13) your resolution to give back). Do you need more horses or better horses? When should you start them back in work? I will try to improve Pick the brain of—or even better, take some lessons from—a better player who you respect. Watch good game tapes to see strategies, team plays and fouls called and check out Polo Skilz videos to gain knowledge about all sorts of skills and subjects. Take riding lessons from someone in another discipline. Have someone videotape your swings so you can see if you have bad habits, like bending your elbow on the follow through when taking offside foreshots, not rotating your hips enough or sitting down in the saddle halfway through a stroke. Identify what you need to correct and be mindful of and practice doing it correctly (even if it feels odd). When we do something, whether correctly or incorrectly, our muscle memory kicks in and sets us up to repeat the action, so repetition is needed to fix an error. I will practice all shots Sure, hit those lovely, comfortable offside forehand shots to warm up and maybe to end with, but spend the bulk of your stick-and-balling time working on the tougher shots—hitting backshots with good angle at speed, placing balls with accuracy, maybe hitting at a speed that is a little above your comfort zone. In pushing your limits you have a bet-
ter chance to improve and when those tough shots are needed in a game, you will have the confidence to hit them. Practice penalty shots so you have a set routine that works for you and you are comfortable taking them. You never know when you may be called upon to hit them. I will control the controllable Kids I have coached have heard me repeat “control the controllable” often. Polo is a game with a zillion variables when you are on the field, including your teammates, horses, playing surface, etc., so control what you can. Allow plenty of preparation time and
travel time so you are ready to play on time and are not running around rushing at the last minute. Have your horses in good shape and fit enough for your level of play. And please roach your horses’ manes at least weekly (sorry, it’s a pet peeve of mine), your horses will look so much better! If the winter is your down time, go through your tack and get things repaired or replaced. You do not want to be that irritating player everyone is waiting for to begin the game, or the one whose tack frequently breaks or slips. Have your farrier come often enough so you do not routinely lose shoes while playing. Stock your trailer with things you routinely need or may need in an emergency and have things organized so anyone can find them. Use the off season to check over your rig and have repairs or maintenance done regularly to keep your trips to the field without incident. Be as prepared as you can before the game so you can focus on and enjoy the game and play your best. I will keep my perspective Polo is a game and the majority of players in the U.S. play low-goal polo, which should mean you are in it simply because you enjoy playing. Remember, it is a privilege to be on amazing horses, out on a field or in an arena, playing a game you love to play and even better, with and against friends. Stuff will go wrong and all players will both win and lose games. Be gracious in victory and defeat. Have a sense of humor. Life is short and we need to make the most of every opportunity we have. Don’t ruin your enjoyment of the game by letting competitive juices drown out common sense and civility. I am looking forward to playing my polo this year. Good luck to all of you in 2019!
A renowned polo coach and CPI certifier, Cindy Halle, center, often reminds her students to control the controllable.
Renowned polo coach and USPA Certified Polo Instructor/Certifier, Cindy Halle holds a 5-goal women’s arena rating and a 4-goal women’s outdoor rating. She was named 2018 USPA Woman of the Year.
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 59
Y
E
S
T
E
R
Y
E
A
R
BY ROBERT V. HOFFMAN
S
THE AMERICAN BREEDER Is it right for Americans to buy mounts in Chile and Argentina at this time?
T
hey have shod everything but the cattle!” Thus my friend, Wiley Jones, is said to have characterized the offering of polo stock at the recent sales in the Argentine. I suspect Wiley was correctly quoted. To begin with, he is a keen judge of horses, and to his ears the words “Argentine” and “magic” are not synonymous. And why should the Argentinians not have brought in everything they had; were not the Americans coming? Moreover, should we not define a polo pony as “any quadruped bred in the Argentine, which does not part the hoof?” What of it? Simply this. Now, in unparalleled times, when all industries are struggling to survive, our polo players who can afford replacements are going to the Argentine and Chile to make their purchases. No one questions their legal right to do this, but one does wonder if they are not short-sighted, if they have considered the serious effect of their actions on the American breeder. What is the effect, and are our sportsmen justified by existing conditions in going to a foreign market? The effect, on our Western breeders particularly, is one of frank discouragement. For there, where natural conditions favor the development of horses to polo rather than to hunter size, and where the work on the range approximates the early training of a polo pony, our ranchmen have been breeding for the high-class polo markets, encouraged by the government and by the United States Polo Association. During the past year, I visited the ranches of many of these breeders. As usual, they had up and in nice condition a few
“
60 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
The progeny of some of the great sires, such as Star Shoot and Broom Stick could be found on remote western ranches. Still, some breeders lacked knowledge of market needs, and in some cases, rather than train them merely roached their manes, pulled their tales and sold them as prospects.
of their best prospects. When buyers failed to appear, they charged it up to the depression, which to them is a stern reality. But when the news leaked out–our buyers were going to the Argentine and to Chile to purchase their replacements—the inevitable conclusion followed: our players are demanding foreign-bred and foreigntrained ponies. So there is among them a growing feeling that our sportsmen are not quite playing the game with them. Now, why are our polo players going abroad to buy? Do the foreign markets
offer better ponies at lower prices? Are they influenced by a favorable rate of exchange, or is it the pursuit of a fad? To begin with, let us admit that many inferior ponies have been gathered in our Western country, and with little more attention than a hair-cut, unloaded on the Eastern market as polo ponies. These have lowered the average of American ponies so that the carefully selected few brought in by those fine teams from England, from India, from the Argentine, have made our mounts appear common in comparison.
T.B. Drybrough bought Golden West from a hill pasture in California for $100 as a raw, hungry 4-year-old. Just 10 days later, he turned down $250 for the horse. With some good training, the horse went on to excel in polo.
This does not, however, constitute a justification for the situation that exists today. When the first horsemen of the Argentine invaded our polo circles in 1922 with such brilliant success, they brought a splendid string of ponies. When they departed, they left them here for prices that were to them amazing. No one gave it a thought. Their visit was extremely popular, and whenever and wherever this team appeared, it was greeted with a richly deserved enthusiasm. The admiration we had for the players was bestowed on the ponies and some of these proved outstanding compared to the heterogeneous offerings of the American dealers. Other teams came out, and departing, left their ponies behind. And their number has been augmented by others brought in by dealers, as well as by individual players. But notwithstanding the failure of a large percentage of these later importations, the reputation established by those first few persists. “Persists” is hardly the word. This reputation has grown until today it is almost a mark of social distinction to own a few Argentine ponies. At times I almost wonder if Man o’ War was not smuggled in from the Argentine. That the rate of foreign exchange has a bearing, particularly on the Chilean market, is no doubt true. A prominent player
told me that while on a visit to Chile to look after business interests there, he found it difficult to take his money out of Chile. Also, the rate of exchange was so favorable that he found most satisfactory ponies could be had at a very low price. Naturally, he took advantage of the situation. And other buyers, particularly from California, have followed his example. As already suggested, the unreliable American dealer is responsible in no small degree for the present situation. I do not attack his integrity as much as his judgment. In those roaring days from 1926 to 1929 when the clerks on Wall Street were looking for yachts, any horse that had its mane roached, its tailed pulled and would not run away, was a prospect for the Eastern market. This reflects on the judgment of the buyer, who, with the dealer, made up the vicious circle that left the American breeder on the outside, wondering what it was all about. Nor is the American breeder free from responsibility. If he had not bred and sold to the dealers so many half-trained misfits, they would never have appeared on the market to strike such a blow at the prestige of the American pony. For it must be remembered that while America produces as many high-class horses as any other country, she can, at the same time, match
any other nation in her output of worthless scrubs. This is due, in part, to a want of direction and to a lack of definite standards. This lack of definite standards is due, in many cases, to the remoteness of the breeder from a market, which, a decade ago, was not at all definite in its demands, which was uncrystalized and lacked knowledge of its own needs. In the great majority of cases, the Western breeders’ only contact with this market has been through dealers who often knew little of horses and markets, or else were none too particular as to what they offered. Despite these facts, America produces today a sufficient number of outstanding polo prospects to meet many times over the American market demands. This I know to be true from a wide personal contact with our American horse breeding industry, as well as from a personal knowledge of what other nations are selling to consumers. We have, to begin with, vast stretches of country second to none, and superior to most, in those basic qualities necessary to the full, symmetrical and hardy development of horses. This is a fact recognized by horsemen the world over. We have more level-headed strains of Thoroughbred blood than any other country. On our remote Western ranches today POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 61
When the Argentines came to play in 1922, their horses were impressive. They sold them at auction before departing back home, as they did in 1928. That year, the sale brought in $276,000 for 42 horses, including Jupiter, which sold for a record $22,000.
are to be found in stud the sons, the grandsons and the great-grandsons of such sires as Ben Brush, Broom Stick, Domino, Sweep, Bend Or, Star Shoot and Roc … to mention only a few. In their produce, we … combined to advantage the two great factors of … horse production—heredity and environment ... Hence, we have in … our polo industry a paradoxical situation: America constitutes the largest and richest market in the world … our breeders equal, or excel, those of any other nation in their output of excellent polo prospects; yet very few of these American-bred ponies ever reach the market, for, more and more each year, this market is being usurped by foreign producers. To summarize, this state of affairs has arisen principally through three contributing factors: 1. American polo players, through lack of experience, had not the judgement to make intelligent and independent selections from the offerings of the dealers. 2. Many of the dealers were unable to make a proper selection from what the 62 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
When Harry Payne Whitney organized the ‘Big Four’ in 1909, he realized the team would have to be equally mounted with the competitors if it was to win. As a result, a large number of ponies were imported. The American victory was added incentive for others to import ponies.
breeders had to offer, or else they were so eager to reap profits that they unloaded many poorly selected and half-trained ponies on the market. 3. In many polo circles of America today, there exists a growing fad for foreign-bred and foreign-trained ponies, especially in the Argentine. Fads are excusable so long as they are harmless, especially so when there is some justification for their existence. But this particular mania is assuming the proportions of a discouragement, if not a menace, to an important American industry—horse breeding. And let me emphasize once more that horse breeding is an industry of vital importance. One of the outstanding lessons of World War was that armies cannot, and must not, depend upon mechanical transport alone. Our peace time experiments with motors reinforce this lesson; the depression has shown that there are limits beyond which industry cannot mechanize without plunging into disaster. This is particularly true of farming. Even Russia, with her vast dream of mechanical output, is feeling
keenly her scarcity of horses. Moreover, the American sportsman, particularly the polo player, will discover that equestrian sports cannot flourish on imported horses. The attitude of our American sportsmen has a more serious aspect than is apparent on the surface. The sports of a nation are not the activities of a few frivolous-minded and idle citizens. They are, on the contrary, an outgrowth of national development and national resources, and are indicative of the character and the stamina of the people. It would be impossible to estimate the value to England of her sportsmen; the English sportsman and the English country gentleman have had much to do with the development of her livestock industry. In the past, America has not been wanting in public-spirited sportsmen and citizens who have contributed of their time and means to assist in setting standards for American breeders and producers. It was due largely to the experience and foresight of a number of American sportsmen that the American Remount Association was formed immediately after the war. And
In the 1933 East vs West matches, the West, which won the series, played a string made up of 85 percent American-bred horses compared to the East’s 18 percent. Red Ace played for the West’s Elmer Boeseke.
through this organization they made many valuable donations of Thoroughbred sires for the improvement of our light horses. Now again the sportsman can lend valuable assistance and direction. He can help create a market for the well-bred and properly-trained pony, and while having his fun, can set a new fad in American sport— a preference for the American pony when that product is in all ways equal to his foreign competitor. The high-goal player should not forget that he sets the style for the low-goal player. In taking up the cause of the American breeder, I know he asks no odds. Likewise, when I say our Western breeders would like nothing better than a chance to demonstrate the superiority of their horses, I know they will back me up. For, in the final analysis, these breeders know that they must win or lose through fair commercial competition, though they cannot compete against a fad. What is to be done? I know this problem has presented itself to a few prominent sportsmen, but as yet no one has come forward with a practical solution. As preliminary steps may I, there fore suggest: 1. That in International matches of the future each team be limited to mounts native to the country that the team is representing. This suggestion has already been advanced by English writers; it should be made a rule for the American team. 2. That an association of American polo breeders be formed; (a) to cooperate
actively with the polo association in the selection of mounts for the American teams in International matches; (b) To disseminate among Western breeders particularly a knowledge of market requirements, latest developments in the principles of breeding, as well as new developments and requirements in methods of training; (c) to protect American breeders, as well as players, from the practices of unscrupulous dealers; (d) To cooperate further with the polo association in the steps already under-
taken to encourage Western breeders by offering prizes at fairs, shows and polo tournaments. 3. That at the National outdoor and indoor shows substantial cash prizes be offered for the best American-bred and American-trained first year pony. 4. That the polo association appoint a committee to inquire into and ascertain exact data concerning this situation, and that a letter be sent as a result of this investigation to each player listed with the association, inviting attention to the facts and soliciting cooperation if the findings of the committee warrant such action. In conclusion, I invite the attention of American sportsmen to the showing made by our equestrian team in the last Olympic Games (Paris, 1924), as well as in the important shows in this country and abroad. The record is a splendid one, and it should be remembered that this record was made by American riders on American-bred and American-trained horses, and that these horses were by no means the best the country has to offer. Reprinted from Polo, February 1933.
The author suggested rewarding winners of the national polo pony shows with substantial cash prizes. Belle of All was a brilliant Kentucky-bred mare that won the National Polo Pony Society show in 1921 and 1922. She helped Louis Stoddard regain the Westchester Cup in 1921.
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 63
C
A
L
E
N
D
A
R
JANUARY/FEBRUARY
D E C E M B E R 2 9 - JA N UA RY 6 Stagecoach Challenge (4) Empire, Indio, CA
JA N UA RY 18 - 2 0 17th Bendura Bank Snow Polo
JA N UA RY 2 - 13 USPA Governors Cup (4) Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, FL
J A N U A R Y 19 - 2 7 USPA Officer’s Cup (4,8) Eldorado, Indio, CA
JA N UA RY 4 - 27 Challenge Cup (4-6, 8-12) 1-Goal League Arena League Palm City, Boynton Beach, FL
JA N UA RY 2 8 - F E B RUA RY 3 Ringling Cup (6) Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, FL
JA N UA RY 3 - 13 Joe Barry Cup (20) International, Wellington, FL JA N UA RY 3 - 27 Wanderers Club Cup (4) International, Wellington, FL JA N UA RY 5 - 13 Mack & Madelyn Jason Memorial (8) World Gym Tournament (4) Eldorado, Indio, CA JA N UA RY 8 - 27 Cypress Cup (4-6) Live Oak Challenge (8-12) Port Mayaca, Port Mayaca, FL J A N U A R Y 11 - F E B R U A R Y 1 0 Ylvisaker Cup (20) International, Wellington, FL
JA N UA RY 12 - 27 USPA Sportsmanship Cup (4) Empire, Indio, CA J A N U A R Y 16 - 2 7 Wayne Brown Memorial (4-6) Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, FL
JA N UA RY 2 5 - 27 Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz, Switzerland
64 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Münichauer Wiese, Reith bei Kitzbühel
F E B RUA RY 1 - 10 USPA National Amateur Cup (4, 8) Empire, Indio, CA USPA Beal Cup (4, 8, 12) Eldorado, Indio, CA F E B RUA RY 1 - 2 4 Gold Coast Classic (4-6, 8-12) 1-Goal League Arena League Palm City, Boynton Beach, FL The Woodcock (4-6) Mahogany Cup (8-12) Port Mayaca, Port Mayaca, FL F E B R U A R Y 2 - 14 4-Goal Cup International, Wellington, FL F E B R U A R Y 6 - 17 USPA Officers Cup (4-8) Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, FL
F E B RUA RY 15 Hall of Fame Gala Polo Museum, Lake Worth, FL
The National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame will hold its annual awards gala and induction ceremony to welcome in this year’s honorees: Daniel Gonzalez, Karlene Beal Garber, John B. Armstrong, Gerald Matthews Balding and horses to remember Mr. Polo and Conover. The event typically sells out so be sure to make your reservations today. Tickets are $250. The dinner is the most important fundraising event for the not-for-profit museum. For tickets, contact Brenda Lynn 561-969-3210; 561-969-7015; or email: polomuseum@att.net.
F E B R U A R Y 1 5 - 17 Girls’ Interscholastic Regional Arena Empire, Indio, CA F E B RUA RY 15 - 2 4 Gen. Patton Jr. Tourney (4, 8) Empire, Indio, CA USPA Constitution Cup (4, 8, 12) Eldorado, Indio, CA
F E B RUA RY 13 - 15 Debii $$ Women’s Tournament Empire, Indio, CA
F E B R U A R Y 16 40 Goal Challenge International, Wellington, FL
F E B RUA RY 13 - 2 4 C.V. Whitney Cup (22) International, Wellington, FL
F E B R U A R Y 17 Butler Handicap (22) International, Wellington, FL
Established in 1985, Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz is the world’s only high-goal tournament on snow. The tournament is played on the frozen lake of St. Moritz. Four teams are scheduled to compete, including Team Cartier with Americans Grant and Marc Ganzi and Team Badrutt’s Palace Hotel with American Melissa Ganzi. For three days players will compete against the magnificent backdrop of a snow-capped Engadin Valley. Social events are also scheduled.
F E B RUA RY 2 0 - 2 8 USPA Tournament (6-8) Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, FL F E B RUA RY 2 4 - M A RC H 2 3 USPA Gold Cup (22) International, Wellington, FL F E B RUA RY 27 - M A RC H 3 Sarasota Women’s Challenge Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, FL F E B RUA RY 2 8 - M A RC H 10 8-Goal Challenge International, Wellington, FL