News

WELLINGTON, Fla., March 14, 2022---Audi continues to dominate the World Polo League's fourth season.

Audi (Marc Ganzi, 2, Jeta Castagnola, 9, Barto Castagnola, 9, Paco de Narvaez, 6) broke open a close game in the fifth chukker to defeat Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (Melissa Ganzi, 0, Gonzalito Pieres, 10, Juan Martin Zubia, 8, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 8), 13-9, Sunday at windswept Grand Champions Polo Club.

Audi finished the two-week, nine-team tournament undefeated with a 4-0 record. Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, the wildcard entry, finished 2-2.

"It feels really good to win another tournament," Ganzi said. "The team is functioning really well. Everyone played a long list of horses today so now it's about preserving the horses and making sure we can get to the next one and one more after that."

Paco de Narvaez, playing one of his best games of the season, particularly in the second half, was named Most Valuable Player.

Nelita, played by Barto Castagnola, was selected the World Polo League Best Playing Pony.

Open Lujuria, played by Gonzalito Pieres, was selected Argentine Best Playing Pony.

Catwoman, played by Jeta Castagnola and owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm, was the American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony.

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 13, 2022---On a perfect day for polo, the World Polo League successfully opened its fourth season with the All-Star Challenge Saturday in front of a good crowd at Jan Pamela Field.

With an impressive 14-11 victory over NetJets (Pablo Spinacci, 6, Sugar Erskine, 6, Nacho Figueras, 6, Tomacho Pieres, 6), Catamount (Scott Devon, 1, Torito Ruiz, 7, Polito Pieres, 10, Nacho Novillo Astrada, 8) has established itself as an early tournament favorite.

Longtime patron Scott Devon made his WPL debut after a seven-year hiatus from 26-goal.

"My head is kind of spinning," said Devon, who last played 26 goal ten years ago. "That was fast polo. I'm not used to it. It's good to be back. I think I will get much better as far as the speed of the game. I'm very pleased and happy to be back. It's thrilling to be back."

Pieres, the highest ranked American player at 10 goals, also made his WPL debut and did not disappoint.

Pieres, is coming off a successful season in Argentina where he was a member of Argentine Open champion La Natividad, looked every bit the 10 goaler he is with his flawless stick work weaving through defenders and scoring from anywhere on the field including a 60-yarder in the third chukker.

"Polito is amazing to be on the field with," Devon said. "He is just another level of brilliance. Nacho is experienced and great and up-and-coming star Torito is very skilled and accurate. It's just a fun team.

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 10, 2022---The much-anticipated World Polo League begins its fourth season Saturday when Catamount plays NetJets in the opening game of the All-Star Challenge at 3 p.m.

Catamount returns to high goal polo in its WPL debut with patron Scott Devon.

"It's exciting to play back here," Devon said during the draw. "I had an extended seven seasons off. I'm looking forward to the season. Everything looks great."

In the late 1990s and early 2000, Catamount was one of the sport's top teams featuring a pair of 10-goalers, Mike Azzaro and Carlos Gracida. In 2004, Catamount made it to the semifinals of the U.S. Open, narrowly missing the final with an overtime loss to White Birch. White Birch (2005), Audi (2009) and Alegria (2014) have all won U.S. Open titles and have hallowed traditions in 26-goal polo.

Catamount is led by 10-goaler Polito Pieres, the highest rated American polo player, born in Connecticut and raised in Argentina. He is coming off a successful season in Argentina where he was a member of Argentine Open champion La Natividad along with brothers Barto and Jeta Castagnola, also competing in the WPL.

Joining Devon and Pieres in the Catamount lineup will be Toro Ruiz and Nacho Novillo Astrada.

NetJets has four 6-goalers on its team led by the sport's ambassador Nacho Figueras. He will be joined by Tomacho Pieres, Pablo Spinacci and Sugar Erskine.

WELLINGTON, FL, February 15, 2021--- Richard Mille trounced Santa Rita by a score of 16-8 to advance in the WPL All Star Challenge.

Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Jeta Castagnola, Pablo MacDonough and Paco de Narvaez) took on Santa Rita (Sugar Erskine, Pablo Spinnaci, Horacio Llorente, and Nacho Figueras) yesterday on Grand Champions Field 4. Santa Rita, with a team handicap of 24, started the match with two goals on the board.

Santa Rita started the match with a foul, allowing Pablo MacDonough to score his first goal of the day on a Penalty 3. Both teams were running hard in the first minutes, with neither finding the goal until Nacho Figueras scored at just under five minutes. A couple of unlucky fouls allowed Marc Ganzi to convert a Penalty 4 and a Penalty 2, tying the match at 3-3. In the last minute of the chukker, Nacho put the ball in play following a foul and found Sugar Erskine, who in a textbook move took out his man and ran to goal. The chukker ended with Santa Rita up 4-3. In the second chukker, the cracks began to show for Santa Rita, and they weren’t able to get on the board. Pablo MacDonough scored back-to-back goals, the second with a breathtaking neck shot, and Marc Ganzi sank another successful Penalty 2.

CARBONDALE, CO, September 5, 2020--- Los Amigos bested La Indiana by 10-8 while La Karina took down White Claw 11-8.

In the first match of the World Polo League’s Triple Crown of Polo on Friday at Sopris Mountain Ranch, Los Amigos (Alejandra Foster, Jared Zenni, Horacio Heguy, and Juan Bollini) met La Indiana (Michael Bickford, John Bickford, Tincho Merlos, and Alex Gooding).

Horacio Heguy scored the first goal of the match to put Los Amigos briefly in the lead, but as the clock counted down the last minute of the chukker, La Indiana scored two goals within 30 seconds. Michael Bickford scored from the 50-yard line, picking up the ball after Gooding ran it downfield. At the bowl-in, Gooding seized control and got out in front to score again, ending the chukker at 2-1 for La Indiana. Los Amigos took the lead in the third chukker with three goals by Jared Zenni, two of which were on penalties, and put his team in the lead at 4-2. Gooding scored to end the chukker at 4-3 for Los Amigos. The half wrapped up 5-4 for Los Amigos, after Zenni and Michael Bickford scored on penalties.

WELLINGTON, Fl., March 9, 2020 — Over the weekend, The Palm Beach Open has been portraying polo prowess in the heart of Florida’s polo mecca, Grand Champions Polo Club, with the first five matches in the exciting third instalment of the 2020 World Polo League gracing the pristine fields.

Following two epic matches between Alegría and SD Farms, followed by Colorado and J5 La Dolfina, to start the weekend’s entertainment, on Saturday 7 March, Seminole Casino fought tooth and nail to defeat their rivals STM, 10-7. Melissa Ganzi’s side and her band of long-time friends and 8 goaler extraordinaires, Lucas James, Alejandro Novillo Astrada and American number one, Nic Roldan, were all power, proving three 8 goalers is exactly what the doctor ordered in this high stakes, high goal thrill of a tournament.

With three goals to her name, Melissa led her team to a resounding victory despite their lower handicap, and to put the icing on the cake, Nic Roldan, for all his offensive plays and cohesive fervor, was named Most Valuable Player. What a start for this exciting team in The Palm Beach Open!

WELLINGTON, Fl., March 2, 2020–-On a perfect day that featured sky divers, a one armed bandit, and great polo, Scone Polo team won it's first World Polo League Tournament, The Founders Cup.
 
This year’s Final was set to be a hot bed of phenomenal polo talent, with players travelling from as far afield as Australia to compete for the coveted $60,000 prize money and honor of lifting the Founders Cup Trophy. Going into the match, both David Paradice’s Scone and Sayyu Dantata’s SD Farms had secured resounding victories against their Semifinal opponents, proving they were more than worthy to have trounced the other eight teams and potentially, each other. 

Going into the Final however, it was clear SD Farms had their work cut out, with legendary father/son duo of Adolfo Cambiaso and his 14-year-old son Poroto, ready and raring to show their powerfully intuitive play, backed up by the more than capable Diego Cavanagh and British Queen’s Cup winning David Paradice – quite the force to be reckoned with.

WELLINGTON, Fl., February 29, 2020---SD Farms, making its second consecutive finals appearance, and Scone will meet Sunday in the championship final of the Founders Cup at Grand Champions Polo Club.

On Friday at Valiente Polo Farm, Scone (David Paradice 0, Poroto Cambiaso 4, Diego Cavanagh 9, Adolfo Cambiaso 10) advanced into the 4 p.m. final with an impressive 11-6 victory over Seminole Casino (Melissa Ganzi 0, Nic Roldan 8, Lucas James 8, Alejandro Novillo Astrada 8).

In the other semifinal, SD Farms (Sayyu Dantata 2, Santi Torres 7, Guillermo Terrera 8, Juan Martin Zubia 8) defeated Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz 2, Gringo Colombres 8, Sebastian Merlos 8, Jejo Taranco 8), 14-10.

"We wanted to send a message to the King (Adolfo Cambiaso)," Dantata said. "Sunday we'll see how it goes. We want to make sure we bring that Cup home."

In the WPL season-opening All Star Challenge tournament, SD Farms' same lineup lost to Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz 2, Poroto Cambiaso 4, Diego Cavanagh 9, Adolfo Cambiaso 10), 12-10.

The father-son combination and Cavanagh are going after their second WPL title of the season. 

Both teams are vying for the $60,000 winners' prize check in the first of three tournaments awarding prize money.

WELLINGTON, Fl., February 26, 2020---On a perfect sun-drenched day, Amaala won its first U.S. polo tournament Tuesday at Grand Champions Polo Club.

Amaala (Tincho Merlos 7, Nacho Figueras 6, Facu Llorente 7, Juan Bollini 5) rallied in the sixth chukker to defeat Seminole Casino (Melissa Ganzi 0, Nic Roldan 8, Lucas James 8, Alejandro Novillo Astrada 8), 10-8, to capture the Power Horse Trophy.

Figueras was named Most Valuable Player after scoring a game-high seven goals. 

Twitter, an 8-year-old mare, played by Figueras in the second chukker and bred by his Cria Yatay world-class breeding program in Argentina, was selected the World Polo League's Best Playing Pony.

"She's out of a mare called Luna Nueva, daughter of Luna which is a legendary horse that Gonzalo Pieres used to play," Figueras said. "It is a very famous bloodline and amazing to have a horse that you bred perform well. It's always an extra emotion."

WELLINGTON, Fl., February 24, 2020---The buildup now begins for this week's semifinals of the World Polo League's Founders Cup.

Scone, SD Farms, Seminole Casino and Valiente survived opening and quarterfinal games and are now one game away from the championship final and shot at the $60,000 winners' prize check.

"It's not a bad place to be," said Valiente 8-goaler Sebastian Merlos. "Now we have to try to find a way to make a plan to get to the final."

In the semifinals, Scone will face Seminole Casino and SD Farms will play Valiente at a site and date still to be determined today by tournament officials.

WELLINGTON, Fl., February 22, 2020---On a wind-chilled day, Scone, Valiente and Seminole Casino won their opening games of the World Polo League's Founders Cup Friday at Valiente Polo Farm.

Scone (David Paradice 0, Poroto Cambiaso 4, Diego Cavanagh 9, Adolfo Cambiaso 10) made a successful season-debut with a 12-8 victory over J5/La Dolfina Breeding (Gonzalo Ferrari 4, Isidro Strada 7, Jero del Carril 7, Robertito Zedda 5). 

Valiente (Joaquin Avendano 2, Gringo Colombres 8, Sebastian Merlos 8, Jejo Taranco 8) knocked off Alegria (Henry Porter 3, Toro Ruiz 7, Nachi du Plessis 8, Freddie Mannix 7), 11-7. 

Seminole Casino (Melissa Ganzi 0, Nic Roldan 8, Lucas James 8, Alejandro Novillo Astrada 8) rallied for an 11-9 win over Richard Mille (Camilo Castagnola 7, Barto Castagnola 7, Pablo MacDonough 10). 

On Saturday, defending champion Casablanca (Grant Ganzi 3, Rodrigo Andrade 8, Hilario Ulloa 10, Juancito Bollini 4) will play SD Farms (Sayyu Dantata 2, Santi Torres 7, Guillermo Terrera 8, Juan Martin Zubia 8) at SD Farms at noon.

WELLINGTON, Fl., February 20, 2020---After a successful All Star Challenge season-opener, the World Polo League season continues Friday with the Founders Cup.

Three games will open the second tournament of the season at Valiente Polo Farm. Scone will make its season debut against J5/La Dolfina Breeding at noon on Field 3; Valiente plays Alegria at 2 p.m. on Field 2; and Seminole Casino meets Richard Mille at 4 p.m. on Field 1.

Ten teams, including new team sponsors Amaala, Scone and STM, will compete in the first of three WPL tournaments offering major prize money. Scone competed last year in the WPL's inaugural season.

The WPL is coming off a successful opening and fun All Star Challenge where Valiente defended its title with a new lineup. 

Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz 2, Poroto Cambiaso 4, Diego Cavanagh 9, Adolfo Cambiaso 10) led for most of the game to defeat SD Farms (Sayyu Dantata 2, Santi Torres 7, Guillermo Terrera 8, Juan Martin Zubia 8), 12-10. Poroto Cambiaso, 14, the only returning player off last year's winning team, has now won back-to-back tournament titles. His father, Adolfo, was Most Valuable Player of the game.

"We have seen some great polo," WCT Commissioner Dale Smicklas said. "We have seen some thrilling games and some expected results as well as some upsets. And there is so much more ahead of us."

WELLINGTON, Fl., February 16, 2020---Valiente won its second World Polo League All Star Challenge title Sunday at Grand Champions Polo Club.

Defending champion Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz 2, Poroto Cambiaso 4, Diego Cavanagh 9, Adolfo Cambiaso 10) led for most of the game to defeat SD Farms (Sayyu Dantata 2, Santi Torres 7, Guillermo Terrera 8, Juan Martin Zubia 8), 12-10, in front of a packed house. 

Poroto Cambiaso, 14, the only returning player off last year's winning team, has now won back-to-back tournament titles in the WPL. 

Polo great Adolfo Cambiaso was Most Valuable Player of the game. 

"It was great fun," Cambiaso said. "We didn't play as good as we like but obviously we controlled it. They played well. We couldn't manage to pass the ball well between us like the semifinals. I think we can improve." 

Bravita Solita, played by Poroto Cambiaso, was the American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony of the championship final.

Dolfina Diosa Coronada, played by Adolfo Cambiaso, was the APHA Horse of the Tournament and Argentine Breeders' Association.
 
The American Polo Horse Association was created in 2006 by the legendary Polo Hall of Famer Sunny Hale to recognize polo ponies in America and encourages events that showcase them and hard-working dedication of grooms.

WELLINGTON, Fl., February 15, 2020---Defending champion Valiente will meet SD Farms in the championship of the World Polo League's All Star Challenge Sunday at 4 p.m. at Grand Champions Polo Club.

Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz 2, Diego Cavanagh 9, Poroto Cambiaso 4, Adolfo Cambiaso 10) and SD Farms (Sayyu Dantata 2, Santi Torres 7, Guillermo Terrera 8, Juan Martin Zubia 8) survived the 10-team, single-elimination tournament. 

Cambiaso and Torres were members of last year's winning team.

Last year's inaugural All Star Challenge winner was Valiente (Agustin Nero, Santi Torres, Pablo MacDonough, Poroto Cambiaso) after defeating Colorado (Rob Jornayvaz, Juan Martin Zubia, Rodrigo Andrade, Jero del Carril), 10-9 in overtime. MacDonough was MVP.

SD Farms and Valiente advanced into the final after two hard-fought semifinal games on Thursday and Friday.

WELLINGTON, Fl., February 12, 2020---With a makeshift lineup, Casablanca won its first game of the World Polo League All Star Challenge Tuesday at Jan Pamela.

Trailing after the first half, Casablanca (Carlitos Gracida 4, Juancito Bollini 4, Rodrigo Andrade 8, Juan Martin Nero 10/Pablo MacDonough 10) rallied to defeat Alegria (Henry Porter 3, Matias Magrini 7, Nachi du Plessis 8, Freddie Mannix 7), 10-7, to advance into Friday's semifinal against Valiente at 4 p.m. at Valiente Polo Farm.

In the first semifinal on Thursday at 11 a.m., Seminole Casino plays SD Farms at SD Farms. 

Casablanca, which received a bye in the opening round, played without Grant Ganzi and was replaced by Carlitos Gracida in the starting lineup. After the opening chukker, Casablanca lost Juan Martin Nero to an ankle injury and was replaced by 10-goaler Pablo MacDonough.

Despite the adversity, Casablanca managed to outscore previously undefeated Canadian-based Alegria, 6-2, in the second half including 4-1 in the final chukker.

MacDonough was enjoying the game drinking mate with friends and relaxing before his afternoon $100,000 World Cup game with Audi at Grand Champions when he was asked to replace Nero.

"The sad thing about all of this is I don't mind having to play two games, of course, but I hope Juanma's leg recovers quickly," MacDonough said. "It may take him some time."

WELLINGTON, Fl., February 10, 2020---On a perfect polo day that featured sky divers, dancing girls and great polo, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek won its season opener in the World Polo League All-Star Challenge. 

In front of a packed house during the Sunday featured afternoon game, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (Joaquin Avendano 2, Nic Roldan 8, Lucas James 8, Alejandro Novillo Astrada 8) defeated Dundas Polo (Sarah Siegel-Magness 0, Gringo Colombres 8, Sebastian Merlos 8, Jejo Taranco 8), 9-7, Sunday at the debut of Grand Champions Polo Club's CoCo Cabana Stadium.

It was the third game of a WPL tripleheader on Day 3 of the All Star Challenge, the first of four WPL tournaments of the second season of the 26-goal league. 

WPL play continues Tuesday when Alegria takes on Casablanca at 10 a.m. at Jan Pamela.

James was named Most Valuable Player. Dolfina Cuartetera, bred by polo great Adolfo Cambiaso and played by Magness-Siegel in the first chukker, was Best Playing Pony. Astrada was awarded best goal (half-swing, long neck shot off broken play) with 3:45 left in the second chukker.

Trailing after the first two chukkers, Seminole Casino took a 6-5 halftime lead and never trailed in the second half, maintaining the tempo and shutting Dundas Polo out in the fourth and fifth chukkers while outscoring them, 3-2.

WELLINGTON, Fl., February 9, 2020---On a great day for polo, the World Polo League All-Star Challenge matchup between Alegria and Richard Mille lived up to expectations.

In front of a packed house, Alegria (Henry Porter 3, Matias Magrini 7, Nachi du Plessis 8, Freddie Mannix 7) won a hardfought 12-10 battle against Richard Mille (Gonzalo Avendano 1, Camilo Castagnola 7, Barto Castagnola 7, Pablo MacDonough 10) in both teams' season-opener Saturday at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

"It was super fun," Mannix said. "Amazing way to open the season. It was fun to win. Everyone loves winning but we won playing well and that was even more gratifying.

"The horses played super well. We have been riding and practicing to get them to this moment. We have been getting the horses ready for quite some time so it was fun to put the white pants on and see how they perform.

"We were a balanced team so we want to play open polo," Mannix said. "I have a former 10-goaler in Matias with us, we have probably a future 10-goaler in Nachi and Henry is a great British player, with him the ceiling is unknown at this point. 

"It was easy to put this team together let's play with friends and good players. We have experience and know what not to do. We didn't make very many mistakes today which is good." 

Saturday's game marked the first time teenage brothers Barto, 18, and Camilo Castagnola, 16, played together on U.S. soil and they did not disappoint eager fans wanting a glimpse of two of the sport's hottest players.

WELLINGTON, Fl., February 7, 2020---On another historical day for the World Polo League, the second season got under way Thursday with a new team winning the opener at windswept SD Farms Field.

Dundas (Sarah Siegel-Magness 0, Gringo Colombres 8, Sebastian Merlos 8, Jejo Taranco 8) came from behind to defeat J5 La Dolfina Breeding (Gonzalo Ferrari 4, Isidro Strada 7, Jero del Carril 7, Robertito Zedda 5), 10-7.

"I am absolutely thrilled," WPL Commissioner Dale Smicklas said. "I can't believe how well we started off this year right where we left off last year and maybe even better.

"The umpiring was absolutely perfect. The teams played the style of polo we talked about playing when we put this league together which is hit-and-run, very physical, thrilling polo. It is a new breed that we started last year. I am just thrilled and very happy with our first game."

On Friday, a doubleheader is scheduled with Sebucan (Pablo Pulido 2, Tincho Merlos 8, Corcho Zavaleta 7, Nacho Novillo Astrada 8) playing SD Farms (Sayyu Dantata 2, Santi Torres 7, Guille Terrera 8, Juan Martin Zubia 8) at 1 p.m. at Jan Pamela Field. In the second game, Richard Mille (Camilo Castagnola 7, Pablo MacDonough 10, Barto Castagnola 7) will play Alegria (Matias Magrini 7, Nachi du Plessis 8, Freddie Mannix 7, Henry Porter 3) at Valiente Polo Farm at 4 p.m.

WELLINGTON, Fl., February 6, 2020---Let's get this party started.

The highly-anticipated second season of the World Polo League opens Thursday with one game at 3 p.m. at SD Farms Field in Wellington Preserve.

First-year teams and sponsors Dundas (Sarah Siegel-Magness 0, Jejo Taranco 8, Sebastian Merlos 8, Gringo Colombres 8) and J5 La Dolfina Breeding (Robertito Zedda 5, Gonzalo Ferrari 4, Jero del Caril 7, Isidro Strada 7) will play in the opening game of the All-Star Challenge tournament.

With a slightly different lineup, Dundas (Sarah Siegel-Magness 0, Guillermo Terrera 8, Jejo Taranco 8, Diego Cavanagh 8) is coming off an impressive 14-9 victory over Palm Beach Equine led by 10-goaler Hilario Ulloa in $100,000 World Cup play on Tuesday to advance into the semifinals against Audi. The game also marked the high goal debut of Siegel-Magness. It was her first competitive game in two months after coming back from a torn groin injury.

Play continues Friday with two games. SD Farms plays Sebucan, making its WPL debut with Cornell alum Pablo Pulido, at 10:30 a.m. at Jan Pamela Field 3 and Richard Mille faces Alegria at Valiente Field 1 at 4 p.m. On Saturday, Valiente hosts Aspen Valley at 3 p.m.

After a successful inaugural season, the league returns with more teams and star-studded lineup of players.

WELLINGTON, Fl., February 2, 2020---It's Show Time for the much-anticipated second season of the World Polo League.

After a successful inaugural season, the league returns with more teams and star-studded lineup of players.

The league has 10 teams entered in the season-opening All-Star Challenge that begins Thursday and may have more sponsors and teams throughout the season for the three remaining tournaments.

Two of the sport's hottest players, brothers Barto and Camilo Castagnola will play for the first time together in the U.S. for new WPL team sponsor Richard Mille joining 10-goaler Pablo MacDonough.

The sons of former 10-goaler Lolo Castagnola made their debut in the 2019 Argentine Open at Palermo at the age of 18 and 16 respectively for La Natividad. Their father competed in 14 Argentine Opens, winning six and finishing runner-up three times. The Argentine Association of Polo recently raised Barto Castagnola from 7 to 9 and Camilo Castagnola from 6 to 8.

MacDonough, the Brand Ambassador for the Swiss watchmaking brand Richard Mille, is coming off MVP honors and record seventh Argentine Open victory with La Dolfina and second consecutive title at the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship.