Second Annual National Youth Tournament Series Championship

Second Annual National Youth Tournament Series Championship: Young polo players travel from all across the country to compete for the championship title on Sunday, August 31 at the San Diego Polo Club.

San Diego, Calif. – The most celebrated and youngest polo players in the United States will compete in the 2014 National Youth Tournament Series Championship (NYTS) for the U.S. Polo Association (USPA) Cecil Smith Cup trophy on Sunday, August 31 at 1 p.m. at the White Party to benefit Miracle Babies at San Diego Polo Club in Rancho Santa Fe.

After 27 tournaments and 122 player nominations, being selected as one of the final 16 All-Stars is a great accomplishment. “It is exciting to see the talent and commitment of our young polo players,” said Chrys Beal, USPA Governor-at-Large and NYTS Chair. “The National Youth Tournament Series promises to be fast and furious, and showcase many talented players hoping to claim the Cecil Smith Cup.”

The 2013 NYTS Championship team from USPA Zone 3 will defend their winning title in San Diego. Returning team members Wes Finlayson, Juan Bollini, and Grant Ganzi will play with first timer Crisitan Weisz.

Zone 1 – Pacific Coast, Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountain, Border, Southwest and Hawaiian Islands Circuits

Jim Wright – Menlo Park, Calif.
Colton Bancroft – San Diego, Calif.
Sloan Stefanakis – Houston, Texas
Garrett Smith – Oakbank, Manitoba

Zone 2 – Central, Great Plains, Mid-States and Southeast Circuits

Eduardo Margalef – Culver, Ind.
JT Shiverick – Atlanta, Ga.
Andrew Begg – King City, Ontario
CJ Sifton – Toronto, Ontario

Zone 3 – Defending Champions from the Florida Circuit

Wes Finlayson – Wellington, Fla.
Juan Bollini – Wellington, Fla.
Grant Ganzi – Wellington, Fla.
Cristian Weisz – Wellington, Fla.

Zone 4 – Northeast and Eastern Circuit

Barrett Coke – Topsfield, Mass.
Marissa Wells – Freeland, Md.
Wyatt Harlow – Warrenton, Va.
Tommy Huber – Baltimore, Md.

 

The semi-finals matches begin on Saturday, August 30, with a consolation match on Sunday, August 31 prior to the start of the championship final at 1 p.m.

San Diego Polo Club is open to the public and spectators are encouraged to come watch the thrilling championship action at the White Party to benefit Miracle Babies. Tickets range from $12 – $125 and parking is $10. Guests are encouraged to wear white or light colors. For additional event information, please call 858.481.9217, visit http://www.sandiegopolo.com or purchase tickets here.About the National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS)

In 2013, the United States Polo Association created a national tournament series to provide more opportunities for junior players to compete outdoors with and against their peers at a local and national level. In an effort to grow and sustain the sport of polo in the United States, NYTS is a training module that prepares youth for formal tournament competition, challenges players to get to know their team, and identify their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.

About the San Diego Polo Club

Founded in 1986, The San Diego Polo Club is an established institution recognized for excellence in the sport of polo. The San Diego Polo Club is beautifully situated on 60 acres of land in Rancho Santa Fe, offering five world-class class polo fields, including an exercise track, riding trails, a clubhouse and bar, a polo training school, and an outdoor lighted arena. The San Diego Club has one of the longest playing seasons in the country running from May through October. Sunday matches are presented to the public every Sunday, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

About the U. S. Polo Association

The U.S. Polo Association was organized and exists for the purposes of promoting the game of polo, coordinating the activities of its Member Clubs and Registered Players, arranging and supervising polo tournaments, competitions, and games, and providing rules, handicaps, and conditions for those tournaments, competitions, and games including the safety and welfare of participants and mounts. For more information, please visit, www.uspolo.org.

About Miracle Babies

Miracle Babies, founded by Dr. Sean Daneshmand and based in San Diego, is a non-profit organization structured to provide education and financial support to families with newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its mission is to provide financial assistance and support to families in need with newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit. For additional information, please visit http://www.miraclebabies.org.

SDPC Teams Up with Miracle Babies for UPSA’s National Youth Tournament Series & Sunday Polo

The San Diego Polo Club is excited to announce its recent partnership with Miracle Babies, a non-profit dedicated to providing education, support, and financial assistance to families with newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

On Sunday, August 31 from 12:30-7pm, guests are invited to a day of polo, including the USPA’s National Youth Tournament Series, the USPA Rossmore Cup Finals, dressage, charitable giving, music and fun at the San Diego Polo Club, located at 14555 El Camino Real, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067.

Originally known as The Polo Association, the United States Polo Association, or USPA, was created in 1890 to govern polo handicaps, rules, and tournaments in America and Canada. The U.S. Polo Association was organized and exists for the purposes of promoting the game of polo, coordinating the activities of its Member Clubs and Registered Players, arranging and supervising polo tournaments, competitions, and games, and providing rules, handicaps, and conditions for those tournaments, competitions, and games including the safety and welfare of participants and mounts.

The National Youth Tournament Series began in 2013 and the main objective for the program since the beginning was to create more opportunities for youth to play against they peers. But so much more has come out of it. NYTS is a training module that prepares youth for formal tournament competition. It challenges players to get to know their team and identify their opponents strengths and weaknesses.

Kids from all over the United States compete locally at their home clubs to qualify for the National Tournament Series. The San Diego Polo Club is honored to host this national tournament and the championship games.

Qualifiers for National Youth Tournament Series Championships – Team San Diego: Colton, Zander, Austin and Molly.

Teams from all over the country will travel to San Diego to compete in the last few championship matches, beginning on Friday, August 29. The highly anticipated finals of the USPA’s National Youth Tournament Series will be held at 1:00pm in front of the Sunday Polo crowd.

After the NYTS Championship game, guests will enjoy “Dancing with the Equine Stars,” a pas de deux with two upper level Lusitano dressage horses by Donna Richardson.

Winners of 2013 USPA’s Rossmore Cup: Adeptus

At 3:00pm, we will host the finals to the USPA Rossmore Cup, one of two USPA sanctioned tournaments held at the San Diego Polo Club.

Miracle Babies invites attendees to celebrate polo and the fine work of the charity. Multiple ticket options are available from $12-125 per person. The Miracle Babies Pavilion event price includes delicious fare from Wild Thyme Catering and one free drink ticket after which there will be a no-host bar available for the afternoon (21+ ID required at check-in).

“We’re truly honored to be the beneficiary of this prestigious event and celebration,” said Sean Daneshmand, M.D., founder of Miracle Babies. “Many mothers of premature or critically ill newborns are financially unable to be at the hospital with their babies every day,” he said. “We founded Miracle Babies to provide support and financial assistance to parents who find themselves in such situations.”

Miracle Babies, founded by Dr. Sean Daneshmand and based in San Diego, is a non-profit organization structured to provide education and financial support to families with newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its mission is to provide financial assistance and support to families in need with newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit. For additional information, please visit www.miraclebabies.org.

Suggested attire: White or light colors to celebrate Labor Day!

For more information and to purchase tickets for the USPA National Youth Tournament, USPA Rossmore Cup Finals & Miracle Babies Fundraiser, please click here.

Labor Day Tournament & White Party

Things have been heating up in San Diego and we aren’t talking about just the weather.  As the San Diego Polo Summer Season continues through August and September, the polo talent rises.  The horses are faster, the players work harder, and the crowds grow larger.

This holiday weekend’s Labor Day Tournament started off with an 8-goal tournament match between Twin Palms/San Fernando vs. StarMeadow/Monteverde.  Things started off at an even pace in the first chukker, with Diego Velarde and Gaston VonWernich scoring for Twin Palms/San Fernando and Ellen Greenhill and Colton Bancroft scoring for StarMeadow/Monteverde.  Roberto Estudillo scored 3 goals for his team, Twin Palms/San Fernando and teammate, Diego Velarde, had a high of 5 goals.  Although StarMeadow/Monteverde played their hearts out, they just couldn’t catch up.  Twin Palms/San Fernando beat StarMeadow/Monteverde 10 to 7.

During intermission, the Victorian Roses Riding Society performed. The Victorian Roses are a re-enactment group from Southern California who enjoy representing history and doing events that raise money for charity.  The group symbolizes the romance of the 1880’s, or the Victorian Era, in the colorful costumes they wear and each member has a “rose” moniker representing who she is in the re-enactment society.  Truly a sisterhood of dedicated women, these ladies ride in numerous parades and rodeo ceremonies and also participate in skit competitions, old-west shows, costume contests and other events.

The feature match was the finals of the Labor Day tournament with Hanalei Bay vs. Adeptus.  Jesse Bray, who was bumped from a 2-goal handicap to a 4-goal handicap last year, started things off quickly and scored a goal for Adeptus within the first 30 seconds of the match.  Ashton Wolf, another favorite San Diego Polo player, scored 2 for Hanalei Bay in the first chukker.  Jesse Bray wouldn’t let that slide, so he scored two additional points for Adeptus in the second chukker.  By the third chukker, the score was tied up 3 to 3.

Guests enjoyed stomping divots with their Korbel California Champagne.  During the divot stomp, guests dressed in white spread out across the green grass during the perfect summer day.

During the half time, Hanalei Bay recharged and focused on the match.  In the fourth chukker, they came out blazing.  Mariano Fassetta score 3 goals and Ashton Wolf scored 1 for Hanalei Bay.  Adeptus’ Daniel Juarez only could get one goal past the opposing team.  In the fifth chukker, Hanalei Bay kept up with an additional 3 goals by Ashton Wolf, bringing the score up to 11.  Daniel Juarez scored again in the 5th and 6th chukkers, along with Jesse Bray, but they just couldn’t catch up to Hanalei Bay, but they sure did put up a fight!  Hanalei Bay beat Adeptus 12 to 9.

If you’re looking for some more action, join us this Sunday for the USPA Rossmore Cup and our annual Salute to Military, as we honor active military, veterans, and first responders.

USPA Rossmore Cup White Party

This last Sunday, September ^2nd, the San Diego Polo Club held a White Party in celebration of Labor Day.  The pristine attire of polo onlookers was a striking accompaniment to the elegant and modern fleet of white Jaguars on display.

In the Polo Pavilion, Hoehn Jaguar of Carlsbad showcased their 2012 luxury models including the Jaguar XJL Supercharged, Jaguar XK Coupe, and Jaguar XF Supercharged-all of which captivated polo enthusiasts with sumptuous features meant to enhance the driving experience.  During the parade, the 2012 Jaguar XJ and XF Portfolio flanked Blaise Guld who sang the National Anthem.  Also in attendance on Sunday was Dahlia Fashion Boutique offering unique, one of a kind clothing styles.

The first match of the USPA Rossmore Cup was a ten-goal game featuring team Twin Palms/Starmeadow versus team Hanalei Bay.  Maricos Bignoly of team Hanalei Bay scored the first goal of the match.  By the end of the first chukker, both teams were neck-in-neck at two goals apiece.  In the second chukker, Colton Bancroft scored a point for team Twin Palms followed by two goals for Hanalei Bay on behalf of Santiago Trotz and Patrick Uretz.

In the third and fourth chukkers, the match took an unforeseen turn as team Hanalei Bay took the opportunity to pull ahead. Team Hanalei Bay went on the defensive preventing team Twin Palms from scoring in both the third and fourth chukkers.  In the meantime, Patrick Uretz scored two points for Hanalei Bay followed by an additional goal by Santiago Trotz wrapping up the fourth chukker at Hanalei Bay 7, Twin Palms 3.

While only a single goal was scored during the fifth chukker by Graham Bray of team Twin Palms, the sixth chukker was action-packed as both teams fought for the win.  The first goal of the sixth and final chukker was scored by Gaston VonWernich of team Twin Palms.  Patrick Uretz answered VonWerinich’s goal with a point for Hanalei Bay.  The last and final goal of the day was scored by Colton Bancroft for team Twin Palms-Twin Palms: 6, Hanalei Bay: 8.

The second match of the day featured the three-goal teams of Trinity and Hanalei Bay.  MVP Mariano Gutierrez, of team Trinity, scored the first goal of the match.  Gutierrez’s goal was quickly answered by Mariano Fassetta, of Hanalei Bay, who scored two points. In the second chukker, both teams scored a point apiece heading into the third chukker with team Trinity 2, team Hanalei Bay 3.

In the third chukker, team Hanalei Bay increased their lead with an additional two goals scored by Mike Kerley and Mariano Fassetta.  Team Trinity took advantage of the fourth and fifth chukkers to pull themselves back into the game and, eventually, the lead.  While the fifth and sixth chukkers were uneventful for team Hanalei, Mariano Gutierrez proved himself to be Trinity’s secret weapon, single-handedly scoring two goals followed by an additional goal by teammate Rick Paicius.

The sixth chukker was an enthralling one as both teams coupled captivating athleticism with exemplary teamwork, the result of which was a match tie with both teams garnering seven points respectively.  Ultimately, it was team Trinity with the win as Mariano Gutierrez scored the winning point in over time.  In fact, by the end of the match, Gutierrez’s helped to score six of Trinity’s eight points!

In remembrance of September 11^th, this Sunday SDPC is hosting a day of reverence and gratitude for our service men and women.  Admission is free to all those who bring their Military ID.   Also, look forward to our intermission exhibition featuring vaulting….on horseback!

Willis Allen Memorial Cup Finals

The Willis Allen Memorial Cup Final this past weekend, Sunday August 26, was a heart-felt and reverential way to honor the club’s “Founding Father,” Willis Allen.  The San Diego Polo Club also hosted special guests from Ivy Leagues across the nation in an Alumni appreciation day.  Schools in attendance included Harvard, MIT, Georgetown, Columbia, University of Pennsylvania, Brown, Cornell, Princeton, Oxford, Yale, and Cambridge.

The club’s luxury car sponsor, Land Rover of San Diego, was also present Sunday and was featured in the Polo Pavilion showcasing four of their most coveted models including the timeless Range Rover, Land Rover LR4, Range Rover Sport, and the new 2012 Evoque.  During the divot stomp, polo enthusiasts were treated to first class service while being served Korbel’s Sweet Cuvee champagne from the tailgate of the 2012 full Range Rover.

At intermission, SDPC was elated to have Rebecca Ridgon and her boyfriend David Blake who performed an enthralling and captivating dressage demonstration.  The United States Dressage Federation has recognized Ridgon’s excellence as a rider on numerous occasions making her the USDF bronze, silver, and gold medalist recipient.  In addition, Ridgon trains and campaigns her horses for the Grand Prix.  Blake has also been recognized by the USDF receiving the bronze, silver, and gold medals on a horse he trained himself.  Ridgon and Blake had the entire polo venue spellbound with their astounding horsemanship and meticulous performance that sent shivers down the spines of onlookers.

Musical talents this past Sunday included the Bill Magee Blues Band and national anthem singer Briana Robell.  Robell is the 2012 Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of San Diego as well as the inductee into the national Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society.

Starting off the day were the teams of San Fernando and West Coast Aero Space who took to the field for the three-goal match.  Scoring the first goal of the day was the San Diego Polo School’s very own Amir Mojaver.  By the end of the first chukker, San Fernando had the lead, 4:2.

In the second chukker, Kimo Huddleston proved himself to be the MVP of team West Coast Aero Space as he scored three consecutive goals.  In fact, Huddleston was responsible for all five goals for team West Coast Aero Space wrapping up the second chukker at San Fernando 6, West Coast Aero Space 5.

The third chukker was a gripping one as both teams fought to prevent the other from scoring.  In an impressive demonstration of teamwork and athleticism, San Fernando and West Coast Aero Space proved they were forces to be reckoned with.  In the end, team San Fernando persevered scoring one goal by Roberto Estudillo.

The fourth chukker began with a goal by Kimo Huddleston of West Coast followed by a goal by Diego Velarde of team San Fernando.  While Huddleston scored all seven of the goals for his team it was ultimately San Fernando that took the win-8: 7.  Enraptured by their win, team San Fernando tipped their helmets to the audience and road by the VIP tent in a victory lap, elating the crowd.

We had a surprise guest this weekend, Mr. Memo Gracida, one of the best polo players of our time, graced the fields on Sunday at the San Diego Polo Club.  Gracida has won 16 U.S. Opens, more than any other player in history.  He held a 10-goal handicap for 21 years, has won every important tournament, and is the Polo Hall of Fame.  It was quite an honor to have Memo Gracida throw in the first ball of the Willis Allen Memorial Finals.

The second match of the day featured the 10-goal teams of Trinity and Twin Palms/Starmeadow.  Chris Maloney, of team Twin Palms/Starmeadow, scored the first goal.  Maloney’s goal was quickly answered by team Trinity who went on to score three consecutive goals with the help of Rick Paicius and Tim Rudy.  In the second chukker, both teams scored three goals apiece making the score Trinity 6, Starmeadow 4.

While the score remained neck-in-neck throughout the third chukker, Twin Palms/Starmeadow took advantage of the fourth chukker to pull themselves into the lead.  Demonstrating excellent defense tactics, Twin Palms prevented Trinity from scoring the entire fourth chukker while scoring three goals for themselves.  At the end of the fourth chukker, Trinity had eight points while Twin Palms had 10.

The sixth chukker proved to be the most riveting of the day leaving the crowd on the edge of their seats.  Arthur Cameron and Mariano Gutierrez of team Trinity scored two goals for their team pulling Trinity in the lead 12:11.  With 28 seconds remaining in the match, Gaston VonWernich scored a goal for Twin Palms/Starmeadow tying up the score at 12 points.  Adding to the excitement, a foul was called on VonWernich’s play and neither umpire (Mike Kerley or Kimo Huddleston) could come to an agreement.   The dispute between umpires led them to usher in the “third man” for a verdict.   In the end, VonWernich’s goal was taken away from team Twin Palms giving team Trinity the win in an engrossing match of polo- Trinity: 12, Twin Palms: 11.

Join us this Sunday, September 2, for our annual White Party! SDPC will also feature season sponsor, Hoehn Jaguar complete with an all white fleet of luxury vehicles.  Also, look forward to our elegant fashion show that will both emphasize and encompass this season’s new trends and inspirations.