Ocean Mist Wins Women's Challenge - WCT Qualifier

Although giving up the first goal of the final game of the USPA Pacific Coast Women's Challenge - WCT Qualifier, Ocean Mist (Carin Middleton 4, Mia Bray 3, Megan Judge 3, Heather Lake 3/Sheryl Sick 3) easily won by a 9 - 2.5 count over M3 (Madelyn Cobb 4, Jemma Contreras 1, Cybele Jordan 4, Erin Brittin 2).With a handicap award of 1.5 goals at the start, M3 - with the early counter - then had a 2.5 goal lead. It was not to last long however, as Ocean Mist then scored nine unanswered tallies - two in the first, four in the second, and three in the third - to gain the victory.For the champions, Lake counted three, Bray had three (two fouls), Judge struck twice and Middleton once (a foul conversion).Cobb scored the lone M3 goal (a foul conversion).Because of her steady, strong, and thoughtful play, Bray was selected as the MVP.Maclo, owned by George Dill and played by Brittin in the forth chukker was awarded the Best Playing Pony blanket.In earlier action, Deer Creek (Kate Weber 4, Caroline Anier 5, Gina Padilla 3, Leslie Tims 1) defeated Las Patronas JJCK (Jennifer Alexy 5, Jenny Luttrell-Benardoni 4, Claudia Uretz 2, Kim Garsed 2) by a final count of 6 - 5 to win the Consolation final.Anier, playing a strong inside game, was awarded the title of MVP and Luttrell-Benardoni's mare Anita was chosen as the Best Playing Pony - the second Easter Sunday honor for a Luttrell-Benardoni horse.Tony Gregg

National Youth Tournament Series

LAKESIDE - Molly Agee B.5, Ian Schnoebelen B, Elise Pardue B, Hannah Stock B.BOSS POLO - Bayne Bossom A, Garrett Bankhead B, Taylor Olcott B, Haley Schneider B.ALEGRIA - Conrad Kissling 1.5, Hope Kerley B, Charlize Bisogni B, Piers Bossom -1.Teams will play Saturday and Sunday Round Robins.Saturday - First game at 12 noon

USPA Pacific Coast Women's Challenge WCT Qualifier

LAS PATRONAS JJCK (13) - Jennifer Alexy 5, Jenny Luttrell-Benardoni 4, Claudia Uretz 2, Kim Garsed 2.M3 (11) - Madelyn Cobb 4, Jemma Contreras 1, Cybele Jordan 4, Erin Brittin 2.MANILA POLO (13) - Kate Weber 4, Gina Padilla 3, Caroline Anier 5, Lesley Tims 1.OCEAN MIST (13) - Heather Lake 3, Carin Middleton 4, Megan Judge 3, Mia Bray 3.SCHEDULESat Mar 31 9 AM - Manilla Polo vs Ocean MistSat Mar 31 10AM - Las Patronas JJCK vs M3Sun Apr 1 - Final; M3 vs Ocean Mist

Boss Polo Wins 2018 Governor's Cup

The 2018 Pacific Coast Circuit Governor's Cup final was a contest between a pair of young newcomers and a familiar face who had played in the final several times before.In fact, Reg Whyte had not only been there before, he won the coveted trophy in 2010.This year's game would see Whyte and his Thermal group (Reg Whyte, Mia Bray, Patrick Uretz 4, Felipe Sordelli 2) face off with rookies Bayne Bossom and Leslie Tims' Boss Polo partnership (Leslie Tims -1, Bayne Bossom, Jared Sheldon 4, Remy Du Celliee Muller 3) in a game that saw several swings in momentum.From the start it was apparent that this would be quick and fast game as Uretz ran from the initial bowl-in and scored to give a very early lead to Thermal. However, Sheldon scored three goals in a row to grab a two goal bulge for Boss Polo. Bossom finished off the first period with two counters of his own and the opener was over with the youngsters leading with a count of 5 - 1.The momentum that hurt Thermal in the first was theirs in the second frame as the pressure they exerted created defensive errors by Boss Polo. The result was three open goal awards - from 40 yards - that Uretz converted. Boss Polo still led but by just one at 5 - 4.Chukker number three saw Boss Polo grab the momentum once again as Du Celliee Muller scored three goals and Sheldon had one. Uretz was able to reply for Thermal with one but the lead was now four for the newcomers at 9 - 5.Thermal came within three as Sordelli scored his first but Sheldon got that back to quell a possible comeback. Sordelli was able to grab another but that would be it as Boss Polo won by a final tally of 10 - 7.Because of his superb offensive and defensive abilities in the middle of the game, Du Celliee Muller was named the Most Valuable Player to his team.Chiquita - played by Sheldon in his explosive first chukker - was selected as the Best Playing Pony.Tony Gregg

Twin Palms Doubles the Skins Money and Wins Rossmore

On an 'absolutely perfect afternoon in sunny Southern California' and in front of a huge and extremely involved crowd, Twin Palms (Graham Bray 3, Mason Wroe 4, Patrick Uretz 4, Mike Kerley 1 {sub for inj Chris Maloney 1}) ran to convincing $14,000 to $7,000 money win and 12 - 9 overall victory over Farmers & Merchants Bank/RH Polo (Danny Walker 2, Mariano Fassetta 5, Santiago Von Wernich 5, Catlin Dix {sub for inj Ben Soleimani}) in the 24th annual Polo Skins Games and the USPA Rossmore Cup.With $3500 available in each chukker, the hotly contested game turned out to be a perfect example of how polo is supposed to be played - hit the ball and run.At the outset, speed and accuracy was to be prevalent as the Walker group prevailed by one goal to lead in the Rossmore at 3 - 2 and in doing so won the $3,500 available in the first period.Twin Palms came back in the second and outscored the bankers by an identical count of 3 - 2 and grabbed their first cash award of $3,500. The money was now even as was the Rossmore tally at 5 - 5.The third period saw Farmers & Merchants/RH Polo score two goals to just a single from Twin Palms to grab another chunk of cash to lead at $7,000 to $3,500 and go ahead in the overall at 7 - 6.As the very big crowd took part in the Ruffino Prosecco halftime divot stomp, the Twin Palms foursome used the time wisely and it showed in the fourth period as they outran FMB/RH by a count of 4 - 1 and in doing so won another $3,500 to get even in the money count at $7,000 and jump ahead for the Rossmore at 10 - 8.As the classic polo continued in the penultimate frame the scoring was made difficult by great defensive work and each side counted but one goal to create the first carryover of the afternoon. This would make the sixth chukker worth $7,000. Twin Palms continued to lead in the Rossmore at 11 - 9.The final saw just one goal - perhaps fittingly from Patrick Uretz - and Chris Maloney's Twin Palms had doubled the money count and at the same time took the overall tally to win the Rossmore Cup ($14,000 - $7,000 and 12 - 9 overall).For the winners, Uretz scored nine goals (four fouls), Bray had a pair, and Wroe counted one.Fassetta struck seven times for FMB/RH and Waker had two in the loss.In a game where he showed his ability to do everything required to play winning polo, Uretz was selected as the MVP.Josephina, a product of the Walker breeding program, and played by Walker in the second period, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.Prior to the awards presentation to the winners and the runners-up, David Carlson was presented with the Robert Skene Most Improved Player Trophy.Tony Gregg

USPA Rossmore Cup/Skins Final Set

COTTEREL FARMS (11) - Jenny Luttrell-Benardoni, Francisco Benardoni 1, Ruben Cosia 5, Juan Curbelo 5.FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK/RH POLO (12) - Danny Walker 2, Ben Soleimani, Mariano Fassetta 5, Santiago Von Wernich 5.HIGHWOOD (12) - Ron Mathison, Marcelo Rodriguez-Abbiati 4, Mariano Gutierrez 4, Geronimo Obregon 4.TWIN PALMS (12) - Chris Maloney 1, Graham Bray 5, Mason Wroe 4, Patrick Uretz 4.STANDINGSTwin Palms 3 0 def Cotterel, Farmers & Merchants/RH Polo, HighwoodFarmers & Merchants/RH Polo 2 1 def Highwood, Cotterel lost Twin PalmsHighwood 1 2 def Cotterel lost Farmers & Merchants/RH, Twin PalmsCotterel Farms 0 3 lost Twin Palms, Highwood, Farmers & Merchants/RH PoloFri Mar 16 - Highwood vs Farmers & Merchants/RH, Cotterel vs Twin PalmsSun Mar 18- Twin Palms vs Farmers & Merchants/RH, Cotterel vs HighwoodFri Mar 23 - Farmers & Merchahts/RH vs Cotterel, Highwood vs Twin PalmsSun Mar 11 - Final - Farmers & Merchants Bank/RH Polo vs Twin PalmsTwo best records will play final'Who beat who' and 'shootout' rules in effect

Governor's Cup Final - Familiar Face vs Newcomers

BRACKET 1BLAZERS (6) - Pat Powell, Kyle Fargey 3, Diego Cossio 2, Malia McCoy 1.BOSS POLO (6) - Lesley Tims -1, Bayne Bossom, Jared Sheldon 4, Remy Du Celliee Muller 3.BEARSDEN (5.5) - Carol Farnsworth -.5, Cody Woodfin 2, Peter Blake 3, Jessica Baily 1.HANALEI BAY (6) - Krista Bonaguidi -1, Ashton Wolf 3, Taylor Freeman 2, Matthew Fonseca 2.BRACKET 2BUSH LEAGUE (6) - Virgil Kyle, Ryan Robertson .5, Ulysses Escapite 4, Jose Rodriguez 1.5.THERMAL (6) - Reg Whyte, Mia Bray, Patrick Uretz 4, Felipe Sordelli 2.LUNA NUEVA (6) - Jennifer Alexy .5, Cheryl Schindel -.5, Diego Larregli 3, Luis Saracco 3.Boss Polo 2 0 1 def Hanalei Bay, Blazers tied Bearsden (first)Blazers 2 1 def Bearsden, Hanalei Bay lost Boss Polo (second)Hanalei Bay 1 2 def Bearsden lost Boss Polo, BlazersBearsden 0 2 1 lost Blazers, Hanalei Bay tied Boss PoloThermal 1 1 def Luna Nueva lost Bush League (won shootout)Bush League 1 1 def Thermal lost Luna Nueva (second in shootout)Luna Nueva 1 1 def Bush League lost Thermal (eliminated in shootout)Sat Mar 17 - Blazers vs Bearsden, Boss Polo vs Hanalei BaySat Mar 17 - Bush League vs Luna NuevaSun Mar 18 - Boss Polo vs Blazers, Bearsden vs Hanalei BaySun Mar 18 - Thermal vs Bush LeagueThur Mar 22 - Hanalei Bay vs Blazers, Bearsden vs Boss PoloThur Mar 22 - Luna Nueva vs ThermalSat Mar 24 - Semi Finals; Boss Polo vs Bush League, Blazers vs ThermalSun Mar 25 - Final; Thermal vs Boss PoloPlay is inside the bracketTwo teams with best record in their bracket will play in cross bracket semi-final - first in one bracket plays second in the other bracketWinners will advance to finalThree teams that that don't advance to semi-finals will play Round-Robin for the Lt. Governor's CupShootout rules in effect

Boss Polo Wins Prelude to the Governor's Cup

It has been said, that if you win most of the throw-ins in a polo game you will have a strong chance of winning the game. This proved to be true for Boss Polo (Bayne Bossom, Lesley Tims -1, Jared Sheldon 4, Remy Du Celliee Muller 3) as they - in overtime - defeated Hanalei Bay (Krista Bonaguidi -1, Ashton Wolf 3, Taylor Freeman 2, Matthew Fonseca 2) in an extremely entertaining March 6 Goal final on an 'absolutely perfect afternoon in sunny Southern California' by a final tally of 8 - 7.From the outset it became obvious that this was going to be a running game - out of the throw-ins quickly and go.To that point Wolf grabbed the ball from the initial toss and scored on a superb run to gain the early lead for the Hawaiians. That one goal advantage became two as Bonaguidi caught a perfect pass and carried the ball 120 yards to rack up another counter. Not to be outdone, Sheldon then showed his ability to hit and run out of the scrums as he grabbed three in a row - the 'natural hat trick' - to give Boss Polo a lead of one after one at 3 - 2.The wide open style for both sides continued in the second chukker as Sheldon scored two more for Boss Polo and Wolf and Fonseca replied for Hanalei Bay and it was 5 - 4 Boss Polo at the half.The speed continued in the third period but defensive work was stronger as only two goals were scored. By grabbing both of those - from Freeman and Fonseca - the surfers held the lead going to the final of regulation by a count of 6- 5.The fourth stanza saw much of the same open style of play, but a Hanalei Bay defensive error allowed Sheldon a free-throw opportunity from 30 yards which he easily converted to tie the score at six. Freeman then grabbed his second of the game and the lead was back in the hands of Bonaguidi and crew. That lead was rather short lived however as Tims alertly jumped on a loose ball in front of the Hawaiian goal and it was again tied - this time at seven and it was on to an extremely short overtime.With the throw in toward the boards and about 120 yards out from the Hanalei Bay goal, and near the left side line, a cool and very quick Bossom grabbed the ball and ran and scored. It was over just like that - the shortest extra frame many had ever seen at no more than 10 seconds elapsed - and again showed the strengh of winning the scrums and running as Boss Polo won the March 6 Goal. Many in the very large and exuberant crowd remarked that this was, most certainly, one of the best games they had witnessed in a very long time.With six goals, Sheldon was the obvious choice for MVP and Shock Top, owned and played by Sheldon in the second was honored as the Best Playing Pony.Tony Gregg

Cotterel Takes Long Route to March 12 Goal Victory

It really doesn't matter how you get to the final game of any tournament - it's what you do when you get there. For Jenny Luttrell-Benardoni and her Cotterel Farms aggregation (Jenny Luttrell-Benardoni, Francisco Benardoni 1, Ruben Coscia 5, Juan Curbelo 5) the route to the final was not ideal. A pair of losses to start with and it didn't look promising. But a third game victory combined with some help, allowed the Idaho group into a shootout to determine an opponent for undefeated Highwood (Ron Mathison, Marcello Rodrigues-Abbiati 4, Geronimo Obregon 4, Mariano Gutierrez 4) - a shootout that they won.The final then, was a rematch between the tournament's first game combatants but the result would be much different - this time Cotterel prevailed. In fact, the Idaho farmers would never trail as they literally outran the Canadian outfit by a final score of 6 - 5.With a handicap award of one to start with, first period counters by Curbelo and Coscia gave Cotterel a lead of three going to the second.Gutierrez and Rodriguez-Abbiati scored for Highwood in that second to trail by just one (3 - 2).Benardoni notched his first of the day in the third chukker to give Cotterel a lead of two but Highwood got back to within one as Gutierrez converted a penalty four strike to go to halftime (4 - 3).Curbelo scored his second - the only goal of the fourth frame - and Idaho now led by two with two to go in regulation (5 - 3).The penultimate stanza - like chukker number four - featured just one goal. That counter was an open goal conversion by Gutierrez from 30 yards and Mathison and Co., once again, trailed by only one going to the final frame (5 - 4).In the sixth, Gutierrez grabbed his second goal from the field and the count was now tied at five with less than three minutes to go. An alert play from the right of the Highwood goal rewarded Benardoni with his second goal of the contest that turned out to be the winner as Cotterel prevailed by one goal at 6 - 5 and had won the March 12 Goal Tournament - the prelude to the Skins Tournament.Benardoni, with creative and aggressive play, was selected as the Most Valuable Player to his team and Euro, owned by Mathison and played by Rodriguez-Abbiati, was rewarded with the Best Playing Pony blanket.Tony Gregg

Constitution 4 Goal Title to Thermal

The Fish Creek Constitution four Goal final saw the same team ascend the awards stand as the winner of the Beal Cup - but with a different name. In the Beal, Thermal (Reg Whyte, Debra Vermoch -1, Tim Rudy 3, Felipe Sordelli 2) was known as Pheasant Hollow. It made little difference as the result was the same - a second victory.The opposition was different however as Jay Garnett and Kristen Hiller's Vancouver Polo/MedExpert combination (Jay Garnett -1, Kristen Hiller -1, Nicolas Maciel 3, Jimmy Wright 3) would mount up as the resistance.The first half featured very even play and resulted in a score of 2 - 2 going to the break.Thermal then took over and controlled the second two periods by outscoring Vancouver/MedExpert by a count of 5 - 1 leading to a final tally of 7 - 3.Sordelli led the scoring for the victors with four goals, Rudy had a pair and Whyte supplied one.For Vancouver/MedExpert, Wright had two and Maciel one.Sordelli was chosen as the MVP and Love Song, owned by Wrightway Polo and played by Wright was deemed to be the Best Playing Pony.Tony Gregg

Antelope Junior Takes Third Title With Constitution 8 Win

To say that Grant Palmer's foray into competitive polo at Eldorado - beyond the Pro Pool and NYTS competition - was successful would be a gross understatement. With a win in the very competitive January Officer's Cup and victories in February's equally difficult Beal Cup and Sunday's Fish Creek Constitution Cup, Palmer and his Antelope Junior team (Grant Palmer, Patrick Uretz 4, Carolyn Anier 1, Jimmy Wright 3) 'ran the table' in the 2018 8 Goal events. With the first pair of wins in hand, the Constitution Final opposition would be Chris Maloney and his Twin Palms crew (Chris Maloney 1 (Mike Kerley 1 sub ch 2.5 - 6), Graham Bray 3, Mason Wroe 4, Mia Bray -1).Scoring in the first was even at two apiece but a handicap grant to Twin Palms gave the Maloney group a lead of one at 3 - 2.The only goal of the second frame went to Twin Palms and their lead became a pair (4 - 2) going to the third chukker.The Twin Palms lead remained two after the third period as both teams scored a goal leading to the half (5 - 3).With equal scoring in the fourth period the difference remained at two to favor the Maloney crew (7 - 5) and at this point they had led after each chukker - a situation that was unusual for Antelope Junior.However, the youngsters tightened the defensive screws in the fifth as they allowed nothing and, at the same time, counted two to tie the game at seven with one to go in regulation.A strike from the field in the final frame to - once again - nothing for Twin Palms gave Palmer his third tournament championship of the season by a final tally of 8 - 7.With the Constitution awards in hand, Scott Niwa, Area Manager, presented the winners with bottles of Don Julio Tequila - save Palmer himself who will have to wait several years before he can collect.Scoring for the winners was led by Uretz with four (2 fouls), Anier with two, and Palmer and Wright with one each.The Twin Palms reply came from Wroe with four (2 fouls) and Graham Bray with two. The handicap award completed the count.Because of her very shrewd, precise, and quick play 'inside the game', the ever present veteran Carolyn Anier was selected as the Most Valuable Player to her team.Sydney, owned by Mia Bray and played in the fifth chukker by her father, Graham Bray, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.Tony Gregg

Antelope Bests Highwood to Win Constitution Cup 12 Goal

The final game of the Fish Creek Constitution Cup 12 Goal saw each team - Geoff Palmer's Antelope (Geoff Palmer, Santiago Trotz 5, Jared Sheldon 4, Remy Du Celliee Muller 3) and Ron Mathison's Highwood (Ron Mathison, Marcelo Rodriguez-Abbiati 4, Mariano Gutierrez 4, Geronimo Obregon 4) lead three times apiece. In any game however, the most important advantage is the one at the end of the contest and on this Sunday afternoon - presented by Don Julio - that edge belonged to the Pronghorns as they prevailed by a count of 7 - 6 and, as a result, took home the awards.The start, and very quickly, belonged to Highwood as Obregon converted a penalty three award and Gutierrez scored from the field to lead by two after the first period.The second chukker saw Antelope get back in it as Du Celliee Muller and Sheldon scored from the field to even the count at a pair each.The Pronghorns led for the first time in the early third as Sheldon converted a penalty three attempt but Highwood got that back and then led for the second time as Obregon scored a penalty three and a number two from the spot. Going to the Ruffino Prosecco half-time divot stomp the Albertans had the edge at 4 - 3.The Palmer group was pressing and pressing hard in the fourth and were ultimately granted a goal via a penalty number one to tie the count. Mathison and Co. recovered however as Rodriguez-Abbiati struck from the field to give Highwood their third lead going to the penultimate frame at 5 - 4.Antelope evened the count once again as Trotz sailed a 60 yard penalty award and Du Celliee Muller gave the Pronghorns their second lead of the afternoon with a nice run from mid-field. However, Highwood wasn't going away and a strong effort to the Antelope goal was rewarded with a free-throw opportunity for Gutierrez from 30 yards which he converted and the count was tied 6 - 6 going to the final of regulation.Many scoring chances came and left for both in the sixth period but Antelope pressure ultimately allowed Palmer an opportunity with a spot hit penalty number two which became the winning goal and gave the Pronghorns the lead for the third time and possession of the Fish Creek Constitution Cup.Fish Creek's Fred Mannix was on hand to present the trophies and Scott Niwa, Area Manager, bestowed bottles of Don Julio to the winners.Because of his strong, accurate, and determined play, Trotz was rewarded with the title of Most Valuable Player and his sixth chukker horse Pampiano wore the Best Playing Pony blanket back to the barn.Tony Gregg

Fish Creek Constitution Cup 8 Goal - Standings Feb 24

BRACKET 1 (each team will receive 50% for a win)A - ANTELOPE JUNIOR (8) - Grant Palmer, Patrick Uretz 4, Carolyn Anier 1, Jimmy Wright 3.B - TWIN PALMS (7) - Chris Maloney 1, Graham Bray 3, Mason Wroe 4, Mia Bray -1.C - LUNA POLO/STG (8) - Jennifer Alexy, Malia McCoy 1, Diego Laregli 3, Ignacio Deltour 4.BRACKET 2 (each team will receive 33% for a win)D - BUSH LEAGUE (8) - Virgil Kyle, Ryan Robertson, Ulysses Escapite 4, Shane Rice 4E - REMAX (8) - Gordon Ross, Dayelle Fargey 2, Jared Sheldon 4, Matthew Fonseca 2.STANDINGSTwin Palms 2 0 100% def Remax, Bush LeagueAntelope Jr. 2 0 100% def Bush League, RemaxRemax 1 2 33% def Luna Polo lost Twin Palms, Antelope Jr.Luna Polo 1 1 33% def Bush Leaggue lost RemaxBush League 0 3 lost Antelope Jr., Twin Palms, Luna PoloFri Feb 16 - Twin Palms vs RemaxSat Feb 17 - Antelope Jr. vs Bush LeagueSun Feb 18 - Bush League vs Twin Palms, Luna Polo vs RemaxSat Feb 24 - Remax vs Antelope Jr., Luna Polo vs Bush LeagueSun Feb 25 - Final; Twin Palms vs Antelope Jr.Two teams with best record (percentage )will play in final.'Shootout' rules will be in effect..

Fish Creek Constitution Cup 4 Goal - Standings Feb 24

BRACKET #1THERMAL(4) - Debra Vermoch -1, Reg Whyte, Tim Rudy 3, Felipe Sordelli 2.VANCOUVER POLO/MEDEXPERT (4) - Jay Garnett -1, Kirsten Hiller -1, Nicolas Maciel 3, Jimmy Wright 3HANALEI BAY (4) - Krista Bonaguidi -1, Ron Bonaguidi, Ashton Wolf 3, Taylor Freeman 2BRACKET #2CPC/URBAN DOG (4/3) - Kim Garsed/Jemma Contreras -1, Omar Mangalji, Alejandro Nordheimer 2, Toto Socus 2.PALM DESERT/FILM FINANCE(4) - Leigh Brecheen, Dan Horn, Remy Du Celliee Muller 3, Antonio Juarez 1.BLAZERS(4) - Pat Powell, Shannon Smull -1, Kyle Fargey 3, Diego Cossio 2.STANDINGSTHERMAL 3 0 def Blazers, Palm Desert/Film Finance, CPC/Urban DogVANCOUVER POLO/MEDEXPERT 3 0 def Palm Desert/Film Finance, CPC/Urban Dog, BlazersHANALEI BAY 2 1 def CPC/Urban Dog, Palm Desert/Film Finance lost BlazersBLAZERS 1 2 def Hanalei Bay lost Thermal, Vancouver/MedExpertCPC/URBAN DOG 0 3 lost Hanalei Bay, Vancouver/MedExpert, ThermalPALM DESERT/FILM FINANCE 0 3 lost Vancouver/MedExpert, Thermal, Hanalei BaySat Feb 17 - Thermal vs Blazers, Vancouver/Medexpert vs Palm Desert/Film Finance, Hanalei Bay vs CPC/Urban DogSun Feb 18 - Palm Desert/Film Finance vs Thermal, CPC/Urban Dog vs Vancouver/Medexpert, Blazers vs Hanalei BaySat Feb 24 - CPC/Urban Dog vs Thermal, Vancouver/Medexpert vs Blazers, Hanalei Bay vs Palm Deset/Film FinanceSun Feb 25 - Final; Thermal vs Vancouver/MedExpertTwo best records will play in final.USPA shootout rules in effect.

Antelope Easily Wins Beal 12 Goal Championship

The 2018 Carlton and Keleen Beal 12 Goal Tournament Final turned out to be a rather one sided contest as Geoff Palmer and his Antelope polo team (Geoff Palmer, Santiago Trotz 5, Jared Sheldon 4, Remy Du Celliee Muller 3) outscored Danny Walker and Ben Soleimani's Famers and Merchants Bank/RH Polo group (Ben Soleimani, Mariano Fassetta 5, Santiago Von Wernich 5, Alonso Cruz 1 - sub for injured Walker 2) by an average of one goal per chukker and cruised to a 14 - 9 victory.Having to give up one goal at the start - based on handicap difference - Antelope won the opening throw-in and scored in the first 25 seconds. Famers & Merchants/RH got that back and actually led after the first period with the score in their favor at 2 - 1.That was pretty much it for the Walker/ Soleimani team however as Antelope exploded with five goals in the second and led by three at 6 - 3.The scoring - if not the play - was even in the third with two apiece and the half ended with the pronghorns three goal lead intact at 8 - 5.Antelope counted three more in the fourth to only two for Farmers & Merchants/RH and the lead increased to four goals at 11 - 7.The fifth chukker was much of the same as Antelope continued to play a running game to score twice more and Farmers & Merchants/RH were not able to keep up and counted just one (13 - 8).Scoring was even in the last frame to give the final count of 14 - 9.Antelope scoring was led by Trotz with eight goals (1 75 yard safety), Sheldon had five, and Palmer converted a penalty two.The reply from Farmers & Merchants/RH was from Fassetta with four (1 penalty 4), Von Wernich with three, and Cruz scored once.Based on his dominating open and influential play, Trotz was the unanimous choice as the MVP and his mare Pepper (4th Chukker) was selected as the Best Playing Pony.Tony Gregg

Antelope Jr. Continues to Dominate With Beal Win

After an almost perfect January with the Coachella Valley Officer's Cup victory, Grant Palmer and his Antelope Junior team (Grant Palmer, Carolyn Anier 1, Patrick Uretz 4, Jimmy Wright 3) continued that January run as they won the 2018 Carlton and Keleen Beal Cup 8 Goal Division. The win - once again - came at the expense of Virgil Kyle and Ryan Robertson's Bush League foursome (Virgil Kyle, Ryan Robertson, Ulysses Escapite 4, Shane Rice 4).The young pronghorns started very quickly in the first and jumped out to a two goal lead that the country boys were able to cover with a quick pair of their own. One more for Antelope Junior gave them a lead going to the second at 3 - 2.Palmer and Co. led by a pair in the early second but Bush League came back with two goals and the game was tied after two (4 - 4.The third frame belonged to the youngsters as they counted twice to lead at halftime by a count of 6 - 4.The Orange and Black were much the stronger team in the fourth as they scored twice to just one for Antelope Junior and they trailed by just one at 7 - 6.The fifth was even with both scoring two times and the young pronghorns led by one at 9 - 8.Robertson with one goal and Kyle with another gave the country boys their first lead of the game halfway through the sixth period. However, Wright and Uretz replied quickly for Antelope Junior and the Bush League rally was quelled and Palmer had his second season title by a final tally of 11 - 10.For the winners, Uretz scored eight times (4 fouls) and Wright had three.The reply from Bush League came from Escapite with five, Rice had three (1 foul), and Robertson and Kyle counted once each.Because of his ability to read situations and act accordingly, Wright was named as the MVP and Benny, owned and played by Escapite in the fourth was selected as the Best Playing Pony.Tony Gregg

Pheasant Hollow Reorganizes and Wins Beal 4 Goal

The 2018 Carlton and Keleen Beal Cup 4 Goal division final featured teams that were much different than their January lineups. While both had made somewhat extensive adjustments, they were carried out for different reasons.To put it mildly, Debra Vermoch's Pheasant Hollow 4 Goal team did not have a good January. Wins were hard to come by - if at all -and if things were to improve a change would be necessary. As it turned out, January World Gym winners - under the Thermal banner - Reg Whyte and Fellipe Sordelli were available and Tim Rudy jumped at the opportunity to add them to the roster. The change did wonders as Pheasant Hollow went through bracket play without a loss to qualify for the final.Their opponent in the Beal 'winner take all' also went through some changes, although not because of a losing record. With Anne Evamy and her Identity Polo moniker stepping out of 4 goal play for February, Pat Powell - with his Blazers label - jumped in with Kyle Fargey and Diego Cossio. The addition of Shannon Smull-Mendez completed the adjustment and the Blazers qualified with a perfect record as well.The final started quickly as the Blazers and their open style of play put immediate pressure on the Pheasant Hollow goal. The result was a pair of penalty number 2 conversions for Fargey to lead quickly. Pheasant Hollow responded quickly however, and Rudy was rewarded with a penalty 2 and a penalty 3 opportunity which he too made and the first was over and tied at two apiece.The second period saw Pheasant Hollow continue the pressure they showed in the first as Sordelli counted a penalty 3 and scored one from the field as well and they led by two at 4 - 2 at the half.The Blazers found footing in the early third chukker as Fargey scored a field goal to come within one. Sordelli got that back quickly though and the Pheasant Hollow lead was once again two goals. The Blazers jumped back as Fargey scored his second of the period to once again trail by just one going to the fourth at 5 - 4 in favor of Pheasant Hollow.Rudy counted a field goal early in that fourth to again lead by a pair. Cossio responded for the Blazers to narrow the gap to one. Another goal by Cossio brought the Blazers even and it appeared that an extra frame might be necessary. Wasn't to be however as Pheasant Hollow recovered and was awarded another 40 yard free-throw that Sordelli made no mistake on and it was over as the 'new' Pheasant Hollow had won the 4 goal Beal Cup by a final tally of 7 - 6.Sordelli, with his ability to step in and renew the Pheasant Hollow offence was selected as the Most Valuable Player to his team and Mirage, owned by Powell and played by Cossio, earned the title of Best Playing Pony.PHEASANT HOLLOW (4) - Debra Vermoch -1, Reg Whyte, Tim Rudy 3, Fellipe Sordelli 2.BLAZERS (4) - Pat Powell, Shannon Smull-Mendez -1, Kyle Fargey 3, Diego Cossio 2.Tony Gregg

Identity Polo Stays Perfect to Win Officers Cup 4 Goal

The final of the Coachella Valley Officer's Cup 4 Goal turned out to be a very fast and open polo game. Identity Polo (Anne Evamy, Alex Green -1, Kyle Fargey 3, Diego Coscio 2) arrived with a perfect record and Palm Desert/Film Finance (Dan Horn, Leigh Brecheen, Remy Du Celliee Muller 3, Antonio Juarez 1) came with just one loss.From the start it was obvious that both teams were prepared to hit and run and as a result, the large crowd was well entertained throughout.The first period featured many chances for both contenders with neither able to score.The fast and open play continued in the second as Fargey counted two field goals and Identity led by that pair at halftime (2 - 0).Palm Desert/Film Finance counted the first goal of the third frame as Du Celliee Muller ran to score and narrowed the gap to just one. Fargey replied for Identity with a magnificent run and cut shot from 90 yards and 'way' left - the announcer's shot of the day - grabbed the two goal lead back for Identity and it was on to the final chukker with the count still favoring Identity at 3 - 1.Fargey struck again in the early fourth with another bomb but Du Celliee Muller replied with a missile of his own to again trail by two with ample time left on the clock for a comeback. However, Fargey was the one to take advantage of that time and ran to score his fifth of the day to create a final score of 5 - 2 to favor Identity.While everyone on both teams played well and displayed the teamwork that got them to the final, the difference was Fargey and as a result, he was appointed as the MVP.To cap off an extraordinary afternoon for Fargey, his fourth chukker mare Milly was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.Tony Gregg

Antelope Junior Wins Officer's Cup 8 Goal

The January 8 goal Coachella Valley Officer's Cup Tournament featured an entry of eight teams in a format that would see every team play every other team once with the top two advancing to the final. Over the course of the one month event, Grant Palmer and his Antelope Junior group (Palmer, Patrick Uretz 4, Carolyn Anier 1, Jimmy Wright 3) and Virgil Kyle and Ryan Robertson's Bush League foursome (Kyle, Robertson, Ulysses Escapite 4, Shane Rice 4) finished one and two respectively and would therefore meet in the Sunday January 28th final. Palmer and Co. defeated Bush League in their January 6th game by a final count of 12 - 7 and as such were considered the favorites to win again and grab the championship trophy.The contest was played on an unbelievably perfect desert afternoon presented by Bulleit Bourbon - in front of a huge crowd - with an above average high temperature of 85 degrees and nothing but sunshine. While the weather was flawless, the game, although entertaining at times, was restrained often by penalties.From the start, the younger Antelope group controlled most of the play and led after the first by a score of 3 - 2.In what would be the situation almost throughout, the - for the most part - younger Palmer group continued to hold the upper hand in the second period as well and led by three going to the third at 7 - 4.The country boys came back somewhat in the third to outscore the Juniors by one at 2 - 1 and the half was over with the Palmer group leading by two at 8 - 6.The fourth was Antelope Junior's as they outscored Bush League 3 - 1 and their lead was now four at 11 - 7 with two to go in regulation.The penultimate frame was a copy of the third chukker as the orange men grabbed a pair to just one for the young pronghorns and the count was now 12 - 9 with one period left.Bush League was able to stay with the Palmer group in the final stanza but it wouldn't be nearly enough and the final count would see Antelope Junior prevail by a final score of 13 - 10.Scoring for the winners was led by Uretz with eight (six fouls - two penalty fours), Wright with four, and Anier with one.The reply from Bush League was led by Rice grabbing eight goals (seven fouls - one penalty four) and Escapite with a pair (one foul).Because of his dominant and controlling style of play Uretz was chosen as the Most Valuable Player to his team.Black, owned and played by the veteran Anier in the fourth, was selected as the Best Playing Pony.Tony Gregg

Lakeside Wins Weekend NYTS Tournament

With two wins over the two days of the USPA National Youth Tournament Series, Lakeside (Riley Jordan, Garrett Bankhead, Thomas Phelps, Cory Williams) grabbed the winner's spoils.Victory number one came at the expense of Alegria (Alonso Cruz, Piers Bossum, Hope Kerley, Cassidy Wood) by a score of 10 -2 and the second triumph consumed Antelope (Grant Palmer, Charlie Walker, Zack Coleman, Maya Tantuwaya) by a final count of 4 - 3.Second spot in the weekend event went to Antelope with a 5 - 1 win over Alegria.The all-star awards were presented to Palmer, Cruz, Jordan, Bankhead, and Williams.Tony Gregg