12 Goal Spreckels Team List, Draw & Standings

Round 1
Ohana Polo (1-0) defeated Twin Palms (0-1) 11 to 6
Bensoleimani.com (1-0) defeated Bush League (0-1) 12 to 11
Highwood (1-0) defeated Cotterel (0-1) 9 to 6

Round 2
Twin Palms (1-1) defeated Cotterel (0-2) 10 to 9
Highwood (2-0) defeated Bensoleimani.com (1-1) 13 to 6
Ohana Polo (2-0) defeated Bush League (0-2) 11 to 9

6 Goal Spreckels Cup Teams List, Draw & Standings

Round 1
Thermal (1-0) defeated Buffalo/Centurions (0-1) 6 to 4
Pasadena/Archangel (1-0) defeated LaSalle (0-1) 8 to 3
Element 101 (1-0) defeated Blazers (0-1) 8 to 7
Bush League (1-0) defeated Boss Polo (0-1) 8 to 4

Round 2
Pasadena/Archangel (2-0) defeated Blazers (0-2) 8 to 7
Thermal (2-0) defeated Bush League (1-1) 7 to 6
Buffalo/Centurions (1-1) defeated Boss Polo (0-2) 7 to 6
LaSalle (1-1) defeated Element 101 (1-1) 8 to 7

2 Goal Spreckels Cup Team List, Draw & Standings

Round 1
Alpha Omega (1-0) defeated Las Virtudes (0-1) 8 to 4.5
HYT/CPC (1-0) defeated K2/Desert Hay (0-1) 7 to 1.5
Breva Farms/Marco Place (1-0) defeated Bitchstix (0-1) 7 to 6

Round 2
HYT/CPC (2-0) defeated Breva Farms/Marco Place (1-1) 7 to 4
Alpha Omega (2-0) defeated Bitchstix (1-1) 5 to 2
K2/Desert Hay (1-1) defeated Las Virtudes (0-2) 6 to 5.5

BENSOLEIMANI.COM USES OVERTIME TO WIN FISH CREEK 12 GOAL

Bensoleimani.com- Tomy Alberdi, Tavi Usandizaga, Remy Du Celliee Muller & Ben Soleimani

The final game of the 12 Goal Fish Creek Constitution Tournament was played on the finest day of 2020 and in front of another huge crowd. To compliment the perfect weather, the afternoon was presented by Bulleit Bourbon.

The game displayed bensoleiman.com (Ben Soleimani, Gustavo Usandizaga 5, Tomas Alberdi 4, Remy Du Celiee Muller 3) up against Antelope (Grant Palmer, Santiago Trotz 4, Marcos Alberdi 4, Jim Wright 3) in what turned out to be a very entertaining contest.

With Antelope starting with a handicap award of one, the first chukker started quickly as Usandizaga scored to tie the early count. Palmer got that back right away to get the lead back for Antelope. Wright with a strong penalty four strike upped the pronghorn lead to two goals at 3 – 1. Usandizaga then scored his second of the game to bring the  Soleimani group to within one. Soleimani, on a long run, scored to tie the game at three. Marcos Alberdi then gave Antelope another lead with a field goal but Tomas Alberdi counted a penalty two to tie the count at four after one.

While goals in the first period were plentiful – like the samples of Bulleit Bourbon - the second saw only two. Tomas Aberdi slammed a 60 yard free shot to get the lead back for bensoleimani.com. Marcos Alberdi then scored his second field goal for Antelope and it was 5 – 5 after the second.

Bensoleimani.com applied early and constant pressure in the third frame that produced two counters by Tomas Alberdi – a penalty two and a penalty four to lead by two at 7 – 5. Marcos Alberdi replied for Antelope but Du Celiee Muller scored to give the lead to bensoleimani.com at 8 – 6 going to the Sofia halftime divot stomp.

In the fourth chukker, Grant Palmer counted his second of the game – the only goal in the frame – to bring Antelope within one at 8 – 7 going to the penultimate stanza.

A Marcos Alberdi field goal brought Antelope back to tie in the early fifth but brother Tomas scored another penalty two offering to again give the lead to the Soleimani group. Wright then scored his second sixty yarder and followed that up with a pair from the field and the pronghorns went to the final of regulation leading at 11 – 9.

Tomas Alberdi and Usandizaga – on a bold run with 20 seconds left on the clock - each counted from the field in the sixth to send the game to overtime tied at eleven.

If ever there was a need to prove how important it is to win the throw-in, Tomas Alberdi showed why in overtime as he grabbed the ball at center and sent a screamer to within 50 yards. He then got the winner by backing up Du Celliee Muller and Usandizaga to score and it was quickly over. bensoleimani.com had won the Fish Creek Constitution 12 Goal by a final count of 12 – 11.

With Fred Mannix on hand to present the awards, the winners also received bottles of Bulleit Bourbon.

Usandazaga, with quick, strong, and accurate play was awarded the title of MVP and Sorpressa, owned and played by Trotz in the sixth and overtime went back to the barn wearing the Best Playing Pony blanket.

Tony Gregg

MVP Tavi Usandizaga

BPP Sorpressa, owned & played by Santi Trotz

LUNA POLO RUNS AWAY WITH FISH CREEK 4 GOAL

Luna Polo- Hannah Taylor, Jennifer Alexy, Diego Larregli & Ernie Ezcurra presented by Fred Mannix

The 4 goal Fish Creek Constitution tournament decider was played in front of a very big and boisterous Cantina breakfast crowd and featured Luna Polo (Jennifer Alexy, Hannah Taylor -1, Diego Larregli 3, Ernie Ezcurra 2) mounting up to face Exit Consulting (Lamar Rutherford -1, Greg Hanson -1, Rodrigo Salinas 3, Ashton Wolf 3).

Luna started quickly – and never trailed -  with penalty conversions by Ezcurra (a four and a 2) and a field goal by Larregli to lead by three at 3 – 0 after the first.

Exit counted their first goal via a penalty one award in the early second period. Luna’s Ezcurra then scored from the field to once again lead by three but Wolf replied with a field goal of his own for Exit and the half was over with Luna leading by two at 4 – 2.

Ezcurra scored the only goal of the third chukker – on a run from near center and with a broken mallet - and Luna once again led by three goals going to the fourth at 5 – 2.

The Luna pressure continued into the final frame as Alexy – on a wonderful run from right center – and Larregli scored to give Luna a big advantage of five. Salinas was able to score from the field to narrow the gap to four and another penalty one brought Exit to within three. With time running out, Wolf counted his second from the field to narrow the lead to a pair. But it was over and Luna Polo had won the 4 goal Fish Creek Constitution Tournament by a final count of 7 – 5 and, in doing so, became the fourth champion in as many 4 Goal tournaments.

Fish Creek sponsor and long time Eldorado supporter Fred Mannix was on hand to present the Richard Roenisch bronzes to the winners.

Based on his consistently dominating and steady play, Ezcurra earned the title of MVP and Fifi, played by Alexy in the third, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony – not the first such award given to an Alexy horse.

Tony Gregg

MVP Ernie Ezcurra

BPP Fifi owned & played by Jennifer Alexy

12 Goal Fish Creek Cup Teams, Draw & Standings

Round 1
Antelope (1-0) defeated Highwood (0-1) 10 to 9
Bensoleimani.com (1-0) defeated Cotterel (0-1) 12 to 11
Twin Palms - bye

Round 2
Antelope (2-0) defeated Twin Palms (0-1) 12 to 8
Highwood (1-1) defeated Cotterel (0-2) 12 to 8
Bensoleimani.com (1-0) - bye

Round 3
Twin Palms (1-1) defeated Highwood (1-2) 14 to 13
Bensoleimani.com (2-0) defeated Antelope (2-1) 12 to 11
Cotterel (0-2) - bye

Round 4
Antelope (3-1) defeated Cotterel (0-3) 12 to 7
Bensoleimani.com (3-0) defeated Twin Palms (1-2) 12 to 8
Highwood (2-1) - bye

8 Goal Fish Creek Cup Teams, Draw & Standings

Round 1
Antelope (1-0) defeated Bush League (0-1) 12 to 6
Sapa (1-0) defeated FMB (0-1) 11 to 7

Round 2
Bush League (1-1) 8 defeated FMB (0-2) 8 to 7
Sapa (2-0) defeated Antelope (1-1) 9 to 7

4 Goal Fish Creek Cup Teams, Draw & Standings

Round 1
Sayulita/Breva Farms (1-0) defeated La Serena (0-1) 9 to 4.5
Luna (1-0) defeated Thermal (0-1) 9 to 6
Blazers (1-0) defeated Bitchstix (0-1) 9 to 8.5
La Fortuna (1-0) defeated Alpha Omega (0-1) 8.5 to 7
Exit Consulting (1-0) defeated Bush League (0-1) 7 to 2.5

Round 2"
Blazers (2-0) defeated Bush League (0-2) 6 to 3.5
La Fortuna (2-0) defeated La Serena (0-2) 6 to 2.5
Thermal (1-1) defeated Alpha Omega (0-2) 7.5 to 4
Luna (2-0) defeated Sayulita/Breva Farms (1-1) 8 to 6
Exit Consulting Group (2-0) defeated Bitchstix (0-2) 5 to 2.5

HIGHWOOD DFEATS COTTEREL IN BEAL 12 GOAL FINAL

Highwood- Ron Mathison, Francisco Rodriguez-Mera, Jared Sheldon, Marcelo Abbiati presented by Karlene Garber

The Carlton and Keleen Beal Memorial 12 Goal Final, played before another very big crowd and on another perfect afternoon, featured Idahoan Jenny Luttrell-Benardoni and her Cotterel Farms crew (Jenny Luttrell-Benardoni, Francisco Benardoni 2 , Julian Mannix 5, Santiago Von Wernich 5) mounting up to face Calgary’s Ron Mathison and his Highwood aggregation (Ron Mathison, Marcello Rodriguez-Abbiati 4, Jared Sheldon 4, Francisco Rodriguez-Mera 4). Highwood finished on top by a final count of 12 – 8.

Highwood started quickly as the always rapid Sheldon picked up the ball and ran easily to score in the very early going. Cotterel came back just as fast and Von Wernich was awarded a penalty four opportunity that he converted to tie the count. Highwood then responded and Rodriguez-Mera easily scored on a free-shot from 30 yards and the first chukker ended with the Alberta group up by one at 2 – 1.

The second period was all Highwood as the flying Sheldon scored four times (one #2) and Rodriguez-Mera counted one from the field. Cotterel had no response and the Highwood lead was now six at 7 – 1.

In the third period the Highwood advantage became seven as Sheldon scored his second open goal counter. Cotterel was able to respond with a Mannix field goal and a Von Wernich penalty two conversion but as the large gathering made their way to the field for the Sofia Halftime Divot Stomp, the Albertans were leading at 8 – 3.

Cotterel scored the first two goals of the fourth (a Mannix 60 yard penalty shot and Von Wernich from the field – on a superb Luttrel-Benardoni set-up [under pressure] that the announcer said was deserving of an assist) and the Idahoans were within three. That was as close as they would get on this afternoon however, as Sheldon took flight with another from the field and Rodriquez-Mera counted another penalty two offering. The Highwood lead was once again five at 10 – 5 going to the fifth.

Sheldon then scored his eighth of the day  - with no reply from Cotterel – and that fifth ended with the Albertans easily in front at 11 – 5.

Sheldon wasn’t about to land in the early sixth as he soared to his ninth goal of the game to once again increase the Highwood advantage to seven. Cotterel was then able to grab three goals – Von Wernich with a pair and Luttrell-Benardoni with one – and it was over and Mathison, along with his Highwood teammates had won the 2020 12 Goal Beal Memorial.

Polo Hall of Fame member Karlene Beal Garber, daughter of Carlton and Keleen Beal, presented the Beal Championship belt buckles to the winners.

With nine goals in the contest, Sheldon was the unanimous choice as the MVP and Felina, owned by and played by Rodriguez-Mera earned the title of Best Playing Pony.

Tony Gregg

MVP- Jared Sheldon

BPP- Felina, owned & played by Francisco Rodriguez-Mera

BEAL 8 GOAL GOES TO FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK

Farmers & Merchants Bank- Dan Walker, Tim Rudy, Matthew Walker & Leigh Brecheen presented by Karlene Garber..

The 8 Goal final of the Carlton and Keleen Beal Memorial Tournament featured two teams with a pretty strong history of winning polo games in the desert. Danny Walker brought his FMB organization (Danny Walker 2, Matthew Walker 2, Leigh Brecheen, Tim Rudy 3) to match up against Geoff Palmer and his Antelope group (Geoff Palmer, Grant Palmer, Santiago Trotz 4, Marcos Llambias 4).

Many on hand surmised that Antelope – based on the previously mentioned history – would come out on top. However, history doesn’t mean a lot when the ball is bowled in and play starts and this final was no exception. From the outset it was apparent that previous victories meant nothing and it was all about today and today only.

With a handicap award of one, FMB never trailed, and won by a final count of 11 – 8.

The first period went to FMB with a penalty three from Dan Walker and a penalty four strike by Matt Walker. Antelope garnered one with a field goal from Trotz and the bankers led by a pair at 3 – 1.

Field goals by Llambias and Grant Palmer in the second chukker to none for FMB allowed Antelope to even the tally at three going to the third.

The third was the same as the second with one exception – the bankers scored and the pronghorns didn’t. The FMB counters came from Rudy and Dan Walker allowing them to lead once again at 5 – 3 at halftime.

FMB’s Rudy scored a field goal in the fourth chukker while Llambias countered with one of his own and Grant Palmer was good with a penalty three for Antelope. The count was 6 – 5 with the bankers in control.

Antelope tied the score twice in the fifth period with field goals from Llambias and Grant Palmer but a field goal from Matt Walker and another penalty three conversion from Dan Walker retained the one goal FMB lead going to the final frame at 8 – 7.

Three goals in the sixth from Matt Walker (a penalty two and two from the field) to just one in reply from Antelope’s Grant Palmer (a penalty two) gave the Beal 8 Goal title to FMB.

The Beal awards – including commemorative belt buckles - were presented by Karlene Beal Garber.

With his strong and accurate hitting ability, Matt Walker was selected as the MVP and Garrapinada, played by Dan Walker in the 4th and 6th periods, was adorned with the Best Playing Pony Blanket.

Tony Gregg

MVP- Matthew Walker

BPP- Garrapinada, ownded & played by Dan Walker

LA FORTUNA TAKES BEAL 4 GOAL OVER EXIT CONSULTING

La Fortuna- Luis Saracco, Caroline Anier, Jay Elordi & Elise Bigelow presented by Karlene Garber

The final game of the 4 Goal Carlton and Keleen Beal Memorial Tournament brought together two teams that had previously played in a 2020 4 Goal final. Earlier, La Fortuna lost the World Gym decider to Necktie Polo and Exit Consulting Group defeated Bearsden to win the Coachella Valley Officer’s Cup.

La Fortuna came into the Beal tournament with a small change by adding T. J. Elordi while Exit welcomed Ashton Wolf and Greg Hanson to the fold. The resulting lineups became; La Fortuna (Elise Bigelow -1, Luis Saracco 3, Caroline Anier 1.5, T. J. Elordi) and Exit Consulting (Lamar Rutherford -1, Greg Hanson -1, Rodrigo Salinas 3, Ashton Wolf 3).

To gain the victory, La Fortuna started with a handicap award of one-half goal and led after every chukker with scores of 2.5 – 2, 5.5 – 4, 7.5 – 6, with the final count at 8.5 – 7. With the win, La Fortuna became the third team to step on the podium as champions in as many 2020 tournaments.

For the winners - who were presented with belt buckles that honored the triumph - Saracco scored seven times (six fouls) and Anier had one.

The replies came from Wolf with five (four fouls) and Salinas and Hanson with one each.

Saracco was honored as the MVP and his mare Rumba, played in the second, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.

Tony Gregg

MVP- Luis Saracco

BPP- Rumba owned & played by Luis Saracco

12 Goal Fish Creek Constitution Cup Teams, Draw & Standings

Round 1
Antelope (1-0) defeated Highwood (0-1) 10 to 9
Bensoleimani.com (1-0) defeated Cotterel (0-1) 12 to 11
Twin Palms - bye

Round 2
Antelope (2-0) defeated Twin Palms (0-1) 12 to 8
Highwood (1-1) defeated Cotterel (0-2) 12 to 8
Bensoleimani.com (1-0) - bye

Round 3
Twin Palms (1-1) defeated Highwood (1-2) 14 to 13
Bensoleimani.com (1-1) defeated Antelope (2-1) 12 to 11
Cotterel (0-2) - bye

EXIT CONSULTING WINS 4 GOAL CV CUP FINAL

Exit Consulting Group- Lamar Rutherford, Mia Bray, Rodrigo Salinas & Jessica Bailey

On an afternoon presented by Don Julio, and in front of large Field Number One crowd, Lamar Rutherford’s Exit Consulting Group (Lamar Rutherford -1, Mia Bray 1, Jessica Bailey 1, Rodrigo Salinas 3) defeated Carol Farnsworth and her Bearsden Polo Team (Carol Farnsworth -.5, Hope Kerley -.5, Cody Woodfin 2, Ignacio Saenz 3) to win the Coachella Valley Officer’s Cup by a final score of 6 – 4.

With the large gathering enjoying generous samples of Don Julio Blanc, the early first chukker was dominated by Bearsden as Saenz, with help from Woodfin, scored twice – a penalty 2 and one from the field – and the Texas group was off to a very strong start. However, Exit wasn’t about to leave as Salinas quickly counted a field goal and Rutherford, with a nice run from almost 100 yards, evened the count at two going to the second.

The second period was somewhat choppy at times with neither team able to capitalize on the few opportunities that were available. Bray however earned one and made no mistakes as she scored the only goal of the second and Exit led for the first time going to the Sofia Halftime Divot Stomp at 3 – 2.

The third frame was much the same as the second with most scoring chances not taken advantage of. However, Salinas didn’t let go of one opportunity as he scored his second of the game and the Exit lead was now two at 4 – 2.

Going into the final chukker with that lead of two and sensing victory, Exit didn’t back off and pushed hard. The reward was another counter from Salinas and Bray grabbed her second and the lead was now four goals. Saenz was able to score a field goal and a penalty three for Bearsden but that would be it and Exit became the champion.

As well as receiving the sought after Richard Roenisch Bronzes, the winners were also presented with bottles of Don Julio Blanc.

Based on her very steady and opportunistic play, Bray was honored as the Most Valuable Player to her team. Tomasa, played by Salinas in the third, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.

Tony Gregg

MVP Mia Bray

“TOMASA” Best Playing Pony owned & played by Rodrigo Salinas

TWIN PALMS VICTORIOUS IN 8 GOAL CV CUP FINAL

TWIN PALMS- Ryan Kerley, Graham Bray, Juan Curbelo & Chris Maloney

By playing an aggressive and quick style of polo, Chris Maloney and his Twin Palms organization (Chris Maloney 1, Graham Bray 3, Juan Curbelo 5, Ryan Kerley -1) were able to defeat Klentner/Sapa/FMB Too (Henry Walker 2, Igor Seyranov -1, Jesse Bray 6, Tony Uretz 1 –  sub for inj Justin Klentner 1) in the final of the Coachella Valley Officer’s 8 Goal Championship by a final tally of 14 – 9.  While playing pretty much even in the first half, Twin Palms steadily controlled the second three periods by outscoring KSF by four goals and went on to claim the victory.

In front of a very large crowd on a perfect day – enhanced by presenting sponsor Don Julio – the first chukker was played even with three goals to each team. Graham Bray, longtime Twin Palms quarterback, opened the scoring but KSF’s Seyranov scored two quick goals to grab the lead back at 2 – 1.  Walker then gave the Santa Barbara crew a lead of three but Curbelo and Graham Bray with a field goal each evened the count at three after one.

After a very fast first period, play in the second was much slower as each foursome scored just one time. Curbelo on a penalty three conversion for Twin Palms and Jesse Bray replied with his own three for KSF and the score after two was tied at four.

Walker gave KSF their last lead of the afternoon in the early third but it was short lived as Curbelo counted another three and a penalty four as well. At the half, Maloney and Co. led by one at 6 – 5.

The fourth saw Twin Palms gain an advantage of two at 9 – 7 as Curbelo scored two more – a number two from the spot and a field goal – and Kerley had one from the field. The replies from KSF came from Jesse Bray with a pair.

Twin Palms then led by four as Curbelo counted two more. Walker, with his third, gave KSF some hope, but he then had to leave the game with a broken hand and any KSF aspirations were now in jeopardy. Jose Rodriguez filled in for the injured Walker but Curbelo’s fifth foul conversion destroyed any Santa Barbara aspirations and the Twin Palms lead was four at 12 – 8.

Jesse Bray opened the final chukker scoring with a field goal, but Curbelo replied with a pair  - another three and a field goal – to ensure the somewhat lopsided victory at 14 – 9.

With the victory, Twin Palms earned the coveted Richard Roenisch Bronzes and as well, the Don Julio girls presented bottles of Don Julio Blanc to the winners.

With 11 goals on the afternoon, earned with a very quick and aggressive style of play, Curbelo was selected as the MVP and Fletcher, owned and played by Graham Bray in the fifth, wore the Best Playing Pony blanket back to the barn.

Tony Gregg

MVP Juan Curbelo

Graham Bray’s Best Playing Pony “Fletcher”

4 Goal Coachella Valley Cup Teams, Draw & Standings

Round 1
Exit Consulting Group (1-0) defeated Necktie Polo (0-1) 10 to 8
Bearden (1-0) defeated Boss Polo/Ocean Air (0-1) 5 to 4
Sullivan Group (1-0) defeated La Serena (0-1) 5 to .5
La Fortuna (1-0) defeated Sayulita/Breva Farms (0-1) 7 to 2
Bitchstix (1-0) defeated Alpha Omega (0-1) 7 to 2

Round 2
Exit Consulting Group (2-0) defeated Sayulita/Breva Farms (0-2) 8 to 5
La Serena (1-1) defeated La Fortuna (1-1) 6.5 to 4
Sullivan Group (2-0) defeated Necktie Polo (0-2) 6 to 5
Boss Polo/Ocean Air (1-1) defeated Alpha Omega (0-2) 11 to 7
Bearsden (2-0) defeated Bitchstix (1-1) 8 to 7

Round 3
La Fortuna (2-1) defeated Necktie Polo (0-3) 7 to 5.5
Sullivan Group (3-0) defeated Saylulita/Breva Farms (0-3) 6.5 to 4
Bearsden (3-0) defeated Alpha Omega (0-3) 7 to 6.5
Exit Consulting Group (3-0) defeated La Serena (1-2) 6 to 5.5
Boss Polo/Ocean Air (2-1) defeated Bitchstix (1-2) 7 to 6

There was a shoot out between the 3 teams that went undefeated- Sullivan Group, Bearsden & Exit Consulting group- resulting in Exit Consulting Group & Bearsden moving on to the Final.

8 Goal Coachella Valley Cup Teams, Draw & Standings

Round 1
Twin Palms (1-0) defeated Thermal/Tylee Farms (0-1) 15 to 9
Antelope (1-0) defeated Bush League (0-1) 8 to 6
Klentner/Sapa/FMB TOO! (1-0) defeated Bensoleimani.com/FMB (0-1) 10 to 9

Round 2
Klentner/Sapa/FMB TOO! (2-0) defeated Bush League (0-2) 12 to 11
Twin Palms (2-0) defeated Antelope (1-1) 11 to 7
Bensoleimani.com/FMB (1-1) defeated Tylee Farms/Thermal (0-2) 8-6

Round 3
Bush League (1-2) defeated Thermal/Tylee Farms (0-3) in the consolation game 10 to 9
Antelope (2-1) defeated Bensoleimani.com/FMB (1-2) 11 to 9
Klentner Ranch/Sapa/FMB Too! (3-0) defeated Twin Palms (2-1) in OT 13 to 12

Klentner Ranch/Sapa/FMB Too! move on the the Final undefeated. There was a two way tie between Twin Palms (2-1) & Antelope (2-1). Twins Palms beat Antelope in bracket play so they will advance to the Final.

ANTELOPE CAPTURES SECOND JASON TITLE IN AS MANY YEARS

ANTELOPE - Grant Palmer, Maco Llambias, Santiago Trotz, Riley Jordan (sub for Geoff Palmer) presented by Lyn Jason Cobb

For the second year in a row, Geoff Palmer’s Antelope Polo Team won the Mack and Madelyn Jason Memorial 8 Goal Tournament on an ‘absolutely perfect day in sunny Southern California’. Lining up against the Chris Maloney backed Twin Palms aggregation, the Pronghorns won with a final count of 12 – 8.

With both Palmer and Maloney unable to play, the rosters were somewhat different than normal as Riley Jordan stepped in for Antelope’s Geoff Palmer (Grant Palmer, Santiago Trotz 4, Marcos Llambias 4, Riley Jordan) and Mia Bray suited up in lieu of Chris Maloney for Twin Palms (Graham Bray 3, Juan Curbelo 5, Mia Bray 1, Ryan Kerley -1).

Scoring in the first chukker was split as Trotz counted a penalty number four opportunity and Curbelo countered with a number two conversion.

Curbelo gave Twin Palms their only lead in the early second with another number two score, but Antelope responded with four goals – Palmer with a 40 yard free shot, Trotz with another number four strike and a field goal, and Llambias with a field goal of his own and the Pronghorns led by three after two at 5 – 2.

Jordan scored in the third to give the defending champions a lead of four and it appeared that Grant Palmer and Company might be starting to walk away to their second Jason title. However, with Graham Bray in charge, Twin Palms stepped it up as Curbelo and Kerley scored field goals to narrow the gap to two going to the half. The count was 6 – 4 to favor Antelope.

Twin Palms continued to press in the fourth frame as Mia Bray and Curbelo scored field goals – to none for Antelope -and the tally was even going to the penultimate stanza at 6 – 6.

If Antelope appeared to be staggering in the fourth, they were most certainly not looking that way in the fifth as Trotz counted his third penalty four chance and Llambias scored his third and fourth goals from the field. The lead was now once again in the Pronghorns  favor with the count at 9 – 6.

Twin Palms needed to score first in the sixth period and they did as Curbelo counted another penalty two to come within two. That difference was short-lived however as Antelope scored three times – Jordan with his second and Llambias with his fourth and fifth – and the lead was now five goals with little time left. Twin Palms was able to score a final goal with just seconds on the clock and it was over and Antelope had won the 2020 Jason Memorial.

With Lyn Jason Cobb and many family members on hand to present the awards, MVP honors went to Llambias with Palmer being acknowledged as the Sponsor MVP.

Best Playing Pony Blankets were placed on Paz, owned and played by Trotz in the third period, and Ata, owned by Geoff Palmer and played by Grant Palmer in the fourth.

MVP’s Grant Palmer & Maco Llambias

Grant Palmer’s “Ata” Best Playing Pony

Santi Trotz’s “Paz” Best Playing Pro Pony

NECKTIE POLO VICTORIOUS IN WORLD GYM FINAL

NECKTIE POLO - Lee Robinson, Peter Blake, Mitch Horne, John Welsh presented by Mike & Claudia Uretz

In what turned out to be a very exciting 2020 World Gym 4 Goal Final – sponsored by the Michael Uretz Family - Necktie Polo (John Welsh, Lee Robinson -.5, Peter Blake 3, Mitch Horne 1.5) defeated La Fortuna (Elise Bigelow -1, Carlos Rivas .5, Caroline Anier 1.5, Luis Saracco 3) by a final score of 8 – 5. While the final count shows a difference of three, the game was close until the later part of the final chukker.

The game was quick and fast at the outset as aggressive play led to, first of all, a field goal by Saracco – on a nice set up by Bigelow - and then a reply from Welsh to end the first tied at one.

Welsh scored again early in the second period to send Necktie up by one but Saracco then tied the count with a penalty number four conversion. With the score tied and Blake running to score within 40 yards of the La Fortuna goal, Saracco was accessed a penalty number one after Blake’s mount went down. With a yellow card being added to the number one call, the ensuing Necktie free hit was moved from center to 60 yards. Horne did not waste the opportunity and Necktie led by two at 4 – 2.  Unfazed, La Fortuna came right back and Anier scored from the field. Saracco then converted a penalty number two from 10 yards. The game was tied once again as the large crowd went on to the field as part of the Sofia Halftime Divot Stomp.

On the surface, it appeared that Necktie was able to use the break better than La Fortuna, as Horne, with strong support from Blake, scored two field goals. In the same time frame, La Fortuna did not score and Necktie once again led by a pair at 6 – 4.

With never quit attitudes, Saracco and Anier went to work and La Fortuna was rewarded as Saracco scored his second field goal of the afternoon to come within one. As most everyone knows, a lead of one with lots of time on the clock is of little meaning. With that in mind, Blake and Horn put their own attitudes to work and Horne converted a 30 yard free shot and the lead of one was now two. With time almost out, Horne was able to get free and count a final goal for Necktie and the game was over. Necktie Polo became the World Gym Champion.

With his ability to transform help from his teammates into aggressive and accurate play, Horne was selected as the MVP. Miss Kitty, owned and played by Anier in the third, was honored as the Best Playing Pony.

Mike and Claudia Uretz were, as always, on hand to present the World Gym awards.

by Tony Gregg

Most Valuable Player - Mitch Horne

Best Playing Pony - “Miss Kitty” owned and played by Caroline Anier

Ketel One Botanical Presented to Opening Sunday Winners

Klentner/Sapa/FMB Too! - Henry Walker, Jesse Bray, Igor Seyranov, Justin Klentner

Opening Day 2020, presented by Ketel One Botanicals on an absolutely perfect afternoon, featured qualifying games in the 8 Goal Mack and Madelyn Jason Memorial and the 4 Goal World Gym Tournaments.

The Jason Memorial saw Bush League ( Virgil Kyle, Ryan Robertson, Ulysses Escapite 4, Shane Rice 4) go up against Klentner/Sapa/FMB Too (Justin Klentner 1, Henry Walker 2, Igor Seyranov -1, Jesse Bray 6) in a game that KSF only trailed once and went on to lead after every chukker. The final count was 12 – 9.

For the winners, Bray scored eight times (3 fouls), Walker had two ( 1 #4) and Seyranov delivered with a pair.

The reply from Bush League consisted of seven (6 fouls [2 #4’s]) from Rice and Robertson scored two.

ALPHA OMEGA - Eileen Duffy, Kim Kelly, Leandro Floccari, Erik Wright

In the World Gym, Alpha Omega (Eileen Duffy -1, Kim Kelly, Erik Wright 1, Leandro Floccari 3) controlled Sayulita/Breva Farms (Julie Fernandez, Lesa Slaughter -1, Joe Henderson 3, Jose Rodriguez 2) by a score of 7 ½ – 4.

The Alpha Omega scoring was led by Wright with four goals (1 #4) as Floccari added two and Kelly one. The handicap award of ½ filled out the score sheet.

Rodriguez with three and Fernandez with one responded for Sayulita/Breva Farms.

The winners of each game received bottles of Ketel One Botanical from the Ketel One Ambassadors.

Tony Gregg

USPA Mack and Madelyn Jason Memorial Tournament

Tournament Standings

Twin Palms                        1   0   d Tylee/Thremal

Antelope                            1   0   d Klentner/Sapa/FMBToo 

Bensoleimani.com/FMB    1   0   d Bush League

Bush League                       0   1   l Bensoleimani.com/FMB

Tylee/Thermal                     0   1   l Twin Palms  

Klnetner/Sapa/FMBToo      0   1   l Antelope