6 Goal PACIFIC COAST GOVERNOR’S CUP GOES TO EVERGREEN

EVERGREEN - Cacho Galindo, Carlitos Galindo, Charlie Caldwell, Tom Sprung

The road to the USPA Pacific Coast Governor’s Cup final can be a tough drive and the 2021 route was no exception.

The finalists of this year’s very competitive six goal championship had difficult trips to get there.

Peter Milner and Greg Hanson’s Dungar/Element 101 (Peter Milner, Greg Hanson -1, Jared Sheldon 4, Rodrigo Salinas 3) had to win a semi-final over defending champion (2019) Bush League while Evergreen (Tom Sprung -1, Carlitos Galindo 4, Cacho Galindo 2, Charlie Caldwell 1) needed to closeout 2021 Spreckels Cup six goal winners La Salle Properties.

From the start, it was very apparent that Evergreen was in control as Caldwell and Carlitos Galindo scored early field goals. Sheldon was able to get one of those back but Caldwell – riding the eventual Best Playing Pony – replied to that with his second to again lead by a pair. Cacho Galindo then scored his first of six on a penalty two from the spot to take a three goal lead to the second at 4 – 1.

Chukker number two was less hectic and the scoring reflected it as only two goals were posted. Sheldon for Dungar/Element 101 with an open goal award from 30 yards to trail by two and Cacho Galindo with a penalty two conversion of his own to again give Evergreen a lead of three at 5 – 2 to end the first half.

The third period allowed a very dominant and controlling Evergreen to run over Dungar/Element 101 with four unanswered Cacho Galindo counters – a penalty four bomb that hit the front bumper of a moving car on the road at the south end of field one, followed by a penalty two conversion which was then followed by a 75 yard penalty five strike which was in turn followed by a field goal. Evergreen now led by seven at 9 – 2.

In the final frame, the Evergreen run continued as two Carlitos Galindo field goals allowed for a lead of nine at 11 – 2. True to the strong spirit that got them to the final, Dungar/Element 101 didn’t quit. The result was a penalty one grant, then a counter by Salinas from the field, and back-to-back strikes by Hanson that allowed a final tally of 11 – 6 to favor Evergreen as they became the 2021 USPA Pacific Coast Governor’s Cup Champions.

As well as having their names added to the prestigious Pacific Coast Governor’s Cup Trophy, Governor Danny Walker presented Richard Roenisch bronzes to the winners as well as runner-up awards to Dungar/Element 101. Along with the aforementioned honors, Eldorado Polo Club checks in the amount of $7,500 and $2,500 were presented to the victors and challengers.

Based on his imposing presence along with powerful offensive and defensive abilities, Cacho Galindo earned the title of MVP and Martha, owned and played by Caldwell in the first, was honored with the Best Playing Pony blanket.

As part of the Governor’s Cup presentations, two Eldorado season ending honors were conferred. Torrey Ripinsky received the Ronai White Sponsor Dedication Award and Sy Zahedi was presented the Robert Skene Most Improved Player Trophy.

Tony Gregg

BOSS POLO IN CHARGE TO WIN ELDORADO AMATEUR CUP 2 GOAL

BOSS POLO - Felipe Vicente, Piers Bossom, Cory Williams, Aaram Safai

After getting to the final of the USPA Spreckels Cup 2 Goal final and squandering a 3 ½ goal lead in the final two minutes, Boss Polo (Piers Bossom .5, Corey Williams .5, Aaram Safai -1, Felipe Alberdi 1.5) wasn’t about to let the 2 Goal Amateur Cup get away from them as they pretty much controlled the play throughout to defeat Casa S3 (Cameron Smith 1, Pat Ringer -1, Bonnie Magill -.5, Marcial Socas 2) by a final score of 6 – 2.

A Smith field goal gave Casa S3 and early lead in the first period that was matched by Williams in the second and the count was tied a one after the first half.

Field goals by Bossom and Alberdi in the third allowed Boss polo to take a lead of two goals the final chukker at 3 – 1.

Bossom with a penalty two conversion and a field goal increased the Boss lead to four goals at 5 – 1. Ringer scored a nice goal for Casa S3  from the field to narrow the difference, but Alberdi scored his second to gain back the advantage of four and that was pretty much it. Possibly remembering the disaster of two weeks prior, Boss Polo seemed content to ease up and take the four goal advantage to the bank, thus earning the victory in the USPA Amateur Cup 2 Goal.

The always aggressive and influential Williams was chosen as the MVP and her mare Carrot, played in the 2nd and 3rd periods, was deemed to be the Best Playing Pony

Tony Gregg

BUSH LEAGUE WINS NYTS QUALIFIER AT ELDORADO

The Eldorado Polo Club was proud to host a National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS) Qualifier on the weekend of March 13 & 14 and, as in past NYTS tournaments, the play was was intense and fast.

 With many previous and still eligible NYTS players unable to play in the 2021 qualifier due to current commitments in Eldorado’s USPA Pacific Coast Governor’s Cup and the USPA Amateur Cup, this years play featured many new faces stepping into their first NYTS experience.

 In Saturday’s qualifiers, Bush League defeated Yari Daimyo and Eldorado bested Seattle Polo, setting up Sunday’s championship game.

 In a contest that Eldorado led early, the score was tied at two at halftime and Bush League took a one goal lead at 4 – 3 into the final chukker ultimately prevailing by a final count of 7 – 3.

 Sunday’s consolation game saw Seattle Polo defeat Yari Daimyo.

 Pacific Coast Circuit Governor Danny Walker was on hand to present the awards.

 As is NYTS custom, seven all-stars were chosen in alphabetical order; Mike Estrada, Rose Gonzalez, Riley Jordan, Quinn Kyle, Taylor Olcott, Elise Pardue, Colby Smith.

 Rubio, owned and played by Taylor Olcott in the fourth chukker, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.

BUSH LEAGUE – Quinn Kyle, Taylor Alcott, Ulysses Escapite, Zain Hamir.

ELDORADO – Elise Pardue, Mike Estrada, Tennyson Hamir, Ana Sophia Wolf/Alyssa Garcia.

SEATTLE POLO – Colby Smith, Ajay Moturi, Morgan Manos, Matias Wolf/Brock Rubin.

YARI DAIMYO – Augie Spear, Simone Harper, Riley Jordan, Rose Gonzalez.

Tony Gregg

CAVALLO RANCH LEADS WHEN IT COUNTS TO WIN SPRECKELS 12 GOAL

CAVALLO RANCH - Tomas Obregon, Alejandro Gonzalez, Max Menini, John Bickford

USPA rule 18 states; the team with the most goals wins the game. Doesn’t say anything about when you get them.

On another perfect afternoon at Southern California’s Eldorado Polo Club, John Bickford’s Cavallo Ranch (John Bickford 1, Max Menini 4. Tomas Obregon 4, Alejandro Gonzalez 3) proved that this is indeed the way it goes as they trailed pretty much throughout but scored four unanswered goals in the sixth and final period to defeat Ben Soleimani and his Bensoleimani.com foursome (Ben Soleimani, Juan Curbelo 5, Tomas Alberdi 4, Remy Du Celliee Muller 3) by a final count of 10 – 8 to win the 2012 USPA Spreckels Cup 12 Goal.

In a running and open game that featured seven goals in the first, five in the sixth, and only six in the middle four chukkers, Bensoleiman.com started quickly as Alberdi, Curbelo, and Du Celliee Muller each counted from the field to lead by three. Obregon got one of those back with a penalty three conversion for Cavallo, but Curbelo replied with a 40 yard conversion of his own and the lead was once again three at 4 – 1. Gonzalez scored his first of the contest for Cavallo to come within a pair followed by a second successful Obregon penalty three effort and the high scoring first was over with Bensoeimani.com led by one at 4 – 3.

The wide open polo with great defensive play continued in the second. However, goals were hard to come by and only two were posted. Alberdi with his second for the internet group and Obregon for the ranchers. Bensoleimani.com again led by one at 5 – 4.

The third chukker was pretty much the second – a lot of wide open polo with just a single goal for each side. Cavallo drew even with another Obregon penalty three conversion, but a well placed Soleimani took back the one goal lead going to the half at 6 – 5.

The wonderful offensive and defensive polo continued in the fourth period. But with nary a goal to be found and the Bensoleimani lead remained one.

In the fifth, an Obregon open goal strike from 30 yards brought Cavallo back to even at 6 – 6 but Alberdi’s third field goal took back the lead for the Soleimani group at 7 -6 with one period to go in regulation.

Bensoleimani.com pressure on the Cavallo goal in the early sixth resulted in a Curbelo penalty three conversion to extend their lead to a pair at 8 – 6 and given the course of the game to this point, it appeared that the internet foursome might very well win. However, the Cavallo group, en masse, pulled it together with a huge effort. The first payoff was another Obregon penalty three goal to again come to within one. Then Bickford, starting from 70 yards and near the boards on the right and under pressure the entire way, carried the ball to score and tie the count at eight. Momentum was most definitely riding with the ranchers now as Menini gave Cavallo its first lead of the day – with 90 seconds left -  on a spectacular 125 yard penalty five strike from 30 yards to the left. With Bensoleimani.com on the ropes, Gonzalez completed the unanswered scoring spree to give Cavallo, according to Rule 18, a comeback 2021 12 Goal USPA Spreckels Cup victory.

As is tradition, the winners receive not only the Spreckels Cup, but the two dozen red roses that go along with it.

Gonzalez, with continued strong and unselfish play, was chosen as the MVP and Dobel, owned and played by Gonzalez, wore the Best Playing Pony blanket back to the barn.

Tony Gregg

VICTORY FOR LASALLE PROPERTIES IN LAST MOMENTS OF SPRECKELS 6 GOAL

LA SALLE PROPERTIES - Robert Gray, Luis Saracco, Maco Llambias, Micaela Saracco

The final game of the 2021 USPA Spreckels Cup 6 Goal, played at the Eldorado Polo Club, ended with a shot that, if you hadn’t seen it, you might not believe it. The mentioned shot came off the mallet of Marcos Llambias and rolled over the goal line in the dying moments and gave Bob Gray’s Lasalle Properties the title.

In a previous tournament matchup, Lasalle (Bob Gray -.5, Luis Saracco 3, Marcos Llambias 4, Micaela Saracco) had defeated Peter Milner and Greg Hanson’s Dungar/Element 101 (Peter Milner, Greg Hanson -1, Jared Sheldon 4, Rodrigo Salinas 3) by a final count of 8 -7.

That result indicated that the final wouldn’t be much, if any, different and just like the first, this one was close.

With a handicap award of one-half Dungar/Element 101 started quickly as Sheldon capped off an initial drive with a penalty number four conversion. Lasalle replied just as fast as Saracco counted one from the field to come back to within ½ at 1 ½ – 1. Sheldon then scored from the field to grab another goal and one-half advantage. Not to be outdone, Saracco scored his second to once again trail by only a half goal at 2 ½ – 2. Sheldon converted his second penalty four effort to strengthen the Dungar/Element 101 element lead at 3 ½ – 2 after the first.

The back and forth scoring continued in the second period as Llambias scored on a penalty number four of his own to bring Lasalle to once again within one half goal at 3 ½ – 3. The trend of one for you and one for me extended as Dungar/Element 101 was awarded a goal via a penalty number one call and the count was now 4 ½ – 3. With the Milner/Hanson combination unable to capitalize on the ensuing free shot from center, Saracco scored his third of the game for Lasalle and the score was 4 ½ – 4 to still favor Dungar/Element 101.

The third chukker saw just one goal scored, but it was for Lasalle as Llambias struck from the field to give his team the lead for the first time at 5 – 4 ½.

The second half trend of little scoring continued in the final frame until, with just two minutes left, the always aggressive Sheldon sent an outstanding 90 degree neck shot from 120 yards through the goal and Dungar/Element 101 once again had the lead at 5 ½ – 5.  With time most certainly a factor, Lasalle won the throw-in at center and had good chance to score but were stopped and the clock was now showing less than 10 seconds left and it certainly looked like Dungar/Element 101 were the winners. With almost all players seemingly thinking the game was over, Llambias ran to the ball and launched a perfect 130 yard strike that went between the posts with 2 seconds to go. That highly improbable play gave Lasalle Properties the 2021 6 Goal Spreckels Championship.

Llambias, because of his steady play and never quit attitude was awarded the title of MVP. Tangerine, owned by Danny Juarez and Rodrigo Salinas and played by Salinas was picked as the Best Playing Pony.

Tony Gregg

ANTELOPE HANGS ON TO WIN FISH CREEK 12 GOAL

ANTELOPE - Grant & Geoff Palmer, Lucas Criado, Jimmy Wright, Santiago Trotz

With a comparatively strong first half and a less than stellar second, Grant Palmer’s Antelope ( Grant Palmer 1, Santiago Trotz 4, Jimmy Wright 4, Lucas Criado Jr. 3, sub for inj. Segundo Saravi 3) hung on to win the USPA  Fish Creek Pacific Coast Constitution Cup final over Igor Seyranov and his Sapa foursome (Igor Seyranov, Jesse Bray 6, Marcos Alberdi 4, Bayne Bossom 2) by a final score of 9 – 8 at Southern California’s Eldorado Polo Club.

Under a cloudless sky and a temperature in the mid seventies, Sapa was able to take the very early lead as Alberdi counted from the field. Antelope got that back to get even on a 60 yard penalty strike from Wright.

Antelope scored the only two goals of the second chukker as Wright and Palmer struck from the field to take a two goal lead to the third frame at 3 – 1.

Starting the third period with the throw in about 30 yards out from the Sapa goal – courtesy of a Wright placement to end the second – Criado scored his first of the day right out of the scrum. Shortly after, Sapa had a good chance to get back into it as Trotz was sent to the side for two minutes, but were unable to do so. Criado then grabbed his second and the halftime lead was four at 5 – 1 to favor Antelope.

The pronghorns carried on in the early fourth frame as they had during the first three as Trotz and Criado each counted from the field to lead by four at 7 – 1.  Sapa however, having played less than organized polo up to this point, started to show signs that they might be sorting things out. Trailing now by six but with Bray instigating, Alberdi scored his second and the fourth was over and the Antelope lead was five at 7 – 2.

The fifth chukker featured a much different Sapa as Alberdi scored his third to narrow the difference to four. However, Criado, with what could have easily been ‘the shot of the day’, got the Antelope lead back with an inspiring shot from 85 yards and well right. Nevertheless, the revived Sapa foursome were not about to go away as Bossom and Alberdi scored to come within three at 8 – 5 going to the sixth.

Sapa, now playing the kind of polo that got them to the final, came out in that sixth and capitalizing on forced Antelope miscues and misses, Alberdi scored two more to come within one goal at 8 – 7. Unfortunately however, a Sapa miscue allowed Wright to score on a penalty four award. Down now by two and time running out, Alberdi scored his seventh of the afternoon, but with less than 10 seconds left it was over. Antelope had won the 2021 USPA Pacific Coast Fish Creek Constitution Cup by a final count of 9 – 8. The victory gave Antelope it’s second 12 goal title of the 2021 season.

 Kelsea Mannix, daugher-in-law of Fish Creek Patron Fred Mannix, presented the Richard Roenisch Bronzes to the winners along with the perpetual Fish Creek Trophy.

With his abilities to play inside the game to set-up plays and his equal talents to complete plays as well, Criado earned the title of Most Valuable Player.

Lola, played by Alberdi, was selected as the Best Playing Pony.

Tony Gregg

B LEAGUE WINS FISH CREEK 8 GOAL OVER EVERGREEN

B LEAGUE - Quinn Kyle, Virgil Kyle, Pelon Escapite, Alejandro Gonzalez

The 2021 USPA Fish Creek Constitution Cup decider was, for all intents and purposes, decided in the first half of play.

Coming out of semi-final victories, Virgil Kyle’s B League (Virgil Kyle, Pelon Escapite 6, Alejandro Gonzalez 3, sub. for inj. Joe Henderson 3, Quinn Kyle -1) and Tom Sprung’s Evergreen (Tom Sprung -1, Ruben Coscia 4, Carlos Galindo Jr. 4, Charles Caldwell 1) were expected to play a game that would be close – it wasn’t.

From the outset, it became apparent that B League was ready as they applied strong and continued offensive pressure on the Evergreen goal. The early force allowed B League three penalty opportunities as Escapite converted two 60 yard tries and Quinn Kyle scored one from 40 yards to an open goal.

With a lead of three going into the second period, B League continued to force the play which resulted in another successful Escapite penalty four strike. Escapite then scored a goal from the field to increase the lead to five. Quinn Kyle grabbed another penalty three conversion and the count showed a B League lead of six going to the third at 6 – 0.

With five of the leader’s goals coming from the penalty line, Gonzalez scored a field goal to give B League a lead of seven. Quinn Kyle then scored on a penalty two award and B League went to the half leading 8 – 0.

Evergreen scored the first goal of the second half as Caldwell counted from in close after picking up a Coscia safety hit. Continued Evergreen pressure allowed Coscia another safety opportunity which he nailed from far right. Escapite then scored on a penalty six of his own to end the period with B League leading at 9 – 2.

Chukker number five saw Evergreen, as they had done in the fourth, outscore B League by one. Coscia with an open goal effort from 40 yards and a field goal to but one field goal by B League’s Escapite. Going to the final frame, B League led at 10 – 4.

Goals were split in the sixth with each team grabbing a pair. Coscia with a penalty four and a field goal for Evergreen and Quinn Kyle with open goal counters from 30 and 40 yards for B League. The result was a 12 – 6 win for the entry from Bush League Farms and possession of the USPA Fish Creek Constitution Cup for 2021.

Frederick Mannix, son of Fish Creek patron Fred Mannix presented the awards, featuring Richard Roenisch Bronzes to the winners.

By scoring on all his penalty attempts and showing maturity beyond his years to open up play on the front end, Quinn Kyle was chosen as the MVP.

Kahuna, owned and played by Carlos Galindo Jr. In the fifth period, was selected as the Best Playing Pony.

Tony Gregg

LA SALLE PROPERTIES PREVAIL IN FISH CREEK 4 GOAL

LA SALLE PROPERTIES - Robert Gray, Luis Saracco, Topo Mendez, Micaela Saracco

The final game of the USPA Fish Creek Constitution Cup featured Bob Gray’s La Salle Properties (Bob Gray -.5, Luis Saracco 3, Santiago Mendez 1.5, Micaela Saracco -.5) and Nicolas Nierenberg and Kim Kelly’s Persyst/K2 partnership (Nicolas Nierenberg -1, Kim Kelly, Tim Rudy 3, Dayelle Fargey 1.5) in a game that unexpectedly turned out to be somewhat one sided.

From the start, play was more or less stifled courtesy good defensive play by both. Saracco scored the only goal of the opener to take a one goal lead to the second, favoring La Salle.

With a strong effort on a penalty four chance, Saracco put La Salle up by a pair in the early second. Persyst/K2 came back and sustained forward pressure allowed Fargey to convert a 30 yard free hit. The developers weren’t about to bend however as they mounted sustained pressure of their own and Saracco counted his third goal on a 30 yard  penalty award. Mendez, playing a strong and forceful game on the inside, scored from the field to give La Salle a lead of three going to the half at 4 – 1.

Early in the third, Rudy brought Persyst/K2 to within a pair on what was probably the best ‘polo play’ of the game. Kelly, in a great ride-off, stopped a La Salle push 30 yards on the other side of center, Fargey sent a perfectly placed tail-shot to a turned and running Rudy at center and he went unopposed to score. Obviously unfazed by the text book play, La Salle opened up and scored three field goals – Saracco with two and Mendez a single. One of Saracco’s was a spectacular neck shot from 55 yards right and 30 yards off the back line. The tally now favored the developers by five at 7 – 2.

In the fourth and final, the lead became five courtesy Saracco’s second penalty four conversion. Fargey was able to count one in reply but that was it and La Salle Properties had won the 2021 USPA Fish Creek Constitution Cup 4 Goal Championship by a final score of 8 – 3.

Traditionally, the winners were presented with the much cherished Richard Roenisch Bronzes.

With six goals on the day, Saracco was given the title of MVP and his mare Lady, played  in the third, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.

Tony Gregg

ANTELOPE NARROWLY WINS ELDORADO’S BEAL 12 GOAL

ANTELOPE - Grant Palmer, Wesley Bryan, Jimmy Wright Santi Trotz

The Eldorado Polo Club’s USPA Carlton and Keleen Beal Memorial Cup 12 Goal final featured some wonderful wide open running polo created by deft setups along with some uncharacteristic missed opportunities  - by both combatants.

On another perfect Southern California cloudless afternoon, with a game-time temperature of 79 degrees, Grant Palmer and his Antelope foursome (Grant Palmer 1, Santiago Trotz 4, Jimmy Wright 4, Wesley Bryan 3 sub for inj Segundo Saravi 3) lined up against John Bickford’s Cavallo Ranch (John Bickford 1, Max Menini 4, Tomas Obregon 4, Alejandro Gonzalez 3) in a game that neither team, at any time, led by more than one goal.

Cavallo Ranch took the early lead as Menini scored shortly after the opening throw-in. Antelope then responded quickly with offensive pressure that forced Cavallo into defensive mistakes that allowed Wright to convert a penalty two opportunity and he then nailed a 60 yard free throw to lead by a pair at 2 – 1. Cavallo responded with a strong force of their own that gave Obregon a successful penalty three chance that sent the contest to the second frame tied at two.

Period number two consisted of wide open running to goal polo – by both teams - capped of by many missed shots to score. The result was a scoreless stanza going to the third.

While the shared missed opportunities – both from the field and the penalty lines – continued in chukker number three, Antelope was able to go up by one in the third as Trotz scored to give Antelope its first lead of the game. Cavallo then took a one goal lead as Obregon deposited two goals – a penalty three and a field goal. Going to the half, Cavallo led at 4 – 3.

The pronghorns drew even in the fourth as Wright contributed a field goal. Obregon then gave Cavallo another lead of of one as he converted another penalty three award. On perhaps the most outstanding play of the game, Bryan, on a long set up by Wright - who was set up by Trotz with a perfect backhand from the other side of center - scored his only goal of the game.  The score was tied at five after four.

 In the fifth, Bickford gave Cavallo another lead of one on a penalty two spot hit courtesy of an aggressive effort by Menini to earn the opportunity. Palmer then scored his first of two in the chukker to tie the count once again, but Bickford counted another 40 yard open goal tally to give Cavallo another lead of one. Antelope got that back as the always aggressive Palmer tied the score at seven with his second from the field on a 70 yard pass from Wright leading to a perfect cut shot from 30 yards left and only 15 yards off the end line.

The final chukker, once again, saw many well earned scoring chances go for naught as both teams failed to score until Antelope was afforded a penalty three chance which Wright made no mistake on and the pronghorns led for only the second time in the contest. With no more scoring, that lead was enough, and Antelope won the USPA Carlton and Keleen Beal Memorial Cup by a final count of 8 – 7.

Karlene Beal Garber, daughter of Carlton and Keleen Beal and a member of the Polo Hall of Fame, presented the awards to the winning team.

With long and accurate passing, Wright was awarded the title of MVP and Sorpressa, owned by and played by Trotz in the sixth period, earned the Best Playing Pony blanket.

Tony Gregg

B LEAGUE TAKES 8 GOAL OFFICERS CUP AT ELDORADO

B LEAGUE - Quinn Kyle, Virgil Kyle, Pelon Escapite - Alejandro Gonzalez (not pictured - sub for Joe Henderson)

By playing a strong and steady follow-up style of polo, Virgil Kyle’s B League (Virgil Kyle, Pelon Escapite 6, Alejandro Gonzalez 3 – sub for inj Joe Henderson 3, Quinn Kyle -1) trailed just once – early in the first period – and over powered Jemma Contreras and Christopher Busch’s JC Polo/Folded Hills (Jemma Contreras, Christopher Busch, Jesse Bray 6, Baine Bossom 2) to win the 2021 USPA Coachella Valley Officers Cup by a final score of 12 – 9.

On a typical ‘sunny day in Southern California’, goals were not easy acquire, but Bray gave JC Polo/Folded Hills – playing their second final of the young season – their only lead of the day with his first of seven goals. Quinn Kyle then tied the count at one with an open goal conversion from 30 yards to end the first.

By playing aggressively to perfectly position himself at the front end to receive a pass, Quinn Kyle scored the only goal of the second chukker and B League took a one goal lead to the third at 2 – 1.

Escapite gave B League a two goal advantage with his first counter of the game but Bossom – on a wonderful set-up by Busch - and Bray, with a penalty two strike, brought JC/FH back to tie the count at three each going to the half.

B League opened it up in the fourth with the aforementioned strong and steady follow-up style that JC/FH were unable to stop. Escapite started it off with a safety conversion from well out to the right and followed that with two field goals to give B League a three goal lead at 6 – 3. JC/FH was able to respond with some pressure of their own that afforded Bray a free shot from 30 yards which he converted. However, B League weren’t done as Quinn Kyle scored on a pair of penalty two opportunities and B League earned a four goal lead at 8 – 4.

With early pressure JC/FH recovered somewhat in the fifth and Bossom counted with a penalty two chance. Gonzalez erased that however with his first goal of the contest to again lead by four. A penalty three award allowed Bray to bring JC/FH back to within three but a penalty one goal given to B League – due to a strong play by Quinn Kyle - gave the four goal bulge back to the leaders. With the ensuing Escapite free hit at center, B League continued to press and Gonzalez ultimately gave the second Bush League Farms entry a lead of five to end the fifth stanza at 11 – 6.

To open the sixth, JC/FH were not about to go away and another strong effort by Bray gave him one more opportunity to score an open goal counter to get back to within four. However, B League wasn’t going away either and counted their final goal on Quinn Kyle’s fourth open goal tally. With the lead now five goals once again, Bray ran for two more goals but that would be it for JC Polo/Folded Hills and B League had won the 2021 USPA Officers Cup by a bulge of three.

The win gave the Virgil Kyle and Ryan Robertson Bush League Farms organization their second Eldorado 2021 tournament win – Robertson’s Bush League won the 2021 Jason Memorial just two weeks before.

Twin Palm’s Chris Maloney was on hand to present the awards to the winning B League foursome.

With his strong and knowledgeable play and willingness to work with his entire team, Alejandro Gonzalez was awarded the title of MVP, and Mancha, owned by Justin Klentner and played by Jesse Bray in the second and sixth periods, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.

Tony Gregg

ANTELOPE JUNIOR RIDES YOUTHFUL ENERGY TO 4 GOAL WIN

ANTELOPE Grant Palmer, Ian Schnoebelen, Bayne Bossom, Piers Bossom

In a game that brought back memories of the Eldorado Polo Club’s  many National Youth Tournament Series games, Antelope Junior (Grant Palmer 1,Bayne Bossom 2, Ian Schnoebelen .5, Piers Bossom .5), NYTS participants all, defeated Alpha Omega (Nicolas Nierenberg -1, Vladimir Rivkin 1, Erik Wright 1.5, Leandro Floccari 2) by a narrow final count of 4 – 3 ½ in the final of Eldorado’s 2021 USPA Coachella Valley Officers Cup 4 Goal Tournament.

Starting out trailing by a ½ on the handicap, the youngsters jumped out quickly at the start as Schnoebelen ran to score to give Antelope an early lead of ½. Alpha Omega replied with pressure however, and Wright was allowed a free hit from 60 yards wich he converted and Alpha Omega lead by ½ to end the first at 1 ½ – 1.

While the youthful exuberance exhibited by the junior pronghorns was prevalent in the second period, Alpha Omega  - with long earned experience - was able to quell the sometimes uncontrolled threat and an Antelope miscue gave Wright a free throw opportunity from forty yards which he converted. The Greeks went to halftime leading at 2 ½ – 1.

With the solid coaching of longtime Antelope quarterback Santiago Trotz, the youngsters opened the second half with the eagerness shown earlier but, this time, were able to use their unbridled enthusiasm to their advantage, which allowed a harvest of three goals – Bayne Bossom with a penalty strike from 60 yards along with a field goal and Schnoebelen with a field goal of his own. With Alpha Omega unable to counter, Antelope Junior now lead by 1 ½ at 4 – 2 ½.

Going into the fourth and final period, Alpha Omega was able to control the youthful Antelope threat and earned another free throw opportunity from 60 yards which Wright nailed to make the difference just a ½ goal at 4 – 3 ½. With just over two minutes left, Alpha Omega – taking advantage of that aforementioned ability of experience – applied pressure on the Antelope goal. However, a calculated chance to regain the lead with 57 seconds left was whistled down and the NYTS alumni were now in possession of the ball and it was over. The youthful talents of Antelope Junior had barely won the 2021 USPA Coachella Officers Cup by just a half goal.

Baine Bossom was chosen as the MVP and Grant Palmer’s Baya, played in the first chukker, was named the Best Playing Pony.

Tony Gregg

BUSH LEAGUE BARELY PREVAILS IN JASON MEMORIAL

BUSH LEAGUE - Ryan Robertson, Ryan Kerley, Jimmy Wright, Ulysses Escapite presented by Madelyn Jason Cobb

The final game of the 2021 Mack and Madelyn Jason Memorial 8 Goal tournament, played at Southern California’s Eldorado Polo Club, was a high scoring spectacle and wasn’t decided until late in the sixth chukker.

The first decider of the new season, on a wonderful afternoon weather-wise, saw JC Polo/Folded Hills (Christopher Busch, Tom Sherman, sub for Jemma Contreras, Jesse Bray 6, Bayne Bossom 2) face-off against Bush League (Ryan Robertson,Ulysses Escapite 4, Jimmy Wright 4, Ryan Kerley) in a game highlighted by a possible regulation time record on Eldorado’s storied number one field of 29 goals – with the winning goal not counted until the final two minutes.

The scoring started very early in the first as Sherman collected a well placed pass at center and carried to goal to give JC Polo/Folded Hills a quick lead of one. Bush League  got that one back as strong offensive pressure allowed Robertson a free shot from 40 yards which he converted. Busch – with a perfect penalty four deflection - and Bossom – from the field - then counted to give the JC/FH combination a lead of two at 3 – 1. Robertson scored his first from the field to narrow the gap to one, but Bray replied and the first period was over with JC/Folded Hills leading by a pair at 4 – 2.

The strong early showing of JC/FH was not to be in chukker number two as Bush League dominated with four unanswered counters – Robertson with his second open goal conversion, Kerley with one, and Escapite with a pair. The second was over with Bush League leading by two at 6 – 4.

Scoring in the third chukker continued to favor Bush League but just by one as JC/FH were able to recover somewhat but it didn’t happen right away. Kerley notched his second from close in – on an absolutely perfect set-up from Wright - to give Bush League a three goal advantage at 7 – 4. Bray counted an open goal opportunity to get that back but Escapite replied from the ensuing throw-in to again lead by three. Bray replied to that with his second field goal to trail by just two. However, Wright converted a long penalty 5 effort from 85 yards and well right and the half was over with Bush League expanding their lead to three at 9 -6.

Scoring in the fourth was split evenly with Wright extending Bush League’s lead to four with a text book penalty four conversion. Kerley counted his third of the day to give the minor leaguers a major lead of five at 11 – 6. However Bray, never going away, scored twice to bring JC/FH back to the three goal deficit at 11 – 8.

With JC/FC down by three going into the fifth, it was obvious that they needed to step up if there was to be any chance to hoist the Jason trophy. With that in mind, early pressure afforded Bray an open goal penalty opportunity which narrowed the deficit to a pair at 11 – 9. However, Escapite got that back and Robertson nailed his second field goal to give Bush League a relatively strong late game lead of four at 13 – 9 and many thought it was over. Not yet however as the JC/FH combination got back into it with a strong force on the Bush League goal that allowed Bossom a successful open goal opportunity and then Bray scored from the field to come back within two.  However, Wright clobbered his second penalty number 4 counter to once again lead by three. Busch then scored his second goal to take JC/FH to the sixth down by two at 14 – 12.

A good sixth chukker was all important for JC Polo/Folded Hills – who had not led since early in the second period and they started well. Bossom, started the new alphabet on the score sheet with his second field goal bringing JC/FH to within one. Bray later tied the count at 14 with his sixth counter from the field. At this point it was anyone’s game and really could have gone either way. Wright, who had scored on three previous long foul attempts, struck for his first from the field and it turned out to be the winner. Bush League had defeated JC Polo/Folded Hills by a final count of 15 – 14 and had won the 2021 Mack and Madelyn Jason Memorial Trophy.

Madelyn Cobb, granddaughter of Mack and Madelyn Jason was on hand to present the awards and the trophy to the victors.

Because of his ability to start and finish plays and his extreme accuracy on long foul efforts, Wright was chosen as the MVP.

Mamba, owned by Bush League Farms and played by Escapite in the second chukker, was distinguished as the Best Playing Pony.

Tony Gregg

CHOGAN/K2 JUST WIN WORLD GYM 4 GOAL

CHOGAN/K2 -Dayelle Fargey, Tim Rudy, Kim Kelly, Sy Zahedi

The final game of the Eldorado Polo Club’s 2021 World Gym Tournament – sponsored by the Mike Uretz Family – matched up two teams who came out of bracket play unscathed.

La Fortuna (Elise Bigelow -1, Carlos Rivas .5, Caroline Anier 1.5, Luis Saracco 3) qualified for the 2020 final but lost. This year they would face Chogan/K2 (Sy Zahedi -1, Kim Kelly, Dayelle Fargey 1.5, Tim Rudy 3).

With Chogan/K2 awarded a handicap of one-half goal, play was quick and very fast from the start and Rudy put the combination up early with his first goal. Saracco converted an open goal effort to tie and Bigelow then scored to give La Fortuna a lead of one. Rudy tied the count with an open goal conversion of his own and then scored a field goal to go to the second with a lead of one at 3.5 – 2.

In the second Chogan/K2 was granted a goal via a penalty one to increase the lead to 4.5 – 2 but Anier later scored to reduce the deficit. A goal by Kelly returned the difference to 2.5 with the score 5.5 – 3 at halftime.

Chukker number three featured four goals. Rudy with three for Chogan/K2 and a Rivas counter for La Fortuna to produce a tally of 8.5 – 4 going to the final.

Needing goals, La Fortuna came out with very strong offensive pressure in the fourth that Chogan/K2 had trouble adjusting to. As a result, Saracco converted a penalty number 3 and a penalty number 4 to get closer at 8.5 – 6. La Fortuna was then awarded a penalty number one goal and Saracco scored his first from the field after the free hit from center to come within a half goal at 8.5 – 8. With Chogan/K2 on the ropes, La Fortuna continued to press and with less than a minute left, Saracco had a chance to win with a penalty 4 opportunity that was just wide. The result was the 2021 World Gym Tournament victory for Chogan/K2 who controlled the first three chukkers – if not the last.

Mike and Claudia Uretz were on hand as always to present the World Gym Trophy to the winners and the MVP honor to Tim Rudy.

Dalma, owned by Igor Seyranov and played by Saracco in the fourth was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.

Tony Gregg

USPA Pacific Coast Circuit Women's Challenge

Design For The People take the 16 Goal A Flight

The 2020 USPA Pacific Coast Circuit Women’s Challenge A Flight – featuring a $2500 USPA bonus to the winners – was contested by three teams in a round-robin format.

M1 FINANCIAL 16 – Malia McCoy 5, Kate Weber 4, Jennifer Luttrell-Benardoni 3, Jennifer Alexy 4.

JC POLO 16 – Jemma Contreras 2, Meghan Gracida 3, Erica Gandomcar-Sachs 5, Dayelle Fargey 6.

DESIGN FOR THE PEOPLE 16 – Catlin Dix 4, Mia Bray 5, Anna Coscia 3, Audry Persano 4.

The tournament was played over two days on Friday, December 18 & Sunday December 20 with points carried over from the first day to the second.

Day one saw JC Polo go up early over M1 Financial in the first two chukkers to lead by a count of 3 – 2 going to their Sunday match-up. Fargey with two goals and Gandomcar-Sachs with one accounted for the JC scoring while Weber replied with a pair for M1.

M1 stayed up to face Design for the People for periods number three and four. While Luttrell-Benardoni put M1 up by one goal after their first chukker, Persano and Bray each counted a goal in the second and Design for the People led by one at 2 – 1 going to Sunday.

The final two periods of day one therefore, put JC Polo back on the field to play Design for the People and the People took a one goal bulge to their second Friday chukker on a goal by Dix in the first. JC Polo got even in the second as Gandomcar-Sachs scored her second of the day, but the People came back with three – Persano with one and Bray with a pair – and Design for the People took a strong lead at 4 – 1.

The first Sunday play put JC Polo on the field against M1 Financial. Scoring was scarce with just one goal for each – Luttrell-Benardoni and Fargey – which led to a win for JC at 4 – 3 and a net goal.

M1 would now face Design for the People and scoring remained a premium as Coscia scored for the People to give them the win at 3 – 1 and two net goals.  M1 was out.

As a result the championship would be decided in the last two chukkers and Design for the People were in a very enviable spot with a three goal lead over JC Polo at 4 - 1 after Friday’s play. To win the trophy and the $2500.00 that would go along with it, the People – with a win and two net goals - would only need to tie JC Polo who also had a win but just one net goal. JC, on the other hand, needed a win.

Fargey scored twice for JC in the first period to narrow the gap to one at 4 - 3  but Persano, playing the eventual Best Playing Pony, counted two of her own in the second to regain the three goal advantage and the 6 – 3 win for Design for the People and the 2020 USPA Pacific Coast Women’s Championship.

Design for the People    2   0   +5

JC Polo                          1   1   -2

M1 Financial                 0   2   -3

Persano was awarded the title of MVP and Inky, a horse auction rescue, owned by Dix and played by Persano was selected as the Best Playing Pony.

The Sunny Hale Memorial Horsemanship Award went to Judith Baker of the B Flight runner up Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club.

La Herradura claim 12 Goal B Flight

The $2500 USPA Pacific Coast Circuit 2020 Women’s Challenge B Flight 10 – 12 Goal featured a five team entry.

The elimination games saw Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club advance to the final with a round-robin victory over Zephyr and Sutter Buttes. La Hurradura earned their spot in the decider by virtue of a single game win over La Fortuna.

With La Herradura’s Meghan Gracida 3 unable to play in the final, Kim Kelly 3 filled in for the first chukker and Catlin Dix 4 substituted in the final three periods.  Dayelle Fargey 6, Maggie Papka 2, and Rose Brownridge filled out the roster. With the change, La Herradura became 12 goals.

Santa Barbara (12) lined up with Judith Baker, Cory Williams 4, Mia Bray 5, and Melania Jones 3.

Kelly for La Herradura and Williams for Santa Barbara counted the only goals in the first to tie at one going to the second.

Williams scored twice more and Santa Barbara led in the early second by a pair at 3 – 1. However, the always aggressive Fargey counted three goals and La Herradura led by one at 4 – 3 going to the half. It was a lead they would not relinquish.

Fargey counted her fourth goal early in the third chukker to increase the La Herradura lead to a pair. Jones, for Santa Barbara, scored her first of the afternoon to come back within one, but Fargey grabbed her fifth and the third was over with La Herradura leading by two at 6 – 4 with one chukker left in regulation.

Fargey’s sixth counter gave La Herradura their biggest lead of the afternoon at 7 – 4. Jones and Bray with one each replied for Santa Barbara but it wouldn’t be enough and the $2500 USPA B Flight award was taken by La Herradura with a final count of 7 – 6.

With six goals, Fargey was certainly the Most Valuable Player on the day, and Flipper, owned by Marcial Socas and played by Williams earned the Best Playing Pony award.

The prestigious Sunny Hale Horsemanship Award was presented to Judith Baker

LA HERRADURA Meghan Gracida 3, Dayelle Fargey 6, Maggie Papka 2, Rose Brownridge (Sub Kim Kelly 3, Catlin Dix 4)

SANTA BARBARA 12 Judith Baker, Cory Williams 4, Mia Bray 5, and Melania Jones 3

SUTTER BUTTES 11 – Bonnie Magill 2, Madelyn Cobb 3, Cybele Jordan3, Elise Pardue 2.

ZEPHYR 10 – Elizabth Humphreys 2, Katy Escapite 2, Kristina Karailieva 3, Megan Flynn3.

LA FORTUNA 11 – Elise Bigelow 2, Shannon Mendez 3, Caroline Anier 5, Micaela Saracco 2

GK Victorious in C Flight Final

The C Flight Title went to GK Polo with a 3 – 0 victory over Yolo Polo. GK goals were scored by Jessica Keneally, Lauren McIntire, and Kathrine Hill.

GK earned their title birth with a 6 – 1 win over Ranch Del Sol and Yolo Polo advanced by virtue of a 6.5 – 4 shutdown of Camp Polo.

Kathrine Hill was named the MVP and Corky, owned and played by Jessica Keneally, was selected as the Best Playing Pony.

GK POLO 1 - Lauren McIntire, Kathrine Hill, Claire Bailey, Jessica Keneally 1.

YOLO POLO 1 – Libby Fogal, Olympia Granger, Jennifer Sims, Loren Gibson 1.

RANCHO DEL SOL 1 – Julie Reeske, Tennyson Hamir, Gillian Young 1.

CAMP POLO 2 – Sally Camp, Alex Bryant, Alisha Clark, Becky Schaller 2.

Tony Gregg

2021 Season COVID-19 Protocols for Members

The Eldorado Polo Club (EPC) is looking forward to providing polo in a safe and healthy manner. EPC would like to thank you in advance for your compliance, patience, and continued support. It is everyone’s responsibility to follow healthy habits to ensure that polo does not have to be canceled due to COVID-19.

Please read the following COVID protocols BEFORE you bring horses onto the property

Upon first arrival, before unloading trailers, you must report to the EPC office to sign all required releases/ waivers, notify EPC of any support personnel & to receive wristbands. You are only permitted to arrive on the grounds between the hours of 8 am-5 pm. You must let the office know of your arrival time at least 24 hours before arriving.

As a condition of participation, a Waiver and Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement will be required.

Contact number & emails will be required from all participants and support personnel and a notification will be distributed immediately if a COVID-19 incident or outbreak is confirmed.

While on the EPC grounds, everyone will be required to wear a face mask and practice social distancing unless mounted on a horse/competing and/or seated when drinking or eating.

Only authorized persons with EPC wristband will be permitted access to the facility. Each player/team is responsible for acquiring wristbands from the EPC office for themselves and their support personnel.

All barn areas will be restricted to players/members, grooms, managers, and other essential employees (Vets and farriers are included). The barn area assigned to your operation is your responsibility to operate and apply all COVID-19 protocols. It is your responsibility to restrict your barn area to essential personnel only. DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CLIENTS/GUESTS TO LOITER IN THE BARN AREAS. 

It is the responsibility of the horse owners, barn managers, and team managers to ensure that no one within their operation who is experiencing signs/symptoms of COVID-19 comes to the facilities, and that they must have a negative COVID-19 prior to returning to the facilities.

All EPC staff members will have the authority to remind anyone on EPC property of the necessity of wearing a mask and social distancing. We understand that many people have quarantined together for the past several months; however, to ensure the ultimate safety of all members and staff, we ask that everyone abide by social distancing protocols while on the grounds. Random spot checks will be performed by EPC staff to remind and enforce any observed violations to COVID-19 protocols

EPC reserves the right to remove anyone from the venue who does not comply with any of the EPC COVID-19 protocol.

Contact Polo Manager Graham Bray on (760) 774 2583 or Debbie Morrison (760) 221 6276 to notify them of your planned arrival to the club.

BENSOLEIMANI.COM BESTS HIGHWOOD IN SPRECKELS 12 GOAL

Bensoleimani.com: Ian Schnoebelen (sub), Remy Du Celliee Muller, Tavi Usandizaga & Ben Soleimani

On, without question, the best day of the season weather wise and in front of, once again,  a huge crowd, the 12 Goal final of the historic Spreckels Cup was won by Ben Soleimani’s bensoleimani.com over Canada’s Ron Matheson and his Highwood foursome.

First played for in 1909, the Spreckels Tournament is indeed a celebrated part of Southern California polo history and was last contested in 2016 at the San Diego Polo Club.

For the 2020 revival, bensoleimani.com mounted up with the same roster with which they won the Fish Creek Constitution tournament just two weeks earlier – with one exception. With Soleimani out as the result of a fall in the semi-final against Ohana Polo, Ian Schnoebelen 0, was added. Remaining in the line-up were Gustavo Usandizaga 5, Tommy Alberdi 4, and Remy Du Celliee Muller 3. The Highwood response saw Mathison joined by Marcelo Rodriguez-Abbiati 4, Jared Sheldon 4, and Francisco Rodriguez-Mera 4.

The thinking by many before the match – based on Highwood’s 13 – 6 thrashing of the Soleimani group in qualifying play – was that Highwood would probably win. Didn’t happen.

Bensoleimani.com started quickly as Alberdi scored an early field goal to grab the very early lead. Sheldon was able to reply with a counter of his own and the score was tied going to the second.

With Highwood – clearly outplaying bensoleimani.com - scoring three field goals in the second (Sheldon one and Rodriguez-Mera two) to just one for the website guys (Alberdi with a penalty four) it appeared that they just might take this one as well going to the third period leading by two at 4 – 2. Didn’t happen.

The third was all bensoleimani.com as Du Cellei Muller, Usandizaga, and Alberdi (penalty two from 10 yards) scored and the reply from Highwood was none. Going to the Sofia Halftime Divot Stomp the network people led by one at 5 – 4. It was a lead they would not relinquish.

Scoring in the fourth was low with just one goal apiece - Alberdi for bensoleimani.com and Sheldon for the Canadians and the lead remained one at 6 -5.

With Highwood having pretty much run dry – counting only one goal since the second  -  the networkers took over as Usandizaga handled the rest of the scoring. He grabbed a pair in the fifth and another two in the sixth and the 12 Goal Spreckels was decided as bensoleimani.com rebounded from the previous loss and won with a final tally of 10 – 5.

Previous Spreckels winner Chris Maloney was on hand to present the storied trophy - and the traditional red roses - to the winners and as well give the MVP award to Usandizaga. With his ubiquitous play, there was no doubt that he deserved the honor.

Esfinge, owned by Ben Soleimani and played by Usandizaga in the fifth, was selected as the Best Playing Pony.

Tony Gregg

MVP Tavi Usandizaga

BPP Esfinge, owned by Ben Soleimani, played by Tavi Usandizaga

THERMAL LEADS THROUGHOUT TO WIN SPRECKELS 6 GOAL

Thermal: Kaile Roos Sebastian Aycinena, Mariano Gutierrez & Reg Whyte

In what turned out to be a rather low scoring game, Reg Whyte and his Thermal polo team (Reg Whyte, Kaile Roos -.5, Mariano Gutierrez 4, Sebastian Aycinena 2) led the entire way to win the 2020 6 Goal Spreckels Cup over Tom Schuerman and German Coppel’s Pasadena Polo Club/Archangel quartet (Tom Schuerman, German Coppel, Ashton Wolf 3, Jimmy Wright 3) by a score of 4 ½ – 3.

In a very choppy start, the first three goals came from open goal conversions. Gutierrez and Aycinena for Thermal and Wright for Pasadena/Archangel. With a handicap award of one-half, Thermal led 2 ½  – 1 after the first.

Scoring was at a premium in the second as the only goal came from Aycinena to give Thermal a 2 ½ goal half-time lead at 3 ½  - 1.

Goals remained pricey in the third chukker as Schuerman counted the only one and the count was now 3 ½  - 2 with Thermal staying in front.

Schuerman scored his second to bring Pasadena/Archangel back to the handicap difference but Gutierrez replied with his second to give Thermal the Spreckels 6 Goal victory by a final count of 4 ½ – 3.

Chris Maloney presented the Spreckels awards to the winners along with the customary red roses.

Gutierrez, based on his knowledgeable and supportive play, was awarded the title of MVP and Charlotte, bred and owned by Whyte and played by Aycinena in the second, was adorned with the Best Playing Pony Blanket.

Tony Gregg

MVP Mariano Gutierrez

BPP Charlotte, owned by Reg Whyte, played by Sebastian Aycinena

THRILLING VICTORY FOR HYT/CPC IN SPRECKELS 2 GOAL

HYT Polo/California Polo Club: Ricardo Caravetta, Hannah Taylor, Alejandro Nordheimer & Ernie Ezcurra

Played in front of a very big Cantina breakfast crowd, the deciding game of the 2020 Spreckels 2 Goal tournament turned out to be an extremely entertaining and well played affair. After two weeks of qualifying, the contest featured Alpha Omega (Eileen Duffy -1, Malia McCoy 1, Cameron Smith 1, Erik Wright 1) and HYT/CPC Polo (Hanna Taylor -1, Ricardo Caravetta -1, Ernie Ezcurra 2, Alejandro Nordheimer 2).

HYT/CPC started out quickly with two goals from Ezcurra (a penalty four and a field goal). However, Alpha Omega was able to regroup as Wright countered with a penalty four strike and a penalty two conversion. McCoy, on a perfect backhand setup from Duffy, then scored her first and it was 3 – 2 Alpha Omega after one.

McCoy and Smith scored from the field to give Alpha Omega a lead of three in the early second but the always present Ezcurra scored his second from the field  for HYT/CPC to narrow the gap to a pair. Wright then converted a penalty three to take a three goal Alpha Omega lead to the half at 6- 3.

The early third saw Smith score his second and the Greek lead was now four. However, with Ezcurra mounted on the eventual Best Playing Pony, the Angelenos took over. Ezcurra converted a penalty two and counted two field goals and Nordheimer scored his first and the game was now tied at seven after three periods.

Alpha Omega pushed back early in the fourth and Wright converted a penalty two to regain the lead – if only by one. Ezcurra responded with another from the field to tie the count at eight. Nordheimer then scored the winner to give the 2 Goal Spreckels Cup to HYT/CPC by a final count of 9 – 8.

Ezcurra, with dominating, influential, and controlling play was selected as the MVP and his third chukker mare Diva was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.

Tony Gregg

MVP Ernie Ezcurra

BPP Diva, owned & played by Ernie Ezcurra

6 Goal Governor's Cup Team List and Draw

2 Goal Amateurs Cup Team List and Draw