Gillian Johnston. Photos: Liz Lamont Images/Phelps Media Group.

FlexJet, Lechuza Caracas Defeated in Quarterfinals

Wellington, FL – April 12, 2015 – Coca-Cola and Valiente will advance to the semifinals of the 111th U.S. Open Polo Championship on Wednesday, having won their respective quarterfinal matches Sunday at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC).

In the featured match on Engel & Völkers field, Coca-Cola trounced FlexJet 15-10. Julio Arellano was named MVP, and the Best-Playing Pony award went to Prima, played by Nic Roldan. Earlier in the day, Valiente defeated Lechuza Caracas 13-12.

Coca-Cola played a classic game of “eyes on the prize,” ending the day one step closer to the coveted U.S. Open Polo Championship Final by securing a spot in the semis.

In the opening minutes of the game FlexJet took a brief lead with two field goals, but Coca-Cola promptly touched down like a tornado. Before the first chukker ended, Julio Arellano made three points on penalty shots, and teammates Sugar Erskine and Gillian Johnston each scored from the field. Erskine’s goal started with his save in the danger zone, continued with a pass from Arellano and finished with a trademark Erskine breakaway run to goal. Johnston, on a pickup, scored from 83 yards out.

After its jump-start Coca-Cola stayed in the groove, playing a solid 42 minutes of power polo and never letting FlexJet regain the lead. Stirling outmaneuvered his defenders in the second chukker, breaking free from a five-horse scramble to run the ball into goal. By the middle of the chukker, all four Coca-Cola players had scored at least once in the game. The team led 8-4 at the end of the first half.

As tight as a rock band in sync, Coca-Cola scored at the top of the fourth on a three-way play. Arellano took the knock-in and sent the ball to Erskine, who made a long pass to Johnston. She was out ahead, waiting in the wings. Alternating from one side of her pony to the other, she worked the ball toward goal. When her angle of approach looked like a shot on goal could go wide, she put the right touch of backspin on the ball and sent it straight between the goalposts.

On a pass from Stirling, Erskine closed the fourth chukker with one of his four field goals in the game. In what looked like a madcap dash – but was a study in agility – Erskine kept the wraps on a ball that was bouncing knee-high and shepherded it into goal.

Still, FlexJet could not be written off. As Erskine observed, “They are very technically sound, so we had to make sure we didn’t make mistakes. Every time we made a mistake, they scored a goal. That’s their system. They’re very well organized.”

With two eight-goalers and a nine in its lineup, FlexJet was packing a lot of firepower and pulled the trigger whenever a door opened. It almost crossed the threshold in the fifth chukker when Nic Roldan pulled off a turbo-charged hat trick. In just three-and-a-half minutes, he galloped up and down the field to make three consecutive goals (on top of his previous three).

FlexJet’s power surge put a huge dent in the five-point lead Coca-Cola had going into the fifth chukker, tightening the point spread from 11-6 to 11-9. For a time it appeared that FlexJet may be about to catch up or maybe even turn the tide. Coca-Cola was not about to let that happen, however. It promptly nipped Roldan’s scoring rampage, with Sugar Erskine and Julio Arellano each answering one of his goals.

Arellano slammed in two more goals in the sixth chukker, and Magoo Laprida had the final word before the game ended 15-10 for Coca-Cola.

“We came out really up for the game, really focused,” said Stirling, the sole 10-goaler on the field. “The four of us know exactly what our weapon is, and that’s our number one. So we use her, she helps us, we use Sugar and Julio to open the game up and play our way. It’s all team effort. If we win, we win as a team, and when we lose, we lose as a team.”

Arellano said that the game plan was to try to open the game up. “I got the ball to Gillian, and she did what she had to do with it,” he said. “That puts a lot of pressure on most teams. When the sponsor can get a few goals in like that early, it makes it very difficult. She’s been working very hard, and Pelon’s been controlling the ball when he needs to, which has been phenomenal, and Sugar and I just try to do our part.”

Erskine concurred. “We tried to use Gillian all we could all day,” he said. “We managed to get the ball down to her a lot easier today than we did in the last game. That’s what our plan was, and she pulled us ahead all day long.”

Jet Propelled Valiente Roars by Lechuza Caracas in US Open Quarterfinal Action

Adolfo Cambiaso and Bob Jornayvaz triumphantly returned from injury to the Valiente starting lineup to lead their team past Lechuza Caracas 13-12 in a high flying U.S. Open quarterfinal. Cambiaso switched horses an incredible four times in the sixth chukker, starting with Boeing and then playing Boeing’s full sister Lufthansa, to propel Valiente to the win and advance the team to the U.S. Open semifinals.

After the game Cambiaso said with pride about the stallion Boeing, “He is my best one right now! We ran a lot that game; I knew I would have to go a lot and then come back so I played a lot of horses.” Cambiaso was equally complimentary about super substitute Sapo Caset who played for him throughout bracket play in the Open, “Luckily we have Sapo – what a substitute! He found the route for us (to the quarterfinal).”

A beaming Bob Jornayvaz said about returning from injury, “It was great to have everybody back and have the starting team play. We had a lot of energy. Finally we are getting healthy and hopefully by Wednesday (for the semifinal) we will be a lot healthier.”

Jornayvaz and Cambiaso made an immediate impact in the game. Cambiaso won the first bowl in and passed the ball to Jornayvaz. Jornayvaz drove down to the north goal, Lechuza briefly cleared the ball but Guillermo Terrara drove the ball in to goal for first blood to Valiente.

In the second chukker, a fired up Valiente team continued to score and jumped out to a 3-1 lead. Lechuza dug in and went on a four-goal scoring spree, capped by the nimble Juan Martin Nero riding an equally nimble blaze faced chestnut dancing around the defenders to score as the warning horn sounded.

The third chukker was a sublime example of spectacular teamwork on the part of both teams. They played wide-open, shooting at goal from a distance and using quick passes and unselfish team play to create opportunities for their teammates. Terrara scored a quick goal for Valiente that was followed by a Cambiaso penalty 4 conversion. Then Nero cleared the ball out of his own goal to send a pass to a Victor Vargas, Vargas charged down the field carrying the ball and Nero passed him and held the defender wide. Vargas passed the ball to Nero on the run and Nero shot for goal on the near side. Terrara and Cambiaso immediately retaliated on a series of play that mirrored the Lechuza series; Terrara drove the ball down the field and then left the ball while holding out the defender to allow Cambiaso to blast through to goal. Cambiaso added one more goal to close out the third chukker with Valiente holding a slim one goal lead 7-6 over Lechuza.

Valiente took advantage of a costly penalty one called against Lechuza in the start of the fourth chukker to capitalize on the ensuing bowl in for another goal. Lechuza was shut out of goal for most of the chukker but just before the warning horn blew Nero dribbled around the defenders to score to keep Lechuza within striking distance of Valiente.

Down by two goals to Valiente, the Lechuza team brought the hustle to the fifth chukker and went on the attack. Nico Pieres contributed a pair of penalty three conversions, but Cambiaso countered with his own penalty three conversions to hold the lead. But yet again, Lechuza drove the ball down field just as the warning horn sounded, Augustin Garcia Grossi scored on the south end to bring Lechuza within one while Cambiaso threw his hands in the air in frustration.

Cambiaso only had one practice post injury coming into the semifinal, and a lesser player might have been exhibiting fatigue about sixth chukker of a hard fought match with the opponent changing the momentum. But Cambiaso was riding the supernaturally quick Boeing in the sixth and the muscular stallion brought him to every play. Cambiaso converted a penalty four to put Valiente ahead by two goals, only to see Nero outhustle his defender down field and set up Pieres for another penalty three conversion. Attacking the south goal, Cambiaso cut a neck shot to goal and then Boeing banked the turn to bring him back to the ball, forcing the Lechuza defender to ride off Cambiaso at a bad angle and giving the foul shot to Valiente. Taranco converted the penalty two to give Valiente the insurance goal. Lechuza threw everything they had at Valiente in the closing minutes of the sixth chukker and made one more penalty four to close within one goal, but Cambiaso switched to Lufthansa, then OneTip, then Sugar to outrun the Lechuza players and seal the deal for Valiente.

The 111th U.S. Open Polo Championship continues Wednesday with the semifinals at IPC. Coca-Cola will play Orchard Hill at 2:30 p.m., and Valiente will contest Audi at 5 p.m.

International Polo Club Palm Beach Fast Facts

What: Created by players for players, the International Polo Club Palm Beach was born out of the dream to build a facility to showcase the incredible skills of the ponies and players that dominate the sport.

Members and guests enjoy panoramic views of the action from field side box seats or lawn and terrace seating. Sponsors and fans convene at The Winners Circle to congratulate the players during the awards presentation following the games.

Gourmet brunches, après polo celebrations and the prerequisite charitable events will take place in The Pavilion, designed to accommodate large parties, corporate clients, as well as family and friends.

Featured Highlights:

Herbie Pennell Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 1-4, 2015

Joe Barry Memorial Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 4-25, 2015

Ylvisaker Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 28 – February 22, 2015

Iglehart Cup – 20 Goal
Feb. 28 – March 8, 2015

USPA C. V. Whitney Cup – 26 Goal
Feb. 15 – March 1, 2015

Piaget USPA Gold Cup® – 26 Goal
March 4-22, 2015

111th Maserati U.S. Open Polo Championship® – 26 Goal
March 25 – April 19, 2015

Directions:

From the Turnpike:
Take the Lake Worth Exit
Head west on FL-802 W/Lake Worth Rd toward Hooks Rd
Continue to follow Lake Worth Rd (3.9 miles)
Turn right onto 120th Ave S
Destination will be ahead on the left (0.4 miles)

From I-95:
Exit Forest Hill Blvd, head West
Make Left turn onto 441/St Rd 7
Make Right turn onto Lake Worth Rd
Make Right turn onto 120th Ave S
Destination on Left

Information:
3667 120th Ave S, Wellington, FL 33414
International Polo Club Palm Beach: 561-204-5687
Mallet Grille: 561-282-5340
Spa & Fitness Center: 561-282-5288
Tennis Pro Shop: 561-795-7228
Polo Operations Office: 561-282-5283
Polo Hotline: 561-282-5290

Website:
www.internationalpoloclub.com

For Tickets:
http://internationalpoloclub.ticketleap.com/

Hotels:
Hampton Inn & Suites – (561) 472-9696 – Approximately 2 miles
Hampton Inn – (561) 472-5980 – Approximately 4 miles
Four Seasons Resort – (561) 582-2800 – Approximately 9 miles
The Breakers – (561) 655-6611 – Approximately 9 miles
Kimpton Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa – (561) 540-6440 – Approximately 9 miles

Management:
John Wash – President of Club Operations
jwash@internationalpoloclub.com
561-282-5353

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Wellington, Florida – April 5, 2015 – Coca-Cola defeated Valiente 12-11 in overtime Sunday in the 111th U.S. Open Polo Championship on Engel & Völkers field at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC). Sugar Erskine was named MVP, and Best-Playing Pony went to Renato, played by Pelon Stirling. Earlier in the day, Las Monjitas defeated Orchard Hill 14-13.

If there is one axiom that has emerged from this year’s 26-goal season at IPC, it is this: Never underestimate Coca-Cola.

As it has done time and time again, the team pulled a rabbit out of its hat Sunday. Just when it looked like Coca-Cola was about to lose to Valiente by a point, Sugar Erskine – ever the wild card – smacked in a goal, tying the game 12-all in the last microsecond (literally) of regulation play.

Then to top it off, along came the day’s high-scorer, Julio Arellano, whose seventh goal sealed the deal in overtime for the team in red.

Chance turned out to be the hallmark of the game, and Coca-Cola capitalized on it at every opportunity. “It was amazing the way we tied it up in the last chukker with .001 left,” said a stunned 10-goaler Pelon Stirling. “We took a chance, and we had it. Then we took a chance in OT, and again! It was a very good win for us. It’s looking good.”

Despite its undefeated record in the 111th Open, Coca-Cola seemed to have taken even itself by a bit of surprise Sunday. “We knew it was going to be extremely tough because they have an all-pro team,” said Arellano. “We were able to keep them close the whole time, and then it’s anybody’s game.”

Indeed, the celebration could just as easily have ended up in Valiente’s tent, as it has so many times before. But Arellano’s troupe refused to stop tap dancing until the last note of music lilted away into the ether. In polo’s version of the “hail Mary pass” made famous in the 1975 NFL playoffs, Arellano, in a leap of faith, hurtled the ball downfield to a waiting Gillian Johnston. “I knew I had to get the ball there fast because I would have only one chance,” said Arellano.

Ditto for Johnston, who took the pass and went to town with one of her trademark slapstick dashes toward goal. Things were looking golden for Coca-Cola, but just yards from the goalmouth the ball went wonky and pulled loose, triggering a free-for-all and drawing a screeching whistle. Having already used its second-half challenge, Valiente could not contest the foul.

Arellano and Pelon Stirling painstakingly teed up the ball as they stared down, methodically circling it like a hawk hovering over prey. Then they looked up and locked eyes. Stirling moved away, leaving Arellano to finish the job.

Although Coca-Cola got the win, it didn’t get there the way it had envisioned. In a departure from its game plan in previous matches, the day’s strategy was for her teammates to feed the ball to Johnston, the indomitable winner of the 2002 U.S. Open. But as the saying goes, the best-laid plans of mice and men often go astray.

“We spoke about doing something different, but we didn’t do anything like what we spoke about,” said Erskine. “We were going to push Gillian all day, and for some reason we never got her the ball. Finally she got the chance to put in the winning goal, and that was sort of the idea, but things just didn’t go that way.”

To her credit, Johnston sunk an astounding goal in the pivotal sixth chukker, which saw a lot of play through midfield. Erskine had battled the ball out of a scuffle and handed it over to Stirling, who, with the precision of a Swiss timepiece, sent it sailing downfield with a power hit to Johnston. With just under three minutes on the clock, she tied the game 10-all.

Matching its strong performance in the fifth chukker, Valiente kept rocking in the sixth, again answering every Coca-Cola goal. Alejo Taranco pulled Valiente into a slim lead, and from there the score followed a breathtaking back-and-forth trajectory all the way to the final horn.

Taranco’s tie-breaking goal sprouted from a bouquet of three: him, Sapo Caset and Tommy Beresford. After winning the knock-in, Caset initiated a long trek toward goal. He and Guillermo Terrera kept swapping the ball, playing an extended game of cat and mouse with Erskine, who was all over them. As they soon discovered, that was a dangerous game to play with an opponent as stealthy as Erskine. He drew gasps from the Valiente contingent on the sidelines more than once when he stole the ball, only to have the Caset-Terrera force swipe it right back.

At one point, Valiente played an effective mind game with Coca-Cola, as 10-goaler Caset took out the defender to allow 2-goaler Tommy Beresford to run with the play. Eighteen-year-old Beresford, who had subbed in and was playing the first full 26-goal game of his life, did his job handily. He escorted the ball toward goal, handing it over to Taranco at the perfect moment. Backed up nicely by his teammates, Taranco put it in.

All in all the game was a commendable effort by Valiente, which showed its mettle against all odds. Last week, when half of the team (Adolfo Cambiaso and Bob Jornayvaz) had to be subbed out due to injuries, Caset commented, “It’s like a totally new team” – never an easy form to morph into, particularly smack in the midst of the most prestigious tournament of the season

Las Monjitas Pulls Off 14-13 Upset

Las Monjitas defeated Orchard Hill 14-13 in bracket play at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Las Monjitas took on Orchard Hill in a game that was seemingly a David and Goliath story. Orchard Hill, a favorite due to their recent stellar performances and the advantage of having not one but two Pieres, started out the game strongly, but ultimately Las Monjitas created a hot streak that was unstoppable, even for the mighty Orchard Hill squad.

The sixth chukker was dominated by Las Monjitas from start to finish, with Sola chalking up three goals to overtake Orchard Hill 13-12. After a throw-in resulting from a buried ball, Astrada rocketed towards the goal to score. In the final minute of the match, Facundo Pieres scored but it was too little, too late. Astrada rode toward the end zone with both arms raised while the match was still going, celebrating the upset and reveling in the cheers from the Las Monjitas camp. The final score was 14-13. The joy from the entire Las Monjitas team, family members and staff was audible as cheers erupted and the team members made their way back to their tent, stopping to receive congratulations from their supporters.

Astrada credited the team’s performance in specific parts of the match for their win.

“I think we played very well in the first chukker and in the fifth and sixth chukker,” said Astrada. “We played really well like we have to play, and how we can play.”

Merlos felt like this was a turnaround from the rest of the season for Las Monjitas.

“It was the opposite of what has been happening the whole season for us,” said Merlos.

The Pieres cousins immediately went to work at the start of the game with Facundo Pieres shooting a pass to Polito Pieres, who tapped it in for a goal in his signature style. A penalty one in the next play gave Orchard Hill a 2-0 lead briefly, but Facundo Sola completed a penalty conversion to put Las Monjitas on the board. A penalty two from point blank range by Facundo Pieres ended the first chukker 3-1.

Eduardo Astrada started out the second chukker with a bang, making a backshot that went wide of the goal by inches. The tension continued to mount as Polito Pieres and Astrada continued in very physical rideoffs, making big bumps in an effort to keep the other out of the play. Sola, whose penalty conversions would be key to the Las Monjitas effort, converted with a lofted shot to bring Las Monjitas within one, but two subsequent penalty conversions by Facundo Pieres pulled Orchard Hill back into the lead 5-2. A goal by Ezequiel Ferrario gave Orchard Hill a solid lead heading into the third chukker.

Penalty shots continued to have a strong effect on the match as Sola converted two penalties to make the score 6-4. In the next play, Sola won the ball out of the throw-in and made a long pass to Astrada, who scored Las Monjitas’ first goal from the field. Polito Pieres proved just how handy he and his horses are by turning the ball, running and firing off a shot in mere seconds to make the score 7-5 at the half.

The second half proved to be just as physical as the first, with Las Monjitas working to slow down the Orchard Hill speed game. A conversion by Facundo Pieres gave Orchard Hill a three point lead, but Las Monjitas fired back with a goal by Sola, whose powerful performance thus far this season has many wondering if his rating of eight goals will remain after the season ends. Facundo Pieres fired out of the throw-in to score, momentarily giving both Facundos the same stats of four penalty goals and one goal from the field for a total of five goals each. Each Facundo racked up another goal before the fourth chukker ended, making the score 10-7. Leaping out of the throw-in for a breakaway, Polito Pieres drove in a goal and solidified the Orchard Hill lead 11-7 at the end of the fourth chukker.

The fifth chukker brought a shift in momentum as Las Monjitas continued to battle it out with Orchard Hill. Astrada popped the ball up into the air before hitting it to Sebastian Merlos, who sealed the deal and made the score 11-8. Goal attempts on both sides went wide before Facundo Pieres decided to take matters into his own hands and run a goal in. Two more penalty conversions by Sola brought Las Monjitas within two points of Orchard Hill, turning the tide of the game in their favor before the end of the fifth chukker.

The 111th U.S. Open Polo Championship resumes Wednesday, April 8, with three games: Orchard Hill vs. Coca-Cola at 10 a.m.; Audi vs. Alegria Assist Card at 2:30 p.m., and FlexJet vs. Lechuza Caracas at 3 p.m.

International Polo Club Palm Beach Fast Facts

What: Created by players for players, the International Polo Club Palm Beach was born out of the dream to build a facility to showcase the incredible skills of the ponies and players that dominate the sport.

Members and guests enjoy panoramic views of the action from field side box seats or lawn and terrace seating. Sponsors and fans convene at The Winners Circle to congratulate the players during the awards presentation following the games.

Gourmet brunches, après polo celebrations and the prerequisite charitable events will take place in The Pavilion, designed to accommodate large parties, corporate clients, as well as family and friends.

Featured Highlights:

Herbie Pennell Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 1-4, 2015

Joe Barry Memorial Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 4-25, 2015

Ylvisaker Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 28 – February 22, 2015

Iglehart Cup – 20 Goal
Feb. 28 – March 8, 2015

USPA C. V. Whitney Cup – 26 Goal
Feb. 15 – March 1, 2015

Piaget USPA Gold Cup® – 26 Goal
March 4-22, 2015

111th Maserati U.S. Open Polo Championship® – 26 Goal
March 25 – April 19, 2015

Directions:

From the Turnpike:
Take the Lake Worth Exit
Head west on FL-802 W/Lake Worth Rd toward Hooks Rd
Continue to follow Lake Worth Rd (3.9 miles)
Turn right onto 120th Ave S
Destination will be ahead on the left (0.4 miles)

From I-95:
Exit Forest Hill Blvd, head West
Make Left turn onto 441/St Rd 7
Make Right turn onto Lake Worth Rd
Make Right turn onto 120th Ave S
Destination on Left

Information:
3667 120th Ave S, Wellington, FL 33414
International Polo Club Palm Beach: 561-204-5687
Mallet Grille: 561-282-5340
Spa & Fitness Center: 561-282-5288
Tennis Pro Shop: 561-795-7228
Polo Operations Office: 561-282-5283
Polo Hotline: 561-282-5290

Website:
www.internationalpoloclub.com

For Tickets:
http://internationalpoloclub.ticketleap.com/

Hotels:
Hampton Inn & Suites – (561) 472-9696 – Approximately 2 miles
Hampton Inn – (561) 472-5980 – Approximately 4 miles
Four Seasons Resort – (561) 582-2800 – Approximately 9 miles
The Breakers – (561) 655-6611 – Approximately 9 miles
Kimpton Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa – (561) 540-6440 – Approximately 9 miles

Management:
John Wash – President of Club Operations
jwash@internationalpoloclub.com
561-282-5353

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Sapo Caset, Facundo Sola, Alejo Taranco, Eduardo Astrada. Photo: Liz Lamont Images/Phelps Media Group.

Wellington, Florida – April 1, 2015 – Valiente defeated Las Monjitas 13-12 in overtime Wednesday at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) in bracket play for the 111th U.S. Open Polo Championship. It was the first time in the 2015 season that the two teams have played each other, and both had been defeated in their previous game in the tournament.

There’s always a big question mark hovering over the field when Adolfo Cambiaso doesn’t play for Valiente, as has happened a few times this season. Can Valiente pull it off without the maestro in charge on the field?

Sapo Caset, with the assistance of his teammates, put that question to rest in Wednesday’s match against La Monjitas. While there is only one Adolfo Cambiaso out there, Caset did a mighty job of filling his boots. Riding in the 10-goaler seat for a second consecutive game, Caset carried Valiente to victory, socking in the winning goal in overtime (to cap off his previous four).

Caset wasn’t the only Valiente player who had to step up to the plate. The other was a gob smacked Tommy Beresford, who was thrown into the mix Wednesday as abruptly as Caset had been in last week’s match. As the third chukker was about to begin, the young British player found himself being hoisted onto one of Bob Jornayvaz’ horses and pointed toward the field. Team captain Jornayvaz had injured his tailbone but rode it out through the second chukker. He gave Beresford a vote of confidence during the break, and then out on the field appeared a tall, lanky player sporting a blue jersey with a number five on his back (in deference to Jornayvaz, who had been wearing the number one jersey). If you weren’t hip to the backstory, it might have appeared to be an April Fool’s prank: a 26-goal polo team playing positions two, three, four – and five?

But this was no joke, particularly to Beresford. “I was a bit nervous. This was my first 26-goal game!” he said afterward, leaning on his chair and looking at the ground as though trying to fathom what had just happened. Although he had played a couple of practices with the Valiente squad, the 18-year-old said he didn’t feel he played “quite up to scratch today – but we got the win.”

Indeed they did, and Beresford was a big part of it, contributing a goal of his own in the sixth chukker. Guillermo Terrera promptly added another for Valiente. Caset followed up in his typical clutch player fashion, making not one but two golden goals: the one that tied the game at 12-all at the end of the sixth chukker, and the next on an assist from Terrera, which won the game in overtime.

It was a painful outcome for Las Monjitas, a powerhouse that also lost its last U.S. Open match against Coca-Cola by a single point. Just as it had Saturday, Las Monjitas held its own all the way through the game against Valiente, even keeping its opponent scoreless in the second chukker.

Facundo Sola was a force of nature for Las Monjitas, scoring 10 of his team’s 12 goals by way of making two goals in every chukker except the sixth. Sola injected a high-voltage direct current into the game as he swarmed the field nonstop. When he wasn’t scoring, he was pouring the pressure on any blue jersey within his wingspan. He consistently converted his penalty shots. At the top of the third chukker he made back-to-back goals, the first on a penalty four and the next on a run down the field with Caset on his tail, both going mach-nine hair-on-fire.

The game was tied 6-6 at halftime, and the score continued to zing back and forth between a tie and a one- or two-point spread. In a repeat performance from the first chukker, Caset made his mark in the fourth by catapulting another pass from the 150-yard line to Taranco, who had pulled out ahead and was patiently waiting downfield. Exactly where he needed to be, Taranco jumped on the play and was off and running with the ball, taking it straight into goal.

The fifth chukker opened at 8-all, but Las Monjitas soon moved into a two-point lead. Eduardo Astrada put his stamp on the sixth chukker, scoring from the field while shaking off intense pressure from Caset. Astrada, who seems to thrive on pressure scenarios, calmly paddled the ball downfield and made three smooth hits, the third one sending the ball cruising into goal. Beresford, Terrera and Caset made the next three goals in quick succession, tying the game 12-12 at the end of regulation play.

In overtime, Sola looked like he had it made for Las Monjitas, taking his time with the ball until he found a window and shot. But Beresford pounced on the ball and bought some room for Terrera, who passed it to Caset for the winning goal.

Of the five U.S. Open matches played to date at IPC this season, this was the third that went into overtime. As one spectator said of the exciting play, “It’s like every game is a final.”

Caset said Valiente was like “a totally new team,” given that half of its lineup had suddenly changed and that Beresford came in in the middle of the game. In a nod to Las Monjitas, Caset said he felt that the play had been fairly evenly matched, although he remained confident throughout that Valiente would prevail. “I never thought for a moment that we would lose.”

Terrera, with a bit of frustration, said, “We wanted to play our game, but we couldn’t because they kept trying to slow it down. So we said, ‘Whatever it takes, let’s do it.’ Luck was on our side” – and so was Cambiaso, who remained a guiding force from the ground.

The 111th U.S. Open Polo Championship resumes Saturday, April 4. Alegria Assist Card plays FlexJet at 10 a.m., and Audi opposes Lechuza Caracas at 4:30 p.m.

Patriot Cup Results

Goose Creek defeated Tackeria 14-13 on Tuesday, March 31, at IPC. Goose Creek will oppose Valiente in the Patriot Cup Final at IPC on Friday, April 3, at 4 p.m., preceded by the Heroes Cup subsidiary at 10 a.m.

International Polo Club Palm Beach Fast Facts

What: Created by players for players, the International Polo Club Palm Beach was born out of the dream to build a facility to showcase the incredible skills of the ponies and players that dominate the sport.

Members and guests enjoy panoramic views of the action from field side box seats or lawn and terrace seating. Sponsors and fans convene at The Winners Circle to congratulate the players during the awards presentation following the games.

Gourmet brunches, après polo celebrations and the prerequisite charitable events will take place in The Pavilion, designed to accommodate large parties, corporate clients, as well as family and friends.

Featured Highlights:

Herbie Pennell Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 1-4, 2015

Joe Barry Memorial Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 4-25, 2015

Ylvisaker Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 28 – February 22, 2015

Iglehart Cup – 20 Goal
Feb. 28 – March 8, 2015

USPA C. V. Whitney Cup – 26 Goal
Feb. 15 – March 1, 2015

Piaget USPA Gold Cup® – 26 Goal
March 4-22, 2015

111th Maserati U.S. Open Polo Championship® – 26 Goal
March 25 – April 19, 2015

Directions:

From the Turnpike:
Take the Lake Worth Exit
Head west on FL-802 W/Lake Worth Rd toward Hooks Rd
Continue to follow Lake Worth Rd (3.9 miles)
Turn right onto 120th Ave S
Destination will be ahead on the left (0.4 miles)

From I-95:
Exit Forest Hill Blvd, head West
Make Left turn onto 441/St Rd 7
Make Right turn onto Lake Worth Rd
Make Right turn onto 120th Ave S
Destination on Left

Information:
3667 120th Ave S, Wellington, FL 33414
International Polo Club Palm Beach: 561-204-5687
Mallet Grille: 561-282-5340
Spa & Fitness Center: 561-282-5288
Tennis Pro Shop: 561-795-7228
Polo Operations Office: 561-282-5283
Polo Hotline: 561-282-5290

Website:
www.internationalpoloclub.com

For Tickets:
http://internationalpoloclub.ticketleap.com/

Hotels:
Hampton Inn & Suites – (561) 472-9696 – Approximately 2 miles
Hampton Inn – (561) 472-5980 – Approximately 4 miles
Four Seasons Resort – (561) 582-2800 – Approximately 9 miles
The Breakers – (561) 655-6611 – Approximately 9 miles
Kimpton Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa – (561) 540-6440 – Approximately 9 miles

Management:
John Wash – President of Club Operations
jwash@internationalpoloclub.com
561-282-5353

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Hilario Ulloa and Nico Pieres. Photos: Alex Pacheco.

Wellington, FL – March 29, 2015 – The U.S. Open Polo Championship continued in full force Sunday, with an exciting triple play at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. In all three games, a single point dictated the outcome, and two games went into overtime.

In the featured match on Engel & Völkers field, Lechuza Caracas defeated Alegria Assist Card 13-12 in overtime. Agustin Garcia Grossi was named Most Valuable Player. Hilario Ulloa’s mount in the second and sixth chukkers, Clave, was Best Playing Pony.

Earlier in the day, Orchard Hill took a 15-14 overtime victory over Valiente, and Audi defeated FlexJet 11-10.

For a winning team, polo is a game played as much in the head as it is on the field. Lechuza Caracas put that principle into action Sunday when it stared down the mighty Alegria Assist Card team, defending champion of the U.S. Open. Taking a gamble (and a leap of faith) that paid off in spades, Lechuza Caracas won by hedging its bets on a strategic move: scrambling the lineup.

That move has worked at times for other teams, but it is risky business. Just ask Agustin Garcia Grossi. “We’re lucky we scored the last goal,” he said moments after he made the hit that broke the 12-12 tie in overtime.

Granted, Lady Luck is always hovering over the polo field, but Sunday another intangible force was at work. Playing a mind game as much as an athletic one, the Lechuza Caracas squadron took out its opponent by turning polo into a shell game. The question of the day was: Is that Nico Pieres or Agustin Garcia Grossi under those Foster Grants?

In an eleventh-hour switcheroo that had even the announcers guessing for a bit, Lechuza Caracas swapped the positions of two of its key players. The decision was made so shortly before the start of the game that the program and the scoreboard still showed them in their old positions. But Pieres, who usually plays number two, was wearing the number three jersey, and Grossi, the team’s steadfast number three, was sporting a two on his back.

The reason became evident soon enough. Pieres was all over the ball, the field and the scoreboard from start to finish. The high-scorer of the game with nine goals, he was omnipresent throughout the match, scoring at least one point (and sometimes three) in every chukker of regulation play. Almost without exception, his success was facilitated by Grossi, who made it his perpetual mission to mow a path for Pieres to carry the ball through.

Why did this strategy work better than the original formula, when Pieres was playing number two and Garcia number three?

“The change of positions helped us a lot because we can send Flaco (Grossi) forward. He’s more powerful than me,” said Pieres. “Then I could work with the ball more, and I’m a bit better at that.”

The impetus for the change, said the two, was the team’s disappointment over its record this season in 26-goal play. “We changed the lineup because we didn’t do so well in the last tournament,” said Grossi, referring to the USPA Piaget Gold Cup. Lechuza Caracas had one win and three losses in that tournament and was knocked out of contention in the quarterfinals.

There were no signs of the past in Sunday’s game. Lechuza Caracas came onto the field with the eye of the tiger. At every possible opportunity, one or another of its players pounced upon the ball as though it were live prey. Alegria Assist Card showed a similar resolve, but it seemed to be tinged with a touch of uncertainty about how to thwart the newly invigorated and restructured Lechuza Caracas band of brothers.

Pieres, who scored the first field goal, stormed onto the field with a steely-eyed look that could knock the breath out of an elephant. With consummate speed and power – and with Grossi running interference – he cut to the center and outran a herd of defenders to tie the game at 1-all. That set the tone for the rest of the game. Pieres and Grossi melded into a tag team, keeping Alegria scoreless in the second chukker and bringing Lechuza Caracas into the lead for the first time in the third chukker. Picking up a long pass downfield from Pieres, Grossi made a supremely confident cutshot that rolled the ball in within inches of the goalpost, moving Lechuza Caracas into a 5-4 lead.

Alegria Assist Card retook the lead courtesy of Hilario Ulloa, who scored on a penalty shot. Moments before, Mariano Aguerre had sent a centering shot to Ulloa, which drew a whistle, and a foul was called in favor of Alegria Assist Card. In what seemed on its face a curious move (but turned out not to be), Alegria Assist Card challenged the call on ball placement. Had it been successful, the challenge would have changed the penalty two to a penalty one (an automatic goal for Alegria Assist Card). The call stood, and Ulloa scored on the penalty two, giving Alegria a 6-5 lead at the end of the first half.

The pace picked up decidedly in the second half. Taking the ball on the nearside, Sterling Giannini worked the room with finesse, zigzagging like mad to get past the defenders and deliver the ball to Ulloa. With a burst of speed, Ulloa ran it into goal, giving Alegria Assist Card a two-point lead. Juan Martin Nero, the only 10-goaler on the field, outran Julian Mannix and sent a slick pass to Pieres, who rode his speed stick toward goal and swatted in a pinpoint shot. Pieres followed up his own act in the fifth chukker, making three goals (two of them from the field).

In Ping-Pong fashion, the score swapped back and forth between a tie and a one-point lead for most of the sixth chukker. At a pivotal juncture, a Pieres play drew a whistle smack in front of Alegria’s goalmouth, resulting in a penalty one for Alegria. Lechuza Caracas unsuccessfully challenged the automatic goal.

With just 47 seconds left in regulation play, a penalty three was moved to a penalty two in favor of Alegria Assist Card. Ulloa took the shot and tied the game at 12-all, sending it into overtime. The seventh chukker went on for an excruciating two-and-a-half minutes until Grossi sealed the deal for Lechuza Caracas.

Nero said he felt there was more to his team’s win than its lineup change. Although he agreed that the Pieres-Grossi swap-out had been helpful, he also pointed to Lechuza Caracas’ intense preparation during the previous week. Even more crucial, he said, was Sunday’s outstanding performance by the team’s captain, Victor Vargas, who played his normal number one position.

“Today the key was Victor,” said Nero. “He made a big difference. They couldn’t pass him. He kept them away so we could score.”

Orchard Hill Overcomes Valiente 15-14 in a Game of Endurance

The highly anticipated show down between 10-goalers Adolfo Cambiaso (Valiente) and Facundo Pieres (Orchard Hill) came to an abrupt end 35 seconds into the first U.S. Open match for both teams when Cambiaso retired from the match with a hip injury. Sapo Caset, also rated 10 goals, replaced Cambiaso and performed admirably in his understudy role, challenging Facundo and galvanizing Valiente to a sixth chukker comeback to force overtime, but after all the delays, lineup changes, lead changes and injuries, Orchard Hill prevailed 15-14 over Valiente.

“That was the longest game I have ever played!” declared a weary Steve van Andel after the match. “That was a tough game. It was back and forth; they did a good job staying on us.”

When asked about the substitution of Caset for the injured Cambiaso, Facundo Pieres commented, “It was a bit of a change, but we know how they play. They played without so much pressure, which I think helped them, especially Alejo and Terrera, and they complicated us. With all the delays we couldn’t play the game we wanted, but we are happy we won.”

There was a long delay at the start of the match while the injured Cambiaso determined if he could play or not, the delay and roster change for Valiente seemed to throw both teams off their rhythm in the first two chukkers. Caset and Facundo Pieres dueled it out from the penalty line, Caset even converting a 90-yard penalty five which is a rare feat in polo, but the goals came slow for both teams and the score was only 4- 3 in favor of Valiente after the second chukker. Play opened up in the third chukker as the Valiente team started to click with Caset. Guillermo Terrera tallied a pair of field goals for Valiente, and Bob Jornayvaz added another when he anticipated a broken play near goal. Orchard Hill countered with field goals from Polito Pieres and Ezequiel Ferrario sandwiched around another penalty four conversion by Facundo.

Orchard Hill erased the Valiente lead in the fourth chukker behind two more penalty four conversions from Facundo Pieres. Some strong blocking from the Orchard Hill players led to a splendid run by Facundo on a blaze faced chestnut. Valiente held steady with two goals, the teams entered the fifth chukker tied at 9-all.

The fifth chukker was all Orchard Hill. Facundo Pieres continued his sharp shooting success from the 60-yard line on penalty fours and cousin Polito chimed in with a gutsy field goal through traffic. Play was held up again when Alejo Taranco hit the ground after a collision, but Orchard Hill kept the momentum rolling to finish out the chukker in the lead 12-9.

Valiente showed determination in the face of adversity in the sixth, relentlessly driving the ball down field and forcing Orchard Hill into a penalty one situation. After Valiente was awarded the automatic goal on the penalty one, Caset stole the ball on the ensuing throw in and quickly turned and fired to bring Valiente within one goal of the lead. Facundo Pieres countered with his seventh penalty four conversion of the game, but Caset rose to the occasion and scored two more penalty goals to send the game to sudden death overtime with the score tied at 14 all.

The Orchard Hill team won the first bowl in, delivered the ball and a horse length’s head start to Facundo Pieres. He did what he does better than anyone in the world and ran the ball down field to goal for the win.

“Fortunately we squeaked through in the end!” said a relieved van Andel post match. Orchard Hill will take a 1-0 record into their next U.S. Open match against Las Monjitas on Sunday April 5 at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Facundo Pieres was already thinking about the next match. “It was so important to win the first game of the Open; now we prepare to play our game for the next match.”

Audi Speeds Past FlexJet 11-10

Audi defeated FlexJet 11-10 in bracket play in the U.S. Open Polo Championship at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. The match pit Marc Ganzi of the Audi team, last week’s victors of the Piaget Gold Cup, against his son, Grant Ganzi, each rated one-goal.

Both teams came out swinging, with goal attempts going wide for Audi and FlexJet. A penalty conversion by Miguel Astrada put FlexJet on the board with the first goal of the match. A neckshot by Gonzalito Pieres evened out the score. Rodrigo Andrade quickly drilled a long shot along the ground to put Audi in the lead. Tough, quick play ensued by both teams, which would characterize the play throughout the match.

In the second chukker, FlexJet fired back with a stolen ball by Nic Roldan breaking up an Audi play, and Astrada capitalized on it. He flipped in a goal under pressure and made the score 2-all. Pieres, always the cool customer, picked the ball from Astrada and drove a goal in to put Audi back in the lead. Roldan and Astrada teamed up, showing off their excellent passing game with supreme confidence, resulting in a goal by Astrada.

Roldan followed up with another assist, this time to Laprida, putting FlexJet ahead by one. Fred Mannix kicked it into high gear and dribbled the ball into the goalmouth, with Andrade backing him up to make the goal. Roldan fired off a signature long pass for Laprida who scored another goal for FlexJet, making the score 5-4 at the end of the second chukker.

After some fierce play at the top of the third chukker, a penalty conversion by Pieres tied the score 5-5. FlexJet quickly racked up two more goals in an effort to solidify their lead before the end of the half. Pieres rocketed out of the throw-in with a score that brought Audi within one at the end of the third chukker.

Audi revved it up in the third chukker, starting out strong with a goal by Andrade on the run. Another penalty conversion by Pieres made the score 8-7. An incredible team play by FlexJet culminated in a goal, tying the score 8-8. Intense play for the remainder of the fourth chukker had spectators guessing what the outcome of each play would be.

The fifth chukker was scoreless for the first few minutes, and it was Mannix who broke the dry spell with a near side back shot and a score for Audi. A penalty in favor of FlexJet was challenged by Audi. Each team is allowed one opportunity to challenge a call. The team may use at any time during the game to disagree with a call and ask for an instant replay. The game is stopped and the disputed play is evaluated by the instant replay judge, who makes the final decision. If the team wins its challenge, they are allowed to keep their one challenge in the game. If it loses, they are not allowed a challenge for the remainder of the game. In this case, the call was overturned and Audi retained their ability to challenge.

Roldan kicked off the sixth chukker blazing to the goal, but his attempt went wide. Laprida made a run in the next play, flipping the ball to Roldan who succeeded in this attempt and tied up the match 9-9. A penalty in favor of Audi was challenged by FlexJet but upheld, resulting in a conversion by Pieres. FlexJet continued to fight for the win, with Laprida dodging defenders to drive in a goal and tie the score with just minutes remaining. Audi responded quickly, putting the final goal in with 18 seconds before the final horn.

Both Pieres and Marc Ganzi agreed that the game was an incredibly important match for them to win, especially after their tournament win in the Piaget Gold Cup.

“Always, the first game after winning is tough because, unfortunately, you’re more relaxed and the other teams are more afraid of you, and they go for it with everything,” said Pieres.

“We knew we had to win today. It’s the first game of the [US] Open. You’ve got to go all in,” said Ganzi.

Play in the U.S. Open Polo Championship continues on Wednesday, April 1 with Valiente taking on Las Monjitas at 4 p.m. at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

International Polo Club Palm Beach Fast Facts

What: Created by players for players, the International Polo Club Palm Beach was born out of the dream to build a facility to showcase the incredible skills of the ponies and players that dominate the sport.

Members and guests enjoy panoramic views of the action from field side box seats or lawn and terrace seating. Sponsors and fans convene at The Winners Circle to congratulate the players during the awards presentation following the games.

Gourmet brunches, après polo celebrations and the prerequisite charitable events will take place in The Pavilion, designed to accommodate large parties, corporate clients, as well as family and friends.

Featured Highlights:

Herbie Pennell Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 1-4, 2015

Joe Barry Memorial Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 4-25, 2015

Ylvisaker Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 28 – February 22, 2015

Iglehart Cup – 20 Goal
Feb. 28 – March 8, 2015

USPA C. V. Whitney Cup – 26 Goal
Feb. 15 – March 1, 2015

Piaget USPA Gold Cup® – 26 Goal
March 4-22, 2015

111th Maserati U.S. Open Polo Championship® – 26 Goal
March 25 – April 19, 2015

Directions:

From the Turnpike:
Take the Lake Worth Exit
Head west on FL-802 W/Lake Worth Rd toward Hooks Rd
Continue to follow Lake Worth Rd (3.9 miles)
Turn right onto 120th Ave S
Destination will be ahead on the left (0.4 miles)

From I-95:
Exit Forest Hill Blvd, head West
Make Left turn onto 441/St Rd 7
Make Right turn onto Lake Worth Rd
Make Right turn onto 120th Ave S
Destination on Left

Information:
3667 120th Ave S, Wellington, FL 33414
International Polo Club Palm Beach: 561-204-5687
Mallet Grille: 561-282-5340
Spa & Fitness Center: 561-282-5288
Tennis Pro Shop: 561-795-7228
Polo Operations Office: 561-282-5283
Polo Hotline: 561-282-5290

Website:
www.internationalpoloclub.com

For Tickets:
http://internationalpoloclub.ticketleap.com/

Hotels:
Hampton Inn & Suites – (561) 472-9696 – Approximately 2 miles
Hampton Inn – (561) 472-5980 – Approximately 4 miles
Four Seasons Resort – (561) 582-2800 – Approximately 9 miles
The Breakers – (561) 655-6611 – Approximately 9 miles
Kimpton Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa – (561) 540-6440 – Approximately 9 miles

Management:
John Wash – President of Club Operations
jwash@internationalpoloclub.com
561-282-5353

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Facundo Sola and Pelon Stirling. Photos: Alex Pacheco.

Wellington, FL – March 28, 2015 – Coca-Cola defeated Las Monjitas 9-8 in the final seconds of the opening match of the 111th U.S. Open Polo Championship at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC).

In a match fraught with tension, Coca-Cola fought nonstop for the win. Arellano, a steady hand in the Coca-Cola backfield, slammed in the game-winning goal just seconds before the final horn. It was a highly physical game throughout, with ride-off after ride-off dominated by Astrada and Arellano. All the while, Stirling’s cool, calm and collected hand on the reins kept Coca-Cola’s eyes on the prize.

Both teams leapt into action from the get-go with fast and even play that characterized the entire game. When a penalty three defended shot was called in favor of Coca-Cola, Las Monjitas seized the opportunity. Eduardo Astrada blocked the shot and took it out of the Coca-Cola goalmouth, shooting a pass to Sebastian Merlos. Merlos took the ball downfield and sent a pass to Astrada, who maneuvered the ball through two Coca-Cola defenders to score.

After heavy defensive plays by Coca-Cola and some wide shots by Las Monjitas, Julio Arellano – the high-scorer of the game with seven goals – evened the score 1-1 at the end the first chukker. Pelon Stirling struck like lightning out of the first throw-in of the second chukker, driving a goal in within the first 25 seconds. A penalty conversion by Facundo Sola tied the score again.

Astrada and Sola teamed up for Sola to tap in a goal, giving Las Monjitas a momentary lead. Arellano, a consummate gamesman, shot a pass to Sugar Erskine, who scored, retying the score. In the next play, Sola wove his way through traffic to regain the lead for Las Monjitas at the end of the second chukker.

A penalty conversion by Arellano tied the score 4-4 at the top of to the third chukker. Power plays by both teams had spectators on the edge of their seats as both teams continually fought for control of the ball. A penalty conversion by Arellano gave Coca-Cola the lead for the first time in the game. Astrada and Sola once again demonstrated their passing game, resulting in another goal for Las Monjitas. A wide penalty shot by Stirling kept the score tied going into the second half.

A string of wide shots at the start of the fourth chukker had everyone guessing as to who would be the first to score. Astrada ended up the winner, stealing the ball from Stirling to tap in a goal and make the score 6-5. Wide shots continued to plague Coca-Cola, which was scoreless in the fourth chukker. Arellano broke that streak in the next chukker, accelerating into breakaways and dodging defenders to make two consecutive goals.

With that, Coca-Cola took charge of the game, opening up the pace and making numerous attempts on goal. A turning penalty in favor of Coca-Cola was overturned after a challenge by Las Monjitas. A conversion by Arellano put Coca-Cola back in a one-point lead at the end of the fifth chukker.

Arellano took a Coca-Cola knock-in, bringing the ball back into play and sending it downfield to Stirling, who snatched it out of the air. Stirling sent the ball along to speed demon Gillian Johnston, who took it to the goalmouth. Arellano backed her up and tapped the ball in, shifting Coca-Cola into a two-point lead. Sola responded with a goal on a nearside neckshot.

Las Monjitas won yet another challenge. Sola took off and scored out of the throw-in, tying the score 8-8. Then a center hit penalty call was challenged by both teams (one on the validity of the call and the other on ball placement) but was upheld. Coca-Cola jumped on an opportunity and ran the ball through traffic. Arellano scored the game-winning goal with 29 seconds left in regulation play.

Arellano was excited and grateful about Coca-Cola’s victory. “I’m glad we were able to pull it off because a lot of times you can’t,” he said. “In the last two chukkers, Pelon said, ‘Let’s open it up’ – and it worked.”

Erskine also credited Stirling with ruling the outcome. “Pelon controlled the whole game all by himself from the back. That’s what made the difference,” he said. “We had to play a lot of defense. We knew the game was going to be like that. They played a very controlled game, so we didn’t get to run up and down the field the way we usually do.”

Stirling agreed that stepping up the pace led to Coca-Cola’s victory.

“The way we’ve been playing this season is more open polo,” he said. “During halftime I decided to tell the boys that we were kind of playing their game, and I think that made the difference in the last two chukkers. We managed to run a little bit more and get those last two plays, which gave us an advantage.”

The U.S. Open continues Sunday, March 29 with three games at IPC. Audi opposes FlexJet at 10 a.m., followed by Orchard Hill vs. Valiente at noon. Lechuza Caracas plays Alegria Assist Card in the featured match at 3 p.m. on Engel & Völkers field.

International Polo Club Palm Beach Fast Facts

What: Created by players for players, the International Polo Club Palm Beach was born out of the dream to build a facility to showcase the incredible skills of the ponies and players that dominate the sport.

Members and guests enjoy panoramic views of the action from field side box seats or lawn and terrace seating. Sponsors and fans convene at The Winners Circle to congratulate the players during the awards presentation following the games.

Gourmet brunches, après polo celebrations and the prerequisite charitable events will take place in The Pavilion, designed to accommodate large parties, corporate clients, as well as family and friends.

Featured Highlights:

Herbie Pennell Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 1-4, 2015

Joe Barry Memorial Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 4-25, 2015

Ylvisaker Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 28 – February 22, 2015

Iglehart Cup – 20 Goal
Feb. 28 – March 8, 2015

USPA C. V. Whitney Cup – 26 Goal
Feb. 15 – March 1, 2015

Piaget USPA Gold Cup® – 26 Goal
March 4-22, 2015

111th Maserati U.S. Open Polo Championship® – 26 Goal
March 25 – April 19, 2015

Directions:

From the Turnpike:
Take the Lake Worth Exit
Head west on FL-802 W/Lake Worth Rd toward Hooks Rd
Continue to follow Lake Worth Rd (3.9 miles)
Turn right onto 120th Ave S
Destination will be ahead on the left (0.4 miles)

From I-95:
Exit Forest Hill Blvd, head West
Make Left turn onto 441/St Rd 7
Make Right turn onto Lake Worth Rd
Make Right turn onto 120th Ave S
Destination on Left

Information:
3667 120th Ave S, Wellington, FL 33414
International Polo Club Palm Beach: 561-204-5687
Mallet Grille: 561-282-5340
Spa & Fitness Center: 561-282-5288
Tennis Pro Shop: 561-795-7228
Polo Operations Office: 561-282-5283
Polo Hotline: 561-282-5290

Website:
www.internationalpoloclub.com

For Tickets:
http://internationalpoloclub.ticketleap.com/

Hotels:
Hampton Inn & Suites – (561) 472-9696 – Approximately 2 miles
Hampton Inn – (561) 472-5980 – Approximately 4 miles
Four Seasons Resort – (561) 582-2800 – Approximately 9 miles
The Breakers – (561) 655-6611 – Approximately 9 miles
Kimpton Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa – (561) 540-6440 – Approximately 9 miles

Management:
John Wash – President of Club Operations
jwash@internationalpoloclub.com
561-282-5353

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com