Lagos Polo : May 2011

Friday 6 May 2011

FIT-FLOP FOREPLAY - The tension is building on the side of the field at SIAM POLO PARK as teams from Moscow and Ham Polo have arrived to check out the horses and the competition. It is evident that we have some real talent to bear at this year's INTERNATIONAL CLUB SERIES. The Russians are playing as a team for the first time in Thailand with Egor, Pavel and Evgeniy from the Moscow polo club. They have arrived with their chief gaucho Hernan Traverso who has been in Moscow for 6 years now. Hernan was immediately recruited into La Asociacion de Los Gauchos Timidos and he was blushing with pride at the honor bestowed upon him. On the other side of the field, we saw Khun Ploy training hard with two of her teammates. Aviation enthusiast Affi Ashraf has been playing for 4-5 years at Ham, and in his beaming red helmet, it is certain that he will be a force to contend with on the field. Also gracing the Ham team is veteran polo legend Ba Pataudi who will be celebrating his 59th birthday in July. Ba plays in India and in Pakistan, and this is not an easy thing to do. Ba was telling us that there are 3 all important things in India -- Religion, Cricket, and Bollywood. Ba's brother, General Isfaniyar Pataudi, is the Head of the Pakistan Polo Association. Ba has been playing at Ham Polo Club for 25 years, and he is an Honorary Member of the Genghis Khan Polo Club in Karokorum, Mongolia. Ba's father was the High Commissioner to Malaysia for 5 years and also served as Captain to the Selangar Polo Club team which at that time was located exactly where the Petronas Twin Towers are standing today. His father was playing of 5 goals at age 55 years of age. Ba is looking forward to attend the Finals of the polo this 25 June at Royal Selangar.
THURSDAY - An exciting first match with Ham clinging onto a 1/2 goal lead in the final chukka until young Ba streaked down the field and claimed victory for Ham. The Russians played extremely well as a team. Hernan blinded all competition with the bright pink bandages on his polo boots. Egor was explosive in the front and Pavel was in charge of equestrian acrobatics as he managed to stay aboard amidst a most outreaching display. Bangkok VR team had a challenging game with Singapore as the Paisano Andrada played a very solid game with passes up to his fast-improving team with Stijn, Gerry and Jon firing relentlessly on goal. Khun Tal was too strong for Singapore to contain and had 3 amazing goals fed by Khun Lu to secure a VR victory. MORE NEWS TO COME.

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Empire Polo Club’s Youth Polo Program Puts On Demonstration

By PoloZone.

was the party of the year, at least for Sofia Bonillo and all her guests. She turned six years old and wanted to have a polo party to introduce her friends and their parents to polo. Sofia is a youth player at the newly established Empire Polo Club’s Youth Program under the direction of Connie Atkinson and Roxy Keyfauver. All the stops were pulled out to make this a special day for Sofia. Empire’s children players put on demonstration game consisting of two teams of four players, even though the game was held in the arena.

Empire’s Red team:

Sofia Bonilla
Rhyo Keyfauver
Eleanore Smith
Luke Doty

Empire’s Yellow Team:

Ella Bonillo
Cameron Smith
Kiara Jackson
Mile Doty

Every one of these children with the exception of a couple have only been riding for a few months. It was a hot and furious game as the players trotted, while others picked up speed and cantered down the arena, fighting for the ball and scoring. All these children have come a long way in their riding and playing skills in such a short time and showed it much to the delight of those in attendance.

After the game, the players lead their horses back into the arena to give those who wanted to try polo an opportunity to ride a polo horse and get instructions on how to hit the ball from the children themselves. The players placed their helmets on the individual guests and lead them around explaining the preliminaries of hitting the ball and riding a polo horse. The guests enjoyed themselves immensely, and for many, it was the first time ever being on a horse. The children instructors were also fantastic, taking great pride in their student’s achievements. What a great party day.! One that will be remembered by all for a long time to come. Thank you Empire Polo Club.

For further information about the Empire’s youth program please call Future Polo Players of Coachella Valley, Connie Atkinson, 760-899-5102.

Col Paul Belcher retires as Chairman of Guards Polo Club after 10 seasons

The focus of the last weekend of the 2011 season was not only some great polo on several grounds at the Club, but the various farewells for our retiring Chairman, Col Paul Belcher. He has been Chairman of the Club for 10 years and his successor, Jock Green Armytage, paid tribute to him and his wife Sanda at the Chairman's Tournament Dinner. The Chairman has been at the helm during many significant events at the Club, not least the 50th anniversary celebrations, the 50th anniversary of The Queen's Cup and the opening of the new Clubhouse in 2009. After Sunday's games, Board Member Susan Bailey and the Non Playing Membership at the Club made a presentation to the Chairman in recognition of his many years as their representative on the Board. However, the Chairman and his wife have been presented with Life Membership of Guards Polo Club and so we look forward to welcoming them back to the Club next season. Caption: Colonel Paul Belcher and his wife Sanda stand alongside The Queen's Ground at Smith's Lawn on his final day as Chairman of Guards Polo Club (Centaur Photographic) 2011 season was not only some great polo on several grounds at the Club, but the various farewells for our retiring Chairman, Col Paul Belcher. He has been Chairman of the Club for 10 years and his successor, Jock Green Armytage, paid tribute to him and his wife Sanda at the Chairman's Tournament Dinner. The Chairman has been at the helm during many significant events at the Club, not least the 50th anniversary celebrations, the 50th anniversary of The Queen's Cup and the opening of the new Clubhouse in 2009.

FRANCE - POLO DE DEAUVILLE AND BLACK STORM won and remained unbeaten on the fifth day of the French

On a day lucida, which had the impeccable animators Argentine players, took place on Thursday 8 / 9 the fifth day of qualifying, which had two duels unbeaten vibrant, under the great French Open which takes place in the city of Chantilly . For Zone 1, the formation of Black Storm, with the Argentines Juan Martin Zavaleta-h-, Clemente Zavaleta-h-and John Jauretche, Cheval Des Andes beat with his fellow Christian and Juan Bernal Ambroggio 8 to 7 ½, in a close game where the winner from the start took the lead on the scoreboard after discounting the benefit of ½ goal that gave great defensive power and kept it until the end, despite the onslaught of the loser. For Zone 2 Polo de Deauville, with Dario Musso, Thomas and Mark Mocoroa Reinoso, who received ½ goal lead, beat murus Sanctus, Facundo Sola, and Alfredo Matias Fabian Benoit Capella 9 ½ to 8 predisposed the winner came out better in the game, I hit the willows (particularly in the early chukkers) and finished at the end to define a good performance by Dario Musso. The tournament will continue on Friday 9 / 9 with the games they will face, for Zone 1, Marquard Media (1 win, 1 lost), with the Argentines Marcos Di Paola and Martin Aguerre-h-vs. In The Wings (1 g, 1 p), with Francisco and English Bensadon Luke Tomlinson, and Zone 2, Paprec (2p) with Pablo Alejandro Muzzio and Sirvent, vs. Tom Taylor (1 g, 1 p), with Eduardo Anca, Nicolas Ruiz and Juan Manuel Gonzalez Guiñazú. In this contest involving ten teams of 14 and 16 goals for recovery. The ten teams are grouped into two zones of five and will play 12 qualifying sessions, followed by the semifinal and final. Many of these players have worn this season in this Europe, which enters its final stretch of this successful and traditional event.

Ellerstina and Estancia Grande record wins in Sunday’s Argentine Open action

By Alex Webbe. ( Palm Beach).

Ellerstina scored an opening win over Alegria Sunday afternoon in the opening round of play in the 118^thArgentine Open played on the fields at Palermo in
Buenos Aires. The 20-17 victory held little in common with arch-rival La Dolfina’s 23-10 walk over Chapa Uno yesterday, but a win is a win, and Ellerstina certainly showed its ability to score goals in the match.

Ellerstina took an early 2-1 lead after the first chukker with goals from Facundo Pieres and Nico Pieres. Francisco Bensadon kept Alegria from being shut out with a single goal.

Ellerstina and Alegria scored two goals apiece in the second period. Bensadon added two more for Alegria while Facundo Pieres accounted for both of Ellerstina’s goals. Although seemingly in control, Ellerstina held on to a narrow one goal 4-3 lead after two.

Ellerstina notched three goals in the third, two more from Facundo and one from Gonzalito Pieres. Ellerstina opened up a two goal spread, 7-5, holding Alegria to just two goals from Francisco de Narvaez.

Alegria pumped up its efforts in the fourth, outscoring Ellerstina 3-2 and trailing by
a single goal, 9-8, at the end of the first half of play. Alegria got one from Bensadon and a pair from de Narvaez. Ellerstina got single goals from Nachi Heguy and Nico Pieres.

Two goals from Ellerstina’s Gonzalito Pieres in the fifth were offset by a single goal
from de Narvaez. After five chukkers of play, Ellerstina led by a just two goals, 11-9.

Ellerstina exploded for three goals in the sixth, getting two from Facundo Piers and one from Nico Pieres. Alegria struggled to stay close, tallying goals from Freddie Mannix, Mariano Aguerre and de Narvaez and trailing by two goals, 14-12.

The teams combined for six more goals in the seventh. Ellerstina picked up single goals from Facundo, Nico and Gonzalito Pieres. Alegria countered with goals
from Mannix, Aguerre and de Narvaez, again. Alegria still trailed by two goals, 17-15, with seven minutes left to play.

Ellerstina outscored Alegria 3-2 in the final period of play with Facundo Pieres scoring all three. Mannix responded with a pair of goals, but the 2010 Argentine Open defending champion held on for the 20-17 win.

Facundo Pieres led all scoring with 11 goals. Nico Pieres and Gonzalito Pieres scored four goals apiece with Nachi Heguy adding a goal for the win.

De Narvaez set the pace for Alegria with seven goals. Mannix and Bensadon scored four goals each while Aguerre added two goals.

ESTANCIA GRANDE 18, CHAPA II 13

Estancia Grande closed out the day’s Argentine Open play with an 18-13 win over Indios Chapaleufu II.

Estancia Grande charged out to an early4-1 lead with Agustin Merlos and Lolo Castagnola scoring two goals apiece. Eduardo Heguy converted a penalty goal for Chapa II.

Agustin Merlos scored two more goals for Estancia Grande in the second but Chapa II
responded with three goals, cutting the Estancia Grande lead to two goals, 6-4.

A penalty goal from Agustin Merlos and a goal from the field from Lucas Monteverde were answered by two penalty conversions from Heguy. At the end of three chukkers Estancia Grande maintained a two goal lead, 8-6.

Agustin Merlos scored on a penalty shot and Castagnola added a goal from the
field. Heguy scored his team’s only goal of the chukker as Estancia Grande rode off the field at the end of the first half with a 10-7 lead.

Defenses tightened in the fifth, with Chapa II shutting down the Estancia Grande offense for the first time all day. The Chapa II attack didn’t do much better, managing a single goal from Alejandro Novillo Astrada and a penalty goal from Alberto Heguy. Chapa II still trailed, but it was just a single goal behind, 10-9.

Monteverde scored a pair of goals in the sixth and Sebastian Merlos added a goal. Astrada scored from the field for Chapa II and Eduardo Heguy converted a penalty shot for a goal. Estancia Grande led 13-11. Sebastian Merlos received his fourth yellow card in the game, however, and would not be allowed to play in Estancia
Grande’s next outing.

Agustin Merlos added two more goals to the Estancia Grande total with Julio Arellano scouring the only goal of the seventh chukker for Chapa II. Estancia Grande took a three goal, 15-12 lead into the final period.

Alberto Heguy managed a single goal in the eighth, but two goals from Castagnola and a goal from Monteverde shut the door on Chapa II as Estancia Grande celebrated the 18-13 win.

Play will continue in the opening rounds of play in the Argentine Open on Saturday,
November 26 with La Aguada (1-0) meeting Chapa Uno (0-1) at 2pm followed by a
faceoff between La Dolfina (1-0) and Pilara Piaget (0-1) at 4pm. On Sunday, November 27, Estancia Grande (1-0) will meet Alegria (0-1) at 2pm followed by a showdown between La Dolfina (1-0) and Chapa II (0-1).

SANTA BARBARA, CA - SANTA BARBARA POLO CLUB - Lucchese Takes Second Straight Open Title

The Cinderella Piaget polo team that fought its way into the finals of the 2011 Bombardier Pacific Coast Open at the Santa Barbara Polo Club this afternoon had little to apologize for in its 11-9 loss.Astrada scored on another 60-yard penalty shot in the second as Piaget went up 4-1, but that would be the extent of their offense for the rest of the period. Two goals from 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso (one from the field and one on a penalty shot) were followed by a pair of goals from Blake, and Lucchese left the field on top of a 5-4 score. “The second chukker killed them,” said polo veteran Steve Crowder. “After jumping out to a three goal lead, and have them come back with four straight goals, it was just awful,” he added.

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Friday 6 May 2011

ALL ASIA CUP 2011

FIT-FLOP FOREPLAY