Governor's Cup Final - Familiar Face vs Newcomers

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

Boss Polo Wins Prelude to the Governor's Cup

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

Cotterel Takes Long Route to March 12 Goal Victory

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

Constitution 4 Goal Title to Thermal

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

Antelope Junior Takes Third Title With Constitution 8 Win

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

Antelope Bests Highwood to Win Constitution Cup 12 Goal

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

Fish Creek Constitution Cup 8 Goal - Standings Feb 24

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

Fish Creek Constitution Cup 4 Goal - Standings Feb 24

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

Antelope Easily Wins Beal 12 Goal Championship

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

Antelope Jr. Continues to Dominate With Beal Win

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

Pheasant Hollow Reorganizes and Wins Beal 4 Goal

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

Identity Polo Stays Perfect to Win Officers Cup 4 Goal

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

Antelope Junior Wins Officer's Cup 8 Goal

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

Lakeside Wins Weekend NYTS Tournament

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

Bill Atkinson Memorial

On January 7, 2018, one month before his 91st birthday, Bill Atkinson, retired West Coast 7 goal polo player, passed away after a long struggle with cancer. He leaves behind his wife, Connie and his two step daughters, Jenny Vargas and Roxy Keyfauver, his older brother, Glenn (wife, Nancy), and his three children, Joe (wife Cordi), Jennifer Newell (Steve) and Jesse Biglow (Russ) and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. “Uncle” Bill Atkinson was born in 1927 in Okeechobee, Florida. Though his legal name was Gordon Atkinson, his father called him “Billy Buck” after a famous Seminole Indian. The nick name stuck and his name was later changed to William Gordon Atkinson. Bill’s early education was spent between Okeechobee and Jacksonville, Florida where he developed his skills as a natural athlete, whether it was shooting marbles on an elementary school playground, to being awarded a full scholarship for track  at the University of Florida in Gainesville.During his teenage years, Bill’s father, Joe Atkinson, had a famous trick horse named Ot. Bill’s job was to “pass the hat” during Ot and Joe‘s performances at horse shows.  At Hyde Park in New York, Bill spoke of meeting Franklin Roosevelt as he sat in his open air car watching the performance. After the performance, Eleanor Roosevelt, asked Bill how much money Franklin contributed to the hat, then she doubled the amount.Ot’s fame spread, the decision was made to relocate to the west coast to be closer to Hollywood.  In Los Angeles, Ot proved to be a sensation and landed starring roles in the 1946 movies, “Gallant Bess” and “The Horse With A Human Mind.” Being on the MGM set with Ot and his father, young Bill meet a variety of film stars from Mickey Rooney, Elizabeth Taylor, Jimmy Durante, all wanting photos with Ot.  Ultimately, the family returned to Florida where Bill graduated from Lee High School in Jacksonville with a track scholarship to the University of Florida. In addition to his success as a runner, Bill was equally talented in basketball. As a “Florida Gator”, besides being on the track team, Bill was a high scorer for the Gator’s basketball team and captain in his senior year. He participated in several sports and elected Vice President of his university class, while maintaining an “A” average in his academics.After graduation from college, Bill returned to California. Though he had been accepted into veterinary school in Washington, he shifted his career when he met his first wife, Carol Smith.  At that time, he was playing on a semi pro basketball team in Santa Maria, CA and employed as an athletic coach at the local army base. Bill and Carol finally settled in Atherton, California and Bill began working with his father-in-law, L.C. Smith, in the road paving industry.It was L.C. Smith who introduced Bill to playing polo at the age of 27, a sport. Bill played passionately for 43 years.  Playing mostly on the Concar team, Bill’s goal rating quickly grew even though his career limited his playing time to weekends. However, he played with and against the best players of his time such as Roy Barry, Charles Smith, Billy Linfoot, Tommy Wayman, John Oxley , Michael Butler, Ray Harrington, Bobby Beverage, Billy Mayberry ; the list too numerous to mention all polo’s super players of this era. Polo career highlights include winning the US Open in 1969 and again in 1973. He also won the prestigious Santa Barbara’s Pacific Coast Open numerous times.Through Polo, Bill traveled to many places in the world. He played anywhere there was a polo field and being a scratch golfer, a golf course nearby. From the hunting fields of Mt. Kenya, to Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, England and Jaipur, India, his adventure stories about his polo travels made him a wonderful dinner guest at any table.Bill’s greatest joy in the sport of polo was playing with his brother Glenn and his son, Joe and nephews. Jeff, Larry and Greg. These Atkinson men and boys made Menlo Circus Club, Santa Barbara Polo Club and Eldorado Polo Club great polo destinations. Following his divorce from Carol, Bill decided to play polo full time. Taking himself and his horses to Santa Barbara Polo Club, he did much to improve the stabling conditions by building the many tack rooms upon the hill.People who love polo, especially those living on the West Coast, have more than one “Uncle” Bill Atkinson story to tell. He did much to give opportunities to many individuals wanting to be a part of the wonderful world of polo. His long list of those he helped along the way with his infectious smile and words of encouragement; giving players horses when they needed them, tips on their game, sharing his home, made him a super hero. He looks like Captain America, observed Eileen Duffy after looking at the photo walls at the Santa Barbara Polo Club, In 1996, he met Connie Keyfauver through an introduction by her daughters, Jenny and Roxy. They were married in 2002. “These will be the best years of your life” he told her as she was adjusting to her empty nest situation. Bill was right. Over the past 20 years together their adventures included much traveling throughout the world, being with family and watching them grow, raising and training young horses for polo and providing a program for junior polo players living in Coachella Valley at Empire Polo Club. What a man! What a life! What a loss!A celebration of Life for Bill Atkinson is planned for January 26, to be held at Empire Polo Club’s Lake Medjool beside Field one between 2:30 to 5:00. A special thank you to Al Haagen for providing for this service.Please bring your stories to share with everyone. Bill would love that.

Bush League Hangs On to Win Jason Memorial

On another absolutely perfect day in 'sunny Southern California', the 2018 Mac & Madelyn Jason Memorial was contested between Chris Maloney's Twin Palms aggregation (Maloney 1, Graham Bray 3, Mason Wroe 4, Mia Bray -1) and Virgil Kyle and Ryan Robertson's Bush League group (Kyle, Robertson, Ulysses Escapite 4, Shane Rice 4).A close game was expected by most and it most certainly was at the end. What was not expected perhaps, were the rather large 'swings' that favored both teams.With a handicap award of one at the outset to favor Twin Palms the anticipated closeness was certainly played out in the first as both foursomes counted a goal and the first ended with the Maloney Group ahead by one at 2 - 1.Bush League opened it up in the second and the first so-called 'swing' occurred as the orange & black scored three times - to none for Twin Palms - to take a lead of two to the third chukker at 4 - 2.The scoring advantage continued to favor the rural group with a pair of goals to one for Twin Palms and it was 6 - 3 Bush League at halftime.Maloney and Co. created their first 'swing' of the game in the fourth period as they counted two goals to none for Bush League and the country lead was now just one at 6 - 5 going to the fifth.The momentum changed again in that fifth as Bush League scored four goals and the Maloney crew were only able to grab one. The result was a four goal advantage for the orange men with one chukker left in regulation at 10 - 6.Twin Palms needed goals in the sixth and they got three of them (one a penalty number 1) as the pendulum swung once again and counting down to the thirty second warning horn they were within one and just several yards away with an opportunity to force an extra stanza. It wasn't to be however as the horn ended play and Bush League had barely hung on to win the Jason Memorial by a final tally of 10 - 9.For the winners, Escapite and Rice (one foul) scored four times each and Robertson had a pair.Twin Palms scoring saw Wroe count five (one foul) and Malony grabbed a pair (one foul). The penalty one and the handicap award completed their total.With an aggressive effort and two very timely goals in the fifth, Robertson was accorded the honor of Most Valuable Player and Kenny, owned and played by Rice in the second chukker, was selected as the Best Playing Pony.Tony Gregg

Thermal Runs Away to Win 30th Annual World Gym Title

 Reg Whyte and David Carlson's Thermal polo team (Whyte, Carlson, Ernesto Ezcurra 2, Felipe Sordelli 2) 'ran the table' and went through the 2018 World Gym 4 goal tournament - the 30th annual - without a loss.While Thermal came to the final undefeated, their opposition, Shannon Smull-Mendez and Lamar Rutherford's Manolo Polo (Smull-Mendez -1, Rutherford -1, Luis Saracco 3 - sub for Santiago Mendez 2, Rodrigo Salinas 3) arrived via a shootout victory.The final was a rematch of the previous Sunday's meeting of the two foursomes which saw Thermal win with little trouble by a score of 6 - 1.5. This weeks offering would not be the same - at least not in the first half.With Saracco substituting for the injured Santiago Mendez, Manolo Polo started quickly as Salinas scored off the initial throw-in. Thermal jumped back immediately as Ezcurra converted a penalty number 3 award. Salinas regained the lead with his second (a penalty 2 from the spot) but Sordelli scored for Thermal to tie the count going to the second (2 - 2)The second chukker was open and provided a lot of good team polo as both were able to run with the ball. Surprisingly, only two goals were scored - Salinas for Manolo to briefly lead and Ezcurra for Thermal to get even. The half ended with the count at three each.The third period was nothing like the first two as Ezcurra scored twice (one a penalty 3) and Whyte - with a great read - struck once for Thermal with absolutely no reply from Manolo Polo and it was 6 - 3 to favor the Whyte and Carlson pairing.With the Manolo offense all but gone, Thermal was able to keep it going in the fourth with a continuing complete team effort as Carlson - under full sail - grabbed his first and Whyte scored his second. Saracco replied for Manolo but that would be it and Thermal - the 2017 World Gym winners - had successfully defended their title by a final tally of 8 - 4.On hand to present the distinctive World Gym trophy - as they were 30 years ago - were Mike and Claudia Uretz.Because of his aggressive play on the front end - whether he had the ball or was making openings for others - Carlson was selected as the Most Valuable player to his team.Ezcurra's oft played U2 was awarded the Best Playing Pony blanket.Tony Gregg

Antelope Jr & Thermal Win on Ketel One Opening Day

On an absolutely perfect opening day afternoon - presented by Ketel One - in front of a huge crowd, Grant Palmer's Antelope Junior (Grant Palmer, Patrick Uretz 4, Jimmy Wright 3, Carolyn Anier 1) and Reg Whyte and David Carlson's Thermal (Reg Whyte, Daved Carlson, Ernesto Ezcurra 2, Felipe Sordelli 2) polo teams were victorious in their 8 and 4 goal games repectively.Palmer's win (14 - 10) came at the expense of Gordon Ross and his Remax group (Gordon Ross, Dayelle Fargey 2, Jared Sheldon 4, Felipe Sordelli 2).The young pronghorns started very quickly and grabbed a first period lead at 4 - 1.The youngsters continued the pressure in the second and then led by four at 6 - 2.Remax found some common ground in the third and played Palmer and Company even at three each to keep the deficit at four (9 - 5).The Ross team jumped out after halftime and outscored the calves in the fourth and narrowed the gap to just three at 10 -7.The fifth chukker saw Remax continue to push with success to narrow the gap to a pair at 11 - 9 and were 'back in it'.The 'comeback' however was curtailed as Antelope Jr grabbed three counters in the final to just one for Remax to present a final score of 14 - 10 and in doing so were awarded - with the exception of the very young Palmer - bottles of Ketel One.Uretz led all scorers with 10 goals (three open goal conversions) with Anier and Wright counting twice. Palmer scored the final goal of the game with a penalty two strike.For Remax, Sheldon scored five times (three open goal), Sordelli had three (two open goal) and Ross counted one from the field.With more bottles of Ketel One available, Thermal and Manolo Polo (Lamar Rutherford, Shannon Mendez, Santiago Mendez, Rodrigo Salinas 3) stepped to the line.With a handicap award of one half, Salinas took the initial throw-in - by Ketel One's Regional Sales Director Jose Villar - and scored to extend the gap at the outset but Thermal came back quickly and scored twice to lead 2 - 1.5 after the first.Thermal counted three more times in the second and the halftime score was in their favor at 5 - 1.5.The second half was quiet with the only goal - in the third - going to Thermal and the result was a 6 - 1.5 final count to favor the Whyte and Carlson partnership.Sordelli and Ezcurra counted three each in Thermal's win.Scott Niwa, Ketel One's Area Manager, was on hand to present bottles of Ketel one to the victors.Tony Gregg

Cantina New Year's Eve

Cantina Season Opening Party Fri Dec 15

The Cantina Restaurant at Eldorado Polo Club is now open and we are celebrating with a season opening party on Friday December 15 at 6pm! There will be sample appetizers that highlight the brand new menu along with Craft on Draft drink specials and 50% off entrees. A special appearance from Santa Claus for the kids at 6:30pm leading into DJ music and dancing late into the night. Come by and meet new General Manager Martin Aldana along with Johnny Catti and his staff of friendly faces behind the fully stocked bar. The Cantina will be open to the public Tuesdays - Sundays for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner throughout the polo season.