CARBONDALE, Colo., September 9, 2019---It may have taken two chukkers, but the World Polo League Triple Crown of Polo season-finale lived up to expectations Sunday at McClure River Ranch.
Audi (Marc Ganzi, Mariano Gracida, Nic Roldan, Juancito Bollini) led Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Salvador Ulloa, Nacho Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini) from start-to-finish but Flexjet made them work for it in the final chukker.
On a perfect day for polo, Audi held on for a thrilling 12-11 victory to win the coveted trophy and its second consecutive tournament of the summer polo season. Audi also won the Labor Day Challenge with Lauren Sherry, Salvador Ulloa, Roldan and Ganzi.
Roldan, the highest rated American player at eight goals, had one of his best games of his career with his big scoring hits and relentless defense and was the unanimous choice for Most Valuable Player.
The Aspen Valley Polo Club Best Playing Pony went to Tampa Glitter played by Mariano Gracida.
The American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony was Pitkin, played by Alejandro Novillo Astrada.
CARBONDALE, Colo., September 7, 2019---The stage is set for what is expected to be the most competitive season finale in Aspen Valley Polo Club history.
In front of a ChukkerTV worldwide audience, Audi (Marc Ganzi, Mariano Gracida, Nic Roldan, Juancito Bollini) will face Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Salvador Ulloa, Nacho Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini) in the championship final of the World Polo League Triple Crown of Polo at 11 a.m. MST (1 p.m. EST) at McClure River Ranch.
"I can't wait," said World Polo League Commissioner Dale Smicklas. "This isn't the first time Marc and Melissa Ganzi have been on the field in the finals of a tournament. It will be husband against wife but I know for a fact they will both be doing everything they can to win. They both have really nice teams. This should be a really, really, really good game."
Following the final, the Just For The Fun Of It round robin will be held at 12:30 p.m. in the final 2019 summer action of the most successful and historic seasons Aspen Valley Polo Club has had.
Audi advanced on Saturday with an impressive 12-7 victory over Los Amigos Blue (Alejandra Foster, Alfredo Bigatti, Stewart Armstrong, Sebastian Merlos).
CARBONDALE, Colo., September 5, 2019---Aspen Valley Polo Club saved one of its best tournaments for the last weekend of the summer polo season.
The World Polo League's Triple Crown of Polo will feature five teams battling it out for the prestigious trophy. It is the second season the club is hosting the tournament.
The three-day 20-goal tournament begins Friday at 11 a.m. MST at Sopris Mountain Ranch with a three-team round robin semifinal.
Seventeen-goal Mountain Chevrolet (Michael Payne, Kris Kampsen, Lucas Lalor, Pablo Spinacci) plays 20-goal Los Amigos Red (Paul Foster, Carlitos Gracida, Tincho Merlos, Nacho Novillo Astrada). The winner sits and 20-goal Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Salvador Ulloa, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini) will play the final six chukkers.
The second semifinal is Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with 19-goal Los Amigos Blue (Alejandra Foster, Alfredo Bigatti, Sebastian Merlos, Stewart Armstrong) playing 18-goal Audi (TBA, Juancito Bolini, Mariano Gracida, Nic Roldan) at McClure River Ranch.
CARBONDALE, Colo., September 3, 2019---On another historic day at Aspen Valley Polo Club, McClure River Ranch Pink stunned McClure River Ranch Cream to capture the inaugural Battle of the Sexes Monday at Aspen Valley Polo Club.
In a fun atmosphere, on and off the field, McClure River Ranch Pink (Melissa Ganzi, Alejandra Foster, Juan Bollini, Lauren Sherry) stole the show and defeated favorite McClure River Ranch Cream (Paul Foster, Brian Boyd, Marc Ganzi, Stewart Armstrong), 8-6.
McClure River Ranch Pink rallied after trailing 4-3 at the half with a 3-0 third chukker and ended up outscoring McClure River Ranch Cream, 5-2, in the second half.
Melissa Ganzi and Lauren Sherry shared scoring honors for McClure River Ranch Pink each with three goals. Alejandra Foster added two goals.
Stewart Armstrong scored a team-high three goals for McClure River Ranch Cream. Marc Ganzi had two goals and Paul Foster added one.
CARBONDALE, Colo., September 2, 2019---Audi won its first tournament of the summer polo season Sunday in front of a packed house at McClure River Ranch.
Audi (Lauren Sherry, Salvador Ulloa, Nic Roldan, Marc Ganzi) took control early and led from start-to-finish to defeat La Karina (Carlitos Gracida, Brian Boyd, Lucas Lalor, Sebastian Merlos), 10-6, to capture the inaugural Labor Day Challenge.
Argentine 7-goaler Salvadore Ulloa, known throughout the season as "Mr. Hustle," was named Game and Season Most Valuable Player. Maestra was selected Best Playing Pony.
Audi jumped out to a 2-0 lead and pulled away for a 4-1 lead after two chukkers. Playing well defensively, Audi never let La Karina into the game which had problems finding consistency in its offense. Audi led 6-3 at the half and outscored La Karina, 4-3, in the second half.
Roldan led Audi with a game-high four goals. Ulloa and Ganzi each had three goals. Gracida led La Karina with three goals. Merlos had two goals and Boyd added one goal.
CARBONDALE, Colo., August 31, 2019---La Karina will be looking for its third tournament win of the season and Audi its first in the inaugural Labor Day Challenge Sunday at 10 a.m. at McClure River Ranch.
La Karina and Audi won hardfought semifinals Friday at Sopris Mountain Ranch and McClure River Ranch.
In the opening semifinal round Friday at Sopris Mountain Ranch, La Karina (Santos Merlos, Carlitos Gracida, Lucas Lalor, Sebastian Merlos) dominated its opening game against McClure River Ranch (Pablo Spinacci, Jared Zenni, Juancito Bollini, Stewart Armstrong) for a 7-2 victory.
Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Alejandra Foster, Hilario Ulloa, Alejandro Novillo Astrada) defeated McClure River Ranch, 3-0.
In the final three chukkers, La Karina defeated Flexjet 6-4, to advance into the championship.
CARBONDALE, Colo., August 29, 2019---Aspen Valley Polo Club has added another week to its summer polo schedule with the inaugural Labor Day Challenge and Battle of the Sexes Plus One.
Six teams will compete in the Labor Day Challenge which gets under way on Friday with two semifinals.
In the opening semifinal at 10:30 a.m. at Sopris Mountain Ranch, McClure River Ranch and La Karina will play first. The winner sits and Flexjet plays the last six chukkers.
In the second semifinal at 2:30 p.m. at McClure River Ranch Field Two. Audi and Los Amigos will play first. The winner sits and Mountain Chevrolet plays the last six chukkers.
The winners advance into Sunday's championship final of the Labor Day Challenge Cup at 11 a.m. followed by the two subsidiary finals, the Just For The Love Of It Cup at 12:30 p.m. and Just For The Thrill Of It Cup at 2 p.m.
CARBONDALE, Colo., August 26, 2019---Los Amigos Red won its third tournament of the summer polo season and is now the winningest team with two grass tournaments remaining.
Los Amigos Red (Paul Foster, Juancito Bollini, Juan Bollini, Nacho Novillo Astrada) led from start-to-finish to defeat La Karina (Carlitos Gracida, Gussie Busch, Brian Boyd, Sebastian Merlos), 8-4, to capture the Carbondale Classic Sunday in front of a good crowd at McClure River Ranch.
For the second week in a row, Juancito Bollini, 23, was named Most Valuable Player. He was also MVP for Los Amigos Blue, winners of the Rocky Mountain Handicap title.
Matsu, a 6-year-old bay mare played by Nacho Novillo Astrada in the fifth chukker and owned by Wellington, Fla.-based Santa Rita Polo Farm, was Best Playing Pony.
Juancito Bollini scored a game-high four goals. Astrada had three goals and Foster added one goal. For La Karina, Gracida and Merlos each had two goals.
CARBONDALE, Colo., August 24, 2019---La Karina and Los Amigos Red won their semifinal games to advance into Sunday's championship final of the Carbondale Classic at McClure River Ranch.
In Friday's opener at Sopris Mountain Ranch, La Karina (Santos Merlos, Gussie Busch, Sebastian Merlos, Carlitos Gracida) jumped on Mountain Chevrolet (Lauren Sherry, Michael Payne, Kris Kampsen, Alfredo Bigatti) early and went on to win, 9-3.
In the second semifinal at McClure River Ranch, Los Amigos Red (Juancito Bollini, Pablo Spinacci, Nacho Novillo Astrada, Paul Foster) won a nailbiter when Nacho Novillo Astrada scored in the final seconds for a 13-12 victory over McClure River Ranch (Alejandra Foster, Lucas Lalor, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Stewart Armstrong).
The winners will play Sunday at 11 a.m. MST at McClure River Ranch followed by the Just For The Thrill Of It Cup at 12:30 p.m.
On Saturday at 10 a.m. MST at McClure River Ranch, Audi and Flexjet will resume the 20-goal Just For The Love Of It Cup. The teams tied 8-8 in their opener on Thursday with Grant Ganzi scoring in the final minute to tie the game. Melissa Ganzi led Flexjet with a game-high four goals. Marc Ganzi led Audi with a team-high three goals. The score will carry over into Saturday's final.
CARBONDALE, Colo., August 21, 2019---Aspen Valley Polo Club, the nation's most active polo club, will host seven games over four days this week at Sopris Mountain Ranch and McClure River Ranch.
The fun four days of polo begins Thursday with the 20-goal Just For The Love Of It Cup at McClure River Ranch at 2:30 p.m.
Audi (Marc Ganzi, Pablo Spinacci, Nic Roldan, Jared Zenni) plays Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Tincho Merlos, Grant Ganzi, Hilario Ulloa). The final is Saturday at 11 a.m. at McClure River Ranch.
On Friday, the semifinals of the Carbondale Classic will be held at Sopris Mountain Ranch at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
In the opening semifinal, Mountain Chevrolet (Michael Payne, Lauren Sherry, Kris Kampsen, Alfredo Bigatti) plays La Karina (Brian Boyd, Gussie Busch, Carlitos Gracida, Sebastian Merlos).
In the second semifinal, Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Juancito Bollini, Nacho Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini) plays McClure River Ranch (Alejandra Foster, Lucas Lalor, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Stewart Armstrong).
CARBONDALE, Colo., August 21, 2019---For the second year in a row, the Chukkers, Champagne & Caviar fundraiser at Aspen Valley Polo Club topped the previous year's total for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation.
The club's summer marquis event, hosted by owners Marc and Melissa Ganzi and Aspen Valley Hospital, raised $600,000, more than last year's total of $537,200 and 2017 total of $366,000.
The day-long event at McClure River Ranch, held during the August 11 USPA Silver Cup, Mount Sopris Cup and Just For The Love Of It Cup, was a winning combination of a club record 18 chukkers of polo, sponsors, donors and silent online auction raising much-needed funding for four main hospital projects.
The soldout crowd of 400, including 350 in the fieldside VIP tent enjoyed a lavish menu prepared with white-glove service and impeccable attention to detail by Caribou Catering.
The highlight of the day was the live polo player auction. Guest auctioneer John Sarpa of the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation Board served as emcee and auctioneer.
CARBONDALE, Colo., August 19, 2019---Los Amigos Blue won its second tournament of the summer polo season Sunday at McClure River Ranch.
Los Amigos Blue (Alejandra Foster, Alfredo Bigatti, Pablo Spinacci, Juancito Bollini) defeated Los Amigos Red (Juan Bollini, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Tincho Merlos, Paul Foster), 26-24.
The teams tied 12-12 on Saturday with the score continuing over to Sunday's final. Los Amigos Blue defeated Los Amigos Red, 14-12, in the final six chukkers.
Los Amigos Blue (Alejandra Foster, Alejandro Poma, Salvador Ulloa, Juan Bollini) also won the Emma Challenge earlier this season.
Juancito Bollini, 23, U.S. Polo Assn. Brand Ambassador, was selected Most Valuable Player. Bollini scored a game-high six goals and played well above his 4-goal handicap.
Pickens, a 7-year-old mare played by Astrada and owned by Wellington, Fla.-based Santa Rita Polo Farm, was Best Playing Pony.
CARBONDALE, Colo., August 19, 2019---On a perfect day for polo, Mountain Chevrolet won its first 20-goal tournament in one of the most exciting finals in Aspen Valley Polo Club history.
Mountain Chevrolet (Michael Payne, Grant Ganzi, Hilario Ulloa, Salvador Ulloa) knocked off Audi (Marc Ganzi, Lucas Lalor, Nic Roldan, Jared Zenni), 10-9, to win the Rocky Mountain Open in front of a good local crowd Sunday at McClure River Ranch.
In the final minute, Hilario Ulloa weaved his way through a crowd of defenders and avoided a solid hook to score the winning goal with 32 seconds left.
The 31-year-old Argentine 10-goaler was named Most Valuable Player after scoring a game-high nine goals, including four penalty conversions.
"Hilario is so unbelievable," Payne said. "The way he and Salvador control the ball and play so well together is amazing. It's unbelievable the great plays those two come up with."
Girl Power, played by Grant Ganzi in the first and sixth chukkers and owned by Wellington-based Santa Rita Polo Farm, was Best Playing Pony.
CARBONDALE, Colo., August 17, 2019---Audi and Mountain Chevrolet won their semifinal games Friday at windy Sopris Mountain Ranch to advance into Sunday's Rocky Mountain Open championship final.
Mountain Chevrolet (Michael Payne, Grant Ganzi, Salvador Ulloa, Hilario Ulloa) held off McClure River Ranch (Gussie Busch, Pablo Spinacci, Nacho Novillo Astrada, Stewart Armstrong), 10-9, in the opening semifinal.
Audi (Marc Ganzi, Jared Zenni, Lucas Lalor, Nic Roldan) edged defending champion La Karina (Brian Boyd, Carlitos Gracida, Sebastian Merlos, Kris Kampsen), 8-7.
Audi and Mountain Chevrolet will play Sunday at McClure River Ranch Field 1 at 10 a.m. La Karina and McClure River Ranch will meet in the subsidiary final Just For The Love Of It at 12:30 p.m.
The Rocky Mountain Handicap begins Saturday at 11 a.m. at McClure River Ranch with one game. Los Amigos Red (Paul Foster, Juan Bollini, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Tincho Merlos) plays Los Amigos Blue (Alejandra Foster, Pablo Spinacci, Juancito Bollini, Alfredo Bigatti). The score will carry over into Sunday's final at 11:15 a.m. at McClure River Ranch Field 1.
CARBONDALE, Colo., August 15, 2019---Two tournaments highlight this weekend's schedule as summer polo winds down at Aspen Valley Polo Club.
The Rocky Mountain Open and Rocky Mountain Handicap tournaments will be held at Sopris Mountain Ranch and McClure River Ranch.
The 12th and 13th tournaments of the summer polo season, begin Friday and Saturday. The Rocky Mountain Open starts Friday with two semifinal games at Sopris Mountain Ranch. The Rocky Mountain Handicap begins Saturday at McClure River Ranch with one game.
CARBONDALE, Colo., August 12, 2019---La Karina won its second tournament of the summer polo season Sunday at McClure River Ranch.
The reigning USPA North American Cup champion won the Mount Sopris Cup with a thrilling 11-10 overtime victory over Audi.
Sebastian Merlos scored a game-high five goals including the game-winner with seven minutes left in sudden death. Merlos won the throw-in and then seconds later picked up a loose ball and scored.
Merlos was named Most Valuable Player. Rebecca, played by 12-year-old Fran Spinacci and owned by Melissa Ganzi and Wellington-based Santa Rita Polo Farm, was Best Playing Pony.
After leading 6-4 at the half, La Karina (Brian Boyd, Lauren Sherry, Carlitos Gracida, Sebastian Merlos) pulled away for an 8-5 lead after the fourth chukker. Audi (Marc Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Nacho Figueras, Fran Spinacci) started to chip away at La Karina's lead. Fran Spinacci scored back-to-back goals to tie the game, 8-8, late in the fifth chukker.
CARBONDALE, Colo., August 12, 2019---Tournament favorite Tonkawa won the prestigious 119th USPA Silver Cup in front of a sellout crowd Sunday at windswept McClure River Ranch.
Tonkawa (Jeff Hildebrand, A, Juan Martin Obregon, 5, Sapo Caset, 10, Mason Wroe, 4) led Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, 3, Juancito Bollini, 4, Lucas Lalor, 5, Nacho Novillo Astrada, 8) from start-to-finish for an impressive 15-10 victory.
Tonkawa finished the six-team tournament undefeated at 5-0. Casablanca ended the tournament at 3-2.
Argentine 10-goaler Sapo Caset, who dominated the game, was unanimous choice for Most Valuable Player. Caset scored a game-high nine goals and was instrumental in his team's successful run throughout the tournament with his horsemanship, speed and agility.
CARBONDALE, Colo., August 10, 2019---La Karina earned a trip to the championship final of the Mount Sopris Cup Sunday against Audi at McClure River Ranch.
The final is part of a busy day that kicks off with the 119th USPA Silver Cup showdown between undefeated Tonkawa and never-say-die Casablanca and Chukkers, Champagne & Caviar Fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation at 11 a.m.
While the fundraiser continues throughout the day, Audi, led by Marc Ganzi and Nacho Figueras, will take on La Karina (Brian Boyd, Lauren Sherry, Carlitos Gracida, Sebastian Merlos) in the Mount Sopris Cup at 1 p.m. followed by the Just For The Love Of It Cup at 2:30 p.m. pitting Mountain Chevrolet (Michael Payne, Alejandro Poma, Alfredo Bigatti, Stewart Armstrong) against Los Amigos Red (Paul Foster, Alejandra Foster, Juan Bollini, Tincho Merlos).
With Audi receiving a bye into the final, La Karina, Los Amigos Red and Mountain Chevrolet played a nine-chukker round robin Friday at Sopris Mountain Ranch to determine who played Audi in the tenth tournament of the summer season.
CARBONDALE, Colo., August 8, 2019---A full schedule of fun, polo and fundraising will highlight the busiest weekend in Aspen Valley Polo Club history.
While the 119th USPA Silver Cup and Chukkers, Champagne & Caviar Fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation will take center stage on Sunday at McClure River Ranch, the club will also host the Mount Sopris Cup.
The tenth tournament of the summer polo season begins Friday at Sopris Mountain Ranch. The Mount Sopris Cup features a three-team round robin between La Karina, Los Amigos Red and Mountain Chevrolet at 11 a.m.
After the playing of the 119th USPA Silver Cup featuring Casablanca and undefeated Tonkawa at 11 a.m., the winner of the Mount Sopris Cup round robin plays Audi on Sunday at 1 p.m. at McClure River Ranch. The runners-up will play for the Just For The Love Of It Cup at 2:30 p.m.
CARBONDALE, Colo., August 8, 2019---In what is expected to be one of the most exciting championship finals, undefeated Tonkawa will take on Casablanca Sunday for the 119th USPA Silver Cup.
In front of a lively local crowd that included 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso, and USPA Polo Network worldwide audience, Wednesday's semifinals at McClure River Ranch lived up to expectations.
Tonkawa (4-0), the only undefeated team remaining in the six-team tournament, advanced into the final with a 14-11 victory over Flexjet (1-3) in the first semifinal that featured 10-goalers Sapo Caset and Hilario Ulloa.
In a wild finish in the second semifinal, Casablanca (3-1) rallied for an exciting 9-8 victory over Audi (2-2) in sudden death overtime after being behind for most of the game.
Tonkawa (Santos Merlos, 1, Juan Martin Obregon, 5, Sapo Caset, 10, Mason Wroe, 4) broke open a close game with a 4-0 third chukker for a 7-3 lead over Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, 1, Gussie Busch, 2, Hilario Ulloa, 10, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 8).
