CARBONDALE, Colo., July 18, 2019---In one of the busiest weeks of summer polo, the Basalt Handicap begins Friday at Aspen Valley Polo Club and Sopris Mountain Ranch.

The Basalt Handicap will be held Friday and Sunday. Two semifinal games are scheduled for Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

On Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Aspen Valley Polo Club barn field, Los Amigos Blue plays Los Amigos Red. At 11 a.m. at Sopris Mountain Ranch, Mountain Chevrolet plays Piocho Ranch.

The final is Sunday at 11 a.m. followed by the Just For The Love Of It Cup at 1 p.m., featuring the USPA North American Cup runners-up and Basalt Handicap teams.

Team rosters are:

Los Amigos Blue (15): Alejandra Foster, Gabriel Gracida, Salvador Ulloa, Juan Bollini.

Los Amigos Red (16): Paul Foster, Marc Ganzi, Pablo Spinacci, Nacho Novillo Astrada.

Mountain Chevrolet (15): Michael Payne, Lauren Sherry, Nic Roldan, Kris Kampsen.

Piocho Ranch (16): Tom Barrack, Nacho Figueras, Gussie Busch, Alejandro Novillo Astrada.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 17, 2019---The coveted USPA North American Cup will make its debut at Aspen Valley Polo Club this week.

The club's first 20-goal tournament of the summer season moves from Wellington, Fla.-based Grand Champions Polo Club, where it has been held since 2011.

The USPA North American Cup has a rich tradition in history dating back to 1974. The tournament has been a mainstay in American and Canadian polo for decades at the 16 and 20-goal level.

The first winner was Tulsa with Hall of Famers John T. Oxley and Billy Linfoot, Corky Linfoot and Jim MacGinley. During the late 1990s and early 2000s Calgary Polo Club hosted the tournament before moving to Grand Champions.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 15, 2019---Mountain Chevrolet won its first major tournament in club history Sunday in the ChukkerTV Challenge Cup at Aspen Valley Polo Club's McClure River Ranch.

Making its championship final debut, Mountain Chevrolet (Michael Payne, Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nacho Novillo Astrada) defeated Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Gussie Busch, Kris Kampsen, Juan Bollini), 8-7, to win the six-team tournament.

Payne, playing well above his A-goal rating, was named Most Valuable Player. Payne scored three goals including the game-winner and was relentless on defense.

"Last year I played in the Thursday-Saturday league and this year I stepped it up to the Friday-Sunday league," Payne said. "It's much more competitive with great pros, great players and great fields. I love it."

Oringina, an 8-year-old Chestnut mare, was selected Best Playing Pony. Oringina was played by Nacho Novillo Astrada and owned by Wellington-based Santa Rita Polo Farm.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 13, 2019---Flexjet and Mountain Chevrolet will meet in the championship final Sunday in the ChukkerTV Challenge Cup at Aspen Valley Polo Club's McClure River Ranch.

Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Gussie Busch, Kris Kampsen, Juan Bollini) advanced with a 6-3 victory over Sopris Mountain Ranch (Lauren Sherry, Lucas Lalor, Gabriel Gracida, Tommy Collingwood) and 5-3 upset over Piocho Ranch (Hilario Figueras, Pablo Spinacci, Nacho Figueras, Tom Barrack).

Mountain Chevrolet (Michael Payne, Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nacho Novillo Astrada) defeated La Karina, 5-4, and tied Los Amigos Red, 6-6, to advance by one net goal.

Flexjet and Mountain Chevrolet will play Sunday at 11 a.m. at McClure River Ranch Field One. It will be Flexjet's second final appearance, after playing in the season-opening Independence Cup and Mountain Chevrolet's championship debut.

At 12:30 p.m., the Just For The Fun Of It subsidiary will feature La Karina and Piocho Ranch playing for third place, also at McClure River Ranch.

And, at 2 p.m., the Just For The Love Of It subsidiary will have Los Amigos Red playing Sopris Mountain Ranch for fifth place at Aspen Valley Polo Club to end a full, fun, competitive day of polo.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 11, 2019---Action continues this weekend with the ChukkerTV Challenge, the third tournament of the summer polo season at Aspen Valley Polo Club.

Six teams will compete Friday and Sunday. Two round robin games are scheduled for Friday at Sopris Mountain Ranch.

At 11 a.m. (MST) Piocho Ranch plays Sopris Mountain Ranch. The winner sits and Flexjet plays the last six chukkers. At 1 p.m., La Karina faces Mountain Chevrolet. The winner sits and Los Amigos plays the last six chukkers.

The winners of both games advance into Sunday's championship at 1 p.m. at Aspen Valley Polo Club. The Just For The "Fun" Of It and Just For The "Love" Of It subsidiary games begin 11 a.m.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 8, 2019---Redemption was sweet for Los Amigos Red, winners of the sixth annual Craig Sakin Memorial.

After losing in last year's final by one goal, Los Amigos Red (Hilario Figueras, Lucas Lalor, Nacho Novillo Astrada, Paul Foster) won a hardfought 16-14 decision over defending champion Piocho Ranch (Grant Ganzi, Salvador Ulloa, Nacho Figueras, Tom Barrack) to win the five-team tournament in front of a good crowd Sunday at Aspen Valley Polo Club. It was one of the highest scoring games in club history.

Argentine 8-goaler Nacho Novillo Astrada was named Most Valuable Player. Astrada finished with a team-high six goals, matching last year's final, including a 100-yarder in the sixth chukker, selected ChukkerTV Goal of the Day.

Milonga, a 10-year-old Chestnut mare, was selected the American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony. Milonga, owned and played by Barrack in the fifth chukker, was bred by Cria Yatay, Figueras' breeding operation in Argentina.

In one of the club's most exciting games in tournament history, Piocho Ranch grabbed the momentum early for a 6-2 lead midway through the second chukker with three goals each from Nacho Figueras and Ulloa.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 6, 2019---The stage is set for another showdown between Piocho Ranch and Los Amigos Red Sunday in the final of the sixth annual Craig Sakin Memorial.

In a rematch of last year's championship, Piocho Ranch (Grant Ganzi, Salvador Ulloa, Nacho Figueras, Tom Barrack) will play Los Amigos Red (Paul Foster, Marc Ganzi/Hilario Figueras, Lucas Lalor, Nacho Novillo Astrada) Sunday at 1 p.m. at Aspen Valley Polo Club.

In Friday's qualifying games at Sopris Mountain Ranch, Piocho Ranch defeated Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Alejandra Foster, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini), 10-9, in overtime when Figueras converted a 60-yard penalty.

In Friday's round robin play, Los Amigos Red defeated Mountain Chevrolet (Michael Payne, Pablo Spinacci, Kris Kampsen, Gussie Busch), 5-3, and La Karina (Brian Boyd, Lauren Sherry, Sebastian Merlos, Carlitos Gracida), 6-5. In the other game, La Karina defeated Mountain Chevrolet, 4-2.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 2, 2019---Aspen Valley Polo Club, the summer destination for polo, opens the season Wednesday with the Independence Cup.

A round-robin between defending champion Piocho Ranch, Flexjet and Los Amigos gets under way at 1 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time) at AVPC's new Field One at McClure Ranch.

Team rosters are:

Piocho Ranch (16): Tom Barrack, 0, Gabriel Gracida, 4, Nacho Figueras, 6, Salvador Ulloa, 6.

Flexjet (12): Melissa Ganzi, 0, Brian Boyd, 0, Carlitos Gracida, 4, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 8.

Los Amigos (14): Paul Foster, 0, Grant Ganzi, 3, Stewart Armstrong, 3, Nacho Novillo Astrada, 8.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., June 14, 2019---Tickets are now on sale for the August 11 Chukkers, Champagne & Caviar  fundraiser at Aspen Valley Polo Club.

The club's summer marquis charity event, hosted by club owners Marc and Melissa Ganzi and Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation, has raised nearly $1 million dollars in the last two years to benefit Aspen Valley Hospital.

Last year the fun, day-long event raised $537,200, more than the 2017 event's total of $366,000.

Held 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and highlighted by the prestigious 119th USPA Silver Cup final on the club's two newest fields, the fundraiser is a winning combination of polo, sponsors and donors raising much-needed funding for facilities, new technology and programs. 

There will be a lavish fieldside VIP tent and menu prepared by Caribou Club Catering of Aspen with white-glove service and impeccable attention to detail. There will also be a roving Beverly Hills Caviar cart, champagne and other refreshments.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., June 5, 2019--Aspen Valley Polo Club, the nation's fastest growing club, announced its summer schedule that features the prestigious 119-year-old USPA Silver Cup.

With a breathtaking mountain backdrop, the club will host a record fourteen tournaments including the July 14-20 USPA North American Cup; July 24-Aug. 7 USPA National Arena Handicap Tournament; and July 24-Aug. 11 USPA Silver Cup.

The club, with an additional two new polo fields this season, will offer eleven grass tournaments and three arena tournaments from July 3 with the season-opening Independence Cup to the Sept. 1-8 Triple Crown of Polo in what is expected to be its most successful season.

The July 14-20 USPA North American Cup, held in past years during the fall season at AVPC's sister polo club Grand Champions in Wellington, Fla., will make its debut in Aspen. Last year's winner was Travieso in overtime in the 20-goal tournament.

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ASPEN, Colo., December 22, 2018--In an exciting finish, first-year team Richard Mille won the coveted St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship Thursday at Rio Grande Park.

In front of a record crowd including a sold out VIP tent and worldwide ChukkerTV audience, Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Martin Pepa, Pablo MacDonough), making its debut in the prestigious six-team tournament, defeated Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini), 6-5.

Argentine 10-goaler Pablo MacDonough was named Most Valuable Player for the tournament final. It was his second major tournament win in two weeks after capturing the 125th Argentine Open with La Dolfina Sancor Seguros for the sixth consecutive year with Juan Martin Nero, Pelon Stirling and Adolfo Cambiaso. 

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ASPEN, Colo., December 19, 2018--After the most exciting opening round in the history of the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship, the stage is set for what promises to be an exciting final.

Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Juan Bollini, Alejandro Novillo Astrada), the 2016 snow polo champion, will meet first-year team Richard Mille (Marc Ganzi, Martin Pepa, Pablo MacDonough) in Thursday's championship final.

On Tuesday at Aspen Valley Polo Club's indoor arena, Flexjet advanced into the final with an impressive 10-6 victory over Aspen Valley Polo Club (Sarah Magness, Jason Crowder, Jesse Bray). Flexjet defeated Blade & Bow (Brian Boyd, Gonzalito Pieres, Carlitos Gracida), 6-5, in their opening two-chukker round robin and Aspen Valley Polo Club defeated Blade & Bow, 6-5, in their matchup.

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ASPEN, Colo., December 18, 2018--The atmosphere at the St. Regis Aspen Resort was fun and festive Monday night for the St. Regis Snow Polo World Championship draw party.

Six teams including defending champion U.S. Polo Assn. were introduced during the cocktail party for players, sponsors, family, friends and media. 

The draw determined bracket pairings for Tuesday's round robin qualification games at Aspen Valley Polo Club's indoor arena in Carbondale. Players also received their team jerseys.

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ASPEN, Colo., December 17, 2018--The highly-anticipated St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship gets under way Monday at St. Regis Aspen Resort with the draw party featuring player and sponsor introductions.

The six team sponsors: Richard Mille, Flexjet, St. Regis, U.S. Polo Assn., Aspen Valley Polo Club and Blade & Bow, players and VIPs will be introduced during a cocktail party at 8 p.m. MT in a fun and festive atmosphere at St. Regis.

The draw and entire tournament will be live streamed by ChukkerTV to a worldwide audience.

In a holiday setting against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains, the five-day tournament is a major attraction for the local community and fans from all over the world. One of the social events of the season is a major allure for the Aspen community and surrounding areas.

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ASPEN, Colo., December 10, 2018--Luxury Swiss watch brand Richard Mille will make its debut as the official timekeeper for the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship

The much-anticipated snow polo tournament featuring Argentine 10-goalers Pablo MacDonough and Gonzalito Pieres and 8-goalers Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Nic Roldan is set for Dec. 17-22 at Aspen Valley Polo Club and Rio Grande Park.

Richard Mille is also sponsoring one of the six teams in the field and will be introduced on Monday, Dec. 17 during the team presentation, draw and cocktail party at the St. Regis Aspen Hotel, that features a Richard Mille Boutique. 

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ASPEN, Colo., December 4, 2018--A Who's Who in polo will compete in the much-anticipated Dec. 17-22 St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship.

Argentine 10-goalers Pablo MacDonough and Gonzalito Pieres and 8-goalers Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Nic Roldan head a star-studded field for three days of exciting polo action at Aspen Valley Polo Club and  Rio Grande Park.

MacDonough, currently competing in the Argentine Open with favorite La Dolfina, will make his Aspen snow polo debut with the Richard Mille Polo Team. Mille is the official timekeeper for the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship. Mille created the RM 53-01 Tourbillon Pablo MacDonough for its Brand Ambassador.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., October 17, 2018--The highly-anticipated St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship will be held December 17-22 and for the first time will feature the inaugural Snow Polo Gala.

The glitz, glamour and excitement takes center stage at one of the world's top snow polo tournaments and only snow polo event in North America.

In front of an expected sellout crowd and worldwide ChukkerTV audience, five days of events will be held during the final stop on the World Polo Tour. 

The week of activities begin with the team presentation and draw on Monday, Dec. 17 during a cocktail party at St. Regis Aspen Resort Hotel. 

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SAN DIEGO, Calif., September 10, 2018---With a new lineup, Porsche San Diego defended its title Sunday at the third annual Polo America Beach Polo Cup at the iconic Hotel Del Coronado.

For the second year in a row, Porsche San Diego (Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini) won the coveted beach polo title with a 10-6 victory over Viejas Casino and Resort (Marc Ganzi, Alfredo Bigatti, Pablo Dorignac).

Argentine Alejandro Novillo Astrada of Porsche San Diego was named Most Valuable Player after his outstanding play.

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SAN DIEGO, Calif., September 6, 2018---For the third consecutive year in beach polo history, a major beach polo tournament will be staged on the west coast at the iconic Hotel Del Coronado.

This weekend’s Polo America Beach Polo Cup will feature several top players including top American player Nic Roldan, Argentine brothers Alejandro and Nacho Novillo Astrada, Pablo Dorignac and Carlitos Gracida, son of legendary Hall of Famer and former 10-goaler Carlos Gracida.

Last year in front of a record crowd, Porsche San Diego (Riley Ganzi, Juan Bollini, Mike Azzaro) defeated Westime (Melissa Ganzi, Lucas Lalor, Alejandro Novillo Astrada), 9-6.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., September 4, 2018---First-year team Mandarina won the biggest prize of the summer polo season Sunday at Aspen Valley Polo Club.

The foursome of Sarah Magness, Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Juan Bollini won the coveted Triple Crown of Polo with a thrilling 7-6 victory over Woodrow Farm (Leigh Brecheen, Marc Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Tano Vial) in the season finale.

Argentine 8-goaler Alejandro Novillo Astrada was named Most Valuable Player.

Longtime player and U.S. Polo Association Secretary Stewart Armstrong was selected Most Valuable Player for with his consistent play and strong defense during the summer season.

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