One of the nation's busiest and innovative polo clubs will host both medium goal and high goal leagues highlighted by the Triple Crown of Polo Tournament and International Cup.
The medium goal schedule features six tournaments including the season-opening Tackeria Invitational, Oct. 11-14. The tournament has a special place in club history as the inaugural tournament when the club first opened.
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| Winning USPA North American Cup Casablanca team of Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Mike Azzaro and Julio Arellano with awards presenter USPA CEO Bob Puetz. |
"The Tackeria Invitational is the perfect way to kick off the season," said Tackeria owner Tony Coppola, the legendary voice of polo and USPA President. "We are proud to be a returning sponsor with the Tack
eria Invitational now in its tenth year."
Among the highlights of the season are the Oct. 15-27 USPA North American Cup, Oct. 24-28 USPA Fall Classic, Nov. 1-4 USPA Fall Plates, Nov. 3-17 USPA National 20-Goal Championship; Nov. 14 Triple Crown of Polo Tournament and Romero Britto Celebration; and Nov. 24 doubleheader featuring the Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial and USPA International Cup. This year the U.S. team will put its six-year winning streak on the line against Azerbaijan.
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| USPA Fall Plates 2017 champion Sebucan teammates Pablo Pulido, Guille Aguero, Luis Escobar and Carlitos Gracida. Photo by Chukker TV |
Last year Team USA ( Grant Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida, Julio Arellano, Mike Azzaro) defeated Brazil, 9-7, to capture the sixth annual International Cup event. Arellano was named Most Valuable Player for the third consecutive year. Since 2012, Team USA has defeated England, Chile, Mexico, South Africa and Uruguay in International Cup history.
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| The Carlos Gracida Legends of Polo trophy. Photo by ChukkerTV |
"That was a great win," Arellano said. " It was a great game right to the end. This U.S. team was a lot of fun. I am always honored to represent the U.S. When Marc Ganzi asks me to participate it's always an easy yes. It's always awesome to represent the U.S. That's something that we are all very proud of."
The well-organized fall tournaments attract players from all over the United States and world including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, England, France, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria and South Africa.
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| Team USA players Mike Azzaro, MVP Julio Arellano, Carlitos Gracida and Grant Ganzi with 2017 International Cup. Photo by Sheryel Aschfort |
Grand Champions had its finest fall season in club history last year. Grand Champions was the only club in the nation to stage two USPA-sanctioned 20-goal fall tournaments and again is hosting two 20-goal tournament this season.
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| International Cup Trophy. Photo by ChukkerTV |
The Grand Champions Fall Invitational League is geared toward improving a player's polo skills at every level. Roster lineups change from tournament to tournament with evenly-matched teams featuring pro and amateur players. It's also a great opportunity for players and sponsors to prepare for the winter season.
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| The Polo Gear Challenge Cup attracted one of the largest crowds of the 2017 fall season. |
Club owners Marc and Melissa Ganzi, both accomplished players, take pride in teaching and sharing the exciting sport of polo with anyone interested in learning. The husband and wife team are coming off a successful summer season at their Aspen Valley Polo Club which concludes over Labor Day Weekend.
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| Future Legends Will Jacobs, Mariano Gracida, Juancito Bollini and Santos Bollini hoist the trophy with Mariano's mom, Carmen Marin. Photo by ChukkerTV |
The fall league features: stick-and-ball sessions during the week; two medium tournament games every weekend; ambulance and USPA umpires for all tournament games; world-class polo fields; club-sponsored social events every weekend for all players; and top-of-the-line trophies for all teams every weekend.
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| Kids polo at The Polo School. Photo by ChukkerTV |
The Polo School, a 501c3 organization and stand-alone USPA club, is dedicated to teaching polo to all ages, particularly grass roots youth. Its mission is to provide individuals opportunities in polo at every economic and ability level. Scholarships are available. The Polo School operates in Wellington January through June and September through November. For more information on the Fall Leagues or Polo School contact Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099.
Wellington-based ChukkerTV will live stream the entire fall season. ChukkerTV's state-of-the art technology also features team challenges and instant replay which made their debut at Grand Champions in January, 2014.
Grand Champions and Santa Rita Polo Farm hosts polo tournaments ranging from six to 26-goal in addition to special events at its well-manicured fields during the fall, winter and spring seasons.
Grand Champions Polo Club and Santa Rita Polo Farm cater to men, women and youth polo players at all levels. Its' expert staff can customize a complete playing experience including horses, pros and certified umpires in addition to lessons and practice sessions as part of its' Polo On Demand program at the turnkey facility.
