Scone, SD Farms Will Play For World Polo League's Founders Cup Sunday At Grand Champions

WELLINGTON, Fl., February 29, 2020---SD Farms, making its second consecutive finals appearance, and Scone will meet Sunday in the championship final of the Founders Cup at Grand Champions Polo Club.


On Friday at Valiente Polo Farm, Scone (David Paradice 0, Poroto Cambiaso 4, Diego Cavanagh 9, Adolfo Cambiaso 10) advanced into the 4 p.m. final with an impressive 11-6 victory over Seminole Casino (Melissa Ganzi 0, Nic Roldan 8, Lucas James 8, Alejandro Novillo Astrada 8).

Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso of Scone double team Nic Roldan of Seminole Casino.

In the other semifinal, SD Farms (Sayyu Dantata 2, Santi Torres 7, Guillermo Terrera 8, Juan Martin Zubia 8) defeated Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz 2, Gringo Colombres 8, Sebastian Merlos 8, Jejo Taranco 8), 14-10.

"We wanted to send a message to the King (Adolfo Cambiaso)," Dantata said. "Sunday we'll see how it goes. We want to make sure we bring that Cup home."

Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso of Scone double team Nic Roldan of Seminole Casino.

In the WPL season-opening All Star Challenge tournament, SD Farms' same lineup lost to Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz 2, Poroto Cambiaso 4, Diego Cavanagh 9, Adolfo Cambiaso 10), 12-10.

The father-son combination and Cavanagh are going after their second WPL title of the season. 

Adolfo Cambiaso of Scone hits a neck shot as his son Poroto looks on.

Both teams are vying for the $60,000 winners' prize check in the first of three tournaments awarding prize money.

Also on Sunday at 11 a.m., Casablanca (Grant Ganzi 3, Juancito Bollini 4, Hilario Ulloa 10, Rodrigo Andrade 8) will play Richard Mille (TBA 2, Camilo Castagnola 7, Pablo MacDonough 10, Barto Castagnola 7) in the Wellington Open subsidiary game at Grand Champions Field One.

Alejandro Novillo Astrada of Seminole Casino attempts to steal the ball from
 Poroto Cambiaso of Scone.

Scone 11, Seminole Casino 6

In the opening game, Scone started off with a two-goal lead on handicap and pulled away for leads of 4-0, 5-1 and 7-1 behind a balanced offensive attack.

Seminole Casino could not get its offense untracked against Scone's aggressive defense.

Alejandro Novillo Astrada of Seminole Casino tries to ride off 
Diego Cavanagh of Scone.

In the second half, Scone continued to dominate offensively for a 9-2 lead after the fourth chukker. Seminole Casino tied Scone 2-2 in the fifth and outscored Scone, 2-0, in the final chukker.

Cavanagh and Adolfo Cambiaso shared leading scoring honors each with four goals. Poroto Cambiaso added one. Roldan led Seminole Casino with three goals. Novillo Astrada had two goals and James added one.

Nic Roldan of Seminole Casino and Adolfo Cambiaso of Scone keep 
their eye on the ball.

SD Farms 14, Valiente 10

SD Farms was relentless from the opening throw-in in the fan-pleasing fast-paced, open game. 

Before Valiente knew it, SD Farms had leads of 5-1, 8-1 and 9-3 in the first three chukkers. 

"This is a Dream Team," Dantata said. "We wanted to nail it early enough because we knew the game could go either way. They are a great team." 

Sebastian Merlos of Valiente defends Santi Torres of SD Farms as he's about to hit.

After four chukkers, SD Farms was cruising with a 12-4 advantage. With SD Farms leading 14-5 midway through the sixth chukker, Valiente scored the last five goals of the game.

"We thought it was going to be a tough game, but sometimes you don't wake up on the right day," Terrera said. "It happened to them today and we took advantage of that and we won. 

"We are enjoying the game and playing better and better. I hope Sayyu is enjoying this, too."

Juan Martin Zubia of SD Farms outraces Valiente defenders.

Zubia scored a team-high six goals, including four penalty conversions. Terrera had three goals, Torres added two and Dantata had one.

"Our last game we didn't play well but we won and I think it built up our confidence which showed today on the field," Terrera said. "Now we need a lot of confidence against Scone."

Colombres led Valiente with six goals. Merlos and Taranco each had two goals. 

Sebastian Merlos of Valiente works the ball as Sayyu Dantata of SD Farms defends.

Ten teams were entered in the first of three WPL tournaments offering major prize money. The winner of the Founders Cup will earn $60,000 and winner of the Wellington Open subsidiary game will earn $40,000.

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek is the hospitality sponsor for the World Polo League. Open 24/7, 365 days a year, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek presents a fully integrated, energized, stylish and upscale local's casino experience, world-class dining, including its award-winning steakhouse, NYY Steak and live entertainment.

Tickets, ranging from $15 to $250, for the Sunday featured WPL games at 4 p.m. at Grand Champions Polo Club are on sale now at  www.worldpolo.org .

Jejo Taranco of Valiente attempts to ride off Santi Torres of SD Farms.

Ticket price breakdown for the new CoCo Cabana Stadium is:

VIP $250, Upper Level (rain or shine, no refunds), includes VIP parking access,  exclusive luxury-style bar and lounge seating, gourmet light dinner buffet, exclusive chef station, VIP Open bar (excluding champagne and bottle service) and VIP swag bags.

VIP $100, Lower Level (rain or shine, no refunds), includes VIP parking access,  exclusive luxury-style bar and lounge seating, gourmet light bites and Worth Avenue retailer experience.

Valet Parking $15, select quality valet parking and general admission is free for fans who park across the field from the stadium.

Sebastian Merlos of Valiente comes out of the saddle to reach for the ball with Juan Martin Zubia of SD Farms defending.

Co-founded by Grand Champions owner and president Melissa Ganzi and Valiente Polo Farm owner Bob Jornayvaz, the World Polo League is the only 26-goal polo in the world outside of Argentina. The WPL is preserving the highest level of polo and its rich, hallowed tradition in the U.S. 

The WPL, with 11 tournament-quality fields to play on, featured the Feb. 6-16 All-Star Challenge won by Valiente; Feb. 19-March 1 Founders Cup, March 4-22 Palm Beach Open and March 28-April 18 Triple Crown of Polo. 

The WPL schedule also features the unique April 6-12 U.S. National Mixed Doubles Championship, created by Jornayvaz. It pairs men and women players. There is also the April 9-12 WPL Beach Polo World Cup in Miami Beach.

Gringo Colombres of Valiente goes to hook Sayyu Dantata of SD Farms.
Photos by ChukkerTV

The World Polo League attracts a large international field of players from all corners of the world  including Australia, Chile, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Argentina, Canada, Ecuador, Brazil, Switzerland, France, Germany, Uruguay, Venezuela, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Nigeria and England.

Grand Champions and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique polo facility in Wellington with 120 stalls in five self-contained barns, exercise track, five climate-controlled tack rooms, vet room, staff quarters, guest house and three polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation including one field for stick-and-ball with plans to build more polo fields in the future.

For more information and to watch the games go to  www.worldpolo.org  for a complete library of WPL first-season games.
  
2020 WORLD POLO LEAGUE SCHEDULE

Founder's Cup Feb 19 - Mar 1

Sunday. 3/1 4 p.m. Founder's Cup Final 
Scone vs SD Farms at GCPC #2

Wellington Open 
Sunday 2/29 11 a.m. Wellington Open Final 
Richard Mille vs Casablanca at GCPC #1

Consolation Game 
Saturday 2/28 4 p.m.
Amaala vs STM at Santa Rita
  
 


Mar. 4-22, Palm Beach Open
Mar. 28-Apr. 18, Triple Crown of Polo
Apr. 6-12, U.S. National Mixed Doubles Polo Championship


Games at Grand Champions Polo Club, Valiente Polo Farm and other local fields, call our hotline to receive daily game and field information.
561-644-5050



Seminole Casino Coconut Creek is the hospitality sponsor for the World Polo League. Open 24/7, 365 days a year, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek presents a fully integrated, energized, stylish and upscale local's casino experience, world-class dining, including its award-winning steakhouse, NYY Steak and live entertainment.

Jan-Eric Franck
"The Voice of Polo"

Chukker TV is live streaming the entire World Polo League season. ChukkerTV, featuring cutting-edge technology, was the first to introduce state-of-the-art live streaming technology and instant replay in January, 2014 at Grand Champions Polo Club. For advertising opportunities please contact Mike Ferreira at  mike@chukkertv.com.



GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB

WHERE: 13444 Southfields Road, on the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington, 33414.

DIRECTOR OF POLO: Juan Olivera,  561-644-5050, juan.olivera@ gcpolo.com; hotline   561-644-5050.

INFORMATION: For spectators, there are great field side views for tournament action and also the Grand Champions Polo Club Boutique. The club is home base for pro teams Audi and Flexjet. Everyone is welcome to watch every level of polo in a relaxed atmosphere with food and refreshments during the featured games of the winter, spring and fall tournament seasons and other special events. Admission is free except for some special events.




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