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Aspen Valley Polo Club Captures USPA National President's Cup; Gene Goldstein Named MVP

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Aspen Valley Polo Club Captures USPA National President's Cup; Gene Goldstein Named MVP
WELLINGTON, Fl., April 21, 2019---On a perfect day for polo, Aspen Valley Polo Club captured the USPA National President's Cup Saturday at Grand Champions Polo Club.

USPA National President's Cup champion Aspen Valley Polo Club's Juan Bollini, Marc Ganzi, Melissa Ganzi and Gene Goldstein.


Aspen Valley Polo Club (Gene Goldstein, Melissa Ganzi, Marc Ganzi, Juan Bollini) outscored Palm City Polo Club (Kris Kampsen, Oliver Firestone, Moritz Gaedeke, Esteban Hernandez), 7-4 in the second half, and went on to win, 12-9.

Moritz Gaedeke of Palm City Polo Club attempts to hook Gene Goldstein of Aspen Valley Polo Club.
Gene Goldstein scored a game-high six goals and was named Most Valuable Player. He was awarded a beautiful Catena watch. 

Esteban Hernandez of Palm City Polo Club closely defending Gene Goldstein of Aspen Valley Polo Club.

It was the second time Goldstein won the 8-goal tournament. It was also the first time husband and wife Marc and Melissa Ganzi, who have won the title separately, won for the first time as teammates. 

"I remember winning this with Tommy Collingwood and Carlucho Arellano and Tommy was zero goals, that's how long ago it was," Goldstein said.

Gene Goldstein of Aspen Valley Polo Club goes for the big hit downfield.

"This was a great call from Marc and Melissa to come and play, it didn't take a whole lot to think about," Goldstein said. "My horses weren't leaving until Monday. The weather lucked out, the horses lucked out. It was fun. It was great getting great passes from Marc, Melissa and Juan especially that cut shot from Melissa."

Gene Goldstein of Aspen Valley Polo Club defends Oliver Firestone of Palm City Polo Club as he works a near side shot.

Both teams needed a chukker to find their rhythm, ending the first chukker, 1-1. Aspen Valley Polo Club found its momentum for a 3-1 second chukker with two goals from Goldstein and one from Melissa Ganzi.

Palm City Polo Club bounced back with a 4-1 third chukker to tie Aspen Valley Polo Club, 5-5, at halftime.

Oliver Firestone of Palm City Polo Club hits past defender Juan Bollini of Aspen Valley Polo Club.

Aspen Valley Polo Club dominated the second half, 7-4, behind four more goals from Goldstein, outscoring Palm City Polo Club, 3-1 and 2-1 in the fourth and fifth chukkers. 

Marc Ganzi of Aspen Valley Polo Club hits downfield with Oliver Firestone of Palm City Polo Club.

"It's always friendly but you want to win," Bollini said. "We have all known each other for a long time. It was friendly but competitive. Marc and Melissa have never won this together so it was very important for them to win it. 

Juan Bollini of Aspen Valley Polo Club hits a neck shot past defender Kris Kampsen of Palm City Polo Club.

"I think we put together a good team. Gene played an incredible game. It was good polo and it's always nice to win."

Kris Kampsen of Palm City Polo Club works the ball out of the air.

Bollini is now looking forward to the upcoming spring season at Grand Champions beginning with the April 26-28 Eastern Challenge.

Moritz Gaedeke of Palm City Polo Club hits a neck shot.

"We now have the spring season with a really good level of polo until the end of May," Bollini said. "It's going to be fun and we hope everybody will join us."

Also scoring for Aspen Valley Polo Club was Melissa Ganzi with three goals, Juan Bollini with two goals and Marc Ganzi with one goal.

Marc Ganzi of Aspen Valley Polo Club working the ball out of the air with teammate and wife Melissa Ganzi backing him up.

For Palm City Polo Club, Esteban Hernandez and Kris Kampsen each had three goals. Moritz Gaedeke had two goals and Oliver Firestone added one.

MVP Gene Goldstein of Aspen Valley Polo Club receives his Catena watch from awards presenter Brenda DuPont.

The Grand Champions Best Playing Pony was Tinder, a 5-year-old American thoroughbred played by Firestone.

The USPA National President's Cup Best Playing Pony was Paula, a Palomino played by Hernandez.

Grand Champions Best Playing Pony Tinder, played by Oliver Firestone.

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.
USPA National President's Cup Best Playing Pony Paula, played by Esteban Hernandez.

Grand Champions Polo Club and Santa Rita Polo Farm caters to men, women and youth polo players at all levels and ages. 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, created by Grand Champions President Melissa Ganzi when the club first opened in 2007.

USPA National President's Cup teams Aspen Valley Polo Club and Palm City Polo Club with awards presenter Brenda DuPont.

The Polo School, a stand-alone USPA-sanctioned polo 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 May and September through November. Headed by Director of Operations Juan Bollini, The Polo School has nurtured several men and women polo players now playing in the pro and amateur ranks since its inception.

Grand Champions awards table for USPA National President's Cup 8-Goal game.
Photos by Ramon Casares



2019 SPRING SCHEDULE

APRIL
26-28: Eastern Challenge
25-28: WPL Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach

MAY
3-5: Sun Cup
10-12: Spring Challenge Cup
17-19: Polo Gear Challenge Cup
24-26: The Memorial

Games played at Grand Champions and Santa Rita Polo Farm.
 

THE POLO SCHOOL 

The Polo School at Grand Champions and Director of Operations Juan Bollini are dedicated to teaching polo to all ages, particularly grass roots youth. The school's mission is to provide individuals opportunities in polo. The Polo School operates in Wellington January through June and September through November. For lessons contact Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099. 


Chukker TV is live streaming the entire winter polo schedule. 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 on ChukkerTV please contact Mike Ferreira at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 


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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