By Alex Webbe

Jesse Bray won MVP of the 8-10 Goal Champions' Cup. The trophy was sponsored by Polo Glam.

Jesse Bray, substituting for an injured Ernie Ezcurra, scored ten goals as Barrossa (Erik Wright, Jef Graham, Santiago Trotz and Jesse Bray) smothered Trinity (Rick Paicius, Robin Paicius, Clemente Zavaleta and Agustin Zavaleta) in the finals of the 2012 Champions Cup finals at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California Sunday afternoon.

Bray scored three goals from the field in the opening chukker while the Barrossa defense limited Trinity to a single penalty goal from Clemente Zavaleta.  Barrossa looked strong as they took the early 3-1 lead.

Second chukker goals from Bray and Graham had Barrossa ahead, 5-1 before Trinity could respond.  A pair of goals from Clemente Zavaleta kept them close, trailing Barrossa by two goals, 5-3.

Bray put Barrossa in the lead, 6-3 in third chukker play, but a penalty conversion and a goal from the field by Clemente Zavaleta had Trinity within a goal at 6-5, but that would be as close as they would get for the balance of the afternoon.  Another goal from the field from Bray was complimented by a penalty goal from Santiago Trotz.  Barrossa left the field after the first half with an 8-5 lead.

Action settled down in the second half, with Trotz scoring the only goal of the fourth chukker.  Trinity was blanked and Barrossa moved further in front, 9-5.

Bray exploded in the fifth period, picking up three more goals from the field and a penalty goal.  Trinity was unable to get on the scoreboard for the second consecutive chukker, falling behind 13-5.

A mare named Sharapova won Best Playing Pony in the Champions' Cup Finals. Played by Jesse Bray, owned by Ernie Ezcurra.

Clemente Zavaleta scored the first goal of the sixth chukker on a penalty conversion and added another goal from the field, but the Trinity rally stalled.  Trotz scored the final goal of the game from the field as Barrossa rolled over Trinity 14-7 for the 2012 Champions Cup title and the tournament’s top prize money.

Bray’s ten goals were a game high.  Barrossa teammate Trotz scored three times and Graham added a goal in the win.

Clemente Zavaleta scored all seven of the Trinity goals.  To no one’s surprise, Bray was named MVP while Ernie Ezcurra’s mare, Sharapova, ridden by Bray, was honored as Best Playing Pony.

Barrossa won $25,000 and first place in the Champions' Cup Finals. Ernie Ezcurra, Santiago Trotz, Mr. and Mrs. Haagen, Erik Wright, Jesse Bray and Jef Graham.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH 9, CASA SOMBRES 8 OT

Rocky Mountain High (Noah Sprung, Roxy Keyfauver, Kimo Huddleston and Cybele Jordan) needed an overtime goal to score its hard-fought 9-8 win over Casa Sombres (Bolko Kissling, Conrad Kissling, Ernesto Bautista and Ashton Wolf) in the finals of the Empire Polo Club’s Lions Cup 4-goal tournament earlier in the day.

In a defensive-minded first period, Casa Sombres scored the only goal of the chukker with Ernie Bautista scoring from the field.  Rocky Mountain High trailed early, 1-0.

Second chukker goals from Bautista and Bolko Kissling went unanswered as Casa Sombres extended its lead to three goals, 3-0 as Rocky Mountain High was having difficulties in organizing an effective attack.  Ashton Wolf scored the first goal of the third chukker to put Casa Sombres on top, 4-0 when Rocky Mountain High found its offense.  Consecutive goals from Noah Sprung, Roxy Keyfauver and Kimo Huddleston had them back in the game, trailing Casa Sombres by a single goal, 4-3, at the end of the first three chukkers.

Casa Sombres rallied in the fourth, picking up single goals from Bolko Kissling, Bautista and Wolf.  Huddleston scored twice (once on a penalty shot) to keep it close, but Casa Sombres left the field with a 7-5 edge with one chukker left in regulation play.

Penalty goals from Huddleston and Jordan were topped off by a go-ahead goal from the field from Keyfauver for an 8-7 Rocky Mountain High advantage, but Bolko Kissling kept the Casa Sombres hopes alive with his third goal of the game to tie it up at 8-8, forcing a sudden-death overtime chukker.

A goal from the field from Huddleston made short work of the extra period as Rocky Mountain High rode away with the 9-8 first place finish.

Huddleston led all scoring with five goals.  Keyfauver added two goals and Sprung and Jordan each scored a goal in the victory.

Bolko Kissling and Bautista scored three goals apiece for Casa Sombres.  Wolf was credited with two goals in the loss.

Rocky Mountain High won the 4-Goal Lions' Cup and $9,600. Noah Sprung, Cybele Jordan, Mr. Haagen presenting check, Roxy Keyfauver and Kimo Huddleston. Kimo won MVP for the Tournament.

Sunday Polo 

General Admission and tailgating is FREE during Sunday Polo. Sunday games are at 12 PM and 2 PM.  VIP seating is also available and requires a reservation. The Closing Day of polo is our busiest Sunday of the season and the VIP seating sells out early.   If you plan to tailgate, you will need to arrive early to get a spot.  Bleacher seating is also available in the tailgate area on the east side of the field.

The entrance to Field #1 for Sunday Polo is on Ave. 50.  The gates are located on Ave. 50 near the intersection of Ave. 50 and Monroe St.

Empire’s Polo Youth Tournament
Empire Polo Club – March 10th and 11th 2012
By Connie Atkinson

What a beautiful weekend in the desert at Empire’s Polo Arena . This was the setting where two matched teams in each the A Flight and B Flight Division, challenged each other  for the Oldman/Cooley vs. Urban Dog tournament title put on by sponsors, Susan Cooley of Oldman/Cooley Attorneys at Law and  Kim Garsed of Urban Dog, L. A. ‘s finest dog care facility.

So what got these two ladies interested in the desert’s youth polo? For one,  Susan Cooley found out about our  beginning  program and retired her favorite horse, Evita to work with the children. Evita now has a second career, teaching 10 year old Eleanore Smith how to play a fast and accurate game of polo.

Kim Garsed has watched her son, Conner, go from being lead around on the back of a horse, to riding his horse out onto the field and mixing it up with other players with remarkable accuracy of ball handling, even if he isn’t running and gunning. Bill Atkinson, the youth program’s retired 7 goal player who coaches the children will testify there is nothing wrong with his strategy and technique. He did it all the time and won many a game this way. Both women have been tremendously  supportive of the Future Polo Players of Coachella Valley and a tournament in honor of their help and efforts seemed appropriate.

The A flight team for Urban Dog was: Rhyo Rainsford, Gracie Gonzales, Riley Jordan including Grant Palmer playing in the second chukker. Oldman/Cooley Attorneys at Law, the team was Sydney Jordan, Cameron Smith and Eleanore Smith.

B Flight Urban Dog in Empire Red was  Conner Garsed,  Colby Smith, Rosie Gonzales and Luke Doty, with Riley Jordan substituting for Luke when he was forced to leave the chukker due to an irritated skin injury on his leg. Oldman/Cooley Attorneys at Law in Empire White was Grant Palmer, Rexy Vicardo, Miles Doty and Sofia Bonilla. Ella Bonilla, who just turned seven years old on Saturday came down with the flu and was unable to play Sunday.

Each flight played a total of two chukkers with the B flight leading off on  Sunday’s game. The time changed to spring forward and yes, there were people late coming to the field. However the games were able to begin in a timely manner. We were surprised and honored to have visiting dignitaries from the USPA, Amanda Hersey and Justin Powers, come by and see what our youth program is all about and watch the children play for a while. It was nice to see them taking an interest in our Coachella Valley polo kids.

Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of being around sporting children will appreciate the competition that takes place on the field. I find the running dialogue between the players extremely entertaining, especially if I were to compare it to some of the competing forces of adult polo. For example on Saturday, Gracie Gonzales was just about to hit the ball into goal when Rhyo Rainsford stole it out from under her on the near side. Gracie screams to Rhyo, “Rhyo, you are a destroyer  of hopes and dreams!” as she is running behind him trying to get the ball back. I hadn’t heard that before.  I am so impressed at the way the children play with each other in total support and camaraderie I hope it stays instilled in them as they grow further into this sport.

As the horn sounded in the final chukker, Oldman/Cooley defeated Urban Dog in the A Flight with MVP given to Sydney Jordan for her outstanding efforts. Best Sportsmanship went to Gracie Gonzales. In the B Flight, MVP was Rexy Vicardo as he truly showed his improved riding and playing skills since starting with us at the beginning of the season.  Best Sportsmanship went to Rosie Gonzales, the younger sister of Gracie. Jenny and Mondo Gonzales, the parents of the two sisters, must be doing all the right things to have both girls recognized for their wonderful attitudes and playing performances.

In conclusion I would like to suggest if clubs have a difficult time getting players to the trophy presentation  in a timely manner, they might want to try this strategy. Simply say, “We have Pizza at the Trophy table.” The players were at the presentation in record time. Each player was presented with a first place gold medallion ,or second place silver medallion  inscribed with the tournament name and date.

Thank  you again, Susan Cooley and Kim Garsed  for all your wonderful support as these children continue to develop their playing skills and knowledge of the sport we love and the horses they play. Also, a big thanks to George Gilstrap at Jackson Hole Emporium for his MVP and Best Sportsmanship gift certificates.  Combined with  the efforts of Al Haagan, and the many parents and interested individuals who jumped in and helped, this tournament  was a huge success and so much fun for everyone. Well done all of us, Bravo!

To see all photos from this tournament … 

To view photos by Jim Bremner from this tournament, visit this link.

To view photos by Samantha’s gallery, visit this link.

Empire Polo Club would like to congratulate last weekends winners!

Casa Sombres was undefeated in the 4-Goal Crown Classic this month.  They won the tournament based on best record.

Casa Sombres: Ernesto Bautista, Ashton Wolf, Conrad Kissling and Bolko Kissling.

Tentnology won the 8-10 Goal Medhjool Challenge Cup based on best record.

Tentnology: Miguel Gutierrez, Nico Maciel, Artie Cameron and Gery Warner.

January 6th – 29th, 2011
Finals was played on March 4th due to a delay from the quarantine

CASA SOMBRES 8, EMPIRE 4

On the strength of an 8-4 victory, Casa Sombres rode off with a win in the Stagecoach Challenge Sunday afternoon at the Empire Polo Club at the expense of an anemic Empire attack.

Casa Sombres received one goal by handicap but was unable to get any attack going in the opening seven minutes of play.  Charlie Peterson made good on a 60-yard penalty shot and it was all even at 1-1.

Casa Sombres wins the 4-Goal Stagecoach Challenge: Alex Haagen, III presented trophies to Ernesto Bautista, Ashton Wolf, Bolko Kissling and Conrad Kissling.

Peterson scored again from the 60-yard mark on a penalty shot.  For the second consecutive chukker Casa Sombres was unable to break through the Empire attack, trailing 2-1.

Empire went ahead 3-1 in the third with a goal from the field from Peterson.  Conrad Kissling finally found the range for a goal followed by a scoring effort from Wolf and the score was all even at 3-3.

Conrad Kissling converted a 40-yard penalty shot in the fourth for a 4-3 edge as Empire was unable to coordinate any effective offense in the period.

A four goal final chukker from Casa Sombres closed the door on any thought of an Empire rally as they got two goals from Ernesto Bautista and single goals from Wolf and
Bolko Kissling.  Empire managed a single penalty conversion from Leigh Brecheen in the 8-4 Casa Sombres win.

Peterson scored three goals for Empire with Brecheen adding the other.

Casa Sombres received one goal by handicap and got two goals apiece from Conrad Kissling, Wolf and Bautista.  Bolko Kissling added a goal in the victory.

EMPIRE (4) was the runner-up in the 4-Goal Finals. Charlie Peterson, Lolo Payan, Rob Scapa and Leigh Brecheen.

Empire Polo Club Women’s Polo Tournament
By Alex Webbe

Ten teams showed up at the Empire Polo Club in Indio over the weekend to participate in three flights in the 2012 Debii Dollar Conant Women’s Tournament Cup.

Estancia Ventarron teammates (Sunny Hale, Julie Block-Fernandez, Malia McCoy and Kate Weber) took top honors in the A Flight WCT Qualifier in a 9-6 win over Coldwell Banker (Madelyn Cobb, Tiamo Hudspeth, Dayelle Fargey and Abby Riggs), building on a 4-2 halftime score to rout a talented foursome by the final score of 9-6.

Estancia Ventarron received one goal by handicap and watched as Coldwell Banker picked up first chukker goals from Dayelle Fargey and Abby Riggs (penalty goal).  Malia McCoy kept it all een at 2-2 with her first goal of the game.

Two more Estancia Ventarron goals came on a penalty conversion from Sunny Hale and a goal from the field from Kate Weber.  Coldwell Banker was unable to get on the scoreboard in the second chukker, and trailed 4-2 at the end of the first half.

Coldwell Banker fared no better in the third, scoring a single penalty goal from Tiamo Hudspeth while giving up a pair of goals from McCoy and a goal from Hale. Estancia Ventarron rode into the final chukker with a four goal, 7-3 lead.

Sunny Hale ended it in the final chukker with two goals from the field.  Coldwell Banker picked up single goals from Madelyn Cobb, Tiamo Hudspeth and Dayelle Fargey, but fell, 9-6.

Sunny Hale led all scorers with four goals and was named MVP for her efforts.  Malia McCoy scored three times and Kate Weber added a goal.  The team also received one goal by handicap.

Tiamo Hudspeth and Dayelle Fargey scored two goals apiece for Coldwell Banker.  Madelyn Cobb and Abby Riggs added single goals in the loss.

Estancia Ventarron won the Flight A Finals. Kate Weber, Sunny Hale, Alex Haagen, III, Claudia Pistarini, Jeff Kazmark, Malia McCoy, Julie Block and Mike Conant.

BARROSSA TAKES B FLIGHT IN 7-3 WIN

The Barrossa polo team (Katie Graham, Kerstie Allen, Abby Riggs and Tiamo Hudspeth) rallied for four goals in the final two chukkers to score a 7-3 win over Coldwell Banker in the B Flight of the Debii Dollar Conant Cup.

Coldwell Banker’s Megan Flynn scored the first goal of the final match with Abby Riggs responding with Barrossa’s only goal of the period for a 1-1 tie.

Second chukker action had Hudspeth converting a 40-yard penalty shot with teammate Allen scoring a goal from the field.  Dayelle Fargey scored a single goal for Coldwell Banker, who trailed 3-2 at halftime.

Two more third chukker goals from Barrossa’s Riggs and Allen were answered by a single goal from Fargey as Barrossa rode out to a 5-3 lead.

A penalty goal from Riggs and a final goal from the field from Allen ended the game with Barrossa celebrating a 7-3 win.

Allen led the Barrossa team with three goals and was named MVP.  Riggs and Hudspeth scored two goals apiece.

Fargey scored two goals for Coldwell Banker.  Flynn scored once in the loss.

Abby Riggs’ Lobo was named Best Playing Pony.

Barrossa won the B Flight Finals. Kerstie Allen, Tiamo Hudspeth, Mike Conant, Abby Riggs and Katie Graham.

POWAY WINS DEBII DOLLAR CONANT “C” FLIGHT

Poway (Lizzy Peck, Savannah Broderick, Becky Clark, Blair Palmer, Nancy Louis) registered a three-team round-robin victory to capture the C Flight in this year’s Debii Dollar Conant Women’s Tournament with a 3-1 win over the Rockstars (Ann Terranova, Amelia Gilroy, Suki Piper, Roxy Keyfauver, Cameron Smith and Susan Cooley) and a 5-2 victory over Poise Polo Divas (Megan Kozminski, Mary Masterson, Eileen Duffy and Stephanie Davidson).

Savanna Broderick’s Corky received Best Playing Pony honors.

Poway wins ladies C flight in Debii $$ Conant Women’s Tournament. Becky Clark, Blair Palmer, Savannah Broderick, Lizzy Peck and Nancy Louie.

Photos by Jim Bremner

By Alex Webbe
To view all photos click here. 

Gypsy/Tri-Tech (Suzanne Figi, Gustavo Pavon, Graham Bray, Gaston Von Wernich, and Remy Muller) built up a 6-2 halftime lead over Empire 10 (Erik Hammon, Craig Stienke, Mariano Fassetta and Ashton Wolf) before cruising to an 8-6 win in the finals of the 2012 8-10 goal Emerald Cup Sunday afternoon at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.

Tritech/Gypsy - Remy Mueller (sub for Chris Maloney), Graham Bray, Suzanne Figi and Gaston Von Wernich.

Gaston Von Wernich scored the first goal of the game on a 60-yard penalty shot followed by a goal from the field from Remy Muller.  Empire’s Ashton Wolf scored the final goal of the chukker as Gypsy/Tri-Tech took the early 2-1 lead.

Goals from Muller and Von Wernich (penalty goal) went unanswered in the second chukker as Empire failed to find the range.  At the end of the second chukker the Gypsy/Tri-Tech led had grown to three goals, 4-1.

Erik Hammon tried to light a fire under the Empire offense with the opening goal of the third chukker, but Gypsy/Tri-Tech fired back with goals from Graham Bray and Von Wernich.  At the end of the first half Gypsy/Tri-Tech rode off the field with a 6-2 advantage.

Muller opened the second half with a goal from the field while Mariano Fassetta responded with a penalty conversion for Empire.  Gypsy/Tri-Tech continued to lead by four goals, 7-3.

Muller converted a penalty shot for Gypsy/Tri-Tech’s only goal of the fifth period, but Empire could do little better.  A goal from the field from Fassetta kept them from getting shutout, but Empire continued to trail, 8-4.

A 40-yard penalty shot from Fassetta and a goal from the field from Wolf were the only offense in the final chukker as Gypsy/Tri-Tech rode out the 8-6 championship win.

Muller led all scoring with four goals.  Von Wernich added three and Bray was credited with one goal in the victory.

Fassetta was credited with three goals for Empire.  Wolf scored twice and Hammon added a goal.

THERMAL TAKES ROSE CUP FINAL

Thermal (Hayward Pardue, Dayelle Fargey, Romero Gonzalez and Goyo Mariscal) handed Flower’s Farms (David flowers, Rick Paicius, Ernie Ezcurra and Erik Wright) their first loss of the month in a 9½-7 win in the finals of the 4-goal rose Cup earlier in the day.

Thermal Polo Team - Reg White, Romero Gonzalez, Hayward Pardue and Goyo Mariscal.

Thermal received ½ goal by handicap and quickly ran the lead up with a pair of goals from the field from Goyo Mariscal.  Flower’s Farms managed a single goal in the opening chukker from Rick Paicius.  At the end of the first chukker, thermal held a 2½ – 1 lead.

Paicius cut into the Thermal lead with an unanswered goal in the second.  Flower’s Farm trailed, by ½ goal, 2½ to 2.

Thermal found its offense again in the third as they registered two goals from the field from Romero Gonzalez and a single goal from Mariscal.  Ernie Ezcurra accounted for Flower’s Farms only goal as they continued to trail 5½-3.

The fourth chukker was the turning point for Thermal.  A pair of penalty conversions from Dayelle Fargey and single goals from Gonzalez and Mariscal pushed the Thermal lead to 9½-4, with Flower’s Farms managing a single penalty goal from Erik Wright.

Flower’s Farms managed to score three last chukker goals against a generous Thermal defense with Paicius scoring twice (one from the field and one penalty goal) and Wright converting a penalty shot for a goal.  Thermal left the field with a 9½-7 win.

Mariscal led the Thermal attack with four goals.  Gonzalez scored three times and Fargey accounted for two goals in the victory.  Thermal received ½ goal by handicap.

Paicius led the Flower’s Farms assault with four goals.  Wright accounted for a pair of goals and Ezcurra scored once.

Empire Polo Club Junior Polo League
February 17th -19th, 2012
By Connie Atkinson

It was Presidents’ Day weekend and Empire Polo Club celebrated by staging their first Presidents’ Day Youth Polo Tournament to pay tribute to the holiday. It was a two day event played under the lights at the Empire Polo Club indoor arena. The tournament was sponsored by Ben Smith, who’s grandson, Colby, was visiting from the state of Washington.

All the children who participated had a great time! We had two children, Colby Smith, 9 and Kirby Montgomery, 11 coming from Washington and Toronto, Canada to play with us. Empire Polo Club’s regular Members are always happy to meet new players and make them feel welcome.

Saturday night two teams played against each other with Rhyo Rainsford and Eleanore Smith battling it out against Cameron Smith and Gracie Gonzales. Their competitiveness left many of the other players scrambling to keep up.

In order to make the teams more balanced, on Sunday night, we had 4 teams of 3, based primarily on playing skill level. Rosie Gonzales was the high-scorer for Empire’s White team with great assists coming from Eleanore Smith. For Empire’s Black team it was Conner Garsed, who was instrumental in moving the ball right along and fighting it out against Eleanore and Rosie. Colby Smith and Ella Bonilla played great defense, but they were no match for Empire White’s offensive game. In the final play of the last chukker, Kirby Montgomery, brand new to the sport ,was able to score her goal as she struggled to drive her horse into the play just before the final horn blew. Very well done by all the players. The more opportunities they have to play, the better they get.

For our more advanced teams, we had the opportunity to have Rhandy Heredia play with Conner Garsed and Rhyo Rainsford representing Empire’s Black team against Eleanore Smith, Cameron Smith and Gracie Gonzales for Urban Dog’s Green team . After the first chukker, Green was down by 4 goals and discouraged. Cameron had horse trouble and needed to change mounts after the boys complained about her horse biting them in the ride-offs. She tried to say “that’s polo”, but she switched anyway.

Connie Atkinson the Director of the Junior Polo Program at Empire Polo Club.

The boys proved to be too quick and accurate for the ladies with Rhyo Rainsford being the high-scorer of the game. It was a very well played game with handshakes all around. Funny how difficult that is for 10 thru 13 year olds to shake hands. As Gracie Gonzales age 10, explained it, “Boys have koodies.” However, polo is teaching our kids SPORTSMANSHIP whether they win or lose.Connie Atkinson, Empire’s Junior Polo Program Director wouldn’t let them out of the gate until all hands were shook and “Thank you, umpire” were demonstrated by all.

All of the playing horses wore their patriotic American Flag boutonnières on their bridles and all players received beautiful Empire polo shirts, compliments of Ben Smith for their participation in our tournament. A special thank you to Ben Smith, Jenny Gonzales, Sarah Myers and Samantha Van Duynhoven for their help in putting on the tournament. Thank you also Parents, for your valuable support for our future polo players.