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Sebucan Takes Early Lead After Day One Of Fall Classic

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Sebucan Takes Early Lead After Day One Of Fall Classic

WELLINGTON, Fla., November 2, 2019---Sebucan took its first step in defending its title Friday at Grand Champions Polo Club.



Sebucan (Santos Bollini, 1, Pablo Pulido, 2, Nic Roldan, 8, Kris Kampsen, 6) came up big in the opening round robin of the Fall Classic with a 9-5 victory over Grand Champions (Sugar Erskine, 6, Brandon Phillips, 4, Sterling Giannico, 4, Tito Gaudenzi, 2) and 6-4 win over Newport (Gene Goldstein, 1, Jason Crowder, 6, Pablo Spinacci, 6, Juan Bollini, 5). In the opening game, Newport defeated Grand Champions, 6-4.

Tito Gaudenzi of Grand Champions battles Jason Crowder of Newport for the ball.

The scores will carry over into Sunday's championship final at 10 a.m. 

Sebucan, behind Roldan and Pulido, had the most offensive firepower with 15 goals. Newport scored 10 and Grand Champions nine goals.

Pablo Spinacci of Newport and Sugar Erskine of Grand Champions both reach for the ball.

Roldan and Pulido shared in Sebucan's leading scoring honors each with five goals in six chukkers. Santos Bollini had three goals and Kampsen added two goals. 

Spinacci led Newport with six goals and Erskine led Grand Champions with four goals.

Sterling Giannico of Grand Champions goes for the near side shot with 
Pablo Spinacci of Newport defending.

In the opening game, Newport, making its fall debut, jumped out to a quick 3-1 lead in the opening chukker and never relinquished it. Newport led 6-2 after two chukkers. Grand Champions tried to rally in the third and final chukker with two goals but ran out of time.

Sebucan dominated the second game from the opening throw-in. With two goals from Pulido and one from Roldan, Sebucan led 3-1 after the first chukker and outscored Grand Champions, 4-1, in the second chukker to lead 7-2 after two chukkers. Grand Champions got its offense untracked, outscoring Sebucan, 3-2, in the final chukker but again fell short.

Pablo Pulido of Sebucan hits a near side shot with Brandon Phillips 
of Grand Champions defending.

The third and final game of the round robin was the closest and most competitive despite a steady light rain. Roldan scored the first two goals of the game to give Sebucan a 2-1 lead after the first chukker. Newport came back behind Crowder and Spinacci to outscore Sebucan, 2-1, and tie the game 3-3 after two chukkers. Sebucan regained its offensive momentum behind Pulido's two goals and one by Kampsen to outscore Newport, 3-1, for the win.

"I think Sebucan is the strongest team with an 8-goaler and favorite but with round robins it's anyone's game," Newport's Juan Bollini said. "Today was fun and I think Sunday will be even more fun. I like my team, I think we have a chance."

Kris Kampsen of Sebucan and Tito Gaudenzi of Grand Champions race for the ball.

"You have to start from the beginning sharp because you don't have a lot of time to recover," Bollini said. "Every team today was very equal. It was fun polo. Also we haven't played polo for ten days because of the rain and we have to be careful with the horses getting them in shape." 

Last season Sebucan (Pablo Pulido, Whistle Uys, Mariano Gracida, Julio Gracida), trailing by two goals after the fourth chukker, bounced back for a 10-8 victory over Audi (Santos Bollini, Justin Daniels, Brandon Phillips, Pablo Dorignac).

Juan Bollini of Newport starts an offensive attack in the third game.

Pablo Pulido, playing well above his 2-goal rating, was selected Most Valuable Player. The former collegiate player at Cornell, played well offensively and defensively while scoring a game-high four goals. Pulido was also MVP for the 2017 USPA Fall Plates and 2018 USPA Eastern Challenge.

In 2017, Casablanca (Cacho Galindo, Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, MVP Mike Azzaro) won with a 9-8 victory over Team USPA (Matias Gonzalez, Jesse Bray, Felipe Viana, Jimmy Wright).

The winners of the first two 2019 tournaments at Grand Champions were: Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Kris Kampsen, Pablo Spinacci, Juan Bollini), Tackeria Invitational and Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Brandon Phillips, Jason Crowder), US Trust Cup.

Santos Bollini of Sebucan tries to ride off Juan Bollini of Newport.

During the 2019 fall season, the nation's largest polo club is hosting both medium and high goal polo featuring six medium goal tournaments and two 20-goal tournaments. 

The fall season serves as a tuneup for the winter season for players and green horses. The winter season will feature the second season of the highly-successful 26-goal World Polo League at Grand Champions and Valiente Polo Farm with the best polo players in the world. 

The 2019 fall season is highlighted by the International Cup featuring Team USA against France; Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial, inaugural Wellington Open 20 and USPA National 20. 
 
Nic Roldan of Sebucan outraces defender Pablo Spinacci of Newport.

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, Uruguay, Switzerland, Nigeria and South Africa.

Grand Champions had its finest fall season in club history last year. It was the only club in the nation to stage two USPA-sanctioned 20-goal fall tournaments and again is hosting 20-goal tournaments this season.

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.

Kris Kampsen of Sebucan attempts to hook Pablo Spinacci of Newport.

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 their most successful and historical summer season at Grand Champions' sister club Aspen Valley Polo Club.

The fall league features: stick-and-ball sessions during the week; two tournament games every weekend; ambulance and 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. Food and refreshments are available for players and fans after the finals.

Pablo Pulido of Sebucan tries to ride off Juan Bollini of Newport.
Photos by Grand Champions Polo Club

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.

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, a stand-alone USPA club, operates in Wellington January through May and September through November. For more information on the Fall Leagues or Polo School contact Juan Bollini at  561-346-1099.
2019 Grand Champions Fall Schedule

Fall Classic
Sunday 11/3 10 a.m.
Fall Classic Final

Medium Goal:
Nov. 8-10, Fall Plates
Nov. 15-17, Pedro Morrison Memorial

High Goal:
Nov. 16-23, Wellington Open 20
Nov. 18-27, USPA National 20

Nov. 30 1 p.m.
Legends of Polo Carlos Gracida Memorial

Nov. 30 3 p.m.
2019 International Cup, USA vs. France

TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR!

Players, grooms, fans and most importantly, horses, will get an extra hour of sleep Saturday night. Daylight Saving Time ends on the first Sunday in November. It is observed in all U.S. states except Arizona and Hawaii. Before you go to bed on Saturday, turn your clocks back one hour. Many clocks on computers and cell phones will adjust automatically. The fall back and spring forward changes continue a long tradition started by Benjamin Franklin to conserve energy. Daylight Saving Time resumes again on March 8, 2020.



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 May and September through November. For lessons contact Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099. 


Chukker TV will live-streame the entire fall 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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