Welcome visitor you can log in or create an account

Women's Weekly Polo League Ends Successful Third Season At Santa Rita; Next Up, April 2-6 Sunny Hale's Legacy WCT Finals At Grand Champions

  • Uploaded by Grand Champions Polo Club
  • Published in Polo Club News
  • Hits: 17460
  • Print,
>
Women's Weekly Polo League Ends Successful Third Season At Santa Rita; Next Up, April 2-6 Sunny Hale's Legacy WCT Finals At Grand Champions
WELLINGTON, Fl., March 28, 2019---It was only fitting the season-ending women's weekly polo league tournament end in a tie Wednesday at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

And that's a wrap for the weekly women's league at Santa Rita Polo Farm. Well done ladies!

By Sharon Robb

"Competitive but friendly," Clarissa Echezarreta said with a smile.

San Saba (Malicia von Falkenhausen, 2, Nicole Watson, 2, Alina Carta, 4, Belinda Brody, 4, Clarissa Echezarreta, 5) rallied in the fourth chukker when Echezarreta broke away on a nice run to score the tying goal for a 3-3 tie against CrossFit El Cid (Cindy Halle, 4, Slaney O'Hanlon, 4, Cecelia Cochran, 4, Anna Winslow, 4, Rileigh Tibbitt, 0).

Slaney O'Hanlon of CrossFit El Cid tries to ride off Clarissa Echezarreta of San Saba.

"I'm glad we came back," Echezarreta said. "I thought they were going to beat us but we pulled it together. The teams were even and handicaps were good. It was a lot of fun." 

Cindy Halle of Crossfit El Cid leads the pack.

The league finale served as a tuneup for the April 2-6 Sunny Hale's Legacy WCT Finals At Grand Champions. Tournament hosts Marc and Melissa Ganzi have waived fees for players in the 8-goal, 16-goal and open divisions and umpire fees to attract a good turnout in honor of Hale's legacy.

The tournament is named in honor of legendary Hall of Famer Sunset "Sunny" Hale. The WCT is the only women's polo event of its kind. The largest polo league in the world has grown in popularity since its inception in 2005. The WCT Final, adult and junior qualifiers have U.S. and international players with more than 20 qualifiers in the U.S. alone including last weekend's Susan G. Komen Women's U.S. Open, won by Hawaii Polo Life.

Cecelia Cochran of CrossFit El Cid hits a neck shot past San Saba defenders.

Hale, the first woman in U.S. history to win the U.S. Open in 2000 with Outback and part-time Wellington resident, died February 26, 2017 in Norman, Okla. due to complications from cancer. She was 48.

Women's polo remains the largest growing sector in polo, aided by the WCT Series which has helped consolidate women's polo and promote high quality competition throughout the world, along with the newly-formed WIPN.

Clarissa Echezarreta of San Saba works the near side back shot.

Eight players, including league co-founder Alina Carta, competed in the season finale. Echezarreta led San Saba with two goals and Brody added one. Halle, O'Hanlon and Tibbitt each had one goal for CrossFit El Cid.

Held every Wednesday during the winter polo season in January, February and March, the Women's Weekly League is held under The Polo School's umbrella. On the last Wednesday of each month a tournament is held.

Cecelia Cochran of CrossFit El Cid goes for the big hit with Belinda Brody of San Saba defending.

The only full-time weekly women's polo league in the world was created by Carta, a polo pioneer and one of the highest ranked women in the U.S. in the 1980s, and Melissa Ganzi, Grand Champions Polo Club President, World Polo League co-founder and avid player. Ganzi is the first woman in history to win the prestigious 35th Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz.

Carta and Echezarreta, two of the sport's pioneers, have helped to build the foundation for future generations of women's polo players. 

Belinda Brody of San Saba leans out of the saddle for the ball.

"This has been fantastic," Carta said. "This is our third year and it's been unbelievable. The girls that started with us all got better and gained a lot of confidence. There was a lot of camaraderie. The league is fulfilling the reasons why we wanted to do it. 

"It was a lot of fun," Carta said. "It went by so fast. I'm sorry that it's over. It's been a great season. It was a way for the girls to get seen, meet other girls and to see where you're at in ability compared to the other girls and handicap ratings."

Clarissa Echezarreta of San Saba tries to avoid an opponents hook while working the ball.

Added Echezarreta, "There are a ton of women playing in polo. We were lucky to play today because people are tired, their horses are taking a break from the Open and getting ready for the WCT. I think the excitement about this league is going to carry over to next year."

All league team entry fees benefit The Polo School, a stand-alone USPA-sanctioned club. The Polo School offers lessons to men, women and children of all ages and ability levels and offers scholarships.

Belinda Brody of San Saba goes for the big hit downfield with Slaney O'Hanlon of CrossFit El Cid defending.

During the winter polo season, Grand Champions, the nation's largest and innovative USPA-sanctioned polo club, is hosting 24 tournaments: 6, 8, 12, 20, and 0 to 40 goals, WCT Finals and women's weekly league play and 26-goal World Polo League tournaments at both Grand Champions, Valiente Polo Farm and several other fields in the area.

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

Cecelia Cochran of CrossFit Ed Cid works the ball out of the air.

Season highlights for 2019 are the Sterling Cup, $50,000 National 12-Goal Tournament, John T. Oxley Memorial and $100,000 World Cup Tournament, a unique 0-40-goal, winner-take-all single-elimination tournament and inaugural World Polo League.

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.

Cindy Halle of CrossFit El Cid works the ball while double teamed.

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.

Malicia von Falkenhausen of San Saba stays close to Cecelia Cochran of CrossFit El Cid.
Photos by Ramon Casares

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 June 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.

MARCH
Saturday 3/30
50K National 12 Goal Final
2 p.m. La Dolfina vs Beverly Equestrian at Grand Champions Field 1

Mar. 29-Apr. 14, World Polo LeagueTriple 
Crown of Polo, at Grand Champions & Valiente Polo Farm

Madelon Bourdieu Memorial (6-goal)
Top Pony 12-Goal Series
John T. Oxley Memorial (20 Goal)
$100,000 World Cup (0-40 goal)


APRIL
April 2-6: Sunny Hale's Legacy WCT Finals,
(8 goals, 16 goals, Open) at Grand Champions.
  
 
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.

STAY CONNECTED:
ChukkerTV, 13444 Southfields Road, Wellington, FL 33414
SafeUnsubscribe™ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Forward this email | Update Profile | About our service provider
Sent by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in collaboration with
Constant Contact