Someone say Beach Polo? I’m in.
Granted, It took two days to recover from the travel across the US but I highly recommend the sojourn to anyone who loves horses, fashion, beaches and of course the sport of Polo. World Polo League Beach Polo knows how to roll out an event and it was amazing.
The tournament takes place over 3 days on the sands of South Beach between 21st and 22nd street. On the last day of play they include a charitable match this year for Give Back for Special Equestrians. All 3 days are filled with some of the world’s top players and they are all up-close and personal. It’s sort of like sitting court-side at your favorite basketball game but instead it’s played on sand with the ocean in the background on horseback. Um Okay, bad analogy. You get the idea. But, what I will say is that this event brings polo closer to you at a much quicker pace on a much smaller field. Here’s some of the highlights.
The tournament featured world-renowned players such as Nic Roldan, Nacho Figueras and Adolfo “Poroto” Cambiaso, the 15 year old sensation following in his father’s hoof prints. Celebrities flocked to sit and sip while watching the matches one day after another. Some of the fashionably dressed notables included Cuba Gooding Jr & Claudine De Niro, Sophia Culpo, Orianne Collins, Alan Faena, Jackie Guerrido, Kobi Karp, Michael Góngora, Mark Samuelian, and Jeremy Shockey.
World Polo League Beach Polo 2021 Credit Mike Leandre
Naturally, in the end someone had to win. Team Seminole Casino Coconut Creek – consisting of Nacho Figueras, Melissa Ganzi, and Alejandro Novillo Astrada took home the 1st place trophy.
World Polo League Beach Polo 2021 Credit Mike Leandre
Charitable match included players Romero Britto, Marlon Humphrey, Gussie Busch, Sterling Jones, Ines Rivero, and Louis Aguirre competed in the Charitable Celebrity Polo match that benefited Give Back for Special Equestrians.
Marlon Humphrey & Gussie Busch at World Polo League Beach P… Credit Willy Dade
All and all this one goes down in the books as a very special horse girl memory.
RESULTS:
Winner: The Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
2nd Place: Land Rover
3rd Place: The Setai
4th Place: World Polo League
GAME RESULTS, BY DAY:
Friday, April 23, 2021
Game 1 – The Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (8) vs World Polo League (7)
Game 2 – Land Rover (6) vs Italkraft (5)
Game 3 – The Setai (8) vs The Villa Collection/GFI (7)
Saturday, April 24, 2021
Game 1 – The Setai (6) vs World Polo League (5)
Game 2 – Land Rover (9) vs The Villa Collection/GFI (7)
Game 3 – The Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (9) vs Italkraft (5)
Sunday, April 25, 2021
Game 1 – Land Rover (6) vs The Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (9)
Game 2 – The Setai (4) vs World Polo League (3)
Game 3 – The Villa Collection/GFI (4) vs Italkraft (3)
TEAMS:
World Polo League: Vincenzo Sangaline (USA); Jeta Castagnola (ARG), Juan Bollini (ARG)
Land Rover: Philip de Groot (NED); Barto Castagnola (ARG); and Tito Gaudenzi (CH)
The Seminole Casino Coconut Creek: Melissa Ganzi (USA), Nacho Figueras (ARG) Alejandro Novillo Astrada (ARG)
Italkraft: Govinda Quish (USA), Juan Martin Zubia (ARG) Poroto Cambiaso (ARG)
Villa Collection at The Ritz-Carlton Residences Miami Beach/GFI: Marc Ganzi (USA), Horacio Heguy (ARG), Nic Roldan (USA)
The Setai: Grant Ganzi (USA), Juancito Bollini (USA), Torito Ruiz (ARG)
CELEBRITY CHARITY MATCH:
Give Back for Special Equestrians: Ines Rivero, Louis Aguirre; and Tito Gaudenzi
Museum of Polo Hall of Fame: Marlon Humphry, Marc Ganzi and Gussie Bush
The Polo Training Foundation: Romero Britto, Sterling Jones, Nacho Figueras
SPONSORS:
Presenting: World Polo League
Team Sponsors: World Polo League, The Setai Miami Beach, Land Rover, The Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, Villa Collection at The Ritz-Carlton Residences Miami Beach, and Italkraft.
Official Supplier: Casablanca
Hospitality: Menin Hospitality; Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, 1 Hotels, Shelbourne Miami Beach, Kayak Miami Beach
Charity: Give Back For Special Equestrians; Museum Of Polo Hall Of Fame
Supporting Sponsors: Codigo 1530, Event Star, Therabody, Oshen Salmon, Curio, Aqua Botanical, Designer eyes, BlackFin, Bodvar Rose, Macallan, Super Coffee, YachtLife, Dischino & Schamy, USA Sports Medicine, KetelOne Botanical, Engel & Volkers, The Husk, Gracida, Highend Work
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Facebook: @worldpololeaguebeachpolo
Instagram: @miamipolo
