Women’s Polo Tournament
Careyes Polo Club, Mexcio
By Susan Stovall
Players from Mexico City, Chicago, Thermal, California and Spokane and Yakima, Washington were hosted by of Giorgio Brignone, owner of the Costa Careyes Resort and Polo Club and Director of Polo, Susan Stovall, January 12 – 16th. All of the women were mounted by the club – Whitney Vogt of Chicago said “ her suitcases weren’t big enough to take two of them home” – a compliment to the quality of the horseflesh.
The polo player's who participated in the polo tournament.
The six players, Kate Weber(1), Catlin Dix (1), Suzy Dix (0), Whitney Vogt (0), Cristina Romo (0) and Tricia Johnston (B) were divided into two teams. Jim Giebeler of Paris France and David Geovanis, Moscow Russia, were added to complete the teams. Elizabeth Beer,owner of Beresford Gallery in Unionville, Pennsylvania came for the great weather, beach and fun and was one of the umpires for all the games. Stephanie Lindahl, Susan’s sister, was official photographer for the week. Before play started , all ladies were invited to the home of Italians Alberto and Kari Ardissone , founder of the Agua Alta tournament, for a sunset party and then on to Casa Quinto Sol, the home of Manuel and Paula Matos from Portugal, for dinner and dancing. Tuesday and Wednesday were practice games to get comfortable with their horses and to change if there wasn’t a good fit. Dinner parties were scheduled every night and a trip to Barra de Navidad for the local market that was full of Mexican artisans and their wares. A special catamarán excurion was arranged for the group to tour the coastline of the area as well as a day at one of the Careyes Castles, Mi Ojo. The finals evening was on the beach at the Playa Rosa restaurant where each playe received unique Mexican gift from the hosts – Giorgio Brignone and Susan Stovall.
One of many spectacular sunsets in Careyes, Mexico.
The polo was very competitve and each team was ready to take home the trophy. Team Tortugas was mother- daughter combination, Suzy and Catlin Dix, Tricia Johnston and Jim Giebeler took on Team Tejones – Kate Weber, Cristina Romo, Whitney Vogt and David Geovanis. Geovanis put in the first goal for the Tejones and Jim Giebeler, Team Tortugas, made a beautiful 60 yard penalty that soared through the uprights . Catlin Dix and Whitney Vogt each made goals for their teams ending the first chukker a tie. The next two chukkers had each team scoring goal for goal with both Dixes scoring and Vogt and Geovanis for their respective teams. The final and fourth chukker Team Tejones seemed to take control with Vogt scoring two and Genovanis scoring two ending the first tournament game 7 -5. Tricia Johnston had a goal for the Tortugas.
The ladies at one of the evening parties.
Saturday the Tejones team wanted to go home with both victories but that was not the case as Team Tortugas were able to deny that privilege. Though the final score for the day 3-2 for the Tortugas – the game was up and down the field just not goals put on the scoreboard. Trish Johnston and Jim Giebeler had 1 and 2 goals respectivley and Kate Weber and David Geovanis each had one for the Tejones.
Horseback riding on the beach in Careyes.
A shootout was to be the final decison but was not necessary as the Tejones had the net advantage of one goal. Trophies, a beautiful porcelin and sterling silver turtle design, were provided by Emilia Castillo of Mexico City and family of player Cristina Romo. All players were excited to come back next year and dates are in the planning stages. Please see www.careyes.com.