Polo America’s Dawn to Dusk Chukker Challenge on November 6, 2010 at Stormbranch Equestrian Club in Aiken, South Carolina set a world record for longest polo game. Fifty plus polo players and over 200 horses played a 32 chukker polo game. Play began at 8:00 AM with temperatures in the low 30’s. Approximately 8 hours after the first ball throw in the game came to an end. The final score was Land Rover Columbia 49 and Grand Champions Polo Club 47. Melissa Ganzi and Luis Escobar each set a new world record for continuous play. Each played 30 consecutive chukkers.
Announcing each chukker, were the Chukker Girls. Four young women from Achieve Fitness were driven around the field in between each chukker holding Chukker Signs.
The Polo America staff of Arshia Rios, Lorrie Chadd and Kirsten Ludwig ran a flawless game. The game ran so smoothly that the staff had to start calling players and telling them to come early due to the fact that we were running ahead of schedule.
David Andrews and Charlie Herrick did a fantastic job announcing this marathon polo game. Paul Wheaton had his own mini marathon as he umpired 14 chukkers.
At the end of the game the scoreboard was brought up to the stage where Brigadier General Lynn presented the players with certificates of accomplishment along with special trophies to Luis and Melissa for playing 30 chukkers.
The Dawn to Dusk Chukker Challenge was a benefit for the Wounded Warriors and soldiers at Fort Gordon. The players who came to support the troops ranged from 8 goal players to -1 goal players. The top four scorers were Melissa Ganzi with 21 goals, Luis Escobar with 15 goals, Randy Russell with 7 goals and Collin McCosh with 5 goals.
The following players participated in the Dawn to Dusk Chukker Challenge
Leo Benjamin
Ed Bernard
Peter Bibeau
Lydia Bibeau
Shea Brooks
Dawn Brown
Dori Burner
Heather Careberry
Christine Cato
Ed Connelly
Fiona Eagle
Kate Echeverria
Jenny Elkus
Luis Escobar
Matt Fonseca
Tony Fonseca
Rodney Fragodt
Carlitos Galindo
Carlos Galindo
Melissa Ganzi
John Gobin
Charlie Hutchinson
Nicholas Jenks
Brandon Kircher
Jack Kousins
Lucas Lalor
Brien Limehouse
Barry Limehouse
Eliza Limehouse
Chip Limehouse
Alex Lopez
Kirsten Ludwig
NanC Mark
Alan Martinez
Collin McCosh
Francisco Medrano
Clint Nangle
Marcos Onetto
Neil Osburg
Barbara Parker
Tess Pimsner
Karen Reese
Owen Rinehart
Arshia Rios
Jose Rodriguez
Randy Russell
Chris Shelli
Adam Snow
Bob Stanton
Tom Thayer
Kegan Walsh
Paul Wheaton
John Whittemore
The next major Polo America event is Polo America Expo in Las Vegas from September 30 through October 2, 2011. Polo America Expo is a polo convention for polo players. For more information call (803) 652-1181.