QUINTO SOL WINS AT COSTA CAREYES Mexico
Dec. 27th – January 7th ‘08
Six teams participated in the Annual New Year’s Tournament
The undefeated team Quinto Sol won the New Year’s week tournament against team USA Two Trees 8 – 6. Six teams battled it out under warm, sunny skies. The Tournament was sponsored by the new Partida Tequila produced in the nearby Tequila land by a Careyes residents Gary and OJ Shansby. There were margaritas for the public and music band from Tomatlan.
In the finals, playing for Quinto Sol, were the Brazilian brothers Joao and Olavo Novaes, 3- and 7-goals respectively, with Diego Gonzalo from Guadalajara and Manuel Matos-Gil, Portugal a Careyes resident. In his best game of the week 19 year-old Manuel ‘Mini’ skillfully scored several goals, assuring Quinto Sol a win in the finals.
Playing for USA Two Trees Team was Guillermo ‘Chino’ Li from Peru. Chino is one of the Club’s pros (rated 5-goals) and he is also the manager of the Careyes Polo Club. Chino was unstoppable as he sent up several 150 yard power shots to his teammates Federico Uribe of Columbia, rated 5-Goals, David Giovanis from Moscow Polo Club replaced David Walentas (left earlier) from Two Trees (who just won the Hampton Cup in the Bridgehampton Club of Two Trees with Cambiaso this past Summer) and Brian Boyd, a very good patron and player from Santa Fe, New Mexico.
For team UK Zacara the great Carlos Gracida and his 15 year-old son Mariano teamed up with Lyndon Lea from the UK ( best player of the tournament and Mexican 3-goaler Miguel Gomez de Parada, a past World Cup player and contender for this year’s Game. Carlos thrilled the spectators with his field goals and spectacular horsemanship. Miguel and Carlos dominated the field in the last 5 games yet surprisingly did not get their team into the playoff.
La Sombra del Charro’s included Bolko Kissling (Germany and resident of Careyes) rated 1-Goal, Hugo Villalobos (Mexico), Britt Shaw UK and Valerio Aguilar 6-goals (Mexico), showed great team work battling it out against USA Estancia Beef. Estancia captain JP Theriot 3-Goals (USA), along with Tim Parsa rated 2-Goals (Mexico), John Bickford (USA) and Francisco Aguilar 4-Goals (Mexico) put up a good fight in an open and fast game. Hugo Villalobos managed to score 2 goals for Sombra del Charro, putting them ahead in a tight fight which ended 6 to 8.
Home team Careyes, captained by founder Giorgio Brignone rated 1-goal (Italy) teamed up with Roderick Vere Nicols UK, Armando Gonzales 3-Goals (Mexico) who has in Florida with White Birch and the husband and wife team of Chris and Katie Falk from Fresno Cal.
The 4th game pitted Careyes against UK Zacara where Katie hooked the legendary Gracida, helping her team from seeing yet another point on the board for Zacara. Careyes was defeated by Zacara 14 to 11 in the finals.
Text and photos by Cistina de Limur
Following is the schedule for the Copa Agua Alta in March 2008 in Costa Careyes, Mexico.
Copa Agua Alta 2008
CALENDAR (work in progress)
Friday 14th March
Welcome cocktail and dinner at casa Agua Alta.
Saturday 15th
Polo games begin, followed by a dinner with music at Rancho de Don Andres.
Sunday 16th
Polo Games.
Cocktails on board of a yacht at Playa Rosa.
Monday 17th
Party at the Cuixmala stables.
Tuesday 18th
Polo Games.
Cocktails in one of the castles of Careyes.
Wednesday 19th
Polo Games.
Dinner on Teopa beach.
Thursday 20th
Party and “charro” in Zapata.
Friday 21st
Semi-finals polo games.
Scappino evening and fashion show.
Saturday 22nd
Final games and prizing on the field.
Great final party.
Sunday 23rd
Mass on Playa Rosa at 11 a.m.