That is what Robert Jornayvas taught the Eldorado Polo Club this 2009 season.There are not many things in life that work out perfect. The UCONN Women’s team is perfect thus far with 1 game to go. Valiente is perfect and it is over after 60 days of Polo. They have seldom been scared and with good reason. Valiente has changed players due to handicap changes and probably horses a few times as well, but they walked through it all with the same determination they showed in their first game. You will seldom see four youngsters (the oldest may be close to 21) with this much discipline on the field. They never stop and they never give in to the pressure. Yes, they all have very good form and talent, but very little “showboat” kind of flashes. They show almost all selfless participation as a team. If one makes a mistake, no problem. He knows he is covered and the pressure is relentless.
In the Governor’s Cup Fnals it was close for most of the game, but Valiente just kept coming. Any mistake by the opponent was an opportunity for them and it will be an immediate turn around with a chance to score. The finals was just what it was supposed to be . . . Rick Pacius was replaced as he has a broken wing. His team Trinity Crusaders was very solid, but they were up against young Robert’s team Valiente. The speed was there from the get go with Super Sub Uretz (replacing Rick Pacius) drawing first blood, but it would be the V’s taking the next 3 to end chukker 1 at 3 to 1. Then with slower speed it was constant pressure from Ernie Ezcurra and Theo Wakefield. They were back in it to a tie at the half. A couple of great plays by Theo and Juan Jose Gonzalez put Trinity in the lead, but only for a few ticks as the Young Guns of Valiente (Zeon Cardoner and Juan Britos supported by the old man on the team Rodrigo Moran) followed young Robert to the goal to take the lead back. In the final chukker it was all the Bullets of Valiente as they held Trinity hostage for the rest of the game.
It was widely said that Valiente was very much under rated, but I saw the last two games and I have no doubt young Robert will go up in June, but so will Patrick on the other side. Anyone on the field in the finals is likely to be playing at the top of their game, that’s why they are in the finals. It was just so impressive to me the constant pressure and the team play by all of them. Big Robert J. can be very proud and he might have his big boys watch the videos of his son’s games . . . they could definitely learn something. Also Young Robert is one of the best young Americans in the other horse world of Jumping. He could very well be a candidate for the US Olympic team as he took most of top awards at the big Hits show in Thermal.
In the rest of the finals week it was Lady Pacius, as in Robin, taking the Lt . Governor’s Cup as they blew by the CasaBlanca squad. It was Jax and the Papa Walker from Skins final fame taking another Sunday final as they out flew the Hawks to the trophy table.
Down south in Florida where the 26-goal is happening in the US Open it was West Palm Beach’s Athlete of the year, Jeff Blake, leading White Birch over Gold Cup Champions Lechuza Carcas in a big opener for both and yes Jeff was selected as Athlete of the year by Sportsman of Palm Beach county in Florida not just polo. Hector Galindo also won his first game with Orchard Hill. The pre favorites Audi did a tap dance on Zacara in the other opener. So there you have it.
Congratulations to VALIENTE:
Robert Jornayvas 4
Juan Britos
Rodrigo Moran
Zeon Cardoner
2009 GOVENORS CUP CHAMPIONS