Photos by Miguel Fairbanks
Grants Farm faced a new opponent in the final of the 8 goal Wickenden Cup at Santa Barbara Polo Club on Sunday, Oct 2, but the result was the same, as the team continued to dominate the 8 goal with a 13-9 win over Gehache.
Grants Farm, Wickenden Cup Champions- Andy Busch, Santiago Wulff, Jolie Adamson, Andy Busch Jr, and Leigh Brecheen.
The game started off in Gehache’s favor, as Jeep Holden had a strong run to goal to get the first score of the game. As Gehache received one goal on handicap, this gave them a two goal lead. Veteran polo player Andy Busch responded well to the pressure however, and quickly scored on back to back goals for Grants Farm to tie things up. Busch added another goal to start out the 2nd chukker and put Grants Farm in the lead. Matt Ladin (who celebrated his wedding the day before) scored twice in that chukker for Gehache, only to see Andy Busch Sr and Andy Busch Jr continue the scoring for Grants Farm to double their score and make it 6 goals to Gehache’s 4. Gehache went to a strategy of tough defense on the Busch father and son duo, only to see Grants Farm’s other two players Leigh Brecheen and Santiago Wulff continue the scoring. Gehache challenged throughout the game, but could not overcome the horsepower and teamwork of the Grants Farm foursome. The game was a pleasure to watch as all eight players scored and both teams were playing classic four man polo, but Grants Farm proved to be the team with the advantage in speed and defense and won the match 13-9, securing their second title in the fall 8 goal series.
Best Playing Pony "Buscapina" and Santiago Wulff, Rojelio, and Jolie Adamson. Photo by Miguel Fairbanks.
Santiago Wulff’s mare “Buscapina” was selected BPP for the match, and Andy Busch Sr, who somehow managed to be high scorer of the match with 6 goals while also shutting down the other team on defense, was selected MVP.
MVP Andy Busch and Jolie Adamson. Photo by Miguel Fairbanks.
Earlier in the day Mansour defeated Mr Cecils/ Homewood 9-7, Mansour’s Ben Soleimani had two great field goals to help his team to victory.
In the playoff games for this tournament, Gehache defeated Mr Cecils/ Homewood 12-4 and Grants Farm defeated Mansour 11-10.
Gehache -Jeep Holden, newlyweds Lindsey and Matt Ladin, Artie Cameron, Glencito Holden.
The final tournament of the season is the USPA Presidents Cup, schedule and updated roster are attached.