FIP Zone Playoffs
Dominican Republic at Casa de Campo Polo Club
May 2nd – 15th, 2011
Chris Collins, Nick Snow and team Captain John Gobin take a break at the half with USA up over Guatemala 7-5.
On May 6th, Zone A playoffs for the 9th World Polo Championship began. Two teams will go to the World Championship to be played at Estancia Grande Polo Club in Argentina in October. The Zone A playoffs will be played entirely in the polo fields of Casa de Campo, placed near the town of La Romana. It´s worthy of notice that due to the efforts of the local organization, all of the matches played will have a duration of six chukkers. Zone A´s playoff is the only one of the 4 zones to play six chukkers on all of its matches. Source: Ricardo Mihanovich Murphy.
Day three update …
After three days of competition both Canada and United States have proven to be the best teams in group 1 of the FIP World Championships “Zone A” Playoffs
“We have had a very high level of play due to the quality of the fields and the horses ” quoted Ricardo Mihanovich tournament director for the FIP
With the umpiring of Gonzalo Bunge and Juan Jose Diaz Alberdi two Umpires that regularly umpire the Argentine Open in Palermo play has been very fast and consistent.
Canada will face off against the United States on Tuesday to decide which team will advance to the World FIP Finals in Argentina.
Next week Mexico and Dominican Republic will play a best out of three format to decide who advances to Argentina.
Group 1 Guatemala, USA and Canada play round robin winner advancing to finals in Argentina
Group 2 Mexico and Dominican Republic best 2 out of 3 games winner advancing to Argentina
Source: Calixto Garcia-Velez of Casa de Campo
USA Team Coach Charlie Muldoon with Team Captain John Gobin go over strategy with USA team before Friday's USA vs. Guatemala match.
Participating teams are …
Group 1: Canada, Guatemala and United States
In Group 2: Mexico and the Dominican Republic
The Schedule of Events and Games is as follows:
Monday May 2nd: The Polo Players arrive (from Guatemala, Canada and the USA)
Tuesday May 3rd: Welcome activities for the players and welcome cocktail
Wednesday May 4th, 4pm: Round Robin Practice Game on the Casa de Campo Polo Fields
(with teams Guatemala, Canada and the USA)
Friday May 6th, 5pm: Match #1, Guatemala vs. USA (USA def. Guatemala 12-7)
Sunday May 8th, time TBA: Match #2, Guatemala vs. Canada (Canada def. Guatemala 14-7)
Monday May 9th: Polo Players arrive (from the Dominican Republic and Mexico)
Tuesday May 10th, 5pm: Match #3, Canada vs. USA (USA def. Canada 10-8)
Tuesday May 10th, 7pm: Awards-Giving Ceremony and Party!
Friday May 13th: Match #4, Mexico vs. Dominican Republic
Sunday 14th: Match #5, Mexico vs. Dominican Republic
Tuesday May 16th: Match #6, Mexico vs. Dominican Republic
Tuesday May 16th, 7pm: Awards-Giving Ceremony and Party!
Group 1 Playoff teams:
Guatemala (10)
Jorge Raul Molina (2)
Antonio Aycinena (3)
Mario Enrique Estrada (3)
Edgar Cruz (2)
Canada (14)
Marcelo Abbiati (4)
Brandon Phillips (5)
Branden Stenzel (2)
Rob Stenzel (3)
USA (14)
John Gobin (5)
Nick Snow (4)
Mason Wroe (3)
Chris Collins (2)
Carlitos Galindo (3)
Cachi Garcia-Velez (2)
Steve Krueger (3)