Not only is it the finals of the Barbara Sinatra Skins 12-Goal Tournament, but it is also the finals of the USPA Governor’s Cup. we know the contestants of the Skins, we do not, however, know the Gov.s cup finalist yet. In a weird sort of way it could be teammates at 12 noon and enemies at 2 pm as Jofie & Mini Mac (Julian Mannix) are teammates on the Hawk’s Gov. Cup team. With a win in the semis these players could face off in the Skins and together try to win the Governor’s earlier in the day. It should be a very good weekend hopefully! Sand and water will be used this weekend and not dust and smoke. Lets meet the final 4 in the Governor’s Cup. It’s a very interesting group and a solid show of youth.
Casa Blanca – always a favorite to be at the top. They have one of the best young guns in the country, Nicolai Galindo, who is a mixture of Uncle Hector and who has the discipline of Mariano Gonzalez. Nicolai will be a big factor. Carlos Galindo brings steady coaching and speed to the table. Young Doug Blumenthal has the talent and now on the White – Galindo string could be a player. The Boss Lady Ronai White is all about winning!
OC Cougars who play Casa Blanca in the semis brings Beauty and youth to the table. This group is born to ride. The Captain is one gorgeous women in Polo named Mrs. Robin Paicius. She rides like a cowgirl and is new to Polo, but not a horse. She is a fighter. Along side her is another Lady who brings fire in the Valley, Mrs. Jessica Bailey-Mano. She will take a man hard to the left or the right. The cool dudes with these Ladies are Twin Guns from the young side, and who like Nicolai, are facing the handicap committee soon. They are Tomas and Matias Obregon and they do like to run and are very solid so expect a showdown in this one bar none both teams could be 8 tp 10 goals in June.
On the other side it’s the real Young Guns. The Hawks – 21 being the oldest as Jofie (Joseph Stuart) tries to keep fire in the valley not exploding outside. He brings a steady hand and a born to run attitude to a team full of speed. Caritos Galindo is nothing but speed and Mini Mac (Julian Mannix) has only speed on his mind. The slowest person on this team is the littlest and he is quick anywhere else in the form of Patrick Uretz. If the field is smooth it will be fast, unfortunately I am not sure where it will be smooth. It will be air-ball time. They play the Friendly Chevrolet squad, who have to be the most experienced team of the 4 in the semis. They have some speed as well. They have Lance Hughes, who is very tough and likes to run. They also have another Young Gun named Nacho Varela from the country of Urugay. I am sure that’s not how you spell it, but it’s getting big in polo as Pelon David Sterling and also home of Juan Curbelo are sending out big sticks. Leading the group is captain Mr. Smooth himself, Curt Hughes, who just smiles and gets it done. Their big stick is Topo Mendez, who has been here before and he has the control to stop the charge if he can find the handle of the bouncing ball. It looks to be a dandy as well.
THE SKINS ARE:
The Hawks are in the is one too, as they bring the Mini Mac (Julian Mannix) the bullet to the table either tired or fresh. He will be running and gunning. He may not take a man, but they do have to take him. Then behind him is another Canadian . . . I forgot to say the Hawks are from the Canadian Rockies, like Calgary. Another version of Mannix-ville, Millarville and Fish Creek. Daniel Roenisch, who is fresh from the big time Florida scenes and knows what’s got to be done. Following him is the only non-Canadian Father Joe Henderson, who brings the Smokin’ Joe back to battle as he reaches his 4th decade at the top of the heap. They have another Canook in the form of Kyle Fargey, who has become quite a player on his own. He sends speed to the front and discipline at the back, to make them an early favorite for the Skins title, but they do have to deal with Windsor Capital.
Windsor Capital and the Governor, Pat Nesbitt, who like Fred Couples has won more Skins than anyone else and likes to win. He is a big reason they are here with a huge play on a six-goaler last week broke the game wide-open. Behind him there is nothing but speed. Josey is always in a hurry and he knows where he is going and so does everyone else . . . to goal. Behind him is the other 1/2 of the double J’s, Jason the Palomino who just likes to play polo and does it very well. He hits it and takes the man the old-fashioned way, HARD. It does seem to make it happen. Backing them up is another Young Gun with a bucket of speed and a name often seen in the archives of the Skins is Zavaleta like Julio, Clemente, Sr., Henry and Augi (Agustin). This Zavaleta is named Clemente, Jr. He is playing polo like a big gun taking on anyone who wants to come. Clemente just takes them and hits the ball. He could be the next Macho Man like hi Uncle Julio.
So there it is. Baring bad weather, there will be some very good polo this weekend despite the fields. Maybe they will mow along the boards and it will be a very fun day for almost everyone.
If you are down south, its time for the biggest show in U.S. Polo as the U.S. Open starts on Sunday as well. So it goes on for the next 3 weeks and it will be on green fields as 12 teams compete for it all. See ya at polo.