Avendano Memorial
Monday February 18th 2013
International Polo Club
Click here to view all participants and winners of each division.
It was a full day of Junior Polo on February 18th at the World Class International Polo Club to complete the 31st Avendano Memorial! 107 junior players from 2 to 15 years of age had a day of fun with family and friends!! Lauren Biddle and Jonny Lavine, graduates of the Junior Polo Program, returned to coach the adorable leadline teams. Liliana Falcone received MVP in her first Avendano Memorial Appearance. Lorenzo Ramirez was awarded the prize for Sportsmanship, while Ava Seward, the youngest ever Avendano participant at 2 years old, received the Best Playing Pony Prize for “Harry Potter.”
The eldest division of three teams took the field at noon, to compete for the coveted Avendano Trophy. The impressive skills and horsemanship of these 12 young players created 8 chukkers of exciting polo. The Patagones Team of Benjamin Avendano, Santiago Avendano, two of the event’s namesake’s grandchildren, Agustin Arellano and Victorino Ruiz were not only victorious, making them the 2013 Avendano Memorial Winners, but Victorino Ruiz received the Most Valuable Player award for his outstanding skills and teamwork, and the young horseman Agustin Arellano took the Best Playing Pony Award for his chestnut “Watermelon.” The Sportsmanship Award was presented to Carlos Martinez, who is not only a strong team player but a true gentleman both on and off the field.
The second tier was a tough competition between six teams of the most up and coming young players. Mariano Peke Gonzalez was not only named MVP of the 24 player group, but he also won the competitive level alongside teammates Joaquin Avendano, Anthony Devrient and Tess Pimsner. The ever polite and enthusiastic Jack McLean was given the Sportsmanship Award, while the up and coming player and horseman Christian Weisz received the Best Playing Pony Award for “Totin.”
In the middle tier, the 5 year old Adolfito “Poloto” Cambiaso and his pony Tobiana, were once again the talk of the day. Poloto and his teammates Riley Ganzi, Boone Stribling and Mia Astrada captured the win in an exciting “Rainbow Rule” overtime!! The beautiful and talented Mia Astrada received the Most Valuable Player, while Landen Daniels was awarded the Sportsmanship award. Mackenzie Weisz received the Best Playing Pony Award for “Rubio.”
In the intermediate levels, Anneke Beck and Olivia Merlos were named Most Valuable Players in their respective groups. Mason Sease and Maria Celis were honored with the Sportsmanship Awards, while “Pinturita,” Michel “Milo” Dorignac’s favorite horse and Santos Merlos’ “Canella” were awarded Best Playing Pony Awards!!
In the younger groups, Tonia Astrada and Rufino Merlos were named Most Valuable Players, and best playing Pony awards were given to Elizabeth “Gigi” Fenner for “Big Leo” and Benjamin Quiroga’s Pony. Our Young Sportsmanship Award winners were Julio Ezcurra Jr. and Robert Morton.
Every year we are amazed at the generousity of the Sponsors, Volunteers, Coaches, Parents, and Umpires that help make this very exciting event possible!!! The PTF and Florida Junior Polo would like to thank the following list of people for making the 2013 Avendano Memorial a success:
The International Polo Club, Jimmy Newman, Ray Mooney and Geraldo for the unprecedented facility.
The Valiente Polo team for the use of their field for lead line and walk trot kids.
Amber Owen, Stacey Galindo, and Katie Connell for timing and score keeping all 22 different matches!
Umpires: Dale Schwetz, Darrell Schwetz, Carlos Galindo, Juan Vidal Dominguez, Marcos Onetto, Nick Snow, Jimmy Seward, Sapo Caset, Stephanie Massey, Tiamo Hudspeth, Bradley Biddle, Mauricio Devrient, Michel Dorignac, Lauren Biddle, Jonny Lavine and Danny Scheraga
The Polo School @ Grand Champions, Melanja Jones, Fernando Asenjo, Juan Villamil, Debra Atwell and Danny Scheraga for umpire horses.
Perry Palmer and Mario Chara for registration and trophy presentation.
Sunny Hale and the American Polo Horse Association for best playing pony awards and trophy presentation.
Alejandro Viel Temperley from Casablanca and Irene from La Martina for the Most Valuable Player Awards.
Nano’s Mallets and Tato’s Mallets for the Sportsmanship Awards.
Elizabeth Hedley, Malia Bryan and Isabella Weisz for trophy table set up.
Julie Boulanger and RescueMe for medical support.
Che Gaucha for the endless supply of hamburgers, hot dogs and french fries.
Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice for the juice and lemonade.
All the parents, grandparents, families and friends that brought the kids out and cheered for them all day.
Click here to view all participants and winners of each division.