Grant Ganzi scored four goals for Longfield for a second place finish in the Luis Vuitton Cup.
It may not be considered to be the Bridgehampton Polo Club of the West—yet, but the Aspen Valley Polo Club is bringing many of the age-old polo traditions to the Rocky Mountains this summer.
Saturday’s polo action centered around the club’s Luis Vuitton Cup and a three team round-robin competition that included the Aspen Valley Polo Club (Juan Bollini, Melissa Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida and Lucas Lalor), Longfield (Miguel Novillo Astrada, Hannah Buchan, Grant Ganzi and Juancito Bollini) and Audi (Marc Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Alejandro Poma and Glen Straub/Johnny Lavine).
In the opening two chukkers of the six chukker round-robin competition the Aspen Valley Polo Club took it out on Longfield’s Hannah Buchan and company as they rang up four opening chukker goals for a 4-1 lead. Argentine 10-goaler Miguel Novillo Astrada scored the opening goal of the day for Longfield but that was the extent of their first chukker offense as Aspen Valley Polo Club took control. A pair of goals from Juan Bollini was complimented by single goals from Melissa Ganzi and Carlitos Gracida for the three goal lead.
Longfield picked up goals from Hannah Buchan and Grant Ganzi, but Aspen Valley Polo Club countered with a pair of goals from Melissa Ganzi for the 6-3 win.
Aspen Valley Polo Club held the field to face Audi for a final two chukkers.
Audi showed early strength as American 8-goaler Nic Roldan scored the first two goals of the game, 2-0. Melissa Ganzi replied with Aspen Valley Polo Club’s only goal of the chukker to trail, 2-1.
Alejandro Poma added another goal to the Audi total in the second period to make it 3-1, but Aspen Valley Polo Club was far from done. Consecutive goals from Melissa Ganzi and shutout defense for the balance of the contest ended the mini-game in a 3-3 tie. Aspen Valley Polo Club ended its play with a win and a tie, 1-0-1.
The final two chukkers of the game featured Audi and Longfield. Longfield’s earlier loss would keep them from taking the tournament. A win by Audi would complicate matters since they had tied the Aspen Valley Polo Club in the previous two chukkers, but they would have to defeat Longfield first. Longfield’s only role remained that of a spoiler as they battled Audi for second place.
Longfield took advantage of their break as the Aspen Valley Polo Club and Audi fought to a 3-3 tie. Refocused, they took a determined attitude to the field against Audi and scored the first three goals of the match. Grant Ganzi was credited with two goals and Miguel Novillo Astrada added a goal for a 3-2 edge. Audi scored the last two goals of the chukker on a penalty conversion from Audi team captain Marc Ganzi and a goal from the field from Alejandro Poma.
Aspen Valley Polo Club’s defense was the star of the final chukker of the competition as they shut down the Audi attack while adding single goals from Grant Ganzi and Miguel Novillo Astrada for the 5-2 victory.
Melissa Ganzi took scoring honors on the day with a total of six goals. Grant Ganzi finished in second place with four goals with Miguel Novillo Astrada scoring three times.
An enthusiastic following took part in the day’s festivities that included the Champagne Divot Stomp at halftime, presented by Dom Perignon.