By Alex Webbe
Nicolas Roldan (8) and Jeff Hall (8), recent members of the US Westchester Cup team have removed themselves from the US team scheduled to play Mexico in the Camacho Cup on March 13, 2009 at The Villages Polo Club in Central Florida.
“We’re in the middle of the high-goal season in Wellington right now,” said Roldan, “and to try to field a string of horses for the 26-goal competition here and also compete at the 30-goal level at The Villages Polo club just isn’t feasible.”
Roldan led the US team with five goals in their 10-9 loss to England last month and is currently playing on the Pony Express team in the C. V. Whitney Cup competition.
“It just doesn’t work for us,” said Hall. “If we trucked up there (The Villages) for a Friday game and then had to drive back to Wellington to play on Saturday or Sunday is just asking too much. The idea of being able to field two strings of high-goal polo ponies at the same time just doesn’t work for us.”
Hall made his way onto the US team following Mike Azzaro’s accident (broken collarbone) in a polo match just 48 hours before the Westchester Cup. Hall is currently playing on the Zacara team.
John Gobin (6) and Carlucho Arellano (5) will take the places of Hall and Roldan, giving the US team a team handicap of 24-goals. Kris Kampsen (6) and Tommy Biddle (7) will fill out the US team.
The Mexican team is doing a little reshuffling of its own. Hector Galindo (7) won’t be participating. Hector is currently a member of the 26-goal Orchard Hill polo team. Although born in Mexico, Hector is a citizen of the United States. The realignment of the US team has caused an adjustment to be made in the Mexican lineup, so, with Pelon Escapite (6), Memo Gracida (8), Carlos Gracida (8) and Julio Gracida (5) will comprise the balance of the 27-goal Mexican team.
This year’s Camacho Cup will be the cup’s first competition in 21 years.