Polo’s version of an all-star game will feature the world’s best players in the annual Outback 40-Goal Challenge presented by Nespresso on Saturday (Feb.16) at 3 p.m. at International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington.This is the ninth consecutive year that International Polo Club has hosted the Outback 40-Goal Challenge presented by Nespresso.
EFG Bank’s lineup is Adolfo Cambiaso, Sapo Caset, Pablo MacDonough and Juan Martin Nero. Cambiaso, who at 17 years old became the youngest player in the history of the sport to reach 10 goals, is generally acknowledged as the world’s best player.
Equus & Co. lines up with Facundo Pieres, Pelon Sterling, Miguel Novillo Astrada and Gonzalito Pieres. Facundo Pieres, the middle son of the legendary Gonzalo Pieres Sr., is deemed as the world’s second-best player.
Equus & Co. defeated EFG Bank 11-10 last year behind Facundo Pieres’ seven goals.
Once again, there will be a two-point line about 80 yards from the goal for this game.
“The players will be really encouraged to go for it,” said David Offen, tournament director.
Grey Goose, the world’s best tasting vodka, is designing a specialty drink for the occasion. And Nespresso will offer a variety of specialty coffees at the invitation-only post-event dinner.
The first known 40-goal game was held in 1975 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. There have been at least 13 previous games in the U.S.
Proceeds from the gate, a VIP dinner as well as a silent and live auction benefits the Polo Players Support Group, Inc., a 501(c)(3) which was created to provide financial assistance to seriously injured or ill polo players or grooms.
So far, the PPSG has provided more than $1.5 million to 44 seriously injured or ill players and grooms.
Auction items include a polo vacation at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic, a Vail Ski Chalet donated by La Casa Hermosa, a week in Argentina with 10-goaler Mariano Aguerre, a unique, 7-day holiday in a private cottage in County Armagh, Ireland donated by Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Seager and a Dream Team game featuring some of the best polo players.
The polo match is open to the public. Individual tickets are $20 for upgraded lawn seating, $100 for a reserved box seat and $150 for a reserved tailgate spot. A limited number of tickets will be available at the gate on the day of the game.
For ticket information, call tournament director Dave Offen at 516-528-3821 or International Polo Club Palm Beach at (561) 204-5687.
International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South, between Pierson Road and Lake Worth Road in Wellington.
Amazing the best polo players in the entire world are all together, but not with their original Argentine teams. Nevertheless they are ready to show why they are unique players.
It is a pity that I am missing another year this wonderful tournament