Chile’s Tono Iturrate
Jose Antonio “Tono” Iturrate is the senior spokesman of the Chilean polo team (Max Silva, Jose Antonio Iturrate, Juan Sanchez and Matias Vial) that arrived in Wellington Thursday morning in preparation for Saturday’s USPA International Cup match against the United States (Marc Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida, Nic Roldan and Jeff Hall).
“This is going to be my last major tournament,” said Chile’s Jose Antonio Iturrate. “It is something special to be able to pull on your country’s jersey and compete on the field,” offered the former 8-goaler.
Not the first time he has played for Chile internationally. Iturrate was a member of the 33-goal Brazilian team (Tono Iturrate, Jose Donoso, Gabriel Donoso and Jaime Huidobro) that beat England in the Coronation Cup in 1998. He took the field with Pepe Heguy, Gonzalo Heguy and Horacio Heguy in the mid to late 1980s and spent over 30 years traveling all over the world in pursuit of the ball making stops in Uruguay Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, England, France, Italy, Spain, Lebanon, South Africa and Australia.
Born in Los Angeles, Chile (yes, not California), Tono started riding almost before he could walk (two or three). He was playing polo at age 11 and had the full resources of the family’s ranch and wide selection of horses. His father, Rufino Iturrate, attained a handicap of 4-goals and encouraged his son’s play.
Following Saturday’s International Cup play, Tono will return to his home in the south of Chile where he will enjoy the scenery and help guide the development of his son Martin’s play. Martin is currently ranked at 4-goals but Tono believes he has the talent get to seven or eight goals.
“He’s concentrating on getting his degree in civil Engineering,” said Tono. “As soon as he graduates he will have more time to develop his polo game. But until Saturday’s game is over, Tono only has one thing on his mind, winning!
The International match is slated to begin at 3PM at the Grand Champions Polo Club and will be preceded by a legend’s Cup that will feature Hall of Famers Carlos Gracida and Julian Hipwood; former 9-goalers Howard Hipwood and Hector Galindo; Ruben Gracida, a former 8-goaler and the second winner of the Seymour Knox Award as US Open MVP and multiple US Open winner. Argentina’s Juan Bollini, winner of three USPA Gold Cups, formerly rated at 8-goals, Bollini was a constant presence on the international high-goal scene. The United States Polo Association CEO, Peter Rizzo, fills out the field.
Although the Grand Champions Polo Club invites the public to nearly all of its games free of charge, a $20 per person General Admission ticket is being offered with all proceeds going to the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, a non-profit educational organization, dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the development, history and tradition of the sport of polo.. Be sure to bring your own seating. Che Grill will be at field side with delicious food, snacks and drinks, and tented seating will be available to enjoy your meal. Field side parking is not included.
Additional ticketing is offered ranging from a $200 VIP Pavilion Tickets to a $250 Signature Tailgate Package or a $500 Grand Champions Tailgate Package or a $1,500 Corporate Sponsorship.
For Tickets: Go to www.grandchampionspoloclub.ticketleap.com or call (561)644-5050
For Sponsorships: Email Maureen Gross at mbg@phelpsmediagroup.com, or call (561)714-0887