The 11th Annual Mashomack International Polo Challenge
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008 marked the 11th Annual Mashomack International Polo Challenge. The event began at noon with a lively Louis Roederer Champagne reception followed by a field-side, tented luncheon sponsored by Estancia Villa Maria. On the field was an exciting 12-goal polo match with teams from the United States (sponsored by The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel), Great Britain (sponsored by the Dorchester Collection) and France (sponsored by Berluti) battling valiantly to secure the coveted trophy for their team and country. Luncheon patrons enjoyed getting in the spirit of the match as the various countries’ flags flew around the field.
The matches are played in a Round-robin format, meaning each of the three teams played each other for two chukkers. The Carlyle’s Team USA is the 2008 champions by defeating both England-Dorchester Collection and France-Berluti teams.
Bruce Colley finished the match with an awesome run and score down field to seal both the victory and Land Rover’s “Most Valuable Player”… A fitting on field tribute for a man who has put so much energy into this event on and off-field.
Heather Croner Real Estate, Sotheby’s International “Best Playing Pony” award went to Joyita, which translates to “little jewel” and is owned by Heathcote Farm. She was played by Parker Thorne in the 1st chukker.
With spectacular weather and exciting matches, both the tailgaters on one side of the field and the tented luncheon patrons on the other enjoyed the event. Patrons all gathered in the spirit of raising money for the Pine Plains Community Center and Library and the Pine Plains Fire Hose and Rescue Company, while being entertained by six chukkers of spirited play. Kids were treated to a wonderful petting zoo and some 40 plus acres to run off their energy.
A little history on the event: Berluti’s French team were the defending champions having won in 2007, The Dorchester Collection’s England team took bragging rights in 2006, and the French-Hermes team were the top dogs in 2005. So the USA-Carlyle squad taking the top tier of the podium for the first time in a long run was extremely exciting.
For more information visit:
www.mashomackpolo.com
2008 Champions: top:Woody Keesee, James McBride, Bruce Colley, Julio Ezcurra, John Klopp
Guy Merison, Bottom: Oakleigh Thorne, Donatien Langlois, Tracey Mactaggart, Philip Mactaggart
Berluti Team: Donatien Langlois, Tracey Mactaggart, Patrick Ottomani and son, Parker Thorne
Oakleigh Thorne, Tatin Zubiaurre
Carlyle Team: Trish Boulogne, James McBride, Julio Ezcurra, Karen Klopp, John Klopp, Alexandra McBride, Woody Keesee, Teresa De Sequera, Bruce Colley-Chair
Co-chairs:Lindsay Baldwin, Alexandra McBride, Cindy Tripp, Camilla Hellman, Karen Klopp-Chair
Parker Thorne-Chair, Debbie Montgomery, Sarah Glaister, Fabiana Ramirez, Fernanda Giligan
Dorchester Team: Conor Mahony, Philip Mactaggart, Henry Zaveleta, Caroline Wilson-Kent Director of Sales and Marketing of The Dorchester Collection, Sam Ramirez, Jr, Guy Merison
(photo not shown) – Estancia Villa Maria:
Henry Zaveleta
Parker Thorne
Bruce Colley
Baby Herrera
Donatien Langlois
James McBride