The Polo Report
By Steve Crowder
In a fantastic finals in the Intra Circuit, the final 12-goal Tournament of 2016. It was a treat with a very clean and fast polo final on Sunday June 26. Slovakia, led by Ivan Weiss, might just want to take Jimmy Wright home. He was a spark plug all day and constantly made it happen for the big guns on his team. For some reason they could not convert from the field or the penalty line. Film Finance, a 2-patron team with Dan Walker and Leigh Brecheen, did amazing against a 3-pro team Friday. They had their chance to take this one home today until the clock was at 6.07 in the 6th. It started bad for Film Finance as they trailed at the end of 1 by 3 to 2 and fell to 4 and 2, but tied the second and shut out Slovakia in the 3rd with a bit of luck. As funny as it was, a penalty was called and Film Fiance must have thought it was in their favor so they left to change two players, the other went wrong way and Slo took off with a penalty 5 with 4 against 1 and somehow missed from 5 feet and the third ended with Film Finance up by 1 at 1/2 time. The 4th was also Film Finance and they ended up by 2 and entered the 6th up by 2. Then the Young Gun, Jimmy Wright, really showed up and stole the throw in, headed to goal and converted it, a minute later clearing the path for one of his teammates, the real battle began. Then Slo finally tied it up with 6.07 left in the 6th. Then they went up by 1 and Film Fiance had so many chances to tie it up again. They missed a couple from field and an Open goal penalty. Then with 30 seconds left they got a hold of a ball and sailed down the field to score a goal, 1 second after first horn, which with new rules does not count in the 6th a true heart breaker for Film Finance. It was also a very odd no call at the same time, but you have to see the video to know.
An awesome display today and basically every game by Mariano Fassetta, who was easily the best player in the 12-goal this year. The sixth chukkar stats show the game best Slovakia won 5 throw ins. This led to 3 goals and that is the Game we love … NOBODY KNOWS.
Well done to new the patron MR. Weiss he played very well and after getting bucked off before the game started on a fine paint horse. The weather was great with a bit of go, but a smooth 69 F degrees. There was some Sun in the 6th. The finals brought in a good crowd. This is the place to be in the SUMMER, so think about it when it is 90 F and humid. We have lots of room here in Santa Barbara.
I don’t have any results from back East and none today from England, but I know Nic Roldan and La Indiana play Cambiaso and Valiente in the morning which you can watch on the polo channel. It should be FUN. It is the 5th day of 12 days with two games a day. They just did not put them out yet.
The lights are out in Santa Barbara and Will Rogers for next weekend, but San Diego will be hopping, so head South to Party Land and POLO. A huge award was presented today to Graham Bray for BEST STRING OF PONIES FOR 2016 in the 12-goal season. We just celebrated his 60th birthday one week age. Well done!
CONGRATULATIONS TO IVAN WEISS AND SLOVAKIA
Slovakia 12 // 3-0 Champions
Ivan Weiss AT
Felipe Vercellino 5
Santiago Trotz 5
Jim Wright 2
vs.
Film Finance 11 // 2-1
Danny Walker 2
Mariano Fassetta 5
Gaston von Wernich 4
Leigh Brecheen A
Well done Dan Walker MVP today and Graham Bray for best string of 2016.
SEE YA