Note: Wednesday, March 18th
Second Update: For the final update today . ..
The White Birch – Las Monjitas game was suspended due to rain at halftime with the score 6-5 White Birch ahead.
This last three chukkers of the White Birch- Las Monjitas game are rescheduled for 1pm tomorrow (Thursday March 19), weather permitting, before the other two 26 goal games currently on the schedule.
First update: It is 11:30 and we are moving the games today back to 2 and 4pm and hoping the rain stops! We will keep monitoring the fields and the radar and update everyone in an hour.
RAIN INTERUPTS LAS MONJITAS WHITE BIRCH GAME BLACK WATCH WINS OVER LECHUZA CARACAS
WELLINGTON, FL—The much needed rain finally arrived at International Polo Club Palm Beach today and delayed the start of one game and postponed another at the half.
Lechuza Caracas and Black Watch were scheduled to begin play at 1 PM but waited until 2 PM while fields dried enough to be playable. In that game, Black Watch held off a late charge by Lechuza to win 10-9. The Las Monjitas – White Birch match was delayed until 4:30 PM and was suspended at the half with White Birch leading 6-5.
Tied at five at the end of the fourth chukker it was Luis Escobar of Black Watch that put his team up 8-6 by the end of the fifth by scoring three of his game high six goals. In the final chukker Fred Mannix of Black Watch added a goal giving his team a 9-6 edge. But, Lechuza came right back with goals by Victor Vargas, Juan Martin Nero, and Sapo Caset to tie it at nine. A costly foul by Lechuza in the last minutes allowed Escobar to score his sixth goal on a 40 yard penalty shot giving his team their second bracket victory.
La Monjitas and White Birch had one goal separating them in the first three chukkers before rain suspended play at the half with White Birch leading 6-5.
Piaget Gold Cup tournament play continues Thursday, March 19 at 1 PM to complete the Las Monjitas White Birch game and at 3 PM Pony Express plays Orchard Hill followed at 5 PM Audi vs Zacara. Remaining games this week are; March 21, 3PM Lechuza Caracas vs. Las Monjitas and Sunday, March 22, 10 AM, Audi vs Orchard Hill, 12 noon, Pony Express vs Zacara and at 3 PM on the International Field and Stadium White Birch vs. Black Watch.
The USPA Gold Cup has been played since 1974 and 2009 marks the third year it for the tournament at International Polo Club Palm Beach. This year the eight team field has been divided into two brackets. First and second place from each bracket will cross play in the semi finals and the winners move to the Gold Cup Final on Sunday March 29.
International Polo is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington and hosts professional polo tournaments through April and all are invited to attend. The premier game of the week is played at 3 PM every Sunday on the International Field and Stadium. Information can be obtained by calling the polo hotline at 561-282-5290 or on the web at www.internationalpoloclub.com.
Black Watch 1-0-3-1-3-2=10 (Luis Escobar 6 goals)
Lechuza Caracas 0-2-1-2-1-3=9 (Victor Vargas 4 goals)