The Polo Report
By Steve Crowder
Feb. 24th ’10
Rocky Mountain Rookie, Bob Jornayvaz, and his team Valiente head to the semi finals of his first 26-goal Tournament, the CV Whitney at International Polo Club Palm Beach. This is a big stride from the 12-goal in Indio which is were he played a year ago. The Indio, CA teams, who are playing in Florida this year, are doing fine down south. The Hawks, a team that also formerly played here in CA, have been to two finals already this year.
Valiente at International Polo Club, Sunday, Feb. 21st, '10. Photo by Alex Pacheco.
Bob Jornayvaz is from the Rocky Mountain state of Colorado. You seldom hear of a team in Florida from CO, especially in the high-goal tournaments. There used to be ateam called Aspen, but I’m fairly sure they were a Florida team. I imagine Bob has felt at home in Florida this winter because despite global warming it has been very cold in the sunshine state most of the winter. They have two high-goal tournaments going on at same time at International Polo Club. They have the CV Whitney at 26-goals and the Herbie Pennel at 20-goals which has its semis today at International Polo Club Palm Beach. Former California polo star, Jeff Hall, leads Zacara to the semis in that tournament.
Out west in Indio, CA where they play polo it was the Mansour and Gentle Ben Solemani taking out the Colorado Cowgirl Jenny Luttrell on Sunday. Bolko Kissling led Atlant blowing away Antelope/Long Beach. There was a particular play in this game made by the youngest person on the field that was as amazing as some of the plays made in the Olympics lately on TV. It was fourth chukkar, and I think it was nearly over, when a big pass was sent to Atlant’s #1 Brianna Galindo, who is about 17 years old. The score was either tied or they were down one and Brianna was wide open with lots of daylight between her and her competitor, but she never slowed. She just kept smacking it down the field with many yelling at her to “slow down” . . . yet she did not. Brianna hit a big neck shot through the goal and the momentum changed and Atlant won the last 2 chukkars by 5. As Tony Gregg would say or should have SAID and may have ” THAT WAS THE SHOT OF THE DAY.”
Some of the young players are doing well at the California desert polo clubs. If there were just more chances to play we might see a real crop of talent here. Out at Twin Palms Polo Club at La Quinta it is looking very green and lush. They seems to have a very good group who are all having fun. Is anyone looking for a great team for the Skins Tournament that is coming up in March at Eldorado Polo Club? We can make one for you in a heart beat. Or are you looking for a team in 12-goal at Santa Barbara? If so, we’ve got the talent and can put together a team for you. Just call Steve Crowder 805-896-4406 or email scrowder@poloconnect.com.
See ya at POLO