ARRANMORE DEFEATS MORGAN CREEK TO WIN BUTLER HANDICAP By Karen Martino – Arranmore claimed the prestigious USPA Butler Handicap at the Arranmore Polo Club in Oswego, Illinois on Thursday, September 7, by edging Morgan Creek 8-7 in the final seconds of the match. The 16-goal tournament was hosted by the Chicago International Polo Club.
Both teams came to the field with fiery determination, as their previous meeting in the tournament (on August 7) ended with Morgan Creek narrowly defeating Arranmore 14-13.
Arranmore took a two-goal lead in the first chukker, with Tod Rackley (who was filling in for an injured Tim Greene) and Carlucho Arellano scoring from the field, while holding Morgan Creek scoreless. The next three chukkers belonged to Morgan Creek, with Vale Aguilar scoring three goals and Miguel Gutierrez tallying two for a 5-2 lead at the end of the fourth.
Rackley scored early in the fifth period, followed by a penalty 2 conversion by Arellano to narrow the gap to 5-4.
Arellano tied the score at 5-5 on a breakaway early in the sixth, and a penalty conversion by Rackley gave Arranmore a one-goal lead. Their lead was short-lived, however, when Dean Kleronomos got hold of the ball, scoring back-to-back goals to put Morgan Creek up 7-6.
With three minutes left in the chukker, Arellano scored on a handy pass from John Greene to again tie the score. With seconds left in the period, a foul near goal gave Arellano the opportunity to cinch the victory for Arranmore. The teams were awarded beautiful crystal bowls from Tiffany and Co., compliments of the Butler family.
Rackley’s superior play earned him MVP honors, while Marcelo Frayssinet’s Argentine Thoroughbred bay mare, Josefa, was judged Best Playing Pony.
Arranmore – Tim Greene (3)/Tod Rackley (3), Carlucho Arellano (5), Marcelo Frayssinet (7), John Greene (1).
Morgan Creek – Dean Kleronomos (2), Miguel Gutierrez (4), Valerio Aguilar (6), Julian Aguilar (4).
Pinecroft – Jim Drury (1), Marinao Obregon Jr. (5), Antonio Galvan (6), Gonzalo Teves (3).
Catamount – Scott Devon (3), Augusto “Tatu” Gomez (4), Todd Offen (5), Del Walton (4).
Photos:
Arranmore – Tim Greene /Tod Rackley, Carlucho Arellano , Marcelo Frayssinet, John Greene.
Morgan Creek – Dean Kleronomos, Julian Aguilar, Valerio Aguilar,Miguel Gutierrez.
Best Playing Pony – Marcelo Frayssinet’s Argentine Thoroughbred bay mare, Josefa.
MVP – Rackley