For the past three years Team USPA has sent players to Argentina to be mentored by 7 goal professional Gaston Lauhlé. 24 year old Todd Thurston and 21 year old Russell Stimmel were selected this year for this opportunity. Over the next 10 weeks they will be sharing their experiences right here at PoloZone.com.
Russel Stimmel and Todd Thurston Train in Argentina
Last week was quite eventful. Russell and myself were focused on preparing for our last tournament in La Pampa. We managed to get some other players together from the club to practice on Tuesday in preparation for the tournament on Thursday. It was a much needed practice that not only helped us, but the horses as well. On Wednesday, we were asked to play in an exhibition polo match at the festival in town. The festival is a weeklong rodeo with events each night that draw a big crowd. We played with Jack Hyde, a young man from England who is playing with Eduardo Heguy in preparation for the English high-goal season. We played against the Elizalde brothers and another kid from La Pampa named Juan Nagore. It was good fun to play the exhibition, but we were already thinking of the game on the following day.
Over the past two years, the team USPA members have won several tournaments here with Gaston. This had an effect on how the teams were made up this year as none of us were paired together on a team. It was disappointing to not be able to play with our mentor, but we did not have time to dwell on that situation. After the first day, Russell’s team became a clear favorite in the tournament after winning by a staggering 12 goals. My team lost a closely fought competition by one goal. The next day, Russell’s team picked up where they left off winning handily again. I played against Gaston and once again we fell short by one. With my team already out of the tournament, Saturday’s game did not have much meaning, but we pushed hard and won by four to end on a good note. It was a disappointing performance on my team’s behalf, but I gained a lot from the experience. I had the honor of playing with Nachi Heguy and I gained valuable advice from him. Sometimes things don’t go quite as one might want, but it is how you pick yourself up and rebound that you can build on your failures.
Russell’s game mattered much more on Saturday with a seat in the finals on the line. Russell’s team had its first real test of the tournament and they rose to the challenge. After a hard fought game, they sealed a place in Sunday’s final.
With my team out, and Russell in the final, we put together a string of our top horses. With the added horsepower, Russell could have the best performance possible. The game began with both teams starting strong, but neither team was able to put the ball between the goal posts. Russell’s team had great communication with everyone working together in an organized manner. Russell had the role of clearing holes for the rest of his team; time and time again he gave them chances to score. The opposing team would not quit, however, and for the first time all tournament, Russell’s team found themselves losing. Rising to the adversity, the team clawed their way back to tie it all up in the beginning of the sixth chukker. Once again, Russell cleared a huge hole out of the throw in to give an open path to goal. The team did not look back and his team won by two. Russell represented Team USPA well and multiple top polo players came up to him complementing him on his good play. We did not go home empty handed and Russell’s disciplined play was key to the win. This week we are mainly focusing on green horses and playing easy chukkers at Gaston’s farm. We are enjoying our time down here in Argentina and are really looking forward to learning even more as we go forward.