Last Sunday’s USPA Gold Cup match featured Melissa Ganzi of Flexjet and Gillian Johnston of Coca-Cola, the only two women competing in the prestigious, 26-goal tournament at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Both teams led an aggressive charge to advance in play toward winning the USPA Gold Cup. Julio Arellano of Coca-Cola scored a team-high of six goals to earn Most Valuable Player honors. Johnston and Miguel Astrada added two goals each, and Sugar Erskine scored one goal for Coca-Cola.
Flexjet’s Tincho Merlos scored seven goals, and his brother, Sebastian Merlos, along with Nic Roldan, each added a goal. Arellano’s horse, Got Milk, was named Best Playing Pony.
With the star power of polo icon Nacho Figueras and America’s Most Wanted host John Walsh, the Great Futures Polo Brunch was a sellout fundraiser benefiting the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club in Wellington.
Figueras and Walsh chaired the event with more than 300 sponsors and guests. A silent auction included some incredible jewelry, exquisite equestrian art, trips, polo lessons and more.
The highest goal polo played in North America will feature the USPA Gold Cup for two more weeks, with the final match set for Sunday, March 27. The U.S. Open Polo Championship continues the 26-goal matches and will be played on four consecutive Sundays through April 24. Be sure to get in on the polo action before the season ends.
The International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington. Polo matches are open to the public, with a wide range of hospitality and guest seating. Tickets start at $30. For ticketing and sponsorship information, call (561) 204-5687 or visit www.internationalpoloclub.com.
ABOVE: John Walsh, Neil Hirsch, Jaene Miranda, Nacho Figueras and John Wash. PHOTOGRAPHY BY LILA PHOTO
