Home » Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open Final, Audi vs Ellipse, Greenwich, CT, USA

Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open Final, Audi vs Ellipse, Greenwich, CT, USA

by Debra C. Argen and Edward F. Nesta
Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open - Sept 2021 - photo by Luxury Experience
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Greenwich Polo Sept 2021 Audi - Mariano Auguerre - photo by Luxury Experience

It was another perfect blue sky Sunday polo match at the Greenwich Polo Club located in breathtaking backcountry Greenwich, Connecticut. The East Coast Open Final 2021 was a high-goal (20) match with Team Audi (Peter Brant, Joaquin Panelo, Mariano Aguerre, Peke Gonzalez) playing against Team Ellipse (Robi Bilbao, Matt Coppola, Hilario Ulloa, Louis Devaleix). There was heavy action on the field all day with the bonus of a "sudden death" chukker added to the delight of the fans. There are two additional Sunday public matches on September 19 and September 26, 2021, to round out the 2021 season, so be sure to check it out.

 

The Teams – Audi vs Ellipse

Audi (20-goal team)

Peter Brant – position 1, rank: 0-goal

Joaquin Panelo – position 2, rank: 6-goal

Mariano Aguerre – position 3, rank: 8-goal

Peke Gonzalez – position 4, rank: 6-goal
Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open - Sept 2021 - photo by Luxury Experience
Ellipse (20-goal team)
Robert "Robi" Bilbao – position 1, rank: 5-goal

Matt Coppola – position 2, rank: 5-goal

Hilario Ulloa – position 3, rank: 10-goal

Louis Devaleix – position 4, rank: 0-goal

The Polo Action on Sunday, September 12, 2021

Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open - Sept 2021 - photo by Luxury Experience

Polo, always a thrilling sport to watch, was especially exhilarating on Sunday, September 12, 2021, for the high-goal East Coast Open Final. A 20-goal match meaning that the total goals of each of the four players on a team equals 20 had exceptional action on the field. Fans had the opportunity to watch Hilario Ulloa, (Team Ellipse) ranked a 10, (the highest level a player can reach), whom is among a mere handful of players in the world ranked a 10.

Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open - Sept 2021 - photo by Luxury Experience

Chukker one was off to an exciting start with Hilario Ulloa scoring two quick goals for Ellipse, followed by Peke Gonzalez scoring for Team Audi, closing out the first chukker Ellipse 2 – Audi 1. Chukker two had more action with Peke behind the back line, Joaquin Panelo sending the ball down the field, and Ulloa had a shot on goal in favor of Ellipse bringing the score to 3-1. There was a knock in by Team Audi followed by an Ellipse foul resulting in Peke missing an undefended goal shot from 30-yards. As the action progressed, Mariano Aguerre hit and scored, making the score 3-2. A penalty in favor of Team Audi, Peke took a shot from 60-yards and put it through the goal post tying the score 3-3. With 2:08 remaining, Ulloa scores again (4-3 Ellipse), followed by Peke Gonzalez taking a free hit from the 60-yard line and scoring, closing out chukker two evenly with 4-4.

Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open - Sept 2021 - photo by Luxury Experience

Chukker three had more free-hit action with Ulloa taking the free hit and scoring from Ellipse 5-4. Team Audi was on the attack with a penalty in favor of Audi at the 40-yard line. Peke scores evening the score to 5-5. Matt Coppola took a hit and scored bringing the Team Ellipse score to 6. Robert "Robi" Bilbao had a nice, lofted shot, which Ulloa ran with and scored another goal. Bilbao was on the move with a backhander by Ulloa to Bilbao which scored his first goal of the day, bringing the half-time score 8-5 in favor of Team Ellipse.

Debra C. Argen and Edward F. Nesta - Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open - Sept 2021 - photo by Luxury Experience
Stomping the Divots

Half-time had the fans out on the field for the time-honored tradition of "stomping the divots" as well as providing them with the opportunity to mix and mingle, stretch their legs, and enjoy a fabulous blue-sky day in Greenwich.

Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open - Sept 2021 - photo by Luxury Experience
Half-time Score

Chukker four began with a penalty shot at the 40-yard line for Team Audi. Peke made the goal bringing the score to 8-6. Audi had another penalty shot from the 60-yard line, with Peke scoring again narrowing the gap to 8-7. Peke scores again, tying the score 8-8, and 3 goals for Team Audi in 3 minutes. Audi scores again, followed by another free shot by Peke closing out Chukker four with a score of 10-8 in favor of Team Audi.

Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open - Sept 2021 - photo by Luxury Experience

Chukker five had Ulloa scoring closing the gap to 10-9, followed by a penalty against team Audi. Ulloa took a shot from the 30-yard line, which was good, evening the score 10-10. Panelo scored for Team Audi on a throw in making the new score 11-10. Peke scored again closing out the chukker 12-10 in favor of Audi.

Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open - Sept 2021 - photo by Luxury Experience

Chukker six had Matt Coppola scoring two quick goals bringing the score to 12-12. With 3:31 remaining, 7 of the 8 players changed horses before continuing the chukker. Peke scores with 1:10 remaining with Team Audi leading 13-12. Coppola scores with 9 seconds remaining tying the score 13-13 which added a sudden death overtime. Coppola scores with 7 seconds into overtime winning the match 14-13 for Team Ellipse.

Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open - Sept 2021 - photo by Luxury Experience

As always, it was another action-packed day of high-goal polo at the gorgeous Greenwich Polo Club.

Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open - Sept 2021 - photo by Luxury Experience
Final Score

Awards Ceremony

Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open - Sept 2021 - photo by Luxury Experience
MVP Player – Hilario Ulloa

Ellipse player Hilario Ulloa (position 3) walked away with two awards, MVP Player, and his horse Lavinia Castanha was awarded Best Pony and received a basket of carrots.

Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open - Sept 2021 - photo by Luxury Experience
Winners – Ellipse

Other Excitement

The Real McCoy Rum was flowing all afternoon with three different tastings. After the awards ceremony there was music, Argentine Asado (barbecue), and drinks at The Pony Bar.

Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open - Sept 2021 - photo by Luxury Experience
Best Pony – Lavina Castanha

Until next time, keep enjoying adventures with Luxury Experience!

Background Information on the Sport of Polo

Greenwich Polo Club matches are high-goal matches (16 or 20-handicap ranking). Each match consists of two teams with 4 players each, 1 of the players on each team will hold amateur status (non-ranked), with the remaining 3 carrying the balance of the ranking for a total of 16 or 20. The higher the rank, the better and more experienced the player. Interesting to note is that "players are ranked yearly by their peers and the USPA on a scale of 2 to 10 goals. Team play is handicapped on the basis of ability."

Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open - Sept 2021 - photo by Luxury Experience

Play is conducted on a field measuring 300 yards x 160 yards, with horses racing on the field towards the goal at speeds up to 35 miles per hour, making the action fast and enthralling. There are 6 chukkers (periods), played for 7.5 minutes each with an intermission halfway through for the traditional stomping of the divots" to repair the playing field marked from the horses’ hooves on the field. If there is a tie at the end of the 6th chukker, play will continue for an additional chukker with the first team to score determining the winner. Interesting to note is that players must hold the mallet in the right hand only, and players will swap out their horses throughout chukkers to keep their horses fresh and achieve optimal play, as the horse can account for up to 75% of a player’s handicap.

Greenwich Polo Club East Coast Open - Sept 2021 - photo by Luxury Experience

Remaining Greenwich Polo Club 2021 Sunday Matches – Gates open at 1pm, matches begin at 3 pm

September 19

September 25

Pricing Information

Seating Packages: East Lawn – picnic seating, $40 per car, general admission, East Lawn Reserved – reserved lawn seating, $75 per car, Grandstand Bleachers, reserved seating, $60 per car, West Lawn Club in front of Grandstand, $350 per car for table with 4 seats, Grandstand Box, $300 with 2 car passes for a box with 4 seats, CTC&G Players’ Lounge VIP, VIP Tent, with music and bar, $150 for 2 guests, $250 for 4 guests, in same car, West Cabana, reserved space, field side, $600 for 4 cabana car passes for 4 cars of guests, 10’x 10′ tent and private 25’x10′ lawn in front, includes 8 chairs, cocktail table, can accommodate up to 20 guests, access to VIP bathrooms, East Lawn Cabana, reserved space, field side, $400 for 4 east lawn cabana car passes, 10’x 10′ tent and private 20’x10′ lawn in front, includes 8 chairs, can accommodate up to 20 guests, additional car passes can be purchased, Executive Hosting Cabanas, VIP Hosting, $3000, contact Greenwich Polo for complete details.

Debra C. Argen - Greenwich Polo Club - photo by Luxury Experience
See You at a Greenwich Polo Match!

For information on the Greenwich Polo Club and attending an upcoming match, please visit their website: www.GreenwichPoloClub.com.

Greenwich Polo Club, Greenwich, CT

Greenwich Polo Club
Field Address (location of public matches)
1 Hurlingham Drive, Greenwich CT 06831
United States

Mailing Address (office, not the Polo Field)
80 Field Point Rd #3,
Greenwich, CT 06830
United States

Telephone: +1-203.561.1639
Email: info@GreenwichPoloClub.com
Website: www.GreenwichPoloClub.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/GreenwichPoloClub
Instagram: @greenwichpoloclub
Twitter: @greenwichpolo

United States Polo Association®
Telephone: +1- 800-232-USPA
Website: www.USPolo.org
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/USPoloAssociation
Instagram: @uspoloassn
Twitter: @uspoloassn

Follow the United States Polo Association® on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/USPoloAssociation

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