Greenwich Polo Club – East Coast Bronze Cup First Round – 2022

Let the match begin!

We attended the opening match on June 5, 2022, which marked the 42^nd year of continuous polo at the Greenwich Polo Club. From start to finish, the match provided heart-racing, fast-paced excitement as the teams Le Fe and Level Select CBD made valiant attempts to advance and win the East Coast Bronze Cup.

Sunday, June 5, 2022 – Greenwich Polo Club – East Coast Bronze Cup Teams

Welcome to Greenwich Polo Club

The East Coast Bronze Cup is a 16-goal match meaning that the total handicap of the 4 members on a team equals 16-goals or in the case of Level Select CBD, 15-goals. Handicaps cannot exceed 16.

Polo is always an exciting and thrilling sport to watch, as each team has 4 players traveling down a field the equivalent of 10 football fields in length riding on horseback with the "ponies" reaching speeds of 35 mph as they gallop down the field with the players trying to hit a ball with a mallet towards the goal. The game is like "hockey on horseback" where the speed of the ball can reach 100 mph. It is a sport where the player and his pony must be in perfect sync and become one as they work their way down the field negotiating quick turns.

Play is divided into 6 chukkers consisting of 7:30 action-packed minutes each. There is a break between the third and fourth chukker to give the players and the ponies a rest, and for the traditional "divot stomp" where the fans take to the field to replace the grass from the ponies’ hooves.

The East Coast Bronze Cup Match on Sunday, June 5, 2022 – Game Highlights

Chukker 1: Team Le Fe won the final match of the 2021 season and came out on the field ready for action. Action on the field was fast and furious with Enrique Zavaleta scoring a goal for Level Select CBD. Robbi Bilbao with an assist from Louis Devaleix scored for Team Le Fe with 4:33 minutes remaining with a score of Team La Fe 1, Team Level Select CBD 2. A lot of back-and-forth action with penalties by both teams, with 1:55 minutes remaining in Chukker 1, when Joaquin Panelo took a penalty shot for an undefended goal from 30 yards and scored closing out Chukker 1 in favor of Level Select CBD 3, Le Fe 1.

Chukker 2: Less than 1 minute into the second chukker Lucas Diaz Alberdi scored for Team Le Fe, followed by Panelo’s second goal of the match for Team Level Select CBD. Panelo scored again with a pass from Ezequiel Martinez Ferrario, closing out Chukker 2 with a score of 2 – 5 in favor of Level Select CBD.

Chukker 3: Alberdi took a shot, had an assist from Robbi Bilbao and scored to narrow the gap to 3-5. Ferrario took a free hit from 40 yards for a 1-hit to an undefended goal and scored for Level Select CBD, changing the score to 3-6. Another penalty had Bilbao taking a shot from 40 yards and scores for Team Le Fe. Panelo shot from 96 yards out and scored, closing out Chukker 3 with a score of 4-7 in favor of Team Level Select CBD.

At the close of Chukker 3, the fans and their dogs took to the field for the traditional divot stomp to replace the grass made by the players mallets and the ponies’ hooves as they galloped down the field.

Chukker 4: Louis Devaleix scored for Team Le Fe changing the score to 5-7. Bilbao took a ball drop penalty shot from 30 yards for an undefended goal and scores for Team Le Fe, bringing the score neck and neck at 6-7 with 2:05 minutes remaining. Zavaleta scores for Team Level Select CBD to close out Chukker 4 with a score of 6-8 in favor of Team Level Select CBD.

Chukker 5: Panelo made a quick score for Team Level Select CBD giving his team a 3-goal lead, 6-9. Lucas Diaz Alberdi took a penalty shot from 60 yards and scored for Team Le Fe, 7-9. Ferrario scored for Team Level Select CBD, closing out Chukker 5 with a score of 7-10 in favor of Team Level Select CBD.

Chukker 6: Alberdi scored with 5 minutes remaining changing the score 8-10. This was Alberdi’s third goal for the match. Despite a lot of action on the field, there were no other goals scored, giving the win to Team Level Select CBD, 10-8.

What a Match!!

Award presentations followed by traditional Argentine asado after the match ended the day on a celebratory note.

Level Select CBD – The Winners

Background Information on Polo

Polo is played on a field measuring 300 yards by 160 yards, the equivalent of 10 football fields. After each goal, the direction of the game changes to ensure neither team has an advantage of sun vs shade.

A Polo match is 6 periods, called chukkers, consisting of 7:30 minutes each. If the 6^th chukker ends in a tie, then the play goes into sudden death, with the first team to score winning the match.

There are 4 players on a team. One 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. 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 based on ability."

The Best Pony

While referred to as "polo ponies," they are full-grown horses, and can travel up to a speed of 35-mph. Each player usually brings a minimum of 6 ponies and changes them after each chukker or more frequently as needed to rest the ponies.

Players must hold the mallet in the right hand only, and players will swap out their ponies throughout chukkers to keep their ponies fresh and achieve optimal play, as the pony can account for up to 75% of a player’s handicap.

Player Positions

Position 1 is the attacking position, and Position 2 is the offensive position. These 2 positions are the "forwards." Position 3 is the tactical leader (and usually the best player on the team), and Position 4 plays defense.

Polo is a sport that once experienced, it is easy become obsessed with the game. It is the perfect summer pastime for all ages, so gather your family or friends and head to Greenwich, Connecticut for a perfect Sunday afternoon of high-goal polo.

Until our next adventure…

Greenwich Polo Club Sunday Matches 2022 Season – Gates open at 1 pm, Matches begin at 3 pm

Pricing Information

Seating Packages: East Lawn – $50 per car pass. Open lawn seating on the EAST side of the field behind the front row of reserved umbrellas. A picnic blanket or low chair is recommended. No shade provided.

East Lawn Reserved -$125 per car pass. Reserved lawn seating with a 7′ umbrella on the EAST side of the field. Each circle fits 4 or 5 people comfortably. 9′ reserved circle in the grass with an umbrella. A picnic blanket or low chairs are recommended.

Grandstand Bleachers – $75 per car pass. Grandstand Bleacher reserved seating (6′ section of space). This is a great place to enjoy the match. It’s close to the bar, food trucks, and shops. Featuring an elevated view for optimal match viewing, this is where many club players choose to sit and watch weekday games. Some shade, depending upon the time of year, the higher up the better for that. 2022 tickets will be a reserved 6′ space, enough to accommodate 4 people. Only small bags/coolers allowed.

West Lawn Club (in front of Grandstand)- $425 per car pass. Garden bistro table on the lawn in front of our grandstand with four seats and an umbrella. Includes a 7′ umbrella, with a bistro table and 4 chairs.

Grandstand Skybox, $350 per box. Private reserved box for four guests with two car passes. Catering Options and bar service is available.

West End Lawn (in front of North Tent/North Goal)- $250 per car pass. Garden bistro table on the lawn at the north goal end of the field with four seats and an umbrella. Includes a 7′ umbrella, with a bistro table and 4 chairs.

Players’ Lounge Tent – Car Pass Prices (1 car pass, guests arrive in same car): $175 (2 guests), $250 (3 guests), $325 (4 guests), $400 (5 guests). Includes lawn seating furnishings, shade, a comfortable place to hang out at the match and a good vibe. Meet & greet with polo players in a fun atmosphere, with exclusive lounge seating by Fermob. Enjoy live music and a premium exclusive cash bar by The Cup Bearer. Children under 12 may accompany adults without a ticket.

PLAYERS’ LOUNGE SUITE – $1,000. Includes seating for 10 Guests. A reserved suite for 10 guests on the front lawn of the Players’ Lounge. Includes full access to the Players’ Lounge tent, but with an amazing reserved place for your guests to enjoy the match. One of the very best views of the game. No food or drinks included, you may purchase bottle service and polo picnic boxes to compliment the occasion. Includes 5 car passes.

See you at the next Greenwich Polo Club event

CABANA NORTH/SOUTH – $900 per cabana on the west (grandstand) side of the field in front of the trees with 6 car passes included (approx. $45 per person). An elevated experience with additional furnishings and car passes included this season! Field-side 10’x10′ cabana tent and private 25’x10′ lawn in front up to the polo pitch. Includes 4-piece garden lounge set, a 7′ umbrella, 8 chairs, and a cocktail table. Space can accommodate up to 20 or 25 guests comfortably. Located close to the food trucks, Pony Bar, and trailer bathrooms.

EAST LAWN CABANA – $500 per cabana with 4 car passes included (approx. $25 per person). Four east lawn cabana car passes included (four cars of guests). Fieldside 10’x10′ cabana tent and private 20’x10′ lawn in front, includes 8 chairs and a cocktail table. The space can accommodate up to 20 guests. We encourage you to bring additional picnic blankets and low chairs if desired. If additional car passes are needed, you may purchase east lawn general admission.

Executive Hosting and Hospitality – Please inquire about hospitality pricing. Full experience for corporate hosting anywhere from 4 to 500 guests. Includes reserved hosting space and lawn in front, ability to add furnishing, food & beverage.

For information on the Greenwich Polo Club and attending an upcoming match, please visit their website: www.GreenwichPoloClub.com or call them at 203-561-1639.

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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