The Teams – Audi vs Ellipse
Robert "Robi" Bilbao – position 1, rank: 5-goal
The Polo Action on Sunday, September 12, 2021
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
As always, it was another action-packed day of high-goal polo at the gorgeous Greenwich Polo Club.
Final Score
Awards Ceremony
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.
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.
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."
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.
Remaining Greenwich Polo Club 2021 Sunday Matches – Gates open at 1pm, matches begin at 3 pm
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.
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
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
Follow Luxury Experience on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/LuxuryExperience to see photos and videos.
Follow Luxury Experience on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/LuxuryPair @luxurypair
Follow Luxury Experience on Instagram: www.Instagram.com/luxurypair @luxurypair
© September 2021. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com. All rights reserved.
