Aspen Valley Polo Club Goes For Five-Peat Saturday At Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championship: Horses & Horsepower

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., November 1, 2018---Aspen Valley Polo Club will go after a unprecedented fifth consecutive title Saturday at the ninth annual Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championship at WestWorld of Scottsdale.

The team of Melissa Ganzi, Nacho Figueras and Grant Ganzi will face Royal Berkshire County Polo Club (Charlie Wooldridge, Roy Prisk, Jamie Morrison), making its debut, in the featured match at 2:15 p.m.

Aspen Valley Polo Club is sponsored by Bentley Scottsdale and Berkshire Polo Club is sponsored by Barrett-Jackson.

The biggest polo event in the United States presented by Talking Stick Resort, is one of the most extravagant outdoor sports spectacles in not only Arizona but the United States and has helped increase polo's exposure and popularity.

Last year's event attracted a soldout record crowd of more than 13,000.

Aspen Valley Polo Club, the nation's fastest growing and innovative polo club, has played a key role in the event's success.

With the breathtaking McDowell Mountains as a backdrop, Saturday features four matches with gates open at 10 a.m. until sunset at 6 p.m.

In the opening match at 10:15 a.m., in the General George S. Patton Jr. Military Match, the Marines (Natalie G., Bill Clark, Dan Faherty) will play Air Force (Courtney Parker, Croix Waage, Garrett Bankhead); 12:15 p.m., Arizona Polo Club (Diego Florez, Felipe Camacho-Castilla, Andres Camacho-Castilla) plays Centtrip Wales Polo Team (Ricky Cooper, Pete Webb, Roddy Matthews); defending champion Aspen Valley Polo Club plays Royal Berkshire County Polo Club in the featured match at 2:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m., a charity match featuring Southwest Wildlife (Elle Seybold, Matthew Fonseca, Marcial Socas) and Arizona Equine Rescue (Carol Hobson, Toto Socas, Inaki Echezaretta), competing for a $10,000 purse for the winning charity.

On Sunday at noon, Arizona Polo Club will host a polo clinic for two hours.

In last year's successful event, Aspen Valley Polo Club made history winning its fourth consecutive title with Melissa Ganzi, Nacho Figueras and Grant Ganzi. No team has won the coveted Molina Cup four times.

In 2018, Barrett Jackson-Aspen Valley Polo Club (Melissa Ganzi, Grant Ganzi, Nacho Figueras) defeated Bentley Scottsdale-Wales Centtrip (Ashley Busch, Ricky Cooper, Pete Webb), 12-5.

In 2017, Aspen Valley Polo Club's Melissa Ganzi, Mike Azzaro and Ashley Busch defeated Bentley Scottsdale Monte Carlo Polo Team (Rommy Gianni, Tito Gaudenzi, Juancito Bollini). Ganzi was named MVP after scoring seven goals, including three penalty conversions.

In 2016, Aspen Valley Polo Club's Melissa Ganzi, Nic Roldan and Juancito Bollini defended its title with a 7-5 victory over Palm Beach Polo.

In 2015, Roldan, Melissa Ganzi and Juan Bollini knocked off two-time reigning champion Clogau Wales, 9-5, for its first title.

"This is such a great show they put on and I am happy to be a part of anything that helps the sport grow," said Melissa Ganzi.

Last year, the world's greatest polo party event broke several records and remains the most attended polo event in North America.

The popular event brings polo to the masses while providing a social backdrop for equestrian enthusiasts.

“The Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships continue to grow and exceed our expectations. This year we are thrilled to give fans nearly a week of polo events. From polo clinics and private VIP meet and greets with the star players and sponsors, to an action-packed Saturday, there is something for everyone this year. We are thrilled to kickoff what will truly be our best year yet,” said Beli Merdovic of Bentley Scottsdale.

Fans will enjoy a preview of the world-famous Barrett-Jackson 2019 Collector Car Auction along with local Ferrari and Lamborghini car clubs lining the field.

This year’s event will also feature the world's longest catwalk fashion show produced by Phoenix Fashion Week and Canine Couture: A Dog Fashion Show Like No Other. There will be several musical performers, food vendors and VIP tents.

Event founder and Scottsdale public relations executive Jason Rose continues to raise the event’s bar every year since he started it in 2011.

"It could not have happened without the blue-chip roster of sponsors, partners and guests that make it all possible, we're grateful, we're appreciative," Rose said. "There's no doubt last year was another memorable year...and a moment that saw the event go from big and beautiful to bucket list."

Aspen Valley Polo Club finished its most successful and historic season in club and Rocky Mountain Circuit history. The club hosted several 20-goal tournaments including the prestigious 119th USPA Silver Cup and USPA North American Cup, attracted some of the world's top players including 10-goalers Hilario Ulloa and Sapo Caset, and had record crowds every weekend. The 20-goal World Polo League's Triple Crown of Polo tournament featured five teams and several top players.

With the majestic 12,965-foot summit of Mount Sopris as a backdrop, Aspen Valley Polo Club is one of the busiest and fastest growing USPA-sanctioned clubs in the nation.

Since Marc and Melissa Ganzi founded the club in 2014, polo has increased in popularity in Aspen and surrounding cities with the club's offerings of various weekly grass and arena tournaments, Tuesday Arena & Asado Nights, Kidz Polo, The Polo School headed by former 8-goaler Juan Bollini, and Polo On Demand. In addition, the club offers practice sessions for teams competing in the club tournaments.

Since 2014, Aspen Valley Polo Club has had a positive impact in the area hosting kids polo camps, teaching lessons and several charitable events at the club that have benefitted local charities including the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation.