Mount Sopris Cup Beings Friday At McClure River Ranch

CARBONDALE, Colo., August 8, 2024— With six tournaments already in the books, Aspen Valley Polo Club reaches the midway point of the summer season this weekend with the Mount Sopris cup.

By Sharon Robb

The seventh of 14 season tournaments features six teams and begins Friday at McClure River Ranch Field Two.

On Friday, two preliminary round robin games are schedule. The first is at 10 a.m. and second game is 12:30 p.m.

In the opening game, Los Amigos (14, Paul Foster, Jason Crowder, 5, Margin Jauregui, 6, Juan Bollini, 3), Mountain Chevrolet (14, Michael Payne, 1, Alejandra Foster, Pablo Spinacci, 5, Nacho Novillo Astrada, 8) and Polo For Christ (14, Steve Cox, Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 7, Santi Toccalini, 7) will play.

In the second game, Travieso (13, Michael Calle, Santols Bollini, 2, Grand Ganzi, 3, Nic Roldan, 8), ERP (13, Meghan Berry, Ale Poma, 1, Sugar Erskine, 6, Tomato Pieres, 6) and Audi (15, Two Calle, 1, Marc Ganzi, 1, Hilario Figueras, 5, Gonzalito Pieres, 8) will compete.

Patrons Steve Cox and Teo Calle will make their summer debut along with new team ERP. Both Cox and Calle are frequent players at both Aspen Valley Polo Club and sister club Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Fla. Travieso is one of the winningest teams at Grand Champions. Cox has played in several Setnebale events around the world including Aspen.

A triple header is set for Sunday funday with an exciting day of polo complete with music, great food, and special entertainment planned.

At 10:15 a.m., the Just For The Thrill Of It Cup will open the action at McClure River Ranch Field Two followed by the Championship Final at 11:30 a.m. at the Stadium Field.

The Just For The Love Of It Cup follows at 1 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony and second summer Wheelie Polo Game. A special performance by the One Armed Bandit and after polo party will finish out the entertainment for the day.

On Saturday, the Just For The Fun Of It beings at 10:15 a.m. at the AVPC Barn Field. Two games, the main event and the other main event are scheduled followed by Kidz Polo.

Last season Travieso ( Teo Calle, 1, Grant Ganzi, 3, Martin Jauregui, 6, Nic Roldan, 8) making its summer polo debut, won the five team tournament with a thrilling 9-8 victory over Santa Rita (Melissa Ganzi 0, Hilario Figueras, 5, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 7, Juan Bollini, 3). Jauregui was MVP.

The Mount Sopris Cup is named after the breath-taking 12,965- foot twin-summited Mount Sopris that dominates Aspen Glen’s southern skyline and offers spectacular hiking, picnicking and camping opportunities. Situated in the northwestern Elk Mountains Range of the Rockies, Aspen Glen residents enjoy vies of this sunning mountain and have easy access to its many features.

So far the season-opening tournaments have been won by:

Santa Rita (Haley Schaufeld, Grant Ganzi, Tomacho Pieres, Juan Bollini) in the Independence Cup.

Casablanca  (Marc Ganzi, Martin Jauregui, Nic Roldan, Grant Ganzi) in the ChukkerTV Challenge Cup.

Casablanca (Marc Ganzi, Santos Bollini, Nic Roldan, Grant Ganzi) in the Craig Sakin Memorial

Los Amigos Red (Nic Roldan, Hilario Figueras, Paul Foster, Grant Ganzi) in the Basalt Handicap.

Mountain Chevrolet (Fran Spinacci, Michael Payne, Pablo Spinacci, Gonzalito Pieres) in the High Alpine Cup.