Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup, Prince Harry Make Historical Debut At Aspen Valley Polo Club

CARBONDALE, Colo., August 20, 2021---Aspen Valley Polo Club, one of the nation's largest and fastest growing polo clubs, hosted the biggest event in club history Thursday when the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup made its debut.

By: Sharon Robb

Photo Credit: Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup 2021

The Sentebale team of Prince Harry, Nacho Figueras and siblings Riley and Grant Ganzi, won the special charity round robin event, 3-0, with Prince Harry scoring two goals.

The Duke of Sussex was making his first public appearance since the birth of his daughter, Lilibet Diana in June. The event raised $3.5 million in funding which helps vulnerable children in southern Africa affected by extreme poverty, inequality and HIV/Aids epidemic.

The polo game, which was kept under wraps and not publicized for security reasons, featured three teams, Sentebale, Royal Salute and U.S. Polo Assn. U.S. Polo Assn., led by 8-goaler Alejandro Novillo Astrada, was runner-up and Royal Salute, led by 10-goaler Gonzalito Pieres was third.

The team rosters were:

Sentebale: Prince Harry, Riley Ganzi, Nacho Figueras, Grant Ganzi.

Royal Salute: Kevin Schmeits, Waqaas Al-Saddiq, Brian Boyd, Gonzalito Pieres.

U.S. Polo Assn: Sarah Siegel-Magness, Cable Magness, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Stewart Armstrong.

Umpires for the game were Gaston Dorignac and Jack McLean.

Figueras, the Sentebale Ambassador and close friend of Prince Harry, posted a photograph on his Instagram account writing, "How lucky I am to be able to ride along with you in your mission of making the world a better place for people not as fortunate as us. It is your commitment and passion to give back that is my inspiration."

Prince Harry also pledged $1.5 million from the proceeds of his upcoming book to Sentebale. The tell-all memoir is set to be released by Penguin Random House in 2022.

Prince Harry co-founded Sentebale in Lesotho in 2006 in memory of his late mother Princess Diana. The Duke is living in California with his wife Meghan Markle after quitting royal duties. Markle did not attend the polo match.

Prince Harry said in a statement that his donation was one of several he planned to make to charitable organizations.

"Our refocused mission at Sentebale is about addressing the most-immediate needs of vulnerable children in southern Africa, helping them access vital health services, receive necessary care, and build skills to be more resilient and self-sufficient in the future."

Prince Harry thanked sponsors (ISPS Handa, Aspen Valley Polo Club, Royal Salute, U.S. Polo Assn., Caribou Club and Long Meadow Ranch Winery), and those who had helped to make the tournament Covid-safe.

"The Sentebale Polo Cup is critical to securing the funds needed to advance this important mission, and I'm thrilled to be able to support Sentebale, both in person and financially through a separate charitable donation to meet this immediate need," he told spectators. "I'm grateful to be able to give back in this way for the children and communities who gravely need it."

Sentebale said Prince Harry stepped in with his donation after the postponement of last year's polo match left the charity in need of further support as it is its single largest fundraising opportunity.

Because last year's Polo Cup was postponed and this year's was significantly and rightfully reduced in size and scope because of COVID-19, the organization was in need of further support to continue its mission, according to the Sentebale release.

Under stringent guidelines from a leading epidemiologist and in coordination with the Garfield County Public Health Department and local officials, a scaled-down version of the fundraiser was successfully staged. The full program was held outside. There were rigorous guidelines including  vaccine requirements, testing and wearing of masks.

“The Garfield County Pitkin County Public Health Department worked closely with organizers of the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup and Dr. Anne Rimoin to ensure the highest level of COVID-19 safety protocols were implemented to keep all patrons and staff safe,” said Josh Vance, Garfield County Epidemiologist.

"We are incredibly grateful to our gracious hosts in Aspen, to ISPS Handa and the many other sponsors, and to everyone involved in making this year’s match not only possible—but most importantly, as safe as possible for the protection of donors, players, staff, and the entire community," the Duke of Sussex said.

With the majestic 12,965-foot summit of Mount Sopris as a backdrop, Aspen Valley Polo Club is one of the busiest 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.

Aspen Valley Polo Club has had a positive impact in the area hosting several charitable events at the club that have benefitted local charities including  Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation and now in the international spotlight with the prestigious Sentebale event.