CARBONDALE, Colo., August 8, 2018---The world-class indoor and outdoor arenas took center stage with the ChukkerTV Arena Challenge Cup on Tuesday at Aspen Valley Polo Club. 

The tripleheader was kicked off with the ChukkerTV Kidz Arena Challenge Cup held in the outdoor arena where three youth players competed with a professional.

Flexjet Grey (Santos Novillo Astrada, Aiden Meeker, Nacho Novillo Astrada, Samantha Payne) defeated Flexjet Red (Courtney Callahan, Caroline Lile, Juan Bollini, Stella Payne), 4-1.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., August 8, 2018---Flexjet will return to defend its title Thursday in the United States Arena Handicap Polo Championship at Aspen Valley Polo Club.

Several of the top players in the world including Argentine brothers Alejandro and Nacho Novillo Astrada and top American player Nic Roldan will compete among the four-team field.

The teams are:

Casablanca: Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nacho Novillo Astrada.

Flexjet: Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini.

Mountain Chevrolet: Michael Payne, Lucas Lalor, Kris Kampsen.

The Polo School: Aiden Meeker, Carlitos Gracida, Nic Roldan.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., August 5, 2018---It took only one chukker for Los Amigos Red to get the chemistry going in the final of the High Alpine Cup.

After falling behind 3-1 in the opening chukker, Los Amigos Red (Alejandra de la Vega, Kris Kampsen, Nic Roldan, Paul Foster) shut out Casablanca (Alex Gooding, Grant Ganzi, Lucas Lalor, Juancito Bollini) in the next two chukkers and controlled most of the game for an impressive 9-7 victory in front of a good crowd Sunday at Aspen Valley Polo Club.

The tournament victory marked the summer polo debut of Kris Kampsen, coming off the Greenwich, Conn. season, and Roldan, coming off the British season and Westchester Cup. It was also the second tournament victory for the El Paso, Tex.-based Los Amigos organization.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., August 4, 2018---The stage is set for a showdown between Casablanca and Los Amigos in the final of the High Alpine Cup Sunday at Aspen Valley Polo Club.

Casablanca (Alex Golding, Grant Ganzi, Lucas Lalor, Juancito Bollini) knocked off La Karina (Brian Boyd, Pablo Dorignac, Stewart Armstrong, Carlitos Gracida), 10-8, Saturday at windswept Sopris Mountain Ranch. 

La Karina, winner of its last two tournaments, went flat offensively unable to score in the fourth and fifth chukkers. Casablanca led 9-6 going into the final chukker and maintained control of the game despite La Karina trying to rally with a 2-1 sixth chukker.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., August 2, 2018---The sixth tournament and midway point of the summer polo season gets under way Friday at Sopris Mountain Ranch.

The High Alpine Cup, featuring four teams and AVPC summer season debut of Kris Kampsen and Nic Roldan, begins Friday with two games at Sopris Mountain Ranch.

The opening game at 10 a.m. features Los Amigos with husband and wife Paul Foster and Alejandra de la Vega, Kampsen and Roldan playing Aspen Valley Polo Club with Melissa Ganzi, Riley Ganzi, Nacho Novillo Astrada and Juan Bollini. Both teams are rated at 14 goals.

In the second game at 11 a.m., Casablanca with Alex Gooding, Grant Ganzi, Lucas Lalor and Juancito Bollini will play La Karina with Brian Boyd, Carlitos Gracida, Pablo Dorignac and Stewart Armstrong.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 29, 2018---With Riley Ganzi, Nacho Figueras, Malcolm Borwick and Ashley Van Metre Busch playing, Aspen Valley and Grand Champions Polo Clubs were well-represented at the recent Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup at Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club.

The Sentebale St. Regis team of Busch, Prince Harry, Figueras and Miguel Mendoza won 5-4 over Royal Salute that featured team captain Malcolm Borwick, Chet Lott and Ganzi, at 18, the youngest player on the field.

"I was unbelievably honored to have played in the Sentebale Polo Cup, which raises funds for Prince Harry's charity to support the mental and physical health of children affected by HIV in southern Africa," said Ganzi, headed to Georgetown in the fall.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 29, 2018---On an emotionally-charged day, the Emma Challenge Cup final lived up to expectations in front of a packed house Sunday at Aspen Valley Polo Club.

Argentine 9-goaler Nacho Novillo Astrada scored the winning goal with four minutes left in overtime to lead defending champion La Karina (Alejandra de la Vega, Brian Boyd, Stewart Armstrong, Nacho Novillo Astrada) to a thrilling 8-7 victory over Piocho Ranch (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nacho Figueras, Tom Barrack).

The day was dedicated to longtime player and groom Jesus "Chuy" Baez who died in an accident earlier in the week at age 60. Photographs of Baez, who worked at Aspen Valley and Grand Champions Polo Clubs, during his career were shown on the club's Jumbo-tron throughout the day and were on display at the club. A moment of silence was held before each game and awards ceremony. A memorial service was held after the final.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 28, 2018---Defending champion La Karina will try and make it two in a row Sunday at Aspen Valley Polo Club.

After winning the Basalt Handicap last weekend, La Karina will try and add another title to its resume when it meets Piocho Ranch in the final of the Emma Challenge Cup at 1 p.m. MST.

It will be a rematch of last Sunday's Basalt Handicap final which La Karina won, 8-5. La Karina is defending champion of the Emma Challenge Cup, 12-8 winners over Tonkawa last season. 

On Friday at Sopris Mountain Ranch, La Karina (Alejandra de la Vega, Brian Boyd, Stewart Armstrong, Nacho Novillo Astrada) defeated Los Amigos Red, 7-5, (Pablo Dorignac, Carlitos Gracida, Paul Foster, Gabriel Gracida) to advance into the championship.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 19, 2018---The fifth tournament of the summer polo season begins Friday at Sopris Mountain Ranch.

The Emma Challenge Cup, featuring five teams, gets under way Friday with one game at 11 a.m. MST. La Karina, (Brian Boyd, Alejandra de la Vega, Nacho Novillo Astrada, Stewart Armstrong) winners of last weekend's Basalt Challenge, plays Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Carlitos Gracida, Pablo Dorignac, Gabriel Gracida).

The second game will feature three teams in a round robin: Piocho Ranch (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nacho Figueras, Tom Barrack); Mountain Chevrolet (Michael Payne, Melissa Ganzi, Lucas Lalor, Juan Bollini); and Sopris Mountain Ranch (Jeff Desich, Rich Desich, Pablo Spinacci, Kiko Belastegui) is Saturday at 11 a.m.

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The polo world is mourning the tragic sudden death of Jesus "Chuy" Baez.

The well-liked polo player and groom at Grand Champions and Aspen Valley Polo Clubs was killed in an accident at the Aspen club earlier this week.

Baez, 60, born in Mexico City of hard-working parents Jose and Petra, was part of a large, loving family. Baez will be remembered for his infectious smile, gift for working with horses and humility that set him apart from others. 

He grew up around horses and started working with them when he was 8 years old. He played polo for 25 years and groomed for two of the nation's top polo clubs until his death.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 22, 2018---For the second time in three years, La Karina captured the Basalt Handicap Sunday at Aspen Valley Polo Club.

In a hardfought, physical contest La Karina (Brian Boyd, Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Lucas Lalor) led 4-3 at the half and never relinquished its lead for a stunning 8-5 victory over Piocho Ranch (Marc Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida, Nacho Figueras, Tom Barrack) in La Karina's season debut.

It was the first time Piocho Ranch, winners of the Independence Cup and Craig Sakin Memorial, lost a championship final this season. 

Grant Ganzi, a member of Team USPA, was named the game's Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row. Ganzi had a game-high four goals including two penalty conversions. 

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 22, 2018---Los Amigos Red won the inaugural Sopris Saturday on a picture-perfect day at Sopris Mountain Ranch.

In a close game, Los Amigos Red (Alejandra de la Vega, Gabriel Gracida, Nacho Novillo Astrada, Paul Foster) edged Mountain Chevrolet (Michael Payne/Mauro Amavet, Carlitos Gracida, Marc Ganzi, Juan Bollini), 9-8.

With 1:30 remaining and the game tied, 8-8, Astrada hit a long ball to Paul Foster who scored the game-winner. Foster, enjoying one of his finest seasons, was named Most Valuable Player.

Foster and his wife Alejandra de la Vega shared scoring honors with a game-high three goals each. Gracida had two goals and Astrada added one goal.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 21, 2018---After a week's absence, Piocho Ranch returns to the championship final of the Basalt Handicap Sunday at Aspen Valley Polo Club.

Standing in its way will be La Karina, 2016 winners of the Basalt Handicap eager to return to the winners' circle.

On Friday, Piocho Ranch (Hilario Figueras, Carlitos Gracida, Nacho Figueras, Tom Barrack), winners of the season's first two tournaments and last weekend's Just For The Love Of It subsidiary game, defeated Los Amigos Blue (Alex Gooding, Stewart Armstrong, Nacho Novillo Astrada, Paul Foster), 8-6, to advance into Sunday's final.

Hilario Figueras scored a team-high four goals for Piocho Ranch. His father, Nacho Figueras, added three goals and Barrack scored one goal.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 19, 2018---The fourth tournament of the summer polo season begins Friday at Sopris Mountain Ranch.

The Basalt Handicap, featuring four teams, gets under way Friday with two games at 11 a.m. and noon.

In the opening game, Piocho (Hilario Figueras/Marc Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida, Nacho Figueras, Tom Barrack) plays Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Alex Gooding, Nacho Novillo Astrada, Stewart Armstrong). Both teams are rated at 13 goals.

In the second game of the doubleheader, La Karina, making its season debut, (Brian Boyd, Grant Ganzi, Lucas Lalor, Juancito Bollini) plays American Polo Horse (Alejandra de la Vega, Riley Ganzi/Melissa Ganzi, Pablo Dorignac, Juan Bollini). La Karina is rated at 11 goals and American Polo Horse, making its debut as a new summer team sponsor, is 10 goals.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 15, 2018---Los Amigos Blue rallied in the sixth chukker to capture the ChukkerTV Challenge  Sunday at Aspen Valley Polo Club.

With the score tied 8-8 going into the final chukker, Los Amigos Blue (Paul Foster, Grant Ganzi, Lucas Lalor, Pablo Dorignac) outscored Los Amigos Red (Alejandra de la Vega, Riley Ganzi, Nacho Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini), 3-1, for an 11-9 victory in front of a good crowd for its first tournament victory of the summer polo season.

Paul Foster was named the game's Most Valuable Player. Foster, who has been playing polo for nine years, scored a team-high four goals including an insurance penalty-two goal in the final minute of play.

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 14, 2018---The ChukkerTV Challenge Cup will feature an all-Los Amigos final Sunday at Aspen Valley Polo Club.

Los Amigos Red (Riley Ganzi, Melissa Ganzi, Nacho Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini) knocked off previously undefeated Piocho (Brian Boyd, Juancito Bollini, Nacho Figueras, Tom Barrack), 9-8, Friday in the opening round of the four-team tournament.

The opening game was a battle to the finish. The lead changed hands six times before Los Amigos Red took a 7-5 lead in the fifth chukker on Melissa Ganzi's fourth goal of the game. 

Piocho rallied in the final chukker with goals from Boyd and Figueras but Novillo Astrada scored back-to-back goals in the sixth chukker including a 60-yard penalty shot to preserve the win. 

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 14, 2018---Los Amigos Green captured the inaugural Mountain Cup Saturday on a perfect day for polo at Sopris Mountain Ranch.

In a hotly-contested game, Los Amigos Green (Alejandra de la Vega, Melissa Ganzi, Hilario Figueras, Juan Bollini) controlled most of the second half and held on for a thrilling 12-11 victory over Los Amigos Red (Paul Foster, Michael Payne, Gabriel Gracida, Carlitos Gracida).

De La Vega and Figueras shared Most Valuable Player honors.

Both teams got balanced scoring. For Los Amigos Green, Figueras scored a team-high four goals, Bollini and Ganzi each had three goals and De La Vega added two.

For Los Amigos Red, Foster scored a team-high four goals and Payne and Gabriel Gracida each had three goals.

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The third tournament of the summer polo season begins Friday at Sopris Mountain Ranch.

The ChukkerTV Challenge opens Friday with two games at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. In the opening game, Piocho Ranch (Brian Boyd, Juancito Bollini, Nacho Figueras, Tom Barrack), riding a two-tournament win streak after capturing the Independence Cup and Craig Sakin Memorial, plays Los Amigos Red (Alejandra de La Vega, Melissa Ganzi, Nacho Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini).

In the second game of the doubleheader, Los Amigos Blue (Paul Foster, Grant Ganzi, Pablo Dorignac, Lucas Lalor) plays Sopris Mountain Ranch (Hilario Figueras, Alex Gooding, Marc Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida).

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CARBONDALE, Colo., July 7, 2018---Los Amigos Green captured the Aspen Cup with a thrilling come-from-behind 7-5 victory over Los Amigos Blue on Saturday at Sopris Mountain Ranch.

Trailing 3-2 at the half, Los Amigos Green (Alejandra Foster, Melissa Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida, Juan Bollini) rallied in the second half to edge Los Amigos Blue (Paul Foster, Gabriel Gracida, Michael Payne, Alex Gooding).

Alejandra Foster scored a game-high four goals and shared Most Valuable Player honors with Michael Payne, who scored a team-high three goals.

The evenly-matched teams battled back and forth. Ganzi scored first for a 1-0 lead and Payne followed with a goal for a 1-1 tie at the end of the opening chukker. 

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