WELLINGTON, Fla., March 29, 2024----Amaro Polo took up where it left off winning the Limited Edition 8-Goal opener on Thursday at windswept Santa Rita Polo Farm.
By Sharon Robb
Amaro Polo, coming off its Top Pony 8-Goal Tournament title with an 11-9 win over Victory Polo, went down to the wire against Pony Express.
In a close contest from start to finish, Amaro Polo (Tricky Hernandez, 0, Santi Moyano, 2, Kris Kampsen, 6, Michael Armour, 0) edged Pony Express (Lili Hagemeier, -1, Benji Daniels, 1, Justin Daniels, 2, Mackie Weisz, 6), 13-12, after Kampsen converted a 30-yard penalty in the final 20 seconds of the game.
The lead changed hands 12 times with each team having no more than a two-goal lead during the game.
Wellington-born Mackenzie Weisz, the youngest son of polo player Andres Weisz, made his 2024 season debut at Grand Champions Polo Club. Weisz, one of America's rising young players, won the 2022 USPA Gold Cup and U.S. Open at age 19 with Pilot as a 5-goaler. In 2020, he won the C.V. Whitney Cup with Las Monjitas as a 3-goaler.
Kampsen, rated at 6 goals for 22 consecutive years, and Weisz marked each other well throughout the game. Both were quick off the throw-ins and set up teammates nicely with great pinpoint passes.
Kampsen scored a game-high nine goals, including five penalty conversions. Armour had three and Hernandez added one.
Weisz had a team-high eight goals, including four penalty conversions. Justin Daniels had three goals and Benji Daniels added one.
Last year Rafool Polo (Ray Rafool, -1, Santos Bollini, 2, Henry Porter, 4, Juan Bollini, 3) hung on for a 9-8 victory over Grand Champions Polo Club (Milo MacDonough, 0, Fran Spinacci, 0, Artemio Figueras, 0, Tomacho Pieres, 6), 9-8, to win the title. Santos Bollini was named Most Valuable Player. Mentirosa, played by Fran Spinacci, was Best Playing Pony.
This year Rafool Polo (Ray Rafool, -1, Santos Bollini, 2, Facha Valent, 3, Juan Bollini, 3)returns to defend its title in the four-team tournament. In addition to Amaro Polo, Pony Express and Rafool Polo, Victory Polo (Kevin Schmeits, 0, Tommy Collingwood, 5, Tiffany Armstrong, 0, Dami Belardinelli, 2)will also compete.