Feb. 2006

Sunday, Feb. 26th – PoloBARN.com, Hidden Creek and Golden Falcon’s win the Bronzes. It was a day of finals on the West Coast and it started quick as PoloBARN.com got the first set of bronzes in the 4-goal/6 chukker league.  They went by Empire to win the big one for February. It was the Good-Eye (Ernie Ezcurra) and the French Lady (Caroline Anier) doing the work for the Desert Doc (Henry Randazzo) and the Panenos and a good job they did as good as it went. In the second finals of the day,4-goal/4 chukker it went South quick.  This duo played together again as Mr. Good-eye (Ernie Ezcurra) also with the French Lady (Caroline Anier) and 2 more ladies (Shelley Geiler and Tia Sutherland) after a smashing victory over former undefeated Fish Creek 2 on Friday, were unable to defeat Hidden Creek.  Sir Sean Keys (Hidden Creek) and company were ready for a big one and they had it as they rolled out to a 5 goal lead.  Nothing went in for Playa Grande. Hidden Creek never missed one.  It got closer in the end, but not much and it was Sir Sean getting his first bronze of the year. I knew it was all over when a missed #3 was taken down the field by young Jesse Bray and he took a 80 yard neck shot and sunk it to end the chukker.  So it was no double bronzes for Ernie and Caroline.  In the 8-goal finals it was Mr. Amin alongside his hard-riding son Khaled.  Amin’s Golden Falcons burned the House Dudley built (CasaBlanca) down in a barn burner on field 2. Hugo came back from the crippled list to take control and handled the house horses with his own speed demons.

This coming weekend it is seniors time.  And the forecast is for rain like right away and its no doubt needed so bad as the fields are playing very weak right now.  So we will see you all  real soon for the Skins.  It starts on March 10th I believe, so see you there and do a rain dance tonight. See ya.

Friday, Feb. 24th,- Buried I say! The 4 flags of Playa Grande were way too much for the 3 flags of Fish Creek II as 3 ladies and a one-eyed pirate stole the loot from the Creek today.  Fish Creek II is no longer undefeated in ‘06 or going for the bronze. It was a fired-up and hard- working long and sexy Shelley Geiler doing some hard work today as the only Yank on this squad.  Her Dad Denny is the Boss, but wacthing from the side with a bad wing. Shelley and a Canadian named Tia (whowas replaceing Pop) were determined from the get go.  Shelley grabbed the ball 3 seconds into the game and headed South at a high rate of speed. Mr. Good-eye (Ernie Ezcurra) and the 100 lb monster from France (Caroline Anier) head to the finals.  It was a big win for Playa Grande as they won by 5 and ended a very long winning streak for Fish Creek II (rumor has it they had won 30+ consecutive games). Now Fish Creek II will get to watch on Sunday.  It will be Playa Grande going to Sir Sean Keys and Hidden Creek who were 1 better than High Prarie as they had a barn burner I hear at field 3.  In the 8-Goal it was Dudley's Casa Blanca holding on to beat the Gypsy's without Lady Susan Figi who is also carrying a wing in the sling .

 In the 16-goal it was Fish Creek and The Big Mac  (Fred Mannix, Sr.) with the Macho Man (Julio Zavaleta) rolling into the finals undefeated as they stopped The Golden Falcons and sent Hugo Barabucci to the Doctor with a sore back.  The Surfer (Diego Cossio) nailed a plastic ball into him.  We hope he is up and moving.  In the other 2 games in the 16-goal it was very important to see who would take on Fish Creek.   Tri Tech once beaten by Windsor Capital had to step on Grant’s Farm to get the net goals, but they could not runaway from Andy Busch and had it by 2 on # 2 field over at the Int. It was up to Mansour, who had no losses, to win, but the Rug (Mansour) came right out from under them as Windsor Capital, a fouling machine, was also was a scoring machine and took the net goals away and stacked them up on their side.  Clemente Zavaleta, Jr. spanked his Uncles (Agustin and Henry Zavaleta of Mansour) and scored lots of goals.  He replaced the Gov. for the day. So the Palomino (Jason Crowder) and Josey (Joseph Stuart) head to another finals like five for the winter. We will not know who else is in the finals of the 8-goal and super 6 at 4 until Sat . afternoon. so far its like this :

In the 4-goal/3 chukker its Hidden Creek with Sir Sean Keys against Dandy Dan Rowlands and Andy Maze with a old man of 12 named Jesse Bray.  They go against Playa Grande with 4 flags a flying if the Bossman (Denny Geiler) is still watching and they have Shelley (USA) & Tia Sutherland (from Canada) and Good-eye Ernie Ezcurra (Argentina) and Lady Caroline Anier (from France).  It will be downtown for sure.  In the 16-goal its Macho Man (Julio Zavaleta) with a Big Mac (Fred Mannix) carrying the flag of Canada against the Govenor and Fast-Etta. There will be some running this Sunday afternoon.  See ya there.

Notice : Mike Uretz was operated on today and had two stints put in his heart.  They say he is doing fine and in recovery.  Please say a little prayer for him everyone! 

Feb. 19th, '06: It is Action Time, Not Whining Time- Sat . & Sun. was a couple of days of non-stop polo with good reason.  Next week is finals time so you can either live or die these  last 3 days and Fri. was included.  Many did some each way and some with a teeny chance.  They just need a little help. Sat. was Gypsy in the 8-goal, minus MS. Figi with a broken wing, got by Bad Brad  Schlei & Stone Canyon in a very boring game.  Not much scoring either as misses were the main stay of the day.  It was Fish Creek 2 getting by True Choice.  Fish Creek 2 is still playing at 4-goals with a team that is under-rated. Casa Blanca kept Dudley from hanging himself and came back to beat Antelope with Bilo back on board. Sir Sean Keys and Hidden Creek continued their roll to the final 4 as well.  I think, but am not sure, whether I heard Palm Desert beat the Golden Falcons or the other way around?  There was a big crash in this one as rumored, but do not known for sure that young Cochesh of Santa Fe had a bell ringer.

Sunday was a day of 17 polo games, horrible fields and cold weather. The best maintenance person in Eldorado was really Mother Nature.  The fields were great last season, but it was all due to her I reckon as we had a lot of rain last year.  This year we had no rain and no anything as we strive to return the fields to natural desert if it does not change.   Field 4 in San Diego is looking good. Well they are just selling the land not the turf.  Anyway the only thing to be said as the fields are the same for both teams and Sunday like Friday was a ZZZZZ day as all 5 Zavaleta's were running and all winning.  In the 10 a.m. it was Big Mac (Fred Mannix), Julio Zavaleta & Juan Reis Zavaleta winning a good one in O.T.  Grants Farm made too many mistakes and came out on the short of it.  Also at 10 AM it was Rapid Robert Kiger & Dina Stuart leading True Choice to a big win over Orange City Polo.  Sir Sean Keys took a hiding as Bad Brad Schlei and Wall Street Mike (Michael Rothbard) tore up the Red Machine.  Another Zavaleta, named Clemente, helped the Palomino (Jason Crowder) shut them down.  At high-cold noon it was the Pat and Chris show 3 weeks in a row as the Governor Pat Nesbitt and Silent Chris Maloney met again on Sunday. This time it was at the Int. field ,not field 1 and again it was a close game.  Windsor was up by 3 and then gave that lead away again in the 6th.  Like the first time they played each other, not the second time, they came back to win in OT. The Antelope continued on their true path and stayed winless as Gypsy won 2 games over the weekend.  Like the Antelope, the flying Kelly Maloney and her Ohana team continue to blister the scoreboard "not " as they have a deal with Antelope.  They are saving themselves for March.  Ms. Kelly did fly right on Sunday night as she put on a very good show in a World class setting.  She had a 100 or so of her closest friends over to a very nice party, on a very nice property.  It's not like Kelly's Tavern, but it was very nice. Thanks Kelly!

Fish Creek 2 kept up their run to the final 4 as they stopped Big Kelly Armstrong and Pac North West. Hidden Creek brought their own pro to umpire and did beat Playa Grande on field 1.  I did not see this game, but I know Sir Sean Keys likes to win, but it was a battle between undefeated teams, so no need for a big edge.  At 2.30 it was Gentle Ben Soleimani  of Mansour got a big field 1 win as the other 2 Zavaletas came out trying to keep up with the family.  Enrique Zavaleta (aka Henry) and Augi (Agustin)  put on a show and put down the Golden Falcons and now they are 2 & 0.

Down South the World’s best players, a woman named Sunny Hale and Mr. Cambiaso did away with Skeeterville in the finals of the 22-Goal Ylvslaker Cup Finals at IPC in Palm Beach.  These two players seem to be a very tough combo as Russ Mcall of Aiken New Bridge La Dolfina seems to like his move to the high goal  with2 finals in 2 tournaments. Russ has been a big part of the growth of Aiken Polo as he and Magrini have put in a very nice place there in Aiken. Little Mac (Frederick Mannix, Jr.) starts this week, but he is currently out of action today in the 26-goal with a bruised hand from what I am told. I hope he is ready soon.  They won their first game already they won a bye to the Quarters I think.  See ya.

Feb. 17th, '06: 7 Games on the 17th and a few surprises - In the cool desert air, as it was near 50 in the early morning light, it was High Prairie jumping on JHHE and adding to their +'s as Mr. Gray is enjoying his return to the high desert. In the 16-goal it was Grant’s Farm going down in O.T. to Mansour . The Zavaleta Clan had a big day all day.  In this game it was Augi (Agustin Zavaleta) getting a lot of support from brother Henry. In the noon game,  without Silent Chris Maloney, it was Tri Tech picking up Lady Jessica Bailey-Mano and just kept moving on as they mowed down the Golden Falcons.  In the 16-goal at 2.30 it was Fish Creek in a wild, un-umpired spectacle getting the calls when there was 1 and making their first win of 2006 over Windsor Capital. I hope the umpires are not paid for this job.  In this one it was the Zavaleta clan 2 leading the way, but with a VW escort (Von Wernich). Also at 2.30 it was The Golden Falcons 8-goal team doing to Sir Sean Keys & Wild Bill Freeman what has been rare this year, beating them. Casa Blanca gave Friendly Chev. their 2nd loss of the month as well.  Curt Hughes was out of town and Laith Alsarraf took his position on the team.  A patched up Playa Grande, now without Denny Geiler and without Knott, are still trucking with sub Tia.  Playa Grande kept 1 step ahead of Melody Ranch as Long & Sexy Shelley Geiler put Marco in her hip pocket they say.  The Paris Lady (Caroline Anier) did the rest as one –eye (Ernie Ezcurra) closed the door.  I did not hear of any big crashes today and all last weeks majors not in action this week. Ms. Figi is out with a broken collarbone, so she won't be back playing until the San Diego season starts in May. She is doing well just not a happy camper. Knott is walking, but not chewing steaks or talking too loud as he has a mouth full of steel and string with a fractured jaw and he is out of action for a week or 2. See ya saturday

Feb. 16th, '06: CANADA is Calling - I hear the Rockies calling and it sounds so sweet.  There us gold in those old hills as well. Like a 100,000 U.S. they say. Are you ready to rock & roll in the ROCKIES?

What a way to spend August.  Calgary Polo Club is  probably the prettiest Club in the World and high in the Rocky Mountains and a chance to not only play polo, but make money doing it. Here is what I hear is going happen . . .

  August 2006
CANADIAN OPEN (20 GOALS )
100,000.00 U.S. IN PRIZE MONEY 

It is for real and if you know Mr. Fred Mannix it is going to happen.  If you doubt it,  its easy to check call: Rick Dalton 403 669 8990 or e-mail them from their Web site www.calgarypoloclub.com. 

Take a look. It maybe the best thing you ever did even if you do not win.  Just take your family or friends its so nice in Calgary. Maybe the Argentine winter polo will be delayed after all.

Well here in the desert the wind is blowing 90 mph and in Florida its colder than Calgary in Feb., but there’s polo anyway.  Thursday its semi time in Palm Beach as the final 22-goal tournament is 1 game away. At Eldorado it’s week 3 for many who want to be in the finals and survival for others.  It all starts Friday morning right here in Indio, CA.

See ya soon like friday

PS - I hear the usual smart mouths are jumping on the FIP team . Here are some facts for you.  You must rated minimum 1-goal and no more than 5-goals to qualify for FIP teams.  Tthe total team handicap is 14-goals. Zone Qualifications will be next April ‘07 in Mexico City.  The World Cup will be in Oct. ’07 also in Mexico City. It all sounds simple, but there is usually very little money for teams and no way to pay your home expenses while you are gone.  Its a very tough commitment if you do not have the cash to take care of home expenses on your own horses and staff. There are several people working on fixing this, but no plan for sure to work. We would like to know of anyone who is willing to try out and who qualifies for the situation.  We would like to be able to say we will have the money to help, but I cannot say it for sure. We raised some money to help last time, but by the time we got it done many players were gone.  It just happens to be in two of the most profitable times for players Fall and Spring and if your good you are going to have to decide money or glory.  I can tell you I know the answer.  Its fun, but its a very hard time for profit. So if you are one with all the answers please take over ASAP.  And oh by the way please tell us where all these ideas are coming from.  We will give you all the credit. See ya anon

 (got missed and is reposted late ) Feb. 7th Polo Legends Continue To Grow  - Aging in polo is good so lets say HAPPY B-DAY TO Some of the West Coast finest.  The Governor Pat Nesbitt is turning another year and 2 others a year or so younger are doing the same. Silent Chris Maloney & Andy Busch take another year under their belt and like fine wine they just get better.  All 3 have a chance at the finals this weekend in Ca. Wine looks a little better as Chris Maloney is down a little bit with his Pampa mix, but there is still time, so HAPPY B-DAY GENTELMAN. See you on Friday where it will be a down-home country party as 8 players, 48 horses, 2 stripes and a whole bunch of fun advisers on the sidelines will get to whoop & holler not once, but twice at them.

 Down south its getting heavy as a whole bunch of teams are looking for a semi match.  Next week the Migs (Miguelito Torres) still in the running and looking for #3.   The double J's (Jeff Hall and Jeff Blake) are out and the # 1 polo player in the World (Adolfo Cambiaso) is right back after a slight miscue as he leads them all again on the road to the final 4.

We have a humorous, but dangerous situation developing out West where disputes are or were handled by duels or gunfights. We have in the last 2 weeks had 2 patrons, and I do not mean Macho Men, demand a meeting off the field after the game to kick some pro butt.  The worst part of it is they are not talking to Mini Mike.  They are talking to Arnie and I do not mean Palmer and Mike Tyson.  That is not smart and we need patrons so be happy, have fun and don't be a dummy.  Buckle up your lip and stay alive playing polo. If you want to fight, find someone you can beat up even if he is not alive.  Like a Teddy Bear, but be civilized its a Kings sport. If your planning for the summer look at San Diego Polo.  They have the best West Coast seaside-action in the country.  If looking for the big deal take a look up north as Santa Barbara is still there and if you want all fun and games social beyond belief party polo there is no place like Petaluma, CA.  Its a polo wife's dream.  Whatever you want its in the Golden State and its always been here. It is just brand new news back East.

Feb. 13th, ’06: Polo Presentation: It was a very nice day for polo in Indio and it was a time for the full moon and 20 polo games.  The only undefeated teams are in the 4-goal and there are few of them. Bad luck and Zebras had their day. It started early as expected with 20 games on the menu, no rain and rough fields.  We will do our best to report them and here is the way it was on a full moon Feb. 12 2006:See ya.

In the 4 at 10 a.m.  

Orange County stopped Polo North West and Mr. Ward seems to be on a roll. Bucephalus put the hurt on Ore-Pac/Rogue.  Playa Grande won over Shanghai despite human injury across the field.  First it was Denny Geiler with a bad knee. Then it was Shanghai's Steve Armour with a dangerous weapon . . . a plastic box where it says cut here and shows a pair of scissors not a BOWIE (Injured finger – stitches required). It was Playa despite a wreck eliminating their super-sub Nott and a bruised Caroline who stood up and did her job despite being from the Frogland (France). She is tough even if she is from there!

High Prairie stopped the miracle run by Lady Stephanie and Paul Von Gontard and put them in the minus section as they beat the Singing Cowboys from Melody Ranch.  Fish Creek II won with their 6-goal team in the 4-goal and a 3-goaler rated 1 not an issue over yesterday.

True Choice was beat by a tuff, but previous non-winner JHHE with the boss on the side. Sir Sean's Hidden creek stopped DMI and they are still undefeated.

In the 4-goal/6 chukker Rancho ESP stopped PoloBarn.com. In the finals it was Empire falling from there throne to a hard-riding Park Place in the 4-goal 6 chukker finals.

In the 8-Goal it was Stone Canyon over Antelope to stay alive with 1 win even though Geoff Palmer is looking for a future win.  Corleone won with Lady Susan Figi watching as she has a numb wing from a goal post collision on Friday, but it was a OT win.  So Sir Sean finally breaks through the barrier of OT. Casa Blanca with a big break with Nott out for Palm Desert came through for a win and they only have 1 minus.  We all hope young Nott is doing well he may have a broken jaw from the last report, but stories do grow in polo so we will let you know.

In the 16-Goal it was a barn burner as Silent Chris Maloney and the Governor duked it out and it looked like with a minute to go the Gov. was the hero as he scored 2 goals in a minute and a half, but the Zebras (Umpires) called the last 1 back sort of like Detroit last week in a game called the Super Bowl.  Anyway it was tied up inside of regulation and both teams in OT had big misses and Windsor Capital had two # 4's to win and never crossed the line with either.  Then Windsor made a big foul in the mouth and it was all over as Tri Tech takes home the silver.  Now its off to the bronze round which starts Friday with a new draw.  Will have it up soon with with the rest of the standing's

Feb. 12th, ’06: Mr. Smooth is Out of Town and so is Friendly.  Well its down to 1 in the 8-goal now undefeated as Friendly Chev. needed more than their ringer.  They needed that Smooth Swinging Patron Curt Hughes today as The Golden Falcons put a stop on Friendly in OT for there first loss of Feb. Palm Desert will get a test today as they meet Casa Blanca. In other action on Sat. it was Empire & Park Place securing a place in the finals in the 4-goal/6 chukker affair.   Hidden Creek and Fish Creek 2 getting +'s on the day and it was Big Kelly Armstrong and Pac NW going down in OT to True Choice in a barn burner.  In the big 2 games today it was Gilroy stopping La Paon and in the other semis it was and they play Aspen who stopped Hobacks run.  In the other Bracket it was Playa Grande stopping World Gym and they see La Mancha and the Gray Ghost Dempsey Mork in the finals as they ran by Calgary to make the finals. There will be plenty of polo as Sunday has 4 finals and 20 other games.  See ya Sunday

Feb. 11th, ’06: FRIENDLY CHEVORLWT & PALM DESERT 3 & O. If your like most people you would say no way, but these two who were Cellar Dwellers last month are moving along nicely now.  Undefeated Mr Nice Guy (Curt Hughes) and his smooth-swinging style has kept a big secret in his pocket with a young player from Uraguay named Juan Cruwho is playing very well. Topo Mendez and Juan Martin Gutierrez must be doing a lot as well. I have not seen them play as of yet.  Palm Desert is a real shocker as they even lost to Antelope in Jan. and with a rookie name Knott from Thailand.  Palm Desert is winning this month and they went to 3 & 0. Dandy Dan Horn and big Kimo Huddleson are sending the mail and Knott is booking it.  He is the first player I have ever seen play from Thailand.  I think he is brand new to polo, but I see him riding 7 hours a day, 7 days a week with Rege and its paying off big time.  I think he is 6 or 7 & 0 (his record) this month.  In fact he may have never lost a real game as of yet. Kind of sounds like Jim Williams who started polo with a 15 & 0 record back a few years. In the days events other than Friendly Chev. beating Stone Canyon it was Melody ranch staying unbeaten with MS. Stephany Powers in the 4-goal as they beat Ohana. Fish Creek 2 got a favorable deal on High Prarie. Orange County stayed on top as they rolled by JHHE. In the 8-goal Palm Desert took it by 1 over the Gypsy's as Ms. Figi never stopped trying to stop a goal as her & the goal post and horse were rollin on the floor, but all signs says she will be fine. The Antelope were 1 behind Corleone with Sir Sean Keys & Wild Bill Freeman, but the Indian (Danny Juarez) took a tumble and has a sore shoulder. I hear Long & Sexy Shelley Geiler and ole 1 eye, Ernie Ezcurra took their 3rd in a row as Playa Grande swamped BUCEPHALUS. That is a team I do not know how to say their name? In the 16-goal semis it was The Governor staying in the + side as Windsor Capital took the Golden Falcons out in the Semis. It was Silent Chris Maloney playing a hell of a game and scoring 2 back-breaking goals to prove me wrong. His team is not as bad as I said! Tritech heads to the finals as they went by Grants Farm where it will make a repeat of Super Bowl Sunday, but this time there will be a crowd and silver on the table. So come join the fun. There will be 40 teams playing over the next 2 days so find one to cheer for.   See ya.

Feb. 8th, ’06: Could It Be . . . That winter high-goal polo is leaving the Florida Coast? I have heard some very amusing, but reasonable ideas circulating around that those players who are not coming West to Polo's next super center in Buckeye, AZ may be headed way down South to Argentina where its Summertime. Winter Polo could be headed to Summertime in Argentina and it could happen.

Here is why I think it makes sense. If you play high-goal polo which in the U.S. is 26-goal it will cost your close to $260,000 per month. If you knew there was a place that was nice and warm and lets say in the area of a big city with beaches and it cost you say only a $100,000 per month to play 2 or 3 games a week would you make the switch? This would be double the games played in Florida high-goal.  You could take your family and friends, go for a month or two and spend less money, have less bother, more polo and when you are done you just load the plane, head North, East or West and get on with your life.  There are no trucks, no vets, no grooms, and no pros to baby sit and basically nothing unless you want a certain horse, groom or pro out of there.  After a season of high-goal polo in Argentina you will have played 30 or 60 days of high-goal polo and you can still afford to buy a steak when you get home.  Not a completely crazy idea. Tom Barrack about 10 years ago told me we should do something like this here in the U.S. The idea would be to have the Club or a group supply everything.  You would have very good players, pros and horses and do the same thing, just play lots of very good polo.  The main concept of this idea is “no hassle polo.” Just not having to deal with the puzzle of making a team, an organization of grooms, horses, people, vehicles, houses & just play lots of good polo. So if your not going South to Argentina, be looking for Buckeye, AZ.  It is west of the MISSISSIPPI and its warm year-round. Maybe we will follow Tom Barrack's design, but do it here in the USA.  Let us know what your thoughts are.  Click here to post them on The Polo Zone Message Board.  See ya

Feb 6th, ’06: Super Bowl Sunday. It was not Detroit or Palm Beach, but it was warm and it was not wet and there was lots of polo all day long.  And lots of time to watch the Super Bowl and Big Ben and the Bus move into the history books. It was another Ben not so happy as his Mansour Team was taken down in the 10 a.m. game by Grants Farm in a good one in the 16-goal league.  Grants Farm and Andy Busch continue to follow the Guti (Mariano Gutierrez) down the center lane. Also at 10 it was the Big Mac (Fred Mannix, Sr. and Macho Man (Julio Zavaleta) losing 2 in a row as the Golden Falcons and Mr. Amin came blowing down the field quite often to pay dirt.  They go to 1 & 1 and Fish Creek falls to 0 & 2. In the 4-goal early on it was True Choice falling to High Prairie and they move to 1 & 1. High Prairie goes to 2 & 0.  Tall & Sexy Shelley Geiler & Playa Grande move to 2 & 0 as they ran by OrePac/Rouge. In the 8-goal it was Lady Suzanne Figi and the Gypsy's getting after the Golden Falcons in the 8-goal and that makes them both 1 & 1. Smooth as Silk Curt Hughes and Friendly Chevy move from the Cellar to the top as they go to 2 & 0 as I think Mr. Nice Guy (Curt Hughes) has scored 8 goals in 2 days. He is smoking for sure down the pitch that is.  They were the winners in overtime over Corleone and Sir Sean Keys & Wild Bill Freeman who beat CasaBlanca on Friday. So its getting interesting as CasaBlanca stopped the burning and burned Stone Canyon on Sunday in the 2 PM as everyone kept moving around to go watch the Super Bowl. It was the Governor Pat Nesbitt and Windsor Capital gave up 4 then got it rolling as the West Coast’s double J's (Jason Crowder & Joseph Stuart) took it to the hoop and made room for Fast-Etta (Mariano Fassetta) and the Gov. to bring it home. Silent Chris Maloney had a very good day, but needed more at the end.  Windsor goes to 2 & 0. We have some big ones coming on Friday so stay tuned. And oh yes, Seattle did not win, but the Bus finished a very big career at the top just like Mr. Elway a couple of years ago. In the 2-goal last week we missed the champs Bracket 1.  The winners were hard-riding Mr. Garlock and his Park Place squad with an Okie /Westin combo.  In Bracket 2 it LE PAON with patron Ed Babi leading the charge as Gary Pollack, Scott Davis and Manny Questel took the silver home. We will have the standings later this week.  See ya.

Feb. 4th, ’06:  Cellar Dwellers no more. It was a day when yesterday's teams rose up and said today is a new month and did make a run at it. Early on like at 10 AM it was Palm Desert tasting a "win" as they beat last months champs MC Polo.  True Choice went from 0 & 6 to 1 & 0 just like that. Antelope almost won. Friendly Chevy and smooth-swinging Curt Hughes rocked them as they also came from down under and won as well over Gypsy. So that is the way it was.

Down south it was like so wet nobody played so nobody quit. Polo is a very fun sport.  When you win its so much fun, but when you lose and you will, its still fun its just another experience and to some peopole it is not fun.  They have to say good-bye, but like all sports or life itself, you cannot always win, but you would like too.  So would we.  See ya.

Feb 4th, ’06: It was 80 degrees in the shade. Feb. started on a very sunny day and it was a very nice one.  No wind, no rain just a picture perfect Spring day in the winter here in Indio. Many new teams start this month.

At 10 a.m. 

OHANA  vs. Playa GRANDE.   It was the 3 flags of Playa getting down by a couple then doing a tap dance on the Racho Santa Fe/Northern Calif. mix for the next 3.  Two of these were 4 flags as Denny Geiler had a sore knee at halftime and sat down and put in a young Korean player. I think he may be from Thailand, but he was very up to the play and his name is Knott.  The long & sexy lady Shelley Geiler led the charge.  Also at 10 AM it was High Prairie of Denver taking advantage of a Colo. State Princess in her first big game Jenny Behne, as she led the High Prarie boys to the goal often vs. Kelly Armstrong and PAC.NW. Fish Creek II got off to a good start as they rolled over JHHE and kept on moving. In the 16-goal it was Guti-Guti-Guti  (Mariano Gutierrez) as he led a charge big time. Grants Farm and Guti blistered The Golden Falcons on this warm day. Tri Tech jumped on Fish Creek and saved a big one as they got a + on Macho Man (Julio Zavaleta) and the Big Mac (Fred Mannix, Sr.)  At 2:30 it was the West Coast’s Double J's of Windsor (Jason Crowder and Joseph Stuart) doing a little better than the East Coast defending champs who got smoked on Thursday. Windsor needed extra time and the Governor Pat Nesbitt to win vs. the Rugman and Mansour. It was a Diesel and the Palomino (Jason Crowder) scored the winner which came in  after a missed 3-footer to win it in regulation time, but they get the win.

In the 8-goal, Dudley's house CasaBlanca continues to get torched by the Corleone crew as they burned some more of it as Sir Sean Keys got them again big time. Corleone go to 1 & 0. In the other 2 games I think Antelope probably lost to Friendly Chev. and I do not have a clue on Ore/Pac and Melody, but will let you know. Lots of Polo today and Super Bowl Sunday so come on out.

Down South in Florida I think The Mig (Miguelito Torres) was Playing and I know White Birch continues to win as they have for like a Year.

See ya at Polo today.

Feb. 3rd, ’06: No mas habla I think . . .Friday is the 3rd day of Feb. and its Time for action and no mass talk. Corleone is there, Casa Blanca is there, but then so are the Gypsy's and many more.  Its time for the big sticks to stand up. Macho Man (Julio Zavaleta) and Big Mac (Fred Mannix) are here and that spells trouble. Even if its been 4 months since they hit the pitch. Mansour and the flying carpets are ready. Tri Tech is burning and oh yeah the Governor is doing his thing. He is in town so get ready to rock. I hear Dr. Amin is slipping into town and he did not come for a fishing trip. It starts Manana.  I can not speak Spanish so I have no idea why I try to write it.

 FRIDAY IS LIKE THIS !

4-goal

10a.m.

Ohana vs. Playa Grande
Pac NW vs. High Prairie
JHHE vs. Fish Creek 2

12 noon
16-Goal
Golden Falcons vs Grants Farm  - 2 brand new teams featuring Barabucci -Llambias vs.  Rudy - Guti combo

8-goal
Antelope is still looking and maybe Friendly Chev will be friendly

2 p.m 

4-goal 
Melody vs Ore Pac/Rouge 

2.30
a double 16-goal

Tri Tech & Silent Chris Maloney and his southern wish are looking at Macho Man & the Big Mac, but there’s a Surfer by the side and its a Fish Creek test.  

Mansour the flying rug and the ZZ + a VW are smoking, but they are  vs. the double J's of the west or double bronzes (Jason Crowder and Joseph Stuart, but its with a twist called Fas-etta & Windsor.

In the 8-goal 

The house they burnt Casa Blanca is coming back to see Corleone. Sounds like a Mafia somewhere.

There are 10 matches a day Fri & Sat  and add 14 for Sunday and you will see lots of polo right here in town.  There are always the leapers next door or the new bodies in the Cantina so spend the weekend with us. If your looking for a cool place at a good price call Santa Rosa Casitas 760 771 6616 you have a wonderful weekend we will.

Feb. 1st, ’06: It’s A Fabulous Feb. and it starts Friday!!  Feb. is here and its time to saddle up because everyone else is. There are 30 some teams in the leagues at Eldorado Polo Club and a whole bunch more in the 2-goal.  We might not be as fancy as Florida or close to it, but we do have a lot more teams than any of the other Clubs.  Its fun in the slums and the ghettos.  We have sunshine and a lot more polo than down in the Palmetto's so come this Friday, we have some newcomers.

In the 16-goal its all new, but some just got to town and some are new in town. The new boys on the block are Marcos Uranga, a famous polo family who is 6-goal player.  He will play with Mr. Maloney on Tritech who we  sometimes call “Silent Chris” who just arrived. Back in town are Andy Busch and Frederico Von Wernick as well as Gaston Von Wernich and another Zavaleta is in town his name is Juan Gris.  Juan was here a couple of years ago in the 4-goal, now he is 4 times as good they say.

In the brackets of 3 they play across and play 2 leagues this month in the 16-goal:

A bracket its :                             Bracket B  is

Golden Falcons                            Fish Creek
Tri Tech                                     Grants Farm
Mansour                                     Windsor Capital

they play against each across from them so it should be fun.  Of the 24 players only 10 are not from Argentina.  Many teams like TriTech, Mansour, Golden Falcons and Fish creek are triples, so the yanks will have to saddle up.

In the 8-goal it will be 8 teams going for the gold or bronze and maybe Corleone has a shot this month. Josey and Jason have too many bronzes for January and maybe CasaBlanca has another shot if they can avoid Corleone. Ms. Figi drops back to the 8-goal (from the 12-goal) so its not going to be a walk in the park.  Friendly Chevrolet is also coming down from the 12-goal.  They maybe a handful with Laith Alsarraf at the point and the Golden Falcons are going both ways so look out for them and the Antelope maybe still in the cellar.

In the 4-goal/4 Chukker we have16 teams putting out the big bucks this month.  The 4-goal/6 chukker league is up to 4 teams again so they head up the smallest league, but there will be plenty of action all around. So be there.

Jan 30th, ’06: Monday Morning Polo - Everybody knows everything the next day, but it’s always the way it is. It was a good month to start polo and it was the end of Jan. 2006 wherever you were.See ya.

In Florida at Royal Palm Polo it was finals time and it was young Frederick Mannix “Little Mac” leading the Audi charge as they beat Morga Creek to win the Sunshine League.

In the Outback League it was San Saba and Dawn Jones with sometimes Californian Hector Monserat winning the Jan. league over Detroit in a big one.

At IPC (International Polo Club Palm Beach, FL) in the Joe Barry Cup Finals it was the Gringos & a Canadian taking the big title as the Double J's (Jeff Blake and Jeff Hall) continue to carry the flag across the country now winning the America Cup in California, the Silver Cup & Texas Open in Texas and now the Joe Barry Finals in Florida.  They joined up with the Michigan Magic Man Scott Devon and Sarg. Offen and they call themselves Catamount.  They beat defending champs Lechuza.

Out west it was 4 on the floor all for big bronzes  and 4 finals.

in the 4-goal /4 chukker Finals it was Fish Creek taking the bronze.  Fish Creek had Ladies Susan Susan Stovall and Julie Roenisch leading the Fish past the Corleone squad by a few.

In the 4-goal /6  chukkers it was A French Lady (Caroline Anier) leading Vista Santa Rosa past Big Al and Empire Polo.

In the 8-goal finals for the bronzes it was the West Coast set of double J's (Jason Crowder  and Joseph Stuart) joining Geri Dardi and MCPOLO with hard-working Alvaro ruining Sir Sean’s day as they beat Corleone in overtime to start a big run for Josey (Joseph Stuart) and the Palomino (Jason Crowder).

In the 12-goal Finals it was on with the show as these double J's joined Bad Brad and Stone Canyon and the only other Argy to win a title on Sunday. Flying Augi, as in Agustin Zavaleta, took down the Golden Falcons in a barn burner where speed was a factor and the day was a double bronze for Josey & the Palomino.