Aug 03rd, '05: BUCKLIEGH FARM CLAIMS PRESIDENT’S CUP FINAL IN OT - After coming off of a couple of close victories to make to the finals, Buckleigh Farm cut it even closer at Saratoga Polo on Wednesday as they captured the United States Polo Association President’s Cup over Bloomfield in overtime. The final score was 12-11.
Even though Buckleigh started the match with a goal advantage on handicap, Bloomfield’s Cuko and Ulysses Escapite wasted no time running up a sizeable lead; the two cousins combined for 5 markers before Buckleigh scored their first goal. Buckleigh was able to bring down the tempo in third chukker, holding Bloomfield to only one goal (coming from Tab Orthwein) and scoring a couple markers of their own, but Bloomfield still had a 6-4 lead heading into the second half.
Buckleigh Farm wasted no time clawing their way back at the start of the second half. While Cuko Escapite kept up the Bloomfield offense with 3 markers in the fourth and fifth chukkers, Buckleigh’s Ignacio Saenz and Luis Galvan exploded with a combined 5 tallies to tie the score for the first time since it was 1-1 in the first.
Buckleigh Farm recaptured the lead off a goal from Sam Ramirez, Jr. in the sixth and received another from Saenz for their largest lead of the game. Cuko Escapite responded with a goal in kind and Ulysses Escapite converted on a penalty to close out scoring in regulation, sending the contest into sudden death.
The seventh chukker was deadlocked until there was only 2:53 remaining, when Galvan notched in the winning score, giving the prestigious tournament to Buckleigh Farm.
The KPMG Best Playing Pony went to Pepsi, Saenz’s mount in both the fourth chukker and overtime.
The MVP of the final match was Buckleigh Farm’s Sam Ramirez, Jr.
The next match at Saratoga Polo is Friday, August 5 at 5:30pm. All matches are open to the public. For more information, call (518) 584-8108 or visit saratogapolo.com.
Total Goals Scored
Buckleigh Farm (+1 on handicap) – 12
Sam Ramirez Jr – 2
Ignacio Saenz – 5
Luis Galvan – 4
Peter Bibeau – 0
Bloomfield – 11
Tab Orthwein – 1
Will Orthwein – 0
Ulysses Escapite – 3
Cuko Escapite – 7
