NEWS

Article courtesy of Eldorado Polo Club/Tony Gregg

The 2018 Pacific Coast Circuit Governor’s Cup final was a contest between a pair of young newcomers and a familiar face who had played in the final several times before. In fact, Reg Whyte had not only been there before, he won the coveted trophy in 2010. This year’s game would see Thermal (Reg Whyte A, Mia Bray A, Patrick Uretz* 4, Felipe Sordelli 2) face off against rookies Boss Polo (Leslie Tims B, Bayne Bossom A, Jared Sheldon* 4, Remy Du Celliee Muller* 3) in a game that saw several swings in momentum.

From the start it was apparent that this would be a quick and fast game as Uretz took the ball from the initial bowl-in and scored to give a very early lead to Thermal. However, Sheldon scored three consecutive goals to gain a two goal advantage for Boss Polo. Bossom finished off the first period with two of his own giving his team a substantial lead 5-1.

The momentum that hurt Thermal in the first was theirs in the second chukker as the pressure they exerted created defensive errors by Boss Polo. The result was three open goal awards from 40 yards that Uretz converted. Boss Polo still led but by just one at 5-4. The third chukker saw Boss Polo grab the momentum once again as Muller scored three goals and Sheldon had one. Uretz was able to reply for Thermal with one but the lead was now 9-5 in favor of Boss Polo.

Thermal came within three as Sordelli scored his first, but Sheldon answered to quell a possible comeback. Sordelli was able to grab another but that would be it as Boss Polo won by a final tally of 10-7.

Because of his superb offensive and defensive abilities in the middle of the game, Remy Du Celliee Muller was named Most Valuable Player. "The game was super fun," said Muller. "It was a really easy team to play with, and I feel like everyone was playing at the top of their handicaps." Chiquita played by Jared Sheldon in his explosive first chukker was selected as the Best Playing Pony.

*Patrick Uretz and Remy Du Celliee Muller are members of Team USPA, Jared Sheldon is a senior member of Team USPA. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.

All photos ©Kaylee Wroe Photography.