The role of the polo pony in our sport is immeasurable. Year after year, we recognize some familiar horses that bring many of our star players glory. The sport would not be possible without our equine athletes and we endeavor to highlight their selfless contributions. Below is a list of the celebrated ponies from the high-goal season at International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida.
INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB BEST STRING OF THE SEASON
International Polo Club Best String of the Season: Polito Pieres, presented by Eduardo Heguy, pictured with Marcos Bignoli Jr., Paul Pieres and Francisco Martinez. ©David Lominska
Polito's string listed left to right in the photo: Machitos Versuit, Pulguin, Villera, Esplendida and Rabbit. Not pictured: Machitos Pangia, Soul and Milky Way. Pieres' string were stabled at Marcos Bignoli Jr.'s La Calavera Ranch.
INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB BEST AMERICAN-BRED HORSE OF THE U.S. OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP®
International Polo Club Best American-Bred Horse of the U.S. Open Polo Championship®: Marisol, played and owned by Tincho Merlos, pictured with Ricardo "Zorrino" Force and Anibal Zacapa. Not pictured Jorge Fazio. ©David Lominska
To read our featured story on Marisol - click here.
INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB WEMBLEY AWARD
International Polo Club Wembley Award: Jasmine played and owned by Luis Escobar, presented by Gillian Johnston, pictured with Julian Pettinato. ©International Polo Club Palm Beach
The Wembley Award is named after the legendary Valiente polo pony Wembley. The award was created in 2013 to honor some of the great older ponies, to recognize and reward horses that have shown greatness of performance and longevity throughout a career in high-goal polo. Wembley retired in 2016, still having played high-goal at the age of 22. Luis Escobar's Jasmine continues to play in the high-goal scene at 16 years old.
INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB HORSE OF THE YEAR
International Polo Club Horse of the Year: Open Canosa, owned and played by Facundo Pieres, presented by Gillian Johnston, pictured with Santiago Buigues, Javier Fiel, Leoncio Godoy, Sandro Diaz, Facundo Burgos and Tomas Garbarini. ©David Lominska
To read our featured story on Open Canosa - click here.
BEST PLAYING PONY OF THE GAUNTLET OF POLO™
Best Playing Pony of the GAUNTLET OF POLO™: Open Canosa, owned and ridden by Facundo Pieres, presented by USPA Secretary Stewart Armstrong, and pictured with Tomas Garbarini, Javier Fiel, Leoncio Godoy, Sandro Diaz, Santiago Buigues and Facundo Burgos. ©David Lominska
BEST PLAYING PONY OF THE ENTIRE U.S. OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP® TOURNAMENT
Best Playing Pony of the Entire Open U.S. Open Polo Championship® Tournament: Dolfina Molinera, played and owned by Francisco Elizalde, presented by USPA Secretary Stewart Armstrong, pictured with Maximiliano Arenas, Gustavo Gallardo and Facundo Sosa. ©David Lominska
BEST PLAYING PONY U.S. OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP® FINAL
Best Playing Pony U.S. Open Polo Championship® Final: Mega Chistosa, owned and ridden by Facundo Pieres, presented by USPA Secretary Stewart Armstrong, pictured with Tomas Garbarini, Javier Fiel, Santiago Buigues, Leoncio Godoy, Facundo Burgos and Sandro Diaz. ©David Lominska
BEST PLAYING PONY HALL OF FAME CUP FINAL
Best Playing Pony Hall of Fame Cup Final: Ponderosa, played and owned by Miguel Novillo Astrada, pictured with Pablo Albornoz. ©International Polo Club Palm Beach
BEST PLAYING PONY USPA GOLD CUP® FINAL
Best Playing Pony USPA Gold Cup® Final: One Magnifica, played and owned by Facundo Pieres, presented by USPA Chairman Chip Campbell and pictured with Javier Fiel, Facundo Burgos, Sandro Diaz, Leoncio Godoy and Santiago Buigues. ©David Lominska
BEST PLAYING PONY C.V. WHITNEY CUP FINAL
Best Playing Pony C.V. Whitney Cup Final: Open Pensilvania, played and owned by Facundo Pieres, presented by Mike Azzaro and pictured with Tomas Garbarini, Santiago Buigues, Facundo Burgos, Leoncio Godoy, Javier Fiel and Sandro Diaz. ©David Lominska
BEST PLAYING PONY BUTLER HANDICAP FINAL
Best Playing Pony Butler Handicap Final: Open Kattia, played and owned by Facundo Pieres, presented by USPA CEO Bob Puetz, pictured with Javier Fiel. ©David Lominska
BEST PLAYING PONY YLVISAKER CUP FINAL
Best Playing Pony Ylvisaker Cup Final: Coquito, owned and played by Gringo Colombres, pictured with Jose Mendoza and Maggie Lazzarino. ©David Lominska
BEST PLAYING PONY JOE BARRY CUP FINAL
Best Playing Pony Joe Barry Cup Final: Coquito, owned and played by Gringo Colombres, pictured with Mateo Vigil, Santiago Demierre, Jose Mendoza and Maggie Lazarino. ©David Lominska
BEST PLAYING PONY HERBIE PENNELL CUP FINAL
Best Playing Pony Herbie Pennell Cup Final: Fino Conejo, played by Benjamin Avendano, presented by Brenda Lynn, and pictured with Sebastian Chiaramello. ©David Lominska
