NEWS

Facing each other just days after competing in the Bobby Barry Cup Final, Palm Beach Equine (Costi Caset*, Robbie Bilbao, Gringo Colombres, Scott Swerdlin) and Beverly Polo (Bill Ballhaus, Lucas Diaz Alberdi, Jorge “Tolito” Fernandez Ocampo Jr., Hilario Figueras) kicked off the 2021 Joe Barry Memorial with a thrilling overtime match at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida. Ocampo Jr. scored the golden goal, converting the difficult nearside neckshot to secure the 12-11 victory for Beverly Polo within the final minute of the seventh.

Withstanding a run of six goals from Palm Beach Equine in the middle of the game, Beverly Polo held their own with Figueras contributing five total goals. Palm Beach Equine had opportunities to secure the win, shooting an efficient 69% on 13 shots, but were kept on the defensive in the final stages of the game with relentless pressure from Beverly Polo. Playing exceptionally in the number one position, Ballhaus scored a crucial goal which helped to force the game into overtime. Beverly Polo quickly forced Palm Beach Equine to commit a foul that ultimately led to the game-winning goal from Ocampo.

Quickly extending their two-goal advantage on handicap, Beverly Polo jumped into the first chukker with a field goal from Ocampo and Penalty 2 conversion from Figueras to hold a 4-0 advantage. Demonstrating why he earned Most Valuable Player the previous Sunday, Colombres brought Palm Beach Equine back into the game scoring two goals. Caset answered back and added a penalty conversion for Palm Beach Equine. Finding their stride, Palm Beach Equine began to pressure their opponents, but foul trouble allowed Beverly Polo to push their lead to three 7-4. The momentum of the game changed at the end of the first half due to missed opportunities from Beverly Polo and three goals from Palm Beach Equine, tying the score 7-all at halftime.

Caset and Colombres continued to be effective for Palm Beach Equine’s offense, combining to score two goals in the fourth chukker and create their first lead of the game. Completing a run of six unanswered goals, Palm Beach Equine had their sights set on their second consecutive victory of the season. Figueras ended the run, but Beverly Polo still trailed by one with two chukkers remaining. Making a significant impact, Ballhaus completed a long run to score his first goal of the game and quickly followed it up with an important goal in the sixth chukker, giving Beverly Polo the 11-10 lead. Caset responded with his fourth goal to tie the score 11-all and with a chance to win the game, sent a Penalty 3 attempt wide, pushing the game into overtime.

Receiving an early foul in the seventh, Beverly Polo held possession to start off play.

On a determined run to goal, Ocampo jumped on the loose ball, sending a tough nearside neckshot just inside the post to secure the 12-11 victory for Beverly Polo. The Joe Barry Memorial continues on Sunday, January 9, with Beverly Polo facing Santa Clara on the U.S. Polo Assn Field 1. The game will be livestreamed exclusively on Global Polo TV at 3:00pm ET.

*Costi Caset is a Graduating Team USPA Member. 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 courtesy of Alex Pacheco.