Ylvisaker Cup Gets Going with World Ranking Players
The second in the 20 series of tournaments at the International Polo Club, Palm Beach has begun, despite the delayed schedule of the Joe Barry Cup Final. The rain has plagued the East coast of America causing havoc for the teams who have been juggling schedules and trying to maintain their ponies’ match fitness as the season progresses. However, the second tournament of the 20 goal season began yesterday with two games and two of the world’s top ranking players taking to the fields. In the first contest world ranking number 2, Facundo Pieres and his team Orchard Hill took on and defeated Jeff Hildebrand’s Tonkawa, with a healthy four goal lead ending the match with a score of 13-9. In the second game world number 1, Adolfo Cambiaso, playing for Valiente, had a close shave, winning by only 1 goal against Gillian Johnston’s Coca Cola line-up, with a final score of 14-13. The games continue this weekend with Audi/Millarville against White Birch on Saturday 6 February, followed by Horseware/5 Star/Tackeria against La Indiana on Sunday 7 February.
Orchard Hill (20): Steve Van Andel (0), Peke Gonzales (2), Facundo Pieres (10) & Lucas Criado (8)
Tonkawa (20): Jeff Hildebrand (0), Gonzalo Deltour (7), Sebastian Merlos (9) & Mason Wroe (4)
Result: Orchard Hill defeated Tonkawa, 13-9
Valiente (20): Bob Jornayvaz (2), Adolfo Cambiaso (10), Felipe Viana (5) & Tommy Beresford (3)
Coca Cola (20): Gillian Johnston (2), Sugar Erskine (7), Julio Arellano (8) & Steve Krueger (3)
Result: Valiente defeated Coca-Cola, 14-13
Photograph: Orchard Hill defeated Tonkawa 13-9 in the first round of games. By Alex Pacheco
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