Over the last few weeks the English high-goal season began winding down, Saint Tropez kicked off its International Polo Cup and the Butler Handicap Cup began in Greenwich Polo Cup. But a lot has happened off the field which also deserves a mention.
Last week Argentina celebrated 200 years of Independence. The official military parade began on Avenida del Libertador and ended at Palermo’s famous polo field, where the Argentine Open and the Cámara de Diputados Cup are played. Many gathered to celebrate and remember this historic event. La Irenita, for example, celebrated in Daireaux, where an open concert was held in the town. The festivities were not confined to Argentina: one could see Argentine rosettes in several places around Europe, such as in Villa a Sesta Polo Club.
Unfortunately, last week also brought sad news as the polo world mourned the loss of Inés Garrahan de Pieres, who died at 92 years of age, leaving an impressive legacy behind her. Ines was mother and grandmother to many of the best players of the last 40 years. The Pieres family received well wishes from all over the world, proving once again that polo is built on a large, global family.
One day after the bicentenary celebrations, we also lost Juan Pedro “;Pierrou” Gassiebayle, founder of Rancho El Tata. Pierrou was a great person and an excellent player. He played with several successful teams over the years, most notably Venado Tuerto in the 1960s and �70s, and was very influential in the polo world.
New blood also joined us, as Ezequiel “;Gallego” Martínez Ferrario and his wife, Maria, welcomed their first child, Rufino, on July 11. Gallego took to Instagram to joke about Rufino becoming a future polo player.
Let’s cross the ocean once again. While La Indiana and King Power foxes celebrated qualifying for the final of the Gold Cup, the International Polo Cup was held in Saint-Tropez. Montecarlo and Sezz toasted to their victories at the famous “;White Party.”
This year’s Gold Cup had a very special winner: Tal Srivaddhanaprabha, who claimed his first British Open alongside King Power Foxes.
This week we also celebrate the wedding of Charlie Hanbury and Yoanna Otto, daughter of Princess Anna Oettingen-Wallerstein and Prince Carl-Eugen. Yoanna also plays polo, thanks to her parents who introduced her to the sport and host annual tournaments in their family grounds. The happy couple became engaged on September 19 in Munich, Germany, and will be married in two days time. We wish them all the best.
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