Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club
USPA Wickenden Cup
The last weekend of tournament polo ended in fantastic style with Agua Dulce taking Klentner Ranch to overtime in the final of the USPA Wickenden Cup.
Agua Dulce controlled the first half of the game. Max Menini and Santi Wulff proved to be a dynamic duo, creating a significant lead for the team.
Klentner Ranch needed a change in momentum coming back from halftime. Jesse Bray hopped aboard Best Playing Pony, Disney, and gave Klentner Ranch the boost they needed, closing the gap on Agua Dulce. Klentner Ranch and Agua Dulce continued to battle for the advantage. Bray returned to the field on Disney in the sixth chukker to tie the score in the final minute of play. The clock expired before either team was able to claim a victory, sending the game into overtime.
Klentner Ranch opened the overtime chukker by taking the ball out of the lineup and racing towards their goal. The crowd waited in anticipation as a shot on goal narrowly missed, giving possession back to Agua Dulce. Agua Dulce, led by MVP Menini and Wulff, raced the ball the length of the field, scoring on the ocean end to win the 2016 USPA Wickenden Cup. Max Menini was awarded MVP and Jesse Bray’s mare, Disney, was awarded Best Playing Pony.
Ten teams will battle for the Last Chance tournament taking place this coming weekend!