Beverly Equestrian won its ninth consecutive game with an impressive 13-5 victory over Goose Creek/GSA in the Sieber Memorial 12-Goal Tournament during Saturday Polo at Grand Champions Polo Club.
On one of the club’s busiest days and in front of a good local crowd, Beverly Equestrian (Bill Ballhaus, 0, Hilario Figueras, 2, Tolito Ocampo, 4, Juan Martin Obregon, 5) jumped out to a quick 4-0 advantage after two chukkers against Goose Creek/GSA (Maureen Brennan, 1, Henry Porter, 2, Santino Magrini, 3, Pike Gonzales, 5) and never relinquished the lead.
“We have been playing with the same team at 10-and 12-goal so we have had a chance to get to really know each other and get a system down,” said team sponsor Bill Ballhaus. “Over the last nine games we have learned about each other and played well as a team.”
Juan Martin Obregon, 26, was named Most Valuable Player. Obregon has filled in for starter Carlucho Arellano in the last three games. Arellano is recovering from a bone bruise on his collarbone and expected to return to the lineup this week. Obregon, the second to youngest, is from a family of six and one of three polo-playing brothers.
“Carlucho has great horses, he is very well-mounted,” Obregon said. “It’s always easy when you have a good string. Carlucho should be back and I can see this team in the final with him. They have been doing really well even without me when Carlucho was playing. This is their ninth straight win in 12- and 10-goal.”
Ocampo scored a game-high six goals and Obregon scored four goals. Figueras added three goals. Gonzales led Goose Creek/GSA with four goals and Brennan added one.
“We didn’t expect that score at all,” Obregon said. “Goose Creek/GSA is a really good team. We just happen to start well and played well and that resulted in the score. It’s mainly whoever makes the less mistakes is usually the team that wins. I think we dominated on their mistakes a lot and we played our game well.”
Tormenta, a bay mare ridden by Porter, was named American Polo Horse Association Best registered horse for the game. His groom was awarded $250 by American Polo Horse Association executive director Tiana Smicklas.
The Grand Champions Polo Club Best Playing Pony was Cinco, owned and ridden by Brennan.