Players came to the beachside resort of Costa Careyes located right on the Pacific Ocean to celebrate the annual holiday tournament. A long list of players from all over the world, including Brazil, Hong Kong, Italy, and the United States took to the field to represent their countries.
Four teams from the 7-9 goal level played each other in five chukker games in order to gain entry to the championship final. Team Steta/Brazil came into the finals undefeated playing against team Guadalajara/Agua Alta, who was also undefeated entering the championship game.
Diego Solorzano, of team Steta/Brazil, scored the first goal right out of the first throw in and with that quick goal it looked like the game might be a runaway. No one scored the second chukker but Guadalajara/Agua Alta came alive and scored four goals in the 3rd chukkers to one for Steta/Brazil.
At half time after the third chukker the score was 5 ½ to 2 in favor of the Guadalajara foursome. From then on Pancho Aguilar, from Guadalajara was on fire scoring three goals. Guadalajara ended up the champions, with the final score being 10 ½ to 6. A tequila toast for all players, organized by Giorgio Brignone, owner of the Careyes club, tipped off the trophy presentation.
Another tournament going on at the same time was for lower goal players. The Falk family, Katie, Chris, Josh and Sidney of Fresno, California were the winners over a two-day tournament against Sebastian Wiliamson, Tomas Elliot, Charlotte de Caraman and Gian Carlo Brignone, grandson of the founder of Careyes, Sr. Gian Franco Brignone.
To end the visit for the out of country players, Careyes put together a match game between the Aguilar brother, Tomas Elliot, and Guillermo Jimenez against Marcos Schallbach, Diego Solorzano, and Gustavo Garcia Reveiro.
Over 40 horses were shipped in for the event and the remaining players were mounted by Careyes Polo Club, Hans Giebeler, and the Ardissones. Careyes Club is open for polo from November through April. Please see www.careyes.com for more information.