The East Coast Open, which first began in 1978 at the Myopia Polo Club in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, has a rich history as one of the premier tournaments in the United States. After 25 years at Myopia, the tournament moved in 2005 to the renowned Greenwich Polo Club (Greenwich Connecticut), where it has continued to grow in prestige. This year’s final attracted a full house, with around 4,000 spectators filling the stands to witness Smithfield (John Klopp, Manuel Gimenez Villamil, Pablo “Polito” Pieres, Joaquin Panelo) take on Audi (Martin Velez Suarez, Nicolas “Nico” Diaz Alberdi*, Mariano Aguerre, Victorino “Torito” Ruiz Jorba).
“In the final, we were also trailing by several goals at halftime, but we stayed calm and that kept us in the game. We weren’t playing poorly, but they had taken a good lead. Polito was excellent because he never got desperate, and that energy spread to the rest of us. We stayed calm, and step-by-step, we turned the game around.” – Joaquin Panelo on the leadership of 9-goaler Pablo “Polito” Pieres
Audi dominated early, surging ahead 6-1 by the second chukker, led by the legendary Aguerre, a longtime East Coast Open champion with White Birch. In the fourth chukker, Smithfield mounted its comeback, outscoring Audi 5-1 to take a one-goal lead. The final period saw both teams fiercely grappling for the upper hand, but Smithfield ultimately held on for the 10-9 win. Pablo “Polito” Pieres was named Most Valuable Player, while Best Playing Pony was awarded to No Va Mas, played and owned by Joaquin Panelo.
Smithfield’s victory marked not just a significant moment for the team, but a major milestone for Mashomack Polo Club (Pine Plains, New York). This was the first time in its history that Smithfield captured the prestigious East Coast Open Trophy. For Klopp, President of Mashomack, this win represented the realization of a long-held dream to compete at the highest level of polo in the United States.
9-goaler Pablo “Polito” Pieres leads the pack downfield. ©Marcelo Bianchi
The achievement was made possible not only by the arrival of 9-goal star Pieres, an Argentine Open champion, but also by the collective effort of the entire Mashomack community. People including Julio Ezcurra and Juan Olivera, who have worked alongside Klopp for years to build the club, were instrumental in bringing the team together. Joining Pieres on the field were key teammates Panelo and Gimenez Villamil, whose contributions throughout the season helped raise the club’s profile and performance.
For Mashomack, traditionally known for its competitive low- and medium-goal polo, participating in and winning the East Coast Open was a landmark achievement reflecting not just the skill of the players, but the dedication and hard work of everyone involved with the club.
Eager fans fill the stadium for the final of the East Coast Open at Greenwich Polo Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. ©Marcelo Bianchi
John, congratulations on winning the East Coast Open! What can you tell us about your experience?
“The game was amazing. Audi is a very tough team, fast on the transitions and led by Mariano, one of the best of all time. We started slow, missed some goals and were down 6-1 midway through the third. Polito made some adjustments, but we all stayed confident and just kept grinding. Crazy comeback, right down to the final horn, really fun to play and must have been exciting to watch.”
Besides playing with Polito, what did it mean for the club to have a player of his caliber?
“Polito’s arrival at Mashomack Polo was like a shot of adrenaline. For polo addicts, having one of the best players in the world at your club is inspiring!”
John Klopp embraces Manuel Gimenez Villamil following Smithfield’s first East Coast Open triumph. ©Marcelo Bianchi
How did the club’s members and players react to having one of the world’s top polo players at Mashomack?
“Beyond his skills, Polito is just a really nice guy. He made the effort to play a few club practices with us and the members got a big charge out of having a former 10-goaler pass the ball to them.”
“I’ve been playing polo for 30 years but had never stepped up to sponsor a high-goal team. I always wanted to play the East Coast Open, but was only going to do it if we had a team that could win it and have fun.” – John Klopp
Can you describe the experience of playing alongside Polito?
“Playing with Polito has been amazing for me. He’s a ferocious competitor—whether it’s polo or golf or cards—but always in a positive way. He gives it his all and brings out the best in his teammates.”
How did the relationship between you and Polito begin, and do you foresee any future collaborations or opportunities to play together again?
“I’ve been playing polo for 30 years but had never stepped up to sponsor a high-goal team. I always wanted to play the East Coast Open, but was only going to do it if we had a team that could win it and have fun. With Julio and Juan’s advice, we decided the key was to try to get Polito and then build a team around him. He said yes! Manu is a great young 5-goaler who has been with Smithfield for a few years, and I wanted him to have this opportunity. Then we needed a strong 6-goaler to make 20 goals and asked Joaquin to join. So, I had the perfect Smithfield dream team, and we went for it. As for the future, I have no idea—I’m just enjoying this one.”
Smithfield’s Pablo “Polito” Pieres. ©Marcelo Bianchi
“Playing with Polito has been amazing for me. He’s a ferocious competitor—whether it’s polo or golf or cards—but always in a positive way. He gives it his all and brings out the best in his teammates.” – John Klopp
Do you think Polito’s participation has set a precedent for attracting more high-goal players in the future?
“Mashomack Polo has established its niche—we play medium-goal polo, starting with our Polo School under Julio and topping out at 12-goal. All with a friendly family vibe in the beautiful countryside. It’s been a winning formula for forty years, and we’re sticking with it.”
POLITO PIERES: TRIUMPHANT IN GREENWICH
For the first time in his career, Pieres competed in the East Coast Open tournament, a rare opportunity for a player of his caliber. Teaming up with Klopp and Smithfield, Pieres brought his world-class talent to the field. This victory comes ahead of his upcoming participation with La Hache in Argentina’s Triple Crown, making it a significant milestone in his already illustrious career.
Making his debut in the East Coast Open, Pablo “Polito” Pieres earned Most Valuable Player. ©Marcelo Bianchi
“It was a great experience, especially because I was born here, I hadn’t been back since and to return and win made it even more special.” – Pablo “Polito” Pieres
Polito, how was it playing at Mashomack and in the East Coast Open?
“It was very special for me to be able to play at Mashomack. It was a proposal from president, John Klopp, that came to me through Julio Ezcurra and Juan Olivera, two people who have been working alongside him for many years. John is an experienced team owner who has played low-goal polo his whole life and decided he wanted to treat himself by playing the East Coast Open. That’s why Julito and Juancito recommended he play with me. I’m more than grateful that they trusted me to help John fulfill his dream of playing at this level.
People who know John, know that he and his wife [Karen] are great people. He has a team that’s been together for over 20 years, so it was very special for me to help him achieve his dream. It was a great experience, especially because I was born here, I hadn’t been back since and to return and win made it even more special.”
“I think, in the end, it became something very special for all of us. I had never played the East Coast Open before and thinking about my teammates, John, Manu Gimenez Villamil and Joaquin Panelo, winning this 20-goal tournament was one of the most important achievements of their careers.” – Pablo “Polito” Pieres
What does it mean for you to win this tournament?
“I think, in the end, it became something very special for all of us. I had never played the East Coast Open before and thinking about my teammates, John, Manu Gimenez Villamil and Joaquin Panelo, winning this 20-goal tournament was one of the most important achievements of their careers. We built a team with good people, and I believe the East Coast Open title was the cherry on top.”
Smithfield’s Joaquin Panelo on a breakaway. ©Marcelo Bianchi
Sharing their experiences playing alongside Pieres, Panelo expressed, “The final was incredibly tough. We knew it would be since we played Audi on the second game [of the tournament] and only won in the last minute. In the final, we were also trailing by several goals at halftime, but we stayed calm and that kept us in the game. We weren’t playing poorly, but they had taken a good lead. Polito was excellent because he never got desperate, and that energy spread to the rest of us. We stayed calm, and step-by-step, we turned the game around.”
Similarly, Gimenez Villamil added, “Playing with Polito was incredible; it’s so easy to play alongside him. The confidence he gives you is tremendous—always looking forward, always motivating you to play and win. For me, who approached the tournament with a bit of nerves, I felt I improved with each game, gaining confidence thanks to my teammates.”
Smithfield is all smiles after capturing its first East Coast Open title. ©Marcelo Bianchi
A DREAM FULFILLED FOR EVERYONE AT MASHOMACK
To bring this vision to life, Klopp turned to his closest collaborators, Juan Olivera and Julio Ezcurra, who have been by his side at Mashomack Polo Club for nearly 20 years. Together, they embarked on an ambitious project: to build a competitive team capable of contending for the prestigious East Coast Open.
The journey began early in the year, with meticulous planning and preparation that involved the entire Mashomack community. The turning point came with the arrival of Pieres, whose leadership and talent elevated the team to new heights. For Olivera and Ezcurra, this victory represents much more than just a tournament win—it’s a reflection of the effort, commitment and unity that defines Mashomack.
“It also shows that it doesn’t matter how old you are, dreams can come true. When John looked at Julio and me and asked if he was crazy for putting this team together, we knew something special was happening.” – Mashomack Polo Club Manager Juan Olivera
What does winning the East Coast Open mean to you?
Ezcurra: “Winning the East Coast Open with Smithfield, a team I’ve been with for 21 years, in its first year playing the tournament, is a dream come true.”
Olivera: “As the Manager of Mashomack, I want to say that it’s an enormous joy that John and Smithfield won the East Coast Open. For Mashomack, this is fantastic. It also shows that it doesn’t matter how old you are, dreams can come true. When John looked at Julio and me and asked if he was crazy for putting this team together, we knew something special was happening. It was incredible to have Polito as the leader—someone with extraordinary humility and generosity toward the whole club.”
Mashomack Team Manager Julio Ezcurra and John Klopp celebrate. ©elliebrianapolo
How did this project with Polito Pieres come together? What does it mean for Mashomack?
Ezcurra: “We prepared everything starting in the winter with John and Juan. It was a pleasure to be part of this 20-goal project and to win the tournament the way we did—coming from behind—was amazing. When we were down, you could feel Polito’s positivity and strength pushing his teammates, the grooms and everyone. For me, having always played 8- and 12-goal polo with Smithfield, and lately, 6-goal because we’re getting older, playing and winning at 20-goal level with this group is incredible. It’s pure joy.”
*Nicolas “Nico” Diaz Alberdi is an Active Team USPA Member. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.