World Polo League captured the WPL Pride Polo Miami Thursday at windswept Collins Park.
By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira
In front of a good crowd, World Polo League (Sterling Jones/Kylie Jones, Talbot Logan, Vinny Sangaline) edged Avatar Financial (Jason Mohr, Jonathan Hayes, Ryan Cronin) for a thrilling 8-7 victory.
But it was so much more than winning and having a good time while watching and playing polo. The annual game, (the first time on the beach), supports a passionate community raising the visibility and inclusivity of LGBTQ people while advocating against stigmatization of the LGBTQ community.
“We are here, we are queer and we are not going anywhere,” said actor Sterling Jones, who grabbed a pass from Sangaline and scored the winning goal with 29 seconds left in the game.
“Our goals are peace, love and equality, that’s all we are looking for,” Jones said. “Right now is a very trying time especially in this state. I don’t care who you voted for or whatever you are doing, but the fact is we have a fight.
“We have people that have legislation against us right now and we always have,” Jones said. “It’s always been this way for the queer community. We’re not stopping, we’re rolling up our sleeves and we are going to fight forever.”
Jones also praised Grand Champions owner/ president and WPL founder Melissa Ganzi for her never-ending support.
“Thank you Melissa Ganzi, you are the reason this event exists,” Jones said. “You are the queen.”
The game was also battle with five lead changes in four chukkers of play. Avatar Financial jumped out to a 2-0 lead with back-to-back goals by Mohr in the opening chukker. World Polo League bounced back with goals from Sangaline and Jones within a minute.
From then on it was a rollercoaster with six tied scores: 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6 and 7-7. With time running down, Sangaline scored a goal just inside the rainbow-colored goal post to tie the game at 7. Cronin hooked Logan on his run to goal. Avatar Financial had one final chance to score before Sangaline found Jones open for the goal.
Both evenly-matched teams did a victory lap around the arena much to the delight of fans. T.R. Hazelrigg IV of Avatar Financial Group presented the awards. Hazelrigg also received game jersey for his support of the event.
Highland, played by Cronin, and owned by Wellington-based Santa Rita Polo Farm, was Best Playing Pony.
Hayes scored a game-high five goals. Mohr add two. Sangaline led World Polo League with four goals including a safety from 25 yards out. Logan and Jones each had two goals.
The highlight of the day’s festivities was a Drag Queen Show, led by legendary Daisy Deadpetals, TP Lords and Rianna Petrone of Next Level Talent PB LLC, throughout the day.
The World Polo League Beach Polo World Cup, the world’s largest beach polo tournament, gets under way Friday. Play continues Saturday with the finals on Sunday.
Four games are scheduled for Friday. In World Polo League Cup action, The Boca Raton Beach Club (Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 7, Nic Roldan, 9) plays The Setai (Pablo Dorignac, 7, Juan Bollini, 4, Tito Gaudenzi) at 1 p.m., 3; Blackfin (Grant Ganzi, 3, Pierre Henri Ngoumou, 7, Mariano Gracida, 5) plays Ketel One (Joaquin Castellvi, 1, Manuel Lopez, 4/Jason Crowder, 7, Tomacho Pieres, 7) at 2:15 p.m.
In Grand Champions Polo Cup action, Delta (Rebecca Cohen, Juan Bollini, 4, Tomacho Pieres, 7) plays St. Moritz (Phil Gutman, Grant Ganzi, Piere Henri Ngoumou) at 3:30 p.m. and GB/Blade Logistics (Teo Calle, 2, Tony Calle, 4, Mariano Gracida, 5) plays World Polo League (Brad Limehouse, 3, Eliza Limehouse, Jason Crowder, 7) at 4:30 p.m.
On Saturday the schedule is GCPC Cup games at noon, 12:45 and 1:30 p.m.; Celebrity/Charity Game at 2:15 p.m. and WPL Cup games at 2:45 and 4 p.m.
Sunday, the schedule is noon (5th and 6th place GCPC Cup); 12:45 p.m. (3rd and 4th place GCPC Cup); 1:30 p.m. (Casablanca Trophy 3rd and 4th place WPL Cup); 2:45 p.m. (Grand Champions Polo Club Cup Finals (1st and 2nd place); 3:30 p.m. (World Polo League Finals Cup (1st and 2nd place); 4:45 p.m. Awards presentation.
General admission is free, as is access to the retail village, which this year will open at 10 a.m. and feature ready-to-wear clothing options, accessories, and home items. The VIP Tent opens at 11:30 a.m. Guests can purchase VIP package tickets that include shaded lounge areas, an open bar and access to an open buffet. For more information on ticket prices and social events, go to miamipolocup.com.
Wellington-based ChukkerTV (CTV Sports) is live streaming all the action worldwide with Dale Schwetz and Cale Newman calling the action.