News...

Crab Orchard and Pony Express Advance to Semifinals
of the Stanford US Open Polo Championship

April 12, 2008

WELLINGTON, FL – Defending Stanford U.S. Open Polo champion Crab Orchard and Pony Express are the first teams to trot on to the semifinal rounds. Crab Orchard defeated Audi 13-12 and Pony Express soundly defeated Skeeterville 11-8 In today’s quarterfinal at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

“That’s a very tough team. That’s one of the top teams in the tournament and to put them out was great relief,” said Crab Orchard team captain George Rawlings who was confident his team had made it to the semifinals after team mate Adolfo Cambiaso made a jaw dropping 80-yard neck-shot from the corner in the final chukker. “That put the game out of reach right there. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that.”

Audi trailed Crab Orchard during the first two chukkers, but ended the half tied at six a piece as Gonzalito Pieres scored two penalty shots and Santiago Chavanne one from the field. Crab Orchard widened the gap during the fourth as the quartet scored two penalty shots and one from the field, while Audi was only able to capture a 60-yard penalty shot. Audi tried to close the gap during the end of the fifth when Cambiaso missed a sixty-yard penalty shot and Audi capitalized on its three consecutive goals, trailing Crab Orchard 10-11 at the end of the fifth. But the ending surge was never enough to overcome the defending champions who are vying for a repeat title. “That’s our objective. It’s not like we’re shy about it. We’re here to win,” said a confident Rawlings.

Pony Express completely dominated Skeeterville in the second half by capitalizing on their mistakes to mount an 11-6 lead going into the final chukker. “This team played great and I thought Bob Daniels played just amazing,” said Matias Magrini of Pony Express who scored four times in the contest. “We put together a completely new team for this tournament and we seem to be working well together.” Magrini has played with David Stirling in other countries and today they combined nicely to free up Wellington’s Nick Roldan who was able to match Magrini’s total with four goals.

Adam Snow and Julio Arellano each scored four for Skeeterville but missed two penalty shots in the stretch that could have turned the momentum back in their favor.

In the day’s earlier action, Orchard Hill defeated C.V. Whitney champions Isla Carroll 12-11 in the Hall of Fame Cup.
The Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship semifinals will continue Sunday, April 13 as Zacara will face White Birch at noon and Piaget Gold Cup Champions Las Monjitas will take on Black Watch at 3 p.m.

International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington and hosts professional polo tournaments until the finals of the Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship, Sunday, April 20. Information can be obtained by calling 561-204-5687 or the Polo Hotline for game updates at 561-282-5290.

AUDI 1-2-3-1-3-2=12 (7 penalty goals) Gonzalito Pieres 7
CRAB ORCHARD 3-1-2-3-2-2=13 (7 penalty goals) Adolfo Cambiaso 6
SKEETERVILLE 2-2-0-2-0-2= 8 (3 penalty goals) Adam Snow Julio Arellano 4
PONY EXPRESS 2-2-0-4-3-0=11 (4 penalty goals) Matias Magrini Nick Roldan 4

Click Here for the updated schedule, scores and rosters of the Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship.