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Airstream Defeats Postage Stamp Farm in Polo Cup Tourney

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Airstream’s Chris Brant advances the ball during Sunday’s polo match against Postage Stamp Farm. (photo courtesy of the Greenwich Polo Club)

By Liz Leamy
Sentinel Correspondent

Last Sunday Airstream edged Postage Stamp Farm, 14-11, to rack up all-important points in the first of three matches of the prestigious Monty Waterbury Cup, the third-oldest official U.S. Polo Association Trophy in active competition.

This annual match, held at the beatific Greenwich Polo Club, regarded to be the U.S. summer high-goal capital of the sport, was full of drama, excitement and energy.

Airstream, a powerhouse American high-goal polo team, was the frontrunner throughout most of this match and performed with strength and expertise.

Tommy Biddle, an American five-goaler known as one of the toughest competitors in the sport, emerged as Airstream’s main money player and knocked in seven of his team’s 14 total goals.

The Monty Waterbury Cup. (photo courtesy of the Greenwich Polo Club)

Biddle’s stellar playing not only helped Airstream clinch a critical win in its quest of the Monty Waterbury Cup, but also earned him Most Valuable Player at the conclusion of the match.

“It’s great to be out there, I love playing,” said the South Carolina native, who in the nearly eight years he has been playing at the Greenwich Polo Club, has come to be regarded as one of its most popular athletes. “I love being back here, the crowd is great and the field is fantastic.”

Biddle also said he is excited to play with the Airstream team this season.

This year, the Airstream roster consists of Biddle, Tomas del Rio, an Argentinian eight-goaler, his brother, Marcos del Rio, a five-goaler, and Christopher Brant, a reputable high-goaler from Greenwich.

“This is a great team to play with,” said Biddle. “We all work really well together.”

Meanwhile, Postage Stamp Farm put up a fierce fight against Airstream.

The Postage Stamp team featured Canadian five-goaler Brandon Phillips, Joao Ganon, an Argentinian seven-goaler, Kris Kampsen, a Wellington, Fla.-based six-goaler, and the ever-electric Annabelle Gundlach. (Phillips’ charge, Mischka, was named Best Playing Pony of the match.)

Of course, the crowd also played an important role in regard to all the excitement and energy of the afternoon.

Dressed in colorful dresses, khakis and blazers, the crowd gathered on blankets, under umbrellas and tents, sat alongside one another in the grandstand, or strolled the grounds, added to the drama and brought a lively dynamic to the environment.

Spectators numbered more than 3,000 Sunday. The Greenwich Polo Club has become an exceptionally popular summertime destination for people, players and spectators in the tri-state area and beyond.

“The players are fantastic, the animals are spectacular, and the field is beautiful,” said Anthony Pilla, a White Plains, N.Y., resident who has been attending matches at the Greenwich Polo Club for more than 20 years. “The people and atmosphere here are the best thing around and look forward to this every year,” said Pilla. “It’s a celebration of life.”

“You have everything here,” added Sable Roesch, a record producer based in Darien who has been attending matches since the 1990s. “This is one of the most exciting sports around—it is so beautiful and the people are so friendly. There is so much excitement and glamour, and you just can’t beat it. I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be on a Sunday.”

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