Level Select CBD claims 2022 East Coast Gold Cup Championship title in unforgettable fashion
By Liz Leamy
Last Sunday, Level Select CBD of Barton Farms in Dutchess County, New York, edged out La Fe of Wellington, Florida, 6-5, to clinch the 2022 East Coast Gold Cup 16-goal Championship title in stellar style.
Playing in front of nearly 5,000 spectators, these two formidable 15-goal teams, who qualified for the final by accruing the highest number of points among four total entries comprising the 2022 East Coast Gold Cup roster, ran evenly in scoring until the last 40 seconds of the sixth (final) chukker when Joaquin Panelo, Level Select’s number three player, knocked in his contingent’s winning goal to put them at the top of the leaderboard.
Panelo, the electric Argentinian six goaler who has been instrumental in helping to catapult Level Select CBD into center spotlight of the Greenwich Polo Club high-goal stage this season, put the proverbial pedal to the metal, flying around the vast Conyers Farm field on his stealth charges with great skill, power and strength.
Named Most Valuable Player of the match, Panelo worked in a graceful and tactical concert with his talented crew of teammates, including Ezequiel Ferrario, the fierce Argentinian six-goaler, Enrique Zavaleta, the lightning-quick Argentinian three-goaler and Max Gundlach, the turbo-charged number-one player. (Andrew Gundlach, the team’s patron who shares the number-one position with his son, Max and has ‘A’ ranking, was also a strong presence at this final.)
For the Level Select CBD players, this game was as challenging as it was fulfilling.
“La Fe was very tough and we just tried to stay focused and do our best,” said Joaquin Panelo, whose team scored the 2022 East Coast Silver Cup title and first runner-up accolades at the 2022 East Coast Bronze Cup tournament at the Greenwich Polo Club earlier in the season. “It was a good game. We came out here and just wanted to go all out.”
Certainly, the philosophy of teamwork has played a big role in Level Select CBD’s results so far this season as its five members are said to spend hours training everyday together both on and off the field, an endeavor that has clearly created a powerful bond amongst all of them.
“It’s been all about building a team through friendship and unionship,” said Enrique Zavaleta of Level Select CBD. “Unionship is everything. Everyone works hard at the practices with the goal of just trying to be our best.”
Further adding to the excitement of the day, Joaquin Panelo’s gorgeous charge, GT Lagonhia, was awarded the Best Playing Pony citation.
Concurrently, the efforts and skills of the La Fe contingent were also admirable.
This Florida-based team, whose roster consisted of Lucas Diaz Alberdi, the powerhouse Argentinian six-goaler, Robi Bilbao, the high-energy Argentinian five-goaler, Augstin Palomeque, the rock-solid Argentinian four-goaler and Louis Devaleix, the team’s patron who has an ‘A’ ranking, maneuvered around the field with the expertise and command a premiere high-goal contingent.
Certainly, this day turned out to be a win for everyone, especially onlookers.
“Both of these teams played an incredible game and it’s been exciting to watch them out there,” said Chris Frattaroli, a Greenwich resident who is President of the renowned Frattaroli Development Group LLC based here in town that specializes in residential and commercial building as well as home design. “It’s been a great afternoon.”
Others concurred.
“It’s fantastic to be here. The polo has been amazing and it’s beautiful to see animals be part of a sport,” said Tamara Yakubova of Brooklyn, a real estate agent based out of New York City who was attending her first Greenwich Polo Club match ever. “There’s such a presence in being here. It’s very social and interactive for the spectators who get to stomp the divots during halftime, which is great and also a lot of fun.”
The involvement of everyone at the match, including the spectators, players, horses, staff, vendors, business partners and everyone else there has certainly been the key to the success, magic and stellar reputation of the Greenwich Polo Club, which was established in 1981 by Peter Brant.
“This is a fabulous place in every way. It’s so beautiful, dynamic and unique,” said Elisa Weber, Senior Sales Associate for Gretchen Scott, the popular women’s brand whose dresses, tees, tunics are centered around a ‘chic, joyous, playful and fun’ concept with four retail stores based around the East Coast, including one in town on 73 Greenwich Avenue. (Gretchen Scott also had a retail tent at the Greenwich Polo Club last Sunday that was a big hit with many of the spectators.) “This is tremendous exposure for [Gretchen Scott’s] store and it’s been terrific to be here.”
Others agreed.
“I love the whole atmosphere here. Being so close to the field also makes you feel like you’re part of the game,” said Evelin Solonynka of Stamford who works with The Cup Bearer, the popular Greenwich Polo Club cocktail vendor that is a full-service cocktail catering company based out of Fairfield County. “It’s such a unique and great experience being here. The players and horses are amazing, the environment is beautiful and everyone is so nice. I’m always smiling.”
Sunday public matches will resume at the Greenwich Polo Club on August 28th with the commencement of the 2022 U.S. Polo Association East Coast Open 20-goal Championships.
For more information, please go to www.greenwichpoloclub.com
