By Liz Leamy
Last Sunday, more than 4,000 spectators convened at the Greenwich Polo Club to watch the thrilling kickoff match of the 2024 East Coast Open in which Smithfield, the formidable high-goal team who trains at the Mashomack Polo Club in Dutchess County, New York, edged out Escape Aviation, the fierce high-goal contingent based out of Manhattan, 12-11.
Much to the excitement of the crowd and virtually everyone else on hand at this storied site on this glorious Sunday August afternoon, this high-octane battle was all about these two mighty contingents, along their powerful army of ponies, flying up, down and around the massive Conyers Farm field at speeds of more than 40 miles an hour knocking in goals with the intention of clinching an all-important victory in the first round of this venerable annual polo tournament.
In the end, Smithfield, featuring one of the sport’s highest-rated players, Facundo (Polito) Pieres, the illustrious Argentinian nine-goaler, along with Joaquin Panelo, the electric Argentinian six-goaler who was named Most Valuable Player of the match, Manuel Villamil and John Klopp, wound up at the top of the leaderboard.
“They [Escape Aviation] are a strong team and I think this was a very good start,” said Panelo, a renowned marquee player at the Greenwich Polo Club. “The key was to stay focused and keep our heads cool.”
His teammates concurred.
“We worked hard and it was amazing to be out there,” said Pieres. “The focus was on working together and riding the horses to find our rhythm.”
Meanwhile, Escape Aviation, whose team roster featured Max Gundlach, Peke Gonzales, Ezekiel Martinez (Wayne) Ferrario and Felipe Miguens, put up a fierce fight against Smithfield with a remarkable display of speed, fluidity and playing expertise.
Clearly, the gold standard of this match was very much appreciated by those there in attendance, as all of the athletes, both human and equine, on both teams maneuvered around the field with veritable tenacity, power and command.
“This has been one of the best games I’ve ever seen,” said John Davis of New York City, a polo devotee who has been attending matches at the Greenwich Polo Club for numerous seasons. “The whole atmosphere is so high-charged and it’s always wonderful to watch the East Coast Open here at the Greenwich Polo Club.”
Others agreed.
“This has been an amazing match to watch. These teams are so powerful and fast,” said Cindy Swabsin, a longtime Greenwich Polo Club supporter who lives in Verona, New Jersey and works for the National Football League based in New York City. “I love being here. The whole atmosphere is fantastic. There’s such a big crowd and such energy in the air. It’s like the U.S. Open of polo.”
The high-octane feel of this event was palpable as so many scores of spectators, dressed in a stunning range of colorful fashions, observed the match from either under one of the many white tents and cabanas set up along the sidelines, the wooden grandstand or one of the open spaces on the lawn. (The sidelines, meanwhile, featured rope barriers as well.)
“There is such a dynamic feel here,” said Jason Yearwood, Business Development Manager of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. based in New York City, a longtime partner of the Greenwich Polo Club whose tent is always teeming with people. “This is a place where people are connected with the Barbados through polo. To see this sport at this level and be in this environment with its beautiful trees, field and cool breeze with all of these great people is wonderful. It reminds me so much of Barbados.”
The spectators certainly added to the whole energy and excitement of this match, as they could also be seen visiting with one another at the busy Audi tent (with Audi being a sponsor of the East Coast Open), lining up at one of the more than half a dozen food trucks and perusing and shopping at the Greenwich Polo Club store based in the barn floor area underneath the grandstand that featured an array of unique Greenwich Polo Club gear including tee shirts, sweatshirts, hats, cups and other notable items.
“The Greenwich Polo Club is a place like no other. It is the best and is so unique to the town in so many incredible ways. Here, we provide people with gear and products from the club that you can’t get anywhere else that they can enjoy and have as a reminder of what this experience is all about,” said Mark Steinberg, who co-owns the Port Chester, New York-based company, @trailnetworkusa.espwebsite.com, with his brother, Michael Steinberg, that provides this one-of-a-kind gear at the GPC store. “Seeing the players and horses in this natural environment with so many people in attendance is just fascinating and it’s always great to be here.” (Steinberg also said the store’s bestselling item is the white GPC ‘dad’ hat featuring the club’s signature horse, mallet and player insignia on its front.)
By all counts, this given Sunday was a golden one in every way.
“It’s been an amazing game and it’s been great to be here celebrating sport, life and being with my family and friends. It’s really an experience like no other,” said G. Bell of Danbury, a senior at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York who was there celebrating his father, Greg’s, birthday, with their family and friends. “It means a lot to be here for my dad’s birthday and see the polo players and horses playing at this level. We’re definitely having a good time and enjoying the day.”
The East Coast Open tournament will run through September 8th, with public matches being held that day as well as on Sunday, September 1st.
The 2024 Greenwich Polo Club season will then conclude with the Greenwich Cup on Sunday, September 15th.
For more information, please visit the Greenwich Polo Club website at: info@GreenwichPoloClub.com
