By Liz Leamy
It was a Sunday for the books as La Fe, the powerhouse team from Wellington, Florida faced off against Ronin Capital, the formidable contingent from Greenwich in fierce and stunning fashion at the 2025 East Coast Silver Cup final held at the Greenwich Polo Club to claim the title, 14-10 on June 30th.
Although La Fe, the 2022 East Coast Bronze Cup champions, had been tied with Ronin Capital at halftime, this ever-determined team of players and ponies fired off on all cylinders all throughout the second half of the match to charge ahead of their opponents and finish at the top of the leaderboard by the game’s conclusion.
According to La Fe players, it was all about performing at an optimal level and just really going for it, something that was critical in considering they had come up short against Ronin Capital in a semi-final match held the week prior to designate their win-loss record at an impressive 5-1, one of the best finishes of any contingent participating in this tournament.
“This is my first tournament playing with La Fe here in the States. I played with them in Argentina before, but never for a whole tournament from beginning until the end and today was a super happy experience,” said Lucio Fernandez Ocampo, the La Fe five goaler who was Most Valuable Player of the match. “We just really concentrated and focused and took it chukker by chukker.”
Along with Ocampo, the La Fe roster of players featured Louis Devaleix, the powerhouse one goaler, Robert Bilbao, the lightning-quick four goaler and Lucas Diaz Alberdi, the high-octane six goaler.
Certainly, the world-class standard of the La Fe and Ronin Capital high-goal contingent of players and ponies was much appreciated by the nearly 5,000 people on hand there who enthusiastically clapped and cheered for them throughout the entire match.
“It has been such an exciting match. It has been a close game and there are so many famous polo players who are here watching from the stands as well,” said Cindy Swabsin of Verona, New Jersey, a Project Manager for the National Football League based in New York City who is a dedicated Greenwich Polo Club supporter. “The weather is beautiful and it’s a great day to be here and watch the match.”
At the game’s conclusion, scores of spectators also stayed to watch the awards ceremony in which La Fe was awarded the East Coast Silver Cup trophy amidst flying confetti and other celebratory things, including flowing champagne.
During the ceremony, Ocampo was awarded the Most Valuable Player citation and Bohemia, a beautiful chestnut-colored Los Machitos charge handled and guided by the iconic Mariano Aguerre, the number three player for Ronin Capital, was named Best Playing Pony.
In addition to all of the drama and excitement surrounding the match, there was a great deal of action taking place on the sidelines as many people could be seen perusing and purchasing items and edibles at the Greenwich Polo Club’s host of retail and food vendors, all of which added to the whole energy of the environment.
“We love coming here. It’s a beautiful setting and we’re so proud to be part of this great club and event,” said Mishel Spiri, who, along with her husband, Matt Spiri, own and operate the Gyro Uno Food Truck Caterer based out of Westchester which has been a mainstay at Greenwich Polo Club Sunday matches for eight seasons running and whose Greek and Mediterranean fare is always a hit with the crowd. “This such a dynamic community with all the horses, athletes and everyone else here and there are lot of people who come every year. It’s always great to see them and meet so many new people as well.”
Vendors at the match offered all different sorts of merchandise, experiences and other things.
There were vendors with apparel, shoes, jewelry and other offerings, while the ever-popular food truck lineup consisted of Longford’s Ice Cream, the Dough Girls and Gyro Uno and other tasty culinary providers, which all made for a lively atmosphere.
At the same time, the Cottages and Gardens Media Group tent also drew its characteristic dozens of attendees with its domain with food, refreshments, outdoor games such as cornhole and comfortable couches and chairs, which further elevated the exciting mood of the environment there.
“It’s wonderful here and there are so many wonderful people. This is a great place to come and people are truly enjoying themselves,” said Barbara McFerrin of the Rising Starr Horse Rescue, an organization based out of Wilton dedicated to saving, rehabilitating, retraining and rehoming abandoned, neglected and abused horses that is a vendor at the Greenwich Polo Club and is always being a big draw for so many people, especially children, at Sunday matches with its wonderful presence of mini ponies at its site. “We make a lot of connections here and meet a lot of very nice people interested in getting involved with Rising Starr Horse Rescue in some way, which is great.”
The East Coast Gold Cup tournament, which kicked off on Sunday July 8th will be held at the Greenwich Polo Club through Sunday July 20th with the final match to be held that day.
For more information, please visit the Greenwich Polo Club at: www.greenwichpoloclub.com
