By Liz Leamy
It was another glorious and action-packed Sunday August afternoon at the Greenwich Polo Club as the venerable high-goal team, Audi, claimed a 15-11 victory against Sayville Ford in stalwart style to accrue all-important points in the semi-final round of the East Coast Open, one of the most celebrated tournaments of the sport.
Audi, whose roster features such internationally renowned players as Mariano Aguerre, Museum of Polo Hall of Famer and star Greenwich Polo Club player, Victorino (Torito) Ruiz Jorba, the electric seven goaler, Kris Kampsen, the ever-dynamic six goaler and Alejandro Valezsuarez, the solid two goaler, were clearly firing on all cylinders as they and their powerful charges demonstrated terrific power, aptitude and skill while using intricate, curved playing patterns, among other notable things.
Their opponents, meanwhile, played with the same stellar level of athleticism, with this esteemed group including Valerio Zubiaurre and Benjamin Panelo, the powerhouse seven goalers, Brandon Phillips, the Teflon-tough four goaler and the laser-focused Chetan Krisna.
“It was a very good game and I’m very happy,” said Mariano Aguerre, who has been part of numerous East Coast Open champion contingents over the years, including the iconic White Birch Team based out of Greenwich and led by Peter Brant, its famed patron who founded the Greenwich Polo Club in 1981. “It’s been such a beautiful day and all of the people helped make the whole atmosphere incredible.”
His teammates agreed.
“It was a good game and I’m very happy. This is the last tournament of the season and everyone wants to do their best,” said Torito Ruiz. “And this team is amazing with Mariano, Kris and Alejandro, who is a friend of mine.” (Alejandro Valezsuarez, in fact, played so well having scored four goals, he was named Most Valuable Player of the match, while Aguerre’s gorgeous charge, Bohemia, was given the Best Playing Pony citation.)
Their colleagues felt similar sentiments about being part of this year’s East Coast Open tournament, which features five standout high-goal teams, Audi, FlyHouse, La Fe, Sayville Ford and Stradavarius.
“This tournament goes above and beyond and it’s the best polo in the summer in the U.S.,” said Christophe Landon, the resolute one goaler and patron of Stradavarius who is owner of Christophe Landon Rare Violins, Inc. in New York City. “The Greenwich Polo Club is amazing.”
Certainly, the Greenwich Polo Club has built its reputation as a premier international and domestic polo destination over the years due to its famous five-star standard across the board.
Its stunning pastoral grounds, land that had been acquired and owned by Edmund Cogswell Converse, founder of U.S. Steel and president of Bankers Trust Company during the early 20th century, is a visual delight with its massive rolling fields and bucolic trees featuring the classic wooden grandstand at centerfield along with big white tents, cabanas, vendor areas and other mainstays that have provided such a unique and incredible environment for so many thousands of fans, supporters and spectators over the years.
Of course, the main event there, the high-goal polo, is the key to its staggering level of success over the years, with so many of its players, including Aguerre, Ruiz, the Panelo and Diaz-Alberdi brothers and so many others, along with their stunning horses, consistently bringing a world-class standard of athleticism to the club each week in the summer, with their talent, skill, efforts and consistent delivery always being very much appreciated by everyone there.
“It’s beautiful just to be in nature here and see the horses and athletes doing something that takes so much talent, skill and dedication and see everyone having such a good time,” said Alan Johnson, Esq., of Greenwich, who was performing in the Players Tent with the ever-popular band, Mojo from Greenwich. “It’s great to see everyone smiling and it’s a wonderful world here.”
Others concurred.
“This is such a beautiful and incredible sport that brings so many people together and we’re so happy to be part of it,” said Jennifer Lessnau of Clarendon Fine Art that is based in Westport, Connecticut and whose vending spot was a big draw for attendees. (Lessnau was also there with her colleague and fellow Art Consultant, Elizabeth Walsh.) “Many probably have longstanding relationships with polo, with Greenwich, with this club and with the sport and then there are maybe people who are new to the sport here as well. Everyone’s happy to be here, which is the best part of it.”
The 2025 East Coast Open will wrap up on Sunday, September 7th with a final match that will determine the tournament champion.
For more information, please visit the Greenwich Polo Club website at: www.greenwichpoloclub.com
