By Liz Leamy
Fly House, the formidable high-goal contingent of players and ponies who are the reigning 2025 East Coast Open champions, showed they have a true golden touch once again by clinching the 2026 East Coast Silver Cup title in a heated battle against the esteemed Round Hill crew, finishing at the top of the leaderboard 15-14 after scoring the winning goal in sudden-death overtime.
This thrilling match was reflective of the incredible energy of this prestigious three-week 16-goal annual tournament that featured seven top-tier teams with deep rosters listing renowned athletes, both human and equine, who all went head-to-head against one another in fierce fashion to the delight of the sold-out crowds who consistently showed up at the Greenwich Polo Club during the event’s run.
“This has been an amazing tournament,” said Mark Steinberg, co-owner of trailnetworkusa.espwebsite.com with this brother, Michael Steinberg, proprietors and managers of the ever-popular Greenwich Polo Club store based in the club’s famous grandstand. “This final has been especially exciting and it’s been a great day. The weather is beautiful, this club is amazing and you see everyone just having a great time. This is the place and it’s always wonderful to be here.”
For the players, the highlight of the tournament was just having an opportunity to compete at the Greenwich Polo Club with all so many dedicated players, amazing horses, a terrific crowd and being able to compete on such extraordinary lush and beautifully maintained playing fields, all reasons as to why this organization has come to earn such a stellar reputation domestically and internationally.
“It’s always great to play here. This club is amazing and the fields are the best,” said Manuel Villamil, the esteemed Fly House five goaler who was named Most Valuable Player of the match. “There is so much energy here and you can feel the adrenaline when you’re playing and also coming from the crowd. It’s incredible.”
In characteristic Greenwich Polo Club style, this match featured all the stuff of a storied sports event as Fly House and Round Hill rotated in leading the game, while also having an even score several times, including at the conclusion of the sixth chukker (14-14), which resulted in its dramatic overtime faceoff.
Several minutes into overtime, Nicolas Diaz Alberdi, the electric five goaler who hails from the well-known Alberdi polo family based in Argentina, valiantly hit the ball into the goal with the strength and aptitude of a National Hockey League star player to in turn, designate victory for Fly House.
“When I saw the ball coming and had the space to run to the goal, I was like I had to make the most of the opportunity,” said Alberdi. “We knew we had to play really well and make the best of every moment out there. It was a tough, but also amazing game.”
His teammates concurred.
“It was a tough game and it could have gone any way in the end,” said Max Gundlach, the Fly House number-one player (in tandem with his father, Andrew Gundlach) who has been one of the many standout players at the Greenwich Polo Club this season. “It’s been a great tournament and this has been a really good start to the season for us. We’ll just keep working hard.”
Villamil agreed.
“Round Hill was a very tough team to play against,” said Villamil. “All of the players on their team played really well and we just had to stay focused, stay strong and try and do our best.”
Meanwhile, the horses were other stars of this match as Fly Boa, the powerhouse charge ridden by Felipe Miguens of Fly House was named Best Playing Pony and Machitos Dolca, the breathtaking equine partner of Victorino Ruiz Jorba, the outstanding Round Hill seven goaler was cited with the Best Playing Pony Argentine honors.
Adding to all the excitement of the afternoon was the activity taking place on the sidelines as virtually all of the spectators in the expansive white tents, cabanas, statuesque wooden grandstand and circular tables on the lawn could be seen chatting and laughing together while also enjoying refreshments and tasty fare offered by food trucks and vendors and purchasing wares at the retail tents just taking in the atmosphere of this unique and beatific site.
“It’s just so beautiful here and there’s no place else I’d rather be on a Sunday summer afternoon,” said Stasha Mills Healy, an award-winning travel writer from Greenwich who was attending the match with her daughter, Addie Healey, and who has been a dedicated and longtime Greenwich Polo Club visitor and supporter for many years. “It couldn’t be prettier with the green grass, the trees and the blue sky. That, along with the amazing athleticism of the horses and athletes riding them and all of the people who are here make this an experience that is like no other. It just can’t be beat.”
Her daughter felt similar sentiments.
“The culture here is amazing,” said Addie Healey. “I’ve been coming here since I was little and it’s always been a great experience. I love watching the polo and also seeing what everyone is wearing. Everyone always looks incredible and there are so many different personalities, which always makes everything just very exciting and fun.”
Others agreed.
“It’s great here,” said David Goldman, Principal of Flyway Hats based in Thomasville, Georgia, collaborator with the Steinberg’s store as a provider of the popular straw brim hats featuring a ribbon emblem emblazoned with the Greenwich Polo Club logo. “The polo is amazing and the people are wonderful here. There’s sunshine, blue skies and warm weather. This venue is fantastic and this is the place to be.”
The East Coast Gold Cup tournament, meanwhile, will commence on Sunday, July 5th with matches being held at the Greenwich Polo club through Sunday, July 19th, the date of its final match.
For more information, please visit the Greenwich Polo Club website at: info@greenwichpoloclub.com
