The 20th Annual Mashomack International Polo Challenge
Mashomack Polo Club hosted the 20th Annual Mashomack International Polo Challenge & Luncheon on Sunday, June 11, 2017, generously presented by Turkish Airlines. To celebrate the event’s 20th Anniversary, players and friends from Brazil, Croatia, Ecuador, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Indonesia and Mexico all represented a grand gesture of global friendship.
The event began at noon, chaired by Bruce and Teresa Colley, Parker Gentry, and Karen Klopp, with an elegant Whispering Angel Reception followed by a tented Field-Side Luncheon. The excitement continued with great fanfare as the New York State Trooper Honor Guard led the players onto the field with a parade of international flags followed by the dashing teams of mounted players. All battled valiantly to secure the coveted trophy for their team and country.
In an historic first, 6 father-son teams competed to demonstrate their love of sport and tremendous sense of tradition. The teams included, Davis and Bruce Colley, Adam and John Klopp, Max and Don Langlois, Oliver and Guy Merison, Philip Gian Franco and Giorgio Brignone of Mexico, and Uwe Zimmerman of Hungary and Germany.
Valesca Guerrand-Hermes and her children Lucien and Clea presented the Mathias Guerrand-Hermes MVP Award. Created to honor the memory of a great member and friend of Mashomack Polo Club. Heather Croner Sotheby’s International Real Estate presented the Best Playing Pony Award to Enchpada ridden by Teo Calle of Ecuador. While pairs of fabulous Berluti Shoes were presented to the Hillrock Distillery Team, deemed the “Most Stylish” by Parker Gentry and Karen Klopp.
The excitement rceached a crescendo as the team Nihi-Sumba Swordsmen challenged Quest Magazine Team in the final match. Team Nihi, captain James McBride, Major Peter Hunter, Max and Don Langlois defeated Quest Team with players Oakleigh Thorne, Joe Meyer, Gian Franco Brignone and Sylvio Coutinho of Brazil by a close score of 3-1. The game was brilliant, the play fast and furious with runs the length of the field, too often frustrated by good defensive plays. The 2017 Cup went to Nihi-Sumba!
As in prior years, a portion of the proceeds from the Mashomack International Polo Challenge supported several local causes: the New York State Trooper Foundation, the Pine Plains Fire Hose & Rescue Company, Ronald McDonald House New York and the Mashomack Barns Preservation.
In addition to the main sponsor Turkish Airlines, Mashomack Polo Club would like to thank all of our corporate sponsors for their generosity and support: Beretta, Berluti, Chateau d’Esclans Whispering Angel, Dream Hotel Group, Estancia Villa Maria, Heather Croner Real Estate, Sotheby’s International Realty, Hillrock Estate Distillery, Land Rover USA, NIHI Resorts and Chris Burch, The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, Quest Magazine and What2WearWhere.