Pope Challenge
Antelope Polo Team showed great form in winning the Pope Challenge 12 goal at SBPRC, and in the process avenged an earlier loss to La Karina/ Mansour in the previous 12 goal tournament.
La Karina/ Mansour jumped out to the early lead with a goal from co-patron Ben Soleimani, but then would be held scoreless for the next chukker and a half while Antelope went on a roll. Cousins Julio and Marianito Gracida attacked goal relentlessly and it paid off as Antelope took a 6-3 lead into the halftime break. Each team scored a goal in the 4th chukker, but the 5th chukker would prove to be crucial to the game as Antelope scored outscored La Karina four goals to two to go ahead 11-6. Strong play by Antelope’s Santiago Trotz on his beautiful blazed face chestnut mare Pocha was key to the fabulous fifth chukker for Antelope. La Karina/ Mansour tried to rally for the comeback in the 6th chukker but it was too late. Antelope maintained their lead for the 12-7 victory.
BPP was Santiago Trotz’s mare Pocha, and Marianito Gracida, who made play after play to set up his teammates or break up the opposing team’s attack, was awarded MVP