Sieber Memorial 12-Goal Tournament

By Sharon Robb

Palm Beach Equine champion players Segundo Merlos, Poroto Cambiaso, Dr. Scott Swerdlin, Gringo Colombres and Santos Merlos.

Playing together for the first time, Palm Beach Equine (Segundo Merlos, 2, Poroto Cambiaso, 3, Santos Merlos 0, Gringo Colombres, 7) led from start-to-finish for an impressive 8-5 victory over Beverly Equestrian (Bill Ballhaus, 0, Geronimo Obregon, 4, Hilario Figueras, 3, Tolito Ocampo, 5).

Santos Merlos of Palm Beach Equine goes to hook Tolito Ocampo of Beverly Equestrian.

Colombres, 29, was named Most Valuable Player after scoring four goals and serving as a field general for Segundo Merlos, who celebrated his 19th birthday on Saturday, and a pair of 13-year-olds in Santos Merlos and Poroto Cambiaso.

Segundo Merlos of Palm Beach Equine hits downfield with Hilario Figueras of Beverly Equestrian on his hip defending.

“I was the older guy on the field,” Colombres said. “I was the only one who had the experience. I had to be the leader, I had to be the guy to organize them and be the captain.

“It was fine, we were winning by two or three the whole game,” Colombres said. “We missed a lot of goals but it was tough. They had an amazing team with really good players. We missed Scott, he’s in the back always and the guy who closes the door. That’s why were a little confused with our positions. It was our first time playing together. But we win and that was the point, that was the mission. It was amazing, we won the tournament.” 

Poroto Cambiaso of Palm Beach Equine takes off for a pass with Hilario Figueras of Beverly Equestrian defending.

Team sponsor and player Dr. Scott Swerdlin, who played the early tournament games, was unable to compete in the final because of a back injury. He is scheduled to undergo back surgery in two weeks. Swerdlin received an injection on Friday in hopes of playing but got on a horse before the game and knew he couldn’t play. He was replaced by Santos Merlos.

“I was happy that I got to play with this team in the early games,” Swerdlin said. “Gringo is playing amazing and just more mature every game. This game was a little tough for them because I play back. Gringo had to switch to playing a more defensive position and sending the ball to the three boys.

Tolito Ocampo of Beverly Equestrian works a near side shot as Poroto Cambiaso of Palm Beach Equine goes for the hook.

“I want to thank Adolfo for having the opportunity to play with Poroto,” Swerdlin said. “For the rest of my life I will be able to tell people I played with Cambiaso. I also want to thank Sebastian Merlos for lending me his two brilliant sons. It was such a pleasure to play with this team and I’m sorry I couldn’t finish it out. ”

Coquito, a 10-year-old Argentine-bred owned and played by Colombres in the second and sixth chukkers, was selected Grand Champions Best Playing Pony.

Grand Champions Best Playing Pony Coquito, owned and played by Gringo Colombres.

“He is one of my best horses,”  Colombres said. “I’m really happy with him, he is playing good.”

Dolfina Maria, played by Poroto Cambiaso in the second chukker, was selected American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony.

APHA Best Playing Pony Dolfina Maria played by Poroto Cambiaso.

The APHA was created in 2006 by the legendary Polo Hall of Famer Sunny Hale to recognize polo ponies in America and encourages events that showcase them and hard-working dedication of grooms.

Palm Beach Equine controlled the physical game from the opening chukker. Santos Merlos gave Palm Beach Equine a 2-0 lead and they never trailed, leading 4-1, 4-2, 6-2 after four chukkers and 7-4. It was Santos Merlos first 12-goal tournament victory.

John Sieber presenting Gringo Colombres with MVP award.

Colombres with the help of Swerdlin put the team together before the season.

“He makes the recommendations and I nod,” Swerdlin said. “He’s friends with Poroto and Segundo is getting better and better. Both these teams are amazing. We will see a lot of people on the field today go up in handicap. I assure you what we saw today wasn’t 12-goal polo.”

Bill Ballhaus of Beverly Equestrian defends Poroto Cambiaso of Palm Beach Equine.

Also scoring for Palm Beach Equine was Segundo Merlos with four goals. Tolito Ocampo led Beverly Equestrian with a team-high four goals. Obregon added one goal.
It was the second consecutive year Beverly Equestrian lost in the final. In last year’s final, in the battle of unbeaten teams, Patagones (Joaquin Avendano, 1, Robi Bilbao, 4, Benjamin Avendano, 2, Santi Wulff, 5) held off Beverly Equestrian (Bill Ballhaus, 0, Hilario Figueras, 2, Tolito Ocampo, 4, Carlucho Arellano, 5) for a thrilling 11-10 victory.

Poroto Cambiaso of Palm Beach Equine defends Geronimo Obregon of Beverly Equestrian.

During the winter polo season, Grand Champions, the nation’s largest and innovative USPA-sanctioned polo club, is hosting 24 tournaments: 6, 8, 12, 20, and 0 to 40 goals, WCT Finals and women’s weekly league play and 26-goal World Polo League tournaments at both Grand Champions, Valiente Polo Farm and several other fields in the area.

Hilario Figueras of Beverly Equestrian tries to ride off Gringo Colombres of Palm Beach Equine.

Grand Champions tournaments attract a large international field of players from all corners of the world  including India, Mexico, New Zealand, Chile, Costa Rica, Argentina, Canada, Ecuador, Brazil, Switzerland, France, Germany, Uruguay, Azerbaijan, Australia, South Africa, Nigeria, Venezuela and England.

Santos Merlos of Palm Beach Equine and Bill Ballhaus of Beverly Equestrian keep their eye on the ball.

Grand Champions and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique polo facility in Wellington with 120 stalls in five self-contained barns, exercise track, five climate-controlled tack rooms, vet room, staff quarters, guest house and three polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation including one field for stick-and-ball with plans to build more polo fields in the future.

Geronimo Obregon of Beverly Equestrian takes off for a pass with Palm Beach Equine teammates Segundo Merlos and Gringo Colombres defending.

Grand Champions Polo Club and Santa Rita Polo Farm caters to men, women and youth polo players at all levels and ages. Its’ expert staff can customize a complete playing experience including horses, pros and certified umpires in addition to lessons and practice sessions as part of its’ Polo On Demand program, created by Grand Champions President Melissa Ganzi when the club first opened in 2007.

Sieber Memorial 12-Goal Tournament finalists Palm Beach Equine and Beverly Equestrian.

The Polo School, a stand-alone USPA-sanctioned polo club, is dedicated to teaching polo to all ages, particularly grass roots youth. Its mission is to provide individuals opportunities in polo at every economic and ability level. Scholarships are available.

The Polo School operates in Wellington January through June and September through November. Headed by Director of Operations Juan Bollini, The Polo School has nurtured several men and women polo players now playing in the pro and amateur ranks since its inception.

Grand Champions awards table with the coveted Sieber Memorial trophy. Photos by Ramon Casares