The Carpinteria Cup 8 goal
The Carpinteria Cup 8 goal tournament concluded with Sara Rotman’s Dark Horse Polo team claiming the title on a perfect day at Santa Barbara Polo Club, winning 10-7 against the Wild Bunch. these two teams battled through a six team cross bracket division to arrive at the last final of the 8 goal season
Max Menini started the scoring off for Dark Horse, and Menini scoring for Dark Horses would be a dominant trend throughout the game, although early goals from Wild Bunch players Jesse Bray and JW Hall kept thing close. Wild Bunch players wore the camouflage accented Old Pueblo jerseys in honor of the Hall’s family team which used to play at Santa Barbara.
In the second chukker, Menini made two scorching fast runs on a lovely black mare to open the scoring up for Dark Horse, and added a penalty 4 conversion to give Dark Horse a 5-3 lead heading into half time.
The teams traded goals in the 4th chukker, with Wild Bunch playing patiently to set up a Jesse Bray neckshot goal, but in the 5th chukker Dark Horse dominated. Menini added yet another field goal, and Patrick Uretz, who played very well throughout the game at back, got on the scoreboard to extend the lead to 8-4 for Dark Horse. Madelyn Cobb retaliated with a coast to coast run to bring Wild Bunch within three goals, but Menini put a stop to the comeback with a safety conversion. Wild Bunch kept pushing in the 6th chukker but especially with Uretz holding steady at back for Dark Horse the victory was safely in the mallets of Dark Horse. Final score was 10-7.
MVP was Max Menini, who led all scorers with 9 goals, and his 2nd chukker horse “Chocolate” was selected BPP
On Saturday, Manurhin, led by Ivan Weiss from Slovakia, won the consolation game.
The low goal teams take a break this week as everyone concentrates on the Bombardier Pacific Coast Open Final, and in September 8 goal polo resumes at Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club.