Along the Sideboards
By Alex Webbe
February 2, 2009
With the finals of the Ylvisaker Cup in the rear view mirror, it’s time to take a look at the status of the teams moving into the third and final 20-goal tournament of the season, the Philip Iglehart Cup. Concern has to be given to the status of the Ylvisaker Cup championship Mt. Brilliant team which lost its opening season back, Gaston Lisioli (broken collarbone) and successfully replaced him with Julian Daniels (injured tendons in elbow) who was replaced at halftime by young Mariano Obregon. Patagones patron Gonzalo Avendano bounced back nicely from a severe ankle injury to play in the finals while BTA team captain Kelly Beal is still nursing a dislocated shoulder, expecting to play in the tournament’s second game.
The chemistry of Melissa Ganzi’s Audi team doesn’t seem to be in synch, but the conditioning their horses received in the last two weeks should make them more competitive in the Iglehart Cup. Like Audi, Lechuza Caracas will be playing in only their second tournament of the season, both deciding to pass on the Joe Barry Memorial. Lechuza seems to be ready to move forward after capturing the subsidiary cup of the Ylvisaker competition and might be able to surprise some of the favorites.
Jim Whisenand’s EFG Bank team has been the source of a great deal of entertainment despite losing three games by the margin of a single goal (one in OT). They have the scoring potential and seem to be able to provide adequate defense, they might just need a little good luck.
Mt. Brilliant’s Bo Goodman has been another pleasant surprise this season. The sixteen-year-old has been playing like a veteran, riding off opponents, carrying the ball, playing position, following directions. Mt. Brilliant team coach Julian Hipwood has been very pleased with the dedication and hard work of the young man, and sees nothing but an upside to his continued progress in the game.
John Muse will be returning to the Lucchese lineup after a brief vacation. In spite of its anemic record (1-4), it lost four games by a total of six goals, and seems poised to move to the next level.
Isla Carroll’s John Goodman continues to be troubled by back problems and has been in and out of the lineup, while Tommy Lee Jones’ San Saba team is having its most successful season in years.
The February calendar in Florida is packed full of activities ranging from the Museum of Polo’s Awards Gala and induction into the Hall of Fame (Feb. 13) to the 40 goal Challenge to benefit the Polo Player’s Support Group.
Around the middle of the month everyone will be getting revved up for the Westchester Cup. The Westchester Cup Cocktail Reception (Feb. 18) at the Museum of Polo will be followed by the Welcome Dinner at IPC (Feb. 19). On Feb. 20th the HPA will sponsor a Thank You dinner, culminating in the Feb. 21st Westchester Cup.
The Finals of the 20-goal Iglehart Cup are slated for Sunday, February 22nd.
By the way, the members of the International had until January 31st to purchase their boxes for the Westchester Cup, making a number of them available for the international match at a very reasonable $50 a seat. Reserved Lawn Seating can be purchased for $25 and General Admission is only $10. Tailgate spots are available for $100 per car.