NESPRESSO 40-Goal Challenge

The Nespresso 40 Goal Challenge exhibition match and fundraising dinner was a resounding success on Saturday, February 13. Featuring eight of the world’s highest ranked 10-goal polo players, defending champions Equus & Co (Adolfo Cambiaso, Hilario Ulloa, Polito Pieres and Miguel Novillo Astrada) defeated the EFG Bank team (Facundo Pieres, Gonzalo Pieres, Sapo Caset, and Mariano Aguerre) 13-9 at the iconic International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington.

“The event was a huge success raising more than $350,000,” said event organizer Dave Offen. “We are so grateful to the 10-goal players who donated their time, the patrons who allowed them to play and loaned them horses, and to all the polo fans who attended the dinner in support of the Polo Players Support Group (PPSG).”

The PPSG, now in its 15th year, has provided financial assistance to dedicated horsemen and women whose lives once played out on the polo field but who now have to watch from the sidelines due to illness or injury. To date, the nonprofit organization has awarded more than $1.9 million to 60 seriously injured or ill players.

Prior to the marquee match, the crowd was treated to the Brights Creek Future game consisting of two teams of four children between the ages of 10 and 14 years old in memory of Matthew Cohen. The Team from Grand Champions (Poroto Cambiaso, Santos Merlos, Lucas Criado and Lucas Escobar) defeated Brights Creek (Hope Arellano, Mia Cambiaso, Mackenzie Weisz and Matias Mac Donough) 3-1.   

The annual VIP Reception followed the exhibitions featuring gourmet selections from Aaron’s Catering of the Palm Beaches. Attendees also had the opportunity to bid on polo treasures in both “live” and silent auctions in support of the PSSG. Some of the featured items included an IPC membership, a trip to Costa Rica and game shirts donated by prominent polo players.

NESPRESSO 40-GOAL CHALLENGE FAST FACTS:

WHAT: 2015 Nespresso 40-Goal Challenge and the Brights Creek Future in memory of Matthew Cohen.