Wickenden Cup at Santa Barbara Polo Club
Grants Farm faced a new opponent in the final of the 8 goal Wickenden Cup at Santa Barbara Polo Club on Sunday, Oct 2, but the result was the same, as the team continued to dominate the 8 goal with a 13-9 win over Gehache.
The game started off in Gehache’s favor, as Jeep Holden had a strong run to goal to get the first score of the game. As Gehache received one goal on handicap, this gave them a two goal lead. Veteran polo player Andy Busch responded well to the pressure however, and quickly scored on back to back goals for Grants Farm to tie things up. Busch added another goal to start out the 2nd chukker and put Grants Farm in the lead. Matt Ladin (who celebrated his wedding the day before) scored twice in that chukker for Gehache, only to see Andy Busch Sr and Andy Busch Jr continue the scoring for Grants Farm to double their score and make it 6 goals to Gehache’s 4. Gehache went to a strategy of tough defense on the Busch father and son duo, only to see Grants Farm’s other two players Leigh Brecheen and Santiago Wulff continue the scoring. Gehache challenged throughout the game, but could not overcome the horsepower and teamwork of the Grants Farm foursome. The game was a pleasure to watch as all eight players scored and both teams were playing classic four man polo, but Grants Farm proved to be the team with the advantage in speed and defense and won the match 13-9, securing their second title in the fall 8 goal series.
Santiago Wulff’s mare “Buscapina” was selected BPP for the match, and Andy Busch Sr, who somehow managed to be high scorer of the match with 6 goals while also shutting down the other team on defense, was selected MVP.
Earlier in the day Mansour defeated Mr Cecils/ Homewood 9-7, Mansour’s Ben Soleimani had two great field goals to help his team to victory
In the playoff games for this tournament, Gehache defeated Mr Cecils/ Homewood 12-4 and Grants Farm defeated Mansour 11-10.