INTERNATIONAL MOUNTED GAMES EXCHANGE IN AUSTRALIA

Since I started playing games seven years ago, I dreamed of aking the United States Pony Club International Games Team. After years of preparation, I was notified in October, 2004, that I as one of five members chosen for the 2005 International Games Team traveling to Australia.
On March 27, 2005, I met up with the complete 2005 team, onsisting of Brett Calhoun, Drew Sargent, Kassi Nicopolous, Carson Rutledge, and myself, along with our coach, Beth Lough, and chaperone, Linda Caddel, at the LAX airport. Finally, we were on the plane taking us to Sydney, Australia. Fifteen hours later, we piled into two cars and headed “home.” I was caught off guard when we started driving on the opposite side of the road, but after three weeks, I got used to it. We met the Australian team when we got there, and then we had our first
training session. I ended up getting into a handoff collision with Carson that first session, and I was worried I wouldn’t recover in time for the competition. Fortunately, I recovered enough to ride.
After the week of training, touring, white water rafting, and doctor visits, it was time to leave Sydney and fly to Adelaide for the official start of the tour.
At the airport, we were met by the Canadian, Great Britain, and New Zealand teams. Despite never knowing each other, we all seemed to really hit it off from the start. Then we piled on the bus that would be our mobile home over the next two weeks and headed to a potluck dinner. From there we were split up between our host families.

Over a course of six days in Adelaide, we managed to play Polocrosse, camp, have one of two training sessions, visit the Woodyard Activity Centre, Victoria Harbor, and shop! At the activity centre, we did ropes courses, rock climbing, and abseiling. It was a lot of fun, incredibly entertaining, and even tiring. At Victoria Harbor, we got to go kayaking and to the oceanarium. I even
got to pet a shark! Next it was off to Kangaroo Island, where all the teams camped together at an old school. While on the island, we
got to visit a sheep dairy and a sheep shearing demonstration, visit a eucalyptus company, and possibly the highlight of my trip: I got to see and pet kangaroos and koalas! Then, before I knew it, the five days on the island were up and we headed back to the mainland. Our next and final stop was Gawler. While there, we visited a gorgeous farm, Lindsay Park, which is one of the largest, most successful racing and breeding facilities of South Australia.
We also visited a place called Bungaree Station, a large sheep plantation establishes from absolutely nothing. Then, one day, we got to spend a day of shopping in downtown Gawler. Later
that night, all teams were invited to the official opening of the Gawler Horse Festival, where I had a microphone and
platform to thank the mayor of Gawler for inviting the teams.
Finally, we mounted up and paraded around the ring for opening ceremonies. Words can’t describe the way I felt walking around the ring, representing the USA, and all the excitement of the crowd was overwhelming. Before I knew it, we had finished the first race.
After that, everything was a blur. One by one, we finished the races, winning some, losing some, and coming in some
incredibly close seconds. For the majority of the competition, Australia narrow1y led the USA. In the end, our efforts fell short and our best wasn’t quite enough. USA fought hard to the end and finished a very respectable second place to host Australia. Then a
very emotional group of riders hugged and congratulated one anothere. Before I knew it, we were saying goodbye. If I could do it all again, I would in a heart beat. The trip was such a great experience, the chance of a lifetime. I now have friends around the world, best friends from around the US, and memories that will last a lifetime. I was so proud to be a part of Team USA 2005. To all the games players out there, ride hard and dream big! There is
nothing you can’t accomplish if you set your mind to it!

Maria Schaub Defends Title to Win WEF Equitation Championship For Second Year in a Row; Maggie McAlary Earns a Very Close Second

OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chrissy Lane for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
MEDIA CONTACT: Chrissy Lane of Phelps Media Group, Inc. at (561) 753-3389 or at pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
WEB SITE: Phelps Media Group, Inc. International Press Releases are available for download at http://www.phelpsmediagroup.com/.
PHOTO CREDIT: Maria Schaub and Aaron. Photo ©2007 Jennifer Wood. Photo may be used only in relation to this press release.
Maria Schaub Defends Title to Win WEF Equitation Championship For Second Year in a Row; Maggie McAlary Earns a Very Close Second
Wellington, FL – March 18, 2007 – The Mogavero Arena was filled with expectations and high hopes this morning as 40 of the best junior riders in the country competed in the Winter Equestrian Festival Equitation Championship for the RW “Ronnie” Mutch Trophy, and Maria Schaub took aboard Aaron for the second time. Maggie McAlary finished second with her own Mid Accord.
The one-of-a-kind format for the R.W. Mutch Trophy class offers a unique challenge to the riders, as they are isolated from their trainers and support staff and must put their strategy in order and prepare for the class on their own. Riders are responsible for the management and schooling of their mount and are required to walk the course on their own. Communication between riders and trainers is not allowed.
The class itself is judged by four judges, two nationally known hunter judges and two jumper judges. Three judges score the schooling area and riders can earn or lose as many as two points on the total, based on their warm-up. Judges today were George Morris, Rodrigo Pessoa, Peter Leone and Linda Andrisani, and schooling judges were Pierre Jolicouer, Burt Mutch and Joanne Kovacs.
The competition format features two extremely challenging rounds plus the possibility of a third round work-off. In today’s class, the top ten riders of the original 40 were invited back for the second round, and the final two riders, Schaub and McAlary, changed horses in a third round work-off.
The first course, designed by Mark Leone, comprised 13 numbered obstacles and 15 jumping efforts. The first difficult area riders encountered was from fences 2 to 3, a line that could be ridden in four or five strides. Another difficult area was the last combination, which was a one-stride line of two verticals set without ground lines off a galloping curve to the right.
The second round course was similar to the first but included trotting the second fence, an oxer, and counter-cantering from the one-stride vertical line along one end of the arena to an oxer on an angle. Of the ten riders completing the second round, several chose to land on the counter lead instead of asking for the change. Both McAlary and Schaub landed on the counter lead after the one stride.
Schaub, who rides with Frank and Stacia Madden at Beacon Hill Show Stables, is in her final year of junior competition and noted that winning the trophy again has been her goal since last year. She piloted Aaron, a bay gelding owned by Karen Polle, to the win, although she had only ridden the horse twice.
“Aaron, he’s fabulous. He’s a veteran of the equitation,” she explained. “He’s an amazing horse and one of the coolest horses I’ve ever ridden. I actually rode him once and in one class on Friday, and that’s it.” The pair had a slight hiccup in the 4- or 5-stride line, and Schaub commented, “Aaron has a huge stride and I thought I jumped in a little quiet and come forward a little too much there, but I was just trying to make sure I did test and was as conservative as possible.”
After the second round, McAlary had earned the highest total with 189.50 points, but the judges called the two riders back to change horses. Schaub had a total of 188.50 points. Schaub noted that she had ridden Mid Accord, McAlary’s horse in previous competitions, including the USEF Finals two years ago and at the Washington International Horse Show this past year.
In the work-off, McAlary performed a smooth, flowing test but lost the counter-canter in the approach, and she described her approach to riding a different horse. “I thought he went really well. I’ve seen him show with tons of different people and I knew that I could trust him. He has a huge stride – much bigger than my horse’s stride – and I saw when Maria did him she landed left and held the counter lead, which is what I did…He landed left, and then I rolled back really tight and kind of forgot I was on the counter lead and I let him swap right, but he finished up really well.”
Both girls agreed that the course was well designed and asked a variety of questions. Schaub explained: “I really liked the course. I thought it was challenging but attackable, even on a horse that you’re not familiar with. I just tried to diagnose the course with the horse that I had. I like those gymnastics and question courses because they’re more fun. I feel like they’re easier because they really make you ride.”
All 40 riders rode well and were winners coming into today’s event. To qualify for the trophy competition, each rider had to win one of the following classes throughout the circuit: USEF Talent Search, WIHS Equitation, Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal or ASPCA Maclay.
Earning third place in the Ronnie Mutch class was Julie Welles on Sander, owned by Missy Clark and North Run, and Kimberly McCormack took fourth place with Sundance. Fifth place went to Valvert and Carolyn Curio, and Matthew Metell rounded out the top six with his own Oliver.
Competition concluded this afternoon at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. The festival will relocate to the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center in Tampa, FL, for two weeks beginning on March 28, 2007.

La Dolfina win the 113th Hurlingham Open for 2006

The 113th Argentine Open Polo Championships start November 18th to December 9th – with 8 polo teams entered :
Zone A :
La Dolfina ShowMatch:
Adolfo Cambiaso (Jr) 10,
Lucas Monteverde (Jr) 9,
Mariano Aguerre 10,
Bartolomé Castagnola 10,
Total 39.
Indios Chapaleufú II:
Alberto Heguy (Jr) 9,
Ignacio Heguy 10,
Milo Fernández Araujo 9
Eduardo Heguy 9.
Total 37.
El Paraíso:
Agustín Merlos 10,
Sebastián Merlos 9,
Juan Ignacio Merlos 9
Francisco de Narváez (Jr) 8.
Total 36.
Hurlingham:
Stuart Erskine 7,
Gastón Laulhé 7,
Santiago Araya 7
Diego Araya 8.
Total: 29.
Zone B :
Ellerstina Etiqueta Negra:
Facundo Pieres 10,
Pablo Mac Donough 9,
Gonzalo Pieres (Jr) 10
Matías Mac Donough 9.
Total 38.
La Aguada Telmex:
Javier Novillo Astrada 9,
Eduardo Novillo Astrada (Jr) 9,
Miguel Novillo Astrada 10,
Ignacio Novillo Astrada 9,
Total 37.
Chapa Uno Toyota Polo Team:
Bautista Heguy 10,
Horacio S. Heguy 8,
Marcos Heguy 9,
Juan Martín Nero 8,
Total 35.
Coronel Suárez:
Sebastián Harriott 7,
Rubén Sola 7,
Pablo Jauretche 7
Juan Harriott 7.
Total: 28.
Results so far :
18th November : La Dolfina v Hurlingham – 25 : 11
18th November : El Paraiso v Indios Chapaleufu II – 24 : 17
19th November : Ellerstina v Coronel Suarez – 18 : 10
19th November : Chapa Uno v La Aguada – 13 : 12
Both Ellerstina and Chapaleufu I - who arguably showcased the best polo match of the Open - have been beaten in the semi’s. Therefore, the final will be between La Aguada and La Dolfina.

International Polo Club Palm Beach - High Goal Season Schedule

Sunday, January 28 – 22-goal Joe Barry Memorial Cup Final
The Joe Barry Memorial Cup is named after American polo legend Joe Barry, who died on May 18, 2002 at the age of 58. Born and raised in Texas, he achieved a 9-goal rating and dominated polo in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s. Barry won six U.S. Open championships, three Gold Cups, three Silver Cups as well as the Coronation and Camacho Cup trophies. One of the greatest No. 4s in polo history, Joe Barry was elected to the Polo Hall of Fame in 1999.
Sunday, February 18 – 22-goal Ylvisaker Cup Final
The Ylvisaker Cup in named in honor of William T. “Bill” Ylvisaker, a polo pioneer who founded Palm Beach Polo and Country Club in the late 1970s, bringing the sport to the forefront in Palm Beach County. A former Chairman of the USPA, Ylvisaker was elected into the Polo Hall of Fame in 1996. Ylvisaker has won numerous major polo tournaments, including the prestigious U.S. Open in 1972.
Sunday, March 4 – 26-goal C.V. Whitney Cup Final
The tournament is named in memory of Cornelius Vanderbilt “Sonny” Whitney, who along with his cousin John Hay Whitney, were important polo patrons in the 1930’s. The son of Hall of Fame patron Harry Payne Whitney, C.V. won the U.S. Open three times (twice against his brother), and was a renowned owner and breeder of thoroughbred racehorses.
Sunday, March 25 – 26-goal USPA Gold Cup Final
The USPA Gold Cup, which began in 1974, is one of the premier tournaments in the United States and returns to South Florida after a five-year hiatus. This is its first season at International Polo Club Palm Beach. Peter Brant’s White Birch has won this event a record 12 times. The Gold Cup was one of the first major high-goal tournaments won by Adolfo Cambiaso, in 1991 with Cellular One. Mariano Aguerre has won the Gold Cup eight times, more than any other professional player. The legendary Gonzalo Pieres has won the Gold Cup seven times while Cambiaso has won it six times and Alfonso Pieres has won it five times.
Sunday, April 22 – 26-goal Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship Final
The Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship is the most prestigious polo tournament in North America. A record-tying 15 teams competed in the 2005 tournament. Camilo Bautista’s Las Monjitas is the defending champion. The Houston-based Stanford Private Wealth Management, a privately-held global network of affiliated companies, has been the title sponsor of the U.S. Open since the 100th U.S. Open Polo Championship in 2004. Stanford’s family of companies provides international private banking, trust and brokerage services and real estate development. The success of the group is the result of entrepreneurial spirit and drive spearheaded by third generation Chairman and CEO R. Allen Stanford.
Social/Special Events Highlights:
Sunday, January 14 – Opening Day/Wellington Day (Call 561-204-5687 for tickets and information).
Saturday, January 27 – British Forces Foundation Charity Polo Match & Cocktail Reception (Call 561-204-5687 for tickets and information).
Saturday, February 3 – Black Tie and Boots Ball South to benefit the Devon Horse Show/County Fair Foundation (Call 610-793-1425 for tickets and information).
Sunday, February 11 – Pegasus Foundation Charity Luncheon (Call Kevin Hertell at 561-310-5779 for tickets and information).
Saturday, February 17 – Outback 40-Goal Polo Match & Charity Luncheon (Call 561-204-5687 for tickets and information).
Sunday, February 18 – YMCA Charity Luncheon (Call 561-968-9622 for tickets and information).
Friday, February 23 – Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center Charity Dinner/Auction (Call 561-792-9900 for tickets and information).
Friday, March 2 – American Diabetes Association Carnivale (Call 1-800-676-4065, ext. 2052 for tickets and sponsorship information).
Saturday, March 3 – Denim & Rubies to benefit the American Cancer Society (Call Lisa Arace at 561-366-0013, ext. 119 for tickets and information).
Sunday, March 4 – American Red Cross Luncheon (Call 561-833-7711 for tickets and information).
March 10 – Challenge of the Americas Dressage Event (Call Mary Ross at 561-251-7945 for tickets and information).
March 11 – Food for the Poor Tailgate (Call Carol Collins at 954-427-2222 for tickets and information).
Sunday, March 25 – Curing Children’s Cancer Benefit (Call Lisa Hereford at 832-423-4872 for tickets and information).
Sunday, April 8 – Easter Brunch & Egg Hunt (Call 561-204-5687 for tickets and information).
Wednesday, April 18 – Stanford U.S. Open Semifinals & BBQ (Call 561-204-5687 for tickets and information).
Polo Tickets: General admission: $10 per person, $15 for the U.S. Open; Lawn seats: $20 per person, $40 for the U.S. Open; Tailgating: $200 per spot per Sunday, $350 per spot for the U.S. Open (Reservations required, limited availability). Children under 12 are free.
Players: The world’s top players will compete at IPC during the 22-goal and 26-goal seasons, including 10-goalers Mariano Aguerre, Miguel Novillo Astrada, Adolfo Cambiaso, Agustin Merlos, Sebastian Merlos and Facundo Pieres as well as 9-goalers Eduardo Novillo Astrada, Javier Novillo Astrada, Ignacio Novillo Astrada, Mike Azzaro Lucas Criado, Paco de Narvaez, Carlos Gracida, Bautista Heguy, Eduardo Heguy, Matias Magrini, Gonzalito Pieres and Adam Snow.
Game-Day Activities: International Polo Club Palm Beach will host the following series of events every Sunday, including Opening Day, beginning at 11:30 a.m.:
· During the Champagne Divot Stomp at halftime, guests are invited to join in the stomping of the divots on the field while enjoying a complimentary glass of champagne…a unique twist to the game’s tradition. The bubbly is often brought to midfield by unique modes of transportation !
· After the post-match Trophy Presentation, guests are invited to meet the players for autographs and pictures.
· Visit the 7th Chukker, a friendly watering hole that features an antique wooden bar and a plasma screen TV, immediately following the awards presentation. The 7th Chukker is a fan favorite where polo enthusiasts can meet and mingle with the polo players and other fans.
· Children’s Play Area, including a bounce house, face painter and other activities.
· Vendor Village, located at the entrance to the stadium, includes booths selling a variety of merchandise for polo fans and non-equestrians alike.
The Facility: International Polo Club Palm Beach is the first new polo club to be built in decades, fulfilling a long-standing void for a facility dedicated solely to high-goal professional polo. Designed in a tropical, Caribbean-Colonial style, it combines old-world charm and new-world comfort. In addition to its public facilities, the club’s membership facilities include a tiki bar and outdoor dining area, swimming pool, tennis courts as well as spa and fitness center with workout rooms.
International Polo Club Palm Beach Fast Facts :
Founded by: John and Carroll Goodman
Date Founded: December 2003
First Official Polo Match: December 28, 2003
Polo Fields: Seven (7) Bermuda grass
Location: 3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington, Florida
General Manager: Michael C. Brown
Polo Manager: Jimmy Newman
Membership Director: Julie Pickens
Directions: Approaching IPC from the Florida Turnpike, take Exit 93 (Lake Worth Road), and travel west approximately four miles, crossing over 441 and continuing to 120th Avenue South. Turn right onto 120th Avenue South and proceed a quarter-mile to the IPC. Approaching IPC from Interstate I-95, take Exit 49. Travel west on Forest Hill Blvd. approximately 10 miles to Fairlane Farms Road. Turn left on Fairlane Farms Road and follow to the stop sign at Pierson Road. Turn right onto Pierson Road. Follow Pierson Road approximately two miles to the traffic circle and turn left onto 120th Avenue South. IPC is the third entrance on the right. Parking is complimentary.