The role of the polo pony in our sport is immeasurable. Year after year, we may recognize some familiar horses that bring many of our star players glory. The sport would not be possible without our equine athletes and we endeavor to highlight their selfless contributions. Below is a list of the celebrated ponies from the high-goal season at International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida.
International Polo Club Best String of the Season
International Polo Club Best String of the Season: Hilario Ulloa, presented by Tommy Wayman, pictured with Monica Ulloa, Jayro Mendez, and Noe and Agustin Kuhun. (L to R) Lavinia Castellana, Lavinia Cábala, Estrella, Picosita, Lavinia Alianza, Future Lituania, Caprichosa, Machitos Tecla, Vera, El Overo Charlotte, Lavinia Candileja.
American Polo Horse Association Registered Horse Award
American Polo Horse Association Registered Horse Award: Dolfina Lufthansa, played by Adolfo Cambiaso, owned by J5 Equestrian, presented by Tiana Smicklas, pictured with Rob Jornayvaz, Bob Jornayvaz and Gustavo Gomez.
2016 International Polo Club Horse of the Year recipient.
International Polo Club Best American-Bred Horse of the U.S. Open
International Polo Club Best American-Bred Horse of the U.S. Open: Tanita, played by Adolfo Cambiaso, owned by J5 Equestrian, presented by USPA Umpires, LLC Chairman Britt Baker, pictured with Rob Jornayvaz, Bob Jornayvaz and Carlos Ochoa.
International Polo Club Wembley Award
International Polo Club Wembley Award: Sultan, played and owned by Rodrigo De Andrade, presented by USPA Secretary Stewart Armstrong.
The Wembley Award is named after the legendary Valiente polo pony Wembley. The award was created in 2013 to honor some of the great older ponies, to recognize and reward horses that have shown greatness of performance and longevity throughout a career in high-goal polo. Wembley retired in 2016, still having played high-goal at the age of 22. 19-year-old Sultan, bred by Ellerstina, first came to the United States in 2011 and won the Willis Hartman Best Playing Pony Award for the U.S. Open Final that same year when De Andrade played for Audi. De Andrade is undecided as to whether Sultan will play another year before his deserved retirement.
International Polo Club Horse of the Year
International Polo Club Horse of the Year: Macarena, owned and played by Mariano Gonzalez, presented by USPA Chairman Chip Campbell, pictured with Lalo Ugarte.
To read our featured story on Macarena - click here.
Best Playing Pony U.S. Open Polo Championship® Final
Best Playing Pony U.S. Open Polo Championship® Final: Sally, owned and ridden by Mariano Obregon, presented by USPA Governor at Large Maureen Brennan with USPA CEO Bob and Marci Puetz. Also pictured Javier Canton, Jose Torres and Marco Tulio Esquivel.
Best Playing Pony USPA Gold Cup® Final
Best Playing Pony USPA Gold Cup® Final: Macarena, played by Adolfo Cambiaso, owned by Mariano Gonzalez, pictured with Brenda Lynn of the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, Lalo Ugarte and Gustavo Gomez.
Best Playing Pony Carlos Gracida Cup Final
Best Playing Pony Carlos Gracida Cup Final: Fanta, pictured with Gillian Johnston, Nano Gracida, Miguel Novillo Astrada, Miguel Lagos and Sergio Arias.
Best Playing Pony C.V. Whitney Cup Final
Best Playing Pony C.V. Whitney Cup Final: V8 Mentolada, played by Adolfo Cambiaso, owned by J5 Equestrian, pictured with Gustavo Gomez, Rob Jornayvaz and Juan Aneas. The award was presented by Brenda Lynn of the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame.
Best Playing Pony Butler Handicap Final
Best Playing Pony Butler Handicap Final: Tanita, played by Adolfo Cambiaso, owned by J5 Equestrian, pictured with USPA CEO Bob Puetz, Bob Jornayvaz, Cristian Rey, and Carlos Ochoa.
Best Playing Pony Iglehart Cup Final
Best Playing Pony Iglehart Cup Final: So Easy, played and owned by Gonzalito Pieres, presented by Brenda Lynn of the Polo Museum and Hall of Fame, pictured with Ricardo "Zorrino" Force.
Best Playing Pony Ylvisaker Cup Final
Playing Pony Ylvisaker Cup Final: Macarena owned and played by Mariano Gonzalez, presented by Amy Jackson on behalf of NetJets and Four Seasons Resort, pictured with Lalo Ugarte.
Best Playing Pony Joe Barry Cup Final
Best Playing Pony Joe Barry Cup Final: Lavinia Castellana owned and played by Hilario Ulloa, award presented by Tarrah Marks Zedower, Sales Manager for Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach.
To read our featured article on Lavinia Castellana - click here.
Best Playing Pony Herbie Pennell Cup Final
Best Playing Pony Herbie Pennell Cup Final: Ventaja, owned and ridden by Matt Coppola, pictured with Federico Rodriguez and Ceferino Goni.
