NEWS

Article courtesy of Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club.

Continuing to celebrate and honor icons and individuals who have made a profound impact on the sport of American polo, the Lisle Nixon Memorial joins the Stephen Orthwein Memorial Cup and the Sunny Hale Memorial as the third installment in the 2024 Legacy Polo Series. Stemming from a USPA initiative to recognize individual memorial tournaments at the medium-goal level, the Legacy Polo series ties together the rich history of the sport by creating a prestigious series that unites clubs around the country.

A three-goaler hailing from Butte, Montana, Lisle Nixon was renowned for this ability to organize and manage numerous clubs including Eldorado in California, and Midland and Willow Bend in Texas. Hired in 1976 as the manager of Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club (Carpinteria, California), Nixon balanced his management and polo career until his passing in 1977.

Recognized as a Legacy Polo Series tournament for a third consecutive year, the final of the Lisle Nixon Memorial was held at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club (SPBRC) grandstand on Field 2 on Sunday, June 9 in Carpinteria, California. Exemplifying the competitive spirit and talented rosters required to reach the final, an undefeated Antelope (Grant Palmer, Agustin Bottaro, Santiago Trotz, Lucas Escobar*) locked horns with 90210 Polo (Sarah Siegel-Magness, Juan Cruz “Cacu” Marcos, Roberto Zedda Jr., Geronimo Obregon*), each vying for their first Lisle Nixon Memorial title. Neck-and-neck in a battle of fast, open polo, overtime was required for the third year in a row to crown a new champion, with 90210 Polo’s Obregon galloping past Antelope to earn the 10-9 triumph.

Both teams secured their spot in the championship game earning close playoff victories on Friday, May 31. Antelope’s Palmer scored a phenomenal buzzer beater to take down Folded Hills/Zahedi Chogan (Sy Zahedi, Will Busch, Santiago Wulff, Juan Curbelo), while 90210 Polo survived their first overtime match of the week, overcoming Klentner Ranch (Justin Klentner, Luke Klentner, Jake Klentner*, sub. Facundo Obregon) 14-13.

Antelope established a slight edge in the first half, with each player contributing offensively to take a 6-4 lead. 90210 Polo came roaring back to open second half efforts with back-to-back goals from Zedda Jr. to tie the match 6-all. Responding with heart pounding action in the fifth, Obregon initiated a full speed run to the goal, followed by Antelope’s Palmer carrying the ball to the opposing goal, bringing the grandstand to their feet. 90210 Polo recovered the lead in the fifth chukker, only to see Bottaro snatch the momentum back in Antelope's favor with a brilliant steal straight to the goal.

Following a penalty conversion from 90210 Polo’s Marcos, Antelope’s Trotz made a magnificent run, resulting in a Penalty 1 to tie the game 9-all. As time ran out in regulation, Marcos placed the ball on the 30-yard line, gaining valuable field position for 90210 Polo to begin the extra chukker. This field position proved essential, as Siegel-Magness passed the ball from the first bowl-in, with Obregon hustling the ball across the line to deliver 90210 Polo their first Lisle Nixon Memorial title.

Leading 90210 Polo offensively from the field, including the thrilling golden goal, Geronimo Obregon was named Most Valuable Player. Best Playing Pony was awarded to Mercedes, played by Agustin Bottaro and owned by Remy Du Celliee Muller*.

*Lucas Escobar is an Active Member of Team USPA. Geronimo Obregon, Jake Klentner and Remy Du Celliee Muller are Team USPA alumni. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.

All photos courtesy of ©David Lominksa.