NEWS

Winning the U.S. Open Polo Championship® is one of the most important accomplishments in any polo player's career. David Paradice recently won his first title at 62 years old with Scone (Adolfo Cambiaso, Poroto Cambiaso, Peke Gonzalez*, David Paradice) in their GAUNTLET OF POLO® debut. “It’s great to win with nice people and great families, I just love it,” Paradice said. “It’s also been great to watch father and son play together and to have a young player like Peke Gonzalez. This is what it’s all about, family and playing with the right teammates who have integrity and just want to get the job done.”

“A lot of people contributed to this win including Bob Jornayvaz, Tim Gannon, the Packer family, the Gonzalez family and Pelon Stirling,” he continued. and I’m very fortunate for Bob Jornayvaz for making it possible for me to play on this team.”

Participating in the GAUNTLET OF POLO® for the first time, Paradice ended the 2021 season with two prestigious titles. “I had no idea that I would be playing in the U.S. Open Polo Championship® Final, let alone winning it, so it's been a major achievement in my life. I’m very thankful for winning the Queen’s Cup in England, the USPA Gold Cup® and the U.S. Open Polo Championship®. I loved participating in the tournament and playing with Adolfo [Cambiaso] but above all, I loved the team, the family, and the people who were involved. I’m very thankful to Adolfo and Bob Jornayvaz, who enabled me to do this.”

Paradice began playing polo for the first time in his native Australia. “I probably started playing around twelve to fifteen years ago,” Paradice said. “I started playing with Ellerston polo. The patron of Ellerston Polo, James Packer, is no longer playing, but I’m very thankful to him.”

“I love playing polo, it’s a time when I can get away from the stress of my job,” Paradice continued. “I have to be totally focused for an hour and a half on the game.”

He also expressed his feelings about playing with Adolfo Cambiaso. “It's been great. Like I said, it’s more of a family, being part of Adolfo being here and playing with his son with all the people who are involved, all their children and wives,” Paradice said. “They don’t take shortcuts, he’s obviously a real professional and it’s a great organization. There’s a real soul and culture around the team, we respect each other and care for each other not only on the field but also off the field. We hang out together and it’s been a fantastic experience.”

Paradice gave his teammates a lot of credit. “Those are the people who contributed to our success, it’s a real team effort,” Paradice said. “I’m really grateful to those three guys, for allowing me to play for them. It’s not so much them playing for me but me playing for them.”

Traveling to play in the United States for the first time, Paradice enjoyed the experience and plans to return next season. “I love polo in the United States, especially the 22-goal because of the intensity and professionalism of it,” Paradice said. “I think the umpires did a really good job as well. I was impressed with it and I think the quality is going to improve as well. I know team owners who are looking into entering and I think it’s great for the sport.”

*Peke Gonzalez is an Active Team USPA Member. 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.