NEWS

Twenty years after its first and only triumph in the Pacific Coast Open, Antelope (Grant Palmer, Leon Schwencke, Felipe “Pipe” Vercellino, Lucas Escobar*) raised the trophy again. But this time, the leader was not Geoff Palmer, but his son Grant, who led the team to victory in the most prestigious West Coast tournament at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club in Carpinteria, California.

At 22 years old, Palmer was named Most Valuable Player after a decisive 14-8 win over the Carbenella Polo (Ben Soleimani, Kristos “Keko” Magrini*, Iñaki Laprida, Miguel “Miki” Novillo Astrada Jr.) This win marked Antelope's second Pacific Coast Open title under Palmer leadership.

The season also saw Antelope reclaiming its competitive stature, also securing the 16-goal Robert Skene Trophy and the America Cup, making it one of the most successful seasons in the team’s history. This achievement is even more significant following the first season since the retirement of Santiago Trotz, a key figure in Antelope's history, who now supports the team as a coach.

Palmer's journey with Antelope has been deeply personal, winning alongside his close friends and teammates and carrying on the legacy of his family’s organization. The NetJets Pacific Coast Open win solidifies his status, showcasing his growth as a player and a leader.

What does winning the Pacific Coast Open mean to you?
"It means an incredible amount. It’s hands down the most important tournament I have won."

What does this victory represent for your family organization, Antelope, after renewing the team with a young formation under your leadership?
"It’s the second time Antelope has won the Pacific Coast Open, the last time being in 2004 when my dad played with Luis Escobar. Now, twenty years later, I got to win it with Lucas Escobar, one of my close friends. Our grooms, Arturo Bentancourt, Tatu Iribarren and Fabiana Peña, were there for both victories! Playing with Pipe Vercellino and Leon Schwencke also made it a season to remember, as we all get along great."

Can you tell us about the match? How did you manage to take that lead in the second chukker? What was the plan from that point forward?
"I don’t think we expected to win by such a big margin, but I prefer that to a close match. I think we were able to get ahead quickly by coming out strong and minimizing mistakes. We were determined to play our game and not let the outside pressure affect us. After having a bad third chukker, we were focused on having a strong second half and that persistence paid off."

You were selected as Most Valuable Player and scored several goals; did you expect to perform like this?
"I was relaxed going into the game and not thinking about how I was going to do it, rather just excited to play in such an important match."

Can you give us an overview of the season after winning three 16-goal tournaments?
"I don’t think I could have asked for a better season. We won the Robert Skene, which Schwencke got MVP, the America Cup, which Vercellino got MVP, the Pacific Coast Open for which I got MVP, and the club groom’s race. On top of that, Vercellino won three Best Playing Pony awards in the three finals we played and season MVP. Our main groom Arturo Bentancourt was awarded Best Groom of the Season. It was an amazing feat."

You played with a relatively young team, and you all share the bond of being roommates. How does this off-field connection translate onto the field?
"The bond between us is the best part of the team. Spending every day together helps build connections that are important for on-field chemistry. Pipe Vercellino has also played with each of us a lot throughout his career, so we’re all very familiar."

What has been the biggest challenge and advantage of playing with such a close-knit group?
"I would say the biggest challenge has been Lucas Escobar’s injury. Seeing a friend frustrated and in pain every day puts a damper on the season. The biggest advantage of having a close-knit group would be that, whether we win or lose, we all want what’s best for the team and don’t allow any bad vibes between us."

Santiago Trotz has been a significant figure in Antelope’s history and your personal polo journey. How has his retirement impacted you and the team?
"I think Trotz’s retirement has made this season more special, because we wanted to make it memorable. We were lucky to win the Pacific Coast Circuit Intra-Circuit Cup with him, a day we’ll never forget. Now, as a coach, ending the season successfully, this is a season for the books."

Since you started playing high-goal polo in 2020, how do you feel you’ve grown and what are you focusing on improving?
"I feel that I’ve substantially improved the depth and quality of my string. I’m focusing to minimize mistakes and score more goals."

How does your polo season continue?
"I plan to compete at Eldorado Polo Club [Indio, California] this winter and again in Santa Barbara next spring."

*Lucas Escobar and Kristos “Keko” Magrini are Active Members of Team USPA. 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.