NEWS

Jesse Bray* recently made his debut in the Jockey Club Open in Buenos Aires, marking a significant milestone as the only American player to participate this year in one of Argentina’s most prestigious high-goal tournaments. Competing for Black Hound alongside teammates Francisco Bensadon, Joaquin Pittaluga and Santiago Toccalino, Bray helped guide his team to the semifinals. There, they faced the two-time defending champions Scone (Lukin Monteverde, David Paradice, Poroto Cambiaso, Adolfo Cambiaso) in a hard-fought match. Although Black Hound ultimately fell short, Bray’s performance on Argentine soil further solidified his position on the international polo scene.

Bray’s season in Argentina is far from over after his success at the Jockey Club. He is now preparing to compete in the Copa Municipalidad, a key qualifying tournament for the highly coveted Cámara de Diputados, regarded as the most prestigious tournament after the Triple Crown. Joining La Dolfina Sol de Agosto, Bray will play alongside Santiago Toccalino, Raul “Gringo” Colombres and Paco de Narvaez, presenting another significant opportunity to compete at the highest levels of polo.

Looking ahead, Bray’s season will not just be confined to Argentina. He plans to return to the United States for the winter season in Wellington, Florida, where he will once again compete in the Gauntlet of Polo, one of the premier polo series in the world. Competing in the Gauntlet will allow him to build on the momentum he’s gained this season, both in Argentina and abroad. CLICKPOLOUSA caught up with Bray during the tournament to hear his reflections on the season so far.

How has it been competing in the Jockey Club Open?
“For me, playing the Jockey was unbelievable. It was my first time competing in this tournament and it’s one of the first times I've played so early in the season in Argentina. I’ve played a couple of times before, but never this early. To come and play the Jockey is amazing, especially to get to play with these guys. I played with Santi Toccalino and Joaco Pittaluga and with Pancho Bensadon in the first couple of games. Now I’m playing with Gero[nimo] Obregon*, who is one of my best friends. I play a lot with him, so it was a lot of fun to be here. An incredible experience overall.”

What can you say about playing against Scone in the semifinals?
“It was a tough game; they are a strong team. Adolfo, Poroto and Lukin are all very well-mounted players. David can be a handful sometimes too—he pushes you off the plays and keeps you moving.”

What can you say about the level of play in the Jockey Club?
“We had 27 goals today and played against a 28-goal team. You can’t really compare it to polo elsewhere. It’s another level, another speed—the horses, the competition—it’s super competitive. The other day we played against La Natividad, a 32-goal team, and against La Ensenada, which is 28 goals. It’s just a very competitive tournament and really fun to play in.”

Did you expect to perform so well in this tournament?
“I just wanted to enjoy each game. Playing with these guys is very fun; they give you a lot of confidence and allow you to play well. I’ve known Santi for a few years now—we played together at Santa Barbara [Carpinteria, California] for two years. I’ve been playing with Geronimo my entire life and although it was the first time I played with Joaquin, it was very nice. He’s a very good player, a good teammate and fun to play with. It was great to win our first game and although we lost to La Natividad by just one goal, it was still a good match. Today was a little tougher, but still fun.”

How does your season continue?
“I’ll try to play all the Metro tournaments, both the Mediano and Alto. I’ll also play the Copa Municipalidad, which is the qualifier for the Copa Cámara de Diputados. I’m playing for La Dolfina Sol de Agosto with Santi Toccalino, Paco de Narvaez and Gringo Colombres. That’s why I came here—to play that tournament, try to qualify for the Cámara and give it our best shot.”

Is the team going to be part of the La Dolfina organization?
“Exactly. I’m stabled there right now and playing with those guys and it’s unbelievable. Their practices are better than any tournament I’ve played in. For me, every day is a new experience—a lot of fun and a chance to improve.”

Regarding American polo, you’ve played the season at Santa Barbara. What are your plans for next year?
“I’ll go to Florida to play during the winter and I’m planning to play at Santa Barbara again and keep my year-round schedule in the U.S. The plan is to play the Gauntlet of Polo.”

*Jesse Bray and Geronimo Obregon 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 ©Matías Callejo.