NEWS

The role of the polo pony in the sport is immeasurable. Year after year, familiar horses emerge, bringing many star players glory. The sport would not be possible without the equine athletes, whose invaluable contributions deserve constant recognition. At the end of the high-goal season, two horses were honored with the National Polo Center’s 2024 High-Goal Horse Awards. Horse awards are determined by a poll among Gauntlet competitors, with key figures from teams and organizations sharing their insights on deserving equine candidates. The poll includes questions such as, "Which horse would you add to your string from another player?" "If you had to play on a string other than your own, whose would you select?" "Which horse has stood out as a consistent performer in high-goal polo for years?" Given that players know the horses best, they are entrusted with selecting the award winners, adding even more prestige to the recognition.

The Wembley Award is named after the legendary Valiente polo pony Wembley. The award was created in 2013 to recognize and reward horses that have demonstrated excellent performance and longevity throughout a career in high-goal polo. Wembley retired in 2016, still having competed in high-goal polo at the age of 22. Corcha (American Thoroughbred - Meant for You), a mare played and owned by Facundo Pieres continues to compete at 18-years-old and also received the Gauntlet of Polo Best Playing Pony Award in 2022.

Corcha was also presented with the award for Best American Bred Horse in the Gauntlet of Polo Series. She received Best Playing Pony in the second match of the U.S. Open Polo Championship, an honor presented to one horse during each of the 21 matches in the tournament.

Mega Big Bay (Open Cabernet x Grappa Big H) was presented with the National Polo Center Horse of the Year award. Mega Big Bay is an 11-year-old mare bred by Patricio Garrahan, played by Hilario Ulloa and owned by Park Place team owner Andrey Borodin. In addition, Mega Big Bay received Best Playing Pony honors in the first match of the U.S. Open Polo Championship.

All photos courtesy of ©David Lominska.