Mar 13, 2022
Story courtesy of International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Last seen playing in the GAUNTLET OF POLO® during the inaugural 2019 season, 6-goaler Joaquin Panelo returns to competition in the USPA Gold Cup® with Old Hickory Bourbon/Airstream. The 28-year-old has found success at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) in Wellington, Florida, including recently capturing the 2022 Ylvisaker Cup with CK Shack, while also substituting for Beverly Polo in their 2021 Ylvisaker Cup triumph. Across the United States, Panelo has also captured trophies in the notable East Coast Open and the Silver Cup®, competing coast-to-coast.
Sporting a Postage Stamp Farm jersey in 2019, Panelo averaged 1.5 goals per game while supporting 8-goalers Mariano Aguerre and Lerin Zubiaurre but gained the relevant experience to elevate his play this season during his second time playing at the 22-goal level at IPC.
Through two games in the USPA Gold Cup®, Panelo has averaged a team-high 5.0 goals per game, ranking eleventh among all players displaying a significant increase from three years before. Only young Lucas "Luckitas" Criado Jr. ranks above Panelo with a lower handicap, indicating Panelo’s ability to play at or above his handicap level each time he steps on the field.
Leading Old Hickory Bourbon/Airstream in both field goals and penalty goals, Panelo has been the offensive force for his team, including a seven-goal performance in a heart-breaking overtime loss to SD Farms in their first game of the tournament. Furthermore, with a greater responsibility on the offensive side of the ball, Panelo has become more efficient, increasing his shooting accuracy to take advantage of more opportunities around goal.
However, Panelo has also showcased his high polo IQ at a young age by committing just one foul through two games, while drawing five to help bring Old Hickory Bourbon/Airstream into the top five in penalty goals per game. The extra possessions gained from Panelo alongside teammates Matias Magrini, Santino Magrini and Stevie Orthwein will prove to be crucial as they battle for their first win of the tournament.
All photos courtesy of ©David Lominska.
Effective Date: Saturday, May 16, 2020
The suspension of USPA Tournaments and Events will be lifted for USPA Member Clubs in locales where hosting polo matches and tournaments is permitted under applicable state and local laws, executive orders and similar decrees. The USPA Member Clubs in these locales are encouraged to follow all such requirements of their state and local authorities with respect to polo operations. In addition, we also encourage all USPA Member Clubs to take the precautions recommended by the CDC. We are preparing a detailed list of best practices for USPA Member Clubs as they return to hosting USPA Tournaments and Events and plan to circulate these guidelines within the next week. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and will notify you if we determine a different course of action is necessary.
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