NEWS

Despite a slow start due to large amounts of rainfall in Greenwich, Connecticut, the 2017 Monty Waterbury proved to be a solid start to the summer season. This year’s tournament saw the return of Airstream and Postage Stamp Farm, alongside two new teams, Work to Ride and Cavalleria Toscana.

After bracket play concluded, Postage Stamp Farm, Airstream and Work to Ride held a three-way tie. A shootout took place to determine which two teams would advance to the final. Postage Stamp Farm won first place in the shootout with Airstream coming in second.

The Monty Waterbury Final was played on Sunday, June 25. Will Tomita substituted for an injured Annabelle Gundlach on Postage Stamp Farm and Peter Holowesko played for Chris Brant on Airstream. Quick and heavy rainfall at the start of the game did not prevent Airstream from gaining an early lead, scoring three goals in the first chukker keeping Postage Stamp Farm scoreless. Airstream’s Tomas Garcia del Rio sunk another goal for his team in the fourth giving Airstream a 4-0 lead over their opponents. Refusing to be shutout for a second chukker, Postage Stamp Farm answered with back-to-back goals; a Penalty 3 conversion by Kris Kampsen, and a field goal from Joao Paulo Ganon. Postage Stamp Farm continued to fight back in the third with goals from Tomita and Brandon Phillips equalizing the score 4-all at the half.

After halftime, unfazed by their early deficit, Postage Stamp Farm organized their efforts with a field goal from Ganon. Kampsen followed with two goals to further widen the lead over Airstream 7-4. Fifth chukker play favored Airstream as Tommy Biddle scored a field goal followed by a Penalty 2 conversion, answered by a solitary goal from Ganon. With the prestigious title on the line, Postage Stamp Farm held a narrow lead 8-6 approaching the final chukker. Phillips scored first in the sixth, adding to the Postage Stamp lead. Airstream’s Biddle answered with a goal of his own, but it was not enough to pull his team ahead as Postage Stamp Farm rode away with the win 9-7. Postage Stamp Farm garnered their first high-goal win of the Greenwich Polo Club season, along with the honor of having their name engraved on the historical silver Monty Waterbury Cup.

Most Valuable Player went to Joao Paulo Ganon and Best Playing Pony was awarded to Machitos Bonanza, played by Brandon Phillips and owned by Postage Stamp Farm.

All photos © Chichi Ubina