NEWS

The eyes of the world of polo might have shifted from America after the GAUNTLET OF POLO^® gave way to the English high-goal season, but the United States will nevertheless have strong representation in England. Not only is Dillon Bacon participating, as he returned this year to play for Great Oaks/Les Lions, but also the young rising star Mackenzie Weisz made his debut in England, playing for Monterosso.

Monterosso's season couldn’t have started any better as they won both of their games in the Prince of Wales Trophy, the first 22-goal tournament of the season, which takes place in the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club. After defeating Great Oaks/Les Lions 11-10 and White Crane 9-8, Monterosso met Thai Polo in the final. Although Thai Polo led by two goals going into the sixth chukker, Monterosso closed the gap with an impressive comeback to force the game into overtime 12-all. Ultimately Monterosso came just short of the trophy with a narrow 13-12 loss.

“So far it has been very difficult and challenging,” Weisz commented. “There are so many good teams this year with so many good horses so you have to be very well mounted to play at this level of polo.”

Although the Prince of Wales Trophy is a very important tournament which has opened the high-goal season in England for over 30 years, the ultimate goal for most of the teams is to prepare for the Cartier Queen’s Cup and British Gold Cup. “After the first two games we've been getting the horses ready and working on a system which still needs a lot more work but I think we are in a good position right now,” Weisz explained.

Growing as a player and raising his level in the English season, Weisz is one step closer to fulfilling his ultimate dream. “My goal is to be a 10-goaler and win the Argentine Open,” Weisz said after winning the 2020 C.V. Whitney Cup^® with Las Monjitas, the first tournament of the GAUNTLET OF POLO^®. However, a significant injury left him out of the semifinals before COVID-19 forced the suspension of the tournament. Recently turning 18 years old and playing the 2021 GAUNTLET with Coca Cola, Weisz decided the English season seemed like the perfect next step towards that goal.

“Other than the season in Argentina, I think the English high-goal season is the most challenging and difficult season in the world,” Weisz said. “You learn a lot, play in different contexts and that allows you to improve a lot. In our game against White Crane it was very cold and we played under heavy rain which was something different and strange for me.”

Weisz joined a powerful organization this season, one that is fielding two teams: Monterosso and M.T. Vikings. “It is an amazing organization with two teams and incredible horses, so it's definitely a competitive place to be,” he said. “I know Pelon [Stirling] quite a bit as we played last year together with Las Monjitas before I broke my ankle and I learned a lot from him. It is my first time playing with Cubi [Toccalino] and Alessandro [Bazzoni] so we are getting to know each other and trying to develop a good system.”

Even though the season just kicked off, Weisz is already focused on trying to return to the United States with a trophy. “I am in one of the top organizations in the world and I think we are all amazing teammates so we are very excited and ready to start!” Weisz exclaimed.

Monterosso will compete in the 2021 Cartier Queen’s Cup which begins Tuesday, June 1 through Sunday, June 27 at Guards Polo Club in Windsor, England. Global Polo TV is offering all current subscribers access to watch the tournament live on globalpolo.com. To receive a special discount offer please email info@globalpolo.com.

All photos courtesy of ©The Art of Polo/ClickPolo