NEWS

6-goaler Mackenzie Weisz* has stood out in the English polo scene this season. Playing for the White Crane organization, Weisz has already secured victories in the Oxfordshire Cup at Black Bears Polo Club and the Dollar Cup at Cowdray Park Polo Club. In his second season with the White Crane team, led by the Ansari family, he has quickly become an important player, earning MVP honors in both tournament finals. Additionally, his mare, Karma, was named Best Playing Pony in the Dollar Cup final.

Recently, Weisz competed in the Polo in the Park event in London, known as the world’s largest three-day polo festival. This unique event featured the City Polo Series rules, an adaptation between arena and grass polo, which draws a significant crowd. Despite the USA team’s narrow loss to England in the central match, this marked Weisz’s first experience in this distinctive event.

Looking ahead, Weisz plans to return to Argentina after the English season. There, he will compete in several high-goal tournaments and continue his involvement in horse breeding with his father, Andrés.

You have had an impressive season in England so far, winning both the Oxfordshire Cup and the Dollar Cup. How has your experience been playing the middle goal for the White Crane organization this year?
“It's been an amazing experience so far this season, this is my second season playing with the White Crane organization. We've won the Dollar Cup at Cowdray and the Oxfordshire Cup at Black Bears so far and we are still focused and well aware of the remaining tournaments that we have but super happy about winning those tournaments so far.”

This is your second time playing for the Ansari family’s team. What draws you back to this team and what do you enjoy most about playing in England?
“Last year was my first year with them and we did all the medium-goal season. Jasmine and Alexie were taking turns in every tournament. This year is a little bit different as Lex is playing the high goal and I'm doing the medium goal with Jas but it's a pleasure to play with both of them. They are both great people, super humble and inviting, they treat you as family so it's an absolute pleasure to be here with them and be part of this wonderful organization.”

Last weekend, you played in the Polo in the Park event in London, which is known as the world's largest three-day polo festival. How did you find the experience, especially given the unique format of the City Polo Series rules?
“It was my first experience playing Polo in the Park. It was something different and it took a little bit of time to get used to the tournament rules. Matches take place on a smaller field, it’s three against three, you play with an arena ball but on a grass field. However, it was an amazing experience, with a lot of people and very well organized, I was very happy to represent the USA in this tournament.”

Although the USA team narrowly lost to England, what positives did you take away from the experience?
“There are many positives we can take home from the game against England. We played great polo for the first three chukkers, the fourth chukker was not our best, and they were an amazing team with Max Charlton, Nacho Gonzalez and Nina Clarkin. They had played together before; they knew the rules and knew what to expect. For Nico [Escobar]*, Micaela [Saracco] and me it was our first time, so I guess they had a slight advantage there but nonetheless, we gave it our best, went for it and it wasn’t our day.”

What remaining tournaments do you have lined up for this season in England?
“I believe we have three or four tournaments left. One is the Royal Windsor, Indian Empire and two more 18 goals. We have lots of polo lined up and I'm very excited to get those going and see how we do.”

After your time in England, what are your plans? Do you have any plans to play in Argentina in the upcoming season? If so, what are you looking forward to the most about competing there?
“After the English season here, I will head to Argentina in September. I'm super keen to get there. I have all the 24-goal tournaments lined up as well as the Municipalidad which is the qualification for the Camara so I'm keen to get there.”

Speaking of Argentina, you and your father, Andrés, are involved in horse breeding over there. Can you tell us more about MW breeding?
“We do have a breeding operation in Argentina. Our farm is based in Mar del Plata, his hometown. He was born and raised there, so it’s where we have all our horses. We chose Mar del Plata because the land is very good and the quality of the soil is super rich in nutrients so it’s a perfect environment to breed horses. We've been doing embryos over the past couple of years with hopes of expanding. It has been an amazing experience to do this with him. With horses you never stop learning, there's always something new to learn, stuff to improve so we are excited to see what the future holds for us.”

*Mackenzie Weisz is an Active Member of Team USPA and Nicolas "Nico" Escobar is a Graduating Team USPA Member. 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.