NEWS

Returning to scenic Port Mayaca Polo Club in Okeechobee, Florida, the long-awaited Butler Handicap culminated in a one-goal differential nail-biter on Saturday, April 8. The prestigious 18-goal competition was originally slated to be played in February; however scheduling difficulties forced a two-month delay. The title match found 2022 runners-up Old Hickory Bourbon (Matias Magrini, Vaughn Miller Jr., Antonio Heguy, Stevie Orthwein) battling Hawaii Polo Life (Chris Dawson, Gonzalo Ferrari, Santino Magrini, Tomas Panelo, sub. Pelon Stirling, sub. Digvijay ‘Dig’ Singh).

Despite the game remaining close from start to finish, Old Hickory Bourbon gained the lead in the first chukker and never trailed their opponent. Old Hickory Bourbon’s second half momentum and relentless defensive efforts gave them just enough space to outscore Hawaii Polo Life, with the team in gray grasping a narrow 8-7 lead as time expired.

Playing the semifinals on Thursday, April 6, Old Hickory Bourbon defeated SD Farms 8-7 to advance to the title match, while Hawaii Polo Life overtook Loudmouth 11-8 to earn their spot in the championship.

A team that came together without much time to prepare, Heguy explained, “After the semifinal, [which] was our first time playing together, we started knowing each other better, and in the final, I think we played a good game.”

Orthwein added, “We did not have a lot of time to prepare for the game. I think we just made a conscious effort to stay confident and relaxed. [Hawaii Polo Life] is a great team. Obviously, Pelon Sterling is a great player, so we were sure to watch and try and contain him.”

Miller Jr. described how he found his way onto the team. “Matias Magrini gave me the shot to play and there was no chance I was turning it down.” A staple in Sarasota, Florida, and a constant on the medium-goal podium, Miller Jr. spoke about the benefits of playing in higher caliber polo. “The higher-level polo wasn’t difficult to transition into because the great players play so simple. They all make the correct plays and it’s easier for me to find where to go. My only adjustment was how fast everyone moves and makes decisions. I had to keep it simple, but with speed.”

As the game began, Orthwein drew first blood for Old Hickory Bourbon, while the team held Hawaii Polo Life scoreless to end the chukker ahead 1-0. Eager to energize his team, Santino Magrini found the goal twice, matched only by a single score from Orthwein to leave the game tied 2-all. Heguy and Miller Jr. traded goals with Ferrari and Stirling to maintain a 4-all deadlock at the break.

Miller Jr. added, “Our balanced and organized attack was the only chance against one of the greatest players of all time, Pelon Stirling."

Emerging from halftime hoping to break the stalemate, two field goals from Heguy and a scoreless fourth chukker for Hawaii Polo Life gave Old Hickory Bourbon a 6-4 edge. Quickly returning the favor, Old Hickory Bourbon was held scoreless in the fifth chukker, while Ferrari and Stirling both took advantage of scoring opportunities to re-tie the game 6-all. With just one chukker left, Heguy and Miller both raced against the clock to add two additional field goals to their team’s tally. As time wound down, Stirling was able to find the goal once more, but it wasn’t enough to overtake Old Hickory Bourbon, who ultimately escaped with the 8-7 win.

A defensive asset for the team while also scoring twice, Vaughn Miller Jr. was awarded Most Valuable Player. Best Playing Pony honors were presented to Don Ercole Peloquita (Peluca x Gete Argos), played by Matias Magrini and owned by Stable Door Breeding. “Peloquita is by a mare called Peluca, a mare I used to play when I won the U.S. Open called Artesia, from Tommy Boyle. She's out of a stallion called Gete Argos, the stallion that played the Open with Magoo Laprida. He’s a great stallion. Peloquita is a mare that just arrived from Argentina, she's bred by me and owned by Stable Door Breeding, which is Henry Porter's breeding [operation]. She's very handy [and] very quick. Within the next year, she's going to be a great mare.”

Reflecting on the win and his ability to play and grow this winter in Florida, Miller concluded, “This season in Florida, I took every opportunity and game that came my way. Playing over three months in Sarasota, Port Mayaca, and Wellington culminated in sharing the field with players I grew up idolizing. It only reassured me that the more I give to polo, the more it will give back.”

All photos courtesy of ©David Lominska.