Faces Of polo 2016: Players Bring The Sport To Life
Each winter, the many facets of the perfect polo experience come together right here in Wellington — people watching, high fashion, tailgating, divot stomping, Sunday brunch and more — but it’s the amazing athletes who bring the sport to life. With nearly every top player in the world competing in this year’s 20-goal and 26-goal tournaments, the International Polo Club Palm Beach will once again be home to the world’s best polo action. As we do every year, Wellington The Magazine highlights just a few of the elite players who will gallantly lead their steeds down the fields at IPC in pursuit of eternal glory. We invite you to turn the page to start enjoying Faces of Polo 2016.
ADOLFO CAMBIASO
Adolfo Cambiaso, the Argentine 10-goaler, has been considered to be the top player in the game for the past 20 years. He has played on six U.S. Open Polo Championship teams and won nine USPA Gold Cup tournaments and a USPA C.V. Whitney Cup tournament. Cambiaso continues to awe and amaze spectators and players alike, and you can watch his aggressive style of play on the Valiente/Dubai team this year at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
JULIO ARELLANO
Julio Arellano is one of the highest-rated American players at 8 goals. Now 42, he has been playing the sport since the age of 9. Arellano played on the only U.S. team to win the Federation of International Polo World Championship, and he is a leading goal scorer and a key player on the Coca-Cola team at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. He won the U.S. Open Polo Championship no less than three times, is known as a pressure player. Arellano is considered the bedrock of any team.
FACUNDO PIERES
Facundo Pieres is currently the No. 2-ranked player in the world. As a member of the Zacara polo team, he won the U.S. Open Polo Championship in 2012 and 2013, followed by a sweep of the English season (the Queen’s Cup and the British Open). One of only six 10-goal players in the game, the talented South American player continues to dazzle the crowd with his expert stickwork and horsemanship. He will be playing on the 26-goal Orchard Hill polo team in 2016.
NIC ROLDAN
Nic Roldan was born in Argentina but grew up in Wellington. He became the youngest player in history to win the U.S. Open Polo Championship in 1998. Great hand-eye coordination and exceptional accuracy allowed this talented athlete to excel in both golf and hockey before selecting polo as his career path. He has twice represented the United States in international play, and at 8 goals, he is one of America’s top players. You can look for his stickwork magic this year on the 20-goal Audi team at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
RASHID ALDWARDY
Rashid Aldwardy debuts his 20-goal Dubai team this season at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. The team has dominated the United Kingdom high-goal polo scene for more than a decade, winning the Queens Cup and the Gold Cup more times than any other team in recent years. The Dubai team cinched wins for both the 2015 Sotogrande High-Goal Silver Cup and the Gold Cup. A tenacious and high-scoring player, Aldwardy will also be playing on the 26-goal Valiente team, which won the U.S. Open Polo Championship in 2015.
SAPO CASET
Guillermo “Sapo” Caset Jr., the son of an accomplished, professional Argentine polo player, earned a 6-goal handicap by the time he was barely 16. In his tenure in Wellington, Caset has won the USPA C.V. Whitney Cup (2011 and 2014), the Piaget Gold Cup (2009 and 2014) and the U.S. Open Polo Championship (2011). He is currently ranked as the No. 8 polo player in the world.
SUGAR ERSKINE
Sugar Erskine, a 6-goal South African player, started playing polo at the age of 9. He made his way to the United States in 1993 and is a favorite on the American polo circuit. He has won the U.S. Open Polo Championship three times, and has recently celebrated a number of wins in the 20-goal competition with Gillian Johnston’s Coca-Cola polo team.
JEFF HALL
Jeff Hall comes from a polo-playing family that split its time between Santa Barbara, Calif., and Houston. Among his more important victories, Hall counts wins in the U.S. Open Polo Championship, the America’s Cup, the East Coast Open and several Silver Cups. As a member of the 2009 U.S. Westchester Cup team, he played against England and has been a regular on the international polo scene for years. Hall is known as a powerful hitter and an accomplished horseman. He has a 7-goal handicap.
HILARIO ULLOA
Hilario Ulloa, competing on the field with a 9-goal handicap, began playing at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in 2010 for the Crab Orchard polo team, which swept the high-goal season that year by winning the USPA C.V. Whitney Cup, the Piaget Gold Cup and the U.S. Open Polo Championship. Competing on the Alegria team at IPC in 2014, his wide-open style helped capture the U.S. Open Polo Championship by defeating Valiente in the final match.
SEBASTIAN MERLOS
Sebastian Merlos is one of only six polo players in the world to achieve the highest ranking of 10 goals. He has captured the titles of every major tournament in more than 18 countries. He counts three U.S. Opens at the International Polo Club Palm Beach among his successes. Merlos has a fierce passion for horses and the sport he loves, making him one of the strongest horsemen playing polo today. He holds a 9-goal handicap in the U.S. and will be playing on the 20-goal Tonkawa team this year at IPC.
GONZALITO PIERES
Gonzalito Pieres, rated at 9 goals, is the older brother of Facundo Pieres. He has won major tournaments all over the world and has helped pilot Marc Ganzi’s Audi team to wins in the U.S. Open Polo Championship, the USPA Gold Cup and the USPA C.V. Whitney Cup. A classic-style player, Pieres has been the mainstay of the Audi team, providing leadership and direction on the field.
POLITO PIERES
Polito Pieres is another member of the famous Pieres polo family. He plays in Wellington alongside his cousins, Facundo and Nico Pieres, and has a 9-goal handicap. Born in the United States, Pieres has played on winning teams in the British Open, the Deauville Gold Cup in France, and the USPA C.V. Whitney Cup and the Piaget Gold Cup at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. This year, you can watch him compete at the 26-goal level on Steve Van Andel’s Orchard Hill team.
TOMMY BIDDLE
Tommy Biddle, a Wellington favorite in arena polo, cut his teeth in the sport and began competing and winning at the age of 12. His 6-foot, 2-inch frame looms large on the polo field, and his strong defensive play and decisive mental focus keep his opponents at bay. Although he proudly gained 10-goal status in arena play, he has a 5-goal outdoor handicap. He takes to the polo field this season for La Indiana, a newcomer to the 2016 20-goal team lineup at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
