Faces of Polo 2025
Happy New Year! The dawn of 2025 brings the start of a new polo season here in Wellington, which brings world-class athletes from around the globe to compete in “the sport of kings.” Along with the sporting action — horse and rider pairs flying down perfectly manicured fields, all eyes on the goal — is a whole other set of entertainment, whether it is people watching, high fashion, tailgating, a delectable brunch, the halftime divot stomp and more. The National Polo Center-Wellington, owned since 2022 by the United States Polo Association, attracts the world’s top talent to play in its annual winter high-goal season, which nowadays includes tournament partnerships with a number of other polo clubs in area. Once again, NPC is the place to see great high-goal action, including featured matches every Sunday on U.S. Polo Assn. Field One. As we do each January, Wellington The Magazine is highlighting just a small handful of the amazing athletes you will see vying for top polo accolades this season. Turn the page and meet the Faces of Polo 2025.

Adolfo Cambiaso
A longtime legend in the sport, Argentine Adolfo Cambiaso is a name synonymous with polo itself. Cambiaso earned the distinguished 10-goal handicap status when he was just 19 years old, and in 2000, he founded La Dolfina, one of the most successful Argentine teams in history. Now age 49, the veteran player has accumulated one of the most successful careers in the sport with multiple victories in the Argentine Triple Crown, as well as historical success in England and the United States. Throughout his time competing in America, Cambiaso has acquired nine C.V. Whitney Cup victories, 15 USPA Gold Cup titles and nine U.S. Open Polo Championship trophies, including six Most Valuable Player awards. A seasoned professional and industry titan, Cambiaso has increasingly focused on his legacy — his children — competing alongside his son, Adolfo “Poroto” Cambiaso Jr., in the Gauntlet of Polo in 2021 and 2022. In a historic turn, Cambiaso Sr. faced off against his son in each Gauntlet of Polo final in 2024, with the veteran leading Valiente to victory in the C.V. Whitney Cup.

Gillian Johnston
Gillian Johnston is a cornerstone of American polo and an inspiration for women in the sport. She made history in 2002 when she won the prestigious U.S. Open Polo Championship with Coca-Cola. Having her name engraved on the U.S. Open trophy marked a significant milestone, as very few women have had the privilege of lifting the coveted cup. Known for her exceptional horsemanship, Johnston is also renowned for breeding top-quality polo ponies. A fixture in the sport for many years, Johnston is not only one of the few women to regularly compete in the Florida high-goal season but is also one of the best-mounted players in the game.

Hilario Ulloa
Born in Argentina, Hilario Ulloa was introduced to polo at an early age, thanks to his father, renowned trainer Carlos “Polito” Ulloa. Achieving the coveted 10-goal rating in 2017, Ulloa has consistently remained one of the world’s top players, competing at elite tournaments in the United States, England and Argentina. A four-time winner of the U.S. Open Polo Championship and the C.V. Whitney Cup, Ulloa, and the Park Place organization, have been a dominant force during the winter season at the National Polo Center in recent years. In 2024, Ulloa received the prestigious National Polo Center’s High-Goal Horse of the Year Award for his exceptional mare, Mega Big Bay, further underscoring his enduring success in the sport.

Hope Arellano
American polo prodigy Hope Arellano comes from a family deeply rooted in the sport. She began playing at an early age, and by age 12, had already won her first 12-goal tournament alongside her two brothers and Hall-of-Fame father Julio Arellano. Her rapid rise through the ranks was nothing short of remarkable. At just 14, Arellano won the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship. In 2022, she made history as the first woman to represent the U.S. in the prestigious XII FIP World Polo Championship. Now, at age 21, Arellano has earned an impressive array of titles both in the U.S. and internationally. In December 2023, she became the first American to win the Women’s Argentine Open and also became the youngest American to achieve a 10-goal USPA women’s handicap. In 2024, she was selected as the sole female to represent Team USA in the Paris Games Polo Challenge in France. Arellano’s talent and trailblazing achievements make her one of the most compelling players in the sport.

Jesse Bray
Jesse Bray has long been an established presence in West Coast polo. Competing regularly at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club in California, Bray earned one of his first major titles in 2021, winning the Silver Cup. He has since made a name for himself on both the U.S. and international circuits, competing among polo’s elite. In 2023, Bray’s standout performances earned him Most Valuable Player in the Iglehart Cup, as well as receiving the Best Playing Pony award. Last season, Bray’s career reached new heights when he was selected as a substitute for the prestigious Valiente team, where he joined forces with polo legend Adolfo Cambiaso to claim the 2024 C.V. Whitney Cup. After recently wrapping up a successful season in Argentina, Bray now looks to build on his momentum as he heads into the upcoming Florida season.

Nico Escobar
Wellington local Nico Escobar, a rising star, is making waves in the polo world. Proudly representing his country, Escobar has gained valuable international experience, competing in the 2023 Westchester Cup against England and earning silver in the most recent FIP World Polo Championship. He was also part of the American team that claimed victory in the 2024 Paris Games Polo Challenge against France. At just 24, Escobar has proven himself a dominant force in national tournament competition across the United States, especially in Florida and California, with wins in the USPA Gold Cup and Silver Cup. Escobar shined during the 2024 season, most notably in the NPC 16-Goal Championship, sweeping the competition to secure the title.

Mariano ‘Peke’ Gonzalez Jr.
25-year-old Mariano “Peke” Gonzalez Jr. has had a deep passion for horses since childhood, sparking his love for polo. Growing up, he could always be found around the barn, eager to be involved in every aspect of the sport. In 2021, Gonzalez reached a major milestone, winning his first U.S. Open Polo Championship alongside and under the mentorship of polo legend Adolfo Cambiaso. In 2023, Gonzalez had a standout year, capturing the 16-Goal Championship and solidifying his success with victories in the Joe Barry Memorial, Ylvisaker Cup and Iglehart Cup. That same year, Gonzalez also won the Pacific Coast Open and Most Valuable Player in California, and received season honors, including Best High-Goal String. Gonzalez will be looking to build on his successes in the upcoming season, with his eyes set on adding more achievements to his standout résumé.

Adolfo ‘Poroto’ Cambiaso Jr.
19-year-old Adolfo “Poroto” Cambiaso Jr., the son of polo icon Adolfo Cambiaso, is carving out a legacy that mirrors his legendary father. Cambiaso Jr. made his American high-goal debut in 2021, joining forces with his father in the Gauntlet of Polo and helping Scone secure both the USPA Gold Cup and the U.S. Open Polo Championship. By 2022, he added the Pacific Coast Open to his list of victories, and achieved an Argentine double the same year, winning both the Hurlingham Open and the Argentine Open with La Dolfina. In 2024, he returned for his fourth Gauntlet of Polo season, facing off against his father on three separate occasions. Undeterred by the rivalry, Cambiaso Jr. led his teams to back-to-back victories, claiming his third USPA Gold Cup and his second U.S. Open Polo Championship. A generational talent, Cambiaso Jr. is destined to shape the future of polo.

Tomas Panelo
A new 10-goaler has arrived! At 24, Tomas Panelo’s polo career has been on the rise since 2017, when he helped Argentina win the XI FIP World Polo Championship. In 2021, he added the Queen’s Cup in England to his achievements, and in 2023, he captured his first major U.S. title, the USPA Gold Cup. In 2024, during his second winter season at the National Polo Center in Wellington, he competed alongside Adolfo “Poroto” Cambiaso Jr. with La Dolfina. Panelo managed to reach all three finals in the Gauntlet of Polo, playing a key role in his team’s victories in both the USPA Gold Cup and U.S. Open Polo Championship. Awarded Most Valuable Player honors for his performance in the Gold Cup final, he scored more than half of the winning team’s goals. In May, his exceptional play throughout the season earned him a promotion to the coveted 10-goal handicap.

Facundo Pieres
Facundo Pieres is the epitome of a modern professional polo player. Hailing from a polo-playing family and descended from the legendary Gonzalo Pieres, he was immersed in the sport from a young age in Argentina, sharing the field with his brothers Gonzalo “Gonzalito” and Nicolas “Nico” Pieres, as well as his cousin Pablo “Polito” Pieres. He has built an exceptional career, achieving remarkable success in Argentina, England and the U.S. Among his many accomplishments is his 2019 Gauntlet of Polo sweep, where he led Pilot to victory in the inaugural year of the prestigious series — an achievement that remains unmatched.