Richard Mille Defends Title, Captures St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship; Louis Jarrige Named MVP

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Richard Mille Defends Title, Captures St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship; Louis Jarrige Named MVP

ASPEN, Colo., December 21, 2019---In an emotionally-charged final, Richard Mille defended its title in the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship Friday at Rio Grande Park.

St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship winner Richard Mille's Edouard Pan, Pablo MacDonough and Louis Jarrige.

By Sharon Robb

In front of a soldout VIP tent, defending champion Richard Mille (Louis Jarrige, 3, Edouard Pan, 4, Pablo MacDonough, 10) held off two-time champion U.S. Polo Assn. in the final seconds for a thrilling 7-6 victory.

Actress and singer songwriter Kelley Jakle gets the day started with the National Anthem.

Frenchman Louis Jarrige, turning in one of his finest career performances, was named Most Valuable Player after scoring a game-high four goals and playing well defensively.

Delicioso, a 15-year-old bay gelding played by MacDonough, was the Polo Today Best Playing Pony.

Grant Ganzi of U.S. Polo Assn. gets away from defender Louis Jarrige of Richard Mille.

Barata, played by Ganzi, was the American Polo Horse Association Best Playing Pony. Ganzi was also awarded the Play of the Game.

MVP Louis Jarrige of Richard Mille balances the ball in the air before scoring

one of his four goals.

The APHA was created in 2006 by legendary Hall of Famer Sunny Hale to recognize polo ponies in America and encourage events that showcase them and hard-working dedication of grooms.

For MacDonough it was his second tournament victory in seven days. Last Saturday he won a record seventh Argentine Open with La Dolfina and was MVP.

Edouard Pan of Richard Mille and Grant Ganzi of U.S. Polo Assn. battle for the ball.

"It feels great to win it two years in a row," MacDonough said. "We are so happy to win again. It was a tough game and the field of teams this year was better than last year. I can't say enough about this great event."

MacDonough won his second snow polo title with two new teammates, Jarrige and Frenchman Edouard Pan, who played well above their handicaps in a physical and hotly-contested four-chukker game.

VIP guests are treated to up-close action by Juancito Bollini of U.S. Polo Assn. and Pablo MacDonough of Richard Mille.

"This was really amazing," Pan said. "This is my first time playing in Aspen. The field was amazing. It was a really good game and it feels good to leave here with a win."

Richard Mille players surround Grant Ganzi of U.S. Polo Assn.

In the fourth and final chukker with the game tied at 5-5, Jarrige scored back-to-back goals within two minutes to give Richard Mille a 7-5 lead with 3:05 remaining. The first goal he scored on a great neck shot off a back shot pass from MacDonough. His second goal was on a breakaway after he picked up a loose ball.

Ganzi converted his third 15-yard penalty of the game with 2:26 left to cut the lead to 7-6. Against a strong man defense by Richard Mille, U.S. Polo Assn. tried to mount an offensive attack. With 1:30 left, Jarrige saved a potential Roldan goal.

Nic Roldan of U.S. Polo Assn. is double teamed by Pablo MacDonough and Louis Jarrige of Richard Mille.

U.S. Polo Assn. players, despite hitting it out of bounds three times, had two quick scoring opportunities but missed both. Roldan looked to be on his way to scoring the tying goal when Jarrige stopped his shot in the final seconds. Ganzi quickly backed the loose ball into the goal but the bell signifying the end of the game had rung one second earlier and it was no goal. The head umpire did review the play after the game and it was confirmed no goal.

"It was tough, it could have gone either way in the end," Ganzi said. "The ball didn't really bounce our way. It is what it is, that's polo."

American Polo Horse Association BPP Barata played by Grant Ganzi.

In addition to Jarrige's four goals, MacDonough scored two goals and Pan added one. For U.S. Polo Assn., Ganzi led with three goals, all on 15-yard penalty conversions. Roldan had two goals. The 15-goal rated team also received two goals on handicap.

Polo Today Best Playing Pony Delicioso played by Pablo MacDonough.

In the first half, it didn't take Richard Mille long to erase yje two-goal deficit by winning the first three throw-ins. Back-to-back goals by Jarrige tied the game at 2-2. Ganzi's first penalty conversion gave U.S. Polo Assn. back the lead (3-2) going into the second chukker.

After a mostly defensive second chukker, Pan scored with 1:15 remaining to tie the game 3-3. With 31 seconds left, Roldan picked up a loose and scored for a 4-3 advantage.

Team finalists Richard Mille and U.S. Polo Assn. having fun during the awards ceremony.

Both teams came out more offensively in the third chukker but missed scoring opportunities. With two minutes left, MacDonough stole the ball from Roldan and scored to tie the game again, 4-4. With 1:30 left, MacDonough scored the goal of the game hitting the ball out of the air and into the net to give Richard Mille its first lead of the game, 5-4. Ganzi scored another penalty shot with 45 seconds left to tie the game, 5-5, and set up the thrilling final chukker.

Nacho Figueras of St. Regis tries to break away from defender Sarah Siegel-Magness

of Aspen Valley Polo Club.

Richard Mille, the official timekeeper of the tournament for the second consecutive year, is a luxury Swiss watch brand. Founded in 1999, the brand applies a three-part philosophy: the sharpest cutting-edge technology, three-dimensional constructions shot through with pure mechanics, and hand-finishing. MacDonough is Brand Ambassador for Richard Mille and wears his specially-designed RM 53-01 Tourbillon in every polo game he plays.

In other tournament games:

In the second game of Friday's doubleheader, Aspen Valley Polo Club (Sarah Siegel Magness, 0, Jesse Bray, 7, Patrick Uretz, 8) won the Aspen Cup subsidiary game for third place. The trio defeated St. Regis (Julien Reynes, 4, Jason Crowder, 7, Nacho Figueras, 6), 9-5. Bray scored a game-high six goals and was named Most Valuable Player. Aspen Cup Best Playing Pony was Muneco, played and owned by Sarah Siegel-Magness of Aspen Valley Polo Club.

Nacho Figueras of St. Regis stretches for the ball with Jesse Bray of

Aspen Valley Polo Club defending.

In the High Alpine Cup on Thursday, Flexjet led Royal Salute from start-to-finish to win fifth place honors in the six-team tournament. Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, 1, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 8, Juan Bollini, 6), led 6-1 at the half and held on for a 9-7 victory over Royal Salute (Pierre Henri Ngoumou, 6, Malcolm Borwick, 6, Horacio Heguy, 6).

Jason Crowder of St. Regis and Jesse Bray of Aspen Valley Polo Club battle for the ball in the air.

Richard Mille also won the Celebrity Chukker knocking off St. Regis. In front of a good crowd including Australian actress Rebel Wilson, Richard Mille (Sterling Jones, Gary Magness, Pablo MacDonough) defeated St. Regis (Nacho Figueras, Hilario Figueras, Saye Yabandeh, 4-3. For the third year in a row, Jones was leading scorer with two goals. The remaining five players each had one goal.

Aspen Cup winners Aspen Valley Polo Club's Patrick Uretz, Jesse Bray and Sarah Siegel-Magness.

One of Aspen's biggest international sporting events attracted some of the world's top players for the final stop on the 2019 World Polo Tour.

For the seventh consecutive year, Aspen Valley Polo Club owners Melissa and Marc Ganz hosted the star-studded event along with Nacho Figueras, the sport's ambassador and St. Regis Connoisseur and his wife Delfina Blaquier.

High Alpine Cup winners Flexjet's Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Juan Bollini.

"We could not get this done without the city of Aspen," said Marc Ganzi."It has the best parks and recreation department in the world. It's a privilege to play here. "

Flag bearer Kajsa Sutro, an equine science student at Colorado State, rides in

front of the VIP tent.

Said Melissa Ganzi: "Aspen, I think is the most special place, but it's nice for others to see it and it brings attention to the area. Having the best players in the world is unique and special. It's great for America. It's great for Aspen. It just helps generate more attention with these top players."


Royal Salute's limited 21-year-old Snow Polo Edition.

Added Figueras, "I thank Marc and Melissa for putting this incredible event together. Thank you to the sponsors and public for coming to see us and supporting us. We love this game and hope you love it, too."

In addition to Richard Mille (2019, Louis Jarrige, Edouard Pan, Pablo MacDonough) and (2018, Marc Ganzi, Martin Pepa, Pablo MacDonough), past St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship winners include: 2017, U.S. Polo Assn. (Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Nic Roldan); 2016, Flexjet (Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini); 2015, U.S. Polo Assn. (Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Juancito Bollini); 2014, Piaget (Marc Ganzi, Jeff Hall, Nic Roldan); and 2013, St. Regis (Nacho Figueras, Nic Roldan, Brandon Phillips).

In the U.S., snow polo is held exclusively in Aspen. The sport was first played on a frozen lake in St. Moritz, Switzerland, created by Swiss hotelier and polo visionary Reto Gaudenzi in 1985 and

has been growing in popularity ever since, attracting thousands of spectators and top players from around the world. In addition to St. Moritz, it's played in winter sports communities Aspen, Cortina, Italy, Kitzbuhel, Austria, Courchevel, France and Tianjin, China. In the U.S., snow polo is held exclusively in Aspen.

Aspen Cup Best Playing Pony Muneco played by Sarah Siegel-Magness.

Aspen Valley Polo Club had its most successful and historic summer season in club and Rocky Mountain Circuit history. The club hosted several 20-goal tournaments including the 119th USPA Silver Cup and USPA North American Cup, attracted some of the world's top players and had record crowds every weekend. The 20-goal World Polo League's Triple Crown of Polo tournament featured five teams and several top players.


	VIP guests were treated to a variety of food from St. Regis Aspen Resort.

With the majestic 12,965-foot summit of Mount

Sopris as a backdrop,Aspen Valley Polo Club is one of the busiest USPA-sanctioned clubs in the nation. Since Marc and Melissa Ganzi founded the club in 2014, polo has increased in popularity in Aspen and surrounding cities with the club's offerings of various weekly grass and arena tournaments, Tuesday Arena & Asado Nights, Kidz Polo, The Polo School headed by former 8-goaler Juan Bollini, and Polo On Demand. In addition, the club offers practice sessions for teams competing in the club tournaments.

Since 2014, Aspen Valley Polo Club has had a positive impact in the area hosting kids polo camps, teaching lessons and several charitable events at the club that have benefitted local charities including Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation.

Thank you Aspen for a great week of snow polo and events.

Photos by Nick Tininenko for Aspen Valley Polo Club

ST. REGIS ASPEN RESORT

Nestled at the base of the majestic Aspen Mountain, the resort is between the mountain's two primary base ski lifts and within walking distance to all of Aspen's shops, restaurants and entertainment. The hotel is just 10 minutes away from Aspen's airport and has convenient access to all four ski releases. It delivers a benchmark of personalized service and attention to detail amidst the relaxed spirit of the Rocky Mountains. The resort is located at 315 East Dean St. Call 970-920-3300 or 888-627-7198.

CHUKKERTV

ChukkerTV live-streamed the entire St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship. ChukkerTV, featuring cutting-edge technology, was the first to introduce state-of-the-art live streaming technology and instant replay in January, 2014 at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Fla. For advertising opportunities on ChukkerTV please contact Mike Ferreira at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Watch The Games Here

THE POLO SCHOOL

The Polo School and its Director Juan Bollini are dedicated to teaching polo to all ages, particularly grass roots youth. The school's mission is to provide individuals opportunities in polo. For lessons contact Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099.

ASPEN VALLEY POLO CLUB

CLUB ADDRESS:
3275 County Road 100,
Carbondale, Colo. 81623

POLO HOTLINE: 970-710-1663

The exclusive Aspen Valley Polo Club is one of the nation's fastest-growing polo clubs. It offers polo in the summer for players and spectators. The Polo School is available to adults and juniors. It offers individual and group lessons for all levels and ages. For spectators there are great field side views for tournament action, indoor and outdoor arenas and also the Aspen Valley Polo Club Boutique. Everyone is welcome to watch polo in a relaxed atmosphere with complimentary food, refreshments and weekly asados. Admission and parking are free. For Polo On Demand price rates of group and private lessons, arena chukkers, grass chukkers and individualized "Polo Experience" packages email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or log onto www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com

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