The Season Finale of Triple Crown of Polo

Team Mandarina, made a team by the likes of Sarah Magness, Melissa Ganzi, Alejandro Novillo Astrada and Juan Bollini won the popular Triple Crown of Polo at the Aspen Valley Polo Club with a thrilling 7-6 victory over Woodrow Farm in the season finale. Leigh Brecheen, Marc Ganzi, Nic Roldan and Tano Vial playing for Team Woodrow Farm tried their best to give a tough competition to the fresher (Team Mandarina was playing in the first year).

Argentine 8-goaler Alejandro Novillo Astrada was named Most Valuable Player. Longtime player and U.S. Polo Association Secretary Stewart Armstrong was selected Most Valuable Player for with his consistent play and strong defense during the summer season. Music, a 5-year-old thoroughbred dark bay mare, was chosen Best Playing Pony.
She was played by Alejandro Novillo Astrada, trained by Tiana Smicklas and owned by Wellington-based Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Basalt, a 6-year-old dark bay mare (by Quarzo out of Shekankipper), played by Marc Ganzi and owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm, was selected the American Polo Horse Association best registered horse of the game. The APHA was created in 2006 by Hall of Famer Sunny Hale to recognize polo ponies in America and encourages events that showcase them and hard-working dedication of grooms. The Triple Crown of Polo was the tenth and final outdoor grass tournament and 13th overall of the most successful summer polo season at AVPC.