USPA Rossmore Cup & Salute to Military

flag

On Sunday, September 8, we kicked of the USPA Rossmore Cup and honored our military, veterans, and first responders with a special ceremony.  We warmly welcomed all military families, veteran support groups and charities who work hard to support our veterans in the community.  Among them were Horses Joining Forces, a therapeutic riding program for veterans with PTSD.  President of Horses Joining Forces, Former Major Glenn Cunningham, described the program and it’s benefits, giving the audience great insight what horses can do for our mind, body and heart.

CV4C2371

Tens of thousands of our young combat veterans are unemployed, underemployed, homeless, in support programs, and or despondent due on no small part to the cause and effects of PTSD and combat trauma.  Vets 360 invites recently separated combat veterans and their families into an on-going program of engagement, education, employment, and healing.  Their goal is to help them understand that asking for support is a sign of strength… NOT an inability to cope.  We were thrilled to have Vets 360 involved with our annual Salute to Military event.

Colton-Bailey

The day kicked off with a match between Twin Palms/San Fernando and Star Meadow/Monteverde.  Diego Velarde started off hot, leading Twin Palms/San Fernando with 3 goals in the first chukker and2 more in the second.  Gaston VonWernich also put a couple through in the first and fourth chukkers.  Star Meadow/Monteverde started slowly, building momentum in the third chukker.  At half time, the score was 5 to 4, Twin Palms/San Fernando in the lead.  In the fourth chukker, Graham Bray scored two and Martin Ravina one for Star Meadow/Monteverde.  In the 5th chukker, they did the same: Bray with two, Ravina with one.  Twin Palms/San Fernando fell back in the second half to play defense.  They weren’t able to score on the opposing team in the 5th and 6th chukkers.  Star Meadow/Monteverde came out victorious, 11 to 6.

CV4C2322

During intermission the Poway Valley Vaulters, consisting of 6 girls, 2 trainers and a 13-year old Percheron/Welsh pony, showed us their talents.  Equestrian Vaulting is a unique International sport that combines elements of gymnastics and dance on the back of a moving horse. And is a wonderful and fun way to develop coordination, balance, strength, flexibility, teamwork, harmony and creativity.

Vaulters of all ages and abilities showcase their talents in compulsory movements and choreographed freestyle routines set to music, with up to 3 vaulters on the horse at a time. Vaulting’s history is said to have begun thousands of years ago in ancient Minoa as ‘bull vaulting’. In fact, every horse culture around the world practices a variation of this sport.  The sport’s most modern ancestor was as a cavalry training tool for horse-mounted soldiers, and it was also a recognized Olympic sport in the early 20th century. It is one of the FEI’s 8 recognized sports, and is a regular feature of the World Equestrian Games.

CV4C2397

Our Salute to Military Ceremony was led by emcee and polo announcer Steve Lewandowski.  Steve welcomed Glenn Cunningham, president of Horses Joining Forces on to the field to speak about the therapeutic riding program and services for veterans with PTSD.  A representative from Congressman Duncan Hunter’s office presented certificates to many groups and people who made the event possible, and also gave a special flag to Steve Lewandowski for his exceptional effort during the planning of this event, and also to the San Diego Polo Club for hosting the event.  These special flags were once flown above the capital and considered a honorable gift.  Veterans and active military were invited on to the field for the recognition ceremony.

CV4C2438

CV4C2441Karen McBride sang the national anthem in front of a huge American flag and the teams paraded on to the field for the featured match.

Team Hanalei Bay and Team Adeptus battled it out on field one in front of the crowd.  Ashton Wolf, who fell and had to get face stitches on Friday afternoon, scored the first goal of the match for Hanalei Bay, followed by teammates Mariano Fassetta and David Samaniego.  Jesse Bray and Dan Juarez of Adeptus scored one each in the second chukker and an additional 3 in the third chukker.  By half time, the game was tied up 5 to 5.

CV4C2570
Guests enjoyed a taste of Korbel California Champagne during the half time classic Pretty Woman Divot Stomp.

Krista Bonaguidi and Ashton Wolf scored for Hanalei Bay in the 4th chukker, and Jim Wright was able to score one for Adeptus.  Jesse Bray scored 2 in the 5th chukker and teammate, Dan Juarez scored another for Adeptus.  Mariano Fassetta was able to get through Adeptus‘ defense to score two for Hanalei Bay in the 5th and 6th chukker, but it was Dan Juarez’s last goal that lead Adeptus to victory.

CV4C3025

Trophies were presented by the nieces of founding member and owner of Daou Vineyards, Georges Daou.

Daou Winners

Labor Day Tournament & White Party

Things have been heating up in San Diego and we aren’t talking about just the weather.  As the San Diego Polo Summer Season continues through August and September, the polo talent rises.  The horses are faster, the players work harder, and the crowds grow larger.

CV4C0650

This holiday weekend’s Labor Day Tournament started off with an 8-goal tournament match between Twin Palms/San Fernando vs. StarMeadow/Monteverde.  Things started off at an even pace in the first chukker, with Diego Velarde and Gaston VonWernich scoring for Twin Palms/San Fernando and Ellen Greenhill and Colton Bancroft scoring for StarMeadow/Monteverde.  Roberto Estudillo scored 3 goals for his team, Twin Palms/San Fernando and teammate, Diego Velarde, had a high of 5 goals.  Although StarMeadow/Monteverde played their hearts out, they just couldn’t catch up.  Twin Palms/San Fernando beat StarMeadow/Monteverde 10 to 7.

CV4C0424

During intermission, the Victorian Roses Riding Society performed. The Victorian Roses are a re-enactment group from Southern California who enjoy representing history and doing events that raise money for charity.  The group symbolizes the romance of the 1880’s, or the Victorian Era, in the colorful costumes they wear and each member has a “rose” moniker representing who she is in the re-enactment society.  Truly a sisterhood of dedicated women, these ladies ride in numerous parades and rodeo ceremonies and also participate in skit competitions, old-west shows, costume contests and other events.

CV4C0321

The feature match was the finals of the Labor Day tournament with Hanalei Bay vs. Adeptus.  Jesse Bray, who was bumped from a 2-goal handicap to a 4-goal handicap last year, started things off quickly and scored a goal for Adeptus within the first 30 seconds of the match.  Ashton Wolf, another favorite San Diego Polo player, scored 2 for Hanalei Bay in the first chukker.  Jesse Bray wouldn’t let that slide, so he scored two additional points for Adeptus in the second chukker.  By the third chukker, the score was tied up 3 to 3.

CV4C0284

Guests enjoyed stomping divots with their Korbel California Champagne.  During the divot stomp, guests dressed in white spread out across the green grass during the perfect summer day.

During the half time, Hanalei Bay recharged and focused on the match.  In the fourth chukker, they came out blazing.  Mariano Fassetta score 3 goals and Ashton Wolf scored 1 for Hanalei Bay.  Adeptus’ Daniel Juarez only could get one goal past the opposing team.  In the fifth chukker, Hanalei Bay kept up with an additional 3 goals by Ashton Wolf, bringing the score up to 11.  Daniel Juarez scored again in the 5th and 6th chukkers, along with Jesse Bray, but they just couldn’t catch up to Hanalei Bay, but they sure did put up a fight!  Hanalei Bay beat Adeptus 12 to 9.

If you’re looking for some more action, join us this Sunday for the USPA Rossmore Cup and our annual Salute to Military, as we honor active military, veterans, and first responders.