What a nice Sunday for polo! With temps in the high 70s, it was a good thing Woodford Reserve was crafting up icy cold cocktails for everyone to enjoy.
Woodford Reserve‘s guests enjoyed sipping on specialty cocktails including the classic mint julep, peach tea, and a twist on the classic old-fashioned, and munching on tasty tray-passed appetizers in the reserved Polo Pavilion.
The first match got started at 1pm with Adeptus/Sycamore vs. Twin Palms/San Fernando. After healing up from a torn rotator cuff, Roberto Estudillo, made it back on the field for the match. Dan Juarez started things off in the first chukker, scoring 1 goal for Adeptus/Sycamore and Diego Velarde of Twin Palms/San Fernando knocked a couple in for his team. Those initial goals for Twin Palms/San Fernando were important for the team, as Adeptus/Sycamore trailed behind by 1 or 2 goals the length of the game. Diego Velarde scored a high of 7 goals for Twin Palms/San Fernando, leading his team to victory. Final score: 10 to 12, Twin Palms/San Fernando.
During intermission, rope charro, Miguel Sanchez of Encinitas, showed off his horsemanship and rope handling skills with a demonstration.
Land Rover of San Diego led the Parade of Teams for the feature match and finals of the Woodford Reserve Classic. Christen Horne, graduate of Point Loma Nazarene, sang a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem.
Woodford Reserve‘s Suzanne Brown threw in the first ball to start the match! Kimo Huddleston scored the first goal for Hanalei/San Judas and teammate Mariano Fassetta also scored within the first chukker. Team Woodford Reserve‘s defensive player, Graham Bray, showed off his skills and put one on the board for Woodford. By half time, Woodford Reserve was down 1 goal. In the 4th chukker, Ramon Richard and Mariano Fassetta scored for Hanalei Bay/San Judas, bringing up the lead 8 to 5.
In the 5th chukker, Woodford Reserve turned up the heat and Colton Bancroft scored 2 goals, changing the pace of the entire game. Hanalei Bay/San Judas could not get through to put any points on the board, but they still lead by 1. In the 6th and final chukker, Woodford Reserve pulled out the big guns and put an additional 5 goals through, leading the team to victory. Colton Bancroft played an exceptional game, as did Martin Ravina.
DJ P turned the tables at the 7th Chukker After Party, playing upbeat hits until sundown.
We’ll see you Sunday, July 21 for the Fernando Gutierrez Memorial Cup and Free Wheelchair Mission live auction!