polo

Lincoln / Father’s Day Recap

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Father’s Day saw beautiful weather and an exciting feature match to wrap up the Rancho Santa Fe Cup Finals presented by Lincoln.  Tritech/Princeps in the blue jerseys held onto their 1-point lead over Hanalei Bay/San Fernando in the white jerseys to eek out a 10-to-9 win.  The intense back and forth match saw highlights as Roberto Estudillo barely missed a goal in the 6th chukker, giving up the opportunity to tie up the score and take the game into overtime.

Chris Maloney (blue) and Roberto Estudillo powered down the field.

Dirk Wray, Ashton Wolf, Gaston VonWernich, Chris Maloney

Spectators and social members enjoyed ahi tacos and other treats from ChiliCo Catering and ambled across the field for the Korbel Champagne Divot Stomp.

Fans also visited the Lincoln technology display and took a chance to test drive the technologically advanced line of Lincoln vehicles including the MKX, MKZ Hybrid, MKT, and Navigator.

For more info, visit Witt Lincoln in San Diego.

The “Cigars & Cars” event of course included the Liberty Tobacco cigar lounge. For more photos of the event, visit our Facebook page.

Meet Diego Cossio.

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We sat down with the shy and very humble Diego Cossio and learned a few surprises about this polo star.

How did you get your start?
I started playing in 1996 in the US.  I played for 10 years under the famous Steve Crowder.  He’s a good man and I owe him a lot.

Where do you play now?
San Diego of course, but I love playing in Calgary and Florida.


Do you do any cross-training?
I swim and play soccer.  After injuries, I lift weights.

Oh really?
Don’t put that.

What is your favorite sport to watch?
Ice hockey because it’s similar to polo in that the key is following the ball and pushing players out of the way.  Soccer too.

What about when you want to veg out?
Veg out?  Family Guy.  It’s light hearted and easy to watch.  The stuff they get away with is crazy.

Favorite movie?
Horror definitely.  The Exorcist.

Favorite book?
Wow.  It’s been a while.  The Alchemist – it’s simple but the ending is very good.

Can you play any instruments?
I’m actually an accomplished musician, you didn’t know that?  I’ve been playing guitar for a few years, self taught.

Diego and his band performing at Crash and Burn 2010.

So, what’s on your iPod?
Slayer, Rob Zombie, Alice in Chains, Pantera.

Anything in spanish?
Oh yea, Hermetica!  They are a really good heavy metal band in Argentina.

What’s a typical meal?
Meat.  If I can eat steak 3-4 times a week, I’m happy.

Any exciting news?
I’m taking a trip to Europe with my girlfriend, just for fun.  We are leaving Colton behind for a couple of days.  We don’t have plans, just a wedding to attend in Scotland, then backpack around for a bit.

Stacy and Colton, Diego’s family.

Sounds fun.  What are your plans for the future?
I’d like to continue playing polo for a few years.  Eventually, I would want to go back to farming sugar cane – I grew up doing it.  I just really love the whole process.

If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Home – Tucumán Province, Argentina (known internationally for its sugarcane).

Meet Miguel Gutierrez

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Our player profile this week features the somewhat shy Miguel Gutierrez of Buenos Aires, Argentina. If you are saying to yourself, that handsome face looks familiar, it’s because it graces our general admission ticket for the 2011 season. Miguel jokes it’s the first step in his eventual rise to fame. He hopes to someday upstage his cousin and fellow polo player Mariano Gutierrez, who was featured in the music video for Britney Spear’s Radar. Miguel wants to let Britney know if she ever wants to remake her Oops!… I Did It Again video, he’s available!

Miguel is a seasoned player who has professionally competed around the world and he comes to The San Diego Polo Club after finishing  a season at the North Church Farm Polo Club in London. Separate of Argentina, his favorite location to compete is Indio, California. Miguel says with a quiet voice, “I don’t know, I just love the mountains and the landscape of the desert and after playing there for so many years, it has become like a home away from home for me.”

There is no questioning his passion for the sport and when asked what he do would do if ever won the lottery, he softly remarks, “I’d still keep playing polo, I can’t really imagine doing anything else.” It’s a fitting answer, as polo is a tradition that is deeply rooted in his family. He learned the sport from his grandfather and he someday hopes to pass along the game to his own children.

When he’s not playing polo or dreaming of fame, he is usually listening to music or fawning over Rita, his fierce pittbull and in many ways the love of his life! Sadly, Rita was unable to accompany Miguel on this trip to San Diego and with a sad look on his face he tells us, “I really miss her….” It’s the first time the two have been apart since he rescued her from a gas station 10 years ago.