August 2021 Polo Players' Edition- Polo Scene

DEEP HEAD SORROW

Young player dies in car accident

From a prominent polo family, Justo Novillo Astrada had a passion for fishing.

JUSTO NOVILLO ASTRADA, polo player and son of former Argentine Polo Association president and former 9 goaler Eduardo Novillo Astrada Jr., died in the early hours of Sunday, June 27, at the age of 22.

The car accident that cost him his life took place at Kilometer 103 of Route 8, about 11 kilometers from San Antonio de Areco, in the province of Buenos Aires. Justo was driving a Volkswagen Gol when he collided with a bus. Both vehicles caught fire and he was the only fatality.

Born on April 28, 1999, he had 1-goal handicap and was a twin with 4-goal Cruz. Justo was also the grandson of Eduardo “Taio” Novillo Astrada, founder of La Aguada, and had two other brothers: Lucio and Tristán. Those who knew him define him as a free spirit who loved nature and the Argentine north. His posts on social networks were a travel catalog, a cult of friendship and a proud display of his other hobby: fishing.

With his friends, he traveled the Calchaquí Valleys, sleeping in abandoned and isolated ranchos (precarious country houses) characteristic of the area, with thatched roofs and adobe walls. Enjoying typical food such as locro, humita and empanadas in bonfires on full moon nights, he celebrated the 25th of May (Argentina’s national holiday commemorating its independence from Spain). On social media, Justo described his experience as being, “in the middle of the mountains, flying the flag, because the homeland was made on horseback! Travel people, go out, get to know this incredible country that we have, which makes me fall in love and has me more and more fascinated! It is an explosion of nature and the more we are connected with nature, the more we are connected with ourselves.”

He was passionate about fishing. A few weeks before his death he published an extensive explanation that also defined him as a person. “Do you know why I like fishing so much? Because it is something that changed my life. Fishing transports me to a place where I don’t think about anything, I connect 100% with nature, it connects me with the deepest essence of my soul. It takes me away from the mambos (an issue that remains on your mind) of my life or daily quilombitos (little problems), from fears and insecurities. Doing it, you don’t screw anyone; it’s just you against the fish. Maybe if you hurt it, it suffers a little bit, but it is the adrenaline of fighting against a living being, of a jump out of the water, of getting rid of the hook and beats you, it is not something mathematical. You may only see a photo of a fish, but it is beyond a picture, it is thousands of hours planning, organizing, imagining, anticipating, hours of traveling, walking, sweating, tiredness, hunger, mosquito bites, sharing, laughing, learning."

"I fish because it takes you to the most remote places there are, in the middle of nowhere, places that are almost untouched by man, places that are an explosion of life and the wildest thing that exists, that change your head and the way you see things, to perceive, to understand, to value the simplest things in life, like making matés by heating a little pot with a small fire on the side of the river at the end of the day. I fish because it also brings back the most beautiful memories of my childhood, walking along a stream with a bamboo rod and being enthusiastic about the smallest thing, learning something new at each outing, even if the day’s catch was just a small mojarrita (a very tiny fish).”

Our hearts to go out to the Novillo Astrada family during this difficult time.

STAND TOGETHER

Club Fundraiser benefits people of Haiti

Above: Horacio Heguy and Wisler Pierre Louis, founder and president of Stand Together for Haiti

GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB in Wellington, Florida, held the 4th annual Polo Charity Fundraiser for Stand Together for Haiti Foundation, a non-profit foundation dedicated to raising awareness and the urgent funding needed to help impoverished children and people of Haiti. The charity’s sole purpose is to create a promising future for children, one free of famine and with access to education. The event was held on May 15.

The match saw Stand Together for Haiti (Tato Bollini, Matias Gonzalez, Nacho Figueras, Kris Kampsen) face Grand Champions (Justin Daniels, Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Horacio Heguy) in a fourchukker exhibition.

Deejay Michael London

In addition to the match, attendees enjoyed a delicious array of authentic Haitian delicacies while listening to music from special guest iHeart Radio deejay Micheal London. The Stand Together for Haiti team took the win, 5-3. After the awards ceremony, guests mingled with the players while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

Aside from ticket sales and donations, funds were raised through a silent auction. An array of silent auction items were offered, including a polo mallet painted by artist Bradley Theodore.

Artist Bradley Theodore paints a mallet to be auctioned off.

BROADCAST PARTNERSHIP

Global Polo Entertainment Joins Horse & Country

HORSE & COUNTRY, the leading international equestrian sports broadcaster, has announced a new partnership with USPA Global Licensing, the official licensor for the United States Polo Association, that will see Horse & Country broadcast eight new programs worldwide in 2021, including in the organization’s domestic market, the USA.

The agreement will see H&C broadcast the new “World of Polo Series” from July to December with each 26-minute episode consisting of top-class polo action from around the world. Fans of polo can gain access to thousands of hours of content such as ‘Inside the Boards’ and ‘Best of the Week’ programs, as well as extensive program archives in ‘The Vault’ shown all for free on Global Polo TV.

Horse & Country is the leading international sports network for the passionate and active equestrian community. Headquartered in London, it is available globally via connected TVs, mobile and web and on leading digital and pay-TV platforms in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden and Australia. Horse & Country’s program line-up includes live coverage from leading sporting competitions in all equestrian disciplines, as well as training and learning shows, documentaries and entertainment.

J. Michael Prince, president and CEO of USPA Global Licensing said, “We are delighted to be partnering with Horse & Country to reach more polo fans globally and attract new audiences in our key markets. This is an outstanding partnership for Global Polo Entertainment as the core markets of H&C perfectly align with our global apparel footprint.

Horse & Country Director of Content Jonathan Rippon added, “We know just how passionate the polo audience is and we’re looking forward to bringing this great series to our viewers worldwide.

USPA Global Licensing also manages the U.S. Polo Assn. brand. It recently served as the official apparel partner of the Gold Cup for the British Open Polo Championship as well as the British Ladies Open Championship, both held at the historic Cowdray Park Polo Club in Britain in July. In collaboration with Brand Machine Group—the U.S. Polo Assn. brand partner in the U.K.—the tournament offered a sweepstakes to win tickets to attend the Gold Cup, as well as official sport-inspired apparel onsite. The sports brand also provided apparel for staff at both events and promoted the events globally.

In addition, U.S. Polo Assn. served as the official apparel and team sponsor for the Outsourcing, Inc. Royal Charity Polo Cup held at Guards Polo Club, July 9. Prince William competed in the annual event, which raised global awareness for and benefited a number of official royal charities supported by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, including Centrepoint, EACH, Family Action, Fields in Trust, Forward Trust, London Air Ambulance, Mountain Rescue & England & Wales and Tusk.

U.S. Polo Assn. created custom-designed performance jerseys for the players, umpires and flaggers as well as special event caps for attendees.

LOCAL LOVE

Match benefits charities in surrounding area

JIM AND LAURA MCDEVITT hosted the annual Hunterdon Polo Classic at their Fieldview Farm in Pittstown, New Jersey, June 12. The family-friendly event helps raise funds for local charities.

The 21st event was canceled last year due to the pandemic so organizers were happy for it to return this year. As a precaution, no general admission tickets were sold this year and tailgate spots were spaced out to ensure social distancing. Guests were required to wear masks in common areas. Tailgate and hat contests were not held, however guests were encouraged to don their best hats and get creative with their tailgates. Bagpipers strolled the field and played during the halftime break.

Overcast skies led to a cool June day for the benefit match. Shari Lyn Vidal made good use of a polo bandage to keep her pup warm.

The event raised funds for the Hunterdon Art Museum, The Toshiko Takaezu Studio Project (art studio), Riding with Heart (Hunterdon equine assisted recreation and therapy), Team Velvet (equine facilitated mental health services for children), Rural Awareness (preserving Franklin Township’s rich history and rural character) and Crossroads4Hope (network of cancer support).

The rain helped turn the field a brilliant green, but ultimately shortened the game to four chukkers.

Members of the nearby Tinicum Park Polo Club competed in the event played under overcast skies. Earlier rain had left the field a bright green carpet, however threatening weather in the area forced the game to be shortened from six to four chukkers. Dennis Santana was named MVP and Juan Vidal’s pretty roan Sonrisa was Best Playing Pony.

“A pony is a childhood dream. A horse is an adulthood treasure.”—Rebecca Carroll