POLO SCENE
FUN IN FRANCE GPL event held in St. Tropez
IN
MID-SEPTEMBER, members of the Gay Polo League traveled to St. Tropez, France, to participate in the first GPL tournament hosted by the St. Tropez Polo Club, Sept. 17-19. The tournament included players from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Spain and the U.S. The event was organized by Argentine pro Mariano Darritchon and club manager Julio Zavaleta. Four teams competed in the event, each anchored by a professional player, and all donning U.S. Polo Assn. jerseys. Teams included Cherry Knoll Farm (Scott Hartzel, Gus Larrosa, Chip McKenney, Darritchon), Gordon W. Ross ReMax Real Estate (Rafik Boughadou, Rachel Spencer, Gordon Ross, Tomas Joaquim), Passport Magazine (Peter Secor, Saïd Ait-Ouaraz, Alexandre Rata, Julio Zavaleta), Alpilles Polo Club (Eva Marquard, David Bouclier, Aurelian Crochon, William Prestise). After a day of stick-and-ball practice, a draw was held along with an Argentine dinner and dance party with one of St. Tropez’s top DJs. The games began the following day where Cherry Knoll advanced to the final over Passport, while Alpilles Polo Club advanced over Ross ReMax. In the final, Cherry Knoll edged Alpilles, 5-4. Cherry Knoll gained the early lead, but Alpilles tied it up 4-4. With just 30 seconds left, Larrosa scored a penalty to clinch the Cherry Knoll victory. In the consolation, Secor led Passport to a 3-1 victory over Ross ReMax. After the matches, players gathered for the trophy ceremony. Dr. Eva Marquard took MVP honors. GPL President Chip McKenny said, “I want to express our collective gratitude to Mariano and Julio for creating such an exceptional experience for GPL and our players and guests. Everything about Polo Club St. Tropez was top notch; the polo club, the ponies, the pros, the parties, the endless wine, the energy, and most of all, the hospitality extended to our group.” Later, the club hosted an Argentine asado that lasted well into the evening. —Rebecca Baldridge
Four teams competed in the GPL event.
Cherry Knoll’s Gus Larrosa races to catch ReMax’s Rafik Boughadou.
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 21
