January 2020 had a packed schedule at Costa Careyes Polo Club Mexico on the Costa Alegre. Just finishing its first ever USPA tournament at the end of the year, the Congressional Cup, and then hosting the 9th Annual Giuliana Cup for Ladies and finishing the month with Chinese New Year tournament (Year of the Rat).
9th Annual Giuliana Women’s Cup Winners
The returning Falk family of 2 mothers (Chrissy and Katie) and 2 daughters (Kacy and Syndney), were out to repeat their victory from last year. Angela Colterjohn and Andrina Calder from Toronto Polo, Mackenzie Martin for Portland, Oregon, and Rebecca Foltz from Seattle, Washington, came to take the Giuliana Cup from the family team.
The Falks were mounted on their own horses and played together. The Toronto/USA team were on rental horses and had never played together. One of the players just flew in and met her team as they galloped onto the field – definitely a disadvantage. The facts spoke for themselves as the score was one-sided for both tournament games. Sydney Falk was named MVP for the winning team scoring 8 goals over the 2 days. Calder and Martin were the high scorers for the Toronto team. A special tournament ending party was held on the beach at Playa Rosa. A great tournament and plans for next year are already in the works.
Chinese New Year tournament (Year of the Rat)
Chinese New Year is a special celebration at the Careyes Resort, and this year hosted a one-of-kind party honoring those born in the Year of the Rat. Polo is part of the celebration with four teams coming to play for the victory. Brian Boyd, Kevin Schmeits (a first timer to Careyes), Benito Hernandez and Tomas Elliot were the La Karina team. Mangorace team included Gary Magness, Nico Milan, Marian Fassetta, and Katie Falk. Cabinet Connection included Chris and Will Falk, cousin David Buller, and Raul Ramirez. The Guadalajara team included Memo Jimenez, Manuel Matos, Martin Vidrio and Diego Velarde. A draw to decide who played who was hosted at La Gitana by the La Karina team and Brian Boyd.
First game of the day was Cabinet Connection against Mangorace with good, fast polo and a close game. The score changed several times with Cabinet Connection leading all the way but the last chukker proved their downfall with Milan and Fassetta teaming up to score 3 quick goals. Guadalajara went up against La Karina but was out played by the higher rated team even though they started with a handicap of 1 ½. Not enough as Brian Boyd and Benito Hernandez let the winning La Kainra team with 4 goals for Boyd and 5 goals for Hernandez. Matos lead Guadalajara with 3 goals.
The final days had Mangorace against La Karina. There were no goals in the first chukker, but in the second La Karina scored one and Mangorace scored 2. In the third, only La Karina scored one by Hernandez. Fourth chukker Fassetta put one in for Mangorace but Hernandez, Scmeits and Elliot also scored for La Karina, ending the chukker at 5 to 3. In the fifth and final chukker, Elliot for La Karina had 2 and Fassetta had 1 for the Mangorace foursome but not enough as La Karina was the victor, winning 7 to 5. Guadalajara was the winner in the subsidiary over Cabinet Connection 6 to 5.
The season for Careyes continues until after the 21st Annual Agua Alta USPA Constitutional Cup in April. Please see www.careyes.com for more information.
