Bendabout Farm will continue its long-standing tradition of hosting polo matches in September.
This year will be an international competition between the USA and Argentina. The matches will feature local, national and international players from both the professional and amateur ranks. These 18 Goal Polo matches are the highest rated in the southeast during this time.
The USA Team is made up of four talented players. Gillian Johnston is a local favorite and the highest rated woman player/sponsor in high goal polo. Owen Rinehart, Julio Arellano and Wes Finlayson will join Johnston on Team USA. Rinehartis a former 10 goaler and Hall of Fame inductee. Julio Arellano plays on the Coca-Cola team with Johnston and is the highest rated American player. Wes Finlayson is the youngest member of the team, but he is strong leader for the next generation of professional polo players.
The Argentine Team will be led by former 10 goaler Miguel Novillo Astrada. Astrada captained the Coca-Cola Polo Team’s 2002 winning U.S. Open Team. He is one of the world’s outstanding players, winning both the U.S. and Argentine Open Tournaments, as well as many of the Polo world’s other most prestigious events. Lucas Arellano, Hector Galindo and Omar Cepedawill also compete for the Argentine Team.
Players from both teams have played worldwide with great success and will offer people in this area an opportunity to view polo competition at its very best. They will be playing their best ponies that are as competitive as their riders. It is the unique combination of athleticism and artistry in the horse and rider that makes polo a sport that continues to excite and impress observers of all ages.
Feature match play on Sunday the 17th benefits the 6thCavalry Museum in Fort Oglethorpe. Polo matches between Bendabout Farm and the 6th Cavalry at Fort Oglethorpe date back to the 1930s. While admission and parking are free to those attending the match, representatives of the museum will be on hand on the 17thto answer questions and accept voluntary contributions.
The Saturday matches are at 10 a.m. and the Sunday matches are at 2 p.m. The games are played weather permitting. Gates open to the public two hours before start time. There is plenty of free parking and seating or bring folding chairs.
Bendabout Farm is located just south of Cleveland on U.S. Highway 11. Look for the “Polo Today” signs. The address is 3553 South Lee Highway. For additional information, visit the Bendabout Farm website at www.bendabout.com or call 423 476-6602.
For additional information, contact Amy Moore 423 664-2114 (office) or 423 716-8472 (mobile).