46 SIDELINES JUNE 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
2
e
Polo
Zacara Wins
Nespresso
U.S. Open
Championship
U
tilizing an unconventional but brilliant line up,
Zacara won the 2012 Nespresso U.S. Open
Championship at the International Polo Club in
Wellington, defeating Lechuza Caracas 10-8. Rain soaked
the feld prior to the game, but the highly anticipated game
and the festivities continued, thanks to three low fying
helicopters brought in to dry the feld.
Lyndon Lea, the Patron and lowest rated player of
the team, was placed at the #2 position to defend the
opposition’s most talented veteran #3 player. Typically,
patrons are placed at either #1 or back at #4; but this
change enabled Zacara to lead the entire game. Lea’s
aggressive defense allowed Mike Azzaro to come up from
his defensive position of #4 at the appropriate times to
score four superb goals.
The teams were close through the frst half, Zacara up,
5-4, on two goals by Azzaro late in the third chukker. Juan
Martin Nero tied the game at 5 all early in the fourth; but
Zacara came storming back in that chukker with 3 goals
by Facundo Pieres, Magoo LaPrida and Azzaro to take an
8-5 lead.
Zacara’s win was sealed on goals by LaPrida and Lea in
the sixth chukker. Lea snuck through the pack for a brilliant
goal. Lechuza did their best to get back into the game,
thanks to Azzaro clearing a ball that hit the Zacara goal
post with help from Pieres; but Zacara took total control as
the clock ran out of time on a besieged Lechuza Caracas
quartet. Azzaro was MVP and Lelani was Best Playing
Pony for Pieres, played in the 2nd and 6th chukker.
All photos by Alan Fabricant (www.alfabphoto.com)
1 Team Zacara holds the US Open Championship
Cup
2 Helicopters were brought in to help dry the rain
soaked felds
3 Magoo LaPrida celebrates after his shot goes in
for a score
4 Laura Kaeppeler, Miss America 2012
5 Sapo Caset moves ahead of the feld on his way
downfeld
6 MVP, Mike Azzaro goes in for a shot on goal
7 Jeffrey Donovan, star of “Burn Notice,” with
Michelle Woods
8 Magoo LaPrida and Facundo Obregon battle for
control of the ball
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