Source:   News Release/Sharon Robb

Grand Champions Sponsors Santa Rita Open PTF Season-Ender Friday At IPC

 WELLINGTON, FL-- The Polo Training Foundation, which has played a major role in the development of junior and youth polo players, will host the season-ending Santa Rita Open on Friday at 4 p.m. at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

The Santa Rita Open, for youth players ages 16-21, is sponsored by Wellington-based Grand Champions Polo Club.

The event is named after Melissa Ganzi's Ocala-based farm Santa Rita which was named after her grandmother, who passed away on Dec. 29, 2012. The Ganzis rest, breed and train polo ponies at the farm.

Melissa Ganzi, recently-elected secretary-treasurer of the Polo Training Foundation, has been a selfless supporter of junior and youth polo for years and been involved with the PTF orchestrating the growth and success of the juniors and youth programs across the nation.

"I can't say enough good things about Melissa Ganzi," said PTF executive director Danny Scheraga. "She has been on the Board of Directors and now she is an officer. What she is doing with the Polo School at Grand Champions has been wonderful. She is there financially and she is on our committee for fundraising. She has great ideas for the growth of polo."

Grand Champions sponsors several tournaments each year including Friday's event which will feature twelve players on three teams.

The White Team is Enrique Barco, Wesley Bryan, Liam Lott and Lorenzo Merlotti.

The Red Team is Trevor Niznik, Matias Gonzalez, Chase Schwartz and Ayaan Quraeshi.

The Blue Team is Juancito Bollini, Anthony Devrient, Clemente Devrient and Grant Ganzi, son of Marc and Melissa Ganzi.

Bryan, Merlotti, Gonzalez and Bollini have all competed in either 20- or 26-goal polo this season replacing team padrons.

Scheraga has focused on promoting training programs offered by the PTF which celebrated its 45th anniversary last year. The PTF has played an integral role in the growth of polo at all levels of ability.

"What's happened in the last three or four years is our organizational structure has gotten better about the tournaments," Scheraga said. "The fact there is lower goal polo (4-6 goals) in Florida has also helped the development of these players.

"We have concentrated on improving the tournaments and now the upper level kids have places to play," Scheraga said. "We are real excited about starting the youth tournaments for 16 to 21 year olds. Before they had nowhere to play at all. The top kids skill level is phenomenal.

"Next year we are going to start going back to the coaching leagues for our lead line through lower level intermediate kids and have practice on Saturday mornings."

Scheraga praised Jennifer McLeavy, who runs the Wellington-based  Junior Polo and Youth programs and organizes the monthly PTF tournaments during the season.

The PTF Polo Party is also scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. at The Mallet Grille. The PTF will make its Florida Junior and Youth Program Awards presentations.

The PTF is introducing new yearly awards, highlighting Sportsmanship and Most Improved Players of the season for both the Florida Junior Polo Program and Florida Youth Player Program. The party will feature dinner, dancing and open bar. Tickets are still available. For ticket information contact floridajrpolo@yahoo.com.

GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB

WHERE: On the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington.

INFORMATION: There are great field side views for tournament action at the home base of pro teams Audi and Piaget and Polo School at Grand Champions. Everyone is welcome to watch polo in a relaxed atmosphere during the spring and fall tournament seasons and other special events including the International Cup in November, Buzz Welker Memorial Junior Tournament in March, Women's Championship Tournament and Gay Polo League International Tournament, both in April.

Barnmice News story brought to you by:

Bucas:  We pride ourselves in creating a collection of technical horse rugs and blankets to ensure that your horse is suitably dressed no matter what the weather.