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Aiken's Star Polo Players Take Field For Lexus Trophy
Triple Crown of Polo Championship Series underway Sunday, September 9
Aiken, SC - Three of Aiken’s finest resident polo players, America’s Adam Snow, Owen Rinehart and New Bridge Polo and Country Club co-founder Matias Magrini take the field in the finals of the Lexus Trophy as a prelude to the Triple Crown of Polo on Sunday September 9th at 5.00 pm (Gates Open at 4.00pm)
Both Rinehart and Snow have previously carried a 10-goal rating – the highest and best handicap awarded in polo. This year Magrini was raised to 10 goals for the first time after an incredible winter season in Florida.
Maureen Brennan, sponsor of the Goose Creek team, is one of two women players competing in the Triple Crown of Polo. Brennan is a former amateur show jumper. After considerable success in this field – in her last year she was the only amateur in the ribbons at the Hampton Classic World Cup Qualifier – she discovered polo and was hooked on the sport. "I realized that polo was a whole lot more up my alley,” she said.
Atlanta businessman, Russ McCall co-founded the New Bridge Polo and Country Club with Magrini in 2000 and is playing this afternoon against Brennan’s Goose Creek team. The two amateur players grew up playing alongside each other as children in Long Island. Last year they met again on the polo field in the finals of the USPA Gold Cup when New Bridge won in overtime.
"Last year in Aiken was the first time I’d played in front of a crowd of thousands," said Brennan. "Not that I was focused on that but it was hard to miss it and I think they [the crowd] were behind us especially as we were coming back strong in the 5th chukker– since the underdog tends to get the sentiment.
"It was my first time at high goal polo and having the opportunity to play that tournament and be in the game was unforgettable. Still today I get people coming up to me and saying they saw me on TV, even people who don’t know about polo. All agree that it was a great presentation and a great game to watch. I hope this year we can be in the finals and win."
The Triple Crown of Polo action continues at New Bridge next Sunday at 5pm (Gates Open at 4pm) when Tres Hijas takes on Brigadoon. The finals follow on Saturday September 22 at 3pm (Gates Open at 2pm) and they will be televised in a two-hour special show from Aiken airing on ESPN 2 on Sunday October 7 at 3pm.
PRESS CONFERENCE
All media are invited to attend a press conference at 3.30pm in the Media Cabana, fieldside at the New Bridge field Sunday September 9. All media can ask security to direct them to the media cabana where they may sign in and receive media credentials for the tournament.
Press Conference speakers:
Elliott Levy, Director of Aiken County Historical Museum.
Christine Cato, sponsor of the Brigadoon polo team
Jeff Hall, American 8-goal player and member of the Brigadoon polo team
David McLane, President of the Triple Crown of Polo
Lexus Trophy
Prelude tournament of the Triple Crown of Polo Championship Series
Sunday September 9, New Bridge Polo and Country Club
Gates Open 4pm Game Time 5pm
Goose Creek hcp vs New Bridge hcp
Maureen Brennan 0 USA Russ McCall 0 USA
Martin Zegers 6 Chile Nick Roldan 8 USA
Adam Snow 9 USA Matias Magrini 10 Arg
Owen Rinehart 7 USA Martin Valent 4 Arg
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About Triple Crown of Polo
The Triple Crown of Polo (TCP) is the first multi-market tournament series in the sport’s history and provides sponsors a unique opportunity to reach the loyal fans of world-class polo competitions. ESPN has an exclusive agreement for coverage of the TCP across multiple ESPN outlets, including domestic and international television rights. TCP national sponsors for 2007 are Lexus and Tiffany & Co. LeRoy Neiman, the most popular living artist in the United States, is the Official Artist of the Triple Crown of Polo. For more information, visit www.triplecrownofpolo.com.
Triple Crown of Polo
CALENDAR
September 9 - First Sunday feature game at 4:00 PM (New Bridge Polo and Country Club) for the Lexus Trophy – all Lexus drivers and passengers have free entry to the game
September 16 - Second Sunday feature game at 4:00 PM (New Bridge Polo and Country Club)
September 22 – ESPN Championship Saturday for the Triple Crown of Polo Championship 3:00 PM (New Bridge Polo and Country Club)
For more information and to purchase tickets call or visit the Aiken Downtown Development Association on 803 649 2221, 208 The Alley, Aiken or visit www.triplecrownofpolo.com
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