Coaching in abundance for US Open Women’s Polo Champions Buena Vibra
Advice was in abundance for Buena Vibra as they defended their US Open Women’s Polo Championship in the Sunday feature game at the National Polo Center [NPC] with a 12-9 defeat of La Fe Eastern Hay. Some five or six unofficial coaches were involved in the victory that saw Buena Vibra come back from a half-time deficit, to take a second half lead, unrelinquished at the final whistle.
“We changed the plan a little bit,” said Agustin ‘Tincho’ Merlos, of the team’s turnaround in the second half. The former 10-goal player was joined in the coaching zone by among others, high-goal player Mariano Gonzalez, former England player and longstanding professional Andrew Hine – whose daughter and 9-goal player Milly was playing back – and Milo Fernandez-Araujo, by phone from Argentina, whose daughter Candelaria ‘Cande’, also nine goals, led the second half offensive for Buena Vibra to earn the Most Valuable Player award.
“We changed according to the opposition,” Tincho said after Buena Vibra found themselves trailing by 7-5 at half-time due to an onslaught of field goals by La Fe’s 10-goal superstar, Hope Arellano. “We swapped the positions and put the pressure somewhere else. They adjusted very, very well and they have a good system and they believe in each other and they play great. We knew once they could find their game – it was going to be like this.”
Buena Vibra’s line-up also included sisters Valentina and Guiliana Tarazona, aged 15 and 14 – giving the team an average age of just 18 years. Valentina won the tournament last year so having her sister alongside her this time made the victory special. “This is what we’ve been preparing for, for a year and with Giugiu, my sister, it’s amazing,” she said. “Hope is one of the most difficult players to ever play against and it is one of toughest teams – not easy at all.”
Andrew flew in the day before the final from England to join the Buena Vibra entourage, which included his sons, Ned and Louis Hine, who coached the team in the build up to the finals. Much of the team’s overall success was built on the support of the Wellington polo community in providing horses and encouragement.
“A lot of people were really kind, really helpful,” said Andrew. “It’s a very popular team. It’s a lovely family team. Everybody wants to help them. ”
Buena Vibra (22) -12
- Guiliana Tarazona (2)
- Valentina Tarazona (2)
- Candelaria ‘Cande’ Fernandez-Araujo (9)
- Milly Hine (9)
La Fe Eastern Hay (22) – 9
- Naomi Tachibana Marlough (2)
- Pamela Flanagan Devaleiz (4)
- Hope Arellano (10)
- Fatima Balzano (6)
Best Playing Pony: Machitos Filipa aka ‘Drone’ played by Cande Fernandez-Araujo, owned by Postage Stamp Farm.
Most Valuable Player: Cande Fernandez-Araujo.
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