Oak Brook Polo Club’s Team Ferrari Defeats Team Maserati in “Horses & Horsepower” Polo Match

It was a “fast and furious” afternoon as Oak Brook Polo Club’sTeam Ferrari defeated Team Maserati 16-12 in the “Horses and Horsepower” match on Sunday July 9^th at Prince of Wales Field.

In partnership with the Ferrari Club of America and Continental AutoSports Ferrari and Maserati, the 12-goal polo match attracted a record-setting crowd of more than 800 people who came out to flaunt theirItalian and Ferrari pride while participating in the festivities. The pre-match parade featured anthem singer Scott Ramsay, followed by 20+ new and classic Ferraris and finally each team.

Oak Brook Polo Club’s Team Ferrari wascaptained by Chicago business leader Jim Drury and included Horacio Onetto (hcap 4), Tomas “Toto” Obregon (hcap 4), Mariano Gutierrez (hcap 4) while Team Maserati was comprised of  Matias Obregon (hcap 4),  DelWalton (hcap 3), Chris Vangel (hcap 2) and Samantha Falbe (hcap 0). The two officiating umpires were Joe Blanco and Todd Rackley.

Team Maserati began the match with three goals on handicap. Team Ferrari didn’t waste any time in making up the spread and then some, by quickly scoring four goals in the first chukker-two from Onetto, andone from Gutierrez, and T. Obregon.  For the second chukker, Maserati’s Walton came out onto the field with a particularly fast horse and quickly scored two goals from the field, while M. Obregon put one through on a penalty three, 40 yards out. Falbe madea few break away plays to the roars of fans in the stands and she and teammate Vangel were well positioned for passes being fed by M. Obregon and Walton. At half time, the score was even 8-8.

During the traditional half time divot stomp, the wooden horse, “Flicka” was brought out onto the field for guests to try their own swing at a polo ball. Club guests were also treated to a complimentary glass of champagne as they walked and socialized on the field.

The second half of the match got underway with four immediate goals from the Ferrari team. Gutierrez had a ‘play of the match’ scenario as he neck-shot the ball from the far-right corner of the field towards the goal only to chase it down, overshoot the goal mouth, and then cut it back between the posts to score. Onetto scored a goal on a penalty four that he lifted way over the Maserati defense, and T. Obregon put two more in to end the 4^th chukkerat 12-9 in Ferrari’s favor. Drury was always well positioned to pick up passes from his teammates and had a few good ride-offs in defense. 

In the final 6^th chukker, Onetto scored one last goal for Ferrari, but Team Maserati dominated this time. Vangel scored, followed by Walton who came out with another turbo powered horse to scoretwice. Ferrari held their lead and won the match 16-12.  The “Best Playing Pony” was awarded to Lili (owned by Onetto), and MVP honors went to Falbe.

The Oak Brook Polo team’s home schedule features seven polo matches and includes an “International Polo Series.”  The team will also be competing in several 8-12 goal competitions and tournaments outside ofOak Brook including matches at Arranmore Farm & Polo Club (Oswego), Morgan Creek (Yorkville), Due West (Chicago), Font Farm (Plano) and other Chicagoland area polo clubs and fields.

2017 marks Oak Brook Polo Club's 95th season as one of the nation's oldest polo clubs in operation today and fourth oldest sports property in Chicago. Once considered the “polo capital” of the world Oak Brookwas the destination for American Polo players and enthusiasts.  

Oak Brook Polo Club is located at 2606 York Road), seventeen miles from Chicago’s Loop.  A variety of ticket options are available atwww.oakbrookpoloclub.com. For general information, event scheduling, and parking directions, please call 630.368.5095. 

About Oak Brook Polo Club

Founded in 1922 by legendary businessman, Paul Butler, the Oak Brook Polo Club is an American Polo treasure and one of the oldest polo clubs in the United States. It was once the sport's epicenter for eliteprofessional polo in the United States and served as home to the U.S. Open Polo Championship for twenty-four straight seasons and other prestigious international and national polo tournaments. For decades, the Club has been a popular Sunday tradition and socialscene known for entertaining Hollywood celebrities, dignitaries, royalty and Chicago's distinguished. Today, Oak Brook Polo Club hosts several Sunday matches and continues to attract thousands of fascinated spectators who marvel at the athleticism and majestyof this timeless sport.