April 23 through April 25 saw the World Polo League return to South Beach for the 2021 World Polo League Beach Polo, Miami Beach, which took place on the sands of South Beach between 21st & 22nd Street in front of the W South Beach and The Setai Miami Beach. The competition brings together world class players from around the globe, including some of the biggest stars in polo, take to the sands. The event marked one of the first major public events in Miami Beach to take place since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 3-day tournament featured world-renowned polo players including Nic Roldan and Nacho Figueras. Team Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, consisting of Nacho Figueras, Melissa Ganzi, and Alejandro Novillo Astrada, took home the 1st place trophy.
Cuba Gooding Jr & Claudine De Niro, Sophia Culpo, Orianne Collins, Alan Faena, Jackie Guerrido, Kobi Karp, Michael Góngora, Demetri Demascus, Delfina Blaquier, Mark Samuelian, Sissy DeMaria and Jeremy Shockey were among the fashionably dressed spectators.
Local real estate development, The Villa Collection at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach, led by GFI Development Company, ponied up for a good cause sponsoring the event and Give Back for Special Equestrians, a Miami based nonprofit that provides therapeutic horseback riding scholarships for disabled children and veterans throughout Florida. The Villa Collection’s team consisted of players Marc Ganzi (USA), Horacio Heguy (ARG), and Nic Roldan (USA), which placed fifth place overall in the tournament after winning against team Italkraft on Sunday afternoon.
“It gives us great pleasure to welcome back World Polo League Beach Polo, Miami Beach and the sport of kings to Miami Beach. The city enjoys a rich storied past dating back to the 1930’s when Carl Fisher played with other Miami Beach residents like Harvey Firestone and Alfred duPont on the grounds of the Nautilus Hotel just steps from the new villas,” said Andy Ashwal, Vice President of GFI Development Company. “We are pleased to continue the tradition and incorporate our corporate philanthropic culture by helping some very special equestrians in the process.”
Nic Roldan & Hannah Selleck