Less than a month ago, a public park in downtown Aspen was transformed into a snow polo field for a two-day international tournament. The unusual event could become more routine. Aspen Public Radio’s Carolyn Sackariason was there and has this report on how polo is gaining momentum in the Roaring Fork Valley.
I’m in the VIP tent at Rio Grande Park where the annual snow polo tournament is in its second year at this venue. I’m flanked by beautiful people on all sides — dressed to the nines, drinking high-end liquor, feasting on finger sandwiches and dancing to a DJ. The royal family’s polo trainer is in here. So is Mariah Carey.
Yes, it is a rich man’s sport. That’s why brands like the St. Regis Hotel, Piaget and Audi sponsor this annual event. Carlitos Gracida is one of the best amatuer polo players in the world. He explains that the resort is a natural venue for the sport.
“Aspen is an elitist town,” he says.
Even so, the city of Aspen and the Aspen Skiing Co. recognize the kind of exposure this event is getting around the world so they continue to partner with Marc and Melissa Ganzi, the event’s organizers. The couple has been making adjustments for a few years now, including moving the tournament from Wagner Park to the Rio Grande.
“Now it’s become a fixture and I think people realize it’s good. It’s putting people in hotels, it’s putting people in restaurants and shops and look at today — this is the biggest, I mean there has to be over a thousand people here,” Marc Ganzi said on the final day of play, Dec. 19.
“We are really thankful that the community is starting to embrace polo,” Melissa Ganzi added.
The Ganzis, along with their teenage son Grant, competed in the tournament.
Once the winter event is over, the Ganzis shift their focus to making the sport more accessible locally. They formed the Aspen Valley Polo Club and operate out of the stables next to Catherine’s Store near Carbondale. They have two arenas and a polo field there, and kids lessons began last summer. Every Wednesday and Sunday, polo games are being played by visiting pros.
“And the games are open to the public, it’s free. We have a great Argentine bakery that comes and gives free food to everybody and so drinks and food. It’s just for the community to come out and enjoy horses and enjoy the game,” Marc Ganzi said.
“And hopefully learn about polo and love it as much as we do,” Melissa Ganzi added.
January is the beginning of the professional polo season. When the Ganzis are done competing in a few months, they’ll bring their ponies from Palm Beach to Carbondale, where play will resume this summer.