PTJan/Feb 2010 p38-41 Breeding YC PJ MB 21/1/10 18:38 Page 4
Feature Breeding
Califa: intense,
calm, explosive
CALIFA (BELOW), WHOSE three clones
are due to be born in April in Texas, was
bred by Mariano Aguerre’s father-in-law,
former 10-goaler Gonzalo Pieres.
The gelding is out of Luna, a famous
polo mare bred by Hector Barrantes
whose bloodlines are much in evidence
across high-goal. Aguerre bought Califa
when he was five, and he became one
of his best horses. Califa, who has
played in all the top tournaments in the
US and Argentina, is now owned by
White Birch, the polo organisation of
patron Peter Brant, and kept and played
by Aguerre.
In 2009, the horse played both the US
and Argentine Opens as one of
Aguerre’s top string, though he doesn’t
shuttle between countries every year.
This, in addition to a best playing pony
award in the semi-finals of 2009 USPA
Reporters interview Mariano Aguerre after the Argentine Open. Aguerre has 600 horses in all. He breeds 100 horses a Piaget Gold Cup, earned him the title
year, and 90 per cent of those born in 2010 will have been bred by embryo transfer. Below right: the gelding Califa horse of the year from the American
Polo Horse Association (APHA). He was
also named horse of the year in 2005, by
X Entertainingly now, Aguerre once said in an married to Tatiana Pieres; the couple have
influential US magazine Polo Players’
interview with US magazine Polo Players’ Edition three children under eight, who are growing up Edition (an award voted on by high-goal
that Califa was “one of a kind”. enjoying the polo lifestyle – and are able to
players), after partnering Aguerre to
three high-goal victories in the US.
About 30 per cent of the Los Machitos horses celebrate whether regular rivals La Dolfina or
In 2005 Aguerre told PPE: “Califa is
are currently playing, at various levels. “The 20 Ellerstina win the Open). handy when he needs to be, fast when
most solid ones played the Argentine Open, and “Gonzalo taught me to preserve the lines of
he needs to be and gives me time when
another 44 are in the learning stages,” says the best dams and try to repatriate the best blood
I need it. He proved to have unbelievable
stamina. He is very powerful and brings
Aguerre. As well as supplying various local so that Argentina wouldn’t lose its potential as a
the best out in me. He is one of a kind.”
Sunny Hale, president of the APHA,
“Gonzalo [Pieres] taught me to repatriate the best blood
told Polo Times: “Over the years I’ve
watched Califa and played against him;
so Argentina would keep its potential for polo breeding”
he’s phenomenally calm but extremely
intense; explosive but quiet. He always
players, Aguerre exports 15 to 20 ponies a year, polo pony breeding country,” says Aguerre.
steps up to the plate and gives
everything he’s got. He also goes in a
and last November he organised the third auction It is because of this raft of breeders that
light-mouthed bridle. Califa is a truly
of the Machitos stud. Argentina has been able to consolidate as a polo
unique and special horse.”
Breeding is clearly a passion for Aguerre. “It is pony producer par excellence.
something that enables you to dream for the “The Polo Argentino breed has evolved more
future, since nowadays, with embryo transplants, than any other animal breed in the last 10 years,”
you can get up to six foals a year from one dam,” declares Aguerre. “This has to do with the fact
he points out. that polo is such a growing sport.” Aside from the
About half of his overall stock is bred increasing global passion for polo, Aguerre also
conventionally and half by embryo transfer. But emphasises the role of organisations such as the
as time passes, embryo breeding is gaining Argentine Association of Polo Pony Breeders
ground. “Of the 100 foals that will be born for Los (AACCB), which champions and registers the Polo
Machitos in 2010,” says Aguerre, “close to 90 per Argentino breed.
.com
cent will be bred by embryo transfer.” In spite of his many accomplishments –
Aguerre recognises that many people have including being crowned best rider of the
in some way influenced his career as a breeder. Argentine Open three times – Aguerre says he
“Certainly Héctor Barrantes was a huge still has goals to reach on both professional and
influence. I admire him as a breeder and my personal levels. “I’d like to achieve a renowned
operations are based on his principles. He was name for the Los Machitos stud within the Polo
Mullan and americanpolohorse
a visionary in this field and with respect to Argentino breed, backed up with awards.”
James
building a strong string,” says Aguerre. Modestly, he also stresses he has made wrong
“Barrantes’ blood is the basis of the Polo turns – and learnt from them. “Regrets? I have
Argentino breed.” thousands, like anyone else,” he insists. “But it is
y Cristina Kroll,
Also playing a key part has been former 10- all part of the learning process to become a
r
aphs b
goaler and respected breeder Gonzalo Pieres, better breeder.” F
Photog who is also Aguerre’s father-in-law (Aguerre is ◗ See also our news story on page 6
40 January/February 2010 www.polotimes.co.uk
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