44/ OCTOBER 2024 THE RIDER


International Polo Tour Captain Tareq Salahi Plays in Hostage Aid Worldwide “Polo for Freedom Cup”


ing our commitment to sup- porting those affected by un- lawful imprisonment.” The Hostage Aid


team’s victory was marked by outstanding perform- ances, with Trevor ZikNik earning the MVP title for his exceptional contributions on the field. The runner-up, Ho- tels at Sea, led by media commentator David Tafuri, Felipe Garcia, and Baudi Micheletti, displayed formi- dable competition, showcas- ing the high stakes and camaraderie inherent in polo tournaments. International


Polo Polo Team USA


PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. September 17th, 2024- International Polo Tour’s founder and Polo Team USA Captain, Tareq Salahi, led the Hostage Aid team to a thrilling victory at the “Polo for Freedom Cup” held this past weekend in Marshall, VA. The event, dedicated to supporting numerous organ- izations worldwide, featured a poignant matchup between


Hostage Aid and Hotels at Sea.


The Hostage Aid team,


championing the cause of American hostages like team member Nizar Zakka, emerged victorious with a final score of 12-10 over Hotels at Sea. Nizar Zakka, who himself was held cap- tive for nearly five years, joined Salahi and Trevor ZikNik in showcasing ex-


ceptional skill and sports- manship throughout


match. “The ‘Polo for Free-


dom Cup’ not only cele- brates the spirit of polo but also raises awareness for a critical cause,” said Tareq Salahi, reflecting on the sig- nificance of the event. “It was an honor to compete alongside Nizar Zakka and Trevor ZikNik, demonstrat-


the


Tour continues to promote excellence in polo while ad- vocating for humanitarian causes globally. For more in- formation on upcoming events and initiatives, visit http://www.internation- alpolotour.com/ or follow on social media @iptpolotea- musa


About the International Polo Tour: The International Polo


Tour, founded by Captain Tareq Salahi, brings the love of Polo to a wider audience, uniting international cultures in a celebration of both their


International Polo Tour’s founder and Polo Team USA Captain, Tareq Salahi


common bonds and their di- versity. From Snow Polo to Beach Polo to Elephant Polo, IPT provides support worldwide, including Ar- gentina, Australia, Asia, England, South America, Italy, and throughout the United States including the high net worth region of the Capitol Region area of Washington D.C and the North East & Florida mar- kets.


This game is rich with


the world, reaching far be- yond the field. To fully cap- ture the spirit of America and its international chal- lengers, as well as the imag- ination and enthusiasm of their people, this cooperative effort combines government relations, upscale consumer goods, and tourism initia- tives and serves as an eco- nomic development engine for the United States and their international partners. The IPT is thankful for


tradition in markets around all of its incredible sponsors, Sophia Siegel Steals the Show in $30,000 Joan Irvine Smith Grand Prix at Blenheim EquiSports


San Juan Capistrano, CA – September 16, 2024 – Course designer Guilherme Jorge set a challenging track for the $30,000 Joan Irvine Smith Grand Prix at the Blenheim Fall Tournament, but it proved to be no prob- lem for Sophia Siegel. From a field of 33 en-


tries, only five horses quali- fied for the jump-off – and Siegel was in the irons on three of them. Ultimately, the 22-year-old earned the win in the class, held on Sat-


urday, September 14, aboard her own Immer Fortuna. Siegel and the 11-


year-old grey Dutch Warm- blood gelding were the first to return for the short course at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, and they set an uncatchable time to beat of 38.833 seconds. Siegel also took home second place with a time of 43.23 seconds aboard Unchained


2.


Rounding out the top three was Skylar Wireman on Chirolito Z, and Della White


and Gucci finished in fourth. “Fortuna is a bit of a newer horse for me; I’m still learn- ing his little tricks because, you know, a lot of the good horses are a bit quirky!” said Siegel. “He definitely has some odd moments, but he’s fantastic and super fast. He’s one that you can go in and not really have to gallop. You just get right up to the fences, and he’s so quick.” Of the course set in the Or- tega Ebb & Flow Arena, Siegel added, “I thought the


NSA Revokes Sanction of 2024 International Gold Cup Running at Great Meadow, Deems Great Meadow Race Course Unsafe and in Disrepair


Race meet forced to move to another venue


WARRENTON, Va., Sept. 19, 2024—The National Steeplechase Association (NSA), the national govern- ing body for jump racing, has revoked the sanction for the 2024 International Gold Cup to run at Great Meadow and deemed the Great Meadow race course to be “in disrepair and unsafe.”


Both the International Gold Cup (fall race) and the Vir- ginia Gold Cup (spring) are held by the Virginia Gold Cup Association.


for Great Meadow to main- tain the course in top condi- tion and according to NSA standards. Without


The


VGCA rents the course from Great Meadow for $300K annually. The contract be- tween VGCA and Great Meadow specifically calls


sanction, the races cannot continue at Great Meadow. “The safety of the horses and jockeys is our top prior- ity for the Virginia Gold Cup Association as a race meet, and it is also the most im- portant responsibility and focus of the NSA,” said Al Griffin, co-chairman of the Virginia Gold Cup Associa- tion. “The NSA has been monitoring the conditions of Great Meadow for years now and the board of the NSA took action that is in keeping with the mandate to


the NSA


provide safe racing condi- tions for their constituents.” Griffin is also president of the NSA but recused himself during NSA board delibera- tions to avoid any conflict. The


International


Gold Cup was scheduled to run at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia on Saturday, Oct. 26. It will now move to nearby Glenwood Park in Middleburg, Virginia. Those who have purchased tickets will have spaces and tickets honored at the new venue and will receive information shortly from the Interna- tional Gold Cup ticket of- fice.


For more information visit vagoldcup.com.


footing was great. It rode super well. I like to be able to think a little and figure things out in my head when I’m going around, and it was a nice combination of quick turns and open spaces to open and shorten your stride. I thought it was challenging and very clever.” With


Saturday


evening’s featured win under her belt, Siegel has her sights ultimately set on developing Immer Fortuna as her FEI speed horse. “[I want to] just keep


getting to know him and keep putting him in some of those bigger classes and see what we can do!” concluded Siegel.


For the victory in


the $30,000 Joan Irvine Smith Grand Prix, Siegel was presented with a Pacific Saddlery custom show coat gift certificate and the South Pacific Perpetual Trophy. The trophy honors won of the USA’s most prolific show jumping sires, South Pacific. In 1984, Joan Irvine Smith’s South Pacific was the champion stallion of the North American Holsteiner breeding program. In 1994, he won the $20,000 ESSO Grand Prix at Spruce Mead- ows and placed in 16 other national and international jumping competitions. His offspring have won and con- sistently placed in all levels of jumper and hunter compe- tition.


The trophy is the per-


fect fit for the annual Joan Irvine Smith Grand Prix, as the evening honors the


founder of the Oaks, now the Rancho Mission Viejo Rid- ing Park. Smith put her dream into reality by build- ing the Riding Park, com- manding excellence in design, construction and en- vironmental preservation. Many members of Smith’s family were on hand on Sat- urday evening for the pres- entation of the trophy in her honor.


Also earning a major


jumper win earlier in the week were Simon Schroeder and Charlie Red Wine CS, owned by Morris Sim- chowitz. Schroeder and the 9-year-old Oldenburg geld- ing topped a field of 36 en- tries to win the $15,000 1.40m Markel Open Jumper Speed Stake. The class marked the


Sophia Siegel and Immer Fortuna. Photo by McCool Photography val.


second-to-last event in the 2024 Markel Open Jumper Series, with the finale to be held on Wednesday, Septem- ber 18, during the Blenheim International Jumping Festi-


To learn more about all


competition at Blenheim Eq- uiSports, visit ThePlaceTo- Jump.com.


including ESPN 630, Hotels at Sea® Luxury Cruises, Hotels at Sea® Polo Team, Resorts at Sea®, Valdez Management, Scenic Lux- ury Cruises & Tours, Stella Artois, Nutrl Vodka, Oui Producciones, Twilight Polo Club®, Equine Sports Mar- keting, Oasis Winery®, and Salty Bottom Blue Oysters! For Sponsorship infor-


mation, please contact amaz- zone@transmediagroup.com 561-908-1683


Simon Schroeder and Charlie Red Win CS. Photo by McCool Photography


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