Polo United, founded by Ciro Desenzani and Michel Dorignac, has quickly established itself as a new force in American polo. The organization has successfully built a presence in key polo destinations like Wellington and Greenwich in just one year since its inception. Now, they find themselves in Argentina, the heart of the polo world, for an intensive month of high-level competition during the prime polo season.
What sets Polo United apart is not only its focus on delivering professional coaching and organizational support but also its ability to inspire patrons like Alex Meshechok, who joined to take lessons and, driven by his passion, went on to form his team, York RE Capital. This team now operates under the broader Polo United banner, highlighting the organization’s collaborative approach and dedication to growth.
In their first tournament in Argentina, Polo United won the La Estrella Polo Challenge, hosted by Alfredo and Facundo Goti at their club in Buenos Aires.
Their time in Argentina serves a dual purpose: competing in tournaments with their teams, Polo United and York RE Capital, and sourcing top-tier horses for the upcoming U.S. winter season. They plan to field two teams in Wellington, competing across 6, 8, and 12-goal tournaments.
-Ciro, you’re in Argentina, which isn’t something that happens often. With Polo United in mind, how’s your season going?
"It’s going great, thank you. We’re here, although unfortunately only for a short time. We’re spending just one month for the Palermo season. This year, we’re here with Alex and York RE Capital. We’re based at La Estrella and started with a fun 10-goal tournament.
We’ll stay until December 7 for the Palermo finals, then spend a few more days here before heading back to the United States, where we continue with Alex and other clients who play with us. This month is crucial for us because we’re also scouting for good horses to take to the U.S. Finding horses here helps elevate our level there, so this trip always has a dual purpose.
Coming to Argentina feels like a breath of fresh air. After many months in the U.S., there’s simply nothing like Argentina: barbecues, stables, mate, friends... it’s priceless."
-What does it mean for you to bring your Polo United clients to Argentina?
"It’s something really special. I love seeing the people who join us, whether with me or Michel Dorignac, experience what polo in Argentina is all about. Here, at Pilar and Ellerstina, you have fields side by side, games in the morning and the afternoon, with levels of 20 or 30 goals... it’s amazing.
This allows our clients to understand what polo can be. In the U.S., you’re often moving between fields far apart, which makes it hard to get the full perspective. The level in Argentina also pushes them to play higher-caliber tournaments and practice games. Being able to interact with top professionals changes everything.
Here, you can play with professionals with handicaps of 6, 7, or higher. For many, it’s like discovering a different sport. Watching the best players in action motivates you to push harder. Being here inspires everyone to improve for our games in the U.S."
-Speaking of Polo United, how did this project come about?
"Polo United started a year ago with Michel Dorignac in the U.S., specifically in Wellington. I had my group of patrons, and Michel had his, so we decided to join forces to serve them better. We focus on acquiring good horses and providing more professional coaching.
We want patrons to not only play matches but also take the time to train: hitting the ball, practicing penalties, and improving their riding. Often, we see people go straight into matches without doing the necessary prep work. Our goal is to help them get organized and give them the tools to enjoy and grow in polo.
The key is teaching them not to run before they can walk. We help them learn to recognize a good horse, plan their time better, and use the days before a match for riding, practicing penalties, or stick-and-ball sessions. We also create teams at different levels—6, 8, and 12 goals—to fit each client’s needs."
-Are all your clients as passionate as Alex?
"Alex is a machine, an incredible enthusiast. He started with us in Palm Beach, then followed us to Greenwich, where Mariano Aguirre and Nick Manifold welcomed us with open arms. After that, we went together to Morocco, to La Palmeraie, an amazing club where we won the tournament.
Now he’s here in Argentina. He said he’d come for 10 days, and now he’s been here for 20. Alex has incredible energy and doesn’t stop. He’s a client, friend, and teammate whose passion for polo inspires everyone around him."
-What makes Argentina so special?
"It’s the best country in the world to play polo, no doubt. You have everything here: top-level competition, world-class horses, a unique atmosphere, and, of course, the warmth of the people.
When you arrive, everything feels different: barbecues, mate, lively stables, friends... it’s priceless. The matches in Argentina are a spectacle in themselves. In places like Pilar and Ellerstina, you can see 20 or 30-goal games in one day. That’s something you don’t experience in many other places in the world."
-What’s the goal for this trip?
"We’re here to play, enjoy, and scout for horses. Finding good horses in Argentina is key to the level we want in the U.S. We also want our clients to experience this. Seeing polo in Argentina changes their perspective. For many, playing with professionals and facing a higher level is a challenge, but it’s also a motivation to grow."
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