{"id":2448146,"date":"2019-08-29T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2019-08-29T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/?p=311895"},"modified":"2019-08-29T08:30:00","modified_gmt":"2019-08-29T14:30:00","slug":"the-sport-of-kings-how-the-ganzis-have-led-the-polo-boom-in-the-roaring-fork-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/local-news\/the-sport-of-kings-how-the-ganzis-have-led-the-polo-boom-in-the-roaring-fork-valley\/","title":{"rendered":"The sport of kings: How the Ganzis have led the polo boom in the Roaring Fork Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"swift-gallery p402_hide\" readability=\"6.9679915582132\">\n<ul id=\"imageGallery-311895-46\" class=\"gallery list-unstyled\">\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | Marc Ganzi plays during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>Marc Ganzi plays during the Aspen Valley Polo Club&#8217;s Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2.jpg\" alt=\"Marc Ganzi plays during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-1.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club&#8217;s Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-1.jpg\" alt=\"A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-2-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-2.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | The USPA Silver Cup awaits awarding during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>The USPA Silver Cup awaits awarding during the Aspen Valley Polo Club&#8217;s Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-2.jpg\" alt=\"The USPA Silver Cup awaits awarding during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-3-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-3.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club&#8217;s Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-3.jpg\" alt=\"A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-4-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-4.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club&#8217;s Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-4.jpg\" alt=\"A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-5-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-5.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | Marc Ganzi points to another player during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>Marc Ganzi points to another player during the Aspen Valley Polo Club&#8217;s Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-5.jpg\" alt=\"Marc Ganzi points to another player during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-6-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-6.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | A horse is allowed a few warm-up laps during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>A horse is allowed a few warm-up laps during the Aspen Valley Polo Club&#8217;s Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-6.jpg\" alt=\"A horse is allowed a few warm-up laps during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-7-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-7.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | An umpire sits idle during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>An umpire sits idle during the Aspen Valley Polo Club&#8217;s Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-7.jpg\" alt=\"An umpire sits idle during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-8-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-8.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | Polo star Nacho Figueras awaits play during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>Polo star Nacho Figueras awaits play during the Aspen Valley Polo Club&#8217;s Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-8.jpg\" alt=\"Polo star Nacho Figueras awaits play during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-9-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-9.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | Players hold up one of a few trophies handed out during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"14\">\n<p><strong>Players hold up one of a few trophies handed out during the Aspen Valley Polo Club&#8217;s Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-9.jpg\" alt=\"Players hold up one of a few trophies handed out during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-10-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-10.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club&#8217;s Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-10.jpg\" alt=\"A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-11-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-11.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | Announcer Dale Schwetz calls the action during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>Announcer Dale Schwetz calls the action during the Aspen Valley Polo Club&#8217;s Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-11.jpg\" alt=\"Announcer Dale Schwetz calls the action during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-12-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-12.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club&#8217;s Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-12.jpg\" alt=\"A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-13-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-13.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club&#8217;s Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-13.jpg\" alt=\"A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-14-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-14.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club&#8217;s Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-14.jpg\" alt=\"A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-15-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-15.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club&#8217;s Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-15.jpg\" alt=\"A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club's Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-16-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-16.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | A match is played during the 2016 World Snow Polo event at Rio Grande Park in Aspen. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-1.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"8\">\n<p><strong>A match is played during the 2016 World Snow Polo event at Rio Grande Park in Aspen. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-16.jpg\" alt=\"A match is played during the 2016 World Snow Polo event at Rio Grande Park in Aspen. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-17-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-17.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | Melissa Ganzi salutes the crowd during the 2016 World Snow Polo event at Rio Grande Park in Aspen. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-1.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"8\">\n<p><strong>Melissa Ganzi salutes the crowd during the 2016 World Snow Polo event at Rio Grande Park in Aspen. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-17.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa Ganzi salutes the crowd during the 2016 World Snow Polo event at Rio Grande Park in Aspen. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-18-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-18.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | Awards are handed out during the 2016 World Snow Polo Championship at Rio Grande Park in Aspen. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-1.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"8\">\n<p><strong>Awards are handed out during the 2016 World Snow Polo Championship at Rio Grande Park in Aspen. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-18.jpg\" alt=\"Awards are handed out during the 2016 World Snow Polo Championship at Rio Grande Park in Aspen. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-19-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-19.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | A player greets fans during the final of the 2018 World Snow Polo Championship on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, at Rio Grande Park in Aspen. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"12\">\n<p><strong>A player greets fans during the final of the 2018 World Snow Polo Championship on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, at Rio Grande Park in Aspen. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-19.jpg\" alt=\"A player greets fans during the final of the 2018 World Snow Polo Championship on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, at Rio Grande Park in Aspen. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-20-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-20.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | Marc Ganzi competes in the final of the 2018 World Snow Polo Championship on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, at Rio Grande Park in Aspen. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"12\">\n<p><strong>Marc Ganzi competes in the final of the 2018 World Snow Polo Championship on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, at Rio Grande Park in Aspen. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-20.jpg\" alt=\"Marc Ganzi competes in the final of the 2018 World Snow Polo Championship on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, at Rio Grande Park in Aspen. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-21-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-21.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | Marc Ganzi speaks to the crowd during the team draw in The St. Regis Aspen ahead of the 2016 World Snow Polo Championship in Aspen. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9\">\n<p><strong>Marc Ganzi speaks to the crowd during the team draw in The St. Regis Aspen ahead of the 2016 World Snow Polo Championship in Aspen. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-21.jpg\" alt=\"Marc Ganzi speaks to the crowd during the team draw in The St. Regis Aspen ahead of the 2016 World Snow Polo Championship in Aspen. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-22-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-22.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert |\" class=\"h-100\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p>Austin Colbert<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-22.jpg\" alt><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-24-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-24.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert |\" class=\"h-100\">\n<div class=\"caption\">\n<p>Austin Colbert<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/polo-atw-082919-2-24.jpg\" alt><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"caption-toggle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/magazines\/aspen-times-weekly\/the-sport-of-kings-how-the-ganzis-have-led-the-polo-boom-in-the-roaring-fork-valley\/#\" class=\"show-captions\">Show Captions<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/magazines\/aspen-times-weekly\/the-sport-of-kings-how-the-ganzis-have-led-the-polo-boom-in-the-roaring-fork-valley\/#\" class=\"hide-captions\">Hide Captions<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">Aspen, a community known for its wealth and grandeur, seems a natural home for the sport of kings. Polo, a game played on horseback, has deep roots in the Roaring Fork Valley, and today those roots anchor the Aspen Valley Polo Club.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">Led by the husband and wife duo of Marc and Melissa Ganzi, the club was founded in 2014 and not only has become the epicenter for polo in the valley, but arguably the entire U.S. during the summer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">Funny thing is, Marc Ganzi remembers a time, not that long ago, when he saw the sport through much different eyes. He was an Aspen-raised ski racer, after all, and playing polo was a ridiculous notion, despite coming from a horse-obsessed ranching family.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">\u201cMy dad started playing around 30 years ago,\u201d Marc Ganzi said. \u201cHe started playing polo when I was 18 and he started in California. I would come visit him in California while I was on break during college and watch him play polo and I\u2019d sit by the field and study. And I really had no interest in playing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">\u201cEveryone always has this preconceived notion that polo is like \u2018Pretty Woman,\u2019 with Champagne and divot stomping, and I was like, \u2018That\u2019s not the sport I play.\u2019 I was still ski racing at the time and kids from Aspen don\u2019t exactly play polo. They tend to play hockey or they ski race. I was ski racing in college at that time so I didn\u2019t have time for polo.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">Of course, this all changed when he married Melissa. She also came from a horse-loving family, and it didn\u2019t take long before Marc\u2019s father baited her into the polo world. Now two against one, Marc Ganzi\u2019s new destiny was all but assured. Little did he know that he would one day become the king of the sport of kings, at least here in this little ski town in the Rockies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">\u201cThe two of them ganged up on me when I turned 30 and they said, \u2018You\u2019ve got to try it,\u2019 so I tried it. And of course I liked it,\u201d he recalled. \u201cOne of the biggest surprises of polo is once you are actually in the game and you are playing, you find how down-to-earth everyone is and how much people just love their horses and love the passion of the game. For people who are new to it, they are expecting something different. They are expecting a Ralph Lauren commercial. They are expecting the \u2018Pretty Woman\u2019 scene.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">EQUESTRIAN LOVE<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">It was a Sunday in mid-August on the polo fields at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. The Aspen Valley Polo Club and some of its supporters came together to buy that historic 100-acre parcel of land near Catherine Store on Highway 82 for $7.2 million in 2017.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">The pomp and circumstance was there. It was the annual Chukkers, Champagne and Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation, one of the club\u2019s biggest events of the summer. While most came to wine and dine, so to speak, some of the greatest athletes on the planet \u2014 and their riders \u2014 helped break in one of the newest polo fields in the valley, and according to Marc Ganzi one of the finest you\u2019ll find anywhere.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">\u201cI can say with a high degree of confidence they are probably the two best polo fields in the United States. Certainly the most expensive ones,\u201d he said. \u201cThe community itself has always loved horses. So it\u2019s not really hard to get people to want to come out and watch great horses. One of the things the club has is some beautiful equestrian athletes. The horses are really the movie stars. They are incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">Astride those horses that Sunday were some of the most recognizable names in polo, such as Argentina\u2019s Nacho Figueras and American Nic Roldan, both Aspen frequenters. Superstars in their sport, Figueras and Roldan both played a role in making the Aspen Valley Polo Club what it is today, not to mention the role they played in raising more than $600,000 that day for the AVHF.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">\u201cThe Ganzis are a big part of the growth of polo in America,\u201d Figueras said. \u201cWhat they\u2019ve done here, it\u2019s incredible. They made two new fields that have been playing amazing all summer. They\u2019ve been one of the most important things to happen to polo in the last 20 years, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">Among the players that day was Grant Ganzi, Marc and Melissa\u2019s 21-year-old son who himself has become an accomplished polo player. Much like his father, Grant didn\u2019t take to polo right away, but was helpless as it slowly overtook his being.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">\u201cI liked it, but I didn\u2019t love it,\u201d Grant said. \u201cI played and played and played, and eventually the kids my age were getting better than I was and it kind of bothered me a little bit. So when I was around 12 or 13, I decided I wanted to improve. I started to put in the work and I started training every day in the summer and it paid off. I improved a lot and from there I just took off.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">Marc Ganzi laughed when asked about the Aspen polo scene from his childhood.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">\u201cThere was no polo scene,\u201d he said. \u201cPolo has a history here. It\u2019s been here for over 30 or 40 years. It\u2019s just sort of come in spurts.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">Ganzi said much of the credit for bringing polo to the Aspen area goes to Tommy Wayman, an Oklahoma cowboy and former 10-goal player who is largely considered one of the greatest in the sport\u2019s history. Wayman, along with many other polo stars of the \u201980s, would bring their horses to the Roaring Fork Valley for training ahead of the U.S. Open, which was played at sea level.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">The sport held on for another decade or two with some friendly \u201cgentlemen\u2019s polo\u201d during the summer months, but was slowly fizzling out before the Ganzis arrived on scene with this grand idea of creating a local polo club, something akin to the Grand Champions Polo Club they founded a few years earlier in Wellington, Florida, where they live half the year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">\u201cAs polo was on the downslope here, we saw there was a window to sort of reignite it,\u201d Marc Ganzi said. \u201cWe had a unique window to purchase that property on the corner and renovate it and sort of bring it back to its glory and that was really the main catalyst for starting to move polo back into the valley.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">In 2013, the Ganzis purchased the 15-acre midvalley equestrian facility formerly known as Preshana Farms for $1.85 million, the same piece of land that was host to many polo matches in the \u201970s and \u201980s. It started with that lone polo field, but as of 2019 there are six playing fields in the Roaring Fork Valley, the two newest being the high-performing fields at McClure River Ranch.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">\u201cWhat Aspen Valley Polo Club is doing for polo and for Aspen, it\u2019s put us on the map,\u201d Roldan said. \u201cThe fact we are able to share polo here in Aspen is incredible. Marc and Melissa and a lot of the club members and club owners are all really passionate about the sport. They\u2019ve built these new fields and barns and brought a lot of attention and a lot sponsorship.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">The Aspen Valley Polo Club hosts a long and competitive summer polo season, which this year included the prestigious Silver Cup that was awarded following the final during the Chukkers, Champagne and Caviar fundraiser. Grant Ganzi said the location of Aspen is an easy draw for the world\u2019s finest polo players, and having world-class fields and facilities to match is making this the place to be in the summer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">\u201cWord has gotten out inside the pro community that now there are really good fields here and there is really competitive polo here,\u201d Marc Ganzi said. \u201cThe highest polo now played in the United States is in Aspen in the summer. There is not a higher level of polo.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">POLO FOR ALL<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">The world\u2019s elite may flock to Aspen, including those in the polo world, but never have the Ganzis wanted anything but open doors at the Aspen Valley Polo Club. Marc is fond of his time as a young skier with the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club and marvels at its ability to never leave a child behind.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">Through scholarships and other programs, every kid has the chance to ski with AVSC. In that same fashion, the Ganzis want everyone to have the chance to learn about and experience polo. In fact, the first polo lesson is always free at the club.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">\u201cOne of the great things about the Aspen Valley Polo Club is the admission is free,\u201d Marc said of their weekly matches, which includes free food and drink. \u201cAnybody can come. It\u2019s a little bit of myth-busting. It\u2019s the same reason I didn\u2019t want to play polo when I was 18. I thought it was something else, but it isn\u2019t. It\u2019s really a sport about families. Once you are in the sport and you start playing, it surprises you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">The Ganzis have used polo for a lot of good. On top of the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation, they have raised money for the Aspen Education Foundation, The Wounded Warrior Project and of course AVSC, among other charities and organizations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">It doesn\u2019t stop in the summer, either, as the Aspen Valley Polo Club puts on the World Snow Polo Championship each December. A smaller, colder version of the real thing, the seventh annual event will return to Aspen\u2019s Rio Grande Park in December with all the ticket sales going to charity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">Aspen has become home to the sport of kings, but the Ganzis don\u2019t want polo to only be for royalty.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Special Sections-ATW-ATW_Body_Serif\">\u201cIf we continue to keep the architecture really open and we keep inviting people to come and experience it, I think the club will continue to flourish and it will continue to grow,\u201d Marc Ganzi said. \u201cIt is a sport that has a lot of tradition and has a lot of history and I think we are sort of writing our own history here in the Aspen valley.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Tagline\"><a href=\"mailto:acolbert@aspentimes.com\">acolbert@aspentimes.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/magazines\/aspen-times-weekly\/the-sport-of-kings-how-the-ganzis-have-led-the-polo-boom-in-the-roaring-fork-valley\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via:: The Aspen Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Marc Ganzi plays during the Aspen Valley Polo Club&#8217;s Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at McClure River Ranch near Carbondale. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times)Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times A match is played during the Aspen Valley Polo Club&#8217;s Chukkers, Champagne &amp; Caviar fundraiser [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2448146","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-local-news"},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-25 22:17:38","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSPN The Valley&#039;s Quality Rock","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2448146","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2448146"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2448146\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2448146"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2448146"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2448146"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}