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Formula 1 and the FIA has today announced the venues that will host F1 Sprint events during the 2025 season. 2025 will mark the 75th anniversary of the FIA Formula One World Championship and the fifth season of the Sprint. São Paulo will keep up its run of hosting the Sprint every year since 2021, while Belgium returns for the first time since 2023. Shanghai and Miami will host the Sprint for the second consecutive year, and Austin and Qatar return to the calendar for a third time. The format has delivered some excellent racing in the past four seasons and multiple winners from across the grid, including Max Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas, George Russell, Sergio Perez and Oscar Piastri. The F1 Sprint has consistently proven its popularity since its introduction in 2021. The format delivers strong numbers across all traditional broadcast, digital and social platforms, as well as providing extra and exciting racing that promoters can offer to the fans and as a result we are seeing large attendances on the Friday of a Sprint weekend. So far in 2024, live audience figures for Sprint Qualifying and the Sprint at the Chinese Grand Prix were up 40% across the top 15 markets compared to the average practice sessions for the opening two races. The live broadcast of the Sprint in Miami drew in 946,000 viewers on ESPN, making it the largest-ever US audience for a Sprint since the format was introduced in 2021, and in Austria this year, live viewership of Sprint Qualifying was up 76% versus the FP2 sessions in the last two European races. This follows a successful 2023 season that saw new Sprint locations increasing overall viewership, with Azerbaijan and Belgium among the best performing weekends, seeing increases of 15% and 22% respectively.   The dates of the F1 Sprint events in 2025 are: Date Country Venue 21-23 March China Shanghai 2-4 May USA Miami 25-27 July Belgium Spa 17-19 October USA Austin 7-9 November Brazil São Paulo 28-30 November Qatar Lusail Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said:  “The Sprint has been a great success for Formula 1, bringing all our fans more action and racing on the track. We are seeing the proof of this in our audience data, fan attendance on Fridays and from the promoters and partners. As we prepare to celebrate our 75th anniversary in 2025 we will always honour our incredible history, but we must always be looking ahead, innovating, and improving to deliver the best for our growing and diverse fanbase.  The Sprint is a great example of bringing new elements to our sport in a way that is respectful of the Championship, and I want to thank the six venues that will host the Sprint in 2025 and look forward to those incredible events throughout the season.”   Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, said: “As the FIA Formula One World Championship celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025, the Sprint will also enter its fifth year as part of the competition. Over that time, and through our strong collaboration with Formula 1 and with the input of all the teams, it has been through several different iterations and the regulations and format have evolved to give us the exciting and popular Sprints we have today. The six events for 2025 once again take in an interesting range of circuits and are sure to provide fans with plenty of additional action across the season.” By ML Staff. Content/image courtesy of Formula 1.

Patricio Garrahan, breeder of the 2024 National Polo Center Horse of the Year recipient Mega Big Bay (Open Cabernet x Grappa Big H) discusses the art and challenges of breeding in Argentina and the United States. Mega Big Bay (Open Cabernet x Grappa Big H). Garrahan reflected on the influence of Argentine mares in the American polo scene, the increasing competitiveness of the sport and the critical role of top-quality horses in achieving success. He also discusses the challenges and opportunities in the American polo circuit, noting how platforms like the Gauntlet of Polo are pivotal in showcasing the best talent and breeding. His interview provides a deeper understanding of the intricate world of horse breeding and the factors that contribute to the success of champions like Mega Big Bay. Garrahan’s experiences offer valuable perspectives on polo’s evolving landscape in Argentina and the United States. 2024 Horse of the Year recipient Mega Big Bay, played by Hilario Ulloa and owned by Park Place, presented by USPA President Charles Smith, pictured with Hernan Martinez, Victor Escobar, Agustin Menta, Marcelo Kibis, Juan Pablo Saadi and Martina Revelli. ©David Lominska THE MEGA BREEDER Mega Big Bay won the 2024 National Polo Center Horse of the Year Award. What does this mean to you? “The American market has increasingly adopted Argentine mares; it has always done so, but this has grown recently thanks to the pedigree and the promotion primarily through social media. It has been very useful for these mares to play in the United States and for American polo to have focused on giving awards, also in the matches, as they did in the U.S. Open. Not only do they give the American blanket, but also an Argentine breeding blanket, thanks to the work done by the Argentina Breeding Association. This gives us Argentine breeders a huge boost. I have been fortunate to win a couple of awards in the USA, but this is the first time the mare has won the award for the Best of the Year, and not for a particular tournament. I believe this is more important because, often, about 80 horses compete in a final. The award depends on a particular play, who made it, if she scored a goal, or if it decided the final. On the other hand, the award received by Mega Big Bay speaks more of the consistency of having played well in all three tournaments, with the added fact that Park Place did not reach any of the three finals. Even though Mega Big Bay did not play in any final, there was a broad consensus that she had many chances to be the mare of the season. This gives the award greater significance because, as I said before, many times, the awards depend on specific situations in a match. Generally, the best one wins, but sometimes you depend on luck. An award like this depends on the mare performing well, and Hilario [Ulloa] did very well on her.” What can you tell us about Mega Big Bay? “This is the fifth season Mega Big Bay has played in the United States at this level of polo. Lerin Zubiaurre bought her from me in Argentina in 2020 and took her to the USA; she played one season with him, then she moved to Park Place. Juan Britos played her for four years, during that time she won the award for Best [Argentine Bred] in the final of the [2021] C.V. Whitney Cup. The following year, Juan won the award for the [String] of the season, a lot that included Mega Big Bay. This year, she was passed to Hilario, and now she has won this great award.” Juan Britos playing Mega Big Bay in the Gauntlet of Polo. ©David Lominska What do you remember about the breeding period of Mega Big Bay? “I started breeding in 2008 in Ellerstina when Gonzalo Pieres and his sons offered me their embryos. It has been 16 years as a breeder. The process is so long that a mare can only play at the highest level when they are 8 years old. This means I had seven litters until I had mares playing. Fortunately, in my early years, in addition to Ellerstina's genetics, I had training by Polito Ulloa, whom I consider by far the best. The first two awards I won in the United States were Mega Espía (Open Cabernet x Spuky) and Mega Chistosa (Simpatia x Sportivo), both played by Facundo Pieres and trained by Polito Ulloa. With Mega Big Bay, it was curious that the training was done by us and not by Ulloa, and Hilario played her instead of Pieres. I have an agreement that the Pieres’ have priority for Ellerstina’s embryos. Mega Big Bay, although she was a comfortable mare, she did not give the impression that she would become what she is today. Lerin ended up taking her, sold her to Park Place, and there she exploded. The path Mega Big Bay took is not the traditional one for my breeding, but it is the one I will need in the future because it is difficult to get into the lot of Facundo, Gonzalo and Nicolas [Pieres]. The United States allows me to showcase the mares elsewhere. Getting into 10-goal players in Palermo [Argentina] is very difficult, and this helped me a lot.” Is there any feedback between the breeder and the player? “In my case, we stay pretty separate. I have a club in Pilar [Argentina] with my brother Martín, Polo One, and until the mares are 6 or 7 years old, the Pieres’ hardly know they exist unless they happen to be daughters of a particular mare or there is a specific situation that gives me the chance to talk to them about one. The reality is that they only ride them when I feel the mares are close to being played. Many times, they were first played by Lerin Zubiaurre, Rodrigo Andrade, Ignacio Du Plessis and Jaime Huidobro, among others, who acted as intermediaries between the club's finishing process and the Pieres’. Then they give the horses the extra touch they need, and I think you have to have an almost perfect mare, because it is getting more and more difficult. They are more demanding, and the mares are played for less time. This is not just my problem but a general issue in polo.” It is also about being consistent, seeing how many years they remain at the highest level. That is why Mega Big Bay's achievement is so important; I don't know how many mares remain at the top level for five years in such an important organization as Park Place.”   – Patricio Garrahan Mega Big Bay and 10-goaler Hilario Ulloa. ©David Lominska You have mares from your breeding in the best tournaments in the world; where do you place the polo in the United States and the Gauntlet of Polo? “I think anything that can be consolidated in the United States and helps economically will be very good for polo in general and horses in particular. The more competitive polo is, the better horses they will need. One sees that when players need to win, they bring the best mares from Argentina. There are years when they take them to Palm Beach [Florida] and bring them back to Palermo. Before, when they took them to Palm Beach, it was often because they were not fit to play in Palermo. Today, the players use the mares, which improves the level over there; the more the level improves, the more they will need.” Besides being a breeder, you also participate in the award ceremonies; what do you evaluate when giving an award? “I don't like to be guided by the awards because, for example, in Palermo, 104 horses play per game. In the United States, they play fewer because there are fewer chukkers. For a jury to have the capacity to evaluate so many horses is very difficult, and the awards do not exactly reflect where you are as a breeder. For example, sometimes it depends on whether the mare is known, as the jury might end up watching the mare they already know, or if the mare makes an exceptional goal, which not only depends on the level but also the context of the match. The way of judging can still be improved. Now, in Palermo, they put the lists on screens; in the USA, they do the same, which is good, but when the dynamics of the match start with all the changes, it is difficult to recognize which horse the player is riding again if they played it two or three times, and that complicates the evaluation moment. In general, one can have a self-assessment, but I think it is more important to talk to the players and not just rely on an award to say whether you are breeding well. Of course, the awards help. They also help with promotion, but it is not only that; it is also about being consistent, seeing how many years they remain at the highest level. That is why Mega Big Bay's achievement is so important; I don't know how many mares remain at the top level for five years in such an important organization as Park Place.” Bred and trained by Garrahan, Mega Big Bay has become a staple in the Park Place organization. How did you get into breeding, and what were the first challenges? “I was a polo player for 10 years, then worked in the financial market for another 10 years and played as a hobby, but I knew nothing about breeding; I had barely seven horses, most of them were males. I had a fun mare to play with, and at that time, Ellerstina was open to selling services, but it was a total hobby. One day, Gonzalo Pieres called me to work there and offered me an embryo, which motivated me, but I never thought I would end up dedicating myself to this. I had worked at ESPN, I went to the stables, I knew almost all the horses, but I had no idea how to breed one. Not having preconceived notions made me choose the best genetics from Ellerstina, the best trainers like Polito Ulloa and Ezequiel Correa as the pilots, someone who knew a lot about riding and was a veterinarian. I was lucky that I did very well with the first litter, and from then on, I kept improving. When you start to grow, you have the problem of all breeders; even if you don't increase the number, you have more litters of horses, and the number grows. Today, I have around 20 new horses per year. Imagine, it is a very long process; you don't sell until they are 7 or 8 years old, so you have an enormous number of horses when the sixth year arrives. You must be very meticulous in the organizational part.” What are your next challenges as a breeder? “They arise as you go along. Imagine, that when I started in 2008, when Gonzalo Pieres offered me his embryos, I didn't imagine I would be able to have the best mare of the year in the United States and my mares playing the last chukker of the Palermo Open final, as happened last year with Jeta Castagnola and Facundo Pieres. Today, the challenge is in the training part. The genetics are there, but they are in many places; the horses have advanced much more than us with the clones, for example. The horse is bred with increasing efficiency, and between what it takes to generate people who understand that whole process, it puts us in a quagmire in the training part, and that is reflected in the horses. Today, the baseline is much more even, and my challenge is to win the same award in the United States as in Argentina. Mega Chistosa won the award for the best mare at the Tortugas Open and in Palermo, I had mares playing three years in a row, the last chukker of the final. It is important to have the mare with chances; that is the challenge.” Mega Big Bay recently completed her fifth season competing in the United States. ©David Lominska How has breeding evolved since you started? “When I started in 2008, the genetics were already there. What happened before is that each organization had its genetics, and the auctions made the genetics diversify; the clones increased the speed at which unique genetics were replicated, but we did not advance with the so-called ‘cracks,’ the exceptional ones. In Palermo, there are 10 teams and 500 horses, and I believe that in the last 10 years, no mares have appeared that could be voted for the Hall of Fame. If you go back 10 more years, from 2004 to 2014, Dolfina Cuartetera (Lambada x Sportivo), Dolfina Buenaventura (El Sol x Ytacua Bienvenida), Aiken Cura (Dolfina Cuartetera x Durazno), Open Guillermina (Open Geisha x Optimum), and Open Chequera (Open Cheta x Sportivo) appeared, all the best mares of the great players, and we could not replicate them. That is the point; then each one analyzes why this happens, whether because they are played for less time, or because there is more competition. It would be good to discover why this happens.” By ML Staff. Content/Image courtesy of United States Polo Association/ Clickpolousa. Clickpolousa . is the top virtual magazine for polo news featuring news from US polo and worldwide info. Videos, pictures and more.

Four years—that is how long it took Alison Patricelli to convince her father to buy her first pony. With no family connection to equestrian sports, she forged her path with patience and determination. Now, over 40 years later, Patricelli operates a large farm in Connecticut and simultaneously leads LBL Polo team. Forming LBL Polo in 2012, Alison Patricelli's dedication to excellence and strategic partnerships have established a winning tradition propelling her team to new heights. ©Alex Pacheco Growing up in Connecticut, Patricelli's passion for horses began at a young age. Her dedication led to the establishment of Folly Farm, a premier hunter/jumper operation in Simsbury, Connecticut. This foundation laid the groundwork for her later ventures into the world of polo. Patricelli’s introduction to polo was gradual. It was not until later in life, after building a successful career as a veterinary surgeon, that she fully embraced the sport. Starting at Yale Polo Club (Bethany, Connecticut) and later at Denver Polo Club (Sedalia, Colorado), Patricelli’s involvement in polo has spanned over a decade, driven by a consistent and passionate commitment. “Polo represents such a challenge physically, mentally and emotionally, especially to continue to put together winning teams and to improve my organization season after season, but I love challenges!”  – Alison Patricelli Forming LBL Polo in 2012, Patricelli's dedication to excellence and strategic partnerships have propelled her team to new heights. Choosing New Bridge Polo & Country Club in Aiken, South Carolina, for its superior fields and high-level tournament polo, Patricelli has created a winning legacy at the club. The recent addition of standout player Ignacio “Nachi” Viana has further strengthened LBL Polo's success, showcasing Patricelli’s enduring love for horses and competitive spirit both on and off the field. Can you tell us about your background and where you’re from? “I grew up mostly in Connecticut and started taking riding lessons at 6 years old. No one in my family is into horses so I had to beg for every lesson! From my first riding lesson it took 4 years to convince my parents to buy me a pony, which they bought for $1,600. Over time I became seriously involved in horse showing and when I was 13, I wrote a proposal to my father to buy a local farm that was in foreclosure, bring my trainer there, and turn it into a hunter/jumper farm. I am very proud to say that over the last 40-plus years, our family farm, Folly Farm in Simsbury, Connecticut, has become the premier hunter/jumper operation in our region of the state. We now have over 60 horses on the property and have a thriving horse show schedule, boarding and training programs, a large riding school and collegiate level, high school and middle school riding team operations. I still run the finances for our farm, and I return to Connecticut to live with my horses each summer.” LBL's Patricelli goes head-to-head against Upatoi Green's Josh Escapite. ©Katie Roth How did you get started in polo? “My first exposure to polo was when my father leased some land on our hunter/jumper farm in Connecticut to a group of local polo players who put in two fields and started the Simsbury Polo Club. At that time, I was in high school and was seriously training and competing in hunters and equitation. Polo seemed like another world, but I remember thinking it looked fun. It took me 20 years to return to the idea of trying polo. I had gone to veterinary school and completed my residency in small animal surgery and was enjoying enough success in my field that I could perhaps afford to buy myself some horses and try polo! I took my first lessons at Yale Polo Club when my boys were two years old. After another eight years of working as a surgeon and one more child, I took another polo lesson at Denver Polo Club; the day that I put my youngest son into kindergarten. I was hooked after that lesson, and I have been playing polo consistently now for 13 years.” How did you form LBL Polo and why did you choose to play at New Bridge Polo & Country Club? “I was playing polo at Denver Polo Club in their in-house arena and grass polo leagues when Jennifer Luttrell (Bernardoni) of Cotterel Polo pulled me aside and told me that I reminded her of herself when she first started. She told me to make my own choices, to set up my team with a standard of excellence, and that I could do it. I decided to form LBL Polo in 2012 and to begin to play more competitive grass polo. I traveled to Indio, California, that winter to play and brought my organization to Connecticut shortly thereafter. In Connecticut, I met some sponsors who were playing in Aiken and Wellington [Florida], so I hooked in with them and their professionals and made my first trip to Aiken in 2014. I fell in love with Aiken, bought a farm at New Bridge Polo & Country Club in 2017, and built my home here in 2018.” LBL's Ignacio "Nachi" Viana and Alison Patricelli. ©Katie Roth “8-goal polo at New Bridge is fast and furious, and I know how rare it is to have such a dominant team. So much credit has to go to Nachi.”  – Alison Patricelli Could you tell us about your relationship with Ignacio “Nachi” Viana? How did you two meet and start working together? “LBL Polo has been very successful in 8-goal polo in Aiken winning 17 of the 20 tournaments that we have entered since 2021, and going undefeated in the Fall of 2021, the Spring of 2023, and the Spring of 2024. Alan Martinez led our team in 2021 and 2022. All three of LBL Polo's tournament losses occurred in 2022. One in the spring season, an overtime loss to the Arellano’s and the late Del Walton, and two very thorough tournament defeats in the Fall of 2022 by a Skaneateles team led by Nachi Viana. After seeing Nachi's performance in the fall 2022 season, I knew that I wanted him to lead LBL Polo in 2023 moving forward. He joined LBL in the spring of 2023, and we won all the 8-goal tournaments that year [and] losing only one game the entire year. This Spring, we once again won every tournament and went undefeated. I can't say enough about what Nachi has brought to LBL Polo over the last two years- his professionalism, his quality of horses, and his skill sets are certainly unmatched in Aiken. He’s the kind of young player that I am very proud to support. I am thrilled for the success that he has enjoyed with LBL and in his larger polo career.” Reflecting on your success this season, what do these victories mean to you and your team? “I am very proud and thankful to have continued LBL Polo's 8-goal winning tradition in 2024 by once again going undefeated. The 8-goal polo at New Bridge is fast and furious, and I know how rare it is to have such a dominant team. So much credit has to go to Nachi and to a new edition to the team that Nachi brought in from Florida—Nicolas “Nico” Miró Bongiovanni, a fabulous 2-goal player who earned two tournament Most Valuable Player [awards]. This year, LBL along with another sponsor Jet Set Polo, also swept three competitive women's polo tournaments in Aiken. I loved playing in these women's tournaments and especially enjoyed having such an active role in the field. I am looking forward to playing a lot more women's polo in the future.” 2023 Bronze Trophy Champions: LBL - Harry Caldwell, Alison Patricelli, Ignacio "Nachi" Viana, Charlie Caldwell. ©Katie Roth Looking ahead, how does your season continue? “LBL Polo will be traveling to Connecticut next week to play summer polo. While it is 8-goal polo, it is more of an exhibition/Pro-Am atmosphere, which is a nice break from the pressure of Aiken. I will return to Aiken to play in the fall [and] will most likely enter the same 8-goal team for the fall season before Nachi and Nico's handicaps both go up in December, but I am not sure yet if I will continue to participate in those tournaments. Playing medium-goal (and high) mixed polo as a sponsor is a thrill and has certainly raised my level of knowledge of the game in terms of positioning, strategy and the ability to ride and play at high speed. However, sponsoring an 8- or 12-goal team is like collecting and appreciating fine art—and at the end of the day, you are not the artist. While I can ride comfortably at high speed and can therefore work effectively off the ball, as a sponsor I am of course nowhere near the level of the professionals on the field. In contrast, in women's polo, I am a sponsor and a player, feeling involved in most plays and hopefully significantly contributing to the outcome of the game. In the fall, I will for sure be entering teams in the Women’s East Coast Open, a national 14- to 18-goal level tournament being played at New Bridge in October and will be playing in all the other women's tournaments being offered there. I would perhaps even consider a U.S. Open Women's Championship team in Wellington, Florida, this winter. One day I would love to play in the Argentine Women's Open, but who knows what the future will bring!” “I hope to continue to play polo for many years to come, and to continue to enjoy horses for the rest of my life.”  – Alison Patricelli What does polo mean to you personally? How significant is it in your life, and what percentage of your time do you dedicate to the sport? “My first love (after my three sons) is not polo, it is horses. I still own and ride hunters and I love having both polo ponies and hunters in my life. I can see my horses in their paddocks out of almost every window in my house, and I can walk out my garden gate and right into my barn. I spend as much time as I can around my horses year-round, whether it's hanging out in the barn, riding or just drinking maté with my groom. Polo represents such a challenge physically, mentally and emotionally, especially to continue to put together winning teams and to improve my organization season after season, but I love challenges! I hope to continue to play polo for many years to come, and to continue to enjoy horses for the rest of my life.” By ML Staff. Content/Image courtesy of United States Polo Association/ Clickpolousa. Clickpolousa . is the top virtual magazine for polo news featuring news from US polo and worldwide info. Videos, pictures and more.

There are milestones in a polo player's life that mark a before and after in their professional career. For Cory Williams, winning the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship during the South Florida winter season with local organization Buena Vibra propelled her to a new dimension. Instead of returning to California as she typically does after playing in Wellington, this time, she traveled to England to compete in the Ladies High Goal Tournament at Guards Polo Club, a tournament she won in her first professional stint in the country. Following her U.S. Open Women's Polo Championship victory, Cory Williams was back on the podium with Buena Vibra, capturing the Ladies High Goal Tournament at Guards Polo Club in Windsor, England. In a tightly contested final at the prestigious English club located in Windsor, England, Buena Vibra (Giuliana Tarazona, Cory Williams, Mia Cambiaso, Milly Hine) edged out Madams Farm Polo (Aspen Tinto, Zoe Reader, Lottie Lamacraft, Hazel Jackson) 8.5-8. Held for the first time at Guards Polo Club, the Ladies High Goal Tournament is set to become a regular fixture in England's high handicap polo circuit in the future. For Williams, her triumph continues to pave the way for American players in Europe “This opportunity in England will hopefully put me on the map internationally for my polo career as an American player. I think some of the beauty in polo lies in one’s ability to travel and play all over the world. It opens up so much opportunity to meet people while playing the sport we all love.”  – Cory Williams Following her victory, Cory finds herself back in California, where she will continue playing at Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club (Carpentaria, California). Her time in England added several miles of professional experience, not just through the victory, but also by providing her the opportunity to compete in a country as demanding and similar in professionalism to the United States; yet so different due to climate, fields and the mental challenges it entails. Given how difficult it is to succeed in such a competitive sport as polo, achieving victory at the highest levels of American and English polo in the same year is worthy of recognition. Held for the first time at Guards Polo Club, the Ladies High Goal Tournament is set to become a regular fixture in England's high handicap polo circuit in the future. For Williams, her triumph continues to pave the way for American players in Europe. How was your experience playing in England? “This is my second time playing in England, my first time playing a ladies' tournament and my first time playing at the prestigious Guard’s Polo Club. When I was 15, I traveled with the Polo Training Foundation (PTF) to England with three other American players to play against the youth English and Scottish teams. However, my most recent experience in England proved itself an unforgettable one, playing on the historic Guards Polo fields with some of the best players in the world. Playing in England made me appreciate the history of polo in the United Kingdom and made me realize what a horse-centric country England is. It was truly an amazing experience.” What was your reaction when you received the opportunity to play in the Ladies High Goal Tournament at Guards Polo Club? “I was thrilled to get to play with Buena Vibra again after winning the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship. Furthermore, to get to play with Buena Vibra for their first time at Guards in the Ladies high goal felt surreal. Buena Vibra is such a positive, supportive and kind team. I feel very lucky to have this opportunity to play with them in England, which is arguably the epicenter of European polo.” 2024 Ladies High Goal Tournament Champions: Buena Vibra - Mia Cambiaso, Cory Williams, Milly Hine, Giuliana Tarazona. Can you describe the significance of playing at a prestigious venue like the Guards Polo Club? “It was unbelievable to watch the Cartier Queen’s Cup Final at Guards Polo Club and then play the final of the Guards High Goal Ladies’ just three weeks later on the same field. Also, my dad is British, so playing in his home country at one of the most prestigious venues in the world was not just important to me, but also a valued shared memory of significance with my dad.” Have you noticed any similarities or differences between the polo fields and horses in England compared to those in the U.S.? “The main difference between the fields in the United States and England was how accepting the English fields are of rain. Just before our final, it poured, and then 30 minutes later, the field still played perfectly. As a native Californian, this was interesting for me to see and very different from what I am used to! In terms of horses, I have been extremely lucky to play amazing horses in both countries. I was mounted by the Hine family for this tournament, and they made sure I was well-mounted. What I noticed and appreciated is that both countries emphasize off-the-track Thoroughbred polo ponies. My favorite horse at home is an OTTB and it was great to see another country encourage the use of native thoroughbreds. I think there were more similarities than differences in terms of horses since both countries love their horses and attract great players from around the world who, in turn, play the best horses.” Williams embraces her father Rhys following her Ladies High Goal Tournament victory. How does it feel to be playing with Mia Cambiaso and Milly Hine, both having won the Women's Argentine Open? “It was an honor to get to play with Milly and Mia. I’ve been on the same field as them a few times, but never all on the same team. They are both so talented and have such awareness of the field and knowledge of the game. I appreciate Milly’s leadership on the polo field. She is an amazing team captain and makes her team play well. I have played against Mia, but this was my first time playing with her and I was so excited to play with a great competitor. Mia is unbelievably skillful and so focused on the game. They are both inspirations of mine and I felt very lucky to play with them.” What is it like to face top players in the tournament? "It’s always amazing to play with and against women like Nina Clarkin, Lia Salvo and Hazel Jackson, who all played in this tournament. They all have amazing skills on the field, a passion for the sport, and a desire to see other women succeed. It can be intimidating to be up against such legendary players. I think the main strength of women’s polo is that the best players want to promote the sport and play a good game.” Adding several miles of professional experience, William's recent success at the highest levels of American and English polo in the same year is worthy of recognition. What does this opportunity to play in England mean for your polo career, especially as an American player? “This opportunity in England will hopefully put me on the map internationally for my polo career as an American player. I think some of the beauty in polo lies in one’s ability to travel and play all over the world. It opens up so much opportunity to meet people while playing the sport we all love.” What are your plans now? “I would love to play in England again after this tournament. Now, I am back home in Santa Barbara, playing the mixed 8-goal with FMB/Folded Hills. From there, I plan on traveling to play for the rest of the year. I am looking forward to my future polo!” How do you think winning the U.S. Open Women’s Polo has impacted your career and opened new opportunities like this one? “Winning the U.S. Open Women’s polo Championship in Wellington, Florida, immensely impacted my polo career with the amount of publicity it received and how prestigious of a tournament it is. That win certainly opened new opportunities like this one, and I feel so lucky to play on such amazing teams.” By ML Staff. Content/Image courtesy of United States Polo Association/ Clickpolousa. Clickpolousa . is the top virtual magazine for polo news featuring news from US polo and worldwide info. Videos, pictures and more.

The NBA Cup is back for the second year with all 30 teams competing for the NBA Cup. All 30 teams have been randomly drawn into groups of five within their conference based on win-loss records from the 2023-24 regular season. Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 12 and continuing through Tuesday, Dec. 3, each team will play four designated Group Play games on “Cup Nights” – one game against each opponent in its group, with two games at home and two on the road. Eight teams will advance to the Knockout Rounds: the team with the best standing in Group Play games in each of the six groups and one wild card team from each conference. The wild card will be the team from each conference with the best record in Group Play games that finished second in its group.  Western Conference West Group A Minnesota Timberwolves LA Clippers Sacramento Kings Houston Rockets Portland Trail Blazers West Group B Oklahoma City Thunder Phoenix Suns Los Angeles Lakers Utah Jazz San Antonio Spurs West Group C Denver Nuggets Dallas Mavericks New Orleans Pelicans Golden State Warriors Memphis Grizzlies Eastern Conference  East Group A New York Knicks Orlando Magic Philadelphia 76ers Brooklyn Nets Charlotte Hornets East Group B Milwaukee Bucks Indiana Pacers Miami Heat Toronto Raptors Detroit Pistons East Group C Boston Celtics Cleveland Cavaliers Chicago Bulls Atlanta Hawks Washington Wizards By ML Staff. Courtesy of NBA. For Miami HEAT tickets click here .

Lauren Clark and Christa Johnson claimed their well-deserved victories at the Florida Women’s Open & Senior Open at the Forest Country Club. Clark fired a final round of three-under-par, 69 for a tournament total of five-under-par. Clark claimed her wire-to-wire victory by five strokes over the field. Johnson also posted a tournament total of five-under-par to claim the victory by two strokes for the Senior Division. In addition, Alexandra White captured the low-professional win and brought home $10,000 after securing a third place finish with scores of 74-69-74. Open Division Lauren Clark took the lead during the first round and never gave it up. She fired a two-under-par 70 and posted five birdies over the 18 holes. Clark competed last week in the Women’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship where she found herself in contention and in the final pairing on the last day. She explained how it felt coming straight into this tournament, “When you have back-to-back tournaments, it’s really easy to get momentum going. For me, I did not finish off where I wanted to at the WASP, so it really made me go back and work hard for two days and then come straight into this practice round. It’s easy to get momentum and keep it, so hopefully I can ride that momentum through.” However, the second round Clark had to fight to retain her lead. She got off to a rough start, but stayed patient in order to find her way back to par. “Overall, I really just tried to stay patient and hit greens, make putts, and put myself in position to make putts.” Also in the mix throughout the tournament was defending champion, Jordan Fischer. Fischer posted rounds of 71-72 to enter into the final round only one stroke off the lead. The LSU rising sophomore carded a 78 in the final round to fall out of contention. However, Alexandra White fired a three-under-par, 69 during the second round to move up the leaderboard ten places and only one stroke away from the lead. The final round was an exciting one as it came down to Clark and White battling it out for the win. The two competitors remained within two strokes of each other until late in the back nine. White fell victim to a bogey on the 15th hole to give one back to Clark. Bogeys on the 17th and 18th holes gave Clark a five stroke win over the field. Clark said of her win, “I feel like I’ve been so close for so long that this is just an added bonus. I’ve been playing good golf and this is just the cherry on top.” However, White did not walk away empty handed as she earned low professional honors and a $10,000 check. In addition, Valentina Rossi secured second place with scores of 74-70-72. Senior Division Christa Johnson had a hot start to her tournament posting a six-under-par 30 on her first nine. She finished the day in a share of the lead with Leta Lindley at four-under-par. Johnson described her mindset, “I play point A golf, which means there’s no point B. It’s always new, and it’s always one shot, one shot, and then another shot and you do the best you can on each shot.” However, she fell victim to a few bogeys on the second nine while at the same time, Lindley heated up. Lindley posted three birdies on her bogey free back nine. Consistency was key for Christa Johnson as she fired another four-under-par, 68 to extend her lead to three shots over the field. Johnson carded five birdies over the 18 holes. Leta Lindley sat in second place at five-under-par, and Tara Joy-Connelly and Jackie Gallagher-Smith shared third place at even par. The final pairing was set of Johnson, Lindley, and Joy-Connelly. Johnson started the day with a three stroke lead and extended it to a four stroke lead heading into the back nine. However, she hit a few rough holes and by the 15th hole, Lindley trailed Johnson by only a stroke. Yet, a birdie on 16 brought Johnson back to a two stroke lead which she secured ultimately secured her win on the 18th holes. “It feels really good to win. I didn’t play as well today as I did the first two days, but I stayed patient and found some peace in there somewhere, and found some speed in my swing and I really learned a lot, so I am very happy about coming here to play.” Tara Joy-Connelly finished tied for third with Jackie Gallagher-Smith and earned low amateur honors. By ML Staff. Content/Image courtesy of FSGA

The Miami HEAT have announced that Dan Bisaccio, currently a Player Development Coach, will become the head coach of their G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Meanwhile, Kasib Powell, the former head coach of the Skyforce, will join the HEAT’s staff as a Player Development Coach. Bisaccio, who is presently coaching the HEAT’s Summer League team, has achieved a commendable 4-1 record, including a 2-1 run during the California Classic in San Francisco and an unbeaten 2-0 record thus far in the NBA 2K25 Summer League in Las Vegas. Bisaccio has been with the HEAT organization for the past ten seasons, most recently serving as Player Development Coach last season. In this role, he mentored players and assisted the coaching staff with special projects. Prior to that, he spent five seasons as Video Coordinator, following four seasons as Assistant Video Coordinator. Bisaccio originally joined the HEAT as a video intern for the 2014-15 season. Before his time with the HEAT, he served as the Graduate Assistant/Video Coordinator for Marquette University’s men’s basketball team for two seasons. Powell has led the Skyforce as head coach for the past three seasons, guiding the team to the playoffs in each of his last two seasons, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2023. Under his leadership, an NBA-best 21 players were called up over his three seasons as head coach. Powell began with the Skyforce as an assistant coach in 2016 and was promoted to head coach after four seasons. Inducted into the Skyforce Hall of Fame in April 2016, Powell also had a successful playing career with the Skyforce from 2007 to 2009, earning the 2007-08 NBA G League MVP award. His professional playing career spanned nine seasons across various leagues, including the NBA, NBA G League, CBA, USBL, and international teams. By ML Staff. For Miami HEAT tickets click here .

On Tuesday, July 30th,  The Little Lighthouse Foundation (LLF) , will distribute school supplies from 12PM to 2PM at Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) for their Back To School specialty program, which provides essential school supplies to the children from LLF’s Partner Facilities. LLF raised more than $35,000 for the program through their fundraising initiatives at Miami Swim Week Shows. Enriching the lives of over 3000 underserved children and their families, providing them with essential school supplies for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year Children and families from LLF’s Partner Facilities will be transported to the event by LLF, where volunteers will assist in distributing school supplies. With exclusive access to PAMM, the children will also have the opportunity to explore the museum’s current exhibitions, participate in arts & crafts activities in collaboration with The Kindest Kid, and enjoy other engaging activities provided by LLF .  In partnership with Pérez Art Museum Miami, this year’s Back To School program will include food donations from Subway and Joe’s Pizza, along with complimentary water from Icelandic Water and LaCroix Sparkling Water. Additional sponsors include Blacklane, 1 Hotel South Beach, Glass for Life, and Raising Cane’s. LLF’s Back To School program is dedicated to raising funds to provide essential supplies for underserved children, equipping them with the tools necessary for academic success.  "We eagerly anticipate the start of a new school year with LLF's Back To School program at Pérez Art Museum Miami. LLF not only equips the children we support year-round with backpacks and school supplies, but also ignites their enthusiasm for the upcoming academic year," remarks Jonathan Babicka, CEO of The Little Lighthouse Foundation. "Our goal is to create a meaningful impact in South Florida's underserved communities, fostering lasting change for years to come."  Participating facilities include Chapman Partnership, Lotus House, Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida, Breakthrough Miami, Educate Tomorrow, Overtown Youth Center, Holtz Children’s Hospital, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, The Motivational Edge, Touch Miami With Love, Communities In School Miami, Miami Bridge, Citrus Grove, Boys & Girls Club of Miami-Dade, Miami Children’s Initiative, His House, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami Silent Victims of Crime, Big Dreams for Her, Kristi House, Miami Beach, and more.  “We are delighted to be working with our friends at The Little Lighthouse Foundation to usher in the new academic school year. It is a privilege for us at Pérez Art Museum Miami to continue our partnership with a vital local organization," remarks Franklin Sirmans, Director of PAMM. “Supporting underserved children and their families is essential to our mission, allowing us to foster creativity and emphasize the value of education in their lives.” LLF’s Back To School program is only open to the youth from invited LLF Partner Facilities. Volunteering opportunities are available from 11AM to 3PM on Tuesday, July 30th. For more information on how to support LLF’s Back To School specialty program, please visit TheLittleLighthouse.org . By ML Staff. Image Courtesy of The Little Lighthouse Foundation

In collaboration with Guerlain, Belmond presents a brand-new spa at Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla. The spa draws inspiration from Anguilla’s earliest inhabitants, the indigenous Arawak tribe, offering a harmonious connection with nature and a rebalance of energy. At this haven of relaxation, nestled on the intimate shores of Anguilla, guests will enjoy a collection of Guerlain rituals in harmony with the atmosphere of the Caribbean.  The Cap Juluca Spa proposes a range of exclusive treatments that reflect the tranquil ambiance and enchantment of the region. They include Ocean Vibes and Crystal Bowl Energy, incorporating natural elements to soothe and revitalize guests. Designed by Rottet Studio, the spa invites visitors to reconnect with nature amidst lush gardens.   The spa counts seven private treatment rooms plus an Imperial Suite offering VIP treatment. Guests relax in peaceful spaces post-treatment, enjoy a sauna, or take part in ancestral cleansing rituals in the Calichi Garden.   Cap Juluca offers holistic well-being experiences as well that incorporate mindfulness, nutrition and longevity activation.   The new Guerlain Spa at Cap Juluca redefines the well-being experience with a combination of luxury, nature and tradition for an unforgettable escapade in Anguilla.  ML Staff. Content/image(s) courtesy of LVMH

Lit according to tradition in Olympia, the Olympic Flame of Paris 2024 left Athens at the end of April aboard the Belem to reach Marseille on May 8th, welcomed by an extraordinary celebration in theVieux Port, marking the start of its journey across France. On the deck of the Belem Caisse d’Epargne Foundation ship, the Louis Vuitton trunk that protects the torch was opened by Florent Manaudou, Olympic swimmer and champion in the 50m freestyle and four-time Olympic medalist. It was then lit by him at the prow of the ship. The trunk was made by the artisans of Louis Vuitton, in their emblematic Asnières workshop near Paris. It completes the Maison’s collection of trophy trunks, highlighting its exceptional craftsmanship and groundbreaking creativity. Sephora, Official Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays of Paris 2024, launched a store activation which will travel through 46* shops located in cities covered by the Relay of Paris 2024, giving customers a chance to win beauty products or even tickets for Paris 2024. Sephora will also welcome the public within celebration zones of four major cities along the Olympic Torch Relay of Paris 2024: Bordeaux on May 23rd, Nice on June 18th, Lille on July 2nd, and Paris on July 14th. The Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays of Paris 2024 are also a unique opportunity for LVMH to celebrate its talents – Artisan of All Victories of the Group in all professions – as well as its heritage throughout France. More than two hundred collaborators from the Group and its Maisons across France (workshops, stores, production sites) have been selected based on their social, environmental, sports or community commitment to participate in both Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays throughout France. It represents a once in a lifetime chance to bring together talents across Maisons, professions or sectors within the Group to meet with the general public across territories. LVMH will organize inclusive celebrations close to where the Torch Relay of Paris 2024 passes to resonate with the Group’s mission, “The Art of Crafting Dreams”: May 23rd at Château Cheval Blanc’s site in Saint Émilion July 14th at Pont Neuf square between La Samaritaine and Louis Vuitton Headquarters in Paris July 15th at Fondation Louis Vuitton and Jardin d’Acclimatation in Paris, where children from French association “Le Secours Populaire” will be invited to join festivities. These key moments will be unified by a scenography built around the concept of  “The Fabric That Connects Us”. Furthermore, the Olympic Torch Relay of Paris 2024 will also pass by sites linked to the Group: May 24th in front of Hennessy in Cognac May 31st near Christian Dior Museum in Grandville June 30th near Moët & Chandon in Epernay As part of the Olympic Torch Relay of Paris 2024, LVMH and Château Cheval Blanc welcomed 150 pupils from Saint Emilion to see the Olympic Flame of Paris 2024 and discover the estate. This Wednesday, May 23rd, marked an important step in the programme unveiled on May 8th by LVMH – Premium Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 and the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays of Paris 2024 – to celebrate the arrival and passage of the Flame of Paris 2024 in France, in collaboration with several of its Maisons. Château Cheval Blanc welcomed the Olympic Flame of Paris 2024 during the Saint Émilion relay, where teams from the Maison invited 150 pupils from the town to experience this exceptional moment up close to the torch. In the presence of the mayor of Saint Émilion, 150 pupils from the town’s primary and preschool were able to discover the estate and take part in various workshops organized by teams from the Château.   For this relay, five employees of Château Cheval Blanc were selected for their commitment related to sport, involvement in associations or in their local communities, to carry the Olympic Flame of Paris 2024 within the estate.   Following the passage of the Olympic Flame of Paris 2024, a series of activities were proposed to the 150 children, all supervised by Château Cheval Blanc employees: discovery of agroecology, beekeeping and biodiversity, discovery of the agroforestry practices that have been in place on the estate for many years, as well as physical activities including a “mini-relay” and athletics challenges. Raphaël Heureude, ornithologist and partner of the Château’s teams, led an ornithology workshop on the birds present on site. The day ended around 4pm with a tea party with food products produced on the estate: bread, apple juice, jam, etc.  “Hosting the Olympic Flame of Paris 2024 is a privilege. It gave us the opportunity to unite the Château Cheval Blanc teams around a festive, convivial and unforgettable moment, by allowing five of our employees to be bearers of the Olympic Flame of Paris 2024. As part of our commitment to passing on our heritage, we were delighted to invite 150 pupils from the Saint Émilion school to discover the estate and the importance of preserving their local territory, through various ateliers and activities focusing on the estate’s agroforestry techniques.“ Pierre-Olivier Clouet, General Manager at Château Cheval Blanc.  A journey to the core of the site’s environmental approach  Château Cheval Blanc’s overall agroecological approach is based on three fundamental pillars: plant cover, agroforestry, mixed farming and livestock rearing.   To preserve its soils, Château Cheval Blanc has stopped ploughing in favour of growing wine on living soil, i.e. soil that is always covered with plants, sown at the end of the harvest. This naturally prevents the proliferation of weeds, prevents the soil from drying out, limits the effects of the summer heat and facilitates the absorption of rainwater into the soil. These techniques are inspired by the COP 21’s “4 for 1000” approach to combating greenhouse gases and enhancing the fertility of the vineyard.  One of the aims of the château’s teams is to reconcile nature and culture by stimulating the natural fertility of the land through agroforestry on the estate itself. Thousands of fruit and forest trees have already been planted on the 40-hectare estate, along with a 4km linear border of hedgerows.   The last major axis of Château Cheval Blanc’s approach is mixed farming, a method that brings animals back to the heart of the vineyard to help the winegrowers. Ewes graze the plots to stimulate the plants and fertilise the soil, chickens and hens roam the land to get rid of harmful insects, and around fifteen beehives pollinate the gardens, and so on.   The impact of these initiatives is being monitored by researchers from the National Museum of Natural History and university staff from Bordeaux University involved in the programme.   Sephora, Official Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays of Paris 2024  Wednesday, May 23rd also marked the start of pop-up events at Sephora, which welcomed the general public to the Celebration Zone of Paris 2024 in Bordeaux for the first time. In this experiential space, Sephora is inviting the public to celebrate the link between beauty and sport with areas for discovering the Maison, artistic co-creation events and make-up services. These pop-ups can be found in Nice on June 18th, Lille on July 2nd and Paris on July 14th. In their shop on Rue Sainte Catherine, Sephora has also activated its “soufflerie”, a system enabling customers to try and win tickets for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 and other beauty gifts. This “soufflerie” will be available in Sephora shops in 46 cities where the Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays of Paris 2024 will be passing through.   Furthermore, the Olympic Torch Relay of Paris 2024 will also pass by sites linked to the Group: – May 31st near Christian Dior Museum in Grandville – June 30th near Moët & Chandon in Epernay LVMH and Hennessy welcome Olympic Torch in Cognac during Paris 2024 Olympic Torch Relay On May 24 two members of Hennessy, Louis Colin and Guillaume Lammertyn, carried the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch when the Torch Relay passed by the Visites Hennessy in Cognac. Five employees were selected to take part in the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch Relay, recognizing their social, environmental, sports or community engagement. Four members of the LVMH Group, including Antonio Belloni, President of LVMH Italy, and Laura Clair, a customer advisor at Sephora, carry the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch in Antibes On June 18 Antonio Belloni, President of LVMH Italy and former LVMH Group Managing Director, carried the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch and passed the torch on to Laura Clair, a customer advisor at Sephora and also a firefighter, who was among the Torch Relay participants selected by the Group. Four members of LVMH had a chance to carry the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch in Antibes. ML Staff. Content/image(s) courtesy of LVMH

Of what surrounds me presents three artists whose creative process is profoundly influenced by nature, serving as both a significant element in their work and a conduit for exploring self and others. Taking its title from the poem by Mary Oliver (1935–2019) of the same name, this exhibition positions each artist as instigators of close contemplation. Looking to their surroundings, Amanda Bradley, Cristina Lei Rodriguez and Mette Tommerup think of the natural world as both an immersive state and a vehicle for making meaning. In Amanda Bradley’s work, themes of identity and belonging manifest through environmental imagery. While creating, Bradley considers what is invisible, ephemeral, and hard to quantify. Heavily influenced by writing, Bradley incorporates embossed lettering as a way to complicate the legibility of both the final image and the superimposed text. While not documentary, her photography documents lushness, abundance, and density, with her home country of Belize as a common subject. Abundant flora and complex terrain inform Cristina Lei Rodriguez’s practice, which includes sculpture, painting, and mixed media work. Born and raised in Miami, Rodriguez has an intimate familiarity with the region’s vibrant vegetation as well as the light, humidity, and ferocity of this environment. While Rodriguez’s work is often maximalist, it is not rooted in living nature so much as the passage of time, the changing of the seasons, the process of decay, and the nature of resiliency. Rodriguez’s work for the exhibition will include a rarely seen, monumental installation titled Endless Autumn, from the collection of the Perez Art Museum as well as a new, large-scale painting. Mette Tommerup’s practice, which includes public art projects, reflects the artist’s longstanding inquiry into nature. A native of Denmark, Tommerup grew up near the ocean. Her large-scale paintings, which often include a performative component, evoke underwater seascapes, grassy expanses, and complex topographies. Tommerup considers her physical self and the viewer’s physical response as integral to her work. Rooted in languages of abstraction and the intersection of painting and sculpture, Tommerup’s monumental installations encompass the viewer, evoking a sense of awe. Deeply inspired by the poetry of Mary Oliver, Tommerup will premiere a new installation created for Of what surrounds me. On View: On display now until Sunday, September 15, 2024 Works By: Amanda Bradley, Cristina Lei Rodriguez, and Mette Tommerup By ML Staff. Courtesy of Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum

MUVE is excited to work alongside our community in partnership with  Miami-Dade County’s Miami EcoAdventures to care for our critical coastal habitats through nature-based volunteerism. On Saturday, July 20, 2024, we will plant native sea oats to enhance beach dunes and conduct a citizen science-based beach cleanup. All tools and materials will be provided. We recommend a reusable water bottle, closed-toe shoes, sun and bug protection, and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty! Directions to check-in Check-in will be located at the picnic tables next the Crandon Park Open Seas Cafe concession building, located at the south end of Crandon Park at the address 6747 Crandon Blvd on Key Biscayne. To get to the meeting location, enter Crandon Park on the Oceanside using the “South Beach” entrance, which is the third left-hand turn into the Park. Proceed past the old Park Headquarters building and information booth until you reach the sidewalk, then turn right and continue along the parking lot until you reach the south end. Park in the last few rows of the lot near the yellow Park Office building. After securing your vehicle, head east toward the beach where you will see the Open Seas Café, a yellow building with a covered patio and picnic tables located just beyond the “Amusement Area”. Parking Parking is complimentary for registered volunteers and passes will be provided upon check-in. Community Service Hours We offer community service hours at all MUVE events. Please find us after the event to sign forms. Safety The completion of Frost Science and Miami-Dade County liability waivers are required for participation. This waiver is included in the online registration process. LOCATION Crandon Park Open Seas Café 6747 Crandon Blvd. Key Biscayne, Fl 33149 TIME AND DATE July 20, 2024 at 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM By ML Staff. Courtesy of Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science