Polo legend Mike Azzaro returns to the fields of Wellington
Mike Azzaro is back in Wellington and living the dream. The Hall of Famer, who held a 10-goal handicap for 14 years and won the US Open seven times, was set to hang up his spurs, until his family dictated otherwise. “I was ready to move to the mountains and throw everything away,” Mike said. “And then the boys decided they wanted to play a lot more polo.”
Mike currently plays alongside his eldest son Harrison for Mrs Momma Bear/LW Ranch polo team in the Wellington Polo Tour 16-goal series. He has plans this summer to play in Santa Barbara with Harrison, his youngest son Hunter and his son-in-law Santi Torres. “It’s a dream to be out there with the boys,” he said. “Just to be back again, it’s nice.”
Even more rewarding for Mike, is to be playing many of his homebred horses including several three-year-olds who are already prepped for this level. “I’ve been breeding the horses at home for six years. They’re all from my 26-goal mares,” said Mike, whose base is the family’s ranch in Texas. “We now have three stallions on the ranch so it’s going good.”
The 16-goal series is underway with the first of four tournaments – the Ylvisaker Cup. Competition is fierce among the fifteen teams in contention – and the team rosters are peppered with family connections, most notably of the paternal kind. Additional father and son combinations are Matias and Santi Magrini playing for Cielo Tequila, Miguel and Miki Novillo Astrada with Flying H – and Adolfo Cambiaos joins forces with his daughter Mia for Catamount.
Amy Azzaro is also in Wellington to cheer on her husband and sons. “It’s every father’s dream to play with their son and it’s a dream come true for Mike and then just to see the chemistry it’s a beautiful melody in motion,” she said.
Harrison is also appreciative of the support he feels with his father in action alongside him. “For the last five years, I’ve been coming down here alone, and so to be here together and to be playing together is really very good. With him on the field, he gives me a lot of confidence,” Harrison said, adding that his father is not one to overcoach. “He’s been very much into letting me figure it out. At times I’ve wanted more coaching, but it’s helped me find my own way and take responsibility.”
Mike, 60, plays off a three-goal handicap at this stage in life. His return to the polo epicenter of Wellington was made possible by sponsorship from the founder and designer of Mrs Momma Bear, Lee Evans Lee, who has also played polo alongside Mike. “She’s incredible – she has been a great support,” Mike said. As to Harrison, he also has nothing but praise. “He’s a great player and he’s got a great attitude on the field.”
This could be interesting: