Oak Brook Polo Club Defeats India to Win Butler Challenge Cup
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Story by Daphne Ortiz, Photos by Time Stops Photography and Karl Knapp Photography
On Sunday, August 20th, Oak Brook Polo Club defeated India 7-4 to win the Butler Challenge Cup, the second match of the “International Series.” Over 600 spectators gathered at the Prince of Wales Field to cheer on Oak Brook and welcome back, for the third straight year, the team from Delhi and Anandpur Sahib, India.
Captained by Vikram Singh Sodhi (#2), the team was comprised of Sachin Sarbalia (#1, Hcap-0), Tarun Bilwal (#3, Hcap-2) and local, honorary Indian for the match Mariano Gutierrez (#4, Hcap-4). Oak Brook’steam was led by Jim Drury (#4), and included Shailendra Sign (#1, Hcap-0), Tomas Obregon (#2, Hcap-4) and Horacio Onetto (#3, Hcap-4).
The four chukker match began after Reute Butler, granddaughter to Oak Brook founder Paul Butler and Friends of Conservation President, did the traditional ball roll in.
India started the match with one goal on handicap. As they got acquainted with their new mounts, the Oak brook team was quick to score the first three goals –the first from Onetto, then two in a row from Obregon. Fouled half way through the first chukker, India was awarded a penalty 4, through which Gutierrez converted for India’s second goal. Oak Brook’s Onetto replied with another goal he dribbled through seven other players to finish out the chukker 4-2.
The second chukker was scoreless for Oak Brook but not without some unexpected activity.
Adding to the excitement of field side seating, a member of each team mistakenly lobbed the ball into the stands on two separate occasions. Luckily no-one was hurt, and the match continued.
Oak Brook Polo Club’s final match in the “International Polo Series” is Sunday, September 10th against Great Britain.
2017 marks Oak Brook Polo Club's 95th season as one of the nation's oldest polo clubs in operation today and fourth oldest sports property in Chicago. Once considered the “polo capital” of the world Oak Brook was the destination for American Polo players and enthusiasts.
About Oak Brook Polo Club
Founded in 1922 by legendary businessman, Paul Butler, the Oak Brook Polo Club is an American Polo treasure and one of the oldest polo clubs in the United States. It was once the sport's epicenter for elite professional polo in the United States and served as home to the U.S. Open Polo Championship for twenty-four straight seasons and other prestigious international and national polo tournaments. For decades, the Club has been a popular Sunday tradition and social scene known for entertaining Hollywood celebrities, dignitaries, royalty and Chicago's distinguished. Today, Oak Brook Polo Club hosts several Sunday matches and continues to attract thousands of fascinated spectators who marvel at the athleticism and majesty of this timeless sport.