A true investigation in six chapters

THE POLO
UNITED FILES

Sex, power, crime and the private world surrounding an elite polo operation—from Wellington to California, Greenwich and Argentina.
Read Parts I–VI ↓Part VII arrives fall 2026
The complete six-part series

Read the Investigation

Begin with Part I or enter at any chapter. Every image and title below opens the full article.

The people inside the story

Cast of Characters

Roles below describe how each person appears in the published reporting. Select a card to enter the relevant chapter.
Ciro Desenzani
Central subject · Part II

Ciro Desenzani

Co-owner · Polo United
Michel Dorignac
Central subject · Part I

Michel Dorignac

Co-owner · Polo United
Zoe Cookson
Financial role · Part V

Zoe Cookson

Payments · Taqueada administration
Court filing discussed in connection with Avery Chapman
Legal role · Part VI

Avery Chapman

Attorney · Registered agent
Polo United group
Patron · Parts I, II & VI

Alex Meshechok

Sponsor · Business associate
Juana Socas
Associate · Part VI

Juana Socas

Polo United · York RE Capital
Investigations
I Took 3 Months Off of OUMERE to Hunt the International Con Men Behind an Elite Polo Ponzi Scheme Part VI: The Leak
I Took 3 Months Off of OUMERE to Hunt the International Con Men Behind an Elite Polo Ponzi Scheme Part VI: The Leak

The sixth chapter examines the leak, the ensuing fallout and what happened after Wendy Ouriel’s reporting reached the subjects of the investigation.

Read more →
I Took 3 Months Off of OUMERE to Hunt the International Con Men Behind an Elite Polo Ponzi Scheme Part V: As Tyrants Fall
I Took 3 Months Off of OUMERE to Hunt the International Con Men Behind an Elite Polo Ponzi Scheme Part V: As Tyrants Fall

Part V documents the financial disputes, fractures and eventual collapse surrounding the polo operation—and the consequences for the people drawn into it.

Read more →
I Took 3 Months Off of OUMERE to Hunt the International Con Men Behind an Elite Polo Ponzi Scheme Part IV: Into the Forest
I Took 3 Months Off of OUMERE to Hunt the International Con Men Behind an Elite Polo Ponzi Scheme Part IV: Into the Forest

Wendy Ouriel’s investigation moves deeper into the Argentine polo world through firsthand reporting, documents and interviews with those connected to the story.

Read more →
I Took 3 Months Off of OUMERE to Hunt the International Con Men Behind an Elite Polo Ponzi Scheme Part III: Archangel’s Return
I Took 3 Months Off of OUMERE to Hunt the International Con Men Behind an Elite Polo Ponzi Scheme Part III: Archangel’s Return

The Polo United trail expands through horse sales, court records and interviews as Wendy Ouriel uncovers new questions surrounding the people behind the operation.

Read more →
I Took 3 Months Off of OUMERE to Hunt the International Con Men Behind an Elite Polo Ponzi Scheme Part II: A Tale of Two Ciros
I Took 3 Months Off of OUMERE to Hunt the International Con Men Behind an Elite Polo Ponzi Scheme Part II: A Tale of Two Ciros

Wendy Ouriel continues her Polo United investigation, tracing conflicting accounts involving Ciro Desenzani, Michel Dorignac, the horses and the operation behind them.

Read more →
I Took 3 Months Off of OUMERE to Hunt the International Con Men Behind an Elite Polo Ponzi Scheme Part I: Seduced by the Flames
I Took 3 Months Off of OUMERE to Hunt the International Con Men Behind an Elite Polo Ponzi Scheme Part I: Seduced by the Flames

The investigation begins with Wendy Ouriel’s introduction to Polo United and the people, horses and escalating financial structure surrounding the Florida polo operation.

Read more →