MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) – The 2024 Beach Polo World Cup kicks up sand in South Florida, as eight international teams come to the sand to compete for all the ponies.

The first round of games took place on Thursday, sparking the beginning of a weekend of fun ahead. 

The spectacle takes place just off of Collins Avenue between 21st and 22nd St. 

“There’s nothing like this anywhere else in the world,” said Jason Mohr, a polo player.

The grounds have been specially curated for the games. 

“This is proper footing; it’s not the beach sand,” said Melissa Ganzi, the president and owner of Grand Champions Polo Club. “We imported all of this material into the beach, and it’s what the show jumpers use as well. 

Although she is both the president and owner of the Grand Champions Polo Club, Ganzi is also a player herself. 

“I’m really excited about playing in this event,” she said. “I play Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and I play against my son! So that’s always a challenge.”

Viewers of the event can enjoy the show as well as a drink in front of the backdrop of the beautiful Miami Beach.

“It’s been fun to watch and get a better sense of what the sport is all about,” said Todd Flemming, a viewer of the event. I encourage everybody to come out because I think you’ll be very surprised with the activity and the action that you see.”

VIP tickets for the event start at $75. Those uninterested in paying can still enjoy the competition with a great view from the sand. 

The games begin at 2:30 p.m. every day until Sunday.

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The Miami Dolphins have been busy this week making several moves, both on the 53-man roster and the practice squad, but they might not be done.

The Dolphins worked out three players — all interior defensive linemen Wednesday, according to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson.

The three players are Nick Thurman, Jack Heflin and Jerrod Clark.

Thurman has the most experience of the three, having played 34 NFL games with five starts since 2020, two years after he signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent. He played nine games with four starts for the Carolina Panthers this season, recording 19 tackles, including one for loss, before being waived two weeks ago.

Heflin has appeared in six regular season games over the past three seasons, with the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants and New Orleans Saints. Heflin hasn’t played this season after being waived by the Saints on August 27.

Clark has never appeared in an NFL game since joining the Los Angeles Chargers as a rookie free agent in 2023.

Keep in mind that the workouts simply could have been a matter of keeping players on file in case a need develops.

The Dolphins currently have five defensive linemen on the active roster with Calais Campbell, Zach Sieler, Benito Jones, Da’Shawn Hand and Neil Farrell, plus two more on the practice squad (Shakel Brown and Matt Dickerson).

Additional reading:

— Dolphins Make Eye-Opening Roster Move

— Wilkins Missing Out on Dolphins Reunion

— Dolphins Bring Back Rookie to Practice Squad

— Dolphins Getting Veteran Offensive Lineman Back at Practice

Associated Press

Miami Heat (4-6, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (5-6, fifth in the Eastern Conference)

Indianapolis; Friday, 7 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Pacers -3.5; over/under is 230.5

BOTTOM LINE: Miami faces the Indiana Pacers after Tyler Herro scored 40 points in the Heat’s 123-121 overtime loss to the Detroit Pistons.

Indiana went 47-35 overall and 32-20 in Eastern Conference action last season. The Pacers averaged 7.7 steals, 5.9 blocks and 12.3 turnovers per game last season.

Miami went 46-36 overall and 32-20 in Eastern Conference play during the 2023-24 season. The Heat averaged 7.5 steals, 3.4 blocks and 11.8 turnovers per game last season.

INJURIES: Pacers: Aaron Nesmith: day to day (ankle), Andrew Nembhard: day to day (knee), Isaiah Jackson: out (calf), James Wiseman: out (calf).

Heat: Jimmy Butler: day to day (ankle).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.