The wait is over: the 130th. Argentine Polo Open, the most important tournament of the world, is due to kick off. The two first matchdates, Tuesday October 31 and Wednesday November 1, will be played at the Argentine Association of Polo, in Pilar, and will be back home, to Palermo, from Saturday November 4 to the much anticipated championship match on Saturday December 2.
As usual, and since 2017, the Argentine Open will see ten teams between 28 and 40 goals, in participation. Teams are split in two leagues.
The opening day of the most significant polo competition worldwide, will feature a very poignant tribute to two of the most remarkable stars of the sport: Juan Carlitos Harriott and Francisco Dorignac, by naming grounds 1 and 2 in Pilar after them. The unforgettable Juancarlitos and Frankie left a significant mak within the sport with their teams, Coronel Suarez and Santa Ana, respectively. Juancarlitos has won the Argentine Open twenty times, more than anyone else, while Frankie claimed the title on three ocassions. In addition, Frankie was elected President of the AAP, holding the position for three terms: 1987-1991, 2005-2009 and 2013-2017.
The first day of the 130th. Argentine Polo Open, on Tuesday October 31, will have the following order of play:
2pm: La Hache La Roca vs. La Esquina
La Hache La Roca: Pablo Pieres 9 (Tommy Beresford 7), Hilario Ulloa 9, Guillermo Caset 9, Francisco Elizalde 9. Total: 36.
La Esquina La Mascota: Pascual Sáinz de Vicuña 6, Cristian Laprida 8, Lucas James 7, Ignacio Laprida 8. Total: 29.
Umpires: Matías Baibiene & Hernán Tasso. Third man: José Ignacio Araya.
4,30pm: Cría La Dolfina vs. La Hache Cría & Polo
Cría La Dolfina: Guillermo Terrera 9, Tomás Panelo 9, Diego Cavanagh 8, Alejo Taranco 9. Total: 35.
La Hache Cría y Polo: Rufino Bensadón 8, Carlos María Ulloa 7, Facundo Sola 8 Joaquín Pittaluga 8. Total: 31.
Umpires: Guillermo Villanueva & Gonzalo López Vargas. Third man: Martín Aguerre.