Action for the 131st. Argentine Polo Open Championship resumed on Tuesday December 3, following the rain delay, with the penultimate matchdate, prior to the final. Title holders, La Natividad, defeated La Hache and are the first team to advance to the decisive game. Previously, on ground 2, Indios Chapaleufu beat La Aguada, and secured a spot in the 2025 Triple Crown.
With regards to the first semifinal (or league decider), defending champions, La Natividad, and La Hache played a very close game. After a scoreless first chukka, they tied at 1-all in the second, and from then onwards, the game was very tight and balanced, however with slight advantages for the Cañuelas-based foursome. But La Hache never gave up, and made an impressive comeback in the seventh chukka, when they bounced back and remained only two goals behind. The last chukka saw a battle between the two lineups, but a single goal was enough – the formidable Jeta Castagnola put the ice on the cake to seal the 12-9 win that earned La Natividad the first spot in the final of the most important polo tournament in the world, their fourth in a row.
- INDIOS CHAPALEUFU WILL PLAY THE 2025 TRIPLE CROWN
In the meantime, and in the opening match of the day, Indios Chapaleufu clashed against La Aguada. While the latter was already out of competition, Indios Chapaleufu needed a win to secure their place in next year’s Triple Crown, in order to avoid depending on any results of tomorrow’s games.
Chapa got off to a stronger start, earning significant advantages; by half time, the Heguy family’s team had an impressive 12-3 lead. However, Chapa slowed down, and La Aguada bounced back, winning every throw in, coming closer in the score and leaving their contenders scoreless for three chukkas. Finally, Indios Chapaleufu managed to control the game in the two last chukkas, in order to achieve their aim – win the game and qualify for the 2025 Triple Crown.
The 131st. Argentine Polo Open Championship will continue on Wednesday December 4, with the following order of play:
2pm: La Zeta Kazak vs. La Ensenada (ground 2)
5pm: La Dolfina vs. Ellerstina (ground 1, SF #2)
- FINAL 131st. ARGENTINE POLO OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday December 8
131st. Argentine Polo Open Championship – Teams & Fixture
Cover photo by Matías Callejo.