Sunday December 8 marked the most significant day por polo worldwide, with the much expected championship match of the 131st. Argentine Polo Open Championship, that took place on a packed Palermo, eager to watch the perfect contest, the 80-goal clash between reigning champions La Natividad, and La Dolfina, both still unbeaten. A splendid afternoon that included no less than the President of Argentina, Dr. Javier Milei in attendance, who was cheerfully greeted by the people, and presented the trophy to the winners.

La Natividad and La Dolfina played a game that was clearly divided in two parts. The first half was very balanced, but La Dolfina was the dominant force, although they were unable to expand the gap any further than two goals. By half time, they were leading by only two goals. And the story would start to change in the fifth chukka.

A determined La Natividad foursome, led by the indomitable Jeta Castagnola, bounced back; they managed to hold La Dolfina back and scoreless for three chukkas; while La Dolfina seemed stuck in those six goals, La Natividad outscored them 7-0 in the following three chukkas. At the end of the fifth chukka, the green jerseys were five goals ahead, 16-11. La Dolfina, meanwhile, struggled to get back into the game, but they only managed to produce one goal in the sixth and seventh chukka, and with the deal almost said and done, they outscored La Natividad 4-1 in the last. But the efforts didn’t pay off; La Natividad were wise enough to control the leadership, in order to claim a 13-11 win that secured them their second consecutive Argentine Open, the third for the club founded by the legendary Lolo Castagnola and his wife Camila Cambiaso.

Some additional facts – this is the third Argentine Open for Barto and Jeta Castagnola; the fifth for Facundo Pieres; and no less than thirteen for Pablo MacDonough. The latter won the Argentine Open with three teams – Ellerstina, La Dolfina and La Natividad.

131st. ARGENTINE POLO OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP – FINAL – SUNDAY DECEMBER 8

LA NATIVIDAD 13-11 LA DOLFINA

La Natividad: Camilo Castagnola 10 (9, five penalties), Facundo Pieres 10 (3, one penalty), Pablo Mac Donough 10 (1), Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. 10. Total: 40.

La Dolfina Saudi: Adolfo Cambiaso 10 (4, one penalty), David Stirling 10, Adolfo Cambiaso 10 (5, three penalties), Juan Martín Nero 10 (2). Total: 40.

Score La Natividad: 1-1, 2-5, 3-5, 4-6, 8-6, 11-6, 12-7, 13-11. 

Umpires: Gastón Lucero & Gonzalo López Vargas.              

Third Man: Matías Baibiene.

AWARDS PRESENTATION

Gonzalo Heguy Award to the MVP: Camilo Castagnola.

Javier Novillo Astrada Award to the tournament top scorer: Guillermo Caset, 38 goals.

Rubén Sola Best New Player Award: Antonio Heguy.

Copa Fomento Equino y Municipalidad de Cañuelas to the best mounted player of the final: Bartolomé Castagnola Jr.

Gonzalo Tanoira Award to the best mounted player: Adolfo Cambiaso.

Juan Carlos Harriott Fair Play Award: Bartolomé Castagnola Jr.

Lady Susan Townley Cup BPP: Guadalupe Lady Jane, ridden by Adolfo Cambiaso Jr.

Best Polo Argentino Bred, presented by the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Assn.: Lovelocks Drogba, ridden by Bartolomé Castagnola Jr.

131st. Argentine Polo Open Championship – Teams & Fixture

Cover photo by Matías Callejo.