Marqués de Riscal defeated Ayala by 14 goals to 10 in the final of the 50th Anniversary Gold Cup to take the title at Santa María Polo Club. The 50th Anniversary Gold Cup marks the third and final stage of the 50th Anniversary Torneo Internacional de Polo by La Reserva Club de Sotogrande.
Both teams gave spectacular performances throughout the tournament, and the final was no different. Marqués de Riscal got off to a stronger start, allowing them to close the first chukka with a comfortable 5-1 lead. Halfway into the second chukka, an tough injury forced Benjamín Panelo to leave the field (he is now recovering well). He was replaced by Mackenzie Weisz and the match continued with Ayala slowly gaining momentum. They managed to get within one goal, and a quick run by youngster Cruz Heguy finished in a fantastic goal. By the end of the fourth chukka, Marqués de Riscal had secured a two goal advantage (10-8).
Both teams fought hard in the two last chukkas, but Marqués de Riscal’s strong defence held back every attempt made by Ayala to score. One last goal by Cruz Heguy sealed the deal, securing the 14-10 win and the title for Marqués de Riscal.
The awards presentation was very special due to the number of prizes presented by renown individuals. Among those in attendance were Iñigo Zobel; La Reserva Club Sotogrande’s Juliana Velez; Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix, Major of San Roque; Alexandra Strom; Juan Marin, the Vice President of the Junta de Andalucia; Manuel Cereceda, the tournament’s director; Mariano Zrazaga, Argentina’s Consul in Cadiz; and Don Ramón Mora Figueroa.
AWARDS – HIGH GOAL 50th ANNIVERSARY GOLD CUP:
Iñigo Zóbel presented a plaque to Don Ramon Mora Figueroa as a recognition for the 50 years of polo in Sotogrande.
Tournament runner up: Ayala Polo Team, presented by La Reserva Club Sotogrande’s Juliana Velez.
BPP: Celeste, ridden by Pablo Pieres, owned by Juan Martín Nero. The blanket was presented by Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix, Major of San Roque.
Best Polo Argentino Bred: Vasca Manau, ridden by Cruz Heguy. The blanket was presented by Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix, Major of San Roque.
Fair Play Memorial Birger Strom Award: Alejandro Aznar, presented by Alexandra Strom.
MVP Casa Fagliano Award: Cruz Heguy, presented by the Vice President of the Junta de Andalucía, Juan Marín.
Argentine Embassy Award to the three organising clubs: Iñigo Zobel (Ayala Polo Club), Don Ramon Mora Figueroa (Santa María Polo Club), and Álvaro Sáinz de Vicuña (Dos Lunas). Each were presented with a plaque by Mariano Zarazaga, Argentina’s Consul in Cadiz.
Tournament winners: Marqués de Riscal were presented with the trophy by Don Ramón Mora Figueroa.
FINAL – 50th ANNIVERSARY GOLD CUP: MARQUÉS DE RISCAL 14-10 AYALA
MARQUES DE RISCAL: Cruz Heguy 4 (5 goals), Santiago Cernadas 6 (2), Guillermo Caset 9 (5), Alejandro Aznar 0 (1). Total: 19.
AYALA: Iñigo Zobel 0 (Replaced by Roberto Iturrioz ,0, in the fifth chukka), Benjamín Panelo 5 (1 goal) (Replaced by Mackenzie Weisz, 4, in the second chukka), Santiago Laborde 6 (3), Pablo Pieres 9 (6). Total: 20.
Umpires: Daniel Boudou & Matías Baibiene.
Third Man: Federico Martelli.
Score Marqués de Riscal: (1-0) 5-1, 7-5, 9-6, 10-8, 12-8, 14-10.
The 50th Anniversary Torneo Internacional de Polo by La Reserva Club de Sotogrande has come to an end. The event was played at Ayala Polo Club, Santa María Polo Club, and Dos Lunas Polo & Dressage. The tournament saw twelve teams, split into two categories, compete. The high goal was for 18-20 goal teams, while the medium goal was for 12-14 goal teams.
ALL HIGH GOAL AND MEDIUM GOAL MATCHES FOR THE 50th ANNIVERSARY TORNEO INTERNACIONAL DE POLO BY LA RESERVA CLUB DE SOTOGRANDE ARE AVAILABLE TO WATCH ON POLOLINE TV HERE.
PHOTO CREDIT: MATÍAS CALLEJO.