The US Open Polo Championship, the most prestigious polo tournament in the United States, came to an end on Sunday at International Polo Club, in Wellington. Six teams of up to 26-goals battled it out for the title in a competition which grasped the polo community right up to the last minute.
All the odds were in favour of Valiente, and it seemed as if no rival could overthrow them. They charged through the season undefeated, until Daily Racing Form caught them off guard and stole the most important title of the country from under their nose. They beat a Valiente team which boasted the two most prominent players of the world polo circuit: Adolfo Cambiaso and Facundo Pieres. Thanks to the teamwork, focus, and motivation of DRF, and to their secret weapon, Hilario Ulloa, they fought their way to the title, beating their rivals by 10 goals to 9.
Valiente started the game with a slight advantage, as a result of the two goals scored by Facundo Pieres, top goal scorer of the tournament, and Bob Jornayvaz’s team finished the first chukka with a 2-1 lead. In the second, DRF caught up, tying the match 3-all thanks to goals by Nino Obregon and Hilario Ulloa. The third chukka was pivotal. Ulloa came out in full force and scored twice for his team, giving DRF a two goal break. Adolfo Cambiaso, 2017 US Open Champion, scored once before half time, but Jared Zenni’s team still went into the fourth a goal up.
In previous matches, Valiente had come out fighting in the fourth and fifth chukkas, but DRF did not loosen their grip for a second. After a discreet fourth chukka, where both teams scored a goal a piece, came the most attractive period, with the highest number of runs. When it seemed as if they would go into the sixth tied 8-all, Mariano Obregon scored for Daily Racing Form, giving their organisation and fans hope. In the final chukka, Valiente continually failed to take advantage of their opportunities, and Jared Zenni, one of the most note-worthy players of the season, scored the most important goal of his career. Time was running out, and Facundo Pieres worked to get a goal for his team, but time was against him, and Daily Racing Form achieved the almost unimaginable.
The title is a huge reward for a team that bet on the 26-goal, and that also gave a good performance in the 20-goal. DRF will go down in polo history as the team that beat Facundo Pieres and Adolfo Cambiaso in the same team to claim the US Open Polo Championship.
US OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP: DAILY RACING FORM 10-9 VALIENTE
Daily Racing Form: Agustín Obregon 5 (1 goal), Mariano Obregon 6 (2), Hilario Ulloa 10 (5), Jared Zenni 5 (2). Total: 26.
Valiente: Bob Jornayvaz 2, Tommy Beresford 4 (1 goal), Facundo Pieres 10 (6), Adolfo Cambiaso 10 (2). Total: 26.
Score Daily Racing Form: 1-2, 3-3, 5-4, 6-5, 9-8, 10-9.
MVP: Jared Zenni.
BPP: Sally, played by Mariano Obregon.
Top Scorers of the Competition: Facundo Pieres 25, Hilario Ulloa 24, Adolfo Cambiaso 19.
MUSEUM OF POLO HALL OF FAME CUP: COLORADO 12-9 AUDI
MVP: Magoo Laprida.
BPP: Mario Brothers. Played by Nico Pieres.
Horse Recognition Awards:
Best String (Best Playing String for the 2018 Season): Hilario Ulloa.
Horse of the Year (Best Playing Horse of the 2018 Season): Macarena. Owned by Mariano Gonzalez, played by Mariano Gonzalez and Adolfo Cambiaso.
American Bred Horse of the US Open: Tanita, played by Adolfo Cambiaso, owned by J5 Equestrian.
Wembley Award (Awarded to the horse showing excellence and longevity in high goal polo): Sultan, played by Rodrigo Andrade.
American Polo Horse Association Award (presented by the APHA): Lufthansa, played by Adolfo Cambiaso, owned by J5 Equestrian.