The tenth fixture of the 125° Argentine Open took place on Sunday at Palermo with the last of the group matches. The final game of Zone B shook the polo world to the core, as Las Monjitas defeated Ellerstina to qualify for the final of the prestigious championship.
Las Monjitas gave their all and proved that they deserve their place on the main stage of polo: All four players performed exceptionally well, their organisation provided the necessary support, and their horses were on point, showing that are capable of winning the semifinal, and possibly even the final. Las Monjitas now face La Dolfina, who have won the title five years in a row, in what will be a battle worthy of the final.
Prior to the semi, Cría Yatay defeated La Albertina Abu Dhabi, who scored the necessary number of goals to qualify directly for the 2019 Hurlingham and Palermo Opens.
As in 2017, ten 40-goal teams, divided in two groups, were in competition.
CRÍA YATAY 13-12 LA ALBERTINA ABU DHABI
Cría Yatay: Lerín Zubiaurre 8 (2 goals), Magoo Laprida 8 (1), Joaquín Pittaluga 8 (7, 2 penalties), Iñaki Laprida 8 (3 penalties). Total: 32.
La Albertina Abu Dhabi: Nic Roldán 7 (2 goals), Fran Elizalde 8 (4, 1 penalty), Cubi Toccalino 8 (1), Alfredo Cappella Barabucci 8 (5, 1 penalty and 1 corner). Total: 31.
Score Cría Yatay: 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 5-4, 6-5, 9-8, 12-10, 13-12.
Umpires: Matías Baibiene and Gastón Lucero.
Referee: Martín Pascual.
Best “Polo Argentino” of the match:
Chicho Nicole (by Grappa Casino and Open Top Model), played by Joaquín Pittaluga.
Argentine Breeders Association Nominees:
Machitos Remolacha (by Durazno and Ranchera), played by Magoo Laprida.
Escriba Serpentina (by Rengo Luicito and Escriba Serpiente), played by Lerín Zubiaurre.
Judged by: Benjamín Araya.
LAS MONJITAS 18-16 ELLERSTINA
Las Monjitas: Facundo Sola 9 (2 goals), Hilario Ulloa 10 (4), Sapo Caset 10 (10, 4 penalties and 1 corner), Santiago Toccalino 8 (2) (scored own goal in the fourth). Total: 37.
Ellerstina: Polito Pieres 10 (4 goals, 1 penalty), Gonzalo Pieres 10, Nicolás Pieres 10 (4), Facundo Pieres 10 (7, 5 penalties). Total: 40.
Score Las Monjitas: 3-4, 6-6, 7-8, 10-11, 13-13, 16-13, 16-13, 18-16.
Umpires: Guillermo Villanueva Jr and Jason Dixon.
Referee: José I. Araya.
Best “Polo Argentino” of the match:
Open Candy Kiss (by Ellerstina Pícaro and Candy N Filly), played by Facundo Pieres.
Argentine Breeders Association Nominees:
Chapa Katrina (by Chapa Géminis and Chapa Moulin Rouge), played by Facundo Sola.
Open Guillermina (by Optimum and Open Geisha), played by Nicolás Pieres.
Judged by: Iñaki Laprida.
The 125° Argentine Polo Open concludes on Saturday:
4:30pm, FINAL 125th ARGENTINE POLO OPEN: La Dolfina vs Las Monjitas
ARGENTINE POLO OPEN: Fixture & Teams
PICTURE GALLERIES:
