Following two thrilling days marked by heavy rainfalls, Park Place won their first ever US Open Polo Championship, the most coveted tournament in the United States and one of the most significant contests worldwide. Despite haveing secured the CV Whitney Cup, the opening tournament of The Gauntlet of Polo, twice (2021 and 2022), a major title escaped them, but this time they managed to have a well-deserved victory, that saw two spectacular 10-goalers, such as Hilario Ulloa and Adolfo Cambiaso battling hard on a wet but still playable ground.
The 2023 championship match took place at the USPA-owned National Polo Center split on Sunday (US Polo Assn. Field) and Monday (Isla Carroll). At the end of a tough battle, Park Place managed to make an impressive comeback in the sixth and last chukka to narrowly defeat Valiente by a 12-11 socre.
Heavy rainfalls on Sunday forced to postpone the match by half time, with Valiente leading 6-5. It is worth noting that Valiente had two replacements in this final – Lucas Criado Jr. wasn’t able to play due to the heavy fall he suffered in the semifinal against Pilot. He was subbed in by Agustín Nero; and the young Rufino Merlos filled in for Bob Jornayvaz.
After several discussions over the venue where the second half would be played, it was decided to resume the match on Monday at Isla Carroll. Although Valiente had a strong re-start, Park Place managed to handle their opponents’ advantage. Led by a remarkable Hilario Ulloa, who produced all the goals for his team, with the exception of a couple of penalty 1, Park Place were able to lift the coveted trophy of the US Open for the first time in their successul career.
Hilario Ulloa added his fourth US Open, following those in 2010, 2014 and 2018; for Andrey Borodin, Juan Britos and Jason Wates, it was the first.
It is worth noting Valiente’s remarkable comeback to the USPA highest handicap competiton, after five seasons; they closed the year as the winners of the CV Whitney Cup and runner up of the US Open.
Last but not least, Andrey Borodin stated: “It was a tough journey for several years to achieve this, it means a lot. Everyone gave everything they could, and the result is this. I think we deserve to celebrate”.
FINAL US OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP: PARK PLACE 12-11 VALIENTE
PARK PLACE: Andrey Borodin 0, Juan Britos 9, Hilario Ulloa 10, Jason Wates 3. Total: 22.
VALIENTE: Bob Jornayvaz 0 (subbed in by Rufino Merlos, 1, in the first chukka), Peke Gonzalez 6, Adolfo Cambiaso 10, Agustin Nero 5. Total: 21.
Score Park Place: 2-1, 4-4, 5-6, 7-8, 8-10, 12-11.
Umpires: Julian Appleby & Martín Pascual. Third man: Kimo Huddleston.
MVP: Hilario Ulloa. He was also presented with a $1,500 voucher, courtesy of Fly Polo.
The Willis Hartman U.S. Open Polo Championship BPP: Latia Kavaska (Ellerstina Picaro x Future La Karateka). Player: Hilario Ulloa.
Best Polo Argentino Bred, Presented by the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Assn.: Latia Kavaska (Ellerstina Picaro x Future La Karateka). Player: Hilario Ulloa.
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