The 2022 polo season in Argentina kicked off on Sunday, September 4, with the final of the 54th San Jorge Open Duke of Edinburgh Trophy, that saw Ellerstina Pilot and Martindale play on Palermo’s number 2 ground on a wonderful sunny afternoon in front of a packed grandstand. The occasion also marked Nico Pieres’ comeback to the Argentine high goal, following the serious injury he suffered while playing the Hurlingham Open last year.

The trophy is named after His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who presented the cup to the Club Hípico y Militar San Jorge in 1966. The Duke of Edinburgh regularly visited Argentina to play polo, a passion he inherited from his uncle and mentor, Lord Mountbatten. In 1966, the Duke of Edinburgh, who won the British Open twice and was rated at 5 goals, played the final of the Hurlingham Open with Horacio and Alberto Pedro Heguy, and Daniel González.

Ellerstina Pilot, a runner up in 2019, claimed the rematch, defeating Martindale by 8 goals to 6. Despite Martindale’s efforts, led by their top scorer, Tomás García del Río, Ellerstina Pilot, dominated the match under the command of Gonzalito and Facundo Pieres. The match was the second time American patron, Curtis Pilot, played on the Argentine grounds.

The next big tournament of the 2022 Argentine season is the much anticipated Jockey Club Open Thai Polo Cup, which is due to start on September 11. The tournament precedes the most coveted championship in the world: the Argentine Triple Crown.

SAN JORGE OPEN DUKE OF EDINBURGH TROPHY – FINAL – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4:

ELLERSTINA PILOT 8-6 MARTINDALE

Ellerstina Pilot: Curtis Pilot 0, Facundo Pieres 10 (4 goals), Gonzalo Pieres Jr 9 (4). Nicolás Pieres 10. Total: 28.

Martindale RUS: Mackenzie Weisz 6, Matías Benoit 6 (1 goal), Tomás García del Río 7 (5, one penalty), Rodrigo Rueda (h) 6. Total: 25.

Score Ellerstina Pilot: 2-0, 3-1, 4-2, 4-3, 7-4, 8-6.

Umpires: Hernán Tasso & Martín Goti.                      

Third man: Juan José Díaz Alberdi.

MVP: Facundo Pieres

Best Polo Argentino Bred, Presented by the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Assn.: Open Sexy, ridden by Nicolás Pieres.

Photo by Christian Grosso / Prensa AAP.