The two first matchdates of the USPA Gold Cup, the second leg of the prestigious The Gauntlet of Polo, were played through Thursday March 2 and Friday March 3. The tournament is currently underway at the brand new USPA-owned National Polo Center-Wellington, set in Wellington, Florida, and sees thirteen teams up to 22 goals, in participation.
La Fe and Aspen claimed wins on Thursday March 2, while Shack Attack and La Elina were victorious on Friday March 3.
The tournament format is the following:
*Brackets I, II and III will play within their brackets.
*Bracket IV and V will play cross bracket.
*Playoff matches to determine the quarterfinalists will begin on March 11.
*Teams that play their last bracket game on March 9 will not play any playoff game before March 12.
The USPA Gold Cup was established in 1974, and was played at Oak Brook Polo Club, in Oak Brooks, Illinois, before moving to Milwaukee Polo Club, in Hartland, Wisconsin through 1975-1978. In 1979, it landed in Florida. Like the CV Whitney Cup, the USPA Gold Cup will be entirely played at the at the brand new USPA-owned National Polo Center-Wellington, set in Wellington, Florida.
USPA GOLD CUP
- THURSDAY MARCH 2
LA FE 18-9 SHACK ATTACK II
La Fe: Louis Devaleix 1 (3 goals), Lucas Diaz Alberdi 6 (1), Francisco Elizalde 9 (12), Robi Bilbao 6 (2). Total: 22.
Shack Attack 2: Matias Magrini 7, Facha Valent 3 (3 goals), Kris Kampsen 6 (4), Mackenzie Weisz 6 (2). Total: 22.
Score La Fe: 2-1, 5-5, 8-6, 11-6, 17-7,12-9.
Umpires: Steve Dalton & Martín Pascual. Third man: Héctor Galindo.
ASPEN 8-7 DAZOS (Extra chukka)
Aspen: Stewart Armstrong 2 (1 goal), Nico Saenz 5, Rufino Bensadon 8 (6), Pancho Bensadon 7 (1). Total: 22.
Dazos: David Farache 0, Dylan Rossiter 6 (1 goal), Nico Pieres 9 (4), Santi Torres 6 (1). Total: 21.
Score Aspen: (0-1) 1-3, 2-3, 4-3, 5-4, 6-5, 7-7, 8-7.
Umpires: Julian Appleby & James Mirikitani. Third man: Gastón Lucero.
- FRIDAY MARCH 3
SHACK ATTACK 14-10 TWO TREES BY JEFFERIES
Shack Attack: Santino Magrini 4 (3 goals), Keko Magrini 5 (3), Santi Toccolino 8 (6), Nachi Viana 5 (2). Total: 22.
Two Trees by Jefferies: Will Johnston 1 (1 goal), Juan Sanchez Elia 5 (1), Mariano Aguerre 7 (3), Miguel Novillo Astrada 8 (5). Total: 21.
Score Shack Attack: (0-1) 4-1, 8-3, 8-4, 10-5, 12-7, 14-10.
Umpires: Ronnie Hayes & Gastón Lucero. Third man:Julian Appleby.
LA ELINA 10-8 DUTTA CORP SHOW+
La Elina: Jared Zenni 6 (4 goals), Jeff Hall 6 (4), Matt Coppola 5 (2), Nico Escobar 5. Total: 22.
Dutta Corp/Show +: Timmy Dutta 4 (1 goal), Joaquin Avendaño 4 (1), Tomas Garcia del Rio 8 (4), Nino Obregon 6 (2). Total: 22.
Score La Elina: 3-1, 5-3, 6-5, 7-6, 8-6, 10-8.
Umpires: Héctor Galindo & Kimo Huddleston. Third man:Gastón Lucero.
The USPA Gold Cup will continue on the weekend with the following order of play:
- Saturday March 4:
1pm: Scone vs. Tamera
- Sunday March 5:
12pm: Dazos vs. Pilot
3pm: Shack Attack 2 vs. Park Place
The final of the USPA Gold Cup is set to be played on Sunday March 26.
USPA Gold Cup – Fixture & Teams
Cover photo by Agustina Fonda.