Coca Cola claimed a narrow 10-9 win over Clearwater in the single match for the US Open Polo Championship, that took place on Friday April 5. Gillian Johnston’s seized the reins thoroghout the first half, reaching an impressive 7-0 bu half time. However, and from the fourth chukka on, Clearwater managed to bounce back slowly and although they could produce a handful of goal, Coca Cola remained steadily in the lead. But in a hard fought last chukka, Clearwater put pressure on their contenders to outscore them 3-0. But the efforts didn’t pay off – at the end of the day, Coca Cola were victorious.

Therefore, Coca Cola have now a 1-2 record, while Clearwater lost all their three games.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

All teams will play four preliminary matches each. Following the conclusion of preliminary play, all teams will be ranked 1-9. The top four ranked teams will draw for semifinal pairings with the winners of the semifinals advancing to the U.S. Open Polo Championship final.

Any ties between teams that played each other will be broken by who-beat-who. All other ties will be broken by a one-player shootout.

The championship match of the US Open Polo Championship is set to be played on Sunday April 21, at the National Polo Center.

US OPEN – FRIDAY APRIL 5

COCA COLA 10-9 CLEARWATER

COCA COLA:* Gillian Johnston 0, Kristos Magrini 6 (3 goals), Polito Pieres 9 (4), Torito Ruiz 7 (2). Total: 22.

*1 Goal on Penalty 1.

CLEARWATER: Lucas Criado Jr 7 (2 goals), Felipe Vercellino 7 (2)*, Jared Zenni 6 (4), Camp Campbell 1 (1)**. Total: 22.

*Subs in for Raúl Colombres.

**Subs in for Chip Campbell.

Score Coca Cola: 3-0, 5-0, 7-0, 9-3, 10-6, 10-9.

Umpires: Gastón Lucero & Steve Dalton.                               Third man: Héctor Galindo.

The US Open Polo Championship will resume on Saturday April 6, with the match between Valiente and Dutta Corp, due at 11am.

US OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP: Fixture & Teams

2024 THE GAUNTLET OF POLO  CALENDAR

CV Whitney Cup: February 9 – 25 (Winner: Valiente)

USPA Gold Cup: February 28 – March 24 (Winner: La Dolfina/Tonkawa)

U.S. Open Polo Championship: March 27  – April 21.

Utilizing the same prize money distribution for the 2023 Gauntlet of Polo, the format guarantees a total of $200,000 in prize money. $50,000 will be awarded to each of the winning teams of the C.V. Whitney Cup and USPA Gold Cup. Similarly, $100,000 in prize money will be presented to the winner of the U.S. Open Polo Championship and any team that wins all three tournaments will be crowned the Gauntlet Champion. In keeping with the spirit of philanthropy, U.S. Polo Assn. will provide a $2,500 donation to the winner and runner-up teams of all three finals to be donated to a polo charity of their choice.

All Sunday games are due on the National Polo Center main ground