The US Open Polo Championship continued on Thursday April 4, with the game between La Dolfina, the recent winners of the USPA Gold Cup and Pilot, champions of the US Open in 2002. As expected, both teams were up to the task, but La Dolfina had a better second half – they tied at 7-all in the fifth chukka, and took the lead in the two last chukkas to claim a 10-9 win. And although Pilot had an opportunity to tie within the last seconds of play, La Dolfina’s remarkable defense managed to hold them back. While La Dolfina have a 2-0 record, Pilot lost their first game in the tornament.
Action will resume on Friday with a single match.
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 – THURSDAY APRIL 4
LA DOLFINA 10-9 PILOT
LA DOLFINA: Alejandro Aznar 0, Rufino Merlos 3, Poroto Cambiaso 10 (4 goals), Tomás Panelo 9 (6). Total: 22.
PILOT*: Curtis Pilot 0, Antonio Heguy 6 (2 goals), Santiago Torres 6, Facundo Pieres 10 (6). Total: 22.
*1 goal on Penalty 1.
Score La Dolfina: 2-1, 3-4, 5-7, 7-7, 9-7, 10-9.
The US Open Polo Championship will resume on Friday April 5, with the contest between Clearwater and Coca Cola, 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
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