On Saturday April 15, reigning champions, Pilot, and Valiente, qualified to the semifinals of the US Open Polo Championship, the most important tournament of the United States and the highlight of the prestigious Gauntlet of Polo, following their wins against Dazos and Scone, respectively, in the two first quarter final games that took place at the USPA-owned National Polo Center Wellington, in Wellington, Florida. The culminating contest of the polo season in the United States sees thirteen teams up to 22 goals, split in five leagues, in participation.
The two contests were family affairs. The first quarter final was the clash of the Pieres brothers: Pilot, with Facundo, had their rematch against Dazos, with Nicolás, and claimed an impressive 13-8 win. It is worth noting that both lineups already met in the league stage, with Dazos victorious over Pilot, and by the same score, 13-8. Up next came one of the most expected matches of the season. In addition to the clash between father and son, with Valiente’s Adolfo Cambiaso and Scone’s Poroto, the game had Pelón Stirling back on the saddle in Scone, after a long long absence due to an injury and moreover, it Adolfo Cambiaso’s birthday as well; but at the end of the day, the one and only Adolfito celebrated his 48th. birthday with a 11-9 win, that secured Bob Jornayvaz & Co. a ticket to the semifinals.
The semifinals of the US Open Polo Championship are due on Wednesday April 19.
US OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP – SATURDAY APRIL 15
QUARTER FINAL #1 – PILOT 13-8 DAZOS
Pilot: Curtis Pilot 0 (1 goal), Matias Gonzalez 4 (2), Facundo Pieres 10 (7), Matias Torres Zavaleta 8 (3). Total: 22
Dazos: David Farache 0, Dylan Rossiter 6 (1 goal), Nico Pieres 9 (5), Santi Torres 6 (2). Total: 21.
Score Pilot: 2-0, 3-1, 7-2, 8-5, 10-6, 13-8.
Umpires: Julian Appleby & Steve Dalton. Third man: Héctor Galindo.
QUARTER FINAL #2 – VALIENTE 11-9 SCONE
Valiente: Bob Jornayvaz 0, Peke Gonzalez 6 (2 goals), Lucas Criado Jr. 6 (7), Adolfo Cambiaso 10 (2). Total: 22.
Scone: David Paradice 0 (1 goal), Poroto Cambiaso 9 (7), Pelon Stirling 9, Cody Ellis 4 (1). Total: 22.
Score Valiente: 3-1, 4-4, 6-5, 7-7, 10-7, 11-9.
Umpires: Kimo Huddleston & Gastón Lucero. Third man: Martín Pascual.
IMAGES
The two remaining quarter final games of the US Open Polo Championship will take place on Sunday April 16, with the following order of play:
10am: MAG vs. La Fe
3pm: Park Place vs. La Elina
The final of the US Open Polo Championship will take place on Sunday April 23.
US Open Polo Championship – Fixture & Teams
Cover photo by Agustina Fonda.