David Paradice’s Australian foursome, Scone, secured a 8-6 win over reigning champions, Pilot, and claimed the USPA Gold Cup, the second leg of the prestigious The Gauntlet of Polo, and the tournament that preceeds the much anticipated US Open Polo Championship, The final took place at the USPA-owned National Polo Center Wellington, in Wellington, Florida, on Sunday March 26.
Scone, who received one goal on handicap, since Tomás Panelo (8) subbed in for the injured Pelón Stirling (9), had a stronger start, and dominated the first two chukkas. However, Pilot managed to bounce back in the third and managed to close the gap to just one goal. After half time, Scone made an impressive comeback and earned a decisive 7-4 advantage, but Pilot were not about to give up – in the fifth chukka, they produced one goal to maintain their hopes, but in the sixth and last chukka, Curtis Pilot’s lineup were not able to deal with Scone’s pressure. The damage was already done, and the win and the golden trophy went to David Paradice and his boys.
It is worth noting that the Cambiaso father and son duo claimed the two first tournaments of The Gauntlet of Polo: Adolfo Cambiaso won the CV Whitney Cup with Valiente, and his son was victorious in the USPA Gold Cup.
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.
The USPA Gold Cup saw thirteen teams up to 22 goals, in participation.
USPA GOLD CUP – FINAL – SUNDAY MARCH 26
SCONE 8-6 PILOT
Scone: David Paradice 0, Poroto Cambiaso 9 (3 goals), Tomás Panelo 8 (2)*, Cody Ellis 4 (2). Total: 21.
*Subbed in for Pelón Stirling, 9.
Pilot: Curtis Pilot 0, Matias Gonzalez 4, Facundo Pieres 10 (4 goals), Matias Torres Zavaleta 8 (2). Total: 22.
Score Scone: (1-0) 2-0, 3-1, 4-3, 7-4, 7-5, 8-6.
Umpires: Kimo Huddleston & Gastón Lucero. Third man: Martín Pascual.
MVP: Tomás Panelo.
BPP: Cabe Bailarina, ridden by Poroto Cambiaso.
Best Polo Argentino Bred, presented by the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Assn.: Cabe Bailarina, ridden by Poroto Cambiaso.
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USPA Gold Cup, Final – Scone vs. Pilot