Audi reached both big finals of the Florida season in March, and Audi lost both. The Whitney Cup went to Orchard Hill, and the Gold Cup to Dubai by a single goal.
Whitney Cup: Orchard Hill defend their title
Orchard Hill defended their 2015 title on 6 March, beating Audi 11-9 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Julián de Lusarreta was the match winner, putting away six goals for Orchard Hill and taking the MVP award, while the best playing pony award went to Norma, the horse belonging to Orchard Hill patron Steve Van Andel. Spectators were also treated to a visit from the Budweiser Clydesdales at the half-time divot stomp.
Gold Cup: Dubai win on Easter Sunday
The Gold Cup final on 27 March was an Easter Sunday occasion, with thousands of children collecting Easter eggs on the field before the match and a bonnet contest in the stands. On the field it was just as tight.
- The match was level at 7-7 at half-time.
- After the break Adolfo Cambiaso scored back-to-back goals to give Dubai a narrow lead.
- Audi took control of the fifth chukker, shutting down Dubai’s attack, and the score was 10-10 going into the last chukker.
- Cambiaso converted a 30-yard penalty for 11-10, and Audi’s Freddie Mannix equalised at 11-11.
- Facundo Sola scored the winner with just under three minutes remaining, and Dubai held on until the final horn.
Dubai’s side that spring was Cambiaso, Sola, Alejo Taranco and the patron Rashid Albwardy. Sola was named most valuable player, and Cambiaso’s horse Flo took the best playing pony award. Audi had arrived in Wellington as the defending Gold Cup champions after their overtime win the year before, so it was a disappointing end for them, but the final was one of the best of the season.
What is left
The U.S. Open Polo Championship continues the 26-goal programme on consecutive Sundays through 24 April. With Orchard Hill and Dubai both winners in March, the last big prize of the Florida season is wide open.
For Dubai, who made their North American debut only in January, a first Gold Cup so soon is a notable achievement, and it will be fascinating to see what Cambiaso and Sola do for an encore.
Sources: Town-Crier Newspaper (Whitney Cup), Town-Crier Newspaper (Gold Cup)
