Two finals, two one-goal margins. The weekend of 22 and 23 February gave polo fans plenty to talk about on both sides of the Atlantic.
Dubai: UAE Polo again
On Saturday at Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club, UAE Polo beat the newcomers Jehangiri Polo 9-8 in the Gold Cup final. It was UAE Polo’s sixth Gold Cup title, adding to the five they had before. Teodor Lacau was named Most Valuable Player and was also the top scorer, playing alongside Lukin Monteverde and Rosendo Torreguitar. Jehangiri, playing in the Gold Cup for the first time, were led on the field by Alejandro Muzzio and Santos Iriarte, and they made the winners fight for every goal. In the Bentley Cup final the same day, Dubai Wolves beat Bangash Dodson and Horrell 9-5, taking a commanding lead by the fourth chukka.
Wellington: a tenth Whitney Cup for Cambiaso
On Sunday at the National Polo Center, La Dolfina/Tamera beat Coca-Cola 11-10 to win the C.V. Whitney Cup, the first leg of the Gauntlet of Polo. It was Adolfo Cambiaso’s tenth title in the event, and he was named both Most Valuable Player and owner of the best playing pony, his mare Dolfina Carola.
- La Dolfina/Tamera: Alejandro Poma, Matt Coppola, Diego Cavanagh and Adolfo Cambiaso
- Coca-Cola: Gillian Johnston, Lorenzo Chavanne, Pablo Polito Pieres and Julian de Lusarreta
Coca-Cola had won the earlier league meeting between the two sides 17-13, and they came within a goal late on. The umpires awarded a technical foul after a premature celebration between Cambiaso and Coppola, which gave Polito Pieres the chance to push the match into overtime. It was Coppola’s third Whitney Cup.
What next?
The USPA Gold Cup starts on Thursday and runs to 23 March, and La Dolfina/Tamera and Coca-Cola will both be watched closely. Cambiaso is about to turn 50 in April, and there is no sign of him slowing down.
Sources: Al Habtoor Polo, Gold Cup final, USPA, C.V. Whitney Cup
