Wellington’s weather has had the last word for now. The USPA Gold Cup final between Pilot and La Dolfina Scone was due to be played on Sunday 29 March at the National Polo Center, but heavy rain forced a postponement, and the USPA will set a new date.
How the finalists got there
The semi-finals were held on Wednesday 25 March. La Dolfina Scone won their semi-final 14-10, and Pilot beat The Dutta Corp after coming back in the final chukka from 10-9 down. That is a good result for Pilot in particular, because the Dutta Corp had beaten them 16-9 in the Whitney Cup semi-finals a month earlier.
Both finalists were unbeaten through the bracket stage, so neither has anything to prove about consistency. For La Dolfina Scone, a win would be a chance to make up for the Whitney Cup final loss to the Dutta Corp.
The Outback Cup, the last 16-goal qualifier
The final leg of the four-part NPC 16-Goal Championship began on 18 March with 12 teams. Results up to Tuesday 24 March included Dracarys 13-10 Kaia, Clearwater 12-8 SD Farms, Mrs Momma Bear/LW Ranch 10-9 Zapican BMW and Catamount 15-12 Las Brisas. The Outback Cup final is on Saturday 4 April, and it will fill the last qualifying place for the championship.
Elsewhere
- Fish Creek Cup: Fish Creek won the first edition of the cup at La Alegria Polo Club in General Rodriguez, played from 17 to 20 March.
- Vendimia Polo Tournament: Los Sauces won again at the Mendoza Country Club, from 12 to 15 March.
- Guatemala National High Handicap: General Insurance Company won at Las Canchas, also from 12 to 15 March.
Los Sauces are having a very good spring, taking the Berta Polo Open and the Vendimia. It is lovely to see Argentine interior clubs producing such strong teams.
With the Gold Cup final delayed, the US Open begins on 1 April as planned, and we will have a full update on the schedule as soon as it is confirmed.
Sources: Polo Times (Gold Cup rained off), Polo Times (Outback Cup), Polo Press (Fish Creek Cup)
