The Florida high-goal season has its first champions. On Sunday at the National Polo Center in Wellington, Buena Vibra beat La Fe Eastern Hay 12-9 on Field One to retain the USPA Women’s Polo Open.
The women’s final
Buena Vibra were the defending champions, and La Fe Eastern Hay had won the title in 2023, so this had the feel of a decider between the two best sides in the competition. Candelaria Fernández-Araujo was named Most Valuable Player, and her mount Machitos Filipa, known as Drone, took the best playing pony award. The goals were shared out generously: Milly Hine scored eight for Buena Vibra and Hope Arellano scored eight for La Fe Eastern Hay. The winners took home $17,000, with $8,000 for the runners-up, and each team also had $2,500 to give to a charity of its choice.
The Gauntlet begins
The men’s season starts in earnest this week. The C.V. Whitney Cup began on Saturday and runs until 23 February. It is the first of three 22-goal tournaments in the Gauntlet of Polo, all played at the National Polo Center. The USPA Gold Cup follows from 27 February to 23 March, and the U.S. Open Polo Championship runs from 26 March to 20 April. Adolfo Cambiaso heads the biggest names on the entry list.
Meanwhile in Dubai
The Gold Cup at Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club, the 16th edition, opened on 5 February. It is a 20-goal tournament and is played through to 22 February. On day one, Dubai Wolves edged Bangash 10-9, while UAE Polo beat Habtoor Polo. The Silver Cup, which kicked off the high-handicap season in the Gulf, had run from 15 January to 1 February.
- Wellington: C.V. Whitney Cup, 8 to 23 February
- Dubai: Gold Cup, 5 to 22 February
- Next up in Wellington: USPA Gold Cup from 27 February
It is a lovely time of year to be a polo fan, with three continents running high-goal tournaments at once. We will report on the Dubai and Whitney finals as soon as they are played.
Sources: Horse Nation, USPA Women’s Polo Open, Al Habtoor Polo, Gold Cup opening day, USPA, C.V. Whitney Cup
