The second leg of the Gauntlet of Polo has begun at the National Polo Center in Wellington. Ten teams in two brackets are playing the USPA Gold Cup, and the opening days produced plenty of drama.
Results so far
The first matches were played on 4 and 5 March, and the weekend continued the story:
- Park Place 15, Clinova The Sandbox 9
- La Dolfina/Tamera 12, Coca-Cola 8
- Pilot 15, Clearwater 8
- BTA 13, DUS 11
- Coca-Cola 19, Clinova The Sandbox 12
- La Dolfina/Scone 11, La Dolfina/Tamera 10 (extra chukka)
- Pilot 12, DUS 11
Pilot are the team to beat after two wins. The second of those was much tighter than the first, with DUS pushing them to a one-goal margin, but Curtis Pilot’s side kept their nerve. They have a core of Camilo Castagnola, Lorenzo Chavanne and Mackenzie Weisz.
The derby between the two La Dolfina entries was the match of the weekend. La Dolfina/Scone beat La Dolfina/Tamera 11-10 in an extra chukka, which gives them a good start in their bracket. It is hard to imagine two teams from the same club knowing each other’s game better.
Ladies’ polo: the WOW Challenge
On Friday 6 March, Engel and Volkers NYC beat 90210 Polo 9-6 in the final of the USPA WOW Challenge at the National Polo Center. The league phase began on 10 February at Flying Cow Polo Club, with ladies’ teams rated from 10 to 14 goals. Emilia Wulff of 90210 Polo was named MVP, and Alberta Early Windsor, ridden by Mica Saracco, was best playing pony of the tournament.
It is good to see a dedicated ladies’ event sitting alongside the high-goal fixtures, and the standard keeps rising each year.
Also this weekend
In Argentina, the second Bayer Agro Polo Tour took place from 6 to 8 March at La Hache Polo Club in General Rodriguez, bringing together polo, farming and families, with former River Plate captain Leo Ponzio among those announced to play.
The Gold Cup continues over the next three weeks, with semi-finals set for the end of March. We will keep you posted.
Sources: Polo Times (Gold Cup weekend), Polo Times (Gold Cup opening), Polo Times (WOW Challenge)
