Text By Pascal Renauldon (RB Presse)
Three of them reached the finals this weekend in Palermo: Mía on Saturday in the Women’s Open, Adolfo and Poroto on Sunday in the 132nd Argentine Open. All three emerged with a trophy in hand. The dynasty continues to stretch the limits of what seems possible: Mía claimed her fifth Women’s Open title in nine appearances; Poroto, at just twenty-two, lifted the trophy for the second time; and Adolfo… Adolfo Cambiaso secured his nineteenth Argentine Open title.
He is now one step away from matching the record of Juan Carlos Harriott, the legendary Coronel Suárez icon whose mark once seemed untouchable. Next year, at 51, Cambiaso will have the opportunity to equal — perhaps even surpass — the greatest benchmark in the sport. Palermo was their kingdom once again, under the watchful eye of President Javier Milei, who watched the entire match with Cambiaso’s helmet resting on his knees before donning it during the prize-giving ceremony.
This year’s Open brought together four teams under the appearance of two. On one side, the unprecedented family coalition between La Natividad and La Dolfina — a cousin-powered alliance that felt improbable on paper and brilliant on the field. On the other, the revival of Indios Chapaleufú II, led by the sons of Pepe and Ruso Heguy, united with the Pieres brothers. Nearly every player on the field had already tasted victory in Palermo: Adolfo Cambiaso eighteen times, Poroto once, Jeta and Barto Castagnola three times each, Gonzalo Pieres three, and Facundo Pieres five. Only Cruz and Antonio Heguy were still chasing that elusive first Open — the sport’s ultimate grail.
The final began with an unexpected rhythm. Ellerstina–Chapaleufú Vista took the early lead, unsettling the blue-and-green machine that had not lost a single match all season. But everything changed in that astonishing stretch between the third and fourth chukkers: a devastating 6–0 run that flipped the entire final in favor of the Cambiaso–Castagnola clan. Ellerstina fought back bravely, producing a 6–2 surge of their own, until the match’s turning point arrived abruptly. Early in the eighth chukker, Facundo Pieres was knocked off balance, hit the ground heavily, and rose limping — his adductors visibly compromised. Two goals from the lead, the comeback hope evaporated. “A lot of frustration,” admitted Antonio Heguy afterward. “We were ready for this final. We started really well, but that terrible 6–0 stretch killed us. Against a team like this, you cannot give away such a gap. We came back, but chasing them is almost impossible.”
La Natividad La Dolfina then delivered what they had displayed all season long: control, precision, and an extraordinary sense of timing. It was their first Palermo title as a unified family team — and it completed the Triple Crown, following victories at Tortugas and Hurlingham.
“It’s an immense joy,” said Poroto Cambiaso. “Sharing this title with my family — my cousin, my mother, my sisters, everyone behind us — it’s a dream. Playing a final like this is what every player hopes for. This year we were playing for the Triple Crown, and most of all, we were playing as a family. My first Palermo win will always be special, but this one is just as meaningful: my first Triple Crown. I’ll celebrate it like my first Abierto.”
He reflected on the turning points of the match: “We stayed calm through all eight chukkers. Under that kind of pressure, the team delivered one of its best performances. We had to be at that level against such a strong opponent.” And on his father’s nineteenth title: “It’s unbelievable… When we built this team, I told him: ‘We’re going for 19 — and after that you can’t retire!’ It’s up to him whether he wants to play another year. We want him to keep going. If he stays with us, we’ll go for the record — or at least try.”
Jeta Castagnola shared the same sense of fulfilment: “We played extremely well as a team. We made the difference when it mattered, stayed patient when they came back, and won the key moments together. It was a beautiful final. Ellerstina–Chapa had an exceptional season; it was wonderful polo to watch. And now… our first Triple Crown. You have to savor it. It’s the hardest level in the world. Winning it with a cousin, an uncle, a brother — that’s something unique.”
Then came the Maestro himself… Adolfo Cambiaso, reflecting on yet another chapter of an impossible career, said: “It’s a dream come true. Even at my age, I think this is the best year of my career. I won every major tournament abroad, and sometimes I’m the first to be surprised by what I can still achieve. None of this would be possible without my family — the group around us is exceptional.”
About the final: “I lived it intensely. I was nervous because it was also about securing the Triple Crown — and we deserved it. It was our best match of the season: we played as a real team, all attacking, all defending. I loved it.”
Palermo did not just crown a champion; it reaffirmed the dominance of a family, a style, an inheritance — and offered the GOAT yet another step toward eternity.
Women’s Open – A Beautiful Final, But Troubling Signs
There was one disappointment this year: the Women’s Open featured only three teams. Such a reduced field undermines the momentum women’s polo has built over recent seasons and forces the AAP to confront a difficult question: how can top-level women’s polo remain accessible when European players must absorb the costs of long-haul travel, rising expenses in Argentina, horse rentals, and a competitive imbalance increasingly tilted toward high-powered organizations such as UAE Polo and, above all, La Dolfina?
Even La Hache — featuring former world No.1 Lia Salvo — failed to find answers this season and lost both matches. A long-term reconsideration may be necessary, including a potential handicapping limit at 30 goals, or even lower, to restore competitive depth.
On the field, however, the final left no doubt. Last year, La Dolfina fell to UAE Polo, where Millie Hine and Hope Arellano had delivered standout performances. This year, Mía Cambiaso did what Argentine polo calls “reforzar” but rather debaucher in reality: she strengthened her line-up by bringing in those very two players. The result was as clinical as it was inevitable. La Dolfina controlled the match from start to finish, and at just 23 years old, Mía Cambiaso claimed her fifth Women’s Open title. Milly Hine also secured her fifth, matching Cande Fernández Araujo as the most decorated players in the tournament’s history. Hope Arellano earned her third title, while Cata Lavinia celebrated the first of her young career.
“I’m very happy. Playing at this level is pure enjoyment for me,” Mía said after the match. “The game was tough — UAE played much better than in our first encounter — but with my team, we always have fun, and today was really special.” On earning the MVP award, she smiled:“I leave that to my teammates…” A modest way of highlighting how collective this victory truly was.As for celebrations: “We’re still deciding… I’d stay in bed, but my teammates want to go out!”
A dilemma quickly resolved, considering Millie Hine’s famously festive spirit — confirmed later on social media.
La Dolfina’s fifth Women’s Open title reinforces, once more, the superiority of its sporting and organizational model. Now the challenge is for the AAP to broaden the field and restore competitive diversity so that excellence does not become a barrier but an invitation.
What Comes Next
Now comes the always entertaining — and sometimes cruel — waiting game for handicap updates and team reshuffles. Several line-ups, despite remarkable individual talent, never found the chemistry one might have expected, while others surpassed all predictions. Many hope the La Natividad–La Dolfina coalition will return next year to give Adolfo Cambiaso the chance to equal Harriott’s record. The charismatic Ellerstina–Indios Chapaleufú line-up, a genuine breath of fresh air this season, will also be widely missed if it does not come back intact. And La Aguada, winners of the repechaje against La Zeta Kazak, will rejoin the elite.
Handicap speculation is already lively. Mía Cambiaso seems destined to reach 10 goals, as should do Milly Hine. The Heguy brothers probably deserve a raise, as does Facundo Llosa after his excellent season with La Aguada. Conversely, some legends may see slight downward adjustments: David Stirling, Nicolás Pieres, Juanma Nero, Pablo MacDonough, or Sapo Caset could all be candidates.
The bets are open — and answers are coming soon.
Results, statistics and special awards:
132e Open d’Argentine Galicia
La Natividad La Dolfina: Jeta Castagnola 10 (3 goals, one from a corner), Poroto Cambiaso 10 (7, two from penalties), Adolfo Cambiaso 10 (3), and Barto Castagnola 10 (4). Total: 40.
Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufú Vista: Facundo Pieres 10 (6, four from penalties) (Injured, replaced by Pedro Zacharias 8, at 1m 16s of the eighth chukker), Antonio Heguy 8 (3), Gonza Pieres 9 (1) and Cruz Heguy 9 (3, one from a penalty). Total: 36.
Score progression La Natividad La Dolfina : 2–2 / 3–5 / 6–5 / 11–5 / 12–6 / 13–9 / 14–12 and 17–13
Awards
- Best Playing Pony : Lovelocks Drogba – Barto Castagnola
- Best Argentine Polo Breed Horse: Dolfina Copas – Poroto Cambiaso
- MVP of the Final : Barto Castagnola
- Hublot Top Scorers of the Championship: Hilario Ulloa & Facundo Pieres – 35 goals each
Women Open :
La Dolfina:
Hope Arellano 10 (3 goals, one penalty), Catalina Lavinia 8, Mía Cambiaso 9 (4), Milly Hine 9 (2, one penalty).
Total: 36.
UAE Polo:
Hazel Jackson 10 (4), Candelaria Fernández Araujo 10, Carina Clarkin 9, Maitena Marré 7.
Total: 36.
Score progression La Dolfina: 1–1, 1–2, 4–2, 5–2, 7–4, 9–4.
AWARDS
- AAP MVP Award: Mia Cambiaso.
- Zulki Award for Top Scorer of the Tournament: Millie Hine.
- Myriam Heguy and Municipality of Cañuelas Fair Play Award: Hazel Jackson.
- AAP Award for Best Horse in the Final: Don Ercole Heyla, played by Catalina Lavinia.
- AACCP Award for Best Registered Argentine Polo Breed Player: Monjita Bag Lady, played by Hope Arellano.
Playoffs
La Aguada: Facundo Llosa 8 (5 goals, three from penalties), Kristos Magrini 6 (2), Pedro Zacharias 8 (5, two from penalties) and Felipe Vercellino 7 (1 penalty). Total: 29.
La Zeta Kazak: Lorenzo Chavanne 7 (5 penalties), Beltrán Laulhé 7 (3), David Stirling (h) 9 (3, one penalty 1) and Nicolás Pieres 8 (1). Total: 31.
Score progression La Aguada: 2-1, 3-2, 4-4, 5-8, 8-10, 10-11 and 13-12.
P.S.: And the carousel started turning the very next day. Pelón Stirling announced his departure from La Zeta Kazak to join Las Monjitas, where he will reunite with Juan Martín Nero — his former La Dolfina teammate — alongside Rufino Bensadon and Lukin Monteverde. Pelón will be replaced by Sapo Caset, who, like Bensadon, is leaving La Ensenada. So, a strong lineup for La Zeta Kazak already, with clear ambitions to fight their way back into Triple Crown contention.
Another fresh development: the union of two fraternal duos. Tomás and Benjamín Panelo will now team up with Hilario and Tuly Ulloa.
The two finalists, La Natividad La Dolfina and Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufú, have confirmed they will keep the same lineup for 2026.
Remaining “on the market” are enough top players to form yet some other powerful teams: Pablo MacDonough, Polito Pieres, Fran Elizalde, Juan Martín Zubia, Nachi du Plessis, Jero del Carril… plus several available 8-goalers. Let’s wait and see how these players get along with each other.
Images & Text: © RB Presse/Pascal Renauldon
