The 43rd edition of the Land Rover International Polo Tournament will once again attract several top players to come to Santa María Polo Club in Sotogrande and compete against each other from 25th July to 31st August, involving five of the best players in the world. More than 136 players and 1,200 horses are expected to participate in the tournament and about 500 employees are estimated to be required for this edition.
The teams start in three different leagues: eight teams fight in Low Goal for the Bronze Cup, fourteen teams want to win the Silver Cup in Medium Goal and twelve teams strive for the Gold Cup In High Goal. The Gold Cup offers 120 points of the world polo ranking for the winners, the Silver Cup comes up with 80 points.
Players from 17 countries will take part in this tournament, including five 10-goalers: Adolfo Cambiaso, Facundo Pieres, Juan Martin Nero, Gonzalo Pieres and David Stirling. Adolfo Cambiaso is currently considered to be the best player in the world, he holds the top position of the World Polo Tour Ranking, he is followed by Facundo Pieres on position two of the ranking. Both players are considered the major international stars of the sport, where they show their skill, power and technique on the field. Gonzalo Pieres will play with his brother Facundo for Ellerston.
Number 3 and 4 of the World Polo Tour Ranking will also be present at the most important tournament of continental Europe: Juan Martin Nero plays for Lechuza Caracas and David Stirling participates as well in the polo event. Stirling grew up playing in Santa María Polo Club, and this season will be playing for Ayala Polo Club with his younger brother, Santiago, who has won the Gold Cup three times in the last five years, in the past year he made the second place with UAE Polo Team.
Within the Spanish players, there is a young generation of players, which are doing very well nationally and internationally. Outstanding among all the Spanish players is Pelayo Berazadi, 2014 Most Valuable Player at Dubai Gold Cup Final, Pascual Sainz de Vicuña playing for Dos Lunas and Luis Domecq, son of past professional player Nacho Domecq, who last year performed exceptionally well alongside Adolfo Cambiaso, which gave a boost to his career.
The Land Rover International Polo Tournament is one of the most important tournaments in the world and attracts media attention all over the world. ESPN, the most important sports channel in the USA and Latin America, will provide a live coverage, reaching more than 90 million households, a significant number for a polo event. The most important English magazines as well as media from Holland, Russia, Germany and Argentina will be present at this outstanding event.
