U.S. Open Polo Championship

Wellington, FL – March 20, 2021 – The final day of play in Bracket I of the USPA Gold Cup® determined the seeding of the four teams, with Park Place and Tonkawa battling for the top seed. The first game of the day resulted in Aspen/Dutta Corp capturing their first victory, defeating Cessna 11-10, while Tonkawa and Park Place battled into overtime at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, where Tonkawa completed their comeback to capture the 11-10 victory and the #1 seed entering the semifinals.

Fighting for their first win in the tournament, Aspen/Dutta Corp and Cessna remained close throughout, never separated by more than three goals in the evenly matched game. Despite the close game, Aspen/Dutta Corp did not trail in the game, taking their one-goal advantage on handicap and remaining one step ahead of Cessna due to the eight-goal performance from Gringo Colombres. Despite shooting much more efficiently from the field, foul trouble hurt Cessna in the game, conceding eight penalty attempts and six goals to Aspen/Dutta Corp who relied on the source of offense to lead them to the 11-10 victory.

A quick start for Aspen/Dutta Corp produced a three-goal lead as they added to their lead on handicap with a field goal and Penalty 4 conversion from Colombres. Cessna struggled to find their footing early with six combined fouls starting and stopping play in the first chukker. Obregon Jr. converted a crucial Penalty 4 attempt to end the chukker, providing some momentum for Cessna. Trading penalty attempts, Colombres and Obregon Jr. kept the deficit at two, but Cessna was able to inch closer on Ezequiel Martinez Ferrario’s first goal of the game. Colombres continued to pace the Aspen/Dutta Corp offense, accounting for every one of his team’s goals in the first half, while Cessna was unable to produce enough scoring opportunities to pull even, trailing 6-5 at halftime.

Aspen/Dutta Corp and Cessna remained close throughout, never separated by more than three goals in the evenly matched game. ©Alex Pacheco

Foul trouble for Cessna proved to be a factor at the start of the second half, conceding two Penalty 2 conversions to Colombres, seeing their deficit grow back to two. With their sights set on their first victory, Aspen/Dutta Coro pressured Cessna in the fifth chukker, trying to pull away with six shots at goal, but inaccurate one for six shooting kept Cessna within reach. Timmy Dutta scored his first goal for Aspen/Dutta Corp, but Cessna responded with one goal each from Jared Zenni and Ferrario. Completing an exceptional performance, Colombres found Alberdi with a pass to seal the victory for Aspen/Dutta Corp with two late goals not enough in the 11-10 defeat.

The two top teams in Bracket I met in the final game of the bracket to determine seeding for the semifinals and it was the relentless attack of Tonkawa that ultimately was the difference in the overtime victory. Park Place held control throughout the game with an efficient attack that shot 57% from the field and converted both penalty attempts, while focusing defensively on slowing down Gauntlet of Polo® scoring leader Sapo Caset, which they did effectively by holding him to just two goals. However, six goals from Francisco Elizalde and a strong final chukker for Tonkawa allowed them to fight back and win on the first play of overtime to take the #1 seed in Bracket I.

Tonkawa completed their comeback to capture the 11-10 victory. ©Alex Pacheco

Making his first appearance of the season, Andrey Borodin returned to the Park Place line-up and his team produced a strong start with Ulloa and Britos collecting a goal and an assist each to build a 2-1 lead. Holding the potent Tonkawa attack scoreless in the second chukker, Park Place extended their lead to three, led by the play of Ulloa, who continued to provide offense both individually and by way of the pass. Converting just two of their 10 shots in the first half, Tonkawa received one goal each from Elizalde and Caset but were unable to pull any closer by halftime, trailing 6-3.

Finding their first momentum of the game, Tonkawa provided a determined start to the second half with Elizalde stepping up with a goal and an assist as part of a three-goal chukker that brought Tonkawa within one. Undeterred, Park Place turned to their 10-goaler Ulloa in the fifth chukker, scoring three consecutive goals and providing a dynamic attack that left Park Place back ahead by three with one chukker remaining. Quiet throughout the early stages of the game, Lucas Escobar made a significant impact for Tonkawa in the sixth chukker, scoring two goals, the second of which tied the game and sent the result into overtime. Just seconds into overtime, a long pass from Elizalde was placed right in front of the goal and it was Escobar who sent it through the goal, securing the 11-10 overtime victory for Tonkawa.

A strong final chukker for Tonkawa allowed them to fight back and win on the first play of overtime to take the #1 seed in Bracket I. ©Alex Pacheco

Polo matches at IPC are not open to the general public except for ticketed Sunday brunch. Online viewing is available with a subscription at globalpolo.com.

Click here to view the full 2021 High Goal Polo Schedule.
Click here to learn more about the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Click here to learn more about the GAUNTLET OF POLO®.

Wellington, FL – March 17, 2021 – The 2021 USPA Gold Cup® continued at the International Polo Club Palm Beach on Wednesday with a Bracket II play-off game between Pilot and Santa Clara, with the winner advancing to the third round. In a thrilling match, overtime was needed to determine the winner, and it was ultimately decided on a Penalty 2 for Gonzalito Pieres as he converted the opportunity, sending Pilot into the next round with the 12-11 victory.

Without their 10-goaler Facundo Pieres for the third consecutive game, Pilot ran into a balanced Santa Clara team that had all four of their players score at least two goals, but received another strong performance from Gonzalito Pieres, who finished with a game-high nine goals. Tied at five different moments in the game, the outcome could have gone either way with Santa Clara producing fewer chances at goal but shooting a very efficient 70% from the field. Decided by the smallest of margins, the 5 for 6 penalty shooting of Pieres, including the overtime Penalty 2 conversion, gave Pilot the narrow victory.

The evenly-matched contest was seen from the opening throw-in as Pilot and Santa Clara battled throughout the first chukker. With neither team able to score from the field, it was Pieres who gave Pilot a slim 1-0 lead on a Penalty 4 conversion, the only offense through the first seven minutes. Continuing to step up in the absence of brother Facundo, Gonzalito Pieres doubled Pilot’s lead to two, but foul trouble in the second chukker allowed Santa Clara to pull even, adding two penalty goals from Felipe Vercellino, along with a field goal from Luis Escobar to tie the game at 3-3. A game of contrasting playing styles saw Pilot continue to work tirelessly off the ball to free up space for Pieres, while Santa Clara used all four players. The result was the same as the teams remained deadlocked at 5-all entering the second half.

It was a well-matched game, with the scores ties at five different occasions. ©Alex Pacheco

Fighting some foul trouble of their own, Santa Clara conceded three penalties over the fourth and fifth chukkers, but matched Pilot stride-for-stride thanks to accurate shooting from the field. Scoring on five of their first six shot attempts of the second half, two each from Escobar and Will Johnston, Santa Clara continued to produce from the field, carrying some momentum into the final stages of the game against a Pilot team that had received seven goals from Gonzalito Pieres through five chukkers. Pilot dealt the first blow in the sixth chukker as Pieres scored from the field, but Santa Clara provided a response from the penalty line, where Vercellino converted a safety to tie the game for a fifth time. With time running down, Pieres broke free for a breakaway, but the head of his mallet broke to end his run.

Time expired to send the game into overtime, with both teams battling to advance in the tournament. Shortly into overtime, a turnover allowed Lucas James to jump on the loose ball and catch Santa Clara for a foul in front of goal, resulting in a Penalty 2 attempt for Pieres. Placing the ball through the goal posts, Pieres’ ninth goal was the difference in the exciting 12-11 victory for Pilot.

Pilot will advance to the third round of the 2021 USPA Gold Cup® thanks to their win. ©Alex Pacheco

Polo matches at IPC are not open to the general public except for ticketed Sunday brunch. Online viewing is available with a subscription at globalpolo.com.

Click here to view the full 2021 High Goal Polo Schedule.
Click here to learn more about the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Click here to learn more about the GAUNTLET OF POLO®.

Wellington, FL – March 16, 2021 – The second round of play in Bracket I of the 2021 USPA Gold Cup® produced the first set of semifinalists in the tournament after Tonkawa defeated Cessna 9-7 and Park Place captured the 10-6 win over Aspen/Dutta Corp. With the victories, Tonkawa and Park Place improved to 2-0 records securing the top two seeds with the winner of the bracket to be determined when the two teams meet on Saturday at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Facing a tough challenge from Cessna, Tonkawa captured their fourth consecutive win in the Gauntlet of Polo® as Sapo Caset continued his incredible scoring pace, finishing with eight goals while also assisting on his team’s ninth goal. Matching Tonkawa from the field, Cessna remained a step behind in the game by conceding three first half penalty goals to Caset which proved to be the difference in a match that came down to the final seconds. Converting just two of their final 11 shot attempts, Cessna fell just short in the narrow 9-7 defeat.

Playing in his second game, Camp Campbell found his footing at the 22-goal level, scoring two goals in the first chukker for Cessna as they held an early 3-2 lead after a two-goal response from Caset. Finding an effective strategy utilizing Campbell in the #1 position, Cessna added to their lead on Campbell’s third goal, while Jared Zenni converted a Penalty 2 with Cessna setting their sights on their first victory. Accounting for all five Tonkawa goals in the first half, Caset brought Tonkawa even in the third chukker with two goals, while their defensive pressure increased on Cessna, holding them scoreless to end the half tied 5-all.

Tonkawa captured their fourth consecutive win in the Gauntlet of Polo®. ©Alex Pacheco

Fighting hard to stay in the lead, Cessna was unable to hold off a determined Tonkawa team that held them off the scoreboard for the second consecutive chukker. With the chance to take their first lead of the game, Francisco Elizalde was on the receiving end of a Caset pass, edging Tonkawa into the lead at 6-5. Caset capped off the fourth chukker with Tonkawa’s fourth unanswered goal, leaving them ahead by two entering the final stages of the game. Resetting, Cessna’s Ezequiel Martinez Ferrario broke through from the field to gain some momentum and pull within one as their defense stepped up and held the potent Tonkawa attack without a goal in the fifth chukker, resulting in an exciting finish in the first game of the day. Just moments into the sixth chukker, Ferrario struck again, tying the game at 7-7, but it was short-lived as Caset stepped into the spotlight again. Restoring Tonkawa’s lead, time ticked down with Cessna trying urgently to send the game into overtime but a late Elizalde steal resulted in a breakaway for Caset and he sealed the 9-7 victory as time ran out.

Looking to join Tonkawa at the top of Bracket I and secure a spot in the semifinals, Park Place produced a dominant performance against Aspen/Dutta Corp, heavily outshooting them 16-4 over the first four chukkers, not conceding a field goal until the fifth chukker. Park Place utilized a possession-based attack that saw guarded runs from Hilario Ulloa leading to six goals, with his teammates working effectively off the ball. An organized defense led by Matt Coppola limited any opportunities for Aspen/Dutta Corp as they were not able to find any offense until the final two chukkers in the 10-6 loss.

Park Place produced a dominant performance against Aspen/Dutta Corp. ©Alex Pacheco

A back and forth start to the game displayed the two teams finding the pace and remaining tightly marked as the only goal in the first chukker came from Ulloa, tying the score at 1-1 with Aspen/Dutta Corp starting with a one-goal advantage on handicap. The Park Place offense came alive for the remainder of the second half, led by two goals from Juan Britos as part of a 3-0 second chukker that saw Aspen/Dutta Corp remain pinned in their own half, unable to break away for runs past the Park Place defense. Completing an exceptional first half, Ulloa and Coppola added one goal each for Park Place while holding Aspen/Dutta Corp scoreless, resulting in the 6-2 lead.

The relentless pressure of Park Place carried into the second half, outshooting Aspen/Dutta Corp 5-1 in the fourth chukker, but inaccurate shooting kept the deficit from growing significantly as Park Place extended their lead to five. Aspen/Dutta Corp’s struggles to maintain possession and generate enough scoring chances to match Park Place proved to be the story of the game. Finding a little bit of life in the fifth and sixth chukkers, Aspen/Dutta Corp traded goals with Park Place, receiving one each from Timmy Dutta and Stewart Armstrong, but faced a five-goal difference on the scoreboard with one chukker remaining. Two quick penalty conversions for Gringo Colombres raised some doubt to the outcome, but Ulloa received a Penalty 1 to seal the victory and send Park Place to the top of Bracket I with Tonkawa.

The relentless pressure of Park Place carried into the second half, outshooting Aspen/Dutta Corp 5-1 in the fourth chukker. ©Alex Pacheco

Polo matches at IPC are not open to the general public except for ticketed Sunday brunch. Online viewing is available with a subscription at globalpolo.com.

Click here to view the full 2021 High Goal Polo Schedule.

Click here to learn more about the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Click here to learn more about the GAUNTLET OF POLO®.

Wellington, FL – March 14, 2021 – The battle between the top two offenses in the Gauntlet of Polo® kicked off the second round of the USPA Gold Cup® today, producing one of the most exciting games of the season thus far with La Indiana withstanding the late pressure from Scone to capture the 13-11 victory. The feature game of the week on the Home of the U.S. Polo Assn – Field 1 resulted in a win for PIlot after securing a 12-10 victory against Coca-Cola at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

A hard-fought opening game between La Indiana and Scone displayed an elite level of polo on both sides of the ball with scoring opportunities needing to be earned. A six-goal second chukker for La Indiana gave them an advantage that they held throughout most of the game, but the penalty shooting of Peke Gonzalez and Adolfo Cambiaso, converting five of their final six opportunities, brought Scone even during the late stages of the game. A resilient defense from La Indiana, including a crucial final minute backhand from Michael Bickford, along with three goals from Jeff Hall in the final two chukkers gave La Indiana the 13-11 victory to remain undefeated.

The opening chukker set the tone of the game as the two teams were evenly matched and the only goal came from Poroto Cambiaso to give Scone the narrow one-goal lead. Missing two penalty attempts, both from 60 yards, Scone was unable to extend their lead further as La Indiana came alive in a dominant second chukker. A complete team effort resulted in La Indiana scoring six consecutive goals on two penalty conversions and perfect 4 for 4 shooting from the field, three of which were assisted on by Pieres to stun Scone and leave them trailing 6-2, their biggest deficit at any point in the Gauntlet. Holding La Indiana to just one goal in the third chukker, Scone fought back to cut the deficit to two after penalty conversions from Adolfo Cambiaso and Gonzalez, leaving the score at 7-5 at halftime.

Nico Escobar and Michael Bickford celebrate La Indiana‘s victory. ©Alex Pacheco

A defensive start to the second half displayed limited chances for both teams as Polito Pieres and Poroto Cambiaso traded goals, leaving La Indiana ahead by two. Play opened up in a fast-paced fifth chukker that produced a combined seven goals, but it was Scone who chipped away at their deficit thanks to three goals from Adolfo Cambiaso, pulling within one entering the final chukker. In the opening play of the sixth chukker, Poroto Cambiaso finally brought Scone back into a tie at 11-11, leaving the final six minutes to determine the winner. After determined runs from both teams, it was La Indiana’s defense that stood tall, thwarting multiple Scone runs with a Penalty 3 conversion from Pieres placing La Indiana back in the lead. Peke Gonzalez made one final run for Scone, but Bickford hit a critical backhand in front of his own goal to secure the victory as Hall scored with time expiring to complete the 13-11 victory.

The feature game of the week pitted Coca-Cola against a Pilot team without Facundo Pieres and searching for their first win of the tournament. A clean game held Pilot without a penalty attempt the entire game, but in the most accurate performance of the season, Pilot converted 86% of their shots from the field, receiving five goals each from Lucas James and Gonzalito Pieres to defeat Coca-Cola. Overcoming their early struggles from the field, Coca-Cola challenged Pilot late but ultimately trailed from the opening goal in the 12-10 defeat.

Pilot bested Coca-Cola by two goals to win 12-10 during Sunday‘s feature game. ©Alex Pacheco

After scoring 10 goals in his last game, Gonzalito Pieres picked up where he left off scoring a goal in the first chukker, however he added to his performance by using the pass to assist on goals from James and Matias Gonzalez as part of a 3-0 first chukker in favor of Pilot. Pieres’ second goal completed the four-goal run for Pilot to begin the game as Gillian Johnston finally ended the run, leaving the score at 4-1. With just four fouls in the first half, the difference on the scoreboard came down to accuracy from the field as Pilot finished with a 7-4 advantage, converting seven of their nine shots.

Trailing throughout, Coca-Cola set their sights on closing the gap at the start of the second half, beginning to translate their opportunities from the field into goals. Johnston, Weisz and de Lusarreta scored as part of a three-goal fourth chukker to dramatically change the game and pull Coca-Cola within one. Despite recording the first penalty goal of the game, Cavanagh’s Coca-Cola team saw their deficit grow back to three as the duo of James and Pieres continued to take advantage of each run to goal for Pilot. James scored back-to-back goals to begin the sixth chukker, securing the 12-10 victory for Pilot and the honor of Most Valuable Player for his five-goal performance. Best Playing Pony was awarded to Open So Easy, played and owned by Gonzalito Pieres.

The winning Pilot team, pictured with Martin S. Cregg, Chairman of Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, during the awards ceremony. ©Alex Pacheco

Polo matches at IPC are not open to the general public except for ticketed Sunday brunch. Online viewing is available with a subscription at globalpolo.com.

Click here to view the full 2021 High Goal Polo Schedule.
Click here to learn more about the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Click here to learn more about the GAUNTLET OF POLO®.

Wellington, FL – March 11, 2021 – Beginning their quest as the only team that can capture the Gauntlet of Polo®, Park Place continued their elite play from the C.V. Whitney Cup® to capture the 11-6 victory over Cessna in their first game of the USPA Gold Cup®. Scone followed with a successful debut, bouncing back from the heart-breaking overtime loss in last Sunday’s final to defeat Santa Clara 13-8 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Just four days from their exhilarating victory in the C.V. Whitney Cup®, Park Place needed the first half to rediscover their form, producing a stagnant offense that ultimately came to life at the start of the second half against Cessna. Producing an even eight shot attempts each in the first half, Park Place outshot Cessna 16-2 over the final three chukkers by dominating possession and leaving Cessna with little opportunity to match them. Ulloa produced another strong performance for Park Place with a game-high six goals, pushing their win streak to five in the Gauntlet of Polo®.

With new addition Edward ‘Camp’ Campbell, who was replacing father Chip, Cessna got off to a quick start behind the play of Ezequiel Martinez Ferrario, who accounted for both Cessna goals in the opening chukker. Organized play off the ball, Cessna kept Park Place off the scoreboard until the second chukker when Matt Coppola began to make an impact coming forward in the game, scoring one goal and assisting on another to push the game into a 2-2 tie. With very few whistles to stop play, Cessna and Park Place continued to battle in open play, with Cessna giving Park Place difficulties, finishing the first half with a 4-2 lead with three of their goals coming from Ferrario.

The momentum of the game instantly switched at the start of the second half with Park Place finding the performance that carried them through the C.V. Whitney Cup®. Scoring four unanswered goals in the fourth chukker in a complete team performance, Park Place quickly doubled their goal total from the first half in just seven minutes to take their first lead of the game. With the ball continuing to stay in the offensive half for Park Place, they extended their run to six goals before Mariano Obregon finally ended the stretch. Heavily outshooting Cessna, Park Place’s Ulloa completed a dominant second half, scoring all three goals in the sixth chukker to capture the 11-6 victory.

Though Park Place won the game 11-6, Cessna was leading at halftime. ©Alex Pacheco

Leading throughout, Scone showcased a versatile offense that dominated from the field in the first half and then moved to the penalty line in the second half where they scored five of their six goals to overwhelm Santa Clara. Peke Gonzalez finished a perfect 6 for 6 from the penalty line, all from the 30 and 40-yard lines while Adolfo Cambiaso displayed the proficient passing ability that led his team’s efficient attack in the convincing five-goal victory.

Wasting little time from the opening throw-in, Scone pressured Santa Clara with a textbook play from Adolfo Cambiaso as Poroto Cambiaso and Gonzalez cleared space for the 10-goaler, who hit a perfect pass to Gonzalez to open the scoring. Building a quick 3-0 lead, Scone kept Santa Clara pinned in their defensive half early, relying on the scoring from Poroto Cambiaso and Gonzalez. A renewed fight from Santa Clara in the second chukker, led by a goal and an assist from Vercellino, cut the deficit to two, but the end of the half displayed Scone’s father-son duo at their best. Finishing the half shooting 6 for 8 from the field, Scone received two goals from Poroto Cambiaso, both on the receiving end of passes from Adolfo Cambiaso to exit the half with a 7-4 lead.

Adolfo Cambiaso displayed superb passing ability that helped to seal the victory for Scone. ©Alex Pacheco

With the ball primarily kept moving in open play, the pace of the game slowed in the second half as Santa Clara fought to make any Scone scoring chance difficult, but the result was foul trouble that sent Gonzalez to the penalty line. Three Penalty 2 conversions along with a Penalty 3 conversion for Gonzalez over the fourth and fifth chukkers gave Scone a commanding six-goal lead as Santa Clara struggled to keep Scone away from their own goal. Despite three goals each from Vercellino and Miguel Novillo Astrada, as well as scoring in every chukker, Santa Clara could not match the offensive firepower of Scone in the 13-8 defeat.

Peke Gonzalez scored 7 goals for Scone. ©Alex Pacheco

Polo matches at IPC are not open to the general public except for ticketed Sunday brunch. Online viewing is available with a subscription at globalpolo.com.

Click here to view the full 2021 High Goal Polo Schedule.
Click here to learn more about the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Click here to learn more about the GAUNTLET OF POLO®.

Wellington, FL – March 10, 2021 – Focusing on the second leg of the Gauntlet of Polo®, four teams made their debut in the 2021 USPA Gold Cup® beginning with Tonkawa defeating Aspen/Dutta Corp 10-7, while La Indiana returned to the win column, defeating Pilot 13-11 on the Isla Carroll East field at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

After seeing their hopes in the C.V. Whitney Cup dashed when losing a shootout, Tonkawa returned in the first game of Bracket I, controlling possession to capture their third victory of the season. Holding Aspen/Dutta Corp to zero field goals in the first half, Tonkawa was able to build a two-goal lead and maintain the gap throughout the second half due to the seven-goal performance from Sapo Caset. Aspen/Dutta Corp had their opportunities to match Tonkawa despite their struggles from the field, but 3 for 7 shooting from the penalty line ultimately sealed their fate in the 10-7 defeat.

Entering the game as the leading scorer in the Gauntlet with 7.7 goals per game, Caset continued his scoring pace by scoring two goals in the opening chukker, while also adding an assist to erase the one-goal difference on handicap and leave the game tied at 3-3. Aspen/Dutta Corp’s Timmy Dutta converted two Penalty 3 attempts, but it was the only offense his team could produce, held scoreless into the third chukker as Tonkawa pulled ahead. Drawing attention from the Aspen/Dutta Corp defense, Caset found Escobar with a pass for his first goal of the game and then capped off a strong first half with a Penalty 2 conversion to give Tonkawa the 6-4 lead at halftime.

End-to-end polo highlighted the start of the second half as the two teams combined for 10 shots in the fourth chukker. Stewart Armstrong was able to finally end the drought from the field for Aspen/Dutta Corp, scoring their first field goal of the game, but it was met by a swift response from Caset to keep Tonkawa ahead by two. Finding some momentum in the fifth chukker, Aspen/Dutta Corp began to pressure the Tonkawa defense as they pushed to close the gap and pull even beginning with field goals from Dutta and Gringo Colombres. Trailing by just one, Aspen/Dutta Corp was a step away from tying the score when Caset once again provided an answer for Tonkawa as the 10-goaler proved to be the difference-maker in the game. The defense of Tonkawa stepped up in the final chukker, holding Aspen/Dutta Corp off the scoreboard to complete the 10-7 victory.

Tonkawa held Aspen/Dutta Corp off the scoreboard in the final chukker to solidify the win. ©Alex Pacheco

An injury to Facundo Pieres forced Pilot to bring a new line-up that included Lucas James and Matias Gonzalez, who returned to the Pilot line-up for the first time since 2019 when he was a part of the undefeated Gauntlet of Polo® team. Facing a difficult task in La Indiana, Pilot kept pace due to the accurate 7 for 8 penalty shooting from Gonzalito Pieres, but La Indiana was able to overwhelm Pilot in open play with a balanced attack, receiving goals from all four players while shooting above 50% in what turned into a high-scoring game. Holding Pilot without a field goal over the final four chukkers, La Indiana was able to overcome their foul trouble to narrowly edge Pilot and begin their USPA Gold Cup® with a 13-11 victory.

Despite the changes to their line-up, Pilot raced out of the gate thanks to the play of Gonzalito Pieres, who accounted for both Pilot goals in the opening chukker while helping to prevent the potent La Indiana attack from scoring. That quickly changed in the second chukker after La Indiana scored on three consecutive shots at goal to erase the two-goal deficit and take a 3-2 lead. The momentum swung back and forth as Pilot, once again led by Gonzalito Pieres, produced a run of four straight goals to charge back into the lead, with the fast pace suiting Pilot’s style of play. Before the end of the half, the speed of the game slowed as La Indiana found themselves in foul trouble, committing five fouls that led to two penalty conversions for Gonzalito Pieres and a 7-6 lead at halftime for Pilot.

La Indiana overcame Pilot with a final score of 13-11. ©Alex Pacheco

Held without a shot for the second consecutive chukker, Pilot could no longer hold off a determined La Indiana attack that pulled even on Polito Pieres’ fourth goal of the game. With the teams tied at 8-8, the final two chukkers decided the outcome and it was La Indiana’s defense that emerged as a storyline. Pilot produced just one shot at goal throughout the entire second half, leaving their offense to come from the penalty line where Gonzalito Pieres continued to convert with regularity. Adding three more penalty goals over the final two chukkers, Gonzalito Pieres kept Pilot even at 11-11 with time running down. However, La Indiana’s ability to control open play ultimately won in the end as Polito Pieres and Jeff Hall scored two quick field goals to end the game and secure the hard-fought 13-11 win.

Polo matches at IPC are not open to the general public except for ticketed Sunday brunch. Online viewing is available with a subscription at globalpolo.com.

The teams were tied 8-8 at the end of the fourth chukker, but La Indiana’s defense helped them to seal the victory. ©Alex Pacheco

Click here to view the full 2021 High Goal Polo Schedule.
Click here to learn more about the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Click here to learn more about the GAUNTLET OF POLO®.

Wellington, FL – March 8, 2021 – After the excitement of Sunday’s C.V. Whitney Cup® final, play began on Monday in the USPA Gold Cup®, the second leg of the Gauntlet of Polo® with Coca-Cola using a determined defense in the second half to capture the 10-8 victory on Field 3 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Bringing in a substitute for 9-goaler Nico Pieres, who is averaging 6.8 goals per game, Coca-Cola was able to find quick chemistry with Diego Cavanagh, who performed well with two goals and two assists while slowing Santa Clara’s attack. Coca-Cola struggled with penalty shooting in the early stages of the game but drove their offense forward with a balanced team effort in open play to narrowly edge Santa Clara in a game where all eight players found the scoresheet. After scoring consistently in the first half, Santa Clara had difficulties creating the same amount of scoring chances against a reorganized Coca-Cola defense that held them scoreless in the fourth and fifth chukker, ultimately leading to the 10-8 defeat.

Stepping into Penalty 2 and 3 taking duties, Mackenzie Weisz converted a penalty on the opening drive of the game in what turned into a stop and start first chukker. A combined five penalty attempts were seen between the two teams, but Weisz’s early conversion was the only one that found its way through the posts, with Coca-Cola unable to convert any of their other four opportunities. Goals from Will Johnston and Luis Escobar tied the score at 2-2 with Coca-Cola and Santa Clara continuing to trade goals throughout the first half, led by Weisz and Johnston, who pulled their teams forward. Gillian Johnston extended Coca-Cola’s lead to two with time running out in the first half, but back-to-back goals from Santa Clara’s Felipe Vercellino and Miguel Novillo Astrada restored the tie at 4-4.

Gillian Johnston extended Coca-Cola’s lead to two with time running out in the first half. ©Alex Pacheco

With the game up for grabs, it was Coca-Cola that charged out of the halftime break with a relentless pressure that shifted momentum in their favor. Outshooting Santa Clara 5-0, Coca-Cola built a two-goal lead as Cavanagh made an impact with his second goal of the game while working effectively alongside Julian de Lusarreta to stifle any counterattack. Defense continued to be the storyline of the second half as Santa Clara was kept off the scoreboard for the second consecutive chukker, watching the deficit grow to three after a goal from de Lusarreta as Coca-Cola took control with one chukker remaining. Unwilling to concede defeat, Santa Clara began the sixth chukker with a determined focus to pull within reach. Two goals in quick succession from Astrada and Will Johnston left Santa Clara trailing by just one with time ticking down. Despite their best efforts, Santa Clara could not pull even as Gillian Johnston scored to seal the 10-8 victory.

Coca-Cola charged out of the halftime break with a relentless pressure that shifted momentum in their favor. ©Alex Pacheco

Polo matches at IPC are not open to the general public except for ticketed Sunday brunch. Online viewing is available with a subscription at globalpolo.com.

Click here to view the full 2021 High Goal Polo Schedule.
Click here to learn more about the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Click here to learn more about the GAUNTLET OF POLO®.

Wellington, FL – February 14, 2021 – The conclusion to the 2020 edition of the USPA Gold Cup® at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) was in doubt when postponed on March 17, 2020, but nearly a year later, it was La Indiana that finally emerged as the champions with a strong performance on the Home of the U.S. Polo Assn – Field 1, defeating Daily Racing Form 14-9. A balanced team performance that was led by five goals from Polito Pieres, La Indiana etched their name on the coveted USPA Gold Cup® trophy and claimed the $100,000 prize to officially conclude the 2020 season.

After narrowly defeating the 2019 Gauntlet of Polo® champion Pilot for the second time in the semifinal, La Indiana had their sights set on the 2020 USPA Gold Cup® title and produced a dominant performance against Daily Racing Form. Conceding only one goal in the first half, La Indiana scored a stretch of nine unanswered goals by controlling possession and keeping Daily Racing Form pinned in their own half. Youngsters Nico Escobar and Juan Cruz Marcos led the La Indiana team at the front of the game, combining for six goals as part of an efficient La Indiana offense, while Daily Racing Form was limited to just four field goals throughout the game. Finding redemption from his 2019 defeat in the final with Aspen, Pieres led the way offensively throughout the tournament, capping off his performance with five goals in La Indiana’s convincing five-goal victory.

La Indiana defeated Daily Racing Form with a score of 14 to 9. ©Alex Pacheco

With Marcos’ recent increase to a three-goal handicap, Daily Racing Form began the game with a one-goal advantage that quickly increased to two on a penalty conversion from Zenni. Foul trouble hindered La Indiana in the early stages of the game, committing three fouls, but after re-organizing in the final stages of the first chukker, La Indiana dominated the remainder of the half. The second chukker set the tone for La Indiana as they outscored Daily Racing Form 5-0, with Pieres converting both of his penalty attempts while also adding a goal from the field. Held without a shot attempt, Daily Racing Form remained a step behind with La Indiana continuing to build on their lead. In a well-rounded attack, La Indiana saw all four players find the scoresheet after Jeff Hall added two goals in the third chukker. La Indiana’s defense was nearly impenetrable as Daily Racing Form failed to score a goal from the field and were left facing a 9-2 deficit at halftime.

Jeff Hall celebrates the team‘s victory with teammate Nico Escobar. ©Alex Pacheco

Daily Racing Form emerged out of the halftime break displaying some urgency as they sought to narrow the gap on the scoreboard. From the back of the game, accurate passing from Tommy Collingwood set up two goals for Daily Racing Form as they finally broke through from the field on two goals from Costi Caset and one from Jared Zenni. Scoring five of the first six goals to begin the second half, Daily Racing Form quickly turned a seven-goal difference to just three as the momentum of the final changed. With plenty of time remaining in the fifth chukker, La Indiana responded with the team-based attack that ultimately proved to be the difference in the game. One goal from each of the four La Indiana players brought their lead back to seven with one chukker remaining. With a focus on managing their lead, La Indiana sat back to protect against open runs to goal, watching time tick down until the final horn sounded and they captured the 2020 USPA Gold Cup® with the impressive 14-9 victory.

Hall was awarded Most Valuable Player, while Best Playing Pony was given to Machitos Pangea, played by Polito Pieres.

Jeff Hall, pictured with Steve Rudolph, was presented with an Ewheel as the Most Valuable Player. ©Alex Pacheco

The 2021 C.V. Whitney Cup will begin Wednesday, February 17, at 11 a.m. at IPC as Coca Cola takes on Pilot. Polo matches at IPC are not open to the general public except for ticketed Sunday brunch. Online viewing is available with a subscription at globalpolo.com.

Click here to view the full 2021 High Goal Polo Schedule.
Click here to learn more about the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
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Wellington, FL – February 9, 2021 – After securing quarterfinal victories in the 2020 USPA Gold Cup® in March of 2020, Daily Racing Form, Las Monjitas, La Indiana, and Pilot would never have imagined that they would need to wait 332 days to compete in the semifinals. Postponed on March 17, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the second edition of the Gauntlet of Polo® was abruptly suspended, leaving the four teams just two games from capturing the 2020 USPA Gold Cup®. Rescheduled in 2021, the semifinals feature the same four teams, yet only Daily Racing Form returns with the same line-up as the teams gear up for an exciting day of play on February 10th at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC).

Fighting their way into the semifinals, Daily Racing Form (Costi Caset, Agustin Obregon, Jared Zenni, Tommy Collingwood) faced the most adversity in 2020 of the remaining teams, losing their two opening games to La Indiana and Santa Clara, leaving no room for error. Capturing a crucial overtime victory over Postage Stamp Farm, Daily Racing Form set up a rematch with Santa Clara and emerged with a memorable 10-9 victory thanks to the six-goal, two-assist performance from Zenni. A well-rounded line-up of two 5-goalers and two 6-goalers, Daily Racing Form displayed a quick passing game, moving the ball via the pass rather than individual runs. Assisting on 60% of their field goals, Daily Racing Form enters 2021 with the same line-up that saw Zenni lead the way with 4.3 goals per game, followed by Obregon with 2.3 goals per game. The emergence of Caset at the 18-goal level for Palm Beach Equine, where he led all players in scoring in the Ylvisaker Cup, will be needed to challenge a new Las Monjitas team. Defensively, Collingwood was the steady presence for Daily Racing Form with consistent backhands to start the attack downfield.

One of the more intriguing storylines entering the semifinals is Las Monjitas, who won the first leg of the Gauntlet of Polo® in 2020 and are beginning the season with a six-game unbeaten streak thanks to the play of David Stirling and Francisco Elizalde. However, in 2021, Las Monjitas (Melissa Ganzi, TBA, Pablo MacDonough, Juan Martin Nero) will feature an entirely new line-up consisting of two 10-goalers in MacDonough and Nero. Familiarity will not be an issue with the duo having extensive experience together playing on La Dolfina in Argentina for the past decade and winning consistently on the global stage. Last seen at IPC capturing the U.S. Open Polo Championship® in 2016 with Orchard Hill, Nero is the consummate #4 position player that will give Las Monjitas an added factor defensively, allowing MacDonough to play the end-to-end style of play that will pressure Daily Racing Form in their semifinal matchup. Joining the duo is Ganzi, who has consistently played at the highest levels of polo in the USA, captaining the Flexjet team at IPC in 2018.

Las Monjitas will conclude the 2020 USPA Gold Cup® with a whole new team. ©Alex Pacheco

The second semi-final provides a close comparison to 2020, with both Pilot (Curtis Pilot, Keko Magrini, Gonzalito Pieres, Facundo Pieres) and La Indiana (Michael Bickford, Nico Escobar, Polito Pieres, Jeff Hall) substituting just one player due to handicap increases. Capturing the inaugural Gauntlet of Polo® in 2019 by winning the C.V. Whitney Cup, USPA Gold Cup®, and CaptiveOne U.S. Open Polo Championship®, Pilot provides one of the most formidable duos in polo in Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres. The only undefeated team in the 2020 USPA Gold Cup®, Pilot led all teams with 8.5 field goals per game, playing an effective two-man game that saw the duo combine for an impressive 10.0 goals per game from the field and penalty line. Curtis Pilot works tirelessly in the #1 position and with the addition of Magrini, who is coming off a strong showing with Santa Clara where he was named MVP of the Joe Barry Cup final, Pilot looks as dominant as ever, but faces a La Indiana team that ended their 18-game Gauntlet of Polo® win streak in the 2020 C.V. Whitney Cup.

Replacing Santiago Gomez Romero with Nico Escobar, La Indiana (Michael Bickford, Nico Escobar, Jeff Hall, Polito Pieres) enters the semifinal with a similar lineup, led by the play of 10-goaler Pieres, who was first among all players with 6.8 goals per game and fifth in assists before play was postponed. With the steady experience of Hall and Bickford off the ball, Pieres attacked relentlessly to draw the attention of opponents, providing the high-powered semifinal with the three Piereses. Adding Escobar to the mix as a capable scorer at the front of the game, La Indiana has the ability to match the offense of Pilot in a must-watch semifinal.

Pilot enters the semifinals of the 2020 USPA Gold Cup® as the only undefeated team. ©Alex Pacheco

Polo matches at IPC are not open to the general public except for ticketed Sunday brunch. Online viewing is available with a subscription at globalpolo.com.

Click here to view the full 2021 High Goal Polo Schedule.
Click here to learn more about the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Click here to learn more about the GAUNTLET OF POLO®.