Great start of the Cartier Gold Cup in Sotogrande

Lechuza Caracas started its performance in the Cartier Gold Cup with the right foot, defeating Brunei, the winner of the Casa de Campo Silver Cup by 12-11 in a great match that was full with spectators on the Los Pinos Field 3, the main area of the 45th INDI International Polo Tournament.

Victor Vargas’ team added for this tournament the participation of Matt Perry, instead of José Donoso. Matt played a great match and defeated mighty Brunei. Even though Lechuza Caracas suffered at the end of the match, they showed a great level of game during the six chukkas, and even had 4 goals of difference at some point. Juan Martín Nero and Julian de Lusarreta, as always, played great and Perry, the new addition, was at the same level. Victor Vargas, the patron, was very precise on attack.

Brunei had to fight always with a disadvantage and even though they shortened the difference to one goal at the end of the match, Lechuza Caracas put up with them and emerged victorious of this important match of the Cartier Gold Cup. Juan Martín Nero was the goaler of the match with 9 goals, while Pablo Mac Donough with 7, was Brunei’s top scorer.

Match Progression
Lechuza Caracas: 3-2/ 4-2/ 5-4/ 9-5/ 10-7/ 12-11

Víctor Vargas (Lechuza Caracas) “We are very pleased with the victory, the change was good. We are doing well, we have brainstormed and now we are fully trained, because we had been not doing so for some months, and now we definitely feel more confident, as well as the horses. We hadn’t played since the Dominican Season and the other teams come from England fully trained, and are very good. I believe Santa María Polo Club is lucky to have six of the best polo players in the world here, and this is why is not easy to win to the best in the world, even though you have one of them playing with you (Juan Martín Nero)”

The Cartier Gold Cup resumes tomorrow with a great match in Los Pinos, main area of the Torneo Internacional de Polo, Dubai and Ayala Polo Team will play at 18:30 on field 4″.

On Sunday, Dubai managed a very tough victory versus Dos Lunas A&G Banca Privada by 6-3 at the kick-off of the Cartier Gold Cup, the most important of the trophies of the 45th INDI International Polo Tournament. In a very rowdy match, that had more friction than good game, the team lead by Adolfo Cambiaso and that today had Daniel Gariador instead of patron Rashid Albwardy got their first 2 points defending the title they won last year.

Match progression:
Dubai: 1-0/ 2-0/ 3-0/ 3-1/ 3-3/ 6-3

Agustín García Grossi “To be honest, this year’s pretty tough. The level of the teams is really good and its very complicated to win a match with the organizations that are part of the tournament. Today we had a pretty good math but we missed many goals and we could have gotten closer. For the Gold Cup we aim to improve and win any match to be able to get into the semis, which is our goal, and we’ll keep on fighting to do so”.

Daniel “Pelu” Gariador “I think I’m dreaming, this is the happiest day of my life as a polo player. To play with Cambiaso is my dream come true and a great joy. When they told me I had to play with Dubai, I was thinking in so many things that I didn’t know where to go. I received many support messages. I felt good during the match, and if that shot that hit the pole would have entered, I would be dreaming about it my whole life. Anyways, with what went on today, I am totally satisfied” The Cartier Gold Cup resumes tomorrow with a great match in Los Pinos, main area of the Torneo Internacional de Polo, Dubai and Ayala Polo Team will play at 18:30 on field 4.

Medium Goal: Brunei keeps the Aerolineas Argentinas Silver Cup / Gold Cup Kick-off

Brunei was proclaimed champion of the Aerolineas Argentinas Silver Cup after defeating Seven Sevens by 12-8 on Saturday. The Asian country’s organization celebrated in just two days the victory in low and medium goal.

The medium goal team had the same strategy as the high goal: a four player team with remarkable horses and a well-established game plan, a successful formula that got them to defeat the strong Russian team to take the Silver Cup home. The leader was Guillermo “Temi” Willington, (MVP of the final) but was well-guarded by Facundo Fernandez Llorente, Rosendo “Rocho” Torreguitar and HH Princess Azemah. Brunei was able to take the lead from the second half of the game, and show its power.

Match progression:
Brunei: 1-2/ 2-4/ 4-6/ 8-6/ 10-7/ 12-8

The Bronze Cup was awarded to GSA, the team formed by Henry Porter, Gastón Bardengo, Martín Valent and Juan Jauretche.

HH Princess Azemah “I am very overwhelmed, this is my first competitive tournament and a very positive experience. I got here with low expectations to be honest, but match by match I saw we could accomplish something big until we got to the final and we won. It is great that the Organization is able to win both levels and we are very pleased about it, we are a great team.”

On Monday afternoon, the Aerolíneas Argentinas Gold Cup in the medium goal category started and had three attractive matches in the Los Pinos and Rio fields. At Los Pinos, Sainte Mesme defeated the finalist of the Silver Cup, Seven Sevens by a tight 11-10. At Rio, two matches were played: GSA, champion of the Bronze Cup, defeated Twenty/20 by 8-5, while Santa Quitería did the same with FCT by 13-9.

Tomorrow two more matches will take place, Marques de Riscal makes its debut in the season playing against Royal Salute at the Los Pinos Field 2, while at the same time, 17:00, but on RioField 1, Brunei, the defending champion will meet Golden Goose.

Low Goal: La Clarita wins the Isolas 1892 Silver Cup

La Clarita was proclaimed champion of the Isolas 1892 Silver Cup after defeating Lechuza John Smith in the finals by a tight 8-7. Thus, La Clarita successfully defends the title that they got on the 2015 season of the International Tournament organized by Santa María Polo Club. Both teams played a really good match on the Puente de Hierro Field 1, but finally it was the team formed by Clare and Chris Mathias, Freddie Horne and Tiago Gallegothe one that took home the cup after a great effort during the 5 chukkas.

Lechuza John Smith fought till the very end, with Pelayo Berazadi playing at an outstanding level. But finally La Clarita celebrated the second trophy of the season. The Subsidiary Cup was awarded to Chester Race Course and the MVP was Freddie Horne.

Match Progression:
La Clarita: 2-0/ 3-1/ 5-4/ 7-5/ 8-7

Tomorrow is the start of the Isolas 1892 Gold Cup with three matches at the Puente de Hierro fields. At 11, two matches will take place simultaneously. Lechuza John Smith will meet Foxcote and Sotovila will meet Jolly Rogers. At 12:15 it will be the turn of Valdeparras vs. Bayswater.