Yesterday the 112th U.S. Open Polo Championship came to an end with a narrow decision. The U.S. Open Polo Championship is the most prestigious polo tournament in the US and takes place at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, located in Wellington, Florida. In the final match, Orchard Hill, including Steve van Andel (0), Facundo Pieres (10), Julian De Lussareta (6) and Juan Martin Nero (10), won against their opponent team Dubai with 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso, Rashid Albwardy (2), Alejo Taranco (6) and Facundo Sola (8), by 13-12.
With three of the world’s top rated players on the field (Dubai’s Adolfo Cambiaso rated at Number 1 and Orchard Hill’s Facundo Pieres and Juan Martin Nero rated at Numbers 2 and 3 respectively) fast exciting play was anticipated and no one was disappointed.
The first goal was scored by Facundo Pieres in the opening 30 seconds of play. Then Dubai gained the lead and held it until the third chukka, when Julian de Lusarreta scored on a deep neck-shot to open the third period for a 4-4 tie. Both teams continued to exchange goals and at the end of regulation play the score board said 12-12, forcing a sudden-death overtime period. Facundo Pieres scored the deciding goal and led his team Orchard Hill to victory. At the award ceremony, Facundo Pieres was named Most Valuable Player. The award for Best Playing Pony was given to Diva 2, ridden by Juan Martin Nero. Open Frenchita, ridden by Facundo Pieres, received the prize as Best Polo Argentino Bred.
“We started well,” said Argentine 10-goaler Juan Martin Nero, “but they came back and killed us in the in the fourth chukka. Once the game opened up, we made a comeback and managed to hold on for the win.”
Results:
Sunday, 24 April 2016
Orchard Hill vs. Dubai 13-12
Wednesday, 20 April 2016
Dubai vs. Audi 13-11
Orchard Hill vs. White Birch 9-8
Sunday, 17 April 2016
White Birch vs. Lucchese 13-12
Audi vs. Valiente 13-6
Thursday, 14 April 2016
Orchard Hill vs. Flexjet 14-8
Audi vs. Lucchese 8-7
Wednesday, 13 April 2016
Valiente vs. Coca Cola 11-7
Dubai vs. White Birch 14-6
Sunday, 10 April 2016
Audi vs. FlexJet 11-7
Orchard Hill vs. Lucchese 11-9
Saturday, 9 April 2016
White Birch vs. Coca Cola 11-10
Dubai vs. Valiente 9-6
Sunday, 3 April 2016
Orchard Hill vs. Audi 12-10
White Birch vs. Valiente 11-7
Saturday, 2 April 2016
Dubai vs. Coca Cola 14-8
Lucchese vs. Flexjet 13-11
The teams:
Bracket I
White Birch (26)
Mariano Obregon (7)
Hilario Ulloa (9)
Mariano Aguerre (9)
Peter Brant (1)
Valiente (26)
Bob Jornayvaz (2)
Santi Torres (7)
Tomas Garcia del Rio (8)
Alfredo Capella (9)
Coca Cola (26)
Gillian Johnston (2)
Sugar Erskine (7)
Julio Arellano (8)
Miguel Astrada (9)
Dubai (26)
Rashid Albwardy (2)
Alejo Taranco (6)
Adolfo Cambiaso (10)
Facundo Sola (8)
Bracket II
Lucchese (26)
John Muse (0)
Magoo Laprida (8)
Nico Pieres (8)
Sapo Caset (10)
FlexJet (26)
Melissa Ganzi (0)
Agustin Merlos (9)
Sebastian Merlos (9)
Nic Roldan (8)
Orchard Hill (26)
Steve van Andel (0)
Facundo Pieres (10)
Julian De Lussareta (6)
Juan Martin Nero (10)
Audi (26)
Marc Ganzi (1)
Gonzalo Pieres (9)
Rodrigo Andrade (9)
Freddie Mannix (7)