The US Open Polo Championship
Its official! The final two teams have been confirmed in the highlight tournament of the 2018 US high goal season, the US Open Polo Championship Final.
In Wednesday’s Semi Final matches, Daily Racing Form (DRF) were first to take to the field against Grant Ganzi’s U.S Polo Assn. At this point, DRF were yet to lose a game, comfortably winning against each adversary as the days went by, and Wednesday 18 April was no exception. DRF dominated the first Semi Final, notching up six goals in the first three chukkas to none in response from the U.S. Polo Assn. However, Juan Martín Nero put his team on the score board at the end of the third chukka, ensuring they were back in the game before half-time. As the second half began, U.S. Polo Assn had notched up four goals to DRF’s 10 and despite great efforts from U.S. Polo Assn, DRF’s Mariano Obregon was on fire, ensuring he maintained their lead at all times. As the final whistle blew, DRF secured their spot in the US Open Final with an 11-8 win.
Keen to mirror the result of the first Semi Final of the day, Valiente and Flexjet were next to battle for the second position in the US Open Final. Unsurprisingly, Valiente were first on the scoreboard with a fast run goal from world number one Adolfo Cambiaso, but Flexjet weren’t far behind, converting goals from Rodrigo de Andrade and Nico Pieres in the first two chukkas. Valiente were taking no prisoners, ending the first half 10-2 and the second half panned out the same as the first. By the fifth chukka, Bob Jornayvaz’s team led the match 15-6, with 10 out of the 15 Valiente goals coming off Facundo Pieres’ stick (seven penalty conversions and three field goals). Flexjet went into the sixth chukka rejuvenated, scoring three excellent goals, but Valiente sealed the deal with a 17-6 final score and with it, their chance to secure the 2018 Triple Crown, having already secured the C.V. Whitney Cup and the USPA Gold Cup.
The US Open Polo Championship Final will take place this Sunday, 22 April, at 3pm (local time) at the International Polo Club, Wellington, Florida. Tune in to the US Polo Association’s live feeds from the Final for all the exciting action.
The US Open Polo Championship Semi Final Teams:
U.S. Polo Assn (24): Grant Ganzi (2), Juancito Bollini (4), Juan Martín Nero (10) & Alejandro Novillo Astrada (8)
Daily Racing Form (26): Jared Zenni (5), Agustin Obregon (5), Hilario Ulloa (10) & Mariano Obregon (6)
Valiente (26): Bob Jornayvaz (2), Tommy Beresford (4), Facundo Pieres (10) & Adolfo Cambiaso (10)
Flexjet (26): Melissa Ganzi (0), Rodrigo de Andrade (9), Gonzalito Pieres (9) & Nico Pieres (8)
Photograph: Brit Tommy Beresford, ensures Valiente’s dominance in front of goal with a perfectly timed neck shot. By Joel Auerbach