Argentine polo legend, Adolfo Cambiaso (50), made history at Cowdray Park Polo Club, West Sussex yesterday, winning the prestigious Gold Cup for a ninth time and for the first time with his daughter, Mia (23) playing alongside him. The British Open tournament is regarded as one of the three Grand Slams of Polo, alongside the US and Argentine Opens. Eighteen of the best high-goal polo teams in the world started the competition back in June and the final, played in perfect conditions today, was between French first-time team, Kazak and Argentina’s La Dolfina/Scone (LDS). LDS won by the slimmest of margins with a final score of 9-8 in a match full of thrills and spills.
Adolfo, regarded as the best polo player of all time, played, and won, his first British Open final 34 years ago in 1991 and is the only player to have won it playing on a team with two different children (ten goal player son, Poroto in 2020 and now Mia). Mia Cambiaso is the fourth female player to make a Gold Cup final and only the third female winner. She is the first Argentinian woman to have won the major and undoubtedly has a sparkling career ahead of her. On Sunday she was awarded Most Valuable Player for her incredible match play and tenacity, and her mare, DS Altamira, won the Best Player Pony prize.
The match was 5-3 to LDS at half-time as many of the over eight thousand spectators took to the immaculate Lawns polo field to enthusiastically tread in the divots in the bright sunshine. The final 3 chukkas saw high drama with numerous stoppages for player injuries, including a fall resulting in three broken fingers for Adolfo who had to be replaced for the final two minutes of the match with the score at 9-7. Even more dramatically, the collision that caused his injury was deemed a foul by Adolfo and Kazak scored a penalty bringing the score to just one behind the leaders. Despite fast and furious play Kazak couldn’t manage to level and LDS lifted the prestigious Gold Cup – albeit with just one arm for Adolfo.
“It’s very special. My ninth Gold Cup and to do it with my daughter, Mia is incredible. I am so proud of her; the first Argentinian woman to lift a Gold Cup. It was a fantastic polo match and I want to thank my whole team for all their hard work and especially David Paradice, a great friend whose support means everything to us,” said Adolfo.
Alongside the father and daughter dynamic duo playing for LDS was fan favourite and only British player in the final, Hugo Taylor, and Paco de Narvaez (ARG). Substitute,Tommy Panello (ARG) replaced Adolfo for the final crucial moments and having received medical attention Adolfo was able to celebrate with his team at the joyful presentation.
The Kazak team had a superb route to the final and players Sebastien Aguettant (FRA), Chris Mackenzie (RSA), Nico Pieres (ARG) and Francisco Elizalde (ARG) have much to be proud of.
Cowdray Park Polo Club Managing Director, Martine Hartridge, said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better, more exciting finale to what’s been another huge Gold Cup for the British Open. The teams’ rivalry and sportsmanship were fantastic to watch, along with the equine partnerships. The ponies were in excellent condition and I am always delighted to see what great care the teams take of these incredible animals. I would like to thank all the fans for coming and especially all our sponsors for their support; U.S. Polo Assn., Brand Machine Group (BMG), Rathbones Group Plc, Gusbourne and Bentley Motors.”
