Defending champions Ellerstina clinched victory in a nail-biting Tortugas Open Final in Argentina yesterday (25 October 2012). The 38-goal team of Nico Pieres, Mariano Aguerre, Gonzalito Pieres and Facundo Pieres defeated La Dolfina 12-11 in a closely fought match, to retain their Tortugas Open title. The 40-goal La Dolfina team of Adolfo Cambiaso, David “Pelon” Stirling, Pablo MacDonough and Juan Martin Nero were always chasing Ellerstina throughout the match, but five goals by Facundo Pieres, who was named most valuable player, and strong defensive teamwork secured Ellerstina the historic win.
This win is the sixth consecutive Tortugas Open victory in a row for Ellerstina, and the first leg of the Triple Crown of Polo 2012. The opening chukkas of Thursday afternoon’s Tortugas Open Final were hard fought with La Dolfina taking a 1-0 lead after the opening chukka and Ellerstina tying it up at 1-1 to end the second.
Ellerstina scored four consecutive unanswered goals in the third with Nico Pieres giving them a 5-1 lead. Cambiaso converted a penalty shot to help them stay in touch and end the period with a three goal gap behind Ellerstina, 5-2.
Fourth chukka goals from Pablo MacDonough and Pelon Stirling cut the Ellerstina lead to a single goal, 5-4 before La Dolfina came back to end the period all even at 5-5. Mariano Aguerre scored the opening goal of the fifth as Ellerstina agin took back the lead, 6-5. Two minutes later Juan Martin Nero scored to make it even at 6-6. Facundo Pieres converted a penalty goal to give Ellerstina the lead once again, 7-6. Cambiaso took a hit to his shoulder with a mallet and the clock stopped but after a short break Cambiaso was OK to continue. Stirling scored the final goal of the chukka to draw the scores at 7-7.
Two minutes into the sixth chukka Nero scored a lovely goal to give La Dolfina an 8-7 advantage. Cambiaso converted a penalty shot for a score and a 9-7 La Dolfina lead. Ellerstina responded quickly and decisively with three straight goals for a 10-9 lead to end the chukka.
Facundo Pieres combined beautifully with brother Gonzalito who scored to put Ellerstina up, 11-9 in the seventh and final chukka of play. Facundo Pieres scored again on a well-placed shot at goal and Ellerstina stretched the lead to three goals, 12-9. Juan Martin Nero managed to cut the lead with a goal from the field, but Ellerstina were still ahead 12-10. A late goal from La Dolfina ended the game with Ellerstina winning the 2012 Tortugas Open, 12-11.
Score Ellerstina: 0-1, 0-1, 5-2, 5-5, 7-7, 10-9, 12-11
MVP: Facundo Pieres (Ellerstina)
BPP: Sol de Agosto Milu (Bred by Martin de Narvaez, ridden by Pablo MacDonough)
Top Scorer: Facundo Pieres (5 goals)
Hurlingham Open
The second leg of the Argentine Triple Crown of Polo begins this weekend – The Hurlingham Open is due to start tomorrow (Saturday 27 October), having been delayed several times from its original start date of 16th October due to rain.
THE TRIPLE CROWN 2012
The dates and details of the three tournaments that make up the Triple Crown 2012 are as follows:
Tournament: Tortugas Open, Argentina
Place: Tortuguitas
Club: Tortugas CC
Date: September 25 – October 13, 2012
Tournament: Hurlingham Open, Argentina
Place: Hurlingham
Club: Hurlingham Club
Date: October 16 – November 4, 2012
Tournament: 119th Argentine Open, Argentina
Place: Palermo
Club: Palermo
Date: November 17 – December 8, 2012
For more information, visit www.aapolo.com.
ROLEX AND POLO
Rolex’s association with Polo began over 40 years ago, forming a partnership based on a shared appreciation of excellence. Success on the polo field is achieved only by those who, during the intensity of the match, deliver results with precision and seamless control, moving with a grace and elegance comparable to the intricate craftsmanship of a Rolex timepiece.
Such skill is evident in Rolex Testimonee Gonzalo Pieres Jr, one of today’s most accomplished and proficient polo players. The holder of a 10 goal handicap on three continents, Gonzalo Pieres Jr is synonymous with the world of professional polo, seen by many as the one of the greatest players of his generation. He made his debut on the professional circuit in 1999 at the Argentine Open – the world’s most important polo tournament – competing ever since at many of polo’s most celebrated events. Aged 29, Pieres Jr has already won the game’s most prestigious title, the Argentine Polo Open Championship, twice, in 2008 and again in 2010.
In the same year, with his team Ellerstina, Pieres Jr won all three tournaments in the Argentine Triple Crown – the Hurlingham Country Club Open Championship, the Tortugas Country Club Open Championship and the Argentine Polo Open Championship. This was Pieres Jr’s first Triple Crown, but Ellerstina’s second, having accomplished this feat in 1994, with the help of Pieres Jr’s father, Gonzalo Pieres Sr.
Rolex’s affiliation with polo extends beyond its finest Testimonees as the official sponsor of four of the most prestigious events on the international polo calendar: the Buenos Aires Jockey Club Open Championship (since 2005), the Tortugas Country Club Open Championship (since 2000), the Hurlingham Club Open Championship (since 1979) and the renowned Argentine Polo Open Championship (since 1979).
Held in Argentina, a nation passionate about polo, each of these championships attracts the world’s best players, whose ability to master the delicate balance between horse and rider is unrivalled. These four events are among the oldest tournaments in the sport, dating back to 1890 with the Hurlingham Club’s first match and 1893 with the start of the Argentine Polo Open Championship.
In 2011, Rolex consolidated its affiliation with polo by becoming the Official Timekeeper of the Asociación Argentina de Polo (AAP), the sport’s governing body, and its playing field in Pilar, a province just north of Buenos Aires.
Rolex’s decision to associate itself with the governing body of the disciplines it sponsors reflects its commitment to the continued progression of each sport. The AAP is dedicated to promoting polo while remaining true to the noble spirit and tradition inherent to the game.
Rolex‘s sponsorship of today’s most impressive polo events reflects the brand’s long-standing and continued commitment to excellence in horsemanship.
Rod Kohler
Revolution Sports + Entertainment
E: rod@revolutionsports.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)207 592 1207