Following the rain delay, that obliged to reschedule the games due on Sunday November 16, the 132nd. Argentine Polo Open Championship resumed on Monday November 17, at Palermo, with the two remaing matches of League B, that saw La Dolfina II and La Irenita La Hache, victorious.

La Dolfina II and La Hache Cría & Polo clashed in the first match of the day. While La Hache Cría & Polo had a 1-1 record, La Dolfina II, who lost their two previous games, needed to win, otherwise they would be dropped from the 2026 main draw of the Triple Crown.

La Dolfina II started to build that much needed victory quickly, with four unanswered goals in an impressive first chukka, that secured them a 4-0 lead, which they extended to 6-1 by the end of the second. The current title holders of the Cámara de Diputados Cup seized the reins, and took control of the match and the scoreboard, overwhelming La Hache Cría & Polo, who seemed lost and unable to succeed on attack. Gonzalo Ferrari, the top scorer and MVP of the match, was the key man, very well supported by Isidro Strada – who delivered one of his best performances -, Lucas Criado Jr. and Peke González. In a fast paced contest, that saw only one foul (a 40-yards penalty converted by Isidro Strada in the second chukka), La Dolfina II reached half time with a six goal advantage – 10-4.

The walk in the park for La Dolfina II continued thoroghout the second half; playing at full speed, sharply and very accurate, the Cañuelas-based foursome was the absolute dominant force. Although La Hache Cría & Polo managed to produce some goals by Bautista Bayugar and Joaquín Pittaluga, it was not enough to stop a a contender who were determined to reach what they were looking for. At the end of the seventh and penultimate chukka, La Dolfina II had the deal almost said and done, when Gonzalo Ferrari produced a fantastic goal to secure the 16-8 advantage.

But just in case, it was Gonzalo Ferrari (who else!) who put the ice on the cake, and added two more goals in the last chukka. Therefore, La Dolfina II went home with a heavy 18-8 win. Like La Zeta Kazak last Saturday, La Dolfina II claimed that much needed win, in order to keep their hopes alive to acceed to next year’s Triple Crown.

La Irenita La Hache and La Ensenada came up next, a much anticipated game for different circumnstances. La Ensenada, who lost in their debut against La Hache Cría & Polo in a tough contest, that ended in extra chukka, needed to win, in order to maintain their hopes to step into the league decider. Meanwhile, La Irenita La Hache had an extraordinary debut in the Argentine Open, after defeating La Dolfina II by an impressive 23-12; something that gave enough confidence for a lineup that didn’t do that well in the Hurlingham Open and the Tortugas Open.

But in the middle, some bad news reached them; last Thursday, during a practice, Pablo MacDonough got a broken collarbone. Although he underwent a successful surgery, it is believed he will miss the remaining of the Open. His place today was taken by his nephew, Matías MacDonough Jr., nicknamed “Vizcacha”, his brother’s Matias eldest son. So, here’s another young gun (21 years old) who was set and ready to play his first ever Argentine Open match.

The first two chukkas belonged to La Ensenada, who seemed very determined to win this game. By the end of the second chukka, they had a heavy 6-1 advantage. But things would start to change from the third chukka onwards – Hilario Ulloa (x2), Nachi du Plessis and Fran Elizalde were in charge to closet he gap to two goals (5-7). And by half time, La Ensenada were three goals ahead (10-7).

A scoreless fifth chukka was followed, but the party started in a remarkable sixth chukka, that began with a 40-yards penalty conversion by Hilario Ulloa. From then onwards, La Irenita La Hache and La Ensenada fought hard, in a hotter than hell sixth episode that ended with a terrific goal by Nachi du Plessis, to secure La Irenita La Hache their first advantage, 12-11.

In the seventh chukka, La Irenita La Hache were well secured on their path to their second victory at Palermo. Hilario Ulloa, Fran Elizalde and Nachi du Plessis scored to secure the red jerseys a 14-11 lead, with one chukka left. Meanwhile, Jero del Carril converted a 30-yards penalty for La Ensenada.

But far from giving up, La Ensenada kept going. After a goal by Jero del Carril, a determined La Hache La Irenita foursome presented battle and halfway that last chukka they were 16-13 ahead. With a minute and a half within the clock, Jero del Carril converted another penalty, but at the end of the day, it was Fran Elizalde who secured the 17-14 score, that marked La Irenita La Hache’s second win in the current Argentine Open, after a memorable match, probably one of the best Palermo saw up to date.

THE FINAL OF THE 132nd. ARGENTINE POLO OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP IS DUE ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 6.

132nd. ARGENTINE POLO OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP – Teams & Fixture

Cover photo by Matías Callejo/Prensa AAP.