Unstoppable, overwhelming, dominating… what can one say about La Natividad La Dolfina, that has not been already said? In another spectacular peformance, they literally overwhelmed a talented La Hache foursome to claim a 18-14 win that secured them the title of the 133rd. Hurlingham Open, the first leg of the Triple Crown, in Argentina. Therefore, the 40-goal Cañuelas-based foursome retained the Ayshire Cup, which they won in 2025 with the same lineup.

The final, that was played on Sunday October 4 at the Hurlingham Club, had a very even start, with La Hache delivering a more solid play than La Natividad La Dolfina in a first chukka that saw both teams tied at 1-all. The second was also balanced, however with a slight advantage for La Dolfina, who were 3-2 up. Things would start to change in the third chukka.

Following a goal produced by Benjamín Panelo to tie 3-3, La Natividad La Dolfina overwhelmed their opponents; La Hache never gave up, but the Cañuelas boys already seemed too much for them. In a blink of an eye, La Natividad La Dolfina outscored La Hache 3-1, to mark an impressive 6-3 lead. The “slaughter” continued in the fourth chukka, with La Natividad La Dolfina having a comfortable walk in the park, dominating the contest against La Hache, who seemed lost in the game; even Benjamin Panelo, who usually delivers a 100% accuracy to convert penalties, missed quite a few. A terrific neckshot by Poroto Cambiaso put La Natividad La Dolfina 7-3 up, while Barto Castagnola and Adolfo Cambiaso marked the 9-3 lead before half time. In two chukkas, the defending champions outscored La Hache by a commanding 6-1.
However, La Hache managed to close the gap at the start of the fourth chukka, through a penalty coversion by Benjamin Panelo; Poroto Cambiaso scored for his team, but La Hache made it two, when Hilario Ulloa found the flags again quickly. Although La Natividad La Dolfina kept on rolling, La Hache seemed to have found their momentum, and kept their hopes alive. Benjamin Panelo also produced two more goals, and La Hache were now 10-7. But La Hache’s comeback wouldn’t last long – a 40-yards penalty conversion by Jeta Castagnola secured a 11-7 lead for La Natividad La Dolfina.

Thoroghout the remaing chukkas, and although La Hache never gave up, La Natividad La Dolfina played their usual game – easy, simple, with that remarkable connection between the four members, extremely accurate both in defense and attack, precise in the marks. That allowed them to control the contest, while La Hache struggled; as a result, they closed the seventh and penultimate chukka five goals ahead (17-12). With one chukka to go, all aimed for a miracle for La Hache; but despite the gap, they kept fighting hard. In the last chukka, Benjamin Panelo and Hilario Ulloa scored, and closed the gap again to three goals (17-14). Would a miracle be possible? Well, no, it never happened; with less than a minute left in regulation time, an assist from Adolfo Cambiaso to his nephew Barto left the deal said and done – La Natividad La Dolfina were victorious 18-14, and won the first title of the current Triple Crown, the Hurlingham Open, just like in 2025.

It’s worth noting that, despite the loss in the final, La Hache played a remarkable Hurlingham Open; they presented battle in the championship game against no less than the 40-goal title holders, but at the end of the day La Natividad La Dolfina were too much for them. In addition, Adolfo Cambiaso keeps breaking his own records – this is his 17th. title of the Hurlingham Open, which makes him the player who won this tournament more than anyone else.

133rd. HURLINGHAM OPEN – FINAL – SUNDAY OCTOBER 4

LA NATIVIDAD LA DOLFINA 18-14 LA HACHE

La Natividad La Dolfina: Camilo Castagnola 10 (6 goals, 3 penalties, 1 corner), Poroto Cambiaso 10 (6, 2 penalties), Adolfo Cambiaso 10 (2), Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. 10 (4). Total: 40.

La Hache: Hilario Ulloa 9 (7, 4 penalties), Carlos María. Ulloa 8 (1), Benjamín Panelo 8 (5, 2 penalties), Tomás Panelo 9 (1). Total: 34.

Score La Natividad La Dolfina: 1-1, 3-2, 6-3, 9-3, 11-7, 15-9, 17-12 y 18-14.

Umpires: Gonzalo López Vargas & Guillermo Villanueva

Third Man: Hernán Tasso.

Juan Carlos Harriott MVP: Bartolomé Castagnola Jr.

Javier Novillo Astrada MVP of the final: Bartolomé Castagnola Jr.

Top scorer of the final: Hilario Ulloa (7)

Daniel Kearney Cup (Hurlingham Club) to the BPP of the final: Negra Milonga, ridden by Bartolomé Castagnola Jr.

AAP BPP Award: Luca Gyulia, ridden by Bartolomé Castagnola Jr.

Best Polo Argentino Bred, awarded by the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Association: Dolfina Copas, ridden by Poroto Cambiaso.

Cover photo by Matìas Callejo / Prensa AAP.