Last year, Sébastien Le Page´s Clinique La Prairie, alongside Lucas Labat, Facundo Kelly and Raúl Laplacette lifted the trophy of the prestigious Hublot Polo Cup Gstaad. And in 2023, under the name of Gstaad, they claimed the tournament for the second consecutive year, following the final that took place on Sunday August 20, after an impressive 11-5 win over Hublot. Hosted by the Polo Club Gstaad, located in Gstaad, Switzerland, in a splendid setting with grounds sorrounded by the magical beauty of the Swiss Alps, the competition saws four teams up to 14 goals, in participation. Britain’s Oliver Ellis and Charles Seavill were appointed as the official umpires,
Under the command of their flagship man, Raúl Laplacette, who produced seven goals, Gstaad overwhelmed their opponents; Hublot were unable to get in the score, and only Martin Aguerre Jr. (who scored Hublot’s five goals) attempted to challenge Gstaad’s defense, but he was inmediatly blocked by the indomitable Raúl. The deal was almost said and done in the penultimate chukka, when Gstaad had already a 7-3 lead; and they went furthermore in the last episode to seal the 11-5 win that secured them the title for the second year in a row.
Meanwhile, the third place went to Kielder Agro, after a close 6-5 victory over Gstaad Palace. Kielder Agro was the dominating force thoroghout three chukkas, until Gstaad Place tried to bounce back unsucesfully in the last chukka.
REWATCH THE FINAL OF THE HUBLOT POLO GOLD CUP GSTAAD ON POLOLINE TVÂ HERE.
Cover photo by Kathrin Gralla.
HUBLOT POLO GOLD CUP GSTAAD – FINAL – SUNDAY AUGUST 20
GSTAAD 11-5 HUBLOT
GSTAAD: Sébastien Le Page 0, Facundo Kelly 4 (2 goals), Francisco Fucci 4 (2), Raul Laplacette 6 (7). Total: 14.
HUBLOT: Jürgen Schröder 0, Juan Correa 3, Matias Gonzalez 4, Martin Aguerre Jr. 7 (5 goals).Total: 14.
Score Gstaad: 3-1, 6-2, 7-3, 11-5.
MVP:Â Raul Laplacette
BPP: Tintin, played by Raúl Laplacette.
THIRD PLACE
KIELDER AGRO GROUP 6-5 GSTAAD PALACE
KIELDER AGRO GROUP:Â Cedric Schweri 0, Joao Novaes 5Â (4 goals), Tomi Astelarra 3, Francisco Menendez 6 (2). Total: 14.
GSTAAD PALACE:Â Peter Cromm 0, Pedro Fernandez Llorente 5 (2 goals), Teo von Neufforge 5, Segundo Condesse 4 (3). Total: 14.Â
Score Kielder Agro Group: 4-0, 5-0, 4-2, 6-5.
Key dates and numbers of polo in Gstaad:
1995 Polo Club Gstaad is established
1996 The first tournament is organised in Gstaad
2006 Pierre Genecand becomes President of the Polo Club Gstaad
2008 Hublot is named Title Sponsor and the Hublot Polo Gold Cup is born
70 Volunteers working during the four days within the event
120 horses in participation
500 People in attendance to the traditional gala, on Saturday night
6000 Spectators enjoy the event