The Argentine Association of Polo announced the handicap changes for all levels of polo on Tuesday, December 17. Among the most remarkable changes, there are three players who have been put up to 9-goals after their spectacular performances in the Argentine Open: Bartolomé Castagnola Jr. (7 to 9), Nachi du Plessis and Diego Cavanagh (both from 8 to 9). Lia Salvo, winner of the Women’s Argentine Open, stole the spotlight for the women becoming the third 10-goaler in Argentina (ladies handicap), joining the British players Nina Clarkin and Hazel Jackson.

 

Furthermore, Matias Torres Zavaleta went from 7 to 8, while one of the biggest stars of 2019, Camilo Castagnola, went from 6 to 8. The changes mean that La Natividad will be a 36-goal team, due to the addition of 10-goaler Polito Pieres. Clara Cassino, who won the Women’s Argentine Open alongside Lia, went from 7 to 8. 

 

Several young up and coming players who are starting to make a name for themselves internationally have also gone up in handicap, such as Rufino Bensadon, Tomás Panelo and Felipe Dabas, who were all raised to 6 goals, a handicap which now allows them to compete in the Argentine Open.

 

In terms of the handicaps being lowered, it is surprising to not have more names on the list. But the most important changes relate to Ignacio Novillo Astrada and Santiago Toccalino, who both went from 9 to 8.

 

These changes will be applied on January 1, 2020.

 

The AAP Board of Directors and Handicap Committee based their decisions on the following four points:

1) Recommendations from the Board of Directors and Handicap Sub-Committees.

2) Final standings within the ranking of the Triple Crown.

3) Results from the votes of players who participated in the Triple Crown.

4) Recommendations from affiliated clubs.

 

Find the complete lists of men’s handicap changes HERE.

Find the complete lists of women’s handicap changes HERE.