An almost unexpected win for BTA over La Dolfina Scone, and the first for Park Place against The Dutta Corp, were the results of the two games for the US Open Polo Championship, played on Friday April 10. The most important competition of the prestigious The Gauntlet Of Polo, and one of the three Grand Slams Of Polo, alongside the Argentine Open and the British Open for the Cowdray Gold Cup, the US Open is hosted by the National Polo Center (NPC), located in Wellington, Florida, United States, and sees eleven teams up to 22 goals, partake. Teams are split in two leagues.
BTA and La Dolfina Scone opened fire, in the morning; it’s worth to remember that this match was due to be played on Wednesday April 8 and had to be delayed due to rains. In a very tough and balanced contest, that saw La Dolfina as the dominant force in the two first chukkas, BTA bounced back, to claim the lead in the third (8-7). However, David Paradice and his boys re-took their advantage un the fourth chukka (10-9). But BTA was far from giving up – they seized the reins in the fifth chukka and tied at 11-all. So, it was all or nothing in a thrilling last episode – BTA managed to hold their contenders back, and produced the chukka’s single goal to seal a remarkable 12-11 over one of the most powerful organisations, as La Dolfina Scone is.
Later in the afternoon, Park Place went for a very much needed first win in the US Open; on this occasion, they clashed against the unbeaten The Dutta Corp. From the very start, Park Place took control of the situation, by earning significant advantages in the first and second chukkas, 4-1 and 5-1, respectively. Although The Dutta Corp did their best to come closer in the scoreboard, and even reduced the gap to two goals in the penultimate chukka (7-9), the damage has already been done – a determined Park Place swept The Dutta Corp in the last chukka by outscoring them 5-2 to take home the 14-9 win. In the meantime, both teams had changes in their lineps – Jason Wates and Hazel Jackson filled in for Andrey Borodin and Mariano Obregon, respectively, in Park Place while Felipe Viana stepped in for Timmy Dutta, in The Dutta Corp.
THE US OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP WILL RESUME ON THE WEEKEND, WITH THE FOLLOWING ORDER OF PLAY:
- Saturday April 11
12pm: DUS (2-0) vs. La Dolfina Scone (1-1)
5pm: BTA (1-1) vs. Clinova The Sandbox (0-2)
- Sunday April 12
1,30pm: La Dolfina Tamera (1-1) vs. Clearwater (1-1)
5pm: Coca Cola (2-0) vs. La Fe Eastern Hay (1-1)
The US Open Polo Championship is indeed the crown jewel of polo in the United States. The tournament was played for the first time in 1904, at Van Conrtlandt Park, in the Bronx borough of New York City, and showcased only two teams partake, The Wanderers and The Freeboters. Four 15-minute chukkers were played, with a seven-minute break between each chukker. After a pause, the US Open resumed in 1910, when six teams played at Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island; it remained there for several years until it was relocated it what would be the tournament’s longtime home, Meadowbrook Polo Club in Old Westbury, New York. In 1954, the US Open moved to Oak Brook, where it remained for 22 years, followed by an eight year-stint at the Retama Polo Center in San Antonio, Texas. In the 1980s and the 1990s, it was held in several clubs throughout the United States, until 2004, which marked the centenary of the US Open. By then, the contest was relocated to Wellington, Florida, where it has been held ever since. The U.S. Open Polo Championship perpetual trophy was first presented in 1910. Stolen in 2002, it was recovered a few weeks later and is currently kept in the care and custody of the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame in Lake Worth, Florida.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH OF THE US OPEN IS SET TO BE PLAYED ON SUNDAY APRIL 26.
US OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP – Teams & Fixture
2026 GAUNTLET OF POLO – FULL CALENDAR
CV WHITNEY CUP
February 13-March 1
Winners: The Dutta Corp.
USPA GOLD CUP
March 4-April 5
Winners: Pilot.
US OPEN
April 1-26
Cover photo by Agustina Fonda.