Pilot, Shack Attack II and La Fe joined Scone, Valiente and Park Place in the quarter finals of the USPA Gold Cup, following their wins in the three playoffs, that took place on Saturday March 11 and Sunday March 12, at the  at the USPA-owned National Polo Center-Wellington, set in Wellington, Florida. The quarter final matchups of the second leg of the prestigious The Gauntlet of Polo will be determined on Monday March 13, once the playoffs are concluded. The USPA Gold Cup sees thirteen teams up to 22 goals, in participation.

Reigning champions, Pilot, claimed an impressive 10-5 win over Two Trees by Jefferies  on Saturday March 11. Meanwhile, on Sunday March 12, Shack Attack and La Fe were victorious by the same score (12-11) against Aspen and Dazos, respectively. Both Aspen and Dazos received one goal on handicap, and the former had Peke González subbing in for Nico Saenz.

The USPA Gold Cup was established in 1974, and was played at Oak Brook Polo Club, in Oak Brooks, Illinois, before moving to Milwaukee Polo Club, in Hartland, Wisconsin through 1975-1978. In 1979, it landed in Florida. Like the CV Whitney Cup, the USPA Gold Cup will be entirely played at the at the brand new USPA-owned National Polo Center-Wellington, set in Wellington, Florida.

USPA GOLD CUP  – PLAYOFFS

• PLAYOFF #1 – SATURDAY MARCH 11

PILOT 10-5 TWO TREES POLO BY JEFFERIES

Pilot: Curtis Pilot 0, Matias Gonzalez 4, Facundo Pieres 10 (6 goals), Matias Torres Zavaleta 8 (4 goles). Total: 22.

Two Trees by Jefferies: Will Johnston 1 (1 goal), Juan Sanchez Elia 5, Mariano Aguerre 7 (3), Miguel Novillo Astrada 8. Total: 21.

Score Pilot: (0-1) 2-1, 4-1, 4-3, 6-4, 10-4, 10-5

Umpires: Julian Appleby & Ronnie Hayes.                Third man: Héctor Galindo

• PLAYOFF #2 – SUNDAY MARCH 12

SHACK ATTACK II 12-11 ASPEN

Shack Attack 2: Matias Magrini 7 (2 goals), Facha Valent 3 (1), Kris Kampsen 6 (6), Mackenzie Weiz (3). Total: 22.

Aspen: Stewart Armstrong 2, Nico Saenz 5*, Rufino Bensadon 8 (10 goals), Pancho Bensadon 7. Total: 21.

*Subbed in by Peke Gonzalez, 4 (1 goal)

Score Shack Attack II: (0-1) 2-3, 5-4, 6-7, 9-8, 12-9, 12-11.

Umpires: Martín Pascual & Jamie Mirikitani.              Third man: Kimo Huddleston.

LA FE 12-11 DAZOS

La Fe: Louis Devaleix 1, Lucas Diaz Alberdi 6 (3 goals), Francisco Elizalde 9 (9), Robi Bilbao 6. Total: 22.

Dazos: David Farache 0, Dylan Rossiter 6 (4 goals), Nico Pieres 9 (4), Santi Torres 6 (1). Total: 21.

Score La Fe: (0-1) 2-3, 5-4, 5-6, 9-7, 10-9, 12-11.

Umpires: Kimo Huddleston & Gastón Lucero.              Third man:  Jamie Mirikitani.

The quarter finals of the USPA Gold Cup will be determined on Monday March 13, with the two last playoffs. The order of play is as follows:

12pm: Dutta Corp Show+ vs. Shack Attack

3pm: La Elina vs. Tamera

The final of the USPA Gold Cup is set to be played on Sunday March 26.

USPA Gold Cup – Fixture & Teams

Cover photo by Agustina Fonda.