On a perfect day for polo at Valiente Farm, history was made in the much-anticipated final of the Sterling Cup. For the first time, the world’s No. 1-ranked polo player Adolfo Cambiaso, 42, and two of his children, 15-year-old Mia and 12-year-old Poroto, won their first-ever high goal tournament together. Valiente knocked off one of the pre-tournament favorites Audi 10-4.
Mia and Poroto Cambiaso are believed to be the youngest players to win the Sterling Cup. No one was prouder of her family than wife of 17 years and mother of three Maria Vazquez watching the game from the players’ tent.
Like his son, Adolfo Cambiaso, then one-goal rated, won his first 20-goal tournament at age 12 with his father, Adolfo Sr. playing with La Martina in the Eduardo Heguy Cup in Argentina.
Valiente never let Audi into the choppy game. Valiente led 1-0 and 3-1 in the first two chukkers. After a scoreless third chukker, Valiente led 4-1 at halftime.
Valiente outscored Audi, 4-2, in the fourth and fifth chukkers for an 8-3 lead going into the final chukker. Audi, plagued with penalties, missed scoring opportunities and unforced errors, could never find its rhythm.
The Cambiaso family also swept all three polo pony honors.
Valiente: Poroto Cambiaso 1 (2 goals), MÃa Cambiaso 1 (2), Magoo Laprida 8 (3), Adolfo Cambiaso 10 (3).
Audi: Marc Ganzi 2, Henry Porter 2, Nic Roldan 8 (3), Nico Pieres 8 (1).
MVP of the final: MÃa Cambiaso.
MVP of the tournament: Adolfo Cambiaso.
BPP American Polo Horse Association Best Registered: Bionica, played by Mia Cambiaso and owned by J5 Equestrian. The horse’s groom received $100 from APHA executive director Tiana Smicklas.
Grand Champions Polo Club BPP of the game: Dolfina El Boeing, a stallion played by Adolfo Cambiaso.
Grand Champions Polo Club BPP of the tournament: Julieta, played by Poroto Cambiaso.