Adolfo Cambiaso is undergoing a unique 2022: Not only is he playing the Argentine Open with his son for the first time ever, and together they won their first Triple Crown title at Hurlingham, but he is also celebrating the 30th anniversary of his Palermo debut. He first played Palermo on November 7, 1992, at the age of 17-year, scoring sixteen goals for Ellerstina, helping them claim a 23-7 win over Los Indios.

Thirty years and 17 Argentine Open titles later, Adolfo Cambiaso, who has been representing the La Dolfina Saudi at Palermo for the last 23 years, knows that he is still one of the favourites to win the most important polo tournament in the world. Following his Sunday win against Cría la Dolfina, Cambiaso stated: “I am happy about the win. However, the team worked differently because of Pelón’s injury, which happened a few days ago. We had one practice with Pedrinho [Zacharias] before throwing him on field 1 with us. It’s not easy being there and playing a match. Cría La Dolfina played well, they had their system, so it wasn’t easy. We had to wait to score, but at least Poro was accurate with his penalty conversions and were able to win. The most important thing is where we are standing now; the field was a bit difficult to play well on, but that affects everyone.” 

Following Sunday’s win, La Dolfina Saudi have two challenges ahead in the League: first La Irenita Clinova, which they face on Sunday, November 20, and then Ellerstina, which they will take on in the league decider. It is intersting to keep in mind that La Dolfina Saudi defeated Ellerstina in Hurlingham. “After we won the Hurlingham Open, it is very clear that we do want to win,” says Cambiaso. “First, it was about playing with my son in front of a packed grand stand, but after having won Hurlingham and seeing how the team works, we definitely have chances of winning. We are very excited about giving ourselves the chance to be able to win.” 

Something special happened by the start of the fourth chukka, which is not a minor detail for La Dolfina’s organisation. Although there are more and more clones of different horses currently playing at the highest level, on Sunday there were four Cuarteteras that played in that chukka: clone 06, ridden by Adolfo; clone 01, ridden by Poroto; clone 04, ridden by Nero; and clone 02, ridden by Cría La Dolfina’s Guillermo Terrera. On that matter, Adolfo Cambiaso stated: “I realized it during the chukka. I saw Juanma, Poroto, and myself, and I am not sure whether Terre was riding another one as well. It’s incredible to be with the elder brother, I mean, us, and the younger brother, Cría La Dolfina, playing several horses from the breed, and I think it’s very good, it means the organization is growing.” 

It’s been established that the Cañuelas-based lineup will play the League B decider of the Open against Ellerstina – despite waiting on Sunday’s results between Ellerstina and Cría La Dolfina. League A’s decider has also been set. Another Cañuelas-based team, La Natividad, will take on La Irenita Grand Champions. Regarding the moment Cañuelas is currently going through, Adolfo Cambiaso concludes: “I am happy for Camila and for Lolo; obviously, Camila is my sister, the boys are my nephews and I am Barto’s godfather. I would love it if La Dolfina and La Natividad play the final, but that is not up to us. is not our decision. Polo is very competitive today; there were different teams playing the finals in Tortugas and Hurlingham, so anything can happen in Palermo.”