THE ARGENTINE OPEN POLO

Polo players in action
( Photo : Catherine Hartley)

Who's your money on this year?

It’s that time of year again; when all eyes in the polo world turn to Buenos Aires, Argentina!

In 3 days time the 117th Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo del Bicentenario Movistar gets going at the Palermo premises of the Asociación Argentina de Polo. This is the world's leading and most popular high-handicap polo event and is a mecca for polo players and horsemen who appreciate the innate ability of the Argentinians.

Kickoff date is Saturday, November 20th. The opening day will see La Dolfina vs. Sao José (2:00 p.m., local time, on field 2) and Pilará vs. Chapa Uno (4:30 p.m., local time on field 1).

Vuma Feeds will be there for the semi-finals and final and we’ll keep you posted on the results. Last year our money was on the La Dolfina team to beat Ellerstina but with a change in their team, they may just give the young Ellerstina combination the edge that they are looking for! Watch this space!

Match Dates

Saturday, November 20th
La Dolfina vs. Sao José
Pilará vs. Chapa Uno

Sunday, November 21st
Ellerstina vs. Alegría
La Aguada vs. Indios Chapaleufú II

Saturday, November 27th
Loser of match between La Dolfina / Sao José vs. Winner of match between Pilará / Chapa Uno
Winner of match between La Dolfina / Sao José vs. Loser of match between Pilará / Chapa Uno

Sunday, November 28th
Loser of match betweenEllerstina / Alegría vs. Winner of match between La Aguada / Indios Chapaleufú II
Winner of match between Ellerstina / Alegría vs. Loser of match between La Aguada / Indios Chapaleufú II

Saturday, December 4th
Loser of match between La Dolfina / Sao José vs. Loser of match between Pilará / Chapa Uno
Winner of match between La Dolfina / Sao José vs. Winner of match between Pilará / Chapa Uno

Sunday, December 5th
Loser of match between Ellerstina / Alegría vs. Loser of match between La Aguada / Indios Chapaleufú II
Winner of match between Ellerstina / Alegría vs. Winner of match between La Aguada / Indios Chapaleufú II

Saturday, December 11th
Final

The Teams:
Zone A
La Dolfina
Adolfo Cambiaso (Jr.) 10
Lucas Monteverde (Jr.) 10
David Stirling (Jr.) 9
Bartolomé Castagnola 10
Total: 39

Chapa Uno
Bautista Heguy 9
Hilario Ulloa 9
Juan Ignacio Merlos 9
Matías Mac Donough 8
Total: 35

Pilará
Agustín Merlos 9
Santiago Chavanne 8
Sebastián Merlos 9
Tomás García del Río 7
Total: 33

Sao José
Pablo Pieres (Jr.) 7
Nicolás Pieres 7
Jaime García Huidobro 8
Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade 8
Total: 30

Zone B
Ellerstina
Facundo Pieres 10
Gonzalo Pieres (Jr.) 10
Pablo Mac Donough 10
Juan Martín Nero 10
Total: 40

La Aguada
Javier Novillo Astrada 9
Eduardo Novillo Astrada (Jr.) 9
Miguel Novillo Astrada 10
Ignacio Novillo Astrada 9
Total: 37

Indios Chapaleufú II
Alberto Heguy (Jr.) 8
Ignacio Heguy 9
Matías Magrini 8
Eduardo Heguy 9
Total: 34

Alegría
Frederick Mannix (Jr.) 7
Francisco Bensadón 8
Mariano Aguerre 10
Francisco de Narváez (Jr.) 9
Total: 34

THE ARGY AMIGOS TOUR 2009

Buenos Aires vs South Africa
(Photo : Karen Pilling)

Hola Amigos! Bienvenido 

They were hard to miss as they came through the arrivals hall - seven people loaded with stick bags, kit bags and suitcases - The BA Amigos ladies polo team had just landed from Argentina! 

Led by team manager, Mariano Etchevvery, and his fiancé, the BA ladies team of Natascha Baechar, Veronica Posse, Sofia Taylor and Anne Rodger, supported by Veronica’s husband Mattias arrived in South Africa on the 4th of June for a two-week tour. Their first weekend was spent in the Highveld, hosted by Nigel and Karen Pilling, Marius and Alida Vermaak, and the East Rand Polo Club. 

A mini tournament was held at East Rand with a view to encouraging as many new players as possible to join in and play with and against the BA ladies. The response from Highveld ladies was superb and at least nine newer from the Rocking Four and East Rand Clubs joined in, including Charlotte Bekker who flew all the way from Cape Town to play. 

On the Friday evening all the players were hosted by Ambassador Dr. Carlos Sersale di Cerisano at a cocktail party at the Argentinean Embassy in Pretoria. After the games on Saturday evening, everyone got to let out their musical (or not!) sides with drumming arranged at the club. This provided great entertainment and hilarity! On Sunday the Buenos Aires (BA) ladies polo team, representing Hartford House, took on the local ladies, representing Vuma Horse Feeds. It was a hard-fought game but under the talented captaincy of Sarah van Wyk, the Vuma SA team, of Candice Kane-Berman, Catherine Uys, Erin Jones and Sarah van Wyk, prevailed. The touring BA team then enjoyed the hospitality of the Macrae family at Horseback in Africa, near Cullinan, where they experienced close encounters of animal kind while walking with lion and riding in the bush. They also had a chance to visit the elephant sanctuary before spending a night at Oaklands Polo and Country Club at van Reenen. Chef Cathy’s dinner, especially the Corn Chowder, was a highlight of the trip.

Unfortunately, the very wet and cold weather during the week put paid to any chances of even playing arena polo, so the time at Oaklands was spent relaxing and staying warm! From Oaklands, the BA Amigos headed down van Reenean’s Pass into the rolling green hills of KwaZulu-Natal to spend a memorable afternoon and evening at Hartford House and Summerhill Stud near Mooi River. From viewing top stallions of the champion breeders, Summerhill Stud, to enjoying 5-star dining at the award winning Hartford House restaurant, the team was well rested and ready to play their final tournament on Friday morning. The Karkloof Classic ladies polo tournament, incorporated the BA Amigos into their four teams and this gave the BA ladies a chance to play with other SA ladies and try out horses for their match on Sunday. 

On Sunday the 14th of June, The BA ladies again took on the SA ladies (Sarah van Wyk, Candice Kane-Berman, Jean Hackland and Kate Robinson) in a tightly contested match enjoyed by many spectators while savouring champagne, cocktails and sushi sponsored by Absolut Vodka and Mumm Champagne. Although the BA ladies put up some strong opposition, the SA ladies were the eventual winners by two goals. The BA Amigos tour was a fun-filled two weeks for the visitors and all the SA girls who had an opportunity to play with and against them. Our Grateful thanks to all players and SAPA members who assisted with lending horses, vehicles and giving their time to make it such a success. Our very special thanks to all our sponsors who made this possible : Horseback Africa, Oaklands Polo and Country Club, Hartford House, Summerhill Stud, Vuma Horse Feed, Mumm Champagne, Absolut Vodka, La Martina and TWP.  

Vuma – part of the winning team!

Hartford Buenos Aires and Vuma South Africa Ladies Polo Teams
(Photo : Vuma Horsefeeds)

A little sibling rivalry is never a bad thing to keep the various members of the family on their toes and like any family, the Summerhill group of businesses share a little friendly competition now and again. And so it was that the Buenos Aires (BA) ladies polo team from Argentina, representing Hartford House, took on the SA ladies, representing Vuma Horse Feeds.

The first game was played at East Rand Polo Club on Sunday 6 June between Veronica Posse, Sofia Taylor, Anne Rodgers and Natascha Baecher for the Hartford BA ladies and Catherine Uys, Candice Kane-Berman, Sarah Van Wyk and Erin Jones for the Vuma SA ladies. It was a hard-fought game but under the talented captaincy of Sarah van Wyk, the Vuma SA team prevailed.

The touring BA team then enjoyed the hospitality of Horseback Africa, near Cullinan, Oaklands Polo and Country Club at Van Reenen and Hartford House and Summerhill Stud near Mooi River before joining in to play the Karkloof Classic ladies polo tournament. On Sunday 14 June, the BA ladies again took on the SA ladies in a tightly contested match enjoyed by many spectators while savouring Champagne, cocktails and Sushi sponsored by Absolut Vodka and Mumm Champagne.

Although the BA ladies put up some strong opposition, the SA ladies were the eventual winners.

Vuma is also proud to feed the Best String of Ponies at the Karkloof Classic, owned and played by Brian Hein – We Love to Feed your Champions.