Photos and Story by Alan Fabricant
For the third time this season the Gauntlet of Polo Series was played between La Dolfina and Valiente.
Each team previously won one tournament, however this third and final event was for the prestigious U.S. Open Polo Championship.
The final was played under partially cloudy skies with anticipated rain at any moment.
In a back-and-forth game with the lead changing hands 10 times and the score tied at seven, La Dolfina ran off the next three goals to win 10-7.
Father, Adolfo Cambiaso of Valiente and his 17-year-old son Poroto playing for La Dolfina, both 10 goalers, were the main attractions of the day before a completely sold out stadium.
The rain held off during the game, however as the presentation ceremony began, the rain finally arrived.
By the time the awards ceremony was ending, a rainbow appeared over the awards stage.
The game’s leading scorer for Valiente as well as the MVP was 16-year-old Paquito de Narvaez. His teammates were Adolfo Cambiaso, Joaquin de la Madrid and Peke Gonzalez.
La Dolfina was by led by 9 goaler Tomas Panelo with a game high 6 goals, Poroto Cambiaso, Alejandro Azmar and Rufino Merlos.
Adolfo Cambiaso wore jersey #1 dedicating the game to Valiente’s patron Bob Jornayvaz who was seriously injured in a polo accident on April 8th and remains in intensive care at St. Mary’s Medical Center.
