Sep 24, 2019 4:47 PM
Ellerstina Pilot has several reasons to celebrate their win at the fifty-fifth Jockey Club Open for the Ford Cup. Curtis Pilot and the three Pieres brothers, Gonzalo Pieres Jr., Nicolás Pieres and Facundo Pieres, defeated La Dolfina Valiente 12-10, in a victory that raises expectations for the most important series of the year: The Argentine Triple Crown.
With approximately 3,000 people in the stands of the Campo Argentino de Polo of Palermo, La Dolfina Valiente started the game in full control, so much so, that they managed to take a 5-1 lead by the end of the second chukker, following a great performance from Pablo MacDonough.
Ellerstina Pilot slowly started to come back however, closing the gap via the Pieres brothers' improved play, leading them to win three chukkers in a row (third, fourth and fifth). Ellerstina Pilot took the lead for the first time two minutes into the sixth and were 9-all when the chukker ended. Spectators sat in anticipation until the final chukker, when Pilot and the Pieres brothers won 3-1 and claimed victory, taking the Jockey Club Open for the Ford Cup.
"I'm happy to have won!,” said Facundo Pieres. “The Jockey is an important tournament and playing with Curtis was a plus. We suggested he come play it, and he came all the way from the U.S. It was a big effort, and we believe the experience will help him improve and learn. Playing here, against these types of players and at this level of polo, helps you improve a lot. That was the idea, and everything worked out like we wanted."
SUMMARY
Ellerstina Pilot (29): Curtis Pilot (0), Gonzalo Pieres Jr. (9), Nicolás Pieres (10), Facundo Pieres (10)
La Dolfina Valiente (30): Bob Jornayvaz (1), David Stirling (10), Pablo MacDonough (10), Juan Martín Nero (10)
Score: Ellerstina Pilot - 1-3, 2-5, 5-7, 6-7, 8-8, 9-9 and 12-10
Goals: Ellerstina Pilot - Gonzalo Pieres 3, Nicolás Pieres 1, Facundo Pieres 8 (four penalties)
Goals: La Dolfina Valiente - David Stirling 5, Pablo Mac Donough 4, Juan Martín Nero 1
Jockey Club Best Playing Pony: Irenita Entenada played by Pablo Mac Donough
Asociación Argentina de Ciradores de Caballos de Polo (AACCP) Best Playing Pony: Open Arca played by Gonzalo Pieres
Effective Date: Saturday, May 16, 2020
The suspension of USPA Tournaments and Events will be lifted for USPA Member Clubs in locales where hosting polo matches and tournaments is permitted under applicable state and local laws, executive orders and similar decrees. The USPA Member Clubs in these locales are encouraged to follow all such requirements of their state and local authorities with respect to polo operations. In addition, we also encourage all USPA Member Clubs to take the precautions recommended by the CDC. We are preparing a detailed list of best practices for USPA Member Clubs as they return to hosting USPA Tournaments and Events and plan to circulate these guidelines within the next week. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and will notify you if we determine a different course of action is necessary.
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