John Smith Ayala won the medium goal 50th. Anniversary Gold Cup, after defeating Nairobi 9-8 in the championship match that was played on Friday August 27, on ground 3, at Santa María Polo Club. The 50th Anniversary Gold Cup marks the third stage and the culminating moment of the 50th Anniversary Torneo Internacional de Polo by La Reserva Club de Sotogrande
The match was very tight thoroghout the six chukkas of play; despite John Smith Ayala was able to widen their advantage to three goals on two occassions, Nairobi managed to bounce back twice to tie the contest. And although John Smith Ayala’s Alejandro Muzzio and Nairobi’s Juan Zubiaurre were their respective team’s flagship men, it was Gabriel Aguirre who picked the ball in a crucial moment to produce the goal that secured the title for John Smith Ayala, who put the ice on the cake to an unforgettable August, having won previously the Terralpa Silver Cup as well.
Prior to the main final, Santa Quiteria and Hodro faced for the La Reserva Club Sotogrande – The Seven Cup, that took place on the club’s ground 2. The trophy went to Santa Quiteria, who claimed a 10-8 victory.
Many personalities attended the awards presentation. Among them, La Reserva Club de Sotogrande’s Oscar Checa; artist Jesús Arnedo Bedoya, who presented a painting to Marc Abele, winner of the Fair Play Award; and Spain’s polo legend, Pedro Domecq, winner of Sotogrande Gold Cup first ever edition back in 1971.
Action for the 50th. Anniversary Gold Cup will resume on Saturday August 28, when Marqués de Riscal and Ayala go head-to-head for the high goal title.
Sotogrande’s 50th Anniversary tournament is being played at Ayala Polo Club, Santa María Polo Club, and Dos Lunas Polo & Dressage. The tournament sees twelve teams, split into two categories, compete. The high goal is for 18-20 goal teams, while the medium goal is for 12-14 goal teams.
BOTH THE HIGH GOAL 50th ANNIVERSARY TORNEO INTERNACIONAL DE POLO BY LA RESERVA CLUB DE SOTOGRANDE AND THE MEDIUM GOAL SEMIFINALS AND FINAL WILL BE STREAMED LIVE ON POLOLINE TV HERE.
The summary of the finals of the 50th. Anniversary Gold Cup is the following:
FINAL COPA DE ORO 50 ANIVERSARIO: JOHN SMITH AYALA 9-8 NAIROBI
JOHN SMITH AYALA: Gabriel Aguirre 0, Gregorio Gelosi 4, Alejandro Muzzio 8, Nicolás Álvarez 2. Total: 14.
NAIROBI: Grace Cariss 0, Hernan Pieres 3, Santiago Schweitzer 5, Juan Zubiaurre 6. Total: 14.
Umpires: Esteban Ferrari & Matías Baibiene.
Third Man: Guillermo Villanueva.
MVP: Juan Zubaiurre.
BPP: Chapaleufú Plateada. Ridden by Juan Zubiaurre and owned by Dos Lunas.
Fair Play Award: Marc Aberle.
FINAL LA RESERVA CLUB SOTOGRANDE – THE SEVEN CUP: SANTA QUITERIA 10-8 HODRO
SANTA QUITERIA: Germán López Madrid 0, Jaime Serra 2, Ignacio Negri 7, Santiago Tanoira 5. Total: 14.
HODRO POLO: Marc Aberle 0, José Trenor 2, Mariano González (h) 7, Malcolm Borwick 5. Total: 14.
The 50th. Anniversary Gold Cup will resume on Saturday August 28, with the high goal final:
6,30pm, ground 3, Santa María Polo Club: Marqués de Riscal vs Ayala
THE 50th ANNIVERSARY GOLD CUP (HIGH GOAL): Fixture & Teams
THE 5oth ANNIVERSARY GOLD CUP (MEDIUM GOAL): Fixture & Teams
PHOTO CREDIT: MATÍAS CALLEJO.