Marqués de Riscal defeated Ayala 14-10 following the championship match of the 50th. Anniversary Gold Cup, that took place 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
It was a very well deserved final for both teams, having played very well thoroghout the whole competition. However, and as they did in previous matches, Marqués de Riscal got off to a strong start, that allowed them to close the first chukka with a comfortable 5-1 lead. Halfway the second chukka, an unfortunate injury forced Benjamín Panelo to leave the field and was replaced by Mackenzie Weisz; the good news is that Benjamín is doing well. The match was resumed after the incident, with Ayala slowly getting closer in the scoreboard until they cut the gap to just one goal. Within Ayala’s momentum, a quick run by the young Cruz Heguy, ended up in a fantastic goal that secured Marqués de Riscal a two goal advantage (10-8) by the end of the fourth chukka.
Both Marqués de Riscal and Ayala fought hard in the two last chukkas, but Marqués de Riscal’s strong defense was crucial to hold back every attempt by Ayala. One last goal by Cruz Heguy sealed the deal, and secured the title and the 14-10 win to Marqués de Riscal.
The awards presentation was a very special moment, due to the number of prizes that were presented. Among those in attendance were Iñigo Zobel; La Reserva Club Sotogrande’s Juliana Velez; Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix, Major of San Roque; Alexandra Strom; Juan Marin, the Vice President of the Junta de Andalucia; Manuel Cereceda, the tournament’s director; Mariano Zrazaga, Argentina’s Consul in Cadiz; and Don Ramón Mora Figueroa.
AWARDS – HIGH GOAL 50th. ANNIVERSARY GOLD CUP
Iñigo Zóbel presented a plaque to Don Ramon Mora Figueroa as a recognition for the 50 years of polo in Sotogrande.
Tournament runner up: Ayala Polo Team. La Reserva Club Sotogrande’s Juliana Velez presented them with the awards.
BPP: Celeste. Ridden by Pablo Pieres and owned by Juan Martín Nero. The blanket was presented by Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix, Major of San Roque.
Best Polo Argentino Bred: Vasca Manau. Ridden by Cruz Heguy. The blanket was presented by Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix, Major of San Roque.
Fair Play Memorial Birger Strom Award: Alejandro Aznar. Presented by Alexandra Strom.
MVP Casa Fagliano Award: Cruz Heguy. Presented by the Vice President of the Junta de Andalucía, Juan Marín.
Argentine Embassy Award to the three organising clubs: Iñigo Zobel (Ayala Polo Club), Don Ramon Mora Figueroa (Santa María Polo Club) and Álvaro Sáinz de Vicuña (Dos Lunas). Each were presented with a plaque by Mariano Zarazaga, Argentina’s Consul in Cadiz.
Winners of the tournament: Marqués de Riscal were presented with the trophy by Don Ramón Mora Figueroa.
The summary of the final of the high goal 50th. Anniversary Gold Cup:
FINAL COPA DE ORO 50 ANIVERSARIO: MARQUÉS DE RISCAL 14-10 AYALA
MARQUES DE RISCAL: Cruz Heguy 4 (5 goals), Santiago Cernadas 6 (2), Guillermo Caset 9 (5), Alejandro Aznar 0 (1). Total: 19.
AYALA: Iñigo Zobel 0 (Replaced by Roberto Iturrioz ,0, in the fifth chukka), Benjamín Panelo 5 (1 gol) (Replaced by Mackenzie Weisz ,4, in the second chukka), Santiago Laborde 6 (3), Pablo Pieres 9 (6). Total: 20.
Umpires: Daniel Boudou & Matías Baibiene.
Third Man: Federico Martelli.
Score Marqués de Riscal: (1-0) 5-1, 7-5, 9-6, 10-8, 12-8, 14-10.
The 50th. Anniversary Torneo Internacional de Polo by La Reserva Club de Sotogrande came to an end. The event was played at Ayala Polo Club, Santa María Polo Club, and Dos Lunas Polo & Dressage. The tournament saw twelve teams, split into two categories, compete. The high goal was for 18-20 goal teams, while the medium goal was for 12-14 goal teams.
ALL THE GAMES OF THE 50th ANNIVERSARY TORNEO INTERNACIONAL DE POLO BY LA RESERVA CLUB DE SOTOGRANDE, HIGH GOAL AND MEDIUM GOAL, ARE AVAILABLE TO REWATCH ON POLOLINE TV HERE.
PHOTO CREDIT: MATÍAS CALLEJO.