The final of the USPA Gold Cup was played between the
powerhouse Valiente ad Flexjet at the International Polo Club
Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida. Having remained unbeaten
throughout the tournament, Valiente faced Flexjet, who had a
point to prove having lost to them earlier in the tournament.
Facundo Pieres started the proceedings with two quick fire
goals, and the first chukker ended at 2-1. Adolfo Cambiaso
propelled the ball past the Flexjet defenders and expertly got his
first goal of the match in the second chukker. Valiente scored
two more to make it 5-3 at the end of the second chukker.
Adolfo added another right before halftime to double their lead
to 6-3.
Both teams scored three goals each in the fourth chukker and
the score was 9-6 at the end of it in favour of Valiente.
The score was 11-9 at the end of the fifth chukker as Flexjet
inspired by Nicolas Pieres looked set for a comeback. The final
chukker was a tense affair, but Adolfo Cambiaso settled the
nerves by scoring his fifth for the day and despite two goals by
Flexjet, it was a little too late, and Valiente successfully
defended their title by 12 goals to 11, with Cambiaso lifting his
14th SPA Gold Cup.
Flexjet’s Nicolas Pieres was adjudged the MVP as he scored 7 goals for his
team. Best Playing Pony honours were awarded to Macarena, a grey mare
owned by Mariano Gonzalez and played by Adolfo Cambiaso in the third
chukker.
