Today Matchs Suspended Official

The AAP informes offcially that all matches for today Sunday where suspended without new reschedule yet.

The weather forecast says that three days there will be no rains in the next three days.

Possible dates for Matches will be on Monday/Tuesday (not official)

La Dofina won in extratime over Chapa Uno

As in any sport, the most important result is to win (15-14), after this we can conclude if its reasonable to be happy.

From the face of Cambiaso he was not pleased with how they played and won, but in his own words, ...we won but we where a disaster..., ...we played really bad ..., ...its not a great season..., showing the humor of the best polo player in the of the world.

In my opinion, they look like a little old, with not the vigor of the past season, but remembering that they (the players) are all 10 golas Handicaped, I dont want to be unfear with them, playing like yesterday they lost the Final to Ellerstina in extratime, they have all necesary to be the great team they where they have the horses, the skills, the best player in the world, but they are luck of enthusiasm.

We need to see the old la Dolfina, and not that the La Dolfina is old.

In the other side the Cinderela team, Chapa Uno, loved by all, because its past of good polo playing, under the orders of its star player Bautista Heguy, they played an incredible match , because in the 7th chukker, they lost him being replaced by the young Pablo (Paul) Pieres, making the team play better in my opinion as progression shows: 2-2 2-3 5-6 8-8 10-9 11-10 13-10 14-14 15-14.

Chapa Uno was near to win the match in regular time. Also they played with a old friend of Palermo`s, Alejandro Diaz Alberdi, that replace Rodrigo de Andrade because of his suspension (1 month) because an expulsion in the Diamante Cup (with a really bad year here, hoping the best for the days to come, Rodrigo!) . He provide the experience and the knowledge of the game things that all players like Piqui (Alejandro) posses.

The vigor and enthusiasm where given by in the first half of the match by Hilario Ulloa (with good horses!) and in the last chukkers was join with the aid of Paul Pieres ( after the replacement of Bautista), both played as seniors in the Cathedral, giving all present the sensation and the satisfaction that the new generationn of argentine polo players will not betray the argentine polo history .

From the matchs for Zone B, La Aguada won

As the old La Aguada team that won the Argentine Polo Open some years ago (2003), the Novillo Astrada`s Family, is back in bussiness, wining their match against El Paraiso, for 17 to 8.

As told to LA NAcion journay by Miguel Novillo Astrada, they feel that they are as in 2003, if not better.

In my opinion LA Aguada is the most serious contender for Ellerstina in the Final.

Game scores progression for La Aguada-El Paraiso: 3-2 5-2 6-3 8-4 11-5 14-5 17-6 17-8

The match was played in Field 2.

Heavy rains in Buenos Aires area possible suspension Date 4

Heavy rains this morning will suspend todays (Sunday) all matchs scheduled for Zone A (not official yet)

Dates for Matchs of Days 3 and 4 Argentine Polo Open

Matchs for Days 3 and 4 of the Argentine Polo Open where schedule for tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday as informed by the AAP (Argentine Polo Asoc.).

First match of the Fridays meeting starts at 2.30 PM (Buenos Aires time) on Field 2 and the last match of the day will start at 5.00 PM in Field 1, all for Zone A .

And for Zone B, next Saturday, with the same time schedule.

But tomorrows weather forcast places some rain again for this Friday afternoon and Sunday.

A nice argentine TB Horse appeared "Fuego e Hierro"

Last saturday, in the San Isidro Racetrack, was placed in the 10th race of the day, the "Provincia de Buenos Aires Stake (GII Int), over the distance of 2400mts (1 1/2 m / 6 F), over turf track and in the middle of the mud due to the actual and unusual raining season, was won by Fuego e Hierro, by 8 lengths in a really nice way.

This horse races with blinkers (half cup as I saw) and shows and incredible performace for a horse born late in the southern hemisfere season (born on November 9 2006), its also remarkable that the started to race in the first races for his age in the past year (800 mts / 2 F / 1/2 mile) in his debut but ran in the following month December three times (?!), resume 4 races in lesser than 30 days.

After all these he raced again two races in January ( he won! over 3 F or 1200m), then he rested February (Poor horse!), then ran again one race all following months including four G 1 (Int) GP Santiago Luro, GP Gran Criterium, GP 2000 Guineas and GP Jockey Club, one G II (Int) Provincia de Buenos Aires and one G III (Int) Asociacion Propietarios de SPC de Buenos Aires, from 4 furlogs 1200 mts to 12 furlongs 2400 mts. Also run two times over dirth in the La Plata racetrack in stake races.

His pedigree is also interesting as he is by the American Stallion Pure Prize out of a Candy Stripes mare by one af the Argentine most prolific classic distance families, by Fallow. Also bred my one of the best Argentine Farms, Santa Maria de Araras.
He is her first horse to run with running age (3 y.o.).

His trained by not fancy trainer, Mr Conrado Linares.

You can see the last race won go to www.hipodromosanisidro.com, 10th race ( 10 carrera), click on Ver Video (see Video with a camera icon)

If your looking for something amazing in Argentine, this TB horse I think is something special.

About the best horses from each teams said by the players the the Argentine Open

In the recent El Grafico Polo magazine, November 2009 issue (with english translations) an interview to the top players of the teams playing the 116th Argentine Polo Open, as requested by the journalist they selected the best horses of their teammates.

I will start with the opinion of Santiago Chavanne of the Pilara Piaget Polo Team (in Zone A Arg Open):
Agustin Merlos his best horse is Virolita
Sebastian Merlos is Silvina Luna
Marcos Heguy is La Salada
and for Santiago is Lupa

Now for the Indios's Chapaleufu II, in the opinion of Alberto Heguy (Jr) (in Zone A Arg Open):
His best horse is Chapelufu Campanita
Eduardo Heguy his best horse is Polo Bailanta
Ignacio ("Nachi") Heguy is Ji Ji Ji
and for David ("Pelon") Stirling (Jr), he said he didnt know.

Now the time for the opinion of Francisco Bensadon, of the Alegrina Polo Team (in Zone A Arg Open): he didnt answer this question, but told that they will play the same horses used in the Hurlingham Cup.

Batolome Castagnola for the La Dolfina Peugeot Polo Team (in Zone B Arg Open), said that in his opinion for:
Adolfo ("Adolfito") Cambiaso (Jr) his best horse is Dolfina Cuartetera
Lucas Monteverde is Tia Loca
Mariano Aguerre is Open Califa
and about his horses is Dolfina Toro (awarded the best registered Polo Argentino horse of the last years (2008) Final).

In the opinion of Javier Novillo Astrada, from the La Aguada - Tupungato Winelands (in Zone B Arg Open), he selected as the best horse of each player are:
Miguel Novillo Astrada is La Cereza
Eduardo Novillo Astrada is La Geisha
Ignacio Novillo Astrada is La Capota
and about his horses, is Maria Lujan

Hilario Ulloa, from the Chapa Uno - Hope Funds Polo Team (in Zone B Arg Open), his opinion about the best horses of the team are Birra and Bartolo both from the horses of Bautista Heguy as also Naipe (that is also stallion) form his best horses.
He didnt know much about the horses of Francisco De Narvaes (Jr) and Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade (from Brazil).

Alejandro Novillo Astrada from El Paraiso Polo Team (in Zone B Arg Open), in his opinion thier best horses are:
For Alejandro is Aguada Diluvio
For Guillermo (Sapo) Caset (Jr) and Ignacio (Cubi) Toccalino he told that they have better horses than the last year without naming.

Pablo MacDonough from the Ellertina Etiqueta Negra (in Zone A Arg Open), told to El Grafico Polo, that they have the same base of horses of last year but with some new ones added (as known mainly from England), he think that with these horses in the final steps of the championship their chance to win are even greater.

Matchs 3 and 4 of the Argentine Open suspended

Due to the Buenos Aires area weather forecast, Matchs 3 and 4 of the Argentine Open are suspended.
Posible dates for these matchs will be next Saturday and Sunday.

As also the AAP is near to delay one week the Final, that was appointed for the December 5 .

Adolfo Cambiaso's with a new wonder horse

This Sunday La Dolfina Peugeuot won its match against El Paraiso, for 21 to 8, with 17 goals done by the best polo player in the World, Mr. Adolfo Cambiaso (s) .

"Actitude" was the common word spoken by the La Dolfina's players to define why they won the match played at the Palermos's in the Polo Field number 2.

As usual in this blog, when surprising or outstanding horses appear, Cambiaso present a new wonder horse to follow on the next matchs to be played by La Dolfina Peugeot, Leyend. In words of Cambiaso, she is a is a "machine" (outstanding quality in argentino), and he bought her from the great mexican player Carlos Gracida (Thank you Carlos again!).

If you are in Palermo dont miss her and Bruma, they are both greys, and you will know when they are in the field beacuase you enjoy their perfection.

As a fan of great horses, I truely enjoy them like an art exhibition in motion. I will be back filming them in action for the pleasure of all of the blog followers.

See some highlights of the match clicking play in the video (in spanish)

"Annus Horribilis for Argentine TB Crops"

Yesterday at the Palermo racetrack, was run the Argentine Derby the "G.P. Nacional" Group 1 on the International consideration, that was won by "Storm Chispazo" by 3 lenghts over an incredible poor than usual company.
These event, the major race for the 3 y.o. of both sexs, came to ratify, my opinion as a new "Annus Horribilis" for this argentine TB racing crops year, where nothing really surprising nor outstanding appeared.
To give a perfect picture of these matter of things, the winner was winner of two common races in the San Isidro Racetrack before this major hit, in his most recent stake appearance he came 10th (more than 24 legth from the winner, with the last horses) in the Gran Criterium in May, after that he raced again to win in the October's 31 meeting in the common race called Ollagua, over 2000 meters, in a mud turf track by 12 lengths, so he's racing 4500 meters in lesser than a half a month (15 days exactly without any clue about horsemanship) .
Hoping that the efforts done by the Argentine TB Breeders to bring here some of the best world class TB Stallions, like Giant's Causeway by LA Mission, probide the necessary renewal of the wrong decision of the past.
Thanks the coincidence, just crossing the Avenue "Libertador" we could saw the first meeting of the best Polo in the World, The Argentine POLO Open at the Palermo's Cathidral with Ellerstina-Alegria and Pilara-Indios Chapaleufu II .

2009 Argentine Open starts this Saturday

As done the last years, with the new Argentine Polo Opens starting, I will analyze the breeding patterns or trends of the Polo Horses playing.

After the Tortugas and Hurlingham Championships, the first gems of the Argentine Triple Crown that where won by Ellerstina, I didnt see much new of what we saw in the past year.

The Economic depression and debacle in the world hurt all activities and the Argentine Polo wasnt out of it. Many polo players and horses remain in Argentina this season. What results in no sales of horses to foreign investors or players, that in the major source of fresh money that suports all the breeding and activities related in Polo in Argentina, with obvious future results.

Argentine PoloTriple Crown 2009 starts today

After a rain delay, today with the match between the teams LA Aguada Tupungato Winelands: J. Novillo Asttrada 9, Ed. Nov. Astrada (h) 9, Mig. Nov. Astrada 10, Ig. Nov. Astrada 9 and Chapa Uno Hope Funds with Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrada from Brazil 8, Hilario Ulloa 8, Bautista Heguy 9, Franciso de NArvaez (h) 9, will start with the traditional Tortugas Country Club Open Championship (" Abierto de Tortugas") - with the dispute of the Emilio de Anchorena Cup , the Argentine Polo Triple Crown.

How to see Argentine Races and Results in the Internet

First you can check with the argentine Stud Book (www.studbook.com.ar) where you can see born date register and trace her family, find "Volumen en linea" then "Yeguas Madres y sus Productos" tab where you wild find the Mares information and simple Pedigree (not as you can find at www.pedigreequery.com ) .

Second the web page of the Argentino Racetrack (Palermo) at www.palermo.com.ar, when there in English, see Horse Racing tab, click there in Horse Racing information, and there find Horse Campaigns, and follow the instructions there, type the name in the bar and then click over the name, and you will find the horse races ran.

Third check the major argentine racetracks at there site, like Palermo (Hipodromo Argetino de Palermo) in the same tab look for Horse Racing Information an then there you can see the Racing Schedule and Results, where all races ran in Palermo that date clicking over the name of the race and can be also seen the Video clicking on the right sign. Remember to finding the dates of the horse known by the Horse campaigns data.

La Plata the racing data is a little more difficult because its only in spanish, todays home page only gives the results information in pdf limited to a couple of weeks, its in spanish, find the "Resultados" in the left tags and when there click the word "descarga", that will open a pdf file with the results of that given date.

San Isidro the last major racetrack you can find there information in spanish only finding in the bar "Carreras" then "Resultados", there you will find the years where you can find their races in the dates known, click on the "Todas" botton to see all the races of that day, its posible to find the video of the race too clicking over "Ver Video" .

From a past tradition

Taking some time to find something interesting to share, I found a book written by Charles Darwin that toke my attention.

After reading some lines I found in it direct references to Argentina from this incredible scientific, he came with the Beagle vessel in the year 1833, a trip that will open a new knowledge era, after this trip he wrote "The origin of the species".

But what toke my atention was that in the moment he was riding horses around the Province of Buenos Aires (went from Bahia Blanca to Buenos Aires- about 500 Km. /), the Federal Government was fitting the local Indians nearby.

The local Indians and the Soldiers mainly had as transportation, the horses they could gather around there expeditions. Many stories after these situations, because the most important treasure for all parts where their horses and cattle.

Due to there knowledge horses where broke in an afternoon by the soldiers but they prefered the ones broke by the Indians.

There where a line of Forts that protect from the local Indians the first argentine cities. These forts and small cities where visit by the Indians with ferousity burning and killing all inside these facilities. After that the Federal Government send an expedition against the Indians that they found with the same results, they kill men and woman but left the childs alive.

As a simbol of these, I publish hereafter a picture made by Angel Della Valle named "la Vuelta del Malon", that is a large picture that can be seen in the Buenos Aires, Beau Art Museum.

Argentine blood in the Kentuck Derby and Broodmare of the Year

As told in my opinion and advise dated on november 20, 2007, a son of an extraordinary horse Candy Ride will race the most inportant TB race of America and the World, The Kentucky Derby, hes name is Chocolate Candy Candy Ride—Crownette, by Seattle Slew born in the US, own by the The Craig Family Trust, also owners of Candy Ride, today standing in Hill 'N' Dale Farm - Lexington, KY .

Also there are more argentine presence, in the blood of I Want Revenge , born in USA, his mare Meguial by Roy, was born in Argentina.

And also another argentine presence in Pioneerof the Nile's blood, the broodmare sire is the argentine sire Lord at War.

And also in another presence in the third mare of Dunkirk, Miss Eva (Arg), 1977 by Con Brio out of Apolinea.

Vertigineux (Kris S.--For the Flag, by *Forli), the dam of unbeaten champion mare Zenyatta Street Cry {Ire}), was named Broodmare of the Year by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, Forli is a world very well known argentine TB sire and broodmare sire.

Argentine Polo Tour Final Stage

Finaly the Argentine Polo Tour came to an end, when the Enigma Polo Team won the Final against Las Hermanas, 13 to 12, in Ellerstina Polo Club, Argentina.



ENIGMA
Jerome Wirth 0
James Robert Beim 7
Matias Mac Donough 8
Malcolm Borwick 6
Total 21


LAS HERMANAS
TBA
Charlie Hanbury 4
Juan Garcia Grossi 8
Bartolome Castagnola 10
Total 22

Find more about the Argentine Polo Tour in www.argentinapolotour.com

Press Release USPA about Palm Beach Incident

April 20, 2009

RE: Equine medical incident in Wellington, Florida

The United States Polo Association is participating in an investigation to determine the cause of death of over 20 polo ponies that died prior to a polo match on Sunday, April 19 at the International Polo Club-Palm Beach, located in Wellington Florida.
The cause of death for these horses will not be determined until after the Florida State Department of Agriculture completes necropsies and toxicology testing on the affected animals. There has been much speculation and rumor concerning the cause of death however, according to Dr. Paul Wollenman, who was on the scene and led a valiant rescue effort with many local veterinarians and polo players to save the stricken horses: "Based on initial, overwhelming clinical evidence this medical event was isolated to the Lechuza barn and horses and the initial evidence shows no infectious element."

Peter Rizzo, Executive Director of the United States Polo Association (USPA) stated:

"The USPA is participating in a formal investigation of the unprecedented equine medical event that occurred this past Sunday, April 19. We are actively working with the management of the International Polo Club-Palm Beach, state and local veterinarians and state and county regulatory agencies including the State Department of Agriculture and Palm Beach County Department of Animal Care and Control to determine what caused these horses to die. While there is much speculation as to the cause of death, we will have to wait until the Department of Agriculture completes its tests and releases its findings to the owners of the horses. In the meantime, we all mourn the loss of these horses. There are no words to describe the grief and sadness shared by everyone- particularly the devastated owners of those magnificent horses." ´

My opinion after the last Argentine Open about the breeds

As told in this blog, the Tb horses are still in position to claim the crown for the best breed for the Argentine Polo Open Championship. In facts all player have TB blood in there playing horses as can be checked in list of horses by teams and players that can be seen in the AAP web page information for the Open.
In my opinion after atending to all matchs the best Polo horses of the Open where Bruma riden by Adolfo Cambiaso (h.) and Easy Go riden by Facundo Pieres, both are TB horses and not breed in Argentina. Both Players are 10 Goals Handicap and the best players in the World, with extense Polo Argentino breeding operations in Argentina.
Easy Go played the Final of the Championship with Facundo Pieres for La Ellerstina (the winners) but Bruma couldnt play the final (I dont know the exact reason why) .
See below the goal made by A Cambiaso (H) on Bruma (Grey) to Indios Chapaleufu II, in the video resting 1:05 , they are coming full speed (remember she is a TB horse!) from the other goal gate, stops, let pass by Eduardo Heguy ( another 10 goals Handicap) that came after them in defense and turns right for the goal (it was the best goal in the Open in my opinion), I will come back with more videos of this goal for the consideration and pleasure of all the horse and specialy the Polo lovers around the world.

Warning TB in Polo

Be objective about your riding skill before using TB horses to play Polo and be extremely careful if the TB horse has a racing past.
The most of these horses must be reeducated for at least 2 years for this new sport, one year they must be left free in the country with easy rides by well trained riders after the sixth month (just walking pace only!! ), after this the horses must be educated for the new bit and the use of new reins that will help in their first polo maneuvers, this period will take 6 months (very calm here for best results) . After this normal training with the rest of your Polo horses.
Its very usual that they show a little hotter than other horses in the first ridings due to their blood (be very carefull here to avoid major problems if you dont have an important riding skill) because they are exited but they cooldown as soon they are riden for some minutes.
Please be very careful in all these steps, observe all time their behavior and their ride ability, not all are suited for an average Polo Player, but the rewards are as kwown by the best Argentine Polo Players a horse that can win with them a tournament.

A New View

After a couple of months of meditation about what could be useful to publish in this blog, I started to investigate about one of the other roots of the Polo Argentino horse: the Criollos.

The Criollos (that is the name of the breed) are commonly called this way in different South American countries as Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, where Criollos Breeders can be found in many Associations.
It started with the first arrival of horses which the Spanish conquistadores brought to America, and these later spread over all the vast pastures of the New World.
In the beginning, the horses that came with the first Discoverers where left in the wild in America after the failed attempts of building the new cities as Buenos Aires , where it took two foundation waves in 1536 and later in 1580 to establish the city. In the first Don Pedro de Mendoza came with about 80/100 horses but only 50 survived and were left in the wild. Then, in the second attempt, Don Juan de Garay came with several more horses, as the historic papers of the Founders say.


Several well documented essays talk about the prolific reproduction of these horses; in one of them it is said that they practically couldn’t see the horizon in the plains due to the large amount of horses that pastured there.
Here’s where the other important part of Criollos’ history appears: the Indians. They first used the horses as food using only their tongue but after seeing that they could also use them as transportation they started to use them with that purpose too. After years of comprehension they finally domesticated them better that the ones the European had brought. That can be demonstrated with the abilities they had to handle them well just with the use of their voice or even without reins; that is a very interesting world to explore.
For many decades, the Indians used their horses as main and important possession. Due to this, one of the most important objectives in the Argentine Desert Campaign was to obtain the resources of cattle and horses that the Indians (mainly nomads) in the South of Argentina and Chile possessed. The reason of this was because in most of the Indian attacks (Malones) to the new cities or small urbanizations built by the conquerors the Indians looted women and possessions and left everything destroyed in a way similar as the Attilas Hunes’ attacks had done to Rome.
These horses where very appreciated by military forces due to their easy riding, endurance, and forceful will. Coronel Lavalle, one of the most important military commanders, was very eager to obtain these after battling with the Araucanos and keep them for himself as battle trophies. Estanislao Zeballos, in his ‘Viaje al pais de los Araucanos’ , says: “(…)Levalle’s dun horses brought to my mind the legends of the Arabian horses(…)”.

As result of the spread of horses all around South America, wild born horses could still be found in the first decades of the 1900. One the true Founders of the Criollos breed , Don Emilio Solanet, went to the Argentine Patagonia and purchased wild horses he selected from the ones possessed by Chief Shamatr or Sacamata from the Tehuelches tribe in 1911. From these purchases he standarized the modern known horse breed he named as Criollos.

An important contribution was made by Solanet in the construction of this breed, as he was Veterinary, Zoologist and University Professor. He created the petric fundamentals that resulted in one of the most incredible horses that today exists. He then selected the horses that participated in the epic adventure going from Buenos Aires to New York in 1925 without any provision but what they found on the road (see picture of the horses Gato and Mancha).
From these same roots the Argentine Polo ponies which became famous as known in the Olympic Games of 1924 and 1936 (when Polo was part of games and the Gold Medal was won in both by Argentina) where originated. (see photo of the Argentine Olympic Champion team of 1936 hereunder)
In my upcoming articles I will start to define the Criollos from the words of Dr Emilio Solanet and how they made contributions for the actual success of the Polo Argentino Horses.