As last year La Dolfina Champion again in Tortugas Open

La Dolfina 14 Ellerstina 8

In an nice mild temperature day La Dolfina dominate Ellerstina, due mainly to a better shaped condition of their horses

Score
3-0 /4-2 /5-3/ 8-3 /8-4/ 11-6/ 14-8

La Dolfina presented again as a real Dream team, with a better understanding of the new rules and in a great day when everyting was going right, won without having any problem

Ellerstina with some home work to do as also hasnt the day facundo in a forgetable day too *lost three penalties *2 40 y and 1 60y buy totally out of focus today as his other team mates.

In order to explain what happen could be found in a different objective in the process to the Argentine Open , must improve it for certain, they posses the tools to regain its best shape.

Facundo Pieres shows a minor injury in his arm after the match.

Cambiaso MVP of the Tortugas Final, won also the best horses of the match, one the best of the final and the best Argentine polo horse, as also the top scorer... what else he can achive this year!

Ellerstina also must improve in the faults issue 14 are so much! against La Dolfina *only 8, cpuld be cause by a luck of consistecy shown after the 5th chukker (with  some wrong decision from the judges that again arent at the same levl as the players need) and evident frustration in thefield when nothing was working against La Dolfina precise order of their players, with an ideal atack and defense transitions of all players.

Ellerstina could play better that today! 

La Dolfina is in the right paterns to mantain there triple crown.

Catch-up in the 2013 Argentine Open Polo Season

As in my previous posts, the Argentine Season didnt show any new improvements that the year before in the horses sector, showing that the TB are the most suited and gifted for the Argentine Open matchs.More and more players are playing them like the definitive weapon

La Dolfina is practically unbeatable, as it was last year. There only problem was the incredible unlucky day for the most of there players, but a horrible personal day for Adolfito (lost at least easy 6 penalties).

The crown went to Gral. Rodriguez-Pilar, base of the Ellerstina team,  but with the sensation that luck played an definitive roll that final (also with a little help of the referees in my opinion that left them play nearly in the reef of bad behavior).

As told before, La Dolfina is in the way to conquest the Argentine Polo Triple Crown for the first time, due to the superiority of the horses and the skills of there players that are in the time and with the experience learnt the last year.

The contender is the team of Alegria, that reach for the first time a final in one of the argentine polo big 3, with some interesting works form the new kids in the block, Nicolas Pieres and Hilario Ulloa, that posses the skills and willing to win and also they are well mounted too with some really niceTB in there lists, that give them the definitive difference, as shown in the last matches, where they impress everyone in the Palermo' s Polo field. Lucas and Mannix (in different positions that known in years before) but with a correct order in positioning in defence.

My respects in the next final, is for Frederick Mannix. His canadian born, but he learnt with the argentine polo style with native teachers from his early ages, received the support of his family to reach his goals, and the is fullfilling a dream, he reached the best polo final in the world, with his own team and him not as a patron, as a player, and a good one!. I like his courage and goodwill, his good manners and I hope him the best because his an inspiration and a example for future foerign player.

New Argentine Polo Season dates

 To see the complete schedule for the 2013 Argentine Polo Season, click on this link

Horror Continues. Two TB Stake winners from La Providencia probably doped at San isidro

Two horses from the Brasilean Owned Stud, La Providencia, that won the Argentine 1,000 guineas and 2,000 guineas, Juhayana and Koller, where suspended by San Isidros Racing Authorities.

Reason, first and preliminary reports from the Antidoping Laboratory of the San Isidro Racetrack, where positive to band treatments and prohibited substances present in the first controls.

 The case and the temporary suspensions was reported and confirmed by Dr Jose Maria Nelson from the Racetrack Comission and be reported by the racetrack to the local  criminal authorities due the probable presence of an prohibited drug in one of the result.

Brasilean Trainer Mr. Jose Alves, temporary suspended , as also both horses temporary suspended too.

Ellerstina won the Championship!

Ellerstina 12  vs. La Dolfina 10

As told was a Sunny day mild winds blowing from the southeast brought a new champion and a new King Facundo Pieres

Excellent selection of  the set of horses give the match for a real team not a constellation of stars in decline as a team

With a worst couple of Argentine Referees, they where so horrible but against both teams but in the last chukka incredibly they let the game be played hard against La Dolfina ...

Also its true that in La Dolfina was the worst day in the present times, with no activity from Mc Donough and specially from Stirling, leaving all the burden to Cambiasso that also lost easy goals for his skills, in his first shows of aging or decadence in the Field 1 of Palermo .

In the match La Dolfina didn't gather to solve the problems of the game, everyone was like in their world without any show of association surprisingly I feel that this was the last time to see them together.

Weather Forcast for the Final

The Argentine Polo Open will be played tomorrow in the Field 1.

Sunny day with temparature near 84 F /29 C

Light Breeze from the Southeast sector (a little fresh air will be good for everyone)

No rains are expected

Great day for Polo, enjoy the game!!

Update Semifinals Weekend

Semi/finals where played the last weekend as aspected the best teams arrived lake last year for the 6th Final in a row, La Dolfina ans Ellerstina meets again!.

Saturday
La Dolfina 18  vs. Pilara Piaget 13
La Dolfina by demolition
Best players on both sides so the difference was made by their horses.
Once the match was in cruce control by La Dolfina the best horses desapeared...  and played with the handbrake on too
La Dolfina won the zone with a +25 goal difference

Sunday

Ellerstina 18 vs. La Aguada 14
Both teams had ups and downs during the match
In the final chukkas Ellerstina made the best decision in the horses played than La Aguada with a lesser quality selection pool.
Gonzalo Pieres used the bombing tactic,  in the same chukka played Habana ans Fina Pepa! incredible...
Caset Jr must be raised in his handicaphis playing for a 9 goals hcp.
Ellerstina won the zone with a +8 goal difference

Matchs weekend 2

Saturday

Match Pilara Piaget 14 Magual 11, 2nd chk 4/4 4th 9/6 11/7 12/9 14/10 14/11
Pilara controlled the game after the fourth chukka and kept their horses fresh for the next game against La Dolfina.
Hurlingham 22 /13

Match La Dolfina 18 Alegria 6, chk 2/1 6/3 8/3 9/5 12/5 12/6 16/6 18/6, Cambiasso Jr. 10 goals (3 penalties)
La Dolfina controlled the game from the beginning to the end, playing in moments with the hand brake on.
Hurlingham result 18/13
Remarks La Dolfina horse superior class but too thin!, beware...

Sunday

Match field 2 Las Monjitas La Aguada vs La Aguada 12/11 
0/0 0/1 1/3 2/4 4/ 6/6 9/8 11/11 11/12
It was the most exiting game of he current Argentine Open
Las Monjitas won in their best game of the season against a good team like La Aguada in a definition with golden goal after an 11/11 in the regular chukkas.
The goal was made by Alejandro Novillo Astrada  after an exceptional backhander given by the leader of the winners team Eduardo Novillo Astrada Jr.
To remark, in the field where Novillo Astradas brothers in both teams, 5 total.
Field 2 too sandy and irregular that make the ball bounces more than often.
Hurlingham result 15/14

Match field 1 Ellerstina 16 La Natividad 14
Due to a more responsible fitting of their horses Ellerstina won with some minor bumps over a team that poses player with a lot of finals in the Argentine Open  and also the loser poses some very good horses but in the pick of their ages, like Dolfina Toro, was a the cocktail made possible to support the heavy bombing of the last chukkas given by Ellerstina squadron with Easy Go Pandora Habana, Ellerstina won the game due to their superiority when the best horses appeared in the game to the rescue.
Remarks Ellerstina horses superior class in better shape than a year before in this stage of the championship!!
Hurlingham result 23/13
Field 1 irregular sector near the clock side and also too sandy that makes the horses broke or fall, this year is the most dangerous year in this matter.

Next weekend 3 match's
Saturday
1345 field 2 La Aguada Las Monjitas vs La Natividad *Hurligham resut 15/11
1630 field 1 Ellerstina vs. La Aguada *8/12

Sunday
1345 field 2 Alegria vs. Magual  *20/13
1630 field 1 La Dolfina vs. Pilara  *18/17

2012 Argentine Polo Season Update

As in the last years, I'm coming back to give my opinions upon the game and the horses in this year Argentine Polo Open.

This tournament is the 119th of this wonderful championship to proclaim the best Polo Team in the World.

I'm will tell that in the first tournament Tortugas was won by Ellerstina over La Dolfina, played in the Field 2 of Palermo, due to the problems given by a heavy rain season, that not a minor issue to his playing year. Tortugas is the start of the regular argentine high handicap polo season, but is not played by the best horses of the most important team.


In Hurlingham the final was won by L Dolfina 18 to 11 over Ellerstina in a great match for the winners, but in similar disposition as told for Tortugas, in this tournament some great polo horse are presented to play few minutes for the reason due to the lack of dry days to train them properly. The winner won this tournament for the second year in a row.
The MVP was Pablo Mac Donough, that is playing his best polo this year.
Second Chukker result La Dolfina 5 Ellerstina 1 and the Seventh 16 to 9 give a quick picture of the game.


So back to the real and most important polo championship of the world, the teams for this year present some changes from the years before, given a more difficult polo level, do to the restructure of the the Argentine Open where the Classification Tournament is more difficult year by year for  the teams willing to play the Argentine Open.

Zone A
La Dolfina Adolfo Cambiaso Davids Stirling Pablo Mc Donough Juan Martin Nero  HCP 40
Pilara Piaget Hilario Ulloa Francisco Bensadon Sebastian Merlos Francisco de Narvaez 35
Alegria Aguston Merlos Lucas Monteverde Juan Ignacio Merlos Frederick Mannix Jr 34
Magual Alejandro Muzzio Marcos Di Paola Facundo Sola Jaime Garcia Huidobro 30

Zone B
Ellertina CITI Facundo Pieres Gonzalo Pieres Jr Mariano Aguerre Nicolas Pieres 38
LA Aguada BMW Guillermo Caset Jr Javier Novillo Astrada Miguel N Astrada Ignacio NA 36
La Natividad Pablo Pieres Ignacio Heguy Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade Bartolome Castagnola 34
La Aguanda Las Monjitas Lucas James Cristion Laprida Jr Eduardo Novillo Astrada Alejandro Novillo 33

First games of the Argentine Open

Match La Dolfina 17 to Magual 9,   3rd chk 8/2,  Cambiasso Jr. 700th goal in the Argentine Open
MAtch Pilara Piaget 13 to Alegria 12 , 4th 5/9  Man of the match Sebastian Merlos

Match LA Aguada 12 La Natividad 10,  2nf chk 1/6 6th chk 9/10  under light rain
Match Ellerstina 12 to La Aguada Las Monjitas 10,  2nd chk 3/1 5th 8/6 7th 11/8

Refreshment of good ideas in the equine sports

You must make your own mistakes.

Buy proven sport mares with ancestors that had not exactly been sitting still.

A method: outcrossing followed by inbreeding. By outcross I mean the introduction of foreign blood by means of a proven sire. Then we start crossing them with each other, in fact I always prefer to call this line breeding rather than inbreeding. We are now in the process of realizing stages 4 to 5 a further outcross with a common combination.

This is followed by the second line breeding phase. The products are sharply selected on desirables quality, we only breed on the best of them. That is how the bioindustry produces more milk or eggs than the predecessors. A disadvantage with horses is that development takes much longer.

Selection first approach: Pedigree, Conformation, and lose schooling looking for the natural motion (body position, stride, etc).

When looking for a convenient mating, mainly consider the descent of both mare and sire, which must be of flawless pedigree and noblest blood.

Beauty is no held as high as pure blood and performance, they prefer a hardy and strong sire who is known to be fast and has no major defects to any stallion of the far more striking beauty, of which performance they are not sure. (1851 Jager)

Preserve their perfections not to impose the breed, no bad habits, little importance in conformation but great deal to pure descent because they guarantee outstanding qualities.

Cross breeding in earlier generations are less to adapt.

In Constitution find: Hardiness, Endurance, Character and Intelligence.

He is a very perfect animal, he is not large here and small there. There is a balance and harmony through his frame not seen in the other horses.

The quintessence of all good qualities is a compact form.

The importance in the Gallop: Galloping in such regular pace and easy stride than the Prince would say his rider was able to sleeping and low.

Look for Character, that means: Courage, High spirit, Vitality and Gentleness, rather than beauty.

Quiet temper plus natural balance, gives pleasant ride.

The expression of the eyes is like a woman in love (Prince Badr)

The concept: A Family Mare.

Best horse? Black the beauty, Chesnut the speed , a small leggy Grey mare, Happiness and Prosperity – and Good Luck!!

Walk to sedate, Gallop, long and slow.

Above all my recommendation is to devote great care to broodmare their backs are seats of honor and their bellies are inexhaustible treasures (Ammo 1834)

Paradise on earth is found on the back of a good horse, in the story of good books or between the breasts of a woman (a Thales)

Those who forget the lessons of the past are condemned to repeat them.

Buy or Hold proven mares, no age.

Behind every great horse is an excellent mare.

Make a honest look.

Blue blooded mares, up to 12 so in special care and number not out of hand, near a river, out form the road use only a half of land rest or give to local farmers, stable the mares and yearlings, all mares comes in different sizes , sire to each individual, create your own family roots, have a little luck.

Nicks, the statistics analysis of failures are included??? False propaganda.

Dosage index, Darley Arabian too??

See the Power, size ribs and great forelegs.

Create a quality control method with constant improvements, like new info knowledge about genetics and technological advances

Upon this all will test on a clever and important measurements of all individuals to intent to purchase.

Measurements / Class Pedigree Aptitude Conformation.

It’s a process with unique quality individuals that are similar in size, temperament aptitude and class. Regularly all classic horses come from this.

Old saying: Its pedigree tell us what an animal ought to be and its performance tell us what “appears to be” but its progeny tell us what an animal is.

Birth date, conformation and an extraordinary second mare.

Hear everybody around like grooms, trainers in this order, ask for extraordinary behavior (rest, eats, jog temperament in and out the works or the training field)

Find clues as a great heart over lameness or gallop like on a wheel chair or wildlings to fight.
Its not enough to be good one must do it in the right way.

Aging and Genetics:
Sperm divides itself 33 times a year, over 3 decades, about 660.
Changes molecular structure, reason why the gray hair appears.
Best mares produce between 5, 6 and 7 year of age.
Most production between 5 to 10 years of age, Seatle Slew (5+4/ 9)
No great mares more than 17 to 30 in combination with the age of the sire, examples Forego (6+11), Cigar (8+7) Seabiscuit (6+6) Ribot (11+10)
Sire of Sires Average: 7.6+8.4 or 8.6+7.4
Northern Dancer (6+3) Sadlers Wells (19+5) Storm Cat (4+6)
Bayacoa, 6+9
Paseana, 5+9

TB Argentine 2,000 guineas results

In the worst starting gate in decades, the winner of the race was for more than 5.30 minutes before the start in the gates, a very interesting tall leggy colt named Sol Planet won the Argentine 2,000 gns. named Polla de Potrillos.

SOL PLANET (Z .2009) S.B.ARG. Vol. 40 Por SILVER PLANET y POTRAFRAS por POTRILLON en VERMONT SARAH (USA) por SASSAFRAS

522 kg. weigth of the winner in kilos

time 1.34.36

Stud Yamandu

Farm Plaza Vieja SA.  (or Haras Las Macarenas)

Trainer Mr. Hugo Perez (from Uruguay) and a very respectful trainer and tango aficionado

second> Indy Point, at half a lenght from the winner

third> Di Giorgio, at four lengths from the second

The winners pedigree shows that he well improve with the next steps of the Argentine Triple Crown

Congratulations to all Breeders Owners,  that aren't from the more known Argentine studs, showing and proving the greatest of this sport where anyone can have a chance.

September 2012 New season starting

As every year Argentine race and polo activities starts.

This year as in  the past couple of years didn't present any notable thing to talk about.

The Argentine Crown Jewels are starting to be run, as its started with the Argentine Stakes named Polla de Potrancas similar to the 1000 guineas Stk., for fillies only born in 2009.

As in the recent years in my opinion,  this year was the worst band of  Argentine fillies en decades.

But in this darkness, some rare thing appeared like a horse named Curioso Johan *by Johannesburg ,  amazingly won his madden race by several (11) lengths, over 8 furlongs/ dirt (1600 m.) in 1. 34. 14 at the Argentino Palermo Racetrack.
Next Saturday he will be running over the same track and distance, the Argentine 2000 guineas named Polla de Potrillos.

Also there is a filly by Footstepsinthesand that won impressively in the La Plata racetrack that shows potential.  I will recall this one in my next reports.

Also in my next reports the Argentine Polo Teams for this year with a lot of surprises.

Photos 2/2

More photos (1/2) from the Final

Nice video 13.45 min in spanish from ESPN (Arg) starts after a few 20 seconds)

La Dolfina Champions!

In an incredible game La Dolfina dominate Ellerstina 18-10

In amazing game with allways La Dolfina infront all the game

Better selection of horses and with a team work lead by Nero (my MVP) La Dolfina give the impresion that Ellerstina was lost in the field.

Field 1 in better condition than the games played last weekend.

Crowd was aspecting a harder resistance from the Pieres team but La Dolfina closed all road to the goal with Nero as guardian

Cambiasso Jr. played as the previous games in a new role that gives his teammates more action not depending all from him

Pablo Mac Donough in a good match worked in the midfield against the elaboration of any attack from his former team (so he was one of the clues wy Ellerstina couldnt score)

The game was for La Dolfina alltime, and the result could be worst if Cambiasso Jr was more effective (lost as least easy 4 goals)

Better conditioning shows results, in the horses of La Dolfina, shown healthier and won practically all important runs

One of the clues also was the selection of horses, in the 4th chukka when I saw both teams selection, I told that it was wrong pick for Ellerstina and they will loose the chukka for at leat 4 goals that result one of the worst chullas for Ellerstina

Ellerstina to thin, could been overtrained

Todays the Final of the 118th Argentine Polo Open

Todays is the Day!

Lovely weather, nice temperature, a little breeze, great day for polo!

Nerves from both sides, unslept night for almost all players... Facundo Pieres in his Nespresso blog tells about his feeling and what the Final of this tournament represents in all polo players.

Not only to win it, to just play the Final give the impression about the grandeur of this day.

In La Nacion newspaper a really uncommon photo appears in the front page of the polo section (shown above), the former team Ellerstina is gathered to talk about this afternoon game.

What a difference with other sports!, remember that two of the former members of the team now are playing for La Dolfina...

Information tells that La Dolfina didn´t play their horses this week, just individual training (amazing horsemanship!)

Hoping for an imposible... a good day for the Referees, the best show on earth in polo is in their whistle and hands!!

ELLERSTINA TO THE FINAL! 18-14 over Estancia Grande

Ellestina again in the Final.

Nice day, mild weather sunny, but the Field 1 ( in poor condition of the season - see photo) after the weekend.

Ellerstina with a little help, referees stoped the game insistently in favor of one team

Ellerstina received that aid mainly in the first part of the game (3rd chukkas: in all action could be perfectly called to the other team at first hand in my opinion)

Ellerstina doesnt need the protection to get to the final, allways have one more action than the other team

Score progression: Ellerstina-Estancia Grande 4-2, 4-1, 1-3, 3-1, 2-2, 2-1: total 18-14

Ellerstina horse a saw them over stressed, to thin, posible over trained, remember that they have one day less to rest than La Dolfina ( also I saw them in better conditions too) for the final that will be next friday (program changed this year).

Injures during the game: Ignacio Heguy a cut in his right arm but could play and Facundo Pieres right arm a cramp continue playing with difficuties, a horse had a cut near his eye I think it was Tarantula (one of Facundo P best horses)

Bad thing of the day: was the continuosly fouls from eath side, marked or not, due to the deficient actions of the Referees to control the game, they must be ban for the Final in my opinion.

LA DOLFINA TO THE FINAL 15-7 over La Aguada

Sunny nice weather Field 1 (in regular condition)

La Dolfina Dubai shows that polo must be played in accordance to what you posses, your main attributes.

It won over an devaluated version of La Aguada (the unlucky brothers again!) due to the injured Javier Novillo Astrada to add misery to this team that didn't had Miguel also injured for this season.

Another thing to appoint is that La Aguda had 15 of their best horses injured this season too, that worries them as much as their lost players.

According to some well informed friends the team will change for the 2012 season with an inclusion of Alejandro NA in the next team.

Breeding changes must be took right of way!

Could be harmed with their next year Handicaps

Under these disadvantages, La Aguada played a extremely defensive game (their trademark !) to complicate the erratic game of the Dream Team in the firsts chukkas (until the 3rd the score was even in 2 goals per team!) until the demolition take place when playing La Dolfina with their best horses started to play with three players in offense with Nero as a classic back, to dominate the field the scoreboard is conclusive.

Scoreboard: LA Dolfina 1-1,, 2-2, 2-2, 5-3, 9-4, 10-6, 13-6 and 15-7

Scorers: La Dolfina Cambiasso Jr. 8:1 penalty, Stirling 1, Mac Donough 6 , Nero 0 ; La Aguada Javier NA 2, Toccalino 2, Eduardo NA 1 , Ignacio NA 2 penalties

A saw La Dolfina horses in better shape, to be at their best for the Final (next friday)!, as an example, Leyend played her best game in the season an showed the way to get out the La Aguada trap...

MVP are 2 in my opinion: Adolfo Cambiaso Jr., scorer of the match, in one of his best game of the season (returned to his old version as main leader player role how plays and make play the others), and Pablo Mac Donough in his role of the aid for a better version of Cambiaso Jr., a real powerhouse for La Dolfina.
Fouls: La Dolfina Dubai 13 (must improve in this section)- La Aguada: 5
Goals/Shots : La Dolfina 14/25 - La Aguada: 5/13

Pilara Piaget 16 vs. Chapa Uno 13 - Zone A

The day was one of the nice days of this season, so it was a perfect day for people to see polo in Buenos Aires.

Sunny mild temperature with good pressure, it was not necessary to give extra aids to players ansd polo horses during the game.

Zone A, Pilara 16 vs. Chapa Uno 13

Scoreboard: 2-1, 3-3, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 10-11, 14-12, 16-13

Through the score progression it could show that was an interesting game, with two similar teams in handicap (Pilara 33 goals against Chapa Uno 32 goals) so in field 2 it was entertain to see the last chukkas when the final line was near for both teams, in close finish give the game to Pilara, that appears to be a great challenger for the coming years.

Chapa Uno is a new team, that will also improve with a better selection of horses (commonly known as "organization" here) as their not close to any great organization or breeder they have to look for an aid in this section.

Scorers: Pilara Piaget Ulloa 4 Laprida 3:1 penalty, B Heguy 6:4 pen., Tomlinson 3:2 pen.; For Chapa Uno (Bautista's Heguy Team -see Pilara formation) Paul Pieres 4:1, Caset 4:1, Rodrigo Ribeiro de Andrade 5 (in my opinion MVP), Garcia Huidobro 0.

Ribiero de Andrade made his best appearance in the Argentine Open, as a solid player well mounted, most be rised in his handicap to sustain his progress.

Some picked videos and photos

In spanish presentation (with 14 seconds espn ad starting) with videos from the 2011 Argentine Polo Open


From day 1:




From day 2: