120YEARS
Polo & More 2014
OF THE
T
ARGENTINE OPEN
By Georgie May Photos compliments of the Argentine Polo Association
he Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo – better
known as the Argentine Open – is regarded as the
greatest tournament in the world. Held on the hallowed
grounds of Palermo, in Buenos Aires the tournament is the
highest handicapped in the world and features the sport’s best
athletes – both players and horses.
This year marked the 120th year that the tournament has been
held. The competition began in 1893, making it the fifth oldest
tournament in the world. For many years it was known as the
River Plate Polo Championships – when the country’s polo
association was known as the River Plate Polo Association
(established in 1892). In 1923, the organisation was renamed
the Argentine Polo Association (AAP) and the tournament
became known as the Argentine Open Polo Championships
from then on.
For six years, from 1923-28, the tournament was held at
the Hurlingham Club outside Buenos Aires before moving to
military-owned Campo Argentino de Polo – or “Catedral de
Polo” – in Palermo, six kilometers from the centre of Buenos
Aires. The multi-purpose stadium, built in 1918, can hold up
to 30,000 people and hosts pato and hockey matches, as well
as polo.
Coronel Suárez won the Open an outstanding 24 times and
was the first team ever to reach a 40-goal handicap – October
1975 marked the first time two 40-goal teams faced each
other in the final. Teams must be between 28 and 40 goals to
take part in the tournament and only six teams in the history
of the tournament have reached 40 goals, including Indios
Chapaleufú, La Dolfina and Eller stina in recent years.
For much of the last 120 years, Argentine players have
dominated the championships. One of these players that comes
to the forefront of most people’s minds is Juan Carlos Harriott,
who is without a doubt an all time great. He won 20 Argentine
Open titles between 1957-1979 with Coronel Suárez and
remained a 10-goaler from 1961 to 1980.
Foreign players have also had their place in the record
books;Mexican Carlos Gracida is the only overseas player
to win the championship five times. He was victorious with
La Espadaña for four consecutive years (1987-1990) and his
fifth victory was with Ellerstina in 1994, playing alongside
ABOVE:The mighty Colonel Suaréz in 1977 from left to right Alberto Pedro Heguy, Horacio Heguy, Juan Carlitos Harriott and Alfredo Harriott
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