Here, in Argentina, the Autumn polo season is in full swing with more polo than you can shake a stick at. I’ve decided to focus on but two of the tournaments currently being played in the area of Buenos Aires and Pilar, the
Argentina Polo Tour and the Copa Republica Argentina. In five days last week there were 26 games of polo!
The fourth stage of the Argentina Polo Tour, being played at the beautiful Centauros Polo Club, is a 16 goal tournament with 8 teams competing. The teams in this tournament are often composed of one or possibly two patrons accompanied by professional players with the players ranging in rating from 0 to 9 goals. This 16 goal polo is played at a very high and competitive level, a pleasure to watch. The social aspect of this tournament is also significant as the organizers have done a fantastic job attracting a wide range of sponsors that contribute greatly to the post-polo gatherings. 
After the matches all wander to the tented seating areas, sponsors booths, asado and bar surrounding the Centauros clubhouse, a great setting to get to know the patrons, pro players and people of polo. The gorgeous autumn weather we’ve been enjoying was briefly interrupted by a day of rain yesterday which delayed the last round of qualification games until today. After the games today the finalists will be decided and are scheduled to duel for the trophy on Saturday…check back in here later in the week for my report on the final.
Now the Copa Republica Argentina is a tournament of different sort. Played at the Argentina Polo Association fields in Pilar and in the Cathedral of Polo in Palermo, teams, mostly made up of professional and perhaps amateur players, can be entered at any rating up to 40 goals and the games are played with the handicap applied. 
This year’s edition of the tournament has 12 teams ranging from 13 goals to 25 goals, so yes, when they play one team could be starting with 12 goals on the board due to handicap…a lot to make up in 6 chukkas! This makes for some wild matches and interesting upsets. Teams and players from all over Argentina (and the world for that matter) come to compete in this tournament and I would have to think it is a great opportunity for the Argentina Polo Association to evaluate handicaps. The finals for this tournament are being played later on today (see the teams here) in Palermo with the main final being between the 24 goal La Dolfina and the 15 goal La Estrella Enigma. Check back in, I’ll have a full report here tomorrow.
Thanks for reading!
Chau for now.
Dylan Foster