Firstly news from Argentina.  The final of the greatest polo event in the world, the Argentine Open, took place a little later than expected after being called off due to heavy rain.  La Dolfina won 17 to Ellerstina's 16 in extra time.  These two famous teams have been battling it out in finals over the last few years with La Dolfina winning in 2006 and 2007.  Ellerstina looked like they might be on top form after winning the Tortugas and the Hurlinham Open, particularly as right until the eighth chukka the two teams were neck-and-neck.

La Dolfina is the home of possibly the most famous man in polo, Adolfo Cambiaso, a ruggedly hansome player who brings glamour to the sport with his beautiful model wife.  At the time he was the youngest to ever reach the maximum ten goal handicap at a mere 17 years old.  In 1997 along with Bartolome (or Lolo) Castagnolo, he created La Dolfina Polo Team, based in Argentina.  The teams also consists of Lucas Monteverde, Mariano Aguerre and Lolo.  La Dolfina also owns a chain of shops selling wonderful clothing for polo players and fashionistas.  Check out www.ladolfina.com for more details.

Ellerstina, on the other hand, is also based in argentina and features the two famous brothers Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres as well as the Pablo McDonough and Juan Martin Nero.  All players are rated the maximum ten goals.  Ellerstina won the 115th Argentine Open last year with a goal by Gonzalito in extra time.   With two forty goal teams facing each other, this was always going to be exciting, but put a match this close, with top rated handsome and skilfull players and a glamorous urban settings, and you are guaranteed one of the sporting events of the year.  If only we could watch this on TV but there's another whole blog's subject matter.

On a more light-hearted note, the Scots retain the title of the 25th World Elephant Polo Championships.  How they practice back in Scotland without Elephants has always amused me!  The Angus Estates Team beat the National Parks of Nepal, 8-6.  The World Elephant Polo Association lists the following rules on it's website:

- Elephants are swapped at half time to even out any advantage
- No elephants may lie down in front of the goalmouth
- An elephant may not pick up the ball with its trunk during play
- Stepping on the ball is forbidden

Back in cold and icy England we are struggling on with the polo season when weather allows.  We have a good all-weather arena but the problem is for those actually travelling to the matches.

The next even I shall look forward to reporting on is the Cartier Polo World Cup on Snow.  check out www.polostmoritz.com for more information.