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Las Monjitas Wins USPA Piaget Gold Cup

March 26, 2008

WELLINGTON, FL – Las Monjitas ran roughshod over Skeeterville in today’s finals of the Piaget Gold Cup, defeating the North American Polo League leader 12-7 at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

“We’re pursuing the gold,” said Las Monjitas team captain Camilo Bautista, who jokingly commented on his second Gold Cup victory. His first was in November 2007 when his team won the Argentine Gold Cup. “ This is a very sweet victory.”
Two years ago Bautista’s team won the U.S. Open. The team also won the two other 26-goal tournaments played at International Polo during its five-year tenure. “We’re thrilled because we wanted to win the Gold Cup. It was the only one we have not won,” added Bautista

Today, Bautista’s team found their mark early as they scored two goals in the first two minutes of the match. The team ended the half leading 7-4 and by the end of the fourth, doubled up on Skeeterville, ending the chukker 10-5.

“I think we played very well defensively,” said Javier Astrada, who led the team in goals as he scored three from the field and four in penalty shots. His brother Eduardo was named the match’s Most Valuable Player, as he scored three from the field but help set up many of his other teammates goals.

The 2008 Piaget Gold Cup Winners - Las Monjitas
L to R: Javier Astrada, Eduardo Astrada, Camilo Bautista, Nacho Astrada
Photo courtesy of Alex Pacheco

The NAPL awarded its first Skeeter Bronze trophy to Las Monjitas. The trophy depicts Skeeter Johnston who founded the league along with John Goodman and met an untimely death in a polo accident last year. Best Playing Pony honors went to Owen Rinehart’s horse Raptor.

MVP Eduardo Astrada with presenter Lauren Duffey from Piaget Photo courtesy of Alex Pacheco

Bautista and the Skeeterville foursome will now vie for the granddaddy of all polo tournaments – the Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship that gets underway on Sunday, March 30. The first game is set for noon as Isla Carroll will face Bendabout and Skeeterville will play Zacara at 3 p.m. This is the second year the Piaget Gold Cup has been played at International Polo Club. The USPA Gold Cup has been played since 1974 and is one of only three polo tournaments rated at 26 goals in the United States. The other two are the C.V. Whitney and the Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship.

"Raptor" for Owen Rinehart was Best Playing Pony for the match
Photo courtesy of Alex Pacheco

"Califa" for Mariano Aguerre was Best Playing Pony for the tournament
Photo courtesy of Alex Pacheco

International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington and hosts professional polo tournaments until April 20. The premier game of the week is played at 3 PM every Sunday on the Stanford Field and Stadium. Information can be obtained by calling 561-204-5687 or the Polo Hotline for game updates at 561-282-5290. Web addresses, www.internationalpoloclub.com or www.northamericanpololeague.com.

LAS MONJITAS 3-2-2-3-1-1 = 12 (5 penalty goals) Javier Astrada 7 SKEETERVILLE 1 HDCP. + 1-0-2-1-0-2 = 7 (3 penalty goals) Julio Arellano 4

Click here for the Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship Roster and Schedule
Click here for interesting facts and historical information about the Open...