POLO SCENE
N E W S • NO T E S • T R E N D S • Q U O T E S
DEEPHEAD SORROW Young playerSubhead dies in car accident
JUSTO NOVILLO ASTRADA, polo player and son of former Argentine Polo Association president
From a prominent polo family, Justo Novillo Astrada had a passion for fishing.
22 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
and former 9 goaler Eduardo Novillo Astrada Jr., died in the early hours of Sunday, June 27, at the age of 22. The car accident that cost him his life took place at Kilometer 103 of Route 8, about 11 kilometers from San Antonio de Areco, in the province of Buenos Aires. Justo was driving a Volkswagen Gol when he collided with a bus. Both vehicles caught fire and he was the only fatality. Born on April 28, 1999, he had 1-goal handicap and was a twin with 4-goal Cruz. Justo was also the grandson of Eduardo “Taio” Novillo Astrada, founder of La Aguada, and had two other brothers: Lucio and Tristán. Those who knew him define him as a free spirit who loved nature and the Argentine north. His posts on social networks were a travel catalog, a cult of friendship and a proud display of his other hobby: fishing. With his friends, he traveled the Calchaquí Valleys, sleeping in abandoned and isolated ranchos (precarious country houses) characteristic of the area, with thatched roofs and adobe walls. Enjoying typical food such as locro, humita and empanadas in bonfires on full moon nights, he celebrated the 25th of May (Argentina’s national holiday commemorating its independence from Spain). On social media, Justo described his experience as being, “in the middle of the mountains, flying the flag, because the homeland was made on horseback! Travel people, go out, get to know this incredible country that we have, which makes me fall in love and has me more and more fascinated! It is an explosion of nature and the more we are connected with nature, the more we are connected with ourselves.” He was passionate about fishing. A few weeks before his death he published an extensive explanation that also defined him as a person. “Do you know why I like fishing so much? Because it is something that changed my life. Fishing transports me to a place where I don’t think about anything, I connect 100% with nature, it connects me with the deepest essence of my soul. It takes me away from the mambos (an issue that remains on your mind) of my life or daily quilombitos (little problems), from fears and insecurities. Doing it, you don’t screw anyone; it’s just you against the fish. Maybe if you hurt it, it suffers a little bit, but it is the adrenaline of fighting against a living being, of a jump out of the water, of getting rid of the hook and beats you, it is not something mathematical. You may only see a photo of a fish, but it is beyond a picture, it is thousands of hours planning, organizing, imagining, anticipating, hours of traveling, walking, sweating, tiredness, hunger, mosquito bites, sharing, laughing, learning. I fish because it takes you to the most remote places there are, in the middle of nowhere, places that are almost untouched by man, places that are an explosion of life and the wildest thing that exists, that change your head and the way you see things, to perceive, to understand, to value the simplest things in life, like making matés by heating a little pot with a small fire on the side of the river at the end of the day. I fish because it also brings back the most beautiful memories of my childhood, walking along a stream with a bamboo rod and being enthusiastic about the smallest thing, learning something new at each outing, even if the day’s catch was just a small mojarrita (a very tiny fish).” Our hearts to go out to the Novillo Astrada family during this difficult time.
