Polo Development

Trickle down

Up-and-coming players learn from Argentina’s best

By Hayley Heatley

Harrison Azzaro, Cubi Toccalino, Nico Escobar and Lucas Escobar

High-level playing opportunities available in Argentina create a competitive atmosphere that pushes young players to improve their game and learn from the top players in the country. Fortunately, the main season in Argentina coincides with a slower season for polo in the United States, giving players the chance to invest in their training without conflicting with playing jobs. Argentina’s initial high-goal tournament schedule was modified, but more tournaments were added as the season went on, giving the players a chance to compete outside of local practices.

As players looking to attain their highest possible handicap, Team USPA members have worked diligently over the past several years to identify the best opportunities for themselves to improve.

Brothers Nico and Lucas Escobar are no strangers to Argentina. They have been coming to ride and play in the main season for several years. In 2018, Lucas represented the United States in the Junior Nations Cup alongside Bayne Bossom, Keko Magrini and Landen Daniels. That same year, Nico stepped into the Nations Cup game to play for an injured player on the North American team. This year the Escobars have been based out of the La Aguada Polo Club. Nico’s tournament lineup included a 16 goal at La Aguada, the 18- to 20-goal Sojo tournament and the 24-goal Provinicia. Lucas also played the 16 goal at La Aguada and the Provinicia. The time spent in the saddle has been valuable to both players. Playing practices on a daily basis at La Aguada has promoted consistency at a high-goal level for both boys.

Harrison Azzaro came to Argentina with an intense focus on playing the best polo possible. His dream of one day playing the Argentine Open with his brother has served as his motivation for improving. Azzaro is also based out of La Aguada, surrounded by the Astrada and Toccalino families who serve as his mentors. He learned from his father, former 10-goal player Mike Azzaro, to surround himself with the best players possible to push him in his career. Azzaro played in the 18- to 20-goal Sojo tournament as well as the La Aguada 16goal tournament.

Graduating Team USPA member Jared Zenni began the season with his eyes on qualifying for the Copa Cámara de Diputados. The Cámara is considered one of the most important tournaments in Argentina and can lay a path for teams looking to eventually qualify to play the Argentine Open. Zenni’s team, La Irenita, included Horacio Fernández Llorente, Gonzalo Del Tour and Michel del Carril. The foursome entered the Copa Pilar qualifying tournament and finished second in their bracket. The team fell to El Overo/UAE (Guillermo Willington, Jacinto Crotto, Tomas Panelo, Lucas Monteverde), 10-8, in its first game in the Copa Pilar. However, La Irenita rallied, winning its second game against Trenque Lauquen (Roberto Bilbao, Dylan Rossiter, Marcos Rooney, Matias Magrini), 9-5, and its third game against Madrugada Pilarchico

(Alejo Aramburu, Juan Jose Bouquet Roldan, Simon Prado, Manuel Alberto Crespo), 10-6.

The 2-1 record set the team up to play against La Quinta (Luke Tomlinson, James Beim, Juan Ambroggio, Lucas Lalor) in the qualifying game. Zenni clenched La Irenita’s place in the Cámara with an overtime penalty goal. Sixteen teams, handicapped between 24 and 30 goals, will compete for the Cámara de Diputados title.

Costi Caset came to Argentina early in the season to prepare for the Copa Pilar. Caset and his team, La Cañada Cria Don Valentin (Facundo Llosa, Facundo Obregon, Jesse Bray), started off with two convincing wins against Martindale La H (Fernandez Llorente, Nicolas Recaite, Facundo Ezequiel Retamar Carnero, Juan Cruz Losada), 11-4, and La Ensenada Betania (Juan Calafell Campos, Manuel Calafell Campos,

Felipe Marquez Ochoa, Bautista Arrastua, Raul Laplacette), 9-7. After falling short, 7-9, in its qualifying match against Martindale (Manuel Fernández Llorente, Agustín Canale, Benjamín Urquiza, Rodrigo Rueda), Caset quickly set his sights on the next tournament. The team entered into the Provincia tournament and was scheduled to play the semi-final round at press time. Playing high-level polo consistently for two to three months during the Argentina season is an integral part in achieving career goals as professional polo players. The availability of horses and the numerous polo fields within a short drive from each other provide an unparalleled experience. The relationships formed during these important learning years will provide a solid foundation in the sport going forward. •

Above: Juan Carlos Harriett, Cubi Toccalino, Nico Escobar, Lucas Escobar and Harrison Azzaro

Left: Costi Caset