LivingPolo.com

Celebrating the quarter-century of one of the most memorable finals in the history of the Abierto de Palermo, the traditional VIII Partido de las Estrellas (Match of the Stars) Copa BBVA Banco Francés presentado por Punta del Este Polo Club, took place at the Jockey Club Argentino on November 6th, in aid of the Hogar Nuestra Señora del Pilar.

On this occasion, Indios Chapaleufú Anaflex faced La Espadaña Jaeger-LeCoultre, reviving the memorable, 1986 Palermo final, in which Indios Chapaleufú claimed victory thanks to a brilliant goal scored by Marcos Heguy, who was riding La Marsellesa. However, this time, La Espadaña ended up as winners, the final scoreboard reading 9-8.

The teams' line-ups were practically the same as those of 25 years ago. In fact, La Espadaña's was identical to the 1984 championship-winning one (Juan Martín Zavaleta, Alfonso Pieres, Gonzalo Pieres and Ernesto Trotz). In what refers to Indios Chapaleufú, the only change was Bautista Heguy, in place of his deceased brother, Gonzalo. The other three members of the 1986 team, Marcos and Horacio Heguy, and Alejandro Garrahan, again played for the team.

The spectators that watched this re-edition of this classic match cheered the players on, acknowledging that their talents and horsemanship remain intact.

International model Valeria Mazza handed out the winners' cup to Gonzalo Pieres, captain of La Espadaña, while Alfonso Pieres was awarded the MVP trophy. Adolfo Cambiaso, Jr, handed out the symbolic, 250,000-peso check to the Hogar Nuestra Señora del Pilar.


The Teams:

La Espadaña Jaeger-LeCoultre
Juan Martín Zavaleta
Alfonso Pieres
Gonzalo Pieres
Ernesto Trotz

Indios Chapaleufú Anaflex
Bautista Heguy
Marcos Heguy
Horacio Heguy
Alejandro Garrahan