NEWS

In the most anticipated game of the English season, Dubai (Camilo "Jeta" Castagnola, Rashid Albwardy, Antonio Heguy, Beltran Laulhe) defeated La Dolfina Great Oaks (Dillon Bacon, Kian Hall, Diego Cavanagh, Poroto Cambiaso) 11-3 to claim the British Open Polo Championship for the Gold Cup, hosted by Cowdray Park Polo Club in England.

Ahead 6-2 at halftime, Dubai’s commanding offense was led by a spectacular performance from Castagnola to earn the victory. Beyond Castagnola’s eight goals, Laulhe scored twice, with Heguy adding one. Dubai not only featured great attacking prowess, but also strong defense, reflected in Dubai only allowing three goals in a final against a team with Cambiaso and Cavanagh. No opponent scored more than nine goals against Dubai in all seven of their games.

The anticipated cousin-duel between Cambiaso and Castagnola ultimately went to Jeta. Capping off a bittersweet English season for Cambiaso, the 9-goaler won the Prince of Wales Trophy in Berkshire, England, but ultimately went on to lose in the finals of both the Queen’s Cup and Gold Cup.

Earning his second Gold Cup title having previously won in 2019 with the same organization, this victory marks Castagnola’s first time leading Dubai without his brother Barto. Leading the tournament with 62 goals in seven games, Castagnola was awarded Most Valuable Player, with his mare Alberta Gulfstream taking home Best Playing Pony honors.

21-year-old Castagnola continues to cement his place at the top of the sport. In the era of social media, where most teenagers are looking at superficial results, Castagnola focuses on his discipline. Showing the mindset of a super-champion, he is thinking about one thing—improving every day.

What is Jeta Castagnola like?
“I'm calm, professional. I try to learn every day, to do my best. I like to try my best and be open to learn and improve every day.”

What do you do to keep improving?
“I'm disciplined, but I think I could do better... in nutrition, in training, in those aspects that I don't know people care for as much in polo. I like the discipline and being on top of every detail, in the stables with the horses, being on the lookout for mares, talking with the staff."

You mentioned learning about horses. What are you learning? Can you give me an example?
“I used to spend maybe five minutes looking at a mare before deciding whether it was good for me, and now I can do it in two minutes. There are fewer mistakes in that choice, and I have definitely made a lot of mistakes when buying, though I've also had a lot of success. It's a difficult topic, but you learn as you go.”

What more can you do to improve your game as an individual and teammate?
“Last year, I learned to adapt to the position I had to play in the middle of the field. I didn't play with the ball as much, which I used to do more. You need to learn, and I think I can do better. I think I can play much better.”

All photos courtesy of @The Art of Polo.