NEWS

Story courtesy of International Polo Club Palm Beach

At just 15 years of age, Poroto Cambiaso has already emerged as an upcoming star in the sport of polo, justifying each rise in handicap as he races toward the 10-goal status that has been held by his father Adolfo since 1994. Recent success in Argentina at the end of 2020 resulted in another handicap increase, while his strong play at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (Wellington,Florida) entering the U.S. Open Polo Championship® Quarterfinals, averaging three goals per game, places Poroto among some of the top players in the GAUNTLET OF POLO®.

His arrival and success on the high-goal scene began in 2020, capturing the prestigious King Power Gold Cup in England, playing with his father on Next Generation. Showcasing a pace and on-field intelligence that is often reserved for eight, nine and 10-goal players, Poroto’s accomplishments carried into the Argentina season, where he got his first taste of 40-goal polo at 14 years old. Proving to be invaluable, the experience resulted in Poroto excelling with Brava Polo Team in capturing both the Copa Cámara de Diputados and the Copa Pilar. Poroto further capped off an exceptional season by winning the Repechaje Clasificación to gain entry into the 2021 Triple Crown, cementing his status at the highest levels of polo.

Playing at IPC for the first time in 2021, Poroto has been a standout player and an integral part of a Scone team that was a finalist in the C.V. Whitney Cup® and champions of the USPA Gold Cup®. Often mistaken for his father in their signature Argentine flag helmet, Poroto was crucial in Scone’s run to the title, ranking third among all players with 3.4 field goals per game on accurate 57% shooting. The formidable trio of Poroto, Adolfo and Peke Gonzalez* has led to a dynamic attack that has proven difficult for opposing teams to contain, scoring 11.5 goals per game to place second among all teams. While active around the ball defensively, Poroto has been on the receiving end of passes for the father-son duo, constantly pushing the attack forward to lead Scone in goals from the field. Despite his relative short time at the high-goal level, Poroto displays a polo IQ that is evident in each game he plays, knowing when to pressure the ball, run with the ball or release down field.

Setting his sights on the third and final leg of the GAUNTLET OF POLO®, Poroto has proven he is on a fast-track to a 10-goal handicap, in contention to do so before the age of 19, when his father first held that status. Well-mounted and producing a complete, efficient style of play, Poroto is three wins away from joining Nic Roldan as the youngest winner of the U.S. Open Polo Championship® at 15 years old.

Poroto Cambiaso and the Scone team enter the U.S. Open Polo Championship® Quarterfinals in a rematch of the USPA Gold Cup® Final against Tonkawa, in a must-see game on Sunday, April 11 at 10:30am ET.

*Peke Gonzalez is an Active Team USPA Member. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.

All photos courtesy of ©David Lominska