NEWS

Story courtesy of the International Polo Club Palm Beach

The newest addition to 2021 GAUNTLET OF POLO®, David Paradice’s Australian-based organization, Scone (Adolfo Cambiaso, Poroto Cambiaso, David Paradice, Mariano “Peke” Gonzalez Jr.*, brings a winning roster making their first appearance on the fields of the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida. Making their debut in the feature 3:00pm ET game on Sunday, February 21, against Santa Clara, Scone displays a lineup led by father-son duo Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso.

Scone has emerged as a competitive team on the high-goal scene in recent years, competing in England where they captured the prestigious 2019 Cartier Queen’s Cup. While using a different lineup than was seen in 2019, Scone enters the C.V. Whitney Cup® with arguably the most hype surrounding them thanks to the addition of Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso. Stepping up into high-goal play, teenager Poroto Cambiaso has already reached the status of a 6-goal player in the U.S. while recently being moved up to an 8-goal handicap in Argentina. Displaying the attributes of a seasoned player, Poroto Cambiaso can singlehandedly change the outcome of a game, seen by his performances in both England and Argentina. Capturing the 2020 King Power Gold Cup in England, along with the Pilar Cup, Cámera de Diputados and qualifier for the Argentine Open in Argentina, Poroto Cambiaso is quickly following in his 10-goal father’s footsteps.

Few players in the history of the sport have the resume of 10-goaler Adolfo Cambiaso. Making his first appearance in the GAUNTLET OF POLO®, Cambiaso returns to IPC for the first time since an upset defeat by Daily Racing Form in the 2018 U.S. Open Polo Championship® Final. An integral part of Valiente’s dominance at IPC in the past decade, Cambiaso has eight U.S. Open Polo Championship® victories, 12 USPA Gold Cup® and six C.V. Whitney Cup® titles to his name. Fresh off his 2020 Argentine Open victory with La Dolfina, Cambiaso provides a formidable duo with his son as he returns to expand on his legacy in the states.

Team USPA member Mariano ‘Peke’ Gonzalez Jr. adds another layer to Scone’s proficient attack, rising steadily to a six-goal handicap in recent years. Helping Beverly Polo reach the 2021 Ylvisaker Cup Final, Gonzalez Jr. enters his third consecutive season in the GAUNTLET OF POLO® after previous seasons with Postage Stamp Farm (2020) and Iconica (2019). In 2020, Gonzalez Jr. led Postage Stamp Farm with 5.6 goals per game, placing him fifth among all players and only trailing 9 and 10-goal players. Providing consistent offense from both the field and the penalty line, Gonzalez Jr. also provides an active defense for Scone, able to challenge and contain higher-rated players.

Proven he can compete at the high-goal level, team owner Paradice is set to make his debut on the U.S. Polo Assn Field 1, playing an active role off the ball to rideoff and set picks on opponents. Capable of finishing around goal, converting 50% of his shots in his most reason season in England, Paradice will push the Scone team forward and display a strong riding ability to hinder the opponent he is marking.

Although polo matches at IPC are not open to the general public, viewers can watch Scone's next game on Wednesday, February 24, at 11:00am ET exclusively on Global Polo TV. All games of the 2021 GAUNTLET OF POLO® will be livestreamed.

*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.