The 85th Tortugas Open at the Tortugas Country Club delivered one of the most thrilling finals in recent memory. In a breathtaking and seesaw battle, La Natividad-La Dolfina (40 goals handicap) defeated Ellerstina-Indios Chapaleufú (36 goals) by a narrow 12–11 to claim the championship — and move one step closer to the coveted 2025 Argentine Triple Crown.
Before a packed crowd, the match showcased the essence of world-class polo — a duel of dynasties uniting four of the sport’s most iconic surnames: Cambiaso, Castagnola, Pieres, and Heguy.
From the very first throw-in, both teams made their intentions clear. Ellerstina-Indios Chapaleufú opened aggressively with high pressure and fast transitions, yet it was La Natividad-La Dolfina who struck first. A lightning-fast counterattack orchestrated by Bartolomé Castagnola (“Barto”) and finished by his brother Camilo (“Jeta”) put the champions on the board.
In the second chukker, the Cañuelas powerhouse tightened its grip. Poroto Cambiaso scored twice — one from a penalty — while Barto added another, extending the lead to 4–1. The game seemed to tilt decisively their way, but Ellerstina responded with trademark determination. Led by Facundo Pieres and Antonio Heguy, they clawed back to tie 4–4 and even went ahead 6–5 by halftime.
The second half turned into an electrifying back-and-forth. The scoreline read 7–7, then 8–8, then 11–9 for La Natividad. In the final chukker, Ellerstina surged again — goals from Antonio and Cruz Heguy brought them within one, 12–11. But the calm composure of the Cambiasos and the tactical sharpness of the Castagnolas held firm. La Natividad-La Dolfina endured the final seconds with nerves of steel and sealed a victory destined for legend.
The Teams and Key Stats
La Natividad-La Dolfina (40 goals)
• Adolfo Cambiaso (h.) (10)
• Adolfo “Poroto” Cambiaso (jr.) (10) – 4 goals (2 penalty)
• Camilo “Jeta” Castagnola (10) – 4 goals
• Bartolomé “Barto” Castagnola (10) – 4 goals (1 penalty)
Ellerstina-Indios Chapaleufú (36 goals)
• Facundo Pieres (10) – 5 goals (1 penalty)
• Gonzalo Pieres (h.) (9) – 3 goals
• Antonio Heguy (8) – 2 goals
• Cruz Heguy (9) – 1 goal + 1 penalty
Score progression: 1–0, 4–1, 4–4, 5–6, 7–7, 8–8, 11–9, 12–11.
Special awards:
• 🏅 MVP – Antonio Heguy (Ellerstina-Indios Chapaleufú)
• 🐎 Best Playing Pony – Show Down ridden by Bartolomé Castagnola
• 🐴 Best Argentine Polo Horse – Guadalupe Lady Jane ridden by Poroto Cambiaso
Tactical Breakdown
1️⃣ Defense as the Launchpad
La Natividad-La Dolfina’s disciplined defensive block was the backbone of their success. Each intercepted ball turned swiftly into an attacking opportunity, often executed by the lightning pairing of Poroto Cambiaso and Camilo Castagnola.
2️⃣ Penalty Precision and Psychological Edge
Both teams relied heavily on their penalty shooters. Facundo Pieres kept Ellerstina within reach with near-perfect accuracy, while Poroto Cambiaso converted at key emotional moments — notably the sixth-chukker penalty that leveled the match 8–8.
3️⃣ Tempo Shift at the Finish
Up to the seventh chukker, neither side had a clear edge. But La Natividad changed gears in the final minutes — “Jeta” Castagnola’s bursts of speed and the Cambiasos’ game control tilted the balance. That shift in rhythm, alternating between intensity and composure, proved decisive.
4️⃣ Champion Mindset
Beyond tactics, mental strength made the difference. La Natividad-La Dolfina showed the calm of a team that trusts its structure and leadership, while Ellerstina-Indios Chapaleufú, despite brilliance, lacked that final ounce of composure to close the gap.
Rising Stars of the Next Generation
Poroto Cambiaso (23, 10 goals)
The heir to the Cambiaso dynasty has matured into his own identity. In his first Tortugas Open title, Poroto displayed poise, tactical intelligence, and clutch scoring under pressure. The future of world polo has clearly arrived.
Camilo “Jeta” Castagnola (22, 10 goals)
Explosive and intuitive, “Jeta” combines pace with creativity. His four goals — some born from solo runs — were instrumental. His partnership with Poroto defines modern Argentine polo: speed, youth, and precision.
Antonio Heguy (24, 8 goals, MVP)
The emotional leader of Ellerstina-Indios Chapaleufú. Scored key goals, fought relentlessly, and earned the crowd’s respect. His performance recalled the fiery spirit that made the Heguy name legendary.
The Four-Legged Heroes
The horses once again proved central to the spectacle.
• Show Down (Bartolomé Castagnola) impressed with power and agility, taking Best Playing Pony honors.
• Guadalupe Lady Jane (Poroto Cambiaso) stood out for explosive acceleration and balance in critical chukkers.
• Mega Charm (Facundo Pieres) drew praise as one of the finest Argentine-bred products of the season.
Each mount embodied the genetic excellence of Argentine polo breeding — speed, stamina, and heart.
Two Philosophies, One Epic Duel
This was more than a match; it was a clash of styles.
• La Natividad-La Dolfina represents the evolution of polo — modern tempo, offensive creativity, and youthful energy.
• Ellerstina-Indios Chapaleufú stands for tradition — collective play, tactical structure, and seasoned discipline.
The narrow 12–11 margin perfectly reflected that balance. Neither side dominated; the outcome was decided in the details — a single pass, a missed shot, a horse’s extra stride.
What Comes Next
With Tortugas now in their pocket, La Natividad-La Dolfina heads into the 132nd Argentine Open at Palermo as the overwhelming favorite to complete the 2025 Triple Crown — an achievement reserved for the greatest teams in history.
Ellerstina-Indios Chapaleufú, despite the heartbreak, proved it can challenge anyone. Fine-tuning their defense could make them serious contenders at Palermo as well.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Tortugas Open Final will be remembered as a masterpiece of skill, courage, and respect for the game. It united generations — veterans like Adolfo Cambiaso and Facundo Pieres sharing the field with emerging stars who will define the next decade.
It was a battle fought goal by goal, second by second, horse by horse — a true celebration of Argentine polo.
Final Score: 🏆 La Natividad-La Dolfina 12 – 11 Ellerstina-Indios Chapaleufú
Venue: Tortugas Country Club, Buenos Aires – October 30, 2025