This Month in Buenos Aires

This month in Buenos Aires sees the opening of the 100-year-old Argentine Polo Open or the Palermo Open as it is better known. From the 17^th of November to the 18^th of December the Polo fields in the neighbourhood of Palermo will be pounded by the fast moving game, and the crowds will dazzle in designer wear.

Argentina prides itself on being one of the leaders in the world of international polo. In fact at the moment only ten players in the world are ranked with a handicap of 10 (the highest ranking possible), and all of them are Argentine: Adolfo Cambiaso, Agustín Merlos, Miguel and Ignacio Novillo Astrada, Bartolomé Castagnola, Bautista and Marcos Heguy, Facundo and Gonzalo Pieres, and Mariano Aguerre. There are also 16 players in the world with a ranking of 9 and those are all Argentine as well.

The golden age was between 1900 and 1930 when polo was an Olympic Sport, and since then Argentina has dominated the sport at an international level. Famous polo horses are born and bred in the wild pampas region of the country and there is even an Argentine version of the sport which early gauchos (Argentine cowboys) in the pampas invented. It is a game similar to polo, called pato, which helps explain why polo caught on so easily in this country. Pato is a game played on horseback that combines elements from polo and basketball. It was the national sport of Argentina, and is still played in a more modern fashion.

There are several famous polo families in Argentina whose history is intertwined with the sport, and they are treated as celebrities throughout the country. The clothes they wear, their private lives and their polo performances are closely watched by fans. Most players also play in Europe and return to participate in the Palermo Open. Polo in Argentina is a popular spectator sport with young and old alike. You can sit with the cream of society in the VIP boxes, or you can enjoy a beer in the standing area. The choice is yours.

When

This year (2007) it is between the 17^th of November and 8^th of December.

Where

            Argentina Open (Campeonato Abierto):

Campo Argentino de Polo en Palermo
Av. Del Libertador and Dorrego
(54 11) 4576-5600

For details contact the Asociacion Argentina de Polo (AAP) on (005411) 4777-6444; Online at www.aapolo.com (in Spanish)

 How

Most tickets should be brought at the gate, and you can get standing room tickets for roughly 12 pesos ($4USD). Tickets only need to be purchased in advance for the final. If you would like to buy them online check out: www.ticketek.com.ar

There are many farms and ranches where you can visit to learn to play polo or practice their polo abilities. Read more and find our recommendations for estancias near Buenos Aires.

For more events taking place in Buenos Aires check out our calendar of events.

This article was written by Lucy Cousins, our editor in Argentina

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