Blog Post
Las Monjitas Win C.V. Whitney Cup
- By Richard Hine
- •
- 24 Feb, 2020
- •
Narrow win for iconic team
In front of thousands of spectators on Sunday 23 February, Las Monjitas defeated La Indiana 11-10 to win The C.V. Whitney Cup, the first title in The 2020 Gauntlet of Polo, and with it, the first place $100,000 prize money.
Now in its second year, last year’s tournament saw Las Monjitas make it to the Final, but lose out to ultimate winners Pilot, so this year, they clearly meant business. Leading from the off with a converted penalty 3, Las Monjitas played well with La Indiana close on their heels throughout. Going into half-time, the teams were even at 4-4, but as the second half prevailed, Las Monjitas extended their lead. Fran Elizalde and David ‘Pelón’ Stirling used all their might to secure four goals to none in response from La Indiana and with two missed penalty attempts from the La Indiana side, the Las Monjitas lead left much to be reckoned with. In the final chukka, with Las Monjitas leading by five goals, the deal looked sealed for the boys in orange, but La Indiana hadn’t quit just yet. After receiving a penalty 1, Santiago Gómez Romero and teammate Polito Pieres scored back-to-back goals, ultimately securing a four goal run, with the clock firmly on Las Monjitas’ side it wound down to an 11-10 victory. Fran Elizalde was named Most Valuable Player, whilst his pony Monlinera was awarded the Best Playing Pony rug.
The C.V. Whitney Cup Final Teams:
Las Monjitas (22): Camilo Bautista (0), Mackenzie Weisz (3), Francisco Elizalde (9) & David ‘Pelón’ Stirling (10)
La Indiana (22): Michael Bickford (2), Jeff Hall (6), Polito Pieres (10) & Santiago Gómez Romero (4)
Photograph: Las Monjitas win The C.V. Whitney Cup Final. Courtesy of the USPA
Content courtesy of Polo Times
Now in its second year, last year’s tournament saw Las Monjitas make it to the Final, but lose out to ultimate winners Pilot, so this year, they clearly meant business. Leading from the off with a converted penalty 3, Las Monjitas played well with La Indiana close on their heels throughout. Going into half-time, the teams were even at 4-4, but as the second half prevailed, Las Monjitas extended their lead. Fran Elizalde and David ‘Pelón’ Stirling used all their might to secure four goals to none in response from La Indiana and with two missed penalty attempts from the La Indiana side, the Las Monjitas lead left much to be reckoned with. In the final chukka, with Las Monjitas leading by five goals, the deal looked sealed for the boys in orange, but La Indiana hadn’t quit just yet. After receiving a penalty 1, Santiago Gómez Romero and teammate Polito Pieres scored back-to-back goals, ultimately securing a four goal run, with the clock firmly on Las Monjitas’ side it wound down to an 11-10 victory. Fran Elizalde was named Most Valuable Player, whilst his pony Monlinera was awarded the Best Playing Pony rug.
The C.V. Whitney Cup Final Teams:
Las Monjitas (22): Camilo Bautista (0), Mackenzie Weisz (3), Francisco Elizalde (9) & David ‘Pelón’ Stirling (10)
La Indiana (22): Michael Bickford (2), Jeff Hall (6), Polito Pieres (10) & Santiago Gómez Romero (4)
Photograph: Las Monjitas win The C.V. Whitney Cup Final. Courtesy of the USPA
Content courtesy of Polo Times