We are all aware of the aristocracy of the Argentine Open, or Abierto, but how much of it is earned and how much inherited? Names like Heguy, Astrada, Pieres, Merlos and others go back a generation or more, but are they trying to keep outsiders from breaking onto the hallowed fields of the world’s highest rated polo competition?
Recently we heard rumors about the departure of Nacho Figueras from the Black Watch team as it went into the Open, and assumed that it was due to either sub-par play on behalf of Figueras or the failure by black Watch to complete the financial agreement.
Recently other facts have come to light to dismiss any earlier preconceptions.
Although at 6-goals, Figueras was the lowest rated player in the Argentine Open field, veteran players and observers gave Nacho credit for playing his handicap or better in every match he played.
“Bauti played to make him look bad,” said one inside player. “He purposely tried to make him look bad at the expense of the team.”
Figueras was splendidly mounted for his first trip to the Open, and did everything that was asked of him. In an earlier game against La Aguada at Tortugas, Figueras was asked to take Nacho Astrada (later to be named the MVP of the Hurlingham Open) out of the way. Nacho was glued to the 8-goaler for the length of the game, making him totally ineffective while Bautista Heguy played selfishly and with disastrous results.
Bautista Heguy played on five winning Open teams. His teammates, collectively, never played on one. Additionally, Bauti played on four Open finalists. Teammate Matias MacDonough played on two finalist teams, two more than either de Narvaez or Caset-or Figueras.
It’s time these over-paid prima donnas started giving back to the sport that has so lucratively rewarded them. It is time that they played for the game and not for their own egos.
Don’t be confused if you hear disparaging comments about the play of Nacho Figueras in Open play in Argentina. He played his handicap or better. It was time for Bautista Heguy to show unselfish leadership. This he failed to do.
2 Comments
th0000001125am08, 22008vUTC11bUTCTue, 25 Nov 2008 00:05:26 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p11
The fact he is not playing the Open takes nothing away from the way he played in the previous two tournaments. It was a great jump in level of competition for him and I am sure it was a great learning experience for the future. I say that because unless you have played at that level you will never know how different it is from any other “High Goal”. My guess is he stepped down and put a higher handicap player in to give the team a better chance or showing for the sponsor at this year’s Open. I think it was a smart move by him not to push it as you only get one chance to make a first impression at the Argentine Open. He should with the good horses, management, and experience come back next year a strong 7 goal player ready to take the field.
th0000001211am08, 42008vUTC12bUTCThu, 11 Dec 2008 07:12:46 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p12
Nacho Figueras is a rare treat. He is an accomplished high goal polo player with wonderful athletic skills whose handsome face has become Polo via the globally interconnected international media. He represents himself to be primarily an athlete. A professional high goal polo player. He adds credibility not just to the Ralph Lauren brand but to the sport as well as the USPA. Nacho is hard working, unassuming, intelligent, friendly, as well as a loving husband and father. We ought to thank him for the substantial contribution that he makes to our sport. We ought to wish him good luck when he plays in the Abierto de Argentina.