Argentina – Argentine Polo Association (AAP) The Argentine Polo Association governs polo in Argentina—the undisputed global centre of the sport. Established in 1922 and based in Buenos Aires, the AAP: Organises the Argentine Open Championship (the most prestigious tournament in the world) Controls all major domestic competitions Assigns handicaps to Argentine players Defines and interprets the rules within Argentina Argentina’s dominance in polo—particularly at the 40-goal level—is directly linked to the strength and structure of the AAP.

The Argentinian Triple Crown...

...is the most prestigious series of polo tournaments in the world. It is held every year in Argentina and is widely regarded as the ultimate test of skill for professional polo teams.

It is made up of three major high-goal tournaments:

~ Tortugas Open,

~ Hurlingham Open,

~ Argentine Open (Abierto Argentino de Polo).

These tournaments are played in sequence during the Argentine polo season. Teams compete across all three events, and the same top players and organisations often take part in each one. The most important of the three is the Argentine Open, held at the legendary Palermo grounds in Buenos Aires.

Winning it is considered the highest achievement in the sport. To win the Triple Crown, a team must perform consistently well across all three tournaments—not just win one. Because of this, it is extremely rare and is seen as a symbol of dominance in world polo.

Overall, the Argentinian Triple Crown represents the peak of elite polo competition, showcasing the best players, horses, and teamwork in the sport.

Qualification for the Triple Crown

In Argentine polo, “Cámara qualification” refers to a specific selection and approval system used by the Argentine Polo Association (AAP) for the high-goal season, which includes the Argentinian Triple Crown (Tortugas, Hurlingham, and Argentine Open). It is essentially the process that decides which teams are allowed to compete when there are more strong teams than available places.

What “Cámara” means

The Cámara is a committee within the AAP that helps evaluate and organise the highest level of tournaments in Argentina. It plays a key role in deciding which teams are accepted into the Triple Crown season.

How Cámara qualification works

1. Review of team handicaps Teams must meet the required high-goal level (usually around 28–40 goals combined handicap). The Cámara checks that all player handicaps are correct and balanced.

2. Evaluation of team strength and stability The committee assesses whether a team is strong enough and well-structured to compete safely and competitively at elite level. This includes: Player consistency Experience in high-goal polo Team organisation

3. Horse (string) standards Because polo relies heavily on horses, the Cámara also considers whether a team has a strong enough string of ponies to compete across the full Triple Crown season.

4. Selection when places are limited If more teams apply than can be accommodated, the Cámara decides which teams are accepted based on overall merit. This is not just about ranking, but also about: Competitive balance of the tournaments International representation Maintaining elite standards

5. Final approval by the AAP After the Cámara makes its recommendations, the Argentine Polo Association (AAP) gives final approval for participation in the Triple Crown tournaments.

Simple summary “Cámara qualification” is the elite selection process that determines which high-goal teams are allowed into Argentina’s Triple Crown season. It ensures only the strongest, most suitable teams compete at the highest level of polo.

Hurlingham Open

The Hurlingham Open traditionally marks the opening chapter of the Argentine High Goal Triple Crown, setting the tone for the season with fast, open polo and early statements of intent from the world’s leading teams. Played at the historic Hurlingham Club, the tournament often provides the first real insight into newly formed line-ups and evolving team dynamics. In recent seasons, the balance of power has centred around the dominant 40-goal organisations, particularly La Dolfina and La Natividad. The latter has emerged as a defining force of the modern era, with the Castagnola brothers—Camilo Castagnola and Bartolomé Castagnola—bringing exceptional speed and attacking precision. Alongside them, Adolfo Cambiaso and Poroto Cambiaso continue to shape the competitive landscape through La Dolfina’s enduring presence at the top level.

As the season’s curtain-raiser, Hurlingham is often where momentum is first established—its winners frequently carrying confidence and form into the remainder of the Triple Crown.

In recent years, the tournament has reflected a dominance by the two power houses of La Dolfina and La Natividad who at the very top of the game united to form one team in 2025 where Adolfo Cambiaso played along side his son Poroto and nephews Barto and Camilo Castagnola:

2022 – La Natividad

2023 – La Natividad

2024 – La Dolfina

2025 – La Natividad La Dolfina

Abierto del Jockey Club (Tortugas Open)

The Tortugas Open—formally known as the Abierto del Jockey Club—is the second leg of the Triple Crown and a tournament steeped in heritage, played at the prestigious Tortugas Country Club. Often regarded as the most intimate of the three majors, Tortugas delivers a unique atmosphere where tradition and elite sport intersect. It is also historically one of the most unpredictable tournaments, where emerging teams can challenge established dominance.

In recent editions, La Natividad has enjoyed notable success, securing key victories that signalled a shift in the balance of power at the highest level of the game. Their fluid, high-tempo style—driven by the Castagnolas—has proven particularly effective on these grounds. Meanwhile, perennial contenders such as Ellerstina, led by Facundo Pieres and Gonzalo Pieres, alongside La Dolfina’s ever-evolving line-ups, ensure that the competition remains fiercely contested. Winning Tortugas is often seen as both a statement of intent and a tactical milestone—teams that succeed here carry a psychological edge into the final and most prestigious stage of the Triple Crown.

The Tortugas Open—held at Tortugas Country Club—is the second and often most unpredictable leg of the Triple Crown. Recent champions underline the intensity and evolving hierarchy of the sport:

2022 – La Natividad

2023 – La Dolfina

2024 – La Natividad

2025 – La Natividad La Dolfina

Tortugas often rewards tactical adaptability, and in recent seasons La Natividad has excelled here, asserting control through fluid teamwork and relentless tempo. However, challengers such as Ellerstina and La Hache continue to push the pace and maintain the competitive edge of the tournament.

Argentine Open Championship (Palermo)

The Argentine Open Championship is the pinnacle of the sport—the final and most prestigious leg of the Triple Crown, played at the iconic Campo Argentino de Polo in Palermo. Widely regarded as the greatest polo tournament in the world, Palermo represents the ultimate test of skill, organisation, and endurance.

Every chukka is played at extraordinary pace, with the finest horses and players operating at the very limit of the game. In the modern era, the narrative has been defined by the rivalry between La Dolfina and La Natividad. La Dolfina, under the leadership of Adolfo Cambiaso, established one of the most dominant dynasties in polo history, while La Natividad’s rise—powered by Camilo Castagnola and Bartolomé Castagnola—has ushered in a new era of competition.

Recent finals have showcased this generational shift, with younger players redefining the tempo and physicality of the game while maintaining the precision and horsemanship that define Argentine polo.

The Argentine Open Championship, played at the iconic Campo Argentino de Polo, is the ultimate prize in world polo. Its recent winners reflect both the legacy of dominance and the rise of a new generation:

2022 – La Natividad

2023 – La Dolfina

2024 – La Natividad

2025 – La Natividad La Dolfina

To win Palermo is to enter polo immortality. It is the ultimate prize—where legacy is secured, dynasties are confirmed, and the sport is captured at its most powerful and photogenic.