Pilot were crowned champions of the 2026 USPA Gold Cup after defeating La Dolfina Scone 10-6 in the thrilling USPA Gold Cup final in Wellington, Florida, played on Sunday, April 5, at the USPA National Polo Center. The victory gives Curtis Pilot's team their third title in the history of the tournament, while also securing the second leg of the current Gauntlet of Polo, the prestigious series completed by the CV Whitney Cup —won this year by The Dutta Corp.— and the US Open Polo Championship, currently underway.
The world class equestrian competition final, originally scheduled for March 29 but postponed due to heavy rainfall, began with La Dolfina Scone firmly in control. The team led by Poroto Cambiaso dominated the first three chukkers and headed into the long break with a 5-2 lead. With Poroto as their offensive reference and a defensive scheme that shut down both Camilo Castagnola and Lorenzo Chavanne, everything seemed to be going the way of the organization that also fielded Rufino Merlos, Jesse Bray, and David Paradice, with a combined 23-goal handicap.
What followed, however, was a complete transformation in a high goal polo match defined by momentum swings. A recharged Pilot overwhelmed La Dolfina Scone, holding them scoreless through the fourth and fifth chukkers with a devastating 6-0 run that completely flipped the scoreboard and gave them an 8-5 advantage by the end of the fifth period. It was an offensive onslaught that left the Scone foursome with no answers— a display typical of world class polo at the highest level. La Dolfina Scone managed just one goal in the entire second half, unable to contain the momentum that Pilot built after the break.
In the sixth and final chukker, Pilot sealed the win with a 2-1 partial to close out a commanding 10-6 victory. A comeback that will be remembered as one of the most remarkable finals in the tournament's recent history.
The standout performer was Lorenzo Chavanne, named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match and scoring six goals, while also riding Tyson, who was awarded Best Playing Pony (BPP) of the final. His second-half display was the driving force behind the turnaround. Pilot lined up Curtis Pilot, Mackenzie Weisz, Chavanne, and Camilo Castagnola, with a combined 23-goal handicap.
For Curtis Pilot, it was his third title in the tournament, following victories in 2019 and 2022, while Mackenzie Weisz wins it again with Pilot, just as he did in 2022. For Camilo Castagnola and Lorenzo Chavanne, meanwhile, it marks not only their first USPA Gold Cup triumph but also their first Gauntlet of Polo title overall. It is also worth noting that Pilot remains, to this day, the only organization to have won the complete Gauntlet of Polo, a feat they achieved in 2019, the series' inaugural year.
Both finalists had arrived at the decider with flawless records. Pilot and La Dolfina Scone were the only unbeaten teams in the tournament. In the semifinals, played on March 25, Pilot had eliminated The Dutta Corp. 13-11, while La Dolfina Scone had dispatched La Dolfina Tamera 14-10.
The USPA Gold Cup has been played since 1974 and stands as the second most important polo championship in American polo, behind only the US Open, and remains one of the premier events in global polo. This year's edition featured ten teams with handicaps of up to 22 goals, divided into two qualifying groups.
The finals of the 2026 USPA Gold Cup are broadcast across ESPN platforms, including ESPN2.
