Wed 29th Apr 2026Pilot Claim The U.S. Open Polo Championship 15-10 win vs BTA in Final at NPC
Pilot claimed the 2026 U.S. Open Polo Championship with a convincing 15-10 victory over BTA at the National Polo Center in Wellington on Sunday 26 April, completing a major double after also winning The USPA Gold Cup. The win marks another major milestone for Pilot, adding to their previous Gauntlet success of 2019 where they won the full tournament series (they remain the only team to achieve this) and reinforcing their position as one of the dominant teams of the modern era.
Despite BTA entering the Final with stronger statistical averages, Pilot took control early in the match. Led by the attacking combination of Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola and Lorenzo Chavanne, they dominated the opening chukka to establish a 4-1 lead. Their fluid teamwork and ability to find space kept BTA under constant pressure throughout.
Pilot maintained their advantage into half-time at 8-5, and although BTA briefly closed the gap to 10-8 by the end of the fourth chukka, they were unable to sustain momentum. Pilot reasserted control in the closing stages, entering the final chukka 13-10 ahead before two late, unanswered, goals sealed the result. This is Pilot’s third U.S. Open Polo Championship win having won in 2019 and 2022, Mackenzie Weisz also forming part of the winning 2022 line-up.
Lorenzo Chavanne was once again a standout performer, earning Most Valuable Player honours to add to his USPA Gold Cup Final award. He was the top goal scorer of the Final with seven goals, 44 in the tournament and over 100 in the overall Triple Crown. His string also continued to impress, with Open Texas named Best Playing Pony of the Final.
The U.S. Open Polo Championship forms an exciting end to the long and unpredictable US season. Eyes and planes full of high goalers return to the UK where we await the start of our very own high goal season.
The U.S. Open Polo Championship Final Teams:
Pilot (23): Curtis Pilot (0), Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola (10), Lorenzo Chavanne (6) & Mackenzie Weisz (7)
BTA (23): Ignacio Viana (7), Tomás Panelo (10), KC Krueger (1) & Steve Krueger (5)
Photograph: Pilot (L-R: Curtis Pilot, Mackenzie Weisz, Camilo ‘Jeta’ Castagnola & Lorenzo Chavanne) winners of The U.S. Open Polo Championship. By David Lominska
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