Chip Campbell's journey to Argentina culminated in a triumphant scene as his team, Clearwater, clinched the prestigious Julio Novillo Astrada Cup played at the La Aguada Polo Club. In a thrilling final against Forbes Plunkett, Clearwater secured a hard-fought 10-9 victory.
The match, marked by strategic plays and dramatic comebacks, showcased the team’s resilience. Led by Campbell, Clearwater's line-up featured Paco de Narváez, Raúl “Gringo” Colombres, and Joaquín Panelo. Their opponents, Forbes Plunkett, led by polo legend Miguel Novillo Astrada, pushed the game to its limits, adding to the spectacle of this celebrated 20-goal tournament. Novillo Astrada played alongside Marcos Araya and two other American players, Brandon Plunkett and Nicolas Escobar.
For Campbell, a respected figure in American polo and former USPA Chairman, this win was more than a milestone. It was a critical step in preparing Clearwater for its sixth season in the Gauntlet of Polo in 2025. Known for his dedication to fostering teamwork and developing homebred horses, Campbell’s efforts have consistently aimed to elevate the sport. His time in Argentina also shows his long-standing relationship with the Novillo Astrada family and his appreciation for La Aguada’s rich polo tradition.
-Chip, congratulations. You’ve just won the Julio Novillo Astrada Cup at La Aguada. How do you feel?
"Very good. I’ve been coming here for many years, and I know the family well."
-What a nice final as well, you were down by two goals until the last minute…
"We figured out a way to do it the hard way because we certainly didn’t do it the easy way. It was a great game. I told somebody, I don’t know that I’ve ever seen Miguel (Novillo Astrada) play as hard as he did. I’ve played with him and against him for many years. It was fun—a good game."
-What does it mean to you to play at La Aguada, in this field, this organization?
"The fields are excellent. Like I said, I’ve been coming here for many years. The Novillo Astrada family has been very kind to me over the years, and I’m glad to play here. I know how prestigious this Cup and this tournament are, and it’s very, very special for us to win it."
-Gringo Colombres told us that this is the team you’ll be playing in the U.S., is that correct?
"That’s correct. For the USPA Gold Cup and the U.S. Open, we’ll have this team. My son will also be participating in the C.V. Whitney Cup, and we’ll swap out Joaquin for Geronimo Obregon."
-Quite a nice way to warm up!
"Yes, yes. That was the purpose for me to come down here to Argentina."
-To come and win?
"Well, I don’t know about winning, but to come and play. It worked out that way—a good start for us. Hopefully, we can improve, capitalize on it, and go into the Florida season well."
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