XVIII Argentine Embassy Cup: A Celebration of Argentine Culture
By Kathleen Pokrud
The 18th edition of the Argentine Embassy Cup unfolded with flair at the Thai Polo Club in Pattaya, marking another milestone in this prestigious annual tournament co-hosted by the Thai Polo Club and the Embassy of Argentina in Thailand.
This year’s competition featured four spirited teams: Argentina, Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore, who battled over two thrilling days. The Grand Finale saw Argentina face off against Hong Kong in a nail-biting match, with both teams neck-and-neck until the final moments. Ultimately, Team Argentina clinched victory by the narrowest of margins, winning 5.5 to 5 and securing the coveted title.
Argentina’s dominance in polo is legendary. The sport, played on horseback with mallets and a ball, is deeply embedded in Argentine heritage. Argentine players are widely regarded as the finest in the world, and their horses, which are bred and trained for both polo and racing, are internationally sought after. Fittingly, most of the players across all four teams were Argentine nationals, and the majority of horses in the tournament were imported from Argentina.
Horses hold a special place in Argentine history, once serving as the inseparable companions of the “gauchos”, the skilled horsemen of the pampas, Argentina’s fertile central plains. This legacy continues to shape the country’s equestrian excellence.
Over 80 distinguished guests attended the final matches, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the diplomatic corps, business leaders, media professionals and avid polo enthusiasts.
Guests were treated to a tasting of fine Argentine wines from renowned wineries imported by Thai distributors: Luigi Bosca (via Boozia Distribution Co Ltd), Antigal (via Noble Marketing Co Ltd), and Santa Ana and La Mascota (via Vanichwathana Co Ltd). Adding to the cultural immersion, traditional “Mate” drinks made from Yerba Mate, courtesy of Latino Secrets, were also served. Yerba Mate, derived from the Ilex Paraguariensis tree native to northeastern Argentina, is cherished for its energizing properties, vitamin richness and low calorie content. Today, Argentina stands as the world’s leading exporter of Yerba Mate products.
These signature Argentine offerings were also presented as prizes to winners across various categories, including Best Team, Runner-Up, Best Player and Referees, during the award ceremony held immediately after the final match.
To conclude the celebration, guests savored an authentic Argentine barbecue prepared by Chef Sergio González Crubelli of Don Asado Steakhouse, Bangkok’s premier Argentine dining destination. Revered globally, Argentine beef owes its excellence to natural grazing on lush pastures, optimal climate conditions and traditional rearing methods, earning its reputation as some of the finest meat in the world.
