Bartolomé “Barto” Castagnola has just blown out 24 candles by the sea in Punta del Este, with his girlfriend Chule for special company, among friends, at a barbecue, at bowling… and also at polo. Because yes, even when he’s relaxing, tacos and horses are always present in his life.
What is striking is his slow speech with a calmness that contrasts with the magnitude of what has been achieved this year. He uses the plural almost unintentionally, as if it were a way of being in the world. This “we” has its own name: Camilo, his brother, with whom he shared a room, a school, horses and now the top of world polo. A kind of symbiotic partnership that carries over from life to the field, where you often don’t even have to speak to know what the other is thinking.
Family history helps to understand everything. On his father’s side, Barto is the son of Lolo Castagnola, the seven-time champion of Palermo. Grandson of Adolfo Cambiaso on his mother’s side and nephew of Adolfito, who is now considered the best player in the world with more than 1,000 goals. So Barto grew up among wickers, bowls and horses, and when a fall caused the first fear, it was his mother who slowly and with an attentive eye placed him back on the platform, almost like a premonition of the whirlpool that would come later.
Today, with the help of the “dream team” La Natividad-La Dolfina and with the Triple Crown in his pocket, Barto talks to LA NACION about carrying his last name without being overweight and about a promising future that, despite all the odds, does not cause feelings of dizziness.
–The Triple Crown is just finished. How do you live the day after?
–It’s very nice, but sometimes you don’t fall. You go back to the field, to your friends, to play tournaments, and keep doing your thing for a while. But then you realize that you can enjoy it all year round, precisely because we work for it all year round.
– This year they won everything as a family. What does that mean?
–It’s incredible. Play with your brother, with your family and sometimes against the family. When the game starts, you forget about the blood: we all want to win. But when it’s over, there’s something truly unique about being able to share it.
– Do you remember the first time they put you on a horse?
–I started when I was three years old, I have almost no idea. I remember one time I fell off a cliff and was scared. The one who raised me again was mom. Little by little, first with her, then alone, until I lost my fear of her. Thanks to her I am here.
–With your brother Camilo (known as “Jeta”) they shared a room, a school and now a handicap of 10. And when you talk about polo, it’s in the plural. Does this also happen on the field?
–Yes, totally. We know each other like the back of our hands. We started playing together as children, so we hardly have to talk to each other. There are no secret codes or strange symbols: it is natural to us. We played almost blind. And we share a lot off the field too, we live close to each other and have the same circle of friends, that adds up a lot.
–Does the last name bother you?
– The pressure may be there, but I have never experienced it as something that torments me. On the contrary, it is good, it requires doing things well. I like it. I don’t feel like I have to be like everyone else.
–You have two very strong voices around you: your father Lolo and your uncle Adolfito. What do these tips look like?
–They are both very intense and think very similarly. You spend all day thinking about horses, exercises and details. This is good for us because we are more relaxed.
–Who is the most discussed?
– To dad, because he is dad (laughs). In general, people accept it more quickly when it comes from Adolfito. We take turns. Dad laughs to death: when we argue with him, he sends Adolfito or Poroto to tell us the same thing.
–Is there any advice that is always repeated?
– My old man always tells us that you’re not so good when you win and you’re not so bad when you lose. Don’t get fatter or more depressed. This helps to stay grounded and humble.
– And Camila, your mother, what role does she play today?
–She always accompanied us. When we were kids he took us to tournaments and to this day he hasn’t missed a game or practice. She is the biggest fan of all. He only suffers when we play against each other.
–Are you a Cabulero?
–Before it was more. I tried to let go because you’re going crazy. Now I always have my ritual when changing clothes: First I put on the boots and the left knee pad. It’s nonsense, but I’ve already automated it.
–Do you talk to the horses?
– No, I’m looking at her. I never talk to them.
– The perfect final and the MVP controversy with Poroto (N.de R.: Due to an apparent confusion, the MVP award of the Palermo polo final was given to his cousin, Poroto Cambiaso). What did you feel?
– Actually nothing. I don’t care at all. They told me that they gave it to me first and that they were confused, but it didn’t bother me at all. The only thing I wanted was to win. Poroto played impressively, my brother was there too. No jealousy.
–Do you influence the networks or what is said around you?
–Sometimes you see it because they mention you, but when they say something bad I laugh to death. I don’t give it any meaning. I only have Instagram, not TikTok, because that would waste too much time and I’m already on my phone enough as it is.
–You have been in a relationship with the singer Chule von Wernich for two years. How is this accompanied?
–I travel a lot and often I can’t accompany you as often as I would like. I try it when I’m in Argentina. When I go abroad – to the USA, to England, to Spain – she is sometimes the one who accompanies me, she helps me a lot. He comes from a polo family, so he understands that life, but his career is very much rooted in music. It’s not easy, but we’re trying. Terrible singing too! (laughs). The other day when we were partying at a bowling alley on the Costanera, I stood on stage and grabbed the microphone when the band was there…it was great!
– What do you talk about when you’re not talking about polo?
-Sport. I like playing soccer, although I try to take care of myself so as not to hurt myself, and tennis. I love the beach, nature. I don’t particularly like cinema. And sing, no: I’ve already said that I’m terrible.
–What’s next after winning so many open titles at such a young age?
– Continue working. This came quickly, but there are many good generations and you must not be careless.
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