The summer high-goal season is over, but polo does not stop. As the leaves turn, the centre of gravity shifts to France, the last British fixtures and then Argentina. Here is a guide to where to look this autumn.
Chantilly: the Open de France
The 26th Open de France Barnes began on 4 September at the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly and runs until 20 September. Twelve teams are playing at 14 to 16 goals, which is a great level for a spectator, and the club has a women’s Open de France alongside it.
The last of the English summer
England’s clubs are wrapping up, but there are still some good tournaments to catch:
- Guards Polo Club: the Major General’s Cup runs from 4 to 6 September, and the Chairman’s Trophy from 8 to 13 September
- Cowdray Park: the HPA Autumn Cup for 10 to 12 goals and the Farewell Cup for 0 to 6 goals both run from 2 to 20 September, with the Farewell Cup the last event on the club’s calendar
- Sotogrande: the Copa San Enrique de Guadiaro (3 to 6 September) and the Farewell Cup (10 to 13 September) close the Spanish season at 6 to 8 goals
The Hurlingham Polo Association has also reported that John Nash, aged 86 and the oldest active polo player, is attempting a Guinness World Record.
Argentina wakes up
The Argentine Triple Crown begins on 22 September with the Hurlingham Open, which runs until 3 October. The Tortugas Open follows from 6 October to 7 November, and the Argentine Open at Palermo from 10 November to 12 December. This year’s calendar has a notable change: a qualification tournament, played on 24 September, 28 September and 2 October, decides which teams join the Argentine Open and, for the first time, the Tortugas Open.
La Natividad La Dolfina, rated at 40 goals, are the defending champions of all three events, having completed the Triple Crown last year, and Ellerstina Indios Chapaleufu (37 goals) are their chief rivals.
A curtain-raiser at San Isidro
Before the Triple Crown starts, the Jockey Club Open at San Isidro begins on Tuesday 8 September, with five teams rated between 28 and 34 goals. It is a good early gauge of form, because the same teams that will play the Triple Crown take part, and the final is scheduled for Saturday 19 September.
We have an eye on every one of these events, and we will report back each Monday.
Sources: Polo Times (Triple Crown dates), Polo Press (Guards calendar), Polo Press (Cowdray calendar)
