This PGH Cup, played in tribute to the club’s founder Patrick Guerrand-Hermès, who passed away in August 2024 during a horseback ride on his beloved Apremont grounds, took place this time in the presence of his son Olaf. And somehow, fate decided that the trophy would be won by Audaz, the team led by Brieuc Rigaux, one of the players Patrick Guerrand-Hermès had spotted at a very young age before mentoring and supporting him on his rise through the highest levels of French polo.
On the field, the final fully lived up to expectations. A true 12-goal battle, intense and spectacular, with both teams trading blows throughout the game. At the end of the third chukker, the score was still perfectly tied at 5-5, although Audaz gradually seemed to gain the upper hand and control the tempo of the match a little better.
Then came the rain…
One of those sudden downpours capable of completely changing the complexion of a final. And indeed, Audaz suddenly appeared to shift into another gear.
“Not entirely,” smiled Brieuc Rigaux, the tournament’s top scorer with 20 goals to his name. “Actually, we had started pretty well. We were leading 2-0 and then 4-2 before they came back into the game. I think we caught them a little cold at the beginning. But honestly, those conditions suited the spirit of our team quite well. We are a group of warriors. There’s huge motivation, a fantastic atmosphere between us, and everyone plays with the knife between their teeth… So the rain, we barely even noticed it.”
For several years now, team number 3 Jota Chavanne has been playing in Chantilly with various teams, but never alongside Brieuc Rigaux. For the 2026 season, Rigaux convinced the Argentine to join the lineup captained by Nicolas Constant.
“It’s the first time in my life I’ve played with him. I’ve known him for twenty-five years, but always as an opponent until now. We’re the same age, we share the same references, we watched the same things on television when we were kids… so we understand each other immediately. We have the same jokes, the same codes.”
Those two clearly found each other.
Within the team, the fourth man also deserves special mention. Playing at number 2, young Côme Dubois did far more than simply fulfil his role, multiplying decisive plays throughout the final. Starting with that superb open backhand sent coolly through the posts after connecting with an almost improbable pass from Brieuc Rigaux coming – seemingly – from another planet… or more precisely from the right-side 60-yard mark. A play that certainly contributed to Dubois being named MVP of the final.
This victory gives Audaz the perfect start to its season ahead of next week’s Trophée Bourbon.
“First of all, we’re going to enjoy this one a little bit… because you don’t win a 12-goal tournament every day. And then of course, we’ll try to keep this momentum going.”
For Olaf Guerrand-Hermès, the final naturally carried a very special meaning.
“Yes, it’s extremely emotional for me. Brieuc was already playing with my father almost thirty years ago when they won the French Championship together. So seeing him win this PGH trophy today, thirty years later… obviously has a very special meaning for me. I’m very happy for him. And very happy that he won here today.”
Despite the almost “English-style” weather, the rain ultimately spoiled nothing. Quite the opposite, in fact. It once again highlighted the remarkable quality of Chantilly’s grounds before this beautiful day of polo ended, as it so often does here, in a warm atmosphere filled with champagne bubbles, empanadas and long conversations by the side of the field.
The 2026 season is now truly underway. The celebrations for the club’s 30th anniversary will continue next Friday with the Trophée Bourbon, where no fewer than nine teams are entered… along with, hopefully, the return of the sunshine.
STATISTICS
Audaz (France): Nicolas Constant 0, Côme Dubois 2 (3 goals), Jota Chavanne 5 (1 goal) and Brieuc Rigaux 5 (5 goals, including 3 penalties).
Rinidia Hunt & Polo (Italy): Riccardo Paganelli 0, Tomas Delfino 5 (1 goal), Bautista Fanelli 3 (1 goal), Jeronimo Fanelli 4 (3 penalties).
Score progression: 4-2 / 4-4 / 5-5 / 8-5 / 9-5
Best Playing Pony: Irenita Sonora (Libano x Power Pimpinela), a 12-year-old mare ridden and owned by Tomas Delfino (Rinidia Hunt & Polo).
MVP by Softshield : Côme Dubois (Audaz).