British Lady Polo Players travel to France
By Victoria Elsbury-Legg
Following in the success of the English gentleman players (Max Dear 0, Olly Tuthill 4, Jack Mesquita 1 and Freddy Dear 3) in France at the weekend, where they beat Ireland (Richard Fagan 1, Sebastian Dawnay 4, Max Hutchinson 2 and Stephen Hutchinson 1) 6-3 in the FIP European 8 Goal Championships, it is now the turn of the British lady players to show the French their skill and talent.
Wednesday 17th September is the starting date for the 3rd Women’s French Open – an 8-12 goal tournament hosted by Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly. The tournament features four all-female teams, including four players from the UK, Heloise Wilson-Smith, Charlene Goudkuil, Emma Boers and Hazel Jackson. The four teams are: Espirt Du Maryland (Heloise Wilson-Smith, Charlotte Garaud, Laetitia Guillemin and Gabriella Turk); Chariol La Victorie (Emma Boers, Caroline Anier, Emmanuelle Morandi and Marie Victorie de Coulange); Centre Porsche Roissy (Lia Salvo, Lavinia Fabre and two German lady players) and Tom Tailor Polo Team (Hazel Jackson, Charlene Goudkuil and Naomi and Tahnee Scroder, which is the highest handicapped team at 12 goals.
With three out of the four teams including at least one lady player from the UK there looks certain to be a British player to cheer on in the Final on Sunday 21st September.