Chantilly, France (22 July 2024)
It was a match of sad memory for French polo, which on 28 June 1924 in Saint-Cloud, France, even before the official opening ceremony of the Games of the VIII Olympiad, lost 15-1 to the Americans.
On August 6, at the ephemeral equestrian park in Versailles, the last Olympic equestrian title will be awarded, that of individual show jumping. On the following day, August 7, the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly, supported by the global sportswear brand U.S. Polo Assn., will host a match commemorating the 1924 Olympic game between the 2024 versions of the French and American national teams. A high-level ‘rematch’, over five periods, to be played at 5.00pm on the main field of the Ferme d’Apremont, home of the French Polo Federation, which is also one of the biggest clubs in the world with its nine grass fields.
Like all equestrian sports, polo is a mixed sport, and both teams will be presenting their federation’s best female player. On the French side, it will be Elena Venot, 7-goaler for women (and 2 mixed), winner of the female Open de France on two occasions and of the Polo Nations Cup 2023 (and finalist this year). For the United States, it will simply be the best player in the world, Hope Arellano, women 10-goaler, currently the only female 10-goal player (and 3 mixed), and winner of the ‘ultimate’ women’s tournament, the Women’s Argentine Open.
For visitors to the Paris 2024 Games, this will be an opportunity to extend the Olympic equestrian experience with a discipline that is less well known today, but just as spectacular, in a “calmer” and more relaxed atmosphere: admission will be free, and a glass of champagne and commemorative logo caps will even be waiting for the first 1,000 visitors, who, after the match, will be able to enjoy a small “village” with commercial stands and food-trucks.
Worth knowing: HANDICAP
The handicap corresponds to the level of the polo player (it varies between -2 and +10). The handicap varies according to the player’s performance in matches, the progress made during the year, and the quality of his horses. The highest handicap in France is 6 and in Europe 7 (England).
The 10 handicap is currently held by eight Argentinians and one Uruguayan. There are specific handicaps for players, from 0 to 10. For example, a female player has two handicaps, a mixed handicap for playing with men and a women’s handicap for tournaments reserved exclusively for women, such as the French Open or the Argentine Women’s Open (in September, from 17 to 22, and in December for Argentina).
On August 6, at the ephemeral equestrian park in Versailles, the last Olympic equestrian title will be awarded, that of individual show jumping. On the following day, August 7, the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly, supported by the global sportswear brand U.S. Polo Assn., will host a match commemorating the 1924 Olympic game between the 2024 versions of the French and American national teams. A high-level ‘rematch’, over five periods, to be played at 5.00pm on the main field of the Ferme d’Apremont, home of the French Polo Federation, which is also one of the biggest clubs in the world with its nine grass fields.
Like all equestrian sports, polo is a mixed sport, and both teams will be presenting their federation’s best female player. On the French side, it will be Elena Venot, 7-goaler for women (and 2 mixed), winner of the female Open de France on two occasions and of the Polo Nations Cup 2023 (and finalist this year). For the United States, it will simply be the best player in the world, Hope Arellano, women 10-goaler, currently the only female 10-goal player (and 3 mixed), winner of the ‘ultimate’ tournament of the world, the Argentine Open.
For visitors to the Paris 2024 Games, this will be an opportunity to extend the Olympic equestrian experience with a discipline that is less well known today, but just as spectacular, in a “calmer” and more relaxed atmosphere: admission will be free, and a glass of champagne and commemorative logo caps will even be waiting for the first 1,000 visitors, who, after the match, will be able to enjoy a small “village” with commercial stands and food-trucks.