Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly
A quarter century of elite polo!
Thursday, 28 August 2025
Created in 2001, the Open de France Barnes is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. A jubilee edition that brings together, more than ever, the very best of international polo in the unique setting of the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly. Three weeks of competition, over thirty matches, sixteen teams on the starting line and a tournament that promises to be truly exceptional.
The kick-off will be given in just seven days, with a dream opening game: Esso vs. Talandracas – a clash between two of the world’s best, Argentines Juan-Martin Zubia and the unmissable Sapo Caset (H8 and H9 in Argentina). From the very first chukker, the tone will be set.
The handicap system reflects the level of play: from -2 for a beginner to 10 for the absolute elite. In Argentina, the global benchmark, there are only 7 men and 3 women rated 10 goals, 13 men and 5 women at 9 goals, and 31 men and 2 women at 8 goals. Barely sixty players worldwide.
It is worth noting that the women’s scale is distinct: a 10-goal woman is roughly equivalent to a 3/4-goal player in mixed polo.
Several of these stars will be in Chantilly:
• David “Pelón” Stirling (ten Palermo titles, long rated 10 and today 9 in Argentina, H8 in Europe),
• Sapo Caset (finalist in Palermo, 9 in Argentina),
• Juan-Martin Zubia (H8 and 9 in Argentina),
• Guillermo Terrera (H8 and 9 in Argentina, Palermo semi-finalist),
• Fran Elizalde (title holder of the 2024 Open de France with La Fija Sandbox, H8 and 9 in Argentina, Palermo finalist),
• Matias Torres Zavaleta (H7 and 8 in Argentina),
• Tito Ruiz Guiñazu (H7 and 8 in Argentina),
• Alfredo Capella (H8, contributed to La Fija Sandbox’s victory in the 2024 Open de France),
• Facundo Llorente (H8, Palermo semi-finalist),
• Jero del Carril (H8 and 9 in Argentina, Palermo semi-finalist),
• Diego Cavanagh (H8, Palermo semi-finalist).
The best French player of this 25th edition will be Sainte-Mesme’s captain Robert Strom (H5), fresh off winning the Copa de Bronce in Sotogrande (22 goals) against Barto Castagnola, before beating the Spanish powerhouse La Dolfina-Marqués de Riscal, featuring none other than Poroto Cambiaso, in a Copa de Oro qualifier. Two achievements that show this team, already three-time winner of the Open de France, is arriving in Chantilly in peak form.
And on the women’s side:
• Hazel Jackson (10 F, Great Britain),
• Lia Salvo (9 F, Argentina),
• Milly Hine (8 F, England),
• Hope Arellano (10 F, USA),
• and France’s no.1 Elena Venot (7 F).
All four of theme have already lifted the cup of the Women’s French Open (knowing that this is Hope Arellano’s first French Open). Who will hold the precious trophy again this year?
A unique double tournament in Europe
The Open de France Barnes is the highest-level mixed tournament in Europe in September. In parallel, the Women’s Open de France (created in 2011) continues to grow each year, attracting the very best female players from around the world.
In total: 16 mixed teams from 7 nations and 7 women’s teams representing 11 nations will compete on the club’s eight grass fields and the nearby grounds of Sainte-Mesme and La Magdeleine.
A celebration of polo and the public
More than just a sporting event, the Open de France is a true celebration: free entry every day, a countryside atmosphere, picnics by the fields, food trucks, an exhibitor’s village, a children’s area, a classic car rally and polo initiations on wooden horses. The semi-finals and finals (September 19 and 21) will provide a unique experience to share with friends or family the very best of international polo in an outstanding setting.
A visit during the week is like taking a trip to Argentina without boarding a plane: petiseros in boina and bombachas cheering their teammates from the sidelines when they are not playing, stables filled with Latin music, horses trained in strings of five or seven led by a single rider, mate passing from hand to hand… At this time of year, you hear more Spanish than French at the Ferme d’Apremont, transformed into a true Argentine hive buzzing with nearly 1,200 horses – 80% of them from Argentina!
Whether you come midweek or on the finals weekend, it makes no difference: every single match of the Open de France Barnes is thrilling; it’s not just about the finals.
Teams and fixture
&
Scores updated live on ChukkerApp
The matches will be broadcast live on Pololine TV.
Browse and read the Barnes French Open magazine here, featuring topics and perspectives that may interest you.
À PROPOS DU POLO CLUB DU DOMAINE DE CHANTILLY :
Founded by Patrick Guerrand Hermès and a group of shareholders in 1995 and managed since then by Philippe Perrier, the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly covers an area of 130 hectares. With nine grass pitches and one sand pitch (arena), it is the largest polo club in Europe and has been hosting the renowned French Open since 2001, attracting the world’s best players to this prestigious tournament, one of 60 grass tournaments held each year on the grounds of the Ferme d’Apremont. As the headquarters of the French Polo Federation, the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly is open to all: all matches from April to October are free to the general public. poloclubchantilly.com – @polodechantilly
About U.S. Polo Assn.—Official Jersey and Apparel Sponsor of the Barnes Open de France
We are proud to announce that U.S. Polo Assn. and the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly have renewed their partnership for the 2025 season.
U.S. Polo Assn. is the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the largest association of polo clubs and polo players in the United States, founded in 1890. This year, U.S. Polo Assn. celebrates 135 years of sports inspiration alongside the USPA.
As part of this partnership, U.S. Polo Assn. supports the prestigious Open de France, scheduled from September 3 to 21, 2025. A major fixture on the international polo calendar, the tournament will gather 16 teams from across the globe.
As the Official Jersey and Apparel Sponsor, U.S. Polo Assn. will provide custom performance jerseys for all participating teams and outfitting for the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly staff members.
In collaboration with the French Polo Federation, we look forward to an exceptional 2025 Barnes Open de France.