Friday, 19 September 2025
Despite the sweltering heat in Chantilly, the semi-finals of the 25th Open de France Barnes delivered their fair share of chills. The two contrasting matches were played with the same intensity, setting up a promising final between Octogone and Kazak. These two teams are led by French captains Sébastien Aguettant and Alexis Morange, who will compete for the 25th title of the tournament’s history. Players unanimously recognise the competition as one of the most competitive in the world at this 16-goal level, with matches taking place on some of the best facilities on the circuit.
This was also the view of Louis Hine, most valuable player of the game, who has been a real revelation in the tournament. He is much more than just Pelón Stirling’s right-hand man. He said: “It’s an incredible tournament. I’m really happy to be playing here in Chantilly with Octogone. I’m more than happy, as it’s a great end to the season for me – we’re in the final! The team is wonderful and really well organised – it’s pure joy here.”
Having already scored 37 goals, the young player from England is second in the scoring charts, and the final will undoubtedly offer him further opportunities to score.
And Octogone flew away
Octogone got off to a flying start in this semi-final (8-2 in the second chukker), leaving La Magdeleine chasing the score without ever managing to close the gap. It was a clear and controlled victory in which the young Brit’s enthusiasm and Pelón Stirling’s experience both played a decisive role. “Yes, we had a very good start to the match, which allowed us to pull away. La Magdeleine came back from six goals down to three. We then had to manage the advantage we had gained at the start,” summed up the ten-time Argentine champion, all smiles.
However, there was a feeling that Octogone had eased off at the end of the match, a suggestion that Pelón immediately refuted: “No, not at all! Opposite us was a very good team, a big organisation. They play in England and other places; they have great players, so we had to stay alert. We’ve already seen some dramatic comebacks in this tournament. In the last minute, yes, we eased off a bit because we were four goals ahead and had a final on Sunday… we also had to let our horses catch their breath.”
This match will also be remembered for the two magnificent goals scored by captain Alexis Morange with subtle backhand shots between the posts: “That’s Alexis,” smiled Pelón. “It’s on the big occasions that he shows his true ability. He was on fire!”
Kazak sticks together at the end of the match
The second semi-final was hit by a stroke of bad luck: Sapo Caset was forced to leave the field early on after injuring his hand in the second chukker, with Alejandro Muzzio taking his place. This slowed the game’s pace, resulting in a much tighter, more tactical match with few goals. Although there were no fireworks, the constant intensity kept the suspense going until the very end.
It was Muzzio’s revival in the third and fourth periods that reignited the match: first, a superb golazo under the neck; then, a foul provoked at 30 yards and converted at the start of the fifth chukker. This caused Fran Elizalde some concern for a moment. “Yes, it was a very tough match, but first of all, poor Sapo. He broke his finger and had to leave the field too soon. It was such a beautiful day! But I admit we didn’t play our best polo. I know the team is capable of much better. When Alejandro Muzzio got going, he played fantastically, scoring a great goal, and we had to step up our game to secure our place in the final.”
This was breathtaking polo! It has been heartbreaking to see such great teams eliminated since the quarter-finals, as the standard of play has been so high. Now, however, the title will be decided on Sunday between Octogone and Kazak. It will be a first for the former, while the latter will have the opportunity to reclaim a trophy they previously won in 2023.
Women’s International Test Match: a remarkable achievement by Les Bleues!
As a prelude to the men’s semi-finals, the audience was treated to a superb women’s international test match between France and England.
The French women played a solid game, but faced with Hazel Jackson – who was on fire in the third chukker after already scoring a magnificent 60 yards in the second – the task looked complicated.
However, the fourth period turned everything around: Elena Venot converted a penalty, but Hazel immediately replied to give England some breathing space. Then Elena scored another 60-yard penalty to bring France back to within one goal. Hope grew even further after a fine run by Paloma Lauro, finished off by a goal from Lucie Venot, giving Les Bleues a half-length lead. The coup de grâce came from a back pass by Lucie Venot, perfectly followed by Ambre Ploix, who slotted the ball between the posts.
A great weekend for the public
While we now have to wait until Sunday to watch promising final of Open de France Barnes, the focus shifts to the women’s tournament tomorrow with the semi-finals of the Women’s Open. The unexpected Monarquia will take on Augustinus Bader at 2 pm, while Rouge Absolu will face Samasphère. In the first match, Argentina’s Lia Salvo will need to devise a strategy to counter an American team that took everyone by surprise in the qualifiers. Meanwhile, the other match will see a clash between American star Hope Arellano and English star Hazel Jackson, both of whom have a handicap of 10. Some great battles are in store here too.
As always in Chantilly, admission is free for the public. On Saturday and Sunday, the village will open its doors at 11:00 am with exhibitors, entertainment and food trucks: plenty of good reasons to come and enjoy a weekend celebrating polo.
Scores & statistics
The semi-finals of the 2025 Open de France Barnes
Octogone Polo Team (16): Alexis Morange (0, 2 goals), Justo Laulhé (3, 1 goal), Louis Hine (5, 7 goals) and David ‘Pelón’ Stirling (8, 1 goal)
vs.
La Magdeleine (17): Alexandre Garese (0), Italo Viglienchio (1, 1 goal), Facundo F. Llorente (8, 3 goals) and Jeronimo del Carril (8, 5 goals)
Octogone score progression: 5–2 / 8–2 / 9–5 / 11–6 and 12–9
🙋♂️ MVP (most valuable player): Louis Hine (Octogone)
🐎 BPP (Best Playing Pony): Nieta ridden by Facundo Llorente
🐎 BPP AACCP (Best Playing Pony Registered in the Argentine Stud Book): Oriental United ridden by Pelon Sirting
Essso (16): Ian Gallienne (0), Mack McCaffery (1, 1 goal), Guillermo ‘Sapo’ Caset (9, replaced in the 2nd chukker by Ale Muzzio (8 and 1 goal), Javier Guerrero Jr. (6, 2 goals)
vs.
Kazak Polo Team (16): Sébastien Aguettant (0), Ramon Collardin (2), Francisco Elizalde (8, 3 goals), Simon Prado (6, 2 goals) + One penalty 1
Kazak progression: 0-1 / 1-1 / 3-1 / 4-3 and 6-4
🙋♂️MVP (most valuable player): Javier Guerrero Jr. (Essso)
🐎 BPP (Best Playing Pony): Bambina played by Javier Guerrero Jr. (Essso)
🐎 BPP AACCP (Best Playing Pony registered in the Argentine stud book): Escriba Cabala played by Fran Elizalde
👉 Result: France 6.5 – 5 England
(Progression: 1 ½ – 2 / 2 ½ – 2 / 2 ½-4 and 6 ½ -5)
France (19): Paloma Lauro (3), Ambre Ploix (5, 2 goals), Elena Venot (7, 2 penalties), Lucie Venot (5, 1 goal)
vs.
England (21): Kristina White (1), Hazel Jackson (10, 4 goals including 1 penalty), Tamara Fox (6), Rebecca Walters (5, 1 penalty goal)
🙋♀️ MVP: Elena Venot (France)
🐎 BPP: Absolut Revoltosa, bred by Alejandro Novillo Astrada, owned by Pierre-Henri N’Goumou and ridden by Hazel Jackson
The semi-finals of the 2025 Open de France féminin
Saturday, September 20 – 2:00 p.m.
La Monarquia (15): Megan Manubay (1), Marion Ambrosetti (3), Svenja Holty (4), Milagros Sanchez (7)
vs.
Augustinus Bader (16): Paloma Lauro (3), Mendoza Houben (0), Ambre Ploix (5), Lia Salvo (8)
Saturday, September 20 – 3:30 p.m.
Rouge Absolu (16): Kristina White (1), Louise Owen (0), Rebecca Walters (5), Hazel Jackson (10)
vs.
Samasphère (16): Megan Kawohl (0), Kitana Saint Cyr (0), Fatima Balzano (6), Hope Arellano (10)
The matches will be broadcast live on Pololine TV.
The scores will be released in real time on ChukkerApp.
Browse and read the Barnes French Open magazine here, featuring topics and angles that may interest you.
CONTACTS PRESSE
To find out more about polo, feel free to ask us any questions you may have! Or request an interview with a player or someone in charge of the organisation..
Pascal Renauldon
+33 6 08 75 94 07
p.renauldon@rbpresse.com
Adèle Renauldon
+33 6 50 05 69 34
adele@rbpresse.com
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ABOUT 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.