A large crowd gathered for the final of the 25th Open de France Barnes, undoubtedly attracted by the Pelón effect. His matches had been “sold out” for the last three weeks, and this climax to a tournament of rare intensity was inevitably eagerly awaited. However, Stirling offered much more than just a sporting spectacle. Although he suffered a nasty fall in the second chukker and was clearly injured in the shoulder, the Uruguayan refused to give up. Despite the pain, he got back on his horse and led the team of his French captain, Alexis Morange, to victory.
In the women’s competition, Argentina’s Lia Salvo skillfully directed her players to build a successful team game, leading Augustinus Bader to their first ever victory in Chantilly.
The men’s final got off to a slow start despite three spectacular goals from Simon Prado in the first half, giving Kazak an early lead. But those were to be his only goals. Octogone then began to fight back before disaster struck. “It was on a part of the field that was still wet, Stirling recounted. I wanted to turn right, but my mare stumbled and I fell, hitting my shoulder and head on the ground.” After lying on the ground for a long time and receiving treatment at the palenque, he bravely got back in the saddle. “I probably injured my shoulder, but I hope not. I’m a little worried because I have to play my season in Argentina. I really hope it’s not serious,” he continued.
Serious or not, Stirling played his part bravely, scoring three of his team’s nine goals. This included the sixth goal in the fourth chukker, which created the first break in favour of Octogone. It looked almost as if the pain had been erased: “It wasn’t a question of forgetting the pain; it was more that the whole team made a huge effort. Everyone played very well; everyone gave their all. It was this team spirit that enabled us to win, because we were up against a great team.”
And indeed: Louis Hine, the second highest scorer in the tournament with 34 goals, shone in attack and scored four goals, and Justo Laulhé was solid and inspired and scored an improbable golazo from nearly 50 metres. Captain Alexis Morange also played a key role, providing the cohesion needed for Octogone to prevail in this prestigious event. “Yes, it’s a very special victory, added Stirling. It’s a big tournament, very competitive, with sixteen teams involved. For our first time participating, Gabriel (the team manager) and I built an excellent team with Louis and Justo, and Alexis created a great atmosphere. I think that’s Octogone’s greatest strength.”
Stirling is now heading to Argentina to nurse his injured shoulder before attempting to qualify a new team for the Abierto. A team called… Kazak. In a delicious twist of irony, after beating Kazak in the final of the Open de France, he will be looking to qualify its Argentinian version to play on the legendary canchas of Palermo. “Qualifying would already be a victory. In any case, that’s the main goal of my season,” smiled the Uruguayan as he stepped off the podium, yet not without a grimace of pain.
Women’s Open de France: Lia Salvo leads Augustinus Bader to victory!
The women’s final had a wonderful surprise in store for the Chantilly audience. Facing the formidable American Hope Arellano and her team, Samasphère, regarded as the tournament favourites, Augustinus Bader pulled off a stunning victory, winning 7-5.
After a closely contested start (3-3, then 4-4 at half-time), Lia Salvo’s intelligent play made the difference. Always well positioned and ever-present in recoveries, she was able to organise and distribute the ball, perfectly fulfilling her role as playmaker.
The balanced distribution of goals reflects the team’s cohesion: two for Salvo, two for Paloma Lauro, two for Ambre Ploix, and one for Mendoza Houben, who scored her first goal of the tournament at the perfect moment. Paloma Lauro, who played particularly well, was voted MVP of the final.
On the other side, Hope Arellano impressed once again, scoring several superb goals, including one after a splendid reverse shot. However, the American, who had been unstoppable until then, missed a few penalties at the end of the game. Next to her, Fatima Balzano was solid, working hard to keep Samasphère in the game.
Finally, another factor came into play: Brieuc Rigaux’s cavalry. Thanks to his horses, Lia Salvo and her team-mates were able to maintain their speed and stamina until the very end. For Lia, winning her third title at Chantilly felt like revenge for her defeat in last year’s final: “This victory means a lot to me. Chantilly is a bit like a second home. I was hungry for victory this year, and I was fortunate to be well mounted, thanks to Brieuc Rigaux’s horses. My role was mainly to defend and distribute, because I knew all my teammates could score. And they did – we won as a team, and that’s what makes me happiest.”
Three weeks of happiness came to an end, featuring increasingly competitive polo, fabulous horses and impeccable technical organisation courtesy of Philippe Perrier and his team. There was also a friendly atmosphere orchestrated by President Arnaud de Chênevarin, including an unforgettable evening at the Grandes Écuries, and a large audience of nearly 2,000 spectators gathered around the Terrain d’Honneur for the finals. There are only eleven months until the next Open de France Barnes… we can’t wait!
Teams, statistics and trophies
Octogone (16): Alexis Morange (0), Justo Laulhé (3, 1 goal), Louis Hine (5, 4 goals) and David Stirling (8, 3 goals) + 1 penalty 1
Kazak (16): Sébastien Aguettant (0), Ramon Collardin (2, 2 goals), Simon Prado (6, 3 goals) and Francisco Elizalde (1)
Progression Octogone: 1-3 / 3-3 / 5-4 / 6-4 and 9-6
BPP (best playing pony): Open Big Sister from the Ellerstina Z stud farm, ridden by Fran Elizalde (Kazak)
BPP AACCP (best playing pony registered in the Argentine stud book): Oriental Malaquita, ridden by Louis Hine and owned by Pelon Stirling
MVP (most valuable player) by FlyPolo: Pelon Stirling (Octogone)
Amateur MVP: Alexis Morange (Octogone).
FairPlay Standing Rock: Octogone
Women’s Open:
Augustinus Bader (16 goals): Paloma Lauro (3, 2 goals), Mendoza Houben (0, 1 goal), Ambre Ploix (5, 2 goals), Lia Salvo (8, 2 goals)
Samasphere (16 goals): Megan Kawohl (0), Kitana Saint Cyr (0), Fatima Balzano (6), Hope Arellano (10, 5 goals)
Progression Augustinus Bader: 3-3 / 4-4 / 6-5 and 7-5
BPP (best playing pony): Pokémon, played by Hope Arellano, owned by Julien Reynes
MVP (most valuable player) : Paloma Lauro (Augustinus Bader)
Pictures & Text : © Pascal Renauldon / R&B Presse
