At the final of the prestigious 26th Polo Open de France held at Chantilly Polo Club on Sunday September 20th 2026, the Eternal J team of Jean-Claude Le Grand, Louis Jarrige, Guillermo Alfredo Terrera and Julien Reynes, was presented with the Standing Rock Fair Play Award for demonstrating exceptional conduct, sportsmanship and horsemanship throughout the tournament.
Playing in the Quarter Final Trophee Conde and the Final Copa Amistad Costa Careyes, Eternal J was chosen by the umpires as the recipient of the Standing Rock Fair Play Award, due to the team’s respect for umpires, positive attitude, discipline and exceptional horse welfare that was demonstrated during the competition.
Throughout the French Open tournament, all teams were judged on the following specific criteria:
1. Team displaying the best sportsmanship
For example:
• shaking hands before and after the game
• respecting the opposition team
• assisting an opposing player who drops his/her mallet
• admitting when ball was out or when it was a goal for the other team
2. Best conduct towards umpires
For example:
• respecting the umpires and their decisions
• no arguing
• respecting goal judges
• only the Captain speaking
• thanking the umpires whatever the outcome
• providing a suitable umpire pony
• no public criticism of umpires after games
3. Best discipline and horse welfare on and off the field
For example:
• no shouting or cursing
• no whipping of ponies or other welfare issues
• being on time
• showing a sporting attitude with positive body language
• good care of ponies including offering water after the game
• helpful attitude and action with all officials and other teams
• demonstrating the core values the award represents
The group of international professional umpires for the French Open included Jason Dixon, Ben Turner, Henry Fisher, Peter Wright, Gaston Lucero, Jose Ignacio Araya and Clement Gosset. The umpires evaluated and scored teams after every match, with Chantilly Polo club overseeing the scoring and calculations to ensure the process was fair and transparent.
The prestigious Standing Rock Fair Play Trophy was presented to Eternal J by the President of the Chantilly Polo Club, Arnaud de Chênevarin, and President of the French Polo Federation, Jean-Edouard Mazery.
Polo Manager of Chantilly Polo Club, Benoit Perrier, described the third year of the initiative as, “A testament to the values of respect and sportsmanship that continue to inspire the global polo community.”
He also commented: “The Standing Rock Fair Play Award is a distinction presented at the Barnes Open de France, the 16-goal French Open held at the Chantilly Polo Club. It was initiated and sponsored by Swiss polo patron Philipp Müller and his team, Standing Rock, to represent sportsmanship, respect, and care for horses. Standing Rock’s attitude toward the sport reflects a blend of competitiveness and respect — embracing horsemanship and demonstrating a passionate yet respectful approach to polo.
This year the award went to the well-deserving Eternal J team and its captain Jean-Claude Le Grand with his two French professional players Julien Reynes and Louis Jarrige, plus Guillermo Terrera. Eternal J is dedicated to developing young talent and supporting French Polo.”
Gaining incredibly positive feedback from players, umpires and polo clubs since the Standing Rock Fair Play Award was inaugurated in 2024 as a new initiative, the award is expanding internationally by partnering with more polo clubs around the world, gaining increasing recognition and inspiring polo players and teams to set the highest levels of excellence and integrity in the sport.
Standing Rock Polo Team, founded and led by Swiss Patron Philipp Müller, has now pledged to support the presentation of the Standing Rock Fair Play Award by the HPA through the Victor Ludorum series in England; at The French Open; by the New Zealand Polo Association during the New Zealand Open; and by the New South Wales Polo Association in Australia.
