8/8/2024
Paris Games Polo Challenge: A Touch of the Olympics in Chantilly Where the United States Prevails
Elodie Pinguet | Published on August 8, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
This Wednesday, the Apremont farm, near Chantilly, hosted a polo match alongside the Olympic Games, reviving the opening match of the 1924 Games, the Paris Games Polo Challenge. And just like 100 years ago, the United States won against France 10-7.
The years go by… and they all look the same! 100 years ago, polo was on the program of the Paris Olympic Games, in 1924. On that occasion, the opening match pitted France against the United States. The American riders had won. In 2024, the idea was found on the sidelines of the Paris Games, to recreate this summit meeting. This historic match, the day after the individual show jumping final, was able to take place thanks to the two federations, the US Polo Association and the French Polo Federation, at the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly and the sponsor, the world-famous sportswear brand, US Polo Assn.
The American team consisted of Quinn Evans 1 (1 goal), Hope Arellano 3, Nicolas Escobar 5 (9 goals including 5 penalties) and Cody Ellis 5. The French team consisted of Elena Venot 2, Dorian Bulteau 3 (5 goals including 3 penalties), Julien Reynes 4 (1 penalty) and Clément Delfosse 5 (1 goal).
A high-flying Paris Games Polo Challenge
At the Polo Club de Chantilly, France was nevertheless well on its way. It took a very slight lead during the second period (3-2) while the United States equalized in the third (5-5). They were then untouchable in the last two, for a final score of 10-7 for the Americans. ” In the fourth chukker, we gave it our all by bringing out our best horses. We thank the owners of these horses. So I think that yes, it was this strategy of bringing out the best horses in the fourth period that made the difference,” analyzes Hope Arellano.
”Everything came down to the little details,” explained French team captain Clément Delfosse. ” We were up against a team with a little more experience, a finalist in the last World Championship. They were able to find the right horses for this match, which had a big impact on this encounter. We were a little over-revving during the three periods to be able to stay on the scoreboard. And then, it became a little more complicated when we had to start overtaking the horses. Julien (Reynes) and Dorian (Bulteau) played a great match, which allowed us to stand up to this very strong American team that was so well organized. So for us, it's still a small victory.”
Nearly 2,000 people attended this match. An event that should normally be repeated next year, in Chantilly or in the United States at Palm Beach.