Despite the rainy weather in Normandy, the Barriere Deauville Polo Cup came to an end on Sunday August 27, with the two last finals, the Coupe d’Or and the Coupe de Bronze. Barriere claimed the former, following a memorable championship match, a very hard fought game that was decided in the last chukka, when they were able to defeat Los Dragones Rouge 14-12. It is indeed a very special title for French-born Isabelle Lerenaudie, who not only is the first woman who won one of the most important polo tournaments in the world but also is her second in this level of polo, after winning the Coupe d’Argent last year. Moreover, Isabelle’s lineup, who remained unbeaten, was composed by three Zavaletas, the polo family from Argentina, who have been stars on their own for years within French polo – brothers Simón and Ramiro (who already won the tournament once), and their cousin Juan Martín.
Although Barriere received one goal on handicap, Los Dragones Rouge quickly took the lead, until the third chukka, when Isabelle and co. bounced back and closed the gap to just one goal (7-8). A very hard fought fourth chukka followed, with the scoreboard reading a 10-all with only one chukka left. Led by Juan Martin Zavaleta’s remarkable performance, Barriere overwhelmed Los Dragones Rouge in the last chukka, to secure the win and the coveted golden trophy.
THE FINAL OF THE COUPE D’OR WAS STREAMED LIVE ON POLOLINE TV.
COUPE DE BRONZE
The final of the Coupe de Bronze was played prior to the final of the Coupe d’Or. A very close contest, Standing Rock needed an extra chukka to claim a narrow 8-7 win over Mungo, with a golden goal by Jaime Roberts.
COUPE D’OR, FINAL – BARRIERE 14-12 LOS DRAGONES ROUGE
Barrière Polo Team: Isabelle Larenaudie 0, Simon Zavaleta 5 (2 goals), Juan Martin Zavaleta 7 (10), Ramiro Zavaleta 4 (1). Total: 16.
Los Dragones Rouges: Sam Sztarkman 2, Jules Legoubin 3, Bartolomé Bayugar 4 (5 goles), Bautista Bayugar 8 (7). Total: 17.
Score Barrière Polo Team: (0-1) 2-4, 4-6, 7-8, 10-10, 14-12.
BPP: Calidad, ridden by Juan Martin Zavaleta.
Best Polo Argentino Bred, awarded by the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Assn.: Siempre Mágica, ridden by Bautista Bayugar.
MVP: Juan Gris Zavaleta.
Best Amateur Player: Isabelle Larenaudie.
Top scorer of the tournament: Juan Gris Zavaleta (35 goals).
REWATCH THE FINAL OF THE COUPE D’OR, BARRIERE vs. LOS DRAGONES ROUGE (POLOLINE TV)
COUPE DE BRONZE FINAL – STANDING ROCK 8-7 MUNGO (extra chukka)
Standing Rock : Philipp Muller 0, Nick Van Open 1, Jaime Roberts 3 (3 goals), Ignacio Gonzalez 4 (5). Total:8.
Mungo : Ulysse Eisenchteter 0, Daphné/Noemie Eisenchteter -1, Jules Legoubin 3 (2 goals), Pierre Henri N’Goumou 6 (5). Total: 8.
Score Standing Rock: 3-1, 4-4, 5-6, 7-7, 8-7.
MVP: Jaime Roberts.
Best Amateur Player of the final: Ulysse Eisenchteter.
BPP: Cassandra, ridden by Jaime Roberts.
IMAGES
Coupe d’Or, Final – Barriere vs. Los Dragones Rouge