The Open de France kicks off tomorrow, with many intense matches expected. Viewers will be able to watch some of the best international polo players take to the field, as well as up-and-coming stars like Rufino Bensadon. This young Argentine has caused a sensation in Deauville with his spectacular game, incredible set of skills, confident strike, and cool head – at only 16 years of age, he takes the penalties for his team.  The youngster is guided by his father, 8-goaler Pancho Bensadon, and their work on the field has given Andre Fabre’s In The Wings the chance of winning the Triple Crown in Chantilly, after their victories in the Gold Cup and Silver Cup in Deauville. 

Land Rover, another finalist in Deauville, will see Alexandre Sztarkman take to the field once again with Jota Chavanne and Martin Joaquin, as well as French 6-goaler Pierre Henri Ngoumou. Daniel Crasemann’s German team, Barralina, will also play in Chantilly, with the Argentine 6-goaler Adrian Laplacette.

Two others teams (where five of the eight players are French) complete the tournament. Sainte-Mesme will count with 5-goaler Robert Strom, with Kazak will have Clément Delfosse and Patrick Paillol. 

In the women’s tournament, the set of female riders is equally impressive as the men, with three of the greatest professionals on the circuit: Argentine Lia Salvo, and Brits Nina Clarkin and Hazel Jackson will play for Icon Global (Thailand), Engels & Völkers (Czech Republic) and DS Automobile (Great Britain), respectively. Another English team (Shu Uemura), a German one (Hungaria) and two French teams will also compete in the Female Open. The eight players of the two French teams all come from Chantilly Polo Club. The first is Vernet Paris, which should form the National French Team during the European Championship at the end of September in Rome, and the second is young team R&B Presse, where players have an average age seventeen. 

Two international tournaments with five nationalities represented (more if considering teams and players), will definitively provide very competitive matches.

Action kicks off on September 1st, at 5pm, at Ferme d’Apremont. Entrance is free. The competition will begin with a rematch of the Deauville Gold Cup: In The Wings vs Land Rover. 

OPEN DE FRANCE TEAMS:

BARRALINA: Daniel Crasemann 1, Caspar Crasemann 3, Adrian Laplacette 6, Gaston Maiquez 6. Total: 16.

LAND ROVER: Alexandre Sztarkman 1, Pierre-Henri Ngoumou 6, Jota Chavanne 5, Martin Joaquin 4. Total: 16.

KAZAK: Sébastien Aguettant 0, Patrick Paillol 5, Clément Delfosse 5, Matias Vial 6. Total: 16.

SAINTE-MESME: Birger Strom/Rafael Cabezas 0, Robert Strom 5, Santiago Cernadas 6, Pelayo Berazadi 5. Total: 16.

IN THE WINGS: André Fabre 0, Rufino Bensadon 4, Pancho Bensadon 8, Alfonso Pieres 4. Total: 16.

FULL FIXTURE:

September 1st:

5pm: IN THE WINGS vs LAND ROVER

September 5th:

4pm: IN THE WINGS vs BARRALINA

September 6th:

KAZAK vs LAND ROVER

September 7th:

4pm: SAINTE MESME vs BARRALINA

September 9th:

12pm: KAZAK vs SAINTE MESME

4:30pm: BARRALINA vs LAND ROVER

September 11th:

12pm: KAZAK vs BARRALINA

September 12th:

5pm: IN THE WINGS vs SAINTE MESME

September 14th:

11am: IN THE WINGS vs KAZAK

TBA: SAINTE MESME vs LAND ROVER

September 16th:

FINALS

THE OPEN DE FRANCE WILL BE STREAMED LIVE ON POLOLINE TV.