20 years of Chantilly’s French Open

There is nothing that calms the heart like getting away to the French landscapes. One of the most well-known destinations of the region, Chantilly, offers many recreational activities. Chantilly is popularly called the “horse-riding capital”, having Europe's biggest training centre. Spread over a 2,000-hectare site, over 2,500 horses come to participate in various equestrian events. It plays host to famous horse races--the Prix de Diane (or French Oaks) and the Prix du Jockey Club (or French Derby), both held in June. Polo in France is a luxurious experience. 

F. Scott Fitzgerald in The Great Gatsby said, “They had spent a year in France for no particular reason, and then drifted here and there unrestfully wherever people played polo and were rich together. ―
 

As you stroll along the way at the Chantilly Polo Club, you can locate the immaculate timberland existing together with extravagant vehicles, personal luxury planes, excellent cellists, vintage champagne, and nine fields of impeccably manicured grass. Stunning horses elegantly trot around the bends, directly close to the stables of the Domaine de Chantilly.

Patrick Guerrand-Hermès, a visionary creator, had the bold idea to open the world of polo to the greatest number by making it more affordable for practitioners and more accessible to the general public.

To make this vision a reality, on an agricultural land belonging to the Institute of France, he founded the largest polo club ever seen in France, Chantilly Polo Club, and one of the three biggest in Europe.

 

Baron Robert de Rothschild, in 1920, collected the associations of world polo and organized the first polo match, picking up Apremont as the perfect land for polo fields and for grazing.

 

In 1995, a gathering of companions who longed for opening a huge territory committed to polo in France got a 50-year rent from the Institute of France to make the Chantilly Polo Club.

Chantilly’s French Open Season has been one of the greatest sporting events across the globe.

 

Timeline of Polo Club De Chantilly

 

1996:
Inauguration of the Polo Club with EuroDisney

1997:
Match Ghantoot Abu Dhabi/Chantilly Polo Club

1998:
International Meeting in India/Europe

1999:
37th FIP Ambassador Cup, Match exhibition 28 goals, Jockey Club Buenos Aires, European FIP Championship, first European women's tournament France/England Polo Pony

 

2000: Yearling
Cup, Diane Hermes Cup, Jodhpur/Scotland

 

2001:
Assignment of the 7th Polo World Championship, First edition of the Open de France

2002: Match exhibition 23 goals “Cup of Hope” young players with Eduardo and Ignacio Heguy (Hcp 10), France is European Champion

2003: French
Juniors win the Interschool’s Cup in England.

2004:
Apotheosis with a World Championship with 25, 000 spectators and with the international press comprising 200 journalists

 

2005:
The Wings victory in the final of the Open de France with an exceptional player, Lucas Monteverde, who has since won the famous Argentine Open in Palermo/Buenos Aires for the team La Dolfina Jaeger-LeCoultre

 

2007:
Two test matches of importance with France-India and France- Mexico, won by the Blues!

2008:
A match of young people, under 18 years, between France and England, won by the French

2009:
Two tournaments of “12 goals” and the French Open at “16 goals”, the polo level is increasing dramatically in Chantilly

2010-2011:
Development of a number of tournaments. The French Open is now a major event on the international calendar

 

2012:
Continued development: three tournaments of “12 goals” in June and the advent of women’s polo with the Paris Ladies Cup in July and the Open de France Chopard in September. Among the men, 12 teams competed in the Open de France (September)

 

2013:
First Female Open of France which was born thanks to Chopard and won by Center Roissy Porsche, a formation of four sublime young women: Tahnee and Naomi Schröder (GER), Lavinia Fabre (FRA) and Lìa Salvo (ARG)

2014: European
Championships in September in Apremont, with 8 teams. France finished third

2016:
Celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Chantilly Polo Club.

It’s the 20th Anniversary of The French polo season. Polo in France has a rich history. Two titles of this series have been held and polo will get back into action after a long pause. In September, three other significant tournaments are scheduled, including the Women's French Open.

The Ladies Cup in August and the lofty French Open in September, drawing in the best players in the world for the most significant ladies' competition outside Argentina are exclusively dedicated to women’s polo. Six teams, around 400 horses, are expected to participate from 10 countries.

Numerous incredible names of the game, including living legends have competed in this coveted series over the last 20 years, the most desired title being the Argentine Open. The French Open is additionally the last advance of the French Triple Crown, after the Silver and Gold Cups of Deauville. Until now, just one group has accomplished this triple crown, the Argentinean group of Cibao La Pampa in 2017. Pablo Mac Donough, one of present-day polo legends started his expert vocation through the Chantilly Polo Club, and was a seven-time champ of the Argentine Open with four Triple Crowns amazingly, incorporating three sequentials with La Dolfina.

Stunning display of polo in the outdoors at the Domaine de Chantilly are scheduled in September. With horse rides on sandy landscapes, and energetic meetings, there's something for all!