Occitanie /France defeated Argentina by a close 9-8, and won the Third Polo Nations Cup, following the final that was played on Sunday June 22 at the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly, in La Ferme d’Apremont, France. The international contest, that was launched in 2023, saw ten teams up to 12 goals, partake, representing seven countries – France, Argentina, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Australia and United Kingdom.
The match had a very leveled start, but from the second chukka onwards, Isabelle Larenaudie and her boys seized the reins, to capture the lead. However, Argentina never gave up, and remained on their tail, led by a remarkable performance by Matias Zavaleta, who scored seven goals. With only seconds to go in regulation time, Matías tied at 8-all and sent the final to an extra chukka; that was when Simón Zavaleta produced the winning goal to secure the 9-8 win for Occitanie/France. Therefore, Occitanie/France not only retained the title, but they are also the only team who one the Polo Nations Cup twice.
THIRD POLO NATIONS CUP – FINAL – SUNDAY JUNE 22
OCCITANIE / FRANCE 9-8 ARGENTINA
Occitanie-France: Isabelle Larenaudie 0 (1 goal), Elouan Badarello 2 (1), Simon Zavaleta 6 (5), Ramiro Zavaleta 4 (2)
Argentina: Bruno Bensoussan 0, Tomas Oviedo 2, Juan Cruz Araya 3 (1 goal) and Matias Torres Zavaleta 7 (7).
Score Occitanie-France: 1-0, 5-2, 5-4, 6-5, 8-8, 9-8.
MVP Pro: Simon Zavaleta (Occitanie)
MVP Amateur: Isabelle Lareunaudie (Occitanie)
BPP: GT Luna, played and owned by Simon Zavaleta (Occitanie)
Best Polo Argentino Bred, presented by the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Assn.: Aguara V10, ridden by Matias Torres Zavaleta (Argentina)

POLO NATIONS CUP – Teams & Fixture

 

Cover photo by Justine Jacquemont.