Kevin Staut (#2 in the FEI Rolex World Ranking Jumping), Pénélope Leprévost, Olivier Guillon and Patrice Delaveau, silver medallist at the last World Equestrian Games of Lexington, where they qualified for the Olympic Games of London, discovered polo during the recent French leg of the Global Champions Tour of Chantilly.
The French showjumping team, silver medallist at the WEG in Lexington with their "coach" Pancho Bensadon. Photo by (©R&B Presse/P.Renauldon)
Their teacher at the Chantilly Polo Club was not less than handicap 8 player Pancho Bensadon and the dialogue between the top showjumpers and the top polo players was very “rich”.
After one hour of lessons followed by some stick and ball, the riders were not that exhausted: Patrice Delaveau won the Prix du Domaine de Chantilly a few hours after and Pénélope Leprévost finished 3rd in the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of France.
The plan for next year is that showjumping riders will play some “real” chukkers with professional players.
Please, notice that the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly will organize the French Open (16 goals) during the 3 first weeks of September. Ten teams are already entered.