Women of all ages came from around the United States and even other parts of the world to compete in a fun, competitive women’s tournament hosted by the Chavanne family’s vast, picturesque El Metejon estancia outside Buenos Aires, Argentina, the first week in November. Foreigners were matched with professional Argentine women players to form six teams competing over six days. The planning got underway at least three months in advance. Maria Chavanne runs the tournament, hosting the visitors, organizing the many horses and setting up practices
and games. She also gets team and tournament sponsors and gathers several beautiful trophies and gifts for participants to take home. La Martina, Polo Today, Fox Sports, el Rocio/ Kings Game, and Aldo Sessa were just some of the sponsors involved in the event.

Christine’s Polo Today’s Angela York rides off First Chukker’s Ann Rodgers.

I had never played in a competitive women’s tournament; nor had my traveling companion, Angela York. Because she hadn’t been to Argentina before and we were traveling with our spouses we elected to stay at el Rocio, our friend Patrice Graviere’s beautiful estancia about a 20-minute drive from el Metejon. El Rocio also happened to be our team sponsor along with Kings Game, which provided the shirts. A couple from Washington, D.C., Tom and Cheryl Mackell, happened to be staying there as well, and it was great to get to know them. Cheryl started playing about a year ago.

Having never met Chavanne, except through e-mail, we didn’t know what to expect. We were greeted with a warm smile and immediately felt right at home. It was also great to meet the local players and the American women who have become regulars of the el Metejon tournament, returning each year. Tara Lordi of New York, Whitney Vogt of Chicago and Lauren Dickinson of California returned after playing last year. Both Lordi and Vogt are former hunter/jumper riders. Lordi said: “[My friend] Jennifer Williams played in the tournament the year before and encouraged me to come. She told me competing at El Metejon helped her game tremendously, and I agree.”

Every year there are new players, too. Two-goal Californian Abby Riggs came for her first time. She has known Chavanne since 1999. “I thought the tournament was well organized with good horses and a good level of polo. To put six teams on the field … is a very hard thing to do.” Chavanne makes it easy for anyone to participate. To enter the tournament you pay a nominal fee, which includes everything from airport transfers to accommodations, all your food, grooms and horses.

Afternoon matches allowed for relaxing morning rides in the Argentine countryside. Jeffrey Pechter and Angela York enjoy the sunshine.

Vogt has played in many women’s tournaments and enjoys Chavanne’s. “I have been lucky to play in several ladies tournaments, including the Women’s Challenge at Blackberry Polo Club and the MacKay Cup in Dublin, Ireland. … I think Maria does a great job of handling all the foreign players and coordinating among the several Argentine women who come in from all parts of the country to play.”

Some players, such as Dickinson, arrived early so they had more time to enjoy Argentina. The schedule was to start on a Thursday with riding and practice. The tournament was to be spread out so there was time for shopping and even a cocktail party at Aldo Sessa’s photography studio. Sessa is well known for his beautiful photography books of polo, gauchos and Argentina’s most beautiful areas. Unfortunately, despite the best-laid plans, Mother Nature had plans of her own. The skies opened up on Thursday morning and never let up the entire day. Everyone gathered in el Metejon’s friendly and warm living room to get to know one another and watch the weather for a chance to run outside and jump on a horse. The rain also allowed time for Chavanne to make some delicious cookies, which no one could stop eating.

Whitney Vogt of Chicago, Illinois, played for the second year.

Kelly Reynolds of Texas was injured in her first match.

The chance to do anything outdoors never came, but meeting the other players ended up being loads of fun. Lordi thought spending time with the players was one of the best parts. “I love the people! Women from different levels come from around the globe to compete in the tournament. Typically you spend a few days before and after the tournament playing in practice games so this gives a chance to meet and learn from other competitors.” Vogt seconded that. “[The best part is] the chance to meet women players from all over the world.” Chavanne’s brother, 8- goaler Santiago Chavanne, and his Open teammate Lolo Castagnola came in from the rain with friend Pablo Spinacci and others for a game of pool.

So much rain on Thursday ruined the chance for any polo on Friday but did allow for everyone to ride some horses in the afternoon so Maria Chavanne could assess everyone’s riding abilities. Some local players elected to bring their own horses, some leased horses from other farms, but many elected to play el Metejon’s horses. Chavanne had a wide selection of horses and did a great job of making sure everyone felt comfortable with their string.

POLO Players’ Edition Publisher Gwen Rizzo, Peter Rizzo, Angela York, and Estancia el Rocios’ Patrice Graviere and Diego Cacace

Time was running out, so a practice with some of the guys was played on Saturday to get everyone going. Because more rain was forecast for the following Tuesday, each team would begin play on Sunday and continue each day as long as the weather cooperated. With sunny skies, but the fields still fairly wet, the game got underway. Fox Sports met up against 1st Chukker. The game was delayed in the second when Kelly Reynolds was injured in a fall. With a replacement for Reynolds, 1st Chukker went on to win 4-1.

In the second match the Christine’s Polo Today team edged el Rocio/POLO Players’ Edition 5-4. The last game had Tian Blue crushing Jamones 6-2. Getting the first game over is sometimes a relief. Vogt said: “The first game you have such nervous energy and high hopes at the same time. You find yourself riding new horses, you don’t know many of the new players on either team, and you just hope that you don’t screw up too much! Once you get through the first game, it is all just fun from there on out.”

The teams headed out immediately after the matches to catch the final of the Hurlingham Open. Vogt decided to play at el Metejon, “mostly for a chance to visit Argentina and experience a whole different level of polo. Not only playing in the women’s tournament with some of the top women players, but also to have a chance to watch the high-goal matches at Hurlingham and Palermo, something that you just can’t experience anywhere else.” Later that night, the guests were treated to a night out on the town at a nearby cantina to taste the local tequila.

It ended up being a late night, but everyone was ready to go the next afternoon. It was another full day of play. The first game had possibly the most exciting game of the tournament. In a close match El Rocio/POLO Players’ Edition succumbed to favorite Tian Blue in overtime. Jamones then overcame Fox Sports 3-1, while Christine’s overcame 1st Chukker 5-3. Riggs, who led Jamones, said: “The first game is the toughest when you haven’t played with your teammates before … and on new horses [but] … after a game or two things start to click.”

The winning Tian Blue team with Lia Salvo, Alicia Hutton, Mumy Bellande and Louisa Hutton. Salvo and Bellande are from Argentina and the Huttons were from Singapore.

Top, Angela York and Doreen Benson and front, Maria Chavanne, Abby Riggs and Lauren Dickinson watch the other players practice.

Juan Jose Alberdi helps Angela York pick mallets at La Martina.

Lordi agreed: “It usually takes a few chukkers to feel out where everyone’s strength is and where they feel most comfortable. You can come out playing like a No. 2, but you end up playing more like a No. 4.”

Everyone gathered in the clubhouse for tea and snacks after the games each afternoon. Then everyone had plenty of time to rest before dinner was served. Some players even opted for a night in the city for dinner and tango. Lordi joked: “Argentina is one of my favorite countries. A close friend of mine once said an Argentine is an Italian speaking Spanish who believes he is an Englishman living in Paris. Argentina is a bunch of countries all balled up into one romantic city full of jovial people, wonderful wines and beautiful architecture.”

Despite a forecast of rain, it was a beautiful day. The final day of playoffs had teams jockeying for position. First Christine’s topped Fox Sports 5-4, then Jamones tied POLO Players Edition 4-4, and Tian Blue downed 1st Chukker 5-2. One player had to leave early, so Abby Riggs gamely filled in, playing on two teams. Tian Blue and Polo Today had earned the final spots.

The next day, the temperatures kept dropping. The playoffs for fifth and sixth place between Fox Sports and el Rocio/POLO Players’ Edition were played first, ending in a 5-5 tie. It was a fun and friendly match with everyone leaving the field smiling. The third- and fourth-place teams played next, with Jamones topping 1st Chukker 6-4, and the final capped off the week of polo.

Christine’s Polo Today knew it would be tough, but they were up for the challenge. Christine’s took an early lead before Tian Blue, led by 2-goal Argentine Mumy Bellande, pulled ahead for the win 5-4.

When everything was said and done everyone bundled up and headed to the clubhouse for the trophy presentation. No matter what place the teams came in they all left with big smiles, handfuls of prizes from equipment bags, hats, polo mugs, picture frames, to books and even hams! The night was finished off with sangria and homemade pizza and sandwiches while everyone involved in the tournament put on their dancing shoes and danced the night away in el Metejon’s clubhouse. Members of the winning team, including 18-year-old identical twins Louisa and Alicia Hutton from Singapore and 16-year-old Argentinean Lia Salvo, were thrown in the pool. As the night wore on, people started saying their goodbyes and promised to see each other at next year’s tournament, if not before.

Riggs said: “One of the best things about the tournament was having four games to play, where [most] women’s polo is only one or two. … I met many new people and hope to go back next year.”