OKEECHOBEE — The U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship, featuring most of the world's top female players, begins Wednesday, Jan. 28 at Port Mayaca Polo Club.
The most prestigious tournament in women’s polo in the United States has attracted seven teams and 10-goal rated players Hope Arellano, Hazel Jackson and Milly Hine.
"We are incredibly proud of the field assembled for this year’s U.S. Open Women’s Championship," tournament coordinator Laura Linfoot said. "This event represents the highest level of women’s polo and continues to elevate the sport by showcasing exceptional talent, teamwork and competition on a world stage."
Preliminary games will be held at Port Mayaca with the semifinals at USPA National Polo Center and final played Sunday, Feb. 15 on U.S. Polo Assn. Field One at 3 p.m. In Wednesday's opener, Las Brisas plays La Dolfina at 10:30 a.m.
All preliminary games will be played over four chukkers, with the semifinals increased to five chukkers, and the final to six chukkers.
In last year's final, Buena Vibra rallied in the second half to defend its title. In front of the largest crowd to witness a women's tournament at NPC, Buena Vibra (Giuliana Tarazona, Valentina Tarazona, Candelaria Fernandez Araujo, Milly Hine) defeated La Fe Eastern Hay (Naomi Tachibana Marlough, Pamela Flanagan Devaleix, Hope Arellano, Fatima Balzano), 12-9.
Buena Vibra, which translates to "Good Vibes," is 9-1 in two U.S. Opens. Cande Fernández Araujo, a 9-goaler, swept Most Valuable Player and Best Playing Pony honors. She is rated 10 goals in Argentina.
Two-time champion Valentina Tarazona returns with a new roster that includes Summer Kneece, Azucena Uranga and Maitena Marre.
With 10-goalers Milly Hine and Hazel Jackson in the same lineup, Victory/Eastern Hay is expected to challenge for the title with teammates Becky Schmeits and Aspen Tinto. Hine will go after her third consecutive title. Jackson last won in 2023.
Arellano, another two-time champion (2017 and 2023), joins Aurora Polo with future sister-in-law Fatima Balzano, Lily Lequerica and Isabella Brockett.
In a tuneup tournament final on Jan. 24, Victory/Eastern Hay defeated Aurora Polo Team 12-4, in the final of the Women's Gold Cup 22-Goal Tournament. Tinto was MVP.
Mia Cambiaso, ranked 10 in Argentina and 9 in the U.S., will join her younger sister Myla, on the La Dolfina team along with Micaela Saracco and Mora Castagnola. Mia Cambiaso, a runner-up in 2024, has won the title three years (2019, 2020, 2022).
Don George Polo's former 10-goaler Nina Clarkin is going for a third victory (2019, 2020) and teammate Kylie Sheehan is aiming for a second (2021). Meghan Gracida, wife of legendary Memo Gracida, and Cecelia Cochran will join them.
Flying H Polo is led by 2021 champion KC Krueger and Malia Bryan, both 6-goal rated players. Dawn Jones and Gillian Johnston fill out the roster.
Rounding out the field is Las Brisas with 8-goaler Cata Lavinia, 7-goaler Maddie Grant, Coco Sandhu and Brinkley Erb.
The U.S. Women's Open will award $27,500 in prize money from U.S. Polo Assn, divided between first and second place teams. USPA Global will also continue to encourage the spirit of philanthropy by awarding both the winning team and runner-up $2,500 each to donate to the polo charity of their choice.
The tournament will be livestreamed on the USPA Polo Network on watch.uspolo.org and major streaming platforms. Premium subscriptions include all games and USPA Member Free Core Subscriptions will have access to the semifinals and final. The championship also will be featured on ESPN in Breakaway, presented by U.S. Polo Assn.
Women's polo joined the USPA in 1972 and now is the fastest growing and largest sector in the sport.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Buena Vibra aims for third crown at US Open Women's Polo Championship
