The Deauville International Polo Club and his tournaments organized in August make part of the worldwide polo heritage. For The Telegraph, the Barrière Deauville Polo Cup is the second-ranked of the “twelve stylish events that should be on every socialite’s bucket list” after the Jazz Festival of Montreux! This event is back in August with three main tournaments, including the prestigious Gold Cup much coveted by European team captains and great Argentine professionals.

Ladies first… A rich program that starts with the Ladies Polo Cup on August 7. A growing female tournament with a rising level of play (1 4-goal handicaps are attributed to expert female players). A very international tournament, as four countries were represented in 2018 and the defending champion, No. 1 very charismatic Argentine player Lia Salvo will be there to defend his trophy with her French team-mates of the Brok café team.

The final match is held on Saturday, August 1 0, kick-off day of the 70th edition of the legendary Gold Cup (14/16 goals). It’s one of the most important international tournaments featuring the sport’s finest players: the Cambiaso, Pieres, Gracida, Heguy, Ulloa, Caset and Bensadon – father and son – families, defending champions that enchanted the public last year in Deauville. The final match is held on August 25 this year.

The best French professionals are awaited for this prestigious tournament, and even more of them for the Bronze Cup (6-8 goals, on August 1 4-23). During this tournament, the public often attends epic challenges as there’s nothing more important in the career of a French polo players than winning a title in Deauville.

Polo matches in Deauville are unique experiences lived in a special atmosphere. Here, the public and the players meet after the prize- awarding ceremony in a large cosy and friendly area where they can have a drink and talk about the most thrilling moments of the match! Enjoy a pleasant atmosphere and don’t forget to take selfies! Sometimes, polo leaves the Deauville – La Touques racecourse and heads to the beach of Deauville, where Beach Polo demonstrations are held at low tide. It’s the opportunity for holidaymakers to discover how this noble sport can become accessible to them, as they can finally approach these strong horses with a gold personality! In the morning, horses are seen in groups led by petiseros (Argentine horse trainers) that ensure the physical preparation of horses on the seaside.

Polo can also be played at a young age in France: several polo clubs and equestrian centres now include a Polo Poney club. A major national championship for children is held in Lamotte-Beuvron in June. The Deauville International Polo Club organizes a few Kids Polo exhibition matches in which children ride Shetland ponies: they are adorable! On the day before and in the morning of final matches (August 10 and 24), traditional team parades are welcomed in the streets of Deauville. In a few words, the oldest team sport is celebrated in an emblematic place.

SAVE THE DATE :

Ladies Polo Cup – 10/14 goals – 7/10 August
Gold Cup : 14/16 goals – 10/25 August
Bronze Cup : 6/8 goals – 14/23 August

Kids Polo : 25 August
Parades in Deauville : 10 & 24 August
Beach Polo : 12&13 August

Photo credit: Pascal Renauldon