<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some trophies take their time choosing an owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beaten in the final two years ago. Knocked out in the semi-finals last year. This time, Italy had no intention of leaving with regrets packed in the boot. Against an Occitanie side that had won the last two titles and knows all about major appointments, Riccardo Paganelli\u2019s men finally cleared the final step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n As in their semi-final against PACA, the Italians burst out of the stalls at full gallop. A three-goal lead straight away, constant pressure, a vertical game that looked capable of folding the match before the first change of horses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Except that opposite them, Occitanie knew the tune.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gradually, Isabelle Larenaudie\u2019s players tightened the lines, found their rhythm again and even took the lead at the end of the third chukker. The final had just changed face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n That is when Italy became\u2026 Italy again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fewer solo charges, more ball movement, a rediscovered defence and, above all, the passing game that makes all the difference at this level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab We found our defensive organisation again and started moving the ball better.<\/em> \u201d, explained Tomas Delfino, named professional MVP of the match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Same analysis from Riccardo Paganelli, crowned amateur MVP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the Italian captain, it all ultimately comes down to one simple idea: playing together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n When Delfino, Bautista and Jeronimo began multiplying the combinations again rather than carrying the ball individually, Occitanie gradually lost control. The final chukkers definitively swung the transalpine way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First title. Finally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This success goes far beyond the simple result of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00ab This victory rewards ten years of work. <\/em>\u201d breathed a particularly emotional Riccardo Paganelli after the prize-giving ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n For nearly a decade, this group has been moving forward together, tournament after tournament, season after season. The day\u2019s opponents are not only rivals, but also fellow travellers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe know them very well. They always find a way to be in the final,\u201d said the Italian captain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The same respect came from Tomas Delfino, who perfectly summed up the atmosphere of this final: a fierce battle\u2026 between friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Italian adventure will now change scenery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Riccardo Paganelli is preparing to open his own polo club in Tuscany, a project that will occupy his entire team over the coming months. The direct consequence: the new champions will not defend their chances at the Open de France BARNES in September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have a lot of work to do on our fields\u2026 but maybe next year,\u201d he said with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the meantime, the celebrations were already planned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNow? It is time to celebrate\u2026 with Fernet!\u201d declared Tomas Delfino, faithful to Italian tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When football closes the door on you, polo can sometimes open the finest windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This fourth Polo Nations Cup BARNES brings the Polo Club de Chantilly\u2019s spring trilogy to a close, but certainly not the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The French Women\u2019s Championships immediately take over before a busy month of July competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then September will arrive with its monument: the Open de France BARNES, the high point of European polo, where sixteen teams and several of Palermo\u2019s biggest stars will turn Chantilly into the world capital of the sport of kings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This time, without the new Italian sovereigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n (So Horse with PCDC. Photos \u00a9PCDC\/Justine Jacquemot)<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" L’Italie ne verra toujours pas les pelouses du Mondial de football. Qu’importe. \u00c0 Chantilly, les Azzurri ont trouv\u00e9 un autre terrain pour faire vibrer leur drapeau. En renversant les doubles tenants du titre France-Occitanie au terme d’une finale aussi tendue qu’\u00e9l\u00e9gante, la Squadra transalpine s’est offert la quatri\u00e8me \u00e9dition de la Polo Nations Cup BARNES. Une […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":50319,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1071,1147,1122],"class_list":["post-50310","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-polo","tag-polo-club-domaine-de-chantilly","tag-polo-nations-cup-barnes"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Polo](\"https:\/\/www.sohorse.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/n7_cg58w-1.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Italians had a date with history<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Polo](\"https:\/\/www.sohorse.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/jlOleowQ.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Italian collective takes back control<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Polo](\"https:\/\/www.sohorse.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/kphU8cAg.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA victory ten years in the making<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Polo](\"https:\/\/www.sohorse.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Zr4-VnSQ.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHeading to Tuscany\u2026 not the Open de France<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Polo](\"https:\/\/www.sohorse.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Y4JFcFmA.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nChantilly turns a page\u2026 before September\u2019s big chapter<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Polo](\"https:\/\/www.sohorse.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/zeYFrvXg.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n