Women play their first polo world championship in Argentina
Argentina, United States, England, Ireland, Brazil and Italy faced off at the Campo Argentino de Polo in Buenos Aires, which is considered a sacred place for the sport, in the first women's polo world championship tournament. Tickets were free, as part of the efforts to make women’s polo more popular.
“Polo has been dominated by men for a long time. And now women in general, all over the world, are being heard,” said Italian-Argentinian polo player Camila Rossi. “For years we tried to organize a women’s polo tournament. This is a dream come true.”
“The idea was born out of the growth of women’s polo in recent years. It is impressive how many women started playing,” said Horacio Areco, the Argentina president of the International Polo Federation.
Argentina's Agustina Imaz, left, and Lilian Lequeira from the United States, compete during the final match of the Women's Polo World Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, April 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Riders pose for a group photo during a media presentation of teams competing in the first women's polo world championship tournament, in Pilar, Argentina, April 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Six teams split into groups of three and played against each other. Matches were played in six parts, known as chukkers, of four minutes and 30 seconds. Some of the polo ponies involved in the championship cost more than $100,000.
Argentina and the United States made it to the finals fighting for the title on April 16. Argentina went on to win 6-2.
United States polo team riders enter the pitch for a semifinal match against England at the Women's Polo World Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina, April 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Argentina's Agustina Imaz, left, and Erica Gandomcar from the United States, compete during the final match of the Women's Polo World Championship, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, April 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Argentina riders Agustina Imaz, from left, Azucena Uranga, Catalina Laivinia and Paulina Vasquetto, celebrate on the podium at the Women's Polo World Championship, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, April 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Argentina's Azucena Uranga rides her polo pony with her country’s national flag prior to the start of a semifinal match against Italy at the Women's Polo World Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina, April 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Women’s polo began in Argentina with a group of pioneers who started competing in men’s teams. In 2010, the country's polo body established a special handicap for women so it could have a system to measure the level of their game.
“Today everything is flowing. It was much more difficult,” said Camila Rossi, an Argentine who will play for Italy. “I started at a club where I was the only woman among boys. A world championship helps the sport settle well in each country, be promoted and be fostered.”
English rider Fran Townend prepares to test ride a polo pony in Pilar, Argentina, Friday, April 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
English rider Fran Townend test rides a horse in Pilar, Argentina, April 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
English rider Fran Townend holds the reins of her polo pony prior to a semifinal match against the United States at the Women's Polo World Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina, April 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
English polo player Fran Townend, who uses crutches due to a traffic accident five years ago, calmly rode on a horse given to her in a draw.
“It is very exciting to be picked to represent England in the first women’s polo world championship. As a disabled player, to be recognized at the same level of other players,'' Townend said. “The women’s game is not about power, it is about mental clarity to play.”
Lead photo caption: Ireland’s Ines Lalor pursues the ball during a Women's Polo World Championship match against England, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, April 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Text from AP News story, Women play their first polo championship in Argentina, by Debora Rey
Photos by Natacha Pisarenko