Win for Maison Décale
Early on Sunday 20 September, before the mixed French Open Final, Maison Décale and DS Automobile DS Store St Maximin took to the field at Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly for the Final of the Open de France Feminin. Going into the Final, Maison Décale were the favourites as their line-up featured the three Vernot sisters, Pearl, Lucie and Elenea, alongside Caroline Anier, but DS Automobile DS Store St Maximin were not phased and put up a strong resistance. Following their heavy defeat in the qualification stages, Lia Salvo (top goal scorer of the tournament with 12 goals in four matches) organised a new, more defensive strategy, which allowed DS Automobile DS Store St Maximin to lead for two chukkas. However, a myriad of fouls in towards the end of the match saw Salvo’s team lose their advantage and Maison Décale ran out the winners with a final score of 6-4½. Becana, owned by Margaux Perruchot and played by Lia Salvo was the Best Playing Pony, Margaux Perruchot was the Most Valuable Amateur Player and Elena Vernot was the Most Valuable Professional Player.
Open de France Feminin Final Teams:Maison Décale (16): Pearl Venot (3), Lucie Venot (3), Elena Venot (6) & Caroline Anier (4)
DS Automobile DS Store St Maximin (15): Pauline Schaer (1), Margaux Perruchot (2), Adèle Renauldon (3) & Lia Salvo (9)
Photograph: Action from the Final of the Open de France Feminin. By Justine Jacquemot