POLO NEWS

Presented by the Brad and Kathy Coors Foundation, the 2025 U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship final took place at the National Polo Center in Wellington, Florida. The match pitted defending champions Buena Vibra (Giuliana Tarazona, Valentina Tarazona, Candelaria “Cande” Fernandez-Araujo, Milly Hine) against La Fe Eastern Hay (Naomi Tachibana Marlough, Pamela Flanagan Devaleix, Hope Arellano*, Fatima Balzano) on U.S. Polo Assn. Field One, competing for $25,000 in prize money.

10-goaler Arellano spearheaded La Fe Eastern Hay’s efforts, contributing six field goals for a 7-5 halftime lead, with Balzano also adding one to the total. Arellano struck again in the fourth, but La Fe Eastern Hay was met by a new-found offensive surge from Buena Vibra. The team in hot pink leveled the score 8-all at the end of the chukker. Gaining the lead for the first time in the fifth, Buena Vibra maintained control until the final whistle, securing a 12-9 victory.

Buena Vibra’s lineup differed from last year, featuring two teenagers as Giuliana Tarazona, 15, joined her sister, Valentina Tarazona, 14, on the field, giving the team an average age of 18. Powered from the back by last year’s captain, Hine anchored the team at Number 4, alongside fellow 9-goaler Fernandez-Araujo competing in her first U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship final.

Buena Vibra opened the tournament with a 7-6 win against finalist rivals La Fe Eastern Hay, and took just one defeat en route to the final, losing 9-8 to Mint Eco Car Wash (Jenna Davis, Cecelia Cochran, Kylie Sheehan*, Isabelle “Izzy” Parsons). “What feels different from when I started in the Women’s Open six years ago is the horsepower, the talent and the clubs really taking on this tournament and growing it,” said Cochran. Port Mayaca Polo Club hosted the tournament and preliminary bracket games, before the semifinals moved to the National Polo Center. Qualifying for the championship final, Buena Vibra turned the tables on Mint Eco Car Wash to win 8-6, while La Fe Eastern Hay defeated North Star (Jen Buchan, Meghan Gracida, Micaela Saracco, Hazel Jackson) 11-9.

Last year, rain denied the finalists a Sunday Polo experience, and the players embraced the sense of occasion. “I hope Sunday’s final is going to be a really close game,” said Hine ahead of the match. “Not only for both teams, but for the spectators because women’s polo is really starting to push through some barriers.”

Buena Vibra got off to a slow start and were on the back foot by halftime after La Fe Eastern Hay’s Arellano dominated the scoreboard in the first three chukkers. Buena Vibra had strong support behind the scenes. Hine’s brothers, Ned and Louis, and father Andrew Hine were on site. They were joined by others including Agustin “Tincho” Merlos, Mariano Gonzalez Sr., Lucas Criado Sr.—and even Fernandez-Araujo’s former 10-goal father, Milo Fernandez-Araujo, who was giving his advice by phone from Argentina.

Nerves may have been a factor at the start, Hine admitted, “we were super nervous.” Prior to the game she talked about the challenges of being a defending champion. “Winning last year is obviously incredible, one of the most incredible experiences of my life,” she said. “Having to defend the title, it’s not like anyone puts pressure on you, but you want to feel a little bit of pressure. You’ve won it before, so should we win it again?”

Penalties proved to be decisive in the sixth chukker, Arellano scoring one to close the gap 10-9, but two other shots on goal went wide. Meanwhile, Hine converted her fifth penalty of the day and added two field goals to seal the victory. At the final whistle Buena Vibra added its signature style to victory celebrations with pink smoke. For Valentina Tarazona who won the tournament last year at 13—the youngest player to do so—playing, and winning, with her older sister this year gave the outcome a special significance. “This is what we’ve been preparing for, for a year,” she said. “And with Giugiu, my sister—it’s amazing. Hope [Arellano] is one of the most difficult players to ever play against. It’s one of the toughest teams. It was not easy at all.”

Cande Fernandez-Araujo was awarded Most Valuable Player as well as Best Playing Pony for Machitos Filipa (Filipina x Machitos Chelo), also known as Drone. The 15-year-old mare on loan from Postage Stamp Farm, made key appearances in the first, fourth and sixth chukkers. A homebred, Los Machitos co-founder Nick Manifold gave more insight into the tiny bay mare’s history. “She’s famous, as she was Annabelle Gundlach’s mare. When Annabelle stopped playing, she lent her back to us for Antonio Aguerre to play. Her mother was a similar size and played at Palermo [in Argentina] with Mariano Aguerre, then played 26-goal in the U.S. with White Birch,” he said.

A total of $25,000 in prize money was also in play for the final. First-place winners Buena Vibra were awarded $17,000 and $8,000 was presented to runners-up La Fe Eastern Hay. In partnership with USPA Global Licensing, both finalists selected a charity of their choice from 10 non-profits to receive a $2,500 donation. Buena Vibra donated to Polo Pony Rescue and La Fe Eastern Hay selected the Retired Racehorse Project.

Claiming a championship is an achievement—defending it is a statement. A dynamic mix of young, rising talent, Buena Vibra rose to the challenge once again, solidifying its place at the top of women’s polo.

The U.S. Women's Polo Championship final presented by the Brad and Kathy Coors Foundation is now available On-Demand. U.S. Open Women's competitor and recent USPA Women's Gold Cup champion Meghan Gracida joins the broadcast alongside USPA Polo Network’s Toby Wayman and Tommy Biddle Jr., providing in-depth knowledge and insights into the sport. Additionally, the final will be available on the ESPN family of brands. Check your local listings for times and channels.

*Hope Arellano is an Active Team USPA Member and Kylie Sheehan is Team USPA alumna. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.

All photos courtesy of ©David Lominska.