SOUTH AFRICA OPEN

Hazel Jackson) against returning contender Dundas (Ana de la Fuente, Erica Gandomcar-Sachs, Mia Cambiaso, Nina Clarkin) with $40,000 in prize money on the line. Relying on nonstop offensive firepower, especially from 8-goal American Arellano, La Fe launched an impressive effort that ended in a dominant 12-6 first-time victory for the team in orange. Meanwhile, on Saturday, March 18, the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship subsidiary final took place at Port Mayaca Polo Club. San Saba defeated El Cid Fitness 8-3 to claim the bronze place position.

In their journey to the title match, Dundas faced an early setback when team owner Sarah Siegel-Magness suffered an injury in the first game that required a substitute in all subsequent matches. Valentina Tarzona filled in during the initial game and Ana de La Fuente took the reins for the remainder of the competition. One match under her belt, de la Fuente helped Dundas defeat a formidable BTA (Sophie Grant*, Maddie Grant, KC Krueger, Sarah Wiseman) 8-5 to qualify for the final. La Fe handily overcame San Saba 8-3 in the semifinals to claim their spot in the championship. Losing their first game in bracket play to BTA 5-6, the well-equipped team was determined to turn things around, proceeding to win their next game by eight goals and then triumph in a commanding semifinal win.

Speaking to their team’s preparation for the tournament, Flanagan shared, “Our team has been working together since the beginning of the season. We did a 6-goal together, we have done team workouts together with Chukker Wellness before and after every game, and in-between games. We’ve been having team meetings multiple times a week with Julio Arellano. We set up penalties for each other on off-days, we work together harder, I think than any other team. So, I think that’s what made the difference for us.”

Jackson added, “I’ve been here about two months roughly— basically just for today. I’ve tried hundreds of horses and looking for them left, right and center. I’ve been in the gym every single day; we’ve had India from Chukker Wellness. Yesterday, I played 10 chukkers and had an hour personal training with her to do reaction timing. In the evening we had a team meeting. You can imagine the amount of work and effort we’re putting into it. I’m so pleased that it paid off.”

Discussing their team’s strategy for the final, Jackson continued, “The main thing for us was ‘initiate.’ Initiate the defense first, and then attack. Our plan was supposed to be much more disciplined with the man, and then we go on attack.” “They’re all extremely well mounted,” Arellano noted, recognizing specific strengths La Fe looked out for in Dundas. “So playing against them, we knew we were going to have to get them early to cut the horse factor as much as we could.” Flanagan added, “In my opinion, they’re one of the most talented teams in the tournament. Mia and Nina are a force to be reckoned with.”