Tue 21st Jul 2026Ladies Taking Centre Stage Yaguara reign supreme in historic British Ladies Open Final
It was a huge day for ladies' polo as the sport took centre stage on one of the biggest days in the British polo calendar. For the first time, the British Ladies Open Championship Final was played on the same day and on the same ground as the St. Regis British Open Polo Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup Final, allowing the thousands of spectators gathered at Cowdray Park Polo Club to witness two of the sport's premier championships decided on the same day. The landmark occasion reflected the continued growth of women's polo and Cowdray's commitment to providing the biggest possible stage for the women's game.
Huge crowds gathered for the occasion, where the exciting talent of sisters Myla and Mia Cambiaso, combined with the experience of British star and current Warwickshire Cup title holder Milly Hine, helped Yaguara claim the 2026 British Ladies Open Championship title with a thrilling 7-6½ victory over Salty Polo on Sunday 19 July.
The British Ladies Open Championship, the premier ladies' tournament in England, attracted eight teams competing up to 22 goals (ladies' handicap), featuring many of the world's leading female players, including 10 goalers Nina Clarkin, Hazel Jackson and Candelaria Fernandez Araujo, alongside 9 goalers Mia Cambiaso and Milly Hine. Both Finalists arrived in excellent form. Yaguara booked their place in the Final with a narrow 6-5½ victory over defending champions UAE, while Salty Polo defeated Oriflamme 8-4 in the other Semi Final. Salty Polo were aiming to complete a remarkable clean sweep of England's 22-goal ladies' tournaments, having already lifted The Cirencester Ladies 22 Goal and The Guards Ladies 22 Goal earlier in the season.
Receiving the half-goal on handicap, Salty Polo made the stronger start in what quickly developed into a closely contested encounter, taking a 3½-1 lead at the end of the first chukka. Yaguara responded impressively in the second, scoring two goals to Salty's one before repeating the feat in the third, while keeping their opponents scoreless to edge into a narrow 5-4½ lead heading into the final chukka.
The last chukka belonged to Yaguara. The Cambiaso sisters and Hine showcased their quality, combining brilliantly to outscore Salty Polo 2-1 and seal a deserved 7-6½ victory, crowning Yaguara British Ladies Open champions.
On Saturday 18 July, Emita LL claimed the Subsidiary Final after defeating Cowdray Vikings in an extra chukka.
The British Ladies Open Championship Final Teams:
Yaguara (23): Martina Lowe (1), Myla Cambiaso (4), Mia Cambiaso (9) & Milly Hine (9)
Salty Polo (22): Madison Rochlin (1), Bella Lavinia (4), Catalina Lavinia (7) & Nina Clarkin (10)
Photograph: Yaguara raise the trophy high on a history making day. By Mark Beaumont
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