Victory/Eastern Hay Claims 2026 USPA Women’s Polo Open Title in Thrilling NPC Finale
World-class talent, powerhouse 10-goalers, and a packed Stadium Field #1 set the stage for one of the most competitive championships in recent memory.
Fieldside Restaurant at NPC. Photo by GBeroza.
The 2026 United States Polo Association Women’s Polo Open Championship delivered exactly what fans expect from the sport’s most prestigious women’s title: elite competition, international star power, and a hard-fought final under the Florida sun.
Held Sunday, February 15, 2026, at the National Polo Center (NPC) in Wellington, Florida, the championship brought together seven superstar teams featuring many of the highest-ranked women players in the world. Preliminary elimination rounds took place at Port Mayaca Polo Club, with the top two advancing to NPC’s premier Stadium Field #1 for the final.
A packed clubhouse stadium, overflowing auxiliary tents, and a lively on-field catered venue underscored what has become a signature Sunday spectacle in South Florida polo.
NPC Outdoor Tents. Photo by GBeroza.
A Legacy Event in Women’s Polo
The Women’s Polo Open was first organized in 1937 by the United States Women’s Polo Association and debuted at Golden Gate Field in San Francisco, California. Early competitions featured women rated at the 8- and 9-goal levels — a remarkable benchmark for the era.
The USPA officially sanctioned the Women’s Open in 2011, elevating it to premier national status. The modern iteration resurfaced in the early 1990s and found a permanent home in South Florida in 2018. Today, it stands as the most coveted title in women’s polo in the United States.
Arrival of the ponies. Photo by GBeroza.
The 2026 Field: Seven Elite Teams
Competing teams and player goal ratings (0–10 scale):
Aurora Polo
- Isabelle Brockett (3)
- Lily Lequerica (4)
- Hope Arellano (10)
- Fatima Galazno (6)
Buena Vibra
- Valentina Tarazona (3)
- Azucena Uranga (2)
- Maitena Marre (7)
- Summer Kneece (5)
Don George Polo
- Cecelia Cochran (4)
- Meghan Gracida (5)
- Kylie Sheehan (5)
- Carina “Nina” Clarkin (9)
Flying H
- Dawn Jones (5)
- Malia Bryan (6)
- KC Krueger (6)
- Gillian Johnston (5)
La Dolfina
- Mora Castagnola (3)
- Myla Cambiaso (4)
- Mia Cambiaso (9)
- Micaela Saracco (6)
Las Brisas
- Brinkley Erb (3)
- Colette “Coco” Sandhu (3)
- Catalina “Cata” Lavinia (8)
- Maddie Grant (7)
Victory/Eastern Hay
- Rebecca “Becky” Schmeits (0)
- Aspen Tinto (2)
- Milly Hine (10)
- Hazel Jackson (10)
Pre-Championship Storylines
The 2026 field was stacked with championship pedigree:
- Three 10-goal players: Milly Hine and Hazel Jackson (Victory/Eastern Hay), Hope Arellano (Aurora)
- Hine entered with back-to-back titles (2024, 2025)
- Jackson brought four prior Women’s Open wins (2016, 2018, 2022, 2023)
- Mia Cambiaso (9) carried three previous titles (2019, 2020, 2022)
- Nina Clarkin (9) held two titles (2019, 2020)
- Valentina Tarazona returned as a defending champion from 2025 (Buena Vibra)
- Kylie Sheehan and KC Krueger each previously captured the title in 2021
International competition also shaped the narrative heading into Wellington. At the 2025 Argentine Women’s Polo Open in Palermo, many of the same athletes squared off, underscoring the truly global caliber of this field.
The Championship Match: Victory/Eastern Hay vs. La Dolfina
Photo by Gberoza.
La Dolfina entered the final undefeated (3–0). Victory/Eastern Hay carried a 2–1 preliminary record and momentum from their recent USPA Women’s Gold Cup win.
First Half
Milly Hine opened scoring for Victory/Eastern Hay before Mia Cambiaso answered for La Dolfina. The match remained tight through two chukkers (2–2). By halftime, goals from Hine and Jackson gave Victory/Eastern Hay a 4–2 advantage.
Photo by GBeroza.
Second Half
Hazel Jackson extended the lead early in the fourth chukker. Myla Cambiaso and Saracco narrowed the gap, but a Penalty 1 against La Dolfina restored the cushion.
In the fifth chukker, Jackson and Castagnola traded goals. Victory/Eastern Hay maintained composure down the stretch, defending their lead to secure a 7–5 championship victory.
Final Score
Victory/Eastern Hay – 7
La Dolfina – 5
Photo by GBeroza.
Top Performers
- Hazel Jackson (Victory/Eastern Hay): 4 goals, Team MVP
- Mia Cambiaso (La Dolfina): 2 goals
- Myla Cambiaso (La Dolfina): 2 goals
Championship Highlights
- Milly Hine claimed her third consecutive Women’s Open Championship (2024–2026)
- Hazel Jackson secured her fifth Women’s Open title
- $25,000 in prize money was awarded
– $17,000 to Victory/Eastern Hay
– $8,000 to La Dolfina - The USPA donated $2,500 to each team’s selected charity
- Mora Castagnola (La Dolfina), at just 14 years old, was the youngest player in the 2026 championship field
Victory/Eastern Hay. Photo by GBeroza.
The 2026 Women’s Polo Open once again showcased the depth, athleticism, and international stature of women’s polo. With multiple 10-goalers on the field, rising young talent making headlines, and seasoned champions extending their legacies, the sport continues to evolve — and elevate.
If this year’s final proved anything, it’s that the future of women’s polo is not only secure — it’s spectacular.
Dr. Gregory A. Beroza, DVM, DACVS, DABVP has been a practicing veterinarian and consultant for 42 years; and HorseDoc® ‘Talking Horses’® media host, author, and consultant since 2007. Dr. Beroza is a multimedia host and broadcasts his productions, including a new Podcast, via his WuzUpDoc Media website: www.WuzUpDoc.com. He can be found on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and other social media sources.
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