Women’s polo is no longer just a global trend—in Canada, it is becoming an unstoppable force. Following the resounding success of its inaugural edition, the Canadian Women’s Open Polo Championship is returning with a clear mission: to solidify its place as the country’s marquee national event.
Behind this ambitious project is Emily Hurst, whose strategic vision aims to bridge Canada’s regional circuits and project local talent onto the international stage. In this exclusive interview, Hurst shares insights into what promises to be a historic edition, the rapid growth of the sport, and the personal driving force behind leading this movement.

An Experience That Extends Beyond the Field

The Canadian Women’s Polo Open is generating a lot of attention this year. What can players and spectators expect that sets this edition apart?
This year marks the second edition of the Canadian Women’s Open Polo Championship, and our main goal is to continue building the event into something players, sponsors, and spectators want to return to year after year.
We’re very excited to welcome back many of the players and corporate partners who supported the inaugural event, and we’re thrilled to introduce a few new names to the lineup. Last year, we were fortunate to have an exceptional group of women join us, and the level of on-field competition was incredibly strong. Players can expect competitive, well-organized polo and an event designed to showcase the sport at its highest level.
For spectators, we want the experience to extend far beyond the action on the field. Finals day will feature premium competitive polo, vendor villages, sponsor activations, and a traditional after-party asado once the on-field action wraps up. Our aim is to create a full event experience—one that celebrates women’s polo while bringing together the broader polo and local community.

Connecting a Vast Country Through Polo

Women’s polo continues to grow globally. From your perspective, how is Canada positioning itself within that movement?
I think the growth of women’s polo in Canada is already very clear when you look at the number of women’s tournaments taking place across the country. From Polo for the Cure in Toronto, to the Springfield Women’s Challenge in Winnipeg, the Tiffany Burns Memorial Heart Cup in Calgary, and the Women’s Challenge hosted by the Ottawa Polo Club—the appetite is certainly there. Each year new events pop up as well, like the Okanagan Polo Club’s women’s tournament taking place this May.

“There is real momentum and Canada has the talent. What we’re continuing to build now is the network.”
— Emily Hurst

Because the country is so large geographically speaking, many women play primarily within their own club or regional circuit. Consequently, there are fewer opportunities to connect with players from other provinces or from outside Canada. That is where I think the Canadian Women’s Open can play an important role. We hope it becomes a premier fixture on the women’s polo calendar, both nationally and internationally—an event where players can compete at a strong level, build lifelong relationships, and strengthen the women’s polo community in Canada.

The Driving Force Behind the Vision

Behind every great tournament there’s a strong vision. What has been the biggest driving force for you in organizing this event?
The idea for this tournament really came from seeing the incredible growth in women’s polo globally and recognizing that Canada had an opportunity to create something uniquely its own at a national level.
Having spent time in both the Toronto and Calgary polo communities, I saw firsthand how many talented women are playing in strong but entirely separate circuits. After meeting so many gifted players across Canada and North America, I felt there was a real gap. We have excellent women’s events across the country, but there wasn’t one central Women’s Open designed to bring those players, clubs, sponsors, and communities together.
The driving force behind the event is twofold: first, to showcase the high calibre of women’s polo we have right here in Canada, and second, to create a platform where women can connect and access more opportunities in the sport—whether that’s competitively, professionally, or through the relationships that naturally develop around the game.

A Legacy of Excellence and Hospitality

On a personal level, what does this tournament mean to you, and what would you love people to remember after this edition?
On a personal level, this tournament means a great deal because it represents both the growth of women’s polo and the immense potential for stronger connection within the sport in Canada.
What we would love people to remember is that this is a professional, well-organized event that delivers genuine value for everyone involved. Whether someone is experiencing their first-ever women’s tournament playing in the Pennycook Memorial, competing at the highest level in the Open Flight, sponsoring the event, or attending as a spectator, we want them to feel that the experience was deeply worthwhile and welcoming.
Ultimately, we want the Canadian Open Polo Championship to become a permanent tradition, an event people look forward to, support, and return to year after year. Our ultimate goal is to provide the best possible showcase of women’s polo in Canada while creating a truly memorable experience for everyone who makes the trip to be part of it.

Source: PoloHUB Read More