The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) and the United States Polo Association (USPA) are pleased to announce the challenge of the historical Westchester Cup on Saturday, July 28, 2018, at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club in Windsor, Berkshire, England. The Westchester Cup was first played in 1886 and has been played 17 times throughout its history, only four of which have taken place since World War II. The cup is currently held by England, who defeated the USA team of Marc Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Polito Pieres and Mike Azzaro in 2013.
This year the USPA will field a team consisting of Julio Arellano (8), Jeff Hall (7), Nic Roldan (8), and Peke Gonzalez (5). Jared Zenni (5) will serve as USA team alternate and junior team coach and Carlucho Arellano will serve as an alternate and coach. The USA currently holds the record for the most tournament wins (10-7), but has not hoisted the cup high since 1992, when Rob Walton, Owen Rinehart, Adam Snow and John Gobin captured the win in a thrilling double overtime victory. Team USA will be hosted at the Cowdray Estate in Midhurst, West Sussex, where pregame practices will also be held. An invitation has been extended to the HPA to play the Westchester Cup on U.S. soil in 2019.
The Flannels England team will be outfitted in Hurlingham 1875 and the USA team will sport U.S. Polo Assn. apparel, both on and off the field. American players will wear performance wear jerseys, team hats, vests and jackets to promote the authenticity between the sport of polo and the licensed brand of the USPA. The USA team will also receive the support of John Muse and Lucchese, which will outfit the players in Lucchese boots.
Additionally, the United States Polo Association is pleased to announce that a team of young Americans will compete for the Junior Westchester Cup against an English junior team at the Black Bears Polo Club in Thames, Oxfordshire, England, on Friday, July 27. Players will be 16-years-old and under, and each team will have a handicap limit of four goals (half goals are rounded down). Hope Arellano, Bayne Bossum, Lucas Escobar, Tenzin Tognini and alternate Johnny Kirton will represent the United States against Charlie Townsend, Luke Wiles, Milly Hine and Will Harper for a chance to take home the title. The USPA encourages all polo fans to save the date, tune in, and cheer on some of the brightest young players in the sport.
ENGLAND: James Beim 7, Ollie Cudmore 6, James Harper 7, Tommy Beresford 5. Reserve: Jack Richardson 7.
UNITED STATES: Julio Arellano 8, Jeff Hall 7, Nic Roldan 8, Peke González 5. Reserve: Jared Zenni 5.
YOUNG ENGLAND: Charlie Townsend, Luke Wiles, Milly Hine, Will Harper.
YOUNG UNITED STATES: Hope Arellano, Bayne Bossum, Lucas Escobar, Tenzin Tognini. Reserve: Johnny Kirton.
THE WESTCHESTER CUP WILL BE STREAMED LIVE ON POLOLINE TV