It is only fitting that one of the world’s most acclaimed arena polo competitions will return to the United States in 2019 and take place within a globally recognized polo venue and host of the inaugural GAUNTLET OF POLO series.
The United States Polo Association ® (USPA), the governing body for the sport of polo, will host a preeminent international arena event at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) in Wellington, Florida. Held on Saturday, January 26, six teams will vie for three separate trophies as Americans take on the English in international polo competition beginning at 1:00pm ET. All American teams will be outfitted in U.S. Polo Assn., the USPA’s official apparel brand.
The Townsend Cup, the highest handicap international arena game in which teams from England and America have been competing since 1923, will feature one of America’s top 9-goal arena polo players, Tommy Biddle Jr. One of the biggest hitters in the sport, Biddle Jr. will be joined by 8-goaler Pelon Escapite and 6-goaler Steve Krueger. Crossing the pond for England is 8-goaler Jonny Good, along with 7-goaler Sebastian Dawnay and 6-goaler Ed Banner-Eve.
USA: Tommy Biddle Jr. 9, Pelon Escapite 8, Steve Krueger 6.
ENGLAND: Jonny Good 8, Sebastian Dawnay 7, Ed Banner-Eve 6.
In 2017, USA kept the historic trophy on U.S. soil, defeating England 18-16 in a hyper-competitive game of high-goal arena polo that was a battle until the very end. The United States will seek to defend the title. “I’m looking forward to hosting the English team,” said Tommy Biddle, Jr. “ I can’t wait to finally play them on my own horses and exact revenge on England for beating the U.S. in the Bryan Morrison International Challenge Cup in England last year!”
The event will also feature the 7th Annual International Intercollegiate Challenge Cup, USPA Intercollegiate players versus Schools & Universities Polo Association (SUPA) Britain.
USPA Intercollegiate: Fiona McBride-Luman (California Polytechnic State University), Demitra Hajimihalis (University of Virginia), Christian Aycinena (Texas A&M University) and Liam Lott (Skidmore College).
SUPA Polo Team: Robyn Evans (Hartpury University), Michal Zurawski (University of Nottingham), James Glew (Northampton University) and Jamie Grayson (Oxford Brookes).
“We are excited to bring the International Intercollegiate Challenge Cup back to U.S. soil this year,” said Amy Fraser, Director of USPA Intercollegiate/Interscholastic (I/I) Polo. “This tournament has grown to become a cornerstone event for both the USPA I/I and SUPA programs. Established in 2013, the exchange between the two countries has been positive for both programs, giving up-and-coming players something tangible to strive for, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be able to compete for their school, the I/I program and their country. The comradery between the two programs continues to grow each year and the tradition is strong.” The USA leads the series 4-2 after a victorious win last year in England.
In addition, The United States Polo Association’s Armed Forces Committee will host the Churchill-Roosevelt Cup.
United States: Paul Knapp (U.S. Army), Zach Grob (U.S. Army) and Jake Flournoy (U.S. Marine Corps). Peter Rizzo and Mark Gillespie will co-coach the team and serve as reserve players alongside Joe Meyer.
England: Michael Amoore (Royal Army), George Walker (Royal Army) and Hiro Suzuki (Royal Navy).
“This is a unique event for both the USA and England with representation from each of our military, collegiate and top arena players,” said USPA CEO Robert Puetz. “With the International Polo Club’s beautiful new arena and support from the local polo community by providing great horses, we anticipate three highly competitive games.”
Schedule of Events
1:00pm ET: Churchill-Roosevelt Cup
2:30pm ET: International Intercollegiate Challenge Cup
4:00pm ET: Townsend Cup
General admission is free and open to the public. The International Polo Club Palm Beach will be selling tickets for guests to enjoy an asado for $20.00 each. For more game coverage, live action and compelling polo content for all fans, please visit www.uspolo.org.