12/27/2024
The Palm Beach Post
Sharon Robb
Dec. 27, 2024
National Polo Center and U.S. Polo Association winter season kicks off this week
WELLINGTON — The National Polo Center and U.S. Polo Association winter season kicks off Sunday with the George Miller Memorial.
Every Sunday afternoon from Sunday through April 27 featured games and tournament finals will be held on U.S. Polo Assn. Field One.
On Sunday, Concord Equity Group (Dana Barnes, Jeff Hall, Nico Escobar, Lucas Escobar) will play Port Mayaca Polo Club (Juanse Olivera, Vaughn Miller, Manu Villamil, Stevie Orthwein) for the trophy, an antique silver tray, at 3 p.m.
Miller is credited with developing polo throughout Texas and in 2017 was awarded the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame's Iglehart Award, recognizing exceptional lifetime contributions to the sport. The horse trainer and mentor also founded the Austin Polo Club.
The winter schedule is highlighted by the Gauntlet of Polo, NPC 16-Goal Championship, U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship and National President’s Cup.
The new year will kick off Jan. 5 with the Heritage Cup final at 3 p.m. between San Saba (Dawn Jones, Santi Zubiaurre, Alfonso Pieres, Steve Krueger) and Concord Equity Group (Dana Barnes, Lucas Escobar, Nico Escobar, Jeff Hall).
The Gauntlet of Polo is the signature event of the NPC season, running Feb. 7-23 with the C.V. Whitney Cup, continuing with the USPA Gold Cup from Feb. 24-March 23, and concluding with the U.S. Open Polo Championship from March 24-April 20.
Prize money distribution for the 2025 season will follow last year’s format, with $50,000 awarded to each of the winning teams of the C.V. Whitney Cup and USPA Gold Cup and $100,000 presented to the winner of the U.S. Open Polo Championship.
Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso competing on different teams
Eleven teams and six 10-goalers will compete in the Gauntlet, including father and son Adolfo and Poroto Cambiaso on different teams, Hilario Ulloa, brothers Camilo and Bartolome Castagnola, also on different teams, and Tomas Panelo.
Two major 18-22-goal women's tournaments will be held back-to-back at Port Mayaca Polo Club and NPC. The new Jan. 16-25 Women's Gold Cup has five teams (BTA, Buena Vibra, La Fe Eastern Hay, Mint Eco Car Wash and North Star).
The tournament will serve as a tune-up for the Jan. 26-Feb. 9 U.S. Open Women's Championship. Six teams (BTA, Mint Eco Car Wash, defending champion Buena Vibra, North Star, La Dolfina and La Fe Eastern Hay) will compete.
Newly minted 10-goaler Hazel Jackson, hometown favorite Hope Arellano, another 10-goaler, 9-goalers Mia Cambiaso, Milly Hine, Cande Fernandez and Nina Clarkin and 8-goaler Cata Lavania head the field. Pamela Flanagan Devaleix of La Fe Eastern Hay returns after the July 12 birth of her daughter, Alina Kelley.
Also included on the schedule is the third edition of the NPC 16-Goal Championship. Qualifiers will be played across multiple clubs, with the championship hosted by NPC. Participating clubs are Port Mayaca Polo Club in Okeechobee as well as the Wellington Polo Tour (WPT) with Wellington-based Patagones Polo Club and group of private fields falling under the WPT umbrella.
The NPC 16-Goal Championship consists of four qualifying point tournaments, including the Jan. 3-26 Joe Barry Memorial, Jan. 23-Feb. 16 Ylvisaker Cup, Feb. 17-March 16 Iglehart Cup and March 18-April 6 Outback Cup. Each winning team advances to the championship final.
The Joe Barry Memorial features six teams – San Saba, Dracarys Polo, Las Brisas, Concord Equity Group and Zapican BMW. The draw will be held after the Heritage Cup. The highest-rated players competing are 7-goaler Nachi Viana and 6-goalers Juan Martin Obregon, Facundo Obregon, Mariano Aguerre and Nico Escobar.
Select tournaments will be livestreamed on USPA digital channels. For information, go to uspolo.org.
If you want to watch polo live ...
National Polo Center 2025 Winter Season Dec. 29-April 27 National Polo Center, 3667 120th Ave., Wellington FYI: The National Polo Center is formerly the International Polo Club Palm Beach. ... For updates, field and game information, call 561-282-5290. ... Ticket prices vary from general admission to box seats. Call 561-895-5052 for ticket information.
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