When the United States Polo Association (USPA) lowered the handicap of “USPA High Goal Tournament Series” from 26 to 22-goals, due to the low number of teams registering to partake in the competition, controversy ensued. However, it can be said that the decision was the right one, and the USPA now prepares to host the most competitive polo events of 2019.
The response from players and patrons has been extremely positive, and so far fifteen teams have confirmed their participation in the 2019 Palm Beach season, where the winner will receive up to one million dollars. Several other patrons have also shown interest in playing, and the USPA expects between sixteen and twenty teams to compete.
This high number of teams has not been recorded in the American high goal for many years, and although the start of the 22-goal CV Whitney Cup is over four months away, polo fans are already starting to turn their attention to the States.
INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB 2019
SEASON CALENDAR
-Herbie Pennell Cup: December 30, 2018
Limited to two teams
–Joe Barry Cup: January 3 – 13, 2019
Limited to six teams
–Ylvisaker Cup: January 11 – February 10, 2019
Limited to 20 teams
–40-Goal Challenge: February 16, 2019
–Butler Handicap: February 17, 2019
–US Women’s Open Final: March 23, 2019
–C.V. Whitney Cup: February 13 -24, 2019
Limited to 20 teams
–UPSA Gold Cup: February 24-March 24, 2019
Limited to 20 teams
-USPA US Open Polo Championship: March 27- April 20, 2019
Limited to 20 teams
The following are the teams that have expressed an interest in the 22-goal season at IPC; most of them have already confirm their presence:
Patagones, Las Monjitas, Tonkawa, Coca Cola, Goose Creek-Iconica, SD Farms, Villa del Lago-DRF, Pilot, ERG, La Indiana, RH Polo, Park Place, Postage Stamp, Equuleus, Prestige Worldwide, Dutta Corp, Travieso, Lucchese, GSA, Faraway, Mt. Brillant, Clearwater.
