Aiken, SC – Aiken’s status as a world polo venue takes on a new dimension this fall with the announcement that the USPA Gold Cup finals will be filmed as an encore presentation of the Triple Crown of Polo [TCP] Championship Series and screened on ESPN2 in a program airing Sunday October 22nd at 1pm (ET) followed by worldwide broadcast on ESPN International.
“This is a huge breakthrough for the Aiken polo scene,” said Sarah Eakin, co-chair of the Aiken Polo Festival featuring the 2006 USPA Gold Cup Polo Championship. “Polo is rarely televised consistently and the Triple Crown of Polo has a longstanding relationship and long term commitment with ESPN, which gives polo the expertise it needs to make it a viable sport for mainstream television.”
The Aiken Polo Festival concludes on October 1 with the finals of the 2006 USPA Gold Cup Polo Championship at New Bridge Polo and Country Club. ESPN cameras will capture the action on the field and the ambience off it, for a sporting documentary program focusing on the sport of polo and its context in the environment of Aiken’s growing profile as the unofficial capital of polo in the United States. The producers plan to film behind-the-scenes and on the sidelines of the polo game as well as include shots and footage of the city of Aiken and its picturesque downtown area.
“We are focused on polo being screened as a true sporting event,” said David McLane founder and manager of TCP. “Many professional players have selected Aiken as a headquarters for their polo operations so it is fitting that ESPN should focus on the high goal polo there to reflect one of the best venues for the sport.”
The Aiken Polo Festival is sponsored in part by the Carolina Company, AgSouth, Energy Solutions, UPS, the Aiken Standard, Sidelines Magazine, Floyd and Green Jewelers, GForce Cable, Bell South, Cable Vantage, Via Mizner – the Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, Hotel Aiken, Outback Steakhouse and AllStar Rents.
The TCP series brands polo to create an integrated platform to maximize exposure and corporate support for the sport. ESPN offers action to more than 90 million homes domestically while ESPN International’s 31 networks reach over 200 countries and territories.
About Triple Crown of Polo
The Triple Crown of Polo (TCP) is the first multi-market tournament series in the sport’s history and provides sponsors a unique opportunity to reach the loyal fans of world class polo competitions. ESPN has an exclusive agreement for coverage of the TCP across multiple ESPN outlets, including domestic and international television rights. For more information, visit www.triplecrownofpolo.com.
TICKET INFORMATION for the Aiken Polo Festival/USPA Gold Cup
Tickets to the 2006 USPA Gold Cup Polo Championship go on sale on Monday April 10. Tickets can be bought at the Aiken Downtown Development Association in The Alley, Downtown Aiken or by visiting the web site www.aikengoldcuppolo.com. Pre-sale ticket reservations can be made by calling the Aiken Downtown Development Association Office 803 649 2221.
2006 USPA Gold Cup Polo Championship
Sunday feature games
September 17, 24
Semi Finals September 28
Finals October 1
New Bridge Polo and Country Club, Aiken, SC
Infoline: 803 642 GOLD
Website: www.aikengoldcuppolo.com