The Triple Crown of Polo stays at home

The International Polo Club Palm Beach is pleased to announce that it has come to an agreement with the United States Polo Association that will insure that the country’s top three tournaments, the C. V. Whitney Cup, the USPA Gold Cup and the U. S. Open Championship will continue to call the International Polo Club home for the next three years. “We’re thrilled to know that the tradition of top quality high-goal polo will continue here at IPC,” said club president John Wash. “Our Polo Manager, Jimmy Newman, our Facilities Director, Ray Mooney, the grounds crew and the entire staff at the International Polo Club worked hard to service the many players and teams that compete here year after year, insure the integrity of these esteemed tournaments. It is reassuring to know that the United States Polo Association has the confidence in our ability to continue to serve as the steward to these competitions. The C. V. Whitney Cup was created in 1979 and was first played at the Retama Polo Center in San Antonio, Texas where it served as the handicap counterpart to the U. S. Open Championship. It came to the International Polo Club in 2003, and has made it home here for the last ten years. The United States Open Championship has been played since 1904. After its debut at Van Cortlandt Park in New York City the Open was played at a number of clubs, making its longest stays at the famed Meadow Brook Club in New York, the Oak Brook Polo Club in suburban Chicago. In 2004 the International Polo Club assumed stewardship of the prized tournament. The USPA Gold Cup was established by the USPA and debuted at the Oak Brook Polo Club in suburban Chicago. After bouncing around between Texas, Connecticut and South Carolina the USPA Gold Cup finally came to the International Polo Club in 2007, bringing all three legs of America’s Triple Crown of Polo under one roof for the first time in history. “I believe it was Skeeter’s idea,” recalled International Polo Club polo manager Jimmy Newman, referring to the late S. K. Johnston, III. “As I recall he pushed to get all three of the major tournaments staged at one location,” he said. “John Goodman made it happen, and all three tournaments of the Triple Crown of Polo have been here ever since (2007). I think that the extension of the contract between IPC and the United States Polo Association is important in solidifying the future of the game in America at its highest level,” he added. “We’re honored to remain the home of these revered competitions,” offered IPC President of Club Operations, John Wash, “and to continue with the warm relationship we have developed over the years with our tournament sponsors, as Nespresso, Piaget and Royal Salute assist us in supporting and promoting this exciting equestrian sport.” Terms of the contract insure the fact that all three 26-goal tournaments will continue to call the International Polo Club home.