The much-awaited polo series returns, beginning its three-part event with the C.V. Whitney Cup.
The Gauntlet of Polo has kicked off its three-part series with the C.V. Whitney Cup last February 7.
The much-awaited polo event brings together some of the finest horses and world’s best polo players for the next three months of American high-goal competition. All games are played on the official U.S. Polo Assn. Stadium Field at the IPC in Wellington, Florida.
Established in 2019, the Gauntlet of Polo combines the three premier tournaments in the U.S. into a series that crowns one champion. Its first part, the C.V. Whitney Cup, will run until February 27. It will continue with the USPA Gold Cup from March 1 to27. It will conclude with the illustrious U.S. Open Polo Championship from March 29 to April 24. All Gauntlet games and official USPA events will be streamed on Global Polo TV.
Unique from last year, this season’s competition accepted individual team entries for all three individual tournaments. The U.S. Open Polo Championship, the final tournament of the Gauntlet, has a record number of twenty teams competing, which is the largest number of
entries in the tournament’s history. Of the competitors, nine teams are competing in all three tournaments and fighting for the prestigious trophy, including the inaugural and reigning Gauntlet Champion Pilot.
“We look forward to reaching more sports fans and attracting new audiences to the sport of polo and to the U.S. Polo Assn. brand, as we celebrate this amazing polo series,” President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing J. Michael Prince says. “The U.S. Polo Assn. continues its mission to support the sport in a variety of ways including key sponsorships as well as the meaningful philanthropic donations to polo causes.”
The nine teams vying for the Gauntlet trophy include Cessna, with Miguel Novillo Astrada (9), Raul ‘Gringo’ Colombres (8), Edward ‘Camp’ Campbell (2), and Will Johnston (2). There’s also team Coca-Cola, with Nicolas ‘Nico’ Pieres (9), Rufino Bensadon (8), Julian de Lusarreta (7), Nico Escobar (5), and Gillian Johnston (1).
Another team aiming to claim victory is the Dutta Corp/Show+, with Tomas Garcia del Rio (8), Ignacio “Inaki” Laprida (7), Timmy Dutta (4), and Joaquin Avendaño (3). Meanwhile, La Fe has also made their way to snatching top honors, with members Francisco Elizalde (9), Lucas Diaz Alberdi (6), Robi Bilbao (5), Louis Devaleix (0), and Manuel Elizalde (7).
La Indiana makes a presence in the games, with Mariano Aguerre (7), Jeff Hall (6), Lucas ‘Luckitas’ Criado Jr. (5), and Stewart Armstrong (3). Opponent Park Place is also ready to race to the finish line and win, with Hilario Ulloa (10), Juan Britos (9), Cody Ellis (3), Andrey Borodin (0), and Joshua Hyde (0).
Not to be left behind, team Pilot is here to defend their title, with Facundo Pieres (10), Matias Torres Zavaleta (7), Mackenzie Weisz (5), and Curtis Pilot (0). SD Farms, on the other hand, brings a great lineup with David ‘Pelon’ Stirling (10), Peco Polledo (6), Lucas Escobar (4), Sayyu Dantata (2), and Sayyu Dantata Jr. (1).
Last but not the least, Scone has their game face on, with Adolfo Cambiaso (10), Poroto Cambiaso (9), Kristos ‘Keko’ Magrini (3), David Paradice (0), and Miki Astrada (0).
