United States Polo Association® to Host U.S. Open Arena Polo Championship®
July 11 – 22 at Country Farms Polo Club
Historic championship represents one of the highest levels of arena polo competition in the United States
The United States Polo Association (USPA) has announced that the U.S. Open Arena Polo Championship will take place July 11 – 22 at the Country Farms Polo Club in Medford, New York. The 12- 18-goal tournament serves as one of the highest levels of arena polo competition currently played in the United States.
The tournament has a rich history dating back to 1926. In its inaugural year, it was won by the Yale University team made up of Reddington Barret, Winston Guest and William Muir. However, their champion status was quickly overtaken by Brooklyn Riding & Driving Club the following three years (1927-1929).
Over the past 35 years, the tournament has been played alternately on the East Coast and West Coast at venues such as Shallowbrook Polo Club (New York), the Los Angeles Equestrian Center (California), Empire Polo Club (California), Great Meadow Polo Club (Virginia), West Hills Polo Club (New York), California Polo Club (California), and most recently for the last five years, Country Farms Polo Club.
In contemporary U.S. Open Arena polo competition, Cedar Croft Farms has garnered the prestigious title from 2013-2015. A significant feat, as only the second team in the history of the tournament to achieve three consecutive wins with the same team members. The young team consisted of Kris Kampsen, Team USPA member* Felipe Viana and Robert Ceparano. Last year NYC Polo including arena veteran Matias Magrini, Team USPA member Jared Sheldon* and Samuel Ramirez Jr. narrowly defeated Cedar Croft Farms in the final 17-15.
“The USPA looks forward to this year’s tournament and hosting several teams that will represent the sport of polo to a wide audience on the USPA Polo Network,” said Duncan Huyler, USPA CEO. “We thank Country Farms for their hospitality and efforts to host this historical tournament.”
Polo fans are encouraged to attend the games and cheer for their favorite team. Tickets to the final on July 22 are $5 in advance and $10 at the door and can be purchased at www.country-farms.com. All other games are free and open to the public, visit uspolo.org for an up-to-date schedule. For those who cannot attend in person, the USPA Polo Network will livestream the U.S. Open Arena Polo Championship on www.uspolo.org.
Team registration is still available by contacting Bob Ceparano at bob@country-farms.com. For more information on the U.S. Open Arena Polo Championship, please visit www.uspolo.org.
*Felipe Viana and Jared Sheldon are members of Team USPA. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.