Empire Polo Club to Host USPA Townsend Cup
A 22-Goal Arena Polo Tournament on Saturday, March 26th at 6 PM
For the first time in the history of polo in the desert, there will be a 22-Goal Arena Polo Tournament right here at Empire Polo Club. The United States Polo Association (USPA) has awarded the USPA Townsend Cup to Empire Polo Club. This is the first time this prestigious event will be held on the west coast and it is also the highest level of polo currently played on the west coast. If you were to compare polo to golf, the Townsend Cup would be PGA Tour level polo. Empire Polo Club and the local polo community are very excited to be awarded this tournament and to host such an historic event.
USPA Townsend Cup Arena Challenge Game – Saturday, March 26th, 2011
The USPA Townsend Cup is an arena challenge game traditionally played between teams from the U.S. and England. The game will be handicapped at 22-goal polo, which means that all of the players handicaps on one team, when combined, equal 22 goals or less. The higher the handicap, the higher the skill level is of the players and their team. The highest level being played this winter on the grass is 8-10 Goal Polo. A 22-Goal Arena game is a rare opportunity and one that you won’t want to miss.
Professional polo players are flying in from England and various parts of the U.S. to compete in this 1-day event. Shane Rice, originally from Poway, CA, is rated 7 goals. Joining Rice are two players from Wellington, FL, John Gobin, (6 goals) and Tommy Biddle (9 goals). Biddle is the Team Captain. Billy Sheldon, from Poway, CA, is the coach and alternate player for the U.S. Team. Sheldon is rated 7 goals.
Representing England: Ryan Pemble (6), Chris Hyde (9) (Capt), Sebastian Dawnay (7) and reserve player and coach Jonny Good (8).
Event Details:
Event: USPA Townsend Cup 22-Goal Arena Tournament
Date: Saturday, March 26th at 6:00 Pm
General Admission: FREE
Location: Empire Polo Club Arena
To read about the Townsend Cup, look at the Winter 2008 issue of Hurlingham with Nacho Figueras on the cover https://hurlinghampolo.com/back_issues.php
On page 28 is a history of the Cup by Herbert Spencer and on page 56 is a game report by Alex Webbe of the first time the cup was played for in 50 years where the USA beat England in September 2008 at Great Meadows.