Townsend Cup
Since 1928, polo teams from the United States and England have been fiercely competing against one another in the world’s most acclaimed arena polo competition. This year, the competition known globally as The Townsend Cup, will take place on Saturday, January 14th and Sunday, January15th at one of the most interesting global polo venues, the 2017 Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction at the WestWorld of Scottsdale.
Annually, nearly half a million people descend upon Scottsdale’s WestWorld for the collector car auction. In years past, Barrett-Jackson has sold over $100 million worth of collector automobiles at the weeklong event. This year, Barrett-Jackson will stage the famed auction from January 14th to January 22nd.
Not only is WestWorld home to 386 acres of open space and fields, perfect for showing off some truly magnificent automobiles, it also houses the multi-purpose Equidome, officially known as the Tony Nelssen Equestrian Center. The arena has a seating capacity for 4,000 attendees, and offers climate-controlled multi-use floor for stalls, arenas or trade booths, an indoor warm-up ring, suites, party rooms and enhanced spectator amenities, the likes of which are a rarity at equestrian venues.
Not only is the venue fantastic, but the polo competition at The Townsend Cup will undoubtedly be top-notch. On the American side, the country’s only 10-goal arena polo player, Tommy Biddle, Jr. will be joined by Shane Rice and Team USPA member Jared Sheldon. The United States will face off against England, a team led by 10-goaler, Chris Hyde, and players Max Charlton and Ed Banner-Eve. Both teams are expected to compete fiercely for global bragging rights.
The Townsend Cup, the weekend’s highlight match, will begin at 4:00 PM on Saturday, January 14th. The weekend’s events will not just center around this prestigious match, however. Earlier in the day on Saturday, the United States Military Arena Polo Team will square off against the United Kingdom Military Polo Team. The matches the next day are sure to be just as exciting. At 3:00 PM on Sunday the 15th, the International Intercollegiate Challenge Cup will pit the United States against Great Britain. Just a short time later at 5:00 PM, teams will vie for the Sherman Cup, named for the president of the United States Indoor Polo Association.
“Auctioning the most beautiful cars in the world is the heart of Barrett-Jackson. But it has become so much more over the years; a lifestyle event like no other,” said Barrett-Jackson CEO Craig Jackson. “We always try to give people new reasons to come or experience us all over again. We’ve never had this kind of horsepower at Barrett-Jackson before. It should be entertaining for our guests during the auction’s first weekend.”
Tickets to Barrett-Jackson provide general admission to all of these matches. Tickets may be purchased for the individual matches on Saturday and Sunday for $20 ($17 in advance). Tickets for VIP seating in the first two rows or in sections mid-arena cost $50. Both ticket options are available at Barrett-Jackson.com.