Low Goal Polo League Set to Return to IPC in December for Second Annual Season

The successful low goal polo league will return to the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) in 2019 and is set to debut in late December, featuring eight tournaments for emerging amateur players and students of the sport. In 2018, the venue initiated the inaugural season of the recreational and amateur-friendly league, providing a safe and fun way for new players to participate in a true game setting.

“Wellington is experiencing a resurgence of the polo community for the first time in over a decade and we are extremely inspired by the record number of teams we expect to compete at the 22-goal level this season,” said Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of the Wellington Equestrian Partners. “We look forward to cultivating more interest in polo through The Polo School and the Gladiator Polo season. While the high-goal season is our first priority, we believe it was an important commitment, based on interest from last year, to expand The Polo School and low goal tournaments operated by IPC, which will create more accessibility to the premier polo club in this country for those eager to get involved in the sport.”

This season, IPC plans to expand the program to host four, six, and eight goal tournaments. Matches will take place on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The first tournament is set to begin on Thursday, December 20 and continue through the end of April. To avoid conflict with the prestigious high goal competition during the peak season, IPC has allocated non-game use fields, both on and off property, for low goal tournaments and will not utilize any field scheduled for high goal polo games this season.

Games will run four chukkers a piece during the four goal tournaments and five chukkers a piece during the six and eight goal tournaments. Each team is guaranteed three to four games per tournament and will present awards for Best Playing Pony and Most Valuable Player at the end of each tournament.

All games will be umpired by USPA-certified umpires and officials and run consistently with USPA rules and regulations.

The Polo School at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) is also returning for another busy season, serving students of all ages, riding levels and disciplines. In its inaugural year at the Club, the Polo School welcomed over 40 students with lessons occurring three to five times a day. Students of The Polo School last season were from an array of competitive backgrounds including hunter/jumper riders, amateur polo players, or were completely new to equestrian sport.

In 2018, the program started with just six polo ponies and two full-time instructors. This year’s school will have more than 20 horses in the barn and three instructors including USPA Certified Instructor Gates Gridley, Ignacio Cabrera from Southampton, New York, and Clemente Zavaleta, a seven-goal professional and MVP of the 2014 U.S. Open Final.

Winter Tournament Dates at The Polo School at IPC

Holiday Tournament: 6 Goal (5 chukkers)

3 games guaranteed

December 20 – December 27

The Wanderers Club Cup: 4 Goal

4 games guaranteed

January 3 – January 27

February 4 Goal Cup: 4 Goal

4 games guaranteed

February 2 – February 24

8 Goal Challenge: 8 Goal (5 chukkers)

3 games guaranteed

February 28 – March 10

March 4 Goal Cup: 4 Goal

4 games guaranteed

March 9 – March31

March 8 Goal Challenge: 8 Goal (5 chukkers)

3 games guaranteed

March 14 – March 30

April Cup: 8 Goal (5 chukkers)

3 games guaranteed

April 4 – April 14

8 Goal Finale: 8 Goal (5 chukkers)

3 games guaranteed

April 18 – April 30

Lessons are available seven days a week by appointment and will take place on Field 2 and in the new Gladiator Polo™ Arena. Introductory lessons start at just $100 per hour. Students can purchase individual, hourly sessions or packages of ten lessons at a discounted rate. Group classes will also be available and include mentoring and practice time with multiple professional players in order for students to get the feel for an authentic game experience. The polo ponies will be available at IPC for lessons starting December 16, 2018.