Gladiator Polo - Hurlingham Polo

Spartacus Scuttles Priscus 18-11, Will Face Spiculus in Gladiator Polo™ Final April 8

In a sixth-chukker surge, Team Spartacus doubled their score and knocked Team Priscus out of the competition Friday, March 31, in round six of Gladiator Polo™ presented by U.S. Polo Assn. Gladiator Polo™ takes place at the “Coliseum,” otherwise known as the Equestrian Village of Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).

Team Spartacus’ win earned them a place in the Gladiator Polo™ League Final on Saturday, April 8. They will oppose Team Spiculus in the match.

With the game tied at nine going into the final chukker, Spartacus scored a stunning nine more goals to clinch the win 18-11. The 11th-hour victory was due in large part to three stunning 2-point goals by Spartacus (two of them by Tommy Biddle and the other by Felipe Viana). Biddle added another regular goal and teammate Jason Crowder contributed two, bringing their team’s game total to 18.

Team Spartacus outworks Team Priscus in the match hosted on Friday, March 31, at Equestrian Village, propelling them to the Gladiator Polo™ League Final on Saturday, April 8.

“It was a battle out there!” said Crowder, who credited the win to his teammates. Motioning to Biddle and Viana, he said, “They pulled it out with those 2-pointers and saved us.”

Viana received the MVP Award presented by the Triple Crown Group. He said he is “super-excited about the final,” adding, “We had won all our games but we still had to win tonight to get to there.”

Biddle, a legendary arena polo player who has competed all over the world, said, “For me Gladiator Polo™ is the second-best thing to representing my country. I am really excited to be part of the first final because this event is doing great things for the sport of arena polo.”

Team Spartacus poses with sponsor Carol Sollak of Engel & Völkers and David Cummings CEO & President of USPA Global Licensing after their win against Team Priscus at Equestrian Village.

Spartacus’ sponsor, Carol Sollak of Engel & Völkers, said she was proud of her team. “They played amazing!” she said. “I’m very excited about the final. The boys are ready!”

Spartacus’ lineup was: Jason Crowder (7-goal arena handicap), Felipe Viana (7) and Tommy Biddle (10).

Nic Roldan (8) was high-scorer for Team Priscus, with seven goals. His teammates were Jeff Hall (8) and Facundo Obregon (7).

Team Spartacus, featuring Poroto Cambiaso, defeated Team Priscus 3-1 in the children’s chukker at halftime of the match.

During halftime children of top international polo players competed in an exhibition chukker. Team Spartacus included Poroto Cambiaso, Fran Spinacci and Benja Quiroga. Santos Merlos, Kristos Magrini and Tobias Rey played for Team Priscus.

In the children’s chukker, Spartacus defeated Priscus 3-1. Magrini made the first goal. Then Cambiaso went on a scoring spree, with his last goal sealing the win for his team in the final 15 seconds of play.

Four teams entered the 2017 Gladiator Polo™ series:

TEAM SPICULUS sponsored by Don Graves and Marshall & Sterling Insurance, Equisport Division
Supporting sponsors: Braman Motors Bentley, Jamison Irish Whiskey, Stella Artois Beer, Florida Community Bank, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Hedrick Brothers Construction, the Fite Group Luxury Homes, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, VISIT FLORIDA, Gold Coast Feed, Gladiator Sporting Goods Factory.

TEAM CRIXUS sponsored by U.S. Trust Bank of America Private Wealth Management
Supporting sponsors: Braman Motors Mini Cooper, Malibu Rum, Shock Top Beer, Connelly’s Red Mills, Pegasus Builders, The Maya Group, Gonzalez Shenkman & Buckstein, VIP Medical Weight Loss, Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission, DePaula Auto Group.

TEAM PRISCUS sponsored by Richard Schechter and Bainbridge Companies
Supporting sponsors: Braman Motors BMW, Absolut Vodka, Raymond James, Bud Light, Dutta Corporation, Five Star Builders, Rosenbaum PLLC, Maria Mendelsohn/Douglas Elliman, Discover the Palm Beaches, and Palm Beach Riding Academy.

TEAM SPARTACUS sponsored by Carol A. Sollak, P.A. and Engel & Völkers
Supporting sponsors: Braman Motors Porsche, Avion Tequila, Bank of America, Goose Island Beer, Cavalleria Toscana, Palm Beach Equine Clinic, W Development Group, Galle Law Group, Palm Beach County Sports Commission, and The Wanderers Club.

Guests at an optional Asado buffet watched ringside from close-to-the-action tables in a party tent. Polo players joined spectators at a lively and packed after-party in the “Lion’s Den,” open to all, featured dancing to tunes spun by DJ Maximus. Click here to purchase tickets for the Gladiator Polo™ League Final on Saturday, April 8, at Equestrian Village.

Gates open at 7:00 p.m., and the game starts at 8:00 p.m. General admission is free. For more information please visit www.gladiatorpolo.com.

For sponsorship requests please contact Tannis Marley at tmarley@equestriansport.com.

For information on teams and training please contact Gates Gridley at jgridley@equestriansport.com.