United States Challenges England in the 22-Goal USPA Townsend International Challenge Cup
United States’ team captained by Tommy Biddle, the highest-rated arena polo player in the world
The highest level of international arena polo will be played on March 14, 2015 when the United States faces England in the historic 22-Goal USPA Townsend International Challenge Cup. The match will be played at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California at 6:30pm PST, following the United States vs. England International Intercollegiate Challenge Cup match at 5:00pm PST. The match will be live streamed on Chukker.TV.
The USPA Townsend International Challenge Cup is an indoor polo competition traditionally played between teams from the U.S. and England. In 2013, England defeated the United States to win the Cup for the first time and is returning to defend its title, with 6-goal player Oscar Mancini, 8-goal player Jonny Good, and 5-goal player Andrew Blake-Thomas. The United States team includes 10-goal player Tommy Biddle, who played on the United States’ Townsend Cup winning team in 2011 and is the highest-rated arena polo player in the world, 7-goal player Kris Kampsen and 5-goal player Jared Sheldon.
England and the United States competed for the inaugural Townsend Cup, played in Manhattan in 1923. This match spurred the growth and development of arena polo in the United States, but the Townsend Cup wasn’t played again until 2004 and then again in 2008, 2011 and 2013. The United States holds the series edge 4-1. The tournament is named in honor of John R. Townsend, a New York City social figure who was an active advocate for arena polo in the early years of its development.
“The historic Townsend International Challenge Cup reminds us of the great heritage of American Polo as we celebrate the USPA’s 125th anniversary,” said Peter Rizzo, Chief Executive Officer of the United States Polo Association. “This historic match is one of several world-class polo events that will showcase the high standard that American polo has risen to as the sport has grown and developed here.”
For more information about the 2015 USPA Townsend Cup match please visit www.empirepolo.com.