UNITED STATES POLO ASSOCIATION AND INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB PALM BEACH ANNOUNCE 2022 HIGH-GOAL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE AND ONE-YEAR GAUNTLET OF POLO® EXTENSION
October 14, 2021
The United States Polo Association and International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) in Wellington, Florida, are pleased to announce the 2022 high-goal polo tournament schedule and GAUNTLET OF POLO® one-year extension of the original three-year tournament agreement established in 2019. The season will begin on Sunday, January 2, 2022 with the Iglehart Cup and conclude on Sunday, April 24, 2022 with the U.S. Open Polo Championship® Final.
“Our partnership with IPC over the last three years in bringing the GAUNTLET OF POLO® to players, fans and enthusiasts around the globe has been a significant success for the sport,” said Stewart Armstrong, USPA Chairman. “We look forward to building on that success.”
The three-part high-goal GAUNTLET OF POLO® debuted in February 2019 at International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida. Challenging the status quo and reshaping the trajectory of high-goal polo in the United States, the innovative pinnacle event increased team participation and attraction through prize money. History was made during the inaugural GAUNTLET OF POLO®, when Pilot captured all three events and were crowned GAUNTLET Champions.
The 2022 GAUNTLET OF POLO® will return for the fourth year on February 6-27, with the C.V. Whitney Cup®, continue with the USPA Gold Cup®, March 1-27, and conclude with the illustrious U.S. Open Polo Championship® March 29 — April 24 on the U.S. Polo Assn. Field. Revising the prize money distribution for the 2022 season, the new format guarantees a total of $200,000 in prize money. $50,000 will be awarded to each of the winning teams of the C.V. Whitney Cup® and USPA Gold Cup®. Similarly, $100,000 in prize money will be presented to the winner of the U.S. Open Polo Championship®. Any team that wins all three tournaments will be crowned the GAUNTLET Champion. IPC will be joining Port Mayaca Polo Club (Okeechobee, Florida) in welcoming back the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship® beginning on Monday, March 7 and concluding with the final on Saturday, March 19 on the U.S. Polo Assn. Field. The closing date for teams for both the 16- to 18-goal series and GAUNTLET OF POLO® is Monday, November 15, while the closing date for the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship® is Wednesday, December 1.
“We are all on pins and needles to see the best that American polo can offer in 2022—passionate high-goal team owners, star athletes, incredible horsepower, and grueling competition,” said Chris Green, USPA Chief Operating Officer. “The USPA is committed to providing a level playing field for all the competitors and eager to see if another GAUNTLET Champion emerges!” he continued.
IPC tentatively plans to welcome spectators so they can enjoy the sport of polo from stadium seating or the fieldside covered patio during brunch in the Pavilion. Details, including possible COVID protocols, are still being finalized and will be released soon at InternationalPoloClub.com.
All tournaments except the Iglehart Cup will be livestreamed on Global Polo TV’s (GPTV) OTT platform, accessible on GlobalPolo.com and on major apps including iOS, Android, Roku and Amazon FireTV. The Global Polo Pass annual subscription will be made available starting November 2021 and will include polo events from around the world. The subscription will include access to all livestreamed USPA Official Events, select international events and much more. All USPA Members who have paid their membership dues will receive the Global Polo Pass complimentary once dues are paid in full. Special offers will be available at www.globalpolo.com.
2022 IPC POLO SCHEDULE*
16- to 18-Goal
Iglehart Cup
Tournament Date: January 2, 2022
Joe Barry Memorial
Tournament Dates: January 2-16, 2022
Closing Date: November 15, 2021
Limited to six teams
Ylvisaker Cup
Tournament Dates: January 15 – February 6, 2022
Closing Date: November 15, 2021
Limited to eight teams
Women’s Polo
U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship®
Co-hosted with Port Mayaca Polo Club
Tournament Dates: March 7-19, 2022
Closing Date: December 1, 2021
Limited to eight teams
18- to 22-Goal GAUNTLET OF POLO®
C.V. Whitney Cup®
Tournament Dates: February 6-27, 2022
Closing Date: November 15, 2021
**Limited to 12 teams
USPA Gold Cup®
Tournament Dates: March 1-27, 2022
Closing Date: November 15, 2021
**Limited to 12 teams
U.S. Open Polo Championship®
Tournament Dates: March 29 – April 24, 2022
Closing Date: November 15, 2021
**Limited to 12 teams
Contact Polo Manager Haley Bryan at (803) 215-3577 or hbryan2485@aol.com to discuss season plans.
*Please note dates are subject to adjustment.
**The team limit for the 2022 GAUNTLET OF POLO® is 12 teams. IPC will accept additional entries beyond 12 only if their entry is advantageous to the tournament format and scheduling allows.