May 8th '05: Ford Trucks FIP World Cup at Royal Palm Polo Club, Boca Raton, FL. The North American team won this fabulous 40-goal tournament. Click here to view photos by David Lominska.
The Ford Trucks FIP Global Cup lived up to its title the "Ultimate Polo Event" Players said it was the best game ever played in North America. Eight 10 Goal Legends competed all out on their own horses.
On Friday May 6th the players competed for a Skins Game worth $100,000. The UBS South America Team and the Ford Trucks North America team each won three chukkers. The South America team won two of the $15,000 chukkers and the Ford Trucks Chukker worth $25,000 to give them $55,000 to North America's $45,000.
The final outcome of the Ford Trucks FIP Global Cup was 11-10 with the Ford Trucks team of Memo Gracida, Mike Azzaro, Adam Snow and Eduardo Heguy beating the Jaguar / Land Rover team of Pepe Heguy, Nachi Heguy, Mariano Aguerre and Carlos Gracida.
The opening parade sponsored by the American Polo Horse Association featured 150 horses. It was a sight few people will ever forget. Both sides of the polo field were lined with horses and riders as the National Anthem was sung.
In addition to the incredibly fast paced game, music was introduced into the game. Songs such as "Another One Bites the Dust" or "I Feel Good" were played after goals were scored. Combinations of 19 songs were interspersed with the action. The music had the fans standing in the aisles cheering and dancing. And no one can forget Chukker Girl. Lana Marsico in a sexy red dress rode in the back of a Ford Truck between chukkers holding up a Chukker Sign.
The confetti presentation prior to awarding the keys was spectacular. The roof and front of the Royal Palm Polo Club Stadium was lined with 20 confetti cannons. As the players and their new Ford F-350 Super Duty Trucks, Jaguars and Land Rovers arrived the Stadium exploded and became a sea of confetti choreographed to two minutes of music.
After all of the keys were distributed a post game party was held on the Stadium Field. For 30 minutes straight, players were surrounded by fans seeking autographs and offering congratulations. As the thousand plus crowd partied , hot air balloons were set up as back drop for a balloon glow. All in all it was a magical weekend.
For anyone who was unfortunate enough not to be at the games, don't be discouraged the games will be aired on ESPN 2. Polo America has contracted with ESPN 2 to air The Ford Trucks $100,000 Skins Polo Game from 12:00 to 1:00 PM and the Ford Trucks FIP Global Cup from 1:00 to 2:00 PM on July 25, 2005.
Call your friends and invite them over to watch the best polo played in North America.
Lastly, Polo America would not have been able to produce this event without the support of our sponsors: Ford Trucks, UBS, Jaguar, Land Rover, American Airlines, Jaeger Le Coultre, Boca Raton Resort and Club, FIP, La Martina, Platinum Performance, Palm Beach Daily News, ESPN Radio, John Deere, American Polo Horse Association. Please let them know how much their support means to polo.
