International Polo Club Palm Beach Florida

2006 High-goal Polo Season Enters Home Stretch at International Polo Club with C.V. Whitney Cup Final & Stanford U.S. Open Championship

WELLINGTON, FL (March 21, 2006) – The best polo in North America will be on display during the last five weeks of the 2006 season at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

It begins Sunday at 3 p.m. with the final of the 26-goal C.V. Whitney Cup and is a prelude to the prestigious 26-goal Stanford U.S. Open Championship, which is four weeks of the fastest, most thrilling polo that spectators will witness in the country.

Defending champion White Birch, led by the strong combination of 10-goaler Mariano Aguerre and 9-goaler Lucas Criado, head the list of 13 teams entered in the 2006 Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

The Stanford U.S. Open is the culmination of the ultra-competitive winter polo season and covers the first four Sundays in April. The final, on Sunday, April 23 at 3 p.m. on Stanford Field at International Polo Club, expects to draw more than 8,000 spectators.

Other returning teams include 2005 finalist Skeeterville and 2005 semifinalist Bendabout as well as two-time champion Isla Carroll, Lechuza Caracas, Black Watch, Pony Express, Las Monjitas and Orchard Hill.

New teams entered include BTA, Mokarow Farms, San Saba and ERG.
The quarterfinals are scheduled for Sunday, April 16 with the semifinals set for Wednesday, April 19.

Historically, the U.S. Open has always been the grand prize of polo in North America. It is one of only four tournaments played at the 26-goal echelon, the highest-rated tournament in the United States. The others are the Hall of Fame Cup and the C.V. Whitney Cup, both also played at International Polo Club Palm Beach in 2006, and the USPA Gold Cup, being played in Aiken, South Carolina later this year.

Off the field, the competition is just as intense with a plethora of social events, highlighted by the black-tie Polo Ball on Friday, April 14 in the Grand Marquee. Sponsors, such as Stanford Private Wealth Management, Bombardier and Bluefish Concierge, host parties where clients, patrons and polo players mingle and have fun. Charities hold benefit luncheons and there’s a fabulous Tailgate Festival & Competition on the last Saturday of the season (April 22) that is open to the public.

The Kids Zone continues to be a very popular area and features pony rides, a Bounce House for children 7 & under, a giant inflatable slide, a huge rock climbing wall, an inflatable obstacle course, spin art & sand art, a bungee trampoline and numerous surprises.

A delicious concession stand by Continental Catering features cotton candy, snow cones, burgers, sandwiches and drinks which help make the game even more enjoyable.

But it’s the thrilling action on the field that draws the large crowds to International Polo Club Palm Beach where 12 teams will attempt to keep White Birch from repeating as Stanford U.S. Open champion, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since 1999.

"I think that the 2006 U.S. Open is going to be very competitive and exiting,” said White Birch 10-goaler Mariano Aguerre. “The most important players and patrons are going to be there, because with the Argentine Open and the British Gold Cup, these are the most prestigious tournaments in the world. Since we are almost the same team that won it last year, I think that we are one of the teams to beat, but that doesn't mean that everybody is out to get us.”

Who wins the 102nd edition of the Stanford U.S. Open in 2006 will have to be fortunate enough to overcome the competition and unforeseen obstacles, such as injuries to players or top horses. And the immense pressure of competing for the Super Bowl of polo.

The polo matches at International Polo Club are open to the public. General admission for the Stanford U.S. Open games on Sunday at International Polo Club Palm Beach is $15 for adults. Children under 12 enter for free. Tickets may be purchased at the gate on the day of the game.

International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South, between Pierson Road and Lake Worth Road in Wellington. For information, directions or ticket purchases, please call the club at (561) 204-5687 or visit the website at www.internationalpoloclub.com.

Photo: Owen Rinehart of Skeeterville. Photo by David Lominska

International Polo Club
Palm Beach

Tournament Schedule

News & Game Results

Game Schedule & Team Line-ups

Photos by David Lominska

Contact Info:

For ticket information, call (561) 204-5687

Club website at www.internationalpoloclub.com.

For information about the upcoming 2005 high-goal season, including the Stanford Financial Group U.S. Open, call the club at (561) 204-5687

International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South, between Pierson Road and Lake Worth Road, in Wellington.