ALLIED SERVICES CUP
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Hosted exclusively by Texas Military Polo Club in Poteet, Texas, the Allied Services Cup is a national 2- to 5-goal arena competition, which allows participants to accrue individual points towards National Arena Amateur Cup (NAAC) standings. Established in 2021, Villa Ecleto earned the inaugural title 14-6 over Legends Polo Club, followed by back-to-back victories from Patton Legacy Sports (2022, 2023).
Participants in the Allied Services Cup must have served in the military of any country in order to participate, whether currently in active duty, retired or honorable discharge. However, if there is an insufficient number of players meeting that criterion, a military family member of any country can then participate. Led by the Armed Forces Committee, the Allied Services Cup aims to maximize participation and include military family members in the event.
In 2023, a battle between defending champions Patton Legacy Sports (Lauren Sterr, Karl Hilberg, Ariel Mancebo) and Williams Polo (Cody Goetz, Joss Leufrancois, Brady Williams) was determined in the final moments of play. Entering the second half trailing by three, Mancebo led Patton Legacy Sport's comeback, sealing the triumph 14-11 to retain the title. Read article here.
This year's edition will field four talented teams with notable military representatives and family members battling for the trophy. Patton Legacy Sports returns with the same line-up for a third consecutive year consisting of Lauren Steer, Karl Hilberg and Ariel Mancebo and will attempt to capture a three-peat. 2023 runner-up Williams Polo and will aim once more for the podium, alongside Scuderia SA and Visage.Jobs, each hoping to earn secure their first Allied Services Cup title. Representing Team USPA is alumna Tiamo Hudspeth (Scuderia SA).
Texas Military Polo Club will be taking advantage of the USPA's Tournament Support Program (TSP) for the Allied Services Cup, which provides eligible USPA Member Clubs with waived tournament fees, trophies or trophy reimbursements up to $1,200, one professional umpire and $2,500 in prize money at no extra cost.
The USPA originally created the Tournament Stimulus Package (TSP) to help member clubs host USPA events when the United States was emerging from the first wave of the COVID-19 crisis. The USPA wanted to continue to support member clubs with TSP benefits in 2022. Therefore, it extended and expanded TSP under a new name - the Tournament Support Program. Each USPA Member Club can obtain TSP benefits for two USPA events, with the option of a third under specific circumstances.
Photo: 2023 Allied Services Cup Champions: Patton Legacy Sports - Patton Legacy Sports - Karl Hilberg, Lauren Sterr, Ariel Mancebo. ©David Murrell
