CONTINENTAL CUP
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The Continental Cup, formerly known as the Fourteen Goal, is a national USPA tournament. Reintroduced in 2022 at the 16-goal level, the Continental Cup hosted by Sarasota Polo Club (Sarasota, Florida) served as one of three tournaments (State of Florida Cup, Outback Invitational) in the inaugural Wellington Polo Tour (WPT) season.
Established in 2022, the 16-goal WPT league, led by Patagones Polo Club (Wellington, Florida) and a series of private fields falling under the WPT umbrella, serves as a stepping-stone for medium-goal polo players to gain experience on their journey to a high-goal level. This year's edition of the Continental Cup will serve as one of four WPT tournaments (Ylvisaker Cup, Iglehart Cup, Outback Invitational), with select matches at the National Polo Center - Wellington (Wellington, Florida) including the Continental Cup Final to be played on the prestigious U.S. Polo Assn. Field One.
In 2023, undefeated La Fe (Rufino Merlos, Roberto "Robi" Bilbao, Francisco Elizalde, Louis Devaleix) went head-to-head against G-Squared (Larry Ashebrook, Matias Obregon, Juan Martin Obregon, Mariano "Nino" Obregon) at Sarasota Polo Club. La Fe's hot start combined with a 9-goal performance from Most Valuable Player Elizalde ultimately sealed La Fe's 10-14 victory.
Officially bringing in the New Year, four talented teams will compete for the Continental Cup title including Catamount, Forbes Plunkett, La Fe/Dazos and Patagones. Reigning champions Francisco Elizalde, Robert "Robi" Bilbao and Louis Devaleix will strive to capture back-to-back victories with the addition of David Farache for La Fe/Dazos. Fellow 2023 victor Rufino Merlos will join Catamount, as Joaquin Avendaño and Santiago Wulff seek Patagones' return to the Continental Cup podium for the first time since 2021.
Representing Team USPA are Active Members Kristos "Keko" Magrini (Catamount), Lucas Escobar (Forbes Plunkett), Jack Whitman (Patagones) and Graduating Team USPA Member Nicolas "Nico" Escobar (Forbes Plunkett).
Patagones Polo Club will be taking advantage of the USPA's Bridge to High Goal Initiative (B2HG) for the Continental Cup, which provides eligible USPA Member Clubs three USPA Professional Umpires (two mounted officials and one third man) at 50% of the regular cost to the club.
The Bridge to High Goal Initiative (B2HG) has been created to support polo between 12 and 16 goals, a historically under-supported level of polo in the United States. The goal of the program is to build a bridge from low-goal polo to high-goal polo that provides a safe environment for competition which will allow for the cultivation of team owners and the advancement of aspiring professionals.
2023 Continental Cup Champions: La Fe - Rufino Merlos, Francisco Elizalde, Roberto "Robi" Bilbao (not pictured), Louis Devaleix (not pictured). Pictured with Agustin "Tincho" Merlos and Máximo Blanco. ©Curt Leimbach
