NATIONAL COPPER CUP®
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Established in 1975, the National Copper Cup became a staple at Lexington Polo Club (Lexington, Kentucky) throughout the 2000s before relocating to Aiken Polo Club (Aiken, South Carolina) in 2010. Strengthening its presence in the Aiken polo community, the tournament was hosted by New Bridge Polo & Country Club (Aiken, South Carolina) from 2018 to 2020. After a three-year hiatus, the prestigious tournament was revived in 2024 at Sarasota Polo Club in Sarasota, Florida.
Several Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame inductees have hoisted the unique trophy including Tommy Biddle Jr., Jeff Blake, Jimmy Bachman, George Bostwick, Carlton Beal, George Hass Jr., Stephen Orthwein Sr. and Adam Snow.
The tournament’s most dominant run belongs to Skaneateles, which made history as the only team to capture a three-peat from 2017 to 2019—a record that still stands today.
In 2024, Barefield (Ignacio "Nachi" Viana, Roman "Vasco" Iriatre Sr., Diego "Joaquin" Arguello, Mark Mulligan) were pitted against Whiskey Pond (Brent Hamill, Manuel Mazzocchi, Leon Schwencke, Guillermo Aguero). Ahead by one goal at halftime, Barefield extended its advantage in the second half, securing a decisive 15-7 win and undefeated tournament run.
This year's edition of the National Copper Cup will field four competitive teams. Featuring many Sarasota staples, reigning champion Barefield is back to defend its title and will face tough competition from Hillcroft, Las Brisas and Tito's, each setting their sights on capturing the cup for the first time. Representing Team USPA are alumni Mason Wroe (Hillcroft), Herndon Radcliffe (Hillcroft) and Neil Osburg (Tito's).
Sarasota Polo Club will be taking advantage of the USPA's Tournament Support Program (TSP) for the National Copper Cup, which provides eligible USPA Member Clubs with waived tournament fees, trophies or trophy reimbursements, 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: 2024 National Copper Cup Champions: Barefield - Ignacio "Nachi" Viana, Roman "Vasco" Iriarte Sr., Diego "Joaquin" Arguello, Mark Mulligan. ©Eric Nalpas
