ROSSMORE CUP
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The Rossmore Cup was first introduced to the polo scene in 1993 at Rancho Santa Fe Polo Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California. Malibu Valley (Diego Sustaita, Enrique Zavaleta, Steve Crowder, Brian Boudreau) claimed the first tournament trophy, defeating Rocking R in the inaugural final 10-9. Hosted at multiple clubs throughout Southern California, the tournament found its current home at Eldorado Polo Club in Indio, California, in 2017.
Last played in 2022, the Rossmore Cup proudly returns to Eldorado Polo Club for the sixth time in the competition's history. Eldorado Club Manager Graham Bray currently holds the player record for most lifetime tournament wins at six, while Hanalei Bay (2009, 2011, 2012) and Casablanca (1997, 1998, 2001) are tied for the most team wins with three apiece. Recent champions include Cotterell Farms (2017), Twin Palms (2018), Highwood (2019), Sapa (2021) and BenSoleimani.com (2022).
The national 12-goal tournament is one of the few polo tournaments in the country to offer a cash incentive played under the polo skins format during the final match. Each chukker is played as a “skin” with the winner of each chukker receiving the funds designated for that chukker unless the score is tied. In the event of a tie, the amount that was available in that chukker is added to the amount to be played for in the next.
In 2022, BenSoleimani.com (Ben Soleimani, Agustin Bottaro, Jimmy Wright, Tavi Usandizaga) and Highwood (Ron Mathison, Jared Sheldon, Martin Tassara, Marcelo Rodriguez Abbiati) competed for the $5,000 up for grabs in each chukker along with the coveted Roenisch bronze trophies. Reorganizing after a slow start, BenSoleimani.com produced a dynamic attack with at least two goals from all four players to claim the Rossmore Cup 14-7, earning $25,000 of the possible $30,000 prize money. Read article here.
Fielding four competitive teams including BenSoleimani.com, Bush League, Highwood and Zahedi Chogan, the return of the Rossmore Cup will offer a total $30,000 purse as part of the USPA Tournament Prize Money Matching Program (PMMP). Additionally, $1,500 will be awarded to the Most Valuable Player and $1,000 will also be awarded to the owner/player of the Best Playing Pony.
Back to defend their title in the desert, BenSoleimani.com will feature a refreshed line-up with the return of Remy du Celliee Muller alongside additions of Felipe Marquez and Wesley Bryan. 2022 finalist Highwood will attempt to reach the podium for the first time since 2019. Returning to the competition are Bush League and Zahedi Chogan, each seeking their first Rossmore Cup title. Representing Team USPA is alumnus Remy Du Celliee Muller (BenSoleimani.com).
2022 Rossmore Cup Champions: Bensoleimani.com - Jimmy Wright (Anamarie Wright), Tavi Usandizaga, Agustin Bottaro, Ben Soleimani (Ben Soleimani Jr.) ©Kaile Roos
