U.S. OPEN ARENA POLO CHAMPIONSHIP®
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The U.S. Open Arena Polo Championship®, a 12- to 16-goal national tournament, serves as one of the highest levels of arena polo competition currently played in the United States. The tournament has a rich history dating back to 1926. In its inaugural year, it was won by the Yale University team made up of Reddington Barret, Winston Guest and William Muir. However, their champion status was quickly overtaken by Brooklyn Riding & Driving Club the following three years (1927-1929).
For nearly four decades, the tournament has been played alternately on the East Coast and West Coast at venues such as Shallowbrook Polo Club, the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, Empire Polo Club (Indio, California), Great Meadow [Twilight] Polo Club (Middleburg, Virginia), West Hills Polo Club, California Polo Club ( Los Angeles, California), and Country Farms Polo Club in Medford, New York from 2012-2018.
In contemporary U.S. Open Arena Polo Championship® competition, Cedar Croft Farms garnered the prestigious title from 2013-2015. A significant feat, as only the second team in the history of the tournament to achieve three consecutive wins with the same team members. The young team consisted of Kris Kampsen, Felipe Viana and Robert Ceparano. In 2018, Aliano Realty faced Hart Agency in four chukkers of close competition, as Aliano Realty (Pedro Gutierrez, Nick Aliano, Esteban Scott) finished out the day in the lead 11-8 to take home the title.
Following a two year absence, the U.S. Open Arena Polo Championship® was reignited and hosted by California Polo Club, with Empire Polo Club serving as the site for games. Featuring $50,000 in total prize money as part of USPA's Tournament Prize Money Matching Program, Dallas Polo Club (Vaughn Miller Jr., Will Walton, Rob Payne) accelerated their momentum against BOOM! Cult (Robert McGinley, Alejandro Nordheimer, Pelon Escapite), as the Texas trio rode to a 14-10 victory and $25,000 in prize money. Read article here.
Returning to the East Coast, the 2022 edition will be hosted by Twilight Polo Club with four teams competing for the coveted title including Liberty Hall, Beverly Equestrian, Hotels At Sea and Core Real Estate. Representing Team USPA is alumnus Connor Deal (Core Real Estate).
The 2022 U.S. Open Arena Polo Championship® will offer $40,000 in total prize money as part of the USPA Tournament Prize Money Matching Program (PMMP). The prize will be split between first ($20,000), second ($12,000), third ($5,000) and fourth ($3,000) place teams.
Photo: 2021 U.S. Open Arena Polo Championship® Champions: Dallas Polo - Rob Payne, Will Walton, Vaughn Miller Jr. ©Kerri Kerley
