WESTCHESTER CUP
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The Hurlingham Polo Association and the United States Polo Association are pleased to announce that the historical Westchester Cup will return to American soil on Friday, March 31. The distinguished international event will be taking place at the National Polo Center - Wellington (NPC) in Wellington, Florida, for the first time.
The Westchester Cup has been played 19 times throughout its 137-year-old history, only seven of which have taken place since World War II. The cup, created by Tiffany & Co., is currently held by the USA, after a talented American team including Geronimo Obregon, Mariano “Peke” Gonzalez Jr., Michael Azzaro and Jared Zenni defeated England 9-8 in overtime in 2019 to capture the title. This victory marked the first win for the U.S. after an impressive run of four consecutive wins for England. Read article here.
In the history of the Westchester Cup, the U.S. has emerged victorious on 12 occasions, while Britain has triumphed seven times. Although the tournament is not held annually, the U.S. has enjoyed significant success over the years, particularly during the mid-to-late 20th century. The American team secured an impressive six consecutive wins between 1921 and 1992, cementing their dominance in this polo rivalry.
This year, Matt Coppola, Nico Escobar, Jeff Hall and Jared Zenni will represent the stars and stripes in the international match. All currently competing for La Elina in the Gauntlet of Polo, Zenni is the only returning member from USA's 2019 championship team.
England's team will be composed of James Beim, Max Charlton, Mark Tomlinson and team captain Tomas Beresford. A team filled with returning victors, England’s Beim and Tomlinson combined forces to win the 2013 Westchester Cup, while Beresford and Beim worked together to triumph in the 2018 edition. The England collective joins the competition this year eager to avenge their 2019 overtime loss.
Escobar will be making his debut in the Westchester Cup. However, Escobar is no stranger to international success, having recently earned a silver medal in the FIP World Polo Championship. He also shares a strong on-field chemistry with teammate Jeff Hall, having previously won the 2020 USPA Gold Cup and 2020 Silver Cup together. Escobar's wealth of experience and proven track record make him a valuable asset to the USA team.
Coppola also joins the team as a first-time Westchester Cup competitor but is well-prepared for the challenge at hand having won the C.V. Whitney Cup on two occasions.
Hall is a returning Westchester Cup competitor, playing in both 2009 and 2018. In both instances, USA fell to England, so he will battle for his first win in the event. Hall brings with him the most experience. His Hall of Fame career has earned him wins in the C.V. Whitney Cup, USPA Gold Cup, U.S. Open Polo Championship, and most notably, a remarkable 10 wins in the Silver Cup.
Three of the players, Coppola, Escobar, and Zenni, are alumni of Team USPA, a unique program that aims to develop and promote the sport of polo in the United States. The program identifies young and talented American players and provides them with guided training and playing opportunities, which eventually leads to the creation of a higher-rated pool of amateur and professional players who can contribute to the growth and success of the sport of polo.
Outfitting the USA team with official performance jerseys and equipment as the Official Apparel Partner, U.S. Polo Assn. is proud to promote the brand during the pinnacle of international polo competition.
Photo: 2019 Westchester Cup Champions: USA - Jared Zenni, Mike Azzaro, Mariano "Peke" Gonzalez, Geronimo Obregon. ©David Lominska
