NEWS

The high-goal polo season in Wellington, Florida, is officially underway, marking the most anticipated months of the year for the sport in the United States. From January to April, the National Polo Center – Wellington (NPC) becomes the hub for world-class polo, drawing players, team owners and fans from across the globe. At the forefront of the season is the prestigious Gauntlet of Polo presented by TruBar, a trio of tournaments that includes the C.V. Whitney Cup, USPA Gold Cup and U.S. Open Polo Championship. These tournaments not only showcase the best players in the world but also represent the pinnacle of American high-goal polo.

This season stands out for the introduction of Rule 26A – Improper Blocking, designed to enhance the fluidity and pace of the game. The Gauntlet features 11 teams and six 10-goal players, promising fierce competition, with emerging talents also adding intrigue to the matches. Additionally, with the recent release of the Netflix docuseries titled “Polo,” which debuted in early December, and other marketing efforts, NPC is seeing a dramatic increase in spectators to start the 2025 season.

Beyond the high-goal action, the U.S. polo calendar reflects the diversity and growth of the sport. Medium-goal tournaments, such as the Joe Barry Memorial and the Ylvisaker Cup, continue to offer thrilling competition, culminating in the NPC 16-Goal Championship. Women’s polo also takes the spotlight with the inaugural USPA Women’s Gold Cup, a milestone event that extends the women’s season and underscores its growing prominence.

Adding to the anticipation, Carlucho Arellano, Executive Director of Services for the United States Polo Association (USPA), provided unique insight into what makes this season so special. In his role, he oversees the structure and initiatives that drive the sport’s development across all levels. From new tournament formats to the upcoming II FIP Arena World Polo Championship in Virginia, Arellano shared his perspective on how this dynamic season is setting the stage for polo’s continued growth in the U.S.

Carlucho, the high-goal polo season in Wellington has just begun. What makes this year’s season stand out?
“The ‘No Blocking in Live-Play’ rule makes this season stand out. It will be used in all polo with the hopes of making the game even more thrilling to watch. There is also built-up excitement around new spotlight players.”

The Gauntlet of Polo is again attracting the best players in the world. What are your expectations for this year’s competition with 11 teams and six 10-goal players?
“I am dying to watch some of the new 10 goalers mixing it up, but I am equally excited to see what some of these emerging young players can do when the high-goal pressure is applied.”

While high-goal polo takes the spotlight, medium-goal tournaments like the Joe Barry Memorial are also highly competitive. How does the USPA support and promote this level of play?
“Competitive is an understatement! The medium-goal tournaments have been excellent, and the best is yet to come. The USPA developed a premier competition called the NPC 16-Goal Championship. The Joe Barry Memorial, Ylvisaker Cup, Iglehart Cup and Outback Cup serve as qualifiers and teams accumulate points based on their standing in each of the four designated events. These points determine eligibility for the NPC 16-Goal Championship, where the ultimate 16-goal champion is crowned.”

This year marks the first edition of the USPA Women’s Gold Cup. What does this milestone mean for women’s polo in the United States? Has the growth of women’s polo impacted the sport?
“Women's polo has exploded. It has become a professional, intense and respected part of the polo industry. Adding the USPA Women's Gold Cup is a testament to that; it extends the women's high-goal polo season nearly another month and leads right into the coveted U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship.”

NPC has become the epicenter of American polo. Has this venue contributed to the development of the sport in the United States?
“Definitely. The USPA Polo Network livestreaming over 85 games, finals broadcast on ESPN, corporate sponsorships, the historic stadium, top women's polo, the 8-goal National President’s Cup, and the NPC 16-Goal Championship have all contributed to the development of the polo industry.”

Arena polo has a significant presence in the U.S., with the Intercollegiate/Interscholastic (I/I) program playing a key role in introducing young players to the sport. How do you see this discipline contributing to the growth of polo in the country?
“Arena polo is key to the growth of polo. It is the best introduction to polo providing a safe and affordable environment for beginners, but it is also a great way to improve your hand-eye coordination, anticipation, game sense, strategy, power and quickness. The I/I program stretches across 101 teams and 32 academic institutions in the U.S. It provides younger players the opportunity to play competitively in college and continue their polo careers.”

The FIP Arena World Polo Championship will take place in Virginia this year. What does hosting this event mean for the U.S.?
“We are extremely honored to have been selected to host the II FIP Arena World Polo Championship. Just wait until you see the Roseland Polo Club at the King's Family Vineyard in Crozet and the Virginia Polo Center in Charlottesville. Our arena and international committees are hard at work to put on a high-class international tournament with the top horses and players.”

As the Executive Director of Services for the USPA, what are the key initiatives in place to grow polo at all levels in the U.S.?
“Among the initiatives are the Tournament Support Program (TSP), Bridge to High Goal Initiative (B2HG), Women's Tournament Incentive Program, Military Incentive Program, Arena Tournament Incentive Program, as well as the ongoing revisions to Rules, Policies and Tournament Conditions to adapt to the evolving sport while prioritizing the safety of players and horses. On top of that, we’re building a new membership and tournament database. The Services Division collaborates closely with the USPA Polo Development, LLC, which includes programs like the Polo Development Initiative, I/I, Team USPA and the Young Player Opportunity (YPO) grant, as well as the Communications Division and Umpires LLC, to support the sport’s growth at every level.”