NEWS

Beginning in 2020, Regional President’s Cup tournaments held nationwide will once again serve as a qualifying tournament for the National President’s Cup. Encouraging participation at the 4- to 8-goal level, the return of this tournament format will bring together teams representing USPA Member Clubs around the country and restore the relationship between the two trophies.

The National President’s Cup has an illustrious 50-year history. Formally known as the Eight Goal Inter-Circuit, it was first played in 1969. The inaugural Eight Goal Inter-Circuit was held at Brandywine Polo Club in Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania, with teams traveling from the Northeastern, Southeastern, Northwestern and Midstate circuits vying to win the coveted trophy. In 1974, the Eight Goal Inter-Circuit was renamed the National President’s Cup and since then the tournament has been played at Member Clubs nationwide.

The Regional President’s Cup was established in 1998 as a national 4- to -8 goal tournament which could be applied for by any USPA Member Club. In 2005, the Regional President’s Cup developed into preliminary rounds for teams to qualify to compete in the National President’s Cup, which was played in conjunction with the U.S. Open Polo Championship^®at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) in Wellington, Florida. IPC remained the home of the National President’s Cup from 2005-2011 and once again in 2013. The tournament was then awarded to Sarasota Polo Club in Sarasota, Florida, for one year and eventually landed at Grand Champions Polo Club (Wellington, Florida) where it remained until 2018.

This past year, the prestigious 4- to 8-goal national tournament was relocated from Grand Champions Polo Club to New Bridge Polo Club in Aiken, South Carolina, and seven competitive teams battled to claim the National President’s Cup. Derry Heir dominated the New Bridge Polo & Country Club 8-goal season and won both Regional President’s Cup and the coveted National President’s Cup with an undefeated record.

The 2020 National President’s Cup will once again be held at New Bridge Polo & Country Club at the height of the competitive fall 8-goal season. Regional President’s Cup qualifying rounds will be played throughout the year nationwide and winning teams in any regional event will be given priority to enter the prestigious National President’s Cup. There are many opportunities for teams to qualify as several clubs throughout the country will host a Regional President’s Cup in 2020 including, Empire Polo Club (Indio, California), Port Mayaca Polo Club (Okeechobee, Florida), Willow Bend Polo Club (Little Elm, Texas), Tinicum Park Polo Club (Erwinna, Pennsylvania), Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club (Carpinteria, California), New Bridge Polo & Country Club (Aiken, South Carolina) and Houston Polo Club (Houston, Texas).

Any USPA Member Club may apply to host a 2020 Regional President’s Cup, however a minimum of four teams are required. Regional President’s Cup events will be played with six chukkers at the 4- to 8-goal handicap level. The National President’s Cup shall give priority entry to first and second place Regional President’s Cup teams of the same year. If you are interested in hosting a Regional President’s Cup in 2020 please complete the national application linked below and submit to tournaments@uspolo.org at your earliest convenience.

Click here to view the 2020 National Tournament Application.

If you have any questions regarding tournaments please contact Tournament Coordinator, Kaila Dowd at (800) 232-8772.

All photos by ©Katie Roth.