NEWS

The USPA invites American players with an arena rating of 1-4 goals to apply for the USA team in the second annual Buddy Combs International Arena Challenge. The international arena event will welcome competitors representing the Indian Polo Association and will be played at the 6- to 8-goal level. A 4-goal military event against the Indian Polo Association will also be held as a partner event. Playing members of the Armed Forces with arena ratings of 0-2 goals are encouraged to apply.

When: October 2-6, 2024
Where: Lakeside Polo Club in Lakeside, California

The tournament is named in honor of Dr. Clarence C. “Buddy” Combs Jr., an American polo player and Hall of Famer. Inheriting his love of horses and polo from his father, he honed his polo skills at Pennsylvania Military Academy before studying at Cornell University (Ithaca, New York) where he obtained a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. While at Cornell, Combs led his teammates to win the university’s first intercollegiate championship in 1937.

For nearly five decades, Combs played at the highest levels of the game while maintaining a full-time veterinary practice in New Jersey. Outdoors, Combs won the U.S. Open Polo Championship in 1947 and 1956. During his arena career, he won the Junior Championship (currently known as the National Arena Chairman’s Cup) on three separate occasions and the Senior Championship seven times. In 1951, he became the second player to reach a 10-goal indoor handicap.

Do not miss this unique opportunity to represent your country! Please submit your name, current arena handicap, preferred event and any additional relevant details to USPA Director, Governance and Operations Lindsey Ebersbach. A subcommittee will evaluate submissions, and the USPA International Committee and Executive Committee will make all final team selections.