Sep 05, 2019
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (September 5, 2019) – U.S. Polo Assn.,the official brand for the United States Polo Association (USPA), is thrilled to welcome polo player Harrison Azzaro* as the newest member of its growing roster of global brand ambassadors. Now 19, Azzaro has been playing professionally since 13, and is the son of former 10-goaler Mike Azzaro, who is considered one the best American polo players of all time.
Born in Windsor, England, Azzaro traveled with his family wherever his father’s polo tournaments took them. In addition to summers in England, much of his childhood was spent in Wellington, Florida, and San Antonio, Texas, where his family owns Lonesome Wind Ranch. In short, Azzaro literally grew up on polo fields. “My dad will tell you that I could ride before I could even walk,” he said. “I’ve been playing polo my whole life.”
Currently a one-goaler with an extremely bright future ahead of him, Azzaro already has one big achievement under his belt: playing in the 2017 Sterling Cup, a 20-goal tournament held at the Grand Champions Club in Wellington. “That was a huge tournament,” Azzaro recalled. “And I was grateful to have an opportunity that not a lot of young players get.”
Also a talented pony trainer, Azzaro is especially proud of Beetletrick, a seven-year-old mare he raised from birth. “She’s the daughter of Beetlejuice, my father’s best horse,” he explained. “So many people told me she was too small to make it in polo. But this year in Florida, Facundo Pieres, who is the best polo player in the world right now, played her in a 40-goal game.”
The scope of Azzaro’s year-long role as global brand ambassador is broad, and designed to shine the spotlight on the dynamic crop of young polo players coming up through the ranks. He’ll be outfitted in U.S. Polo Assn. apparel and gear both on and off the field, will post regularly about his polo-related and other daily activities on social media, and will fully engage in media requests for interviews and campaigns.
“The authenticity of U.S. Polo Assn. means a lot to me since I grew up playing polo with my dad from an early age. I’m honored to have been chosen as an ambassador for a sport-inspired fashion brand that represents not only a style I wear, but also does so much for the sport of polo. This opportunity will allow me to share my polo activities with the fans and followers of the sport that I love,” commented Azzaro.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have Harrison on board as our newest global brand ambassador,” said J. Michael Prince, President & CEO of USPA Global Licensing. “Yes, he’s ‘polo royalty’ with a legendary father, but he’s also his own man. He loves our U.S. Polo Assn. brand and worked in our USPA Clubhouse this past year teaching consumers about the sport of polo and our brand. With his commitment to excellence, his innate athleticism, and his charming, outgoing personality, Harrison perfectly represents the future of our great brand and sport.”
*Harrison Azzaro is a member of Team USPA. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.
Effective Date: Saturday, May 16, 2020
The suspension of USPA Tournaments and Events will be lifted for USPA Member Clubs in locales where hosting polo matches and tournaments is permitted under applicable state and local laws, executive orders and similar decrees. The USPA Member Clubs in these locales are encouraged to follow all such requirements of their state and local authorities with respect to polo operations. In addition, we also encourage all USPA Member Clubs to take the precautions recommended by the CDC. We are preparing a detailed list of best practices for USPA Member Clubs as they return to hosting USPA Tournaments and Events and plan to circulate these guidelines within the next week. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and will notify you if we determine a different course of action is necessary.
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