NEWS

The USPA’s Intercollegiate/Interscholastic (I/I) Program is proud to announce the 2024 International Intercollegiate Challenge Cup team. Four intercollegiate players representing some of the best collegiate polo programs in the country have been selected to represent the USA in a collegiate-level competition between the USPA I/I Program and Schools and Universities Polo Association (SUPA) Britain. The 2024 event will take place on U.S. soil and will be played on Saturday, April 20 at 3:00pm ET at the Palm City Polo Club LLC in Boynton Beach, Florida.

The Intercollegiate Challenge Cup invites intercollegiate players in the U.S. to apply for the opportunity to compete in elite international competition. Director of I/I Polo, Amy Fraser, shed light on the application process and the interest the tournament has attracted. “All levels of collegiate players are encouraged to apply to compete, making it tangible for any student-athlete to have the opportunity to be selected. We typically have over 30 players apply for four spots and selection is based on sportsmanship, horsemanship and playing ability. The focus, too, is selecting players that will work well together as a team, all while staying within a certain handicap level of the event.”

The four players selected to compete for the U.S. include Will Coors (Stanford University), Benito Jaramillo (Cornell University), Clark Mayer (Southern Methodist University) and Taylor Nackers (University of Kentucky)

Thrilled to have the competition returning to the States Director of I/I Amy Fraser said, “The tradition we have been carrying on with our sister program SUPA (Schools and University Polo Association in the UK) is such a unique event, bringing together not only players from different countries, but also provides a chance for players from across our nation to compete together. It optimizes what polo is in the world, allowing players the opportunity to represent their school, the I/I program, the USPA and their country which is very special.”

Ranging in experience level and handicap, meet the players that will represent the United States in the prestigious international collegiate competition.

Arena Handicap: 1
Coors is a senior at Stanford University studying computer science. He competed in hunter/jumpers at the age of 12 for two years and stepped back from equine sports until 2020, when his brother introduced him to polo. He has played summers at Denver Polo Club (Sedalia, Colorado) and in Jamaica under the mentorship of Jason and Mark Wates, in addition to playing arena polo at Stanford. Recently, Coors was awarded All-Star at the 2024 Division II Men’s National Intercollegiate Championship.

Arena Handicap: 2
Jaramillo is a sophomore at Cornell University from Quito, Ecuador, studying Agricultural Sciences. Jaramillo recently won the 2024 Division II Men’s National Intercollegiate Championship with Cornell for the university’s first DII national title. In addition, Jaramillo was awarded All-Star and the Horsemanship Award.

Arena Handicap: 3
Mayer is a Senior at Southern Methodist University from McKinney, Texas, studying Economics. Mayer began playing polo at the age of 12, inspired by his father's return to the sport. Mayer started his I/I career playing for Willowbend Polo Club interscholastic team in Texas and recently concluded his intercollegiate season as a 2024 DI National Intercollegiate Championship All-Star. Mayer also received the Horsemanship Award by demonstrating consistent riding ability and equine care throughout the tournament.

Arena Handicap: 1
Nackers is a senior at the University of Kentucky originally from Germantown, Wisconsin, studying Equine Science and Management. Nackers is a first-generation polo player who began her journey in the sport through I/I as a member of the Hillside interscholastic team. Nackers is a USPA scholarship award recipient and recently competed in the DI Women’s National Intercollegiate Championship.

The British contingent has also been announced. Among the standout players is Finn Campbell-Breeden, a third-year student pursuing Mechanical Engineering at the University of Exeter, boasting a 1-goal arena handicap. Joining him is Lucy McLaughlin, a first-year Biochemistry student from the University of Bristol, also holding a 1-goal arena handicap. Additionally, Zac Campbell-Breeden, another Mechanical Engineering student in his third year at Exeter, brings his skills to the arena as a 0 goaler. Notably, Toby Bradshaw, a first-year student studying Furniture Design and Make at Oxford Brookes University, holds a formidable 4-goal arena handicap, making him a key player in the lineup. As an added honor, Bradshaw will also assume the role of team captain.