NEWS

The United States Polo Association (USPA) is pleased to announce the four Americans who will travel to France this summer for the 2024 Paris Games Polo Challenge presented by U.S. Polo Assn. The 14-goal test match between the USA and France, hosted by the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly, will take place on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at 5:00pm CEST. The event will be open to the public free of charge and broadcast globally on ESPN2.

The match is scheduled to occur after the equestrian events conclude in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics on Tuesday, August 6, at Versailles. The United States Polo Association extends a warm invitation to USPA members and all sports enthusiasts to witness this display of international polo competition—an equestrian discipline that the Association hopes in the future may once again be part of the Summer Olympics!

The commemorative event, taking place just 40 minutes from the heart of Paris, in Apremont, is designed as a centennial celebration of the opening match of the 4th Olympic Polo Tournament at the 1924 Paris Games between the United States and France. The competition also offers a chance at redemption for France, which lost 15-1 a century ago. In 1924, the United States went on to win a silver medal, ultimately losing against Argentina 6-5 in the final. The American team consisted of Elmer Boeseke, Tommy Hitchcock, Frederick Roe and Rodman Wanamaker. Polo remained in the Olympic Games until 1936, when Argentina won the last Olympic Polo Tournament in Berlin. Neither France nor the United States sent a team to the Berlin games.

Quinn Evans (1), Hope Arellano*(3), Nicolas “Nico” Escobar *(5) and Cody Ellis*(5) will represent the United States, with each team member bringing prior experience proudly representing the United States. The team will be coached by Polo Hall of Famer Julio Arellano.

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Quinn Evans’ polo journey has taken him from his hometown of Union, Oregon, to the high-goal stage at the USPA National Polo Center - Wellington (NPC). In February, 25-year-old Evans competed with La Dolfina in the C.V. Whitney Cup for his first Gauntlet of Polo appearance, advancing to the final. In his international debut, in March 2024, Evans and the rest of the USA Team earned a decisive victory against Ireland.

Previously competing for the United States in the 2022 XII FIP World Polo Championship, Hope Arellano played a key role in securing the silver medal for the team, making history as the first woman to compete for the United States in that international contest. Arellano represented the United States in the 2018 Junior Westchester Cup, with the team defeating England 3-2. Although she is just 20 years old, Arellano has won numerous significant tournaments, including two U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championships (2017, 2023). She is currently the only American to hold a 10-goal USPA women’s handicap, achieving that rating in December 2023.

Nicolas “Nico” Escobar is no stranger to international competition, having represented the USA Team on multiple occasions. Escobar donned the red, white and blue in the 2022 Westchester Cup against England, earned a silver medal alongside Arellano in the 2022 XII FIP World Polo Championship, and recently won the USA vs. Argentina International Match hosted by NPC in April 2024. Not only does Escobar boast impressive international achievements, the 23-year-old has excelled in competitions throughout the United States, competing in Florida and California, while also honing his skills in Argentina. Among his many accomplishments, Escobar holds titles in the USPA Gold Cup (2020), C.V. Whitney Cup (2020) and Silver Cup (2020).

Winning the 2022 C.V. Whitney Cup with Park Place, 28-year-old Cody Ellis has become a staple in American polo, competing in the U.S. Open Polo Championship, securing a Monty Waterbury victory (2021) and earning multiple national titles at clubs across Texas. Ellis also played on the United States team that triumphed in the USA vs. Argentina International Match hosted by NPC in April 2024.

The Federation Française de Polo has announced the selection of Elena Venot (2), Dorian Bulteau (3), Julien Reynes (4) and Clément Delfosse (5) for the national team. Clément Delfosse will lead as captain, alongside national coach Matthieu Delfosse.

As the Title and Apparel Sponsor, U.S. Polo Assn. will be providing apparel for American and French teams with performance jerseys, practice jerseys and an assortment of U.S. Polo Assn. custom designed country apparel to wear off the field. The USA Team will be wearing custom USPA Pro whites. U.S. Polo Assn. is also providing saddle pads, as well as club and team staff kits. VIP gifts for the event will include limited edition Paris Games Polo Challenge 2024 caps, t-shirts, scarves and pocket squares, as well as branded duffle bags.

For more information please visit the 2024 Paris Games Polo Challenge landing page.

*Hope Arellano is an Active Team USPA Member, Nicolas “Nico” Escobar is a Graduating Team USPA Member and Cody Ellis is Team USPA alumnus. 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 tot the sport of polo.