Wellington Looks Forward To Top High-Goal Polo Action This Winter Season

Seventeen years ago, longtime Wellington resident and renowned polo player Hector Galindo was lining up at midfield ready to play in the inaugural game at the new International Polo Club Palm Beach stadium.

Then, Galindo was an 8-goaler and leader of Tommy Lee Jones’ San Saba team against Bob Daniels’ Pony Express foursome. Now, the 2016 Hall of Fame inductee plays and umpires year-round.

Then, Pony Express defeated San Saba 13-9 in that first stadium game before a large, boisterous crowd on that Sunday in early January.

Now, after almost eight months of uncertainty since being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, another season of world-class polo is planning its return, but it is unknown if any fans will be allowed at the games.

The tournament schedules for both high-goal polo clubs in Wellington have been released, and several plans for having fans attend games are in place, depending on what the local government and health officials will allow.

“As we begin to re-open the International Polo Club Palm Beach, we look forward to seeing the sport of polo and special events return to the facility,” said Vaneli Bojkova, vice president of event operations for IPC. “We are working closely with county and local officials, as well as the United States Polo Association and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission to make sure that everyone on property has a peace of mind that we are doing everything we can to re-open safely.”

At IPC, a triumvirate of 22-goal tournaments celebrated as the Gauntlet of Polo is shaping up to be another riveting competition, featuring many of the world’s top players. Last year, 14 teams competed for the coveted trophies. Officials expect 8 to 10 teams this season.

In an interesting twist, the postponed 2020 USPA Gold Cup is scheduled to be concluded prior to the start of this year’s trio of tournaments. The semifinals — Pilot vs. La Indiana and Daily Racing Form vs. Las Monjitas — are set for Feb. 10, with the final on Sunday, Feb. 14, closing the chapter of a shortened 2020 season.

The UPSA’s U.S. Open, considered the most prestigious polo tournament in North America, did not get started last year and will not be rescheduled. It is the first time that it has not been contested since World War II. The U.S. Open was first played in 1904.

The 2021 Gauntlet begins in earnest with the C.V. Whitney Cup (Feb. 17 through March 7) followed by the USPA Gold Cup (March 10-28) and finishing with the U.S. Open (March 30 through April 18). The winners of the C.V. Whitney Cup and USPA Gold Cup will receive $125,000 each, while the U.S. Open champion will earn $250,000. If the same team wins all three tournaments, they will receive a $500,000 bonus.

Prior to the Gauntlet, IPC will host a series of 18-goal tournaments, beginning with the Joe Barry Memorial Cup (Jan. 3-17), followed by the Ylvisaker Cup (Jan. 20 through Feb. 7) and concluding with the single-elimination Iglehart Cup (Feb. 10-21).

The club is also hosting the U.S. Open Women’s Championship from March 10-20 with some of the top players in the world expected to participate.

In addition to the featured Sunday games at 3 p.m. at the stadium, there are numerous weekday games spread among the club’s several fields. While there is world-class polo on the immaculate fields, action off the field usually presents an equally impressive atmosphere.

There is the Mallet Grille for members and their guests that features a lavish Sunday brunch. The club also has 7,000 square feet of indoor event space, highlighted by the grand marquee pavilion adjacent to the stadium field. Normally, hundreds gather every week to enjoy a delicious Sunday brunch. The venue also hosts numerous private affairs, such as weddings and charity events. At this time, it is unknown whether the Sunday brunch will be available this season.

“We are hopeful that once all of our updated protocols and safety practices are implemented throughout the various departments, guests will feel confident to attend events at the facility, whether those are charity fundraisers, weddings, private gatherings or sports competitions,” Bojkova said. “IPC is committed to investing in resources and continued employee training to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all. While we understand some events and activities may look different for a while, we are excited to re-open and welcome guests back to our facility safely.”

IPC also has four tennis courts, where, in 2008, Rafael Nadal and David Nalbandian played an exclusive charity exhibition match for members only. Several polo players, including Adolfo Cambiaso, Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres, and Nic Roldan also showed off their skills on the courts with the two tennis stars.

To learn more about the International Polo Club, including season updates, visit www.internationalpoloclub.com.

Also this polo season in Wellington, the 26-goal World Polo League, which plays at various area clubs, is still in the planning stages for its third season that kicks off in early February.

“We’re looking forward to a great season of high-goal polo in 2021,” said WPL co-founder Melissa Ganzi of Wellington, owner of the Grand Champions Polo Club. “We’ll be continuing the safety protocols we followed at Aspen Valley over the summer, and we’ll adapt our policy regarding spectators as conditions allow. As always, we’ll adhere to recommendations by the CDC and local public health regulations. Despite any pandemic-related restrictions, we’ll welcome a full roster of top players from around the world and continue to play at the highest level in the U.S.”

The World Polo League offers the highest level of polo outside of Argentina. There were up to 10 teams in the various tournaments last season. The WPL was co-founded by Ganzi and Valiente Polo owner Bob Jornayvaz, whose idea for the league filled the void when 26-goal polo was about to be eliminated in the U.S.

Using the last two years as benchmark, among the polo superstars expected to compete include 10-goalers Juan Martin Nero (who missed most of last season with an injury) and Pablo MacDonough, along with 8-goaler Nic Roldan of Wellington.

The season begins with the All-Star Challenge (Feb. 5-21), beginning with a Draw Party in which team owners will randomly choose their players — reminiscent of choosing sides when in school or the neighborhood.

The season continues with the Founders Cup (Feb. 19 through March 7), the Palm Beach Open (March 3-21) and concludes with the Triple Crown of Polo (March 24 through April 17).

Featured games will be Saturday at 4 p.m., usually at Valiente, and Sunday at 4 p.m., usually at Grand Champions.

For more information, including weekday game times as well as tickets for the Sunday featured game, visit www.worldpolo.org. All games are open to the public.

As it has been for decades, IPC and the World Polo League will make sure that Wellington is the center of high-goal polo action during the winter season.