10TH ANNIVERSARY OF POLO ARRIVES IN PALM BEACH
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanThere is nothing more thrilling in the global equestrian world than the elite sport of polo.
Polo is a sport that has achieved prestigious acclaim worldwide but there is no better place to enjoy the sport than at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Even the players rank this particular location as #1, with only Palermo, Italy coming even close. International Polo Club Palm Beach has the highest level of polo played in the United States and Palm Beach County is the winter equestrian capital of the world which makes for one winning combination.
Sunday, January 6, 2013 marks the opening of the 10th anniversary season in Palm Beach County in Florida with the beautiful Bo Derek throwing out the season’s first polo ball for the opening cup matches to begin a brand new exciting polo season. The Herbie Pennell Cup is the first tournament. It was named after Alfred “Herbie” Pennell, the affable polo manager of such esteemed clubs as Meadow Brook and the Palm Beach Polo and Country Club. He carried a 6 handicap on the field and an impressive 8-goal handicap in the arena. He sustained, mentored, and trained hundreds of polo players, and even supplied trained horses. He is remembered as one of the greatest polo managers of the game. What will make this particular day even more extraordinary is a preview of SuperCar Week, featuring dozens of high-end, high-performance Maseratis, Ferraris and Lamborghinis.
January brings us the Joe Barry Memorial Cup, February brings us the Ylvisaker Cup and then we build into the stimulating and famous USPA C.V. Whitney Cup and USPA PIAGET Gold Cup in March followed by the USPA Maserati 109th U.S. Open Polo Championship which finishes off the season in April.
The South Florida climate at this time of year is conducive to a breathtaking season and draws crowds that become magically engrossed in the sport. The International Polo Club Palm Beach also offers Sunday brunch on the veranda of the finest polo facility in the nation. As you sip champagne and savor the meal, gaze out over the expansive well-manicured and glorious green field as the sun shines ever so splendidly. The exclusive fashions, the competition, the food and socializing with friends are all prodigious reasons to come out and participate. It is a fabulously fun spot to play and enjoy the sport of polo.
The sport would not be complete if not for the grace and power of the enchanting thoroughbreds themselves. It is 16 weeks of some of the best polo you could ever imagine. The International Polo Club Palm Beach allows aristocratic attendees to view the sport in private boxes or elegant grandstands. This state-of-the-art facility also offers tennis courts, lawn seating, exclusive sponsor boxes, a croquet court, luxury spa, a lushly landscaped pool deck and the fabled 7th Chukker Clubhouse.
All eight of the world’s highest 10-goal polo players will be competing in the season’s tournaments. We will see top players from Argentina including Adolfo Cambiaso, David “Pelon” Stirling from Uruguay and Julio Arellano, the highest rated American player. A media conference was held at the club on Friday, January 4, 2013 giving a preview of what is in store for fans for the next few months. Local celebrities from television and radio and media attended making it a most special day and giving just enough information to have us coming back for more.
If Polo is your sport of choice, this should be the first place on your list to visit during this current 10th anniversary polo season.
Comments are closed.