The International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) and the United States Polo Association (USPA) have entered a collaborative effort to ensure that high-goal polo will remain long-term in Wellington, Florida. Representatives of the entities convened last week to develop a plan and expect to release details in early December.
“This wonderful partnership between our club and the USPA will preserve the health, growth and longevity of polo at IPC,” said Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Wellington Equestrian Partners, which purchased the club in April. “We are fully invested in the sport and are excited about working together with the USPA. High-goal polo is here to stay.”
USPA Chairman Joseph Meyer underscored the association’s commitment to furthering its longstanding relationship with IPC, current home to the annual U.S. Open Polo Championship and other prestigious high-goal tournaments. “The USPA looks to work with IPC to make a mutually beneficial series of high-goal tournaments and to grow the sport,” said Meyer.
The USPA has a contract to hold the U.S. Open at IPC through 2018. Meyer confirmed that discussions are under way regarding an extension of the agreement.
Bellissimo stated that all seven fields – including the stadium venue at field 1 – will remain in use solely for polo in 2017. “We are totally committed to providing the very best conditions for high-goal, not only in 2017 but for many years to come,” he said.