Gladiator Polo

Teams Spartacus and Priscus are gearing up for what will be the most exciting game to date: round six of $250,000 Gladiator Polo™ presented by U.S. Polo Assn. on Friday, March 31. The competition takes place at Equestrian Village of Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), also known as “The Coliseum.”

The event pits top high-goal U.S. and international polo players against each other in the $33,000 match. The victors take home $24,000 and the opposing team receives $9,000. Friday’s  event is the last round before the $50,000 Gladiator Polo™ Final on Saturday, April 8.

Three teams are still in contention for the Gladiator Polo League championship and the inaugural “Gladiator Cup” to be presented to the winner of the final. If Spartacus wins March 31 they advance to the finals and face Team Spiculus for the Championship. If Priscus wins there will be a three-way tie for first place among Spartacus, Priscus, and Spiculus (all would have records of 2-1). The tie would be broken by a penalty shootout.

Team Spartacus, sponsored Carol A. Sollak, P.A. and Engel & Völkers, features players Jason Crowder (7), Felipe Viana (7) and Tommy Biddle (10). The roster for Team Priscus, sponsored by Richard Schechter and Bainbridge Companies, includes Facundo Obregon (7), Nic Roldan (8) and Jeff Hall (7).

In the Roman-themed event, the horses and players wear a distinctive team color from head to toe (from the players’ helmets all the way down to the horses’ leg wraps). Team Spartacus is red, and Team Priscus is teal.

Results of the first five rounds, starting with round 1, are: Spartacus 23, Crixus 10; Spiculus 20, Priscus 9; Spartacus 13, Spiculus 10; Priscus 13, Crixus 12; Spiculus 15, Crixus 11.

While general admission is free, for an optional dining experience spectators can watch the game ringside while enjoying an authentic Argentine Asado buffet dinner. The view of the competition doesn’t get any better than from the dining tent, where spectators get an up-close-and-personal view of the action. Asado tickets are $40, and reserved tables for six with premium VIP seating are available for $500 per table. To purchase tickets for the Asado please click here.

Gladiator Polo™, which has become the go-to nightspot of the weekend, wraps up with a lively after-party open to all. The party with DJ Maximus at the “Lions’ Den” features later happy hours, dancing, and opportunities to mingle with the world’s top polo players.

Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and the game starts at 7:00 p.m. General admission is free. The Equestrian Village at PBIEC is located at 13500 South Shore Boulevard, Wellington, FL.

For more information please visit www.gladiatorpolo.com. Please click here to purchase VIP Pavilion tickets!

Photos © David Lominska/International Polo Club and © Diana De Rosa Photography.