EASTERN CHALLENGE®
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The Eastern Challenge, a 12- to 16-goal national tournament, was first competed for in 1986 at the Potomac Polo Club in Maryland. The winning team consisted of Alan Nash, Jack Whittemore, Juan Bollini Sr. and Salvadore Socas. The prestigious tournament has been played a total of 25 times throughout its history, residing most recently at Beverly Polo Club (The Plains, Virginia) in 2021.
In 2021, despite rain postponements and ever-changing weather conditions, the Eastern Challenge came to a close as Greenhill (David Greenhill, Lucas Arellano, Lucas Diaz Alberdi, Lucio Fernandez Ocampo, Michel Dorignac, Gaston Lisioli) used two substitutions against familiar foe Beverly (Bill Ballhaus, Hilario Figueras, Trevor Niznik, Jorge ‘Tolito’ Fernandez Ocampo Jr.). In a competitive final, Greenfield ultimately completed their undefeated run through the tournament in an 11-10 triumph. Read article here.
Returning to Beverly Polo Club, this year's edition fields three teams including defending champion Lucio Fernandez Ocampo joining Astro Core Real Estate, as 2021 finalists Bill Ballhaus and Jorge "Tolito" Fernandez Ocampo Jr. reunite for Beverly Salamander alongside recent National Eight Goal champion Point to Point. Amongst the competition is Team USPA alumnus Felipe Viana (Point to Point).
2021 Eastern Challenge Champions: Greenhill - Gaston Lisioli, Michel Dorignac, Lucas Arellano, David Greenhill. Presented by Breanna Gunnell. ©Beverly Polo Club
