National Copper Cup®
Tournament History
Inaugurated in 1975, the National Copper Cup® has been played consecutively in Aiken, South Carolina, since 2010. Aiken Polo Club has been the host club since the cup’s move from Lexington Polo Club (Lexington, Kentucky). Due to the recent partnership among Aiken area polo clubs, 2017 will mark the first year that New Bridge Polo & Country Club will host the celebrated tournament. Throughout its relatively short history, several Hall of Famers have hoisted the cup on the trophy stage. Names such as George Hass Jr., George Bostwick, Carlton Beal and Stephen Orthwein grace the history pages of the USPA Bluebook, having been recorded as winners of the standout copper trophy.
In recent years, the National Copper Cup has been won by Aiken staples, Bendabout and Crestview Genetics, each having secured the cup twice. Recent Northrup Knox Cup winners Skaneateles, have reached the National Copper Cup Final a total of four times. With the prospect of winning the second leg of the 2017 New Bridge Polo & Country Club 12-Goal Trifecta, Skaneateles will once again vie for the national title. Five additional teams will join them including SD Farms, Blackberg Ranch, New Hope, Wildcat and Foxdale Equine/Upatoi Green.
Photo: 2016 National Copper Cup® Champions: Bendabout - Hope Arellano, Gillian Johnston, Del Walton, Julio Arellano. ©Pam Gleason and Gary Knoll