NATIONAL EIGHT GOAL
Tournament History
The National Eight Goal was established in 2014 and was played for four consecutive years Houston Polo Club in Houston, Texas. Capturing three of the four titles, BTA's Chrys Beal holds the most titles in the tournament's history. After a two-year hiatus in 2018 and 2019, the tournament returned in 2020, moving to Beverly Polo Club in The Plains, Virginia. Winning the 2020 edition, Beverly Equestrian bested four other teams and provided a special moment for the father-son duo of Bill and Wil Balhaus, with the latter capturing Most Valuable Player honors.
Returning to Beverly Polo Club for 2021, seven teams will compete for the title. 2020 Champions Beverly have split into two new teams in 2021 with Bill Ballhaus and Rebekah Greenhill leading the Beverly/Greenhill team, while Wil Ballhaus plays alongside Jorge "Tolito" Fernandez Ocampo Jr. on the Beverly 2 team. Finalists of the recently completed 8-goal Regional President's Cup, Royal Bank Canada/Wiseman Wealth and Pineapples and Pussy Cats will also challenge for the national title. The remaining teams include Dragonfly, Woodrow/Core Real Estate and Foxlease to round out a strong field of 8-goal teams.
As the country emerges out of the COVID-19 crisis, the USPA established opportunities to support USPA Member Club events through the use of the COVID-19 USPA Polo Tournament Stimulus Package, which provides eligible USPA Member Clubs with waived tournament fees, trophies or reimbursements, one professional umpire and $2,500 in prize money per tournament at no extra cost. Beverly Polo Club will be taking advantage of the program for this tournament.
Photo: 2020 National Eight Goal Champions : Beverly (L to R) - Hilario Figueras, Jorge 'Tolito' Fernandez Ocampo Jr., Bill Ballhaus, Wil Ballhaus. ©Joanne Maisano