NATIONAL PRESIDENT'S CUP
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The National President’s Cup has an illustrious 50-year history. Formally known as the Eight Goal Inter-Circuit, it was first played in 1969. The inaugural Eight Goal Inter-Circuit was held at Brandywine Polo Club in Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania, with teams traveling from the Northeastern, Southeastern, Northwestern and Midstate circuits vying to win the coveted trophy. In 1974, the Eight Goal Inter-Circuit was renamed the National President’s Cup and since then the tournament has been played at USPA Member Clubs nationwide. In 2022, the National President's Cup returns to New Bridge Polo & Country Club in Aiken, South Carolina for the fourth year.
In 2021, LBL (Alison Patricelli, Jack Whitman, Alan Martinez, Trevor Niznik) took on UN-STA-BLE (Chase Butler, Hope Arellano, Del Walton, Lucas Arellano), as an undefeated LBL set their sights on a repeat victory against a challenging opponent with many similarities in style and grit. A close game from the onset, LBL and UN-STA-BLE’s multiple lead changes in the final, including three in the second half, culminated in a last-minute goal by Niznik to seal the match for LBL 11-10. Read article here.
This year's edition of the National President's Cup will feature eight competitive teams, including reigning champions LBL's Patricelli, Martinez and Niznik seeking to defend their title with new additions Josh Escapite and Team USPA alumna Kyle Sheehan. Featuring numerous New Bridge Polo & Country Club staples, 2021 finalist Del Walton (Upatoi Green/Foxdale Equine) will return, as will Active Team USPA members and siblings Hope Arellano (Core Real Estate) and Lucas Arellano (Upatoi Green/Foxdale Equine) and Team USPA alumnus Pedro Lara (Hutchinson Farms).
New Bridge Polo & Country Club will be taking advantage of the USPA's Tournament Support Program (TSP) for the National President's Cup, which provides eligible USPA Member Clubs with waived tournament fees, trophies or trophy reimbursements up to $1,200, one professional umpire and $2,500 in prize money at no extra cost.
The USPA originally created the Tournament Stimulus Package (TSP) to help member clubs host USPA events when the United States was emerging from the first wave of the COVID-19 crisis. The USPA wanted to continue to support member clubs with TSP benefits in 2022. Therefore, it extended and expanded TSP under a new name - the Tournament Support Program. Each USPA Member Club can obtain TSP benefits for two USPA events, with the option of a third under specific circumstances.
Photo: 2021 National Presidents Cup Champions: LBL - Jack Whitman, Alison Patricelli, Alan Martinez, Trevor Niznik. ©Katie Roth
