NEWS

Since 1922, Intercollegiate and Interscholastic teams (I/I) have squared off in national tournaments around the country. The USPA Intercollegiate/Interscholastic National Host Tournament Committee is elated to announce the venues for the 2017 National I/I Tournaments.

Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club has been chosen to host the 2017 USPA National Intercollegiate Championships. 2017 will mark the first time that the I/I’s Western Region has hosted the National Intercollegiate Championships.

“We are very excited to be going to the West Coast for the first time with the NIC!” remarked I/I Program Director Amy Fraser. “The teams and venues have been working hard for the past few years to be ready to put in a bid and we are thrilled with the regional support that has been shown. The committee and staff are eager to showcase the western region and introduce local youth players to teams from across the country!

Cornell University will welcome the 2017 USPA Open National Interscholastic Championship to its Oxley Equestrian Center; home of the 2015 and 2016 Women’s National Intercollegiate Champions.

“The Big Red have hosted many Regional and National level tournaments in the past,” commented I/I Committee Chairman David Wenning. “We look forward to continuing a rich tradition of supporting and hosting I/I polo at this great facility.”

Virginia Polo Club will open its doors to the 2017 USPA Girls’ National Interscholastic Championship. Adding to their already impressive venue, Virginia Polo Club is currently constructing the Beh House, a facility overlooking the outdoor arena.

“This beautiful new facility will be a great addition to the already extensive grounds. Virginia Polo has continually supported I/I programs and tournaments and we couldn’t be happier to bring a national level tournament back to Charlottesville,” Mr. Wenning stated.

Intercollegiate men began competing in 1922, with Princeton bringing home the silver in the inaugural tournament. Yale University claims the most titles, with nineteen. The Texas A&M University Aggies bested all teams in 2016 for their ninth championship.

Intercollegiate women took to the stage in 1976 with Yale University claiming the first title. The women of Cornell hold the race for titles at fifteen, including the Big Red’s 2016 championship victory.

The Interscholastic division, now referred to as the “Open Division," came to the national stage in 1928, where Manluis School raised the trophy. Culver Military Academy holds claim to twelve championships. 2016 saw Prestonwood Polo Club as Open Division Champions for the first time.

An all-girls tournament, the "Girls’ Division" was sanctioned in 1991, when the ladies of the Santa Ynez bested the competition. Garrison Forest School has thirteen titles to their name. In 2016, Maryland Polo Club topped all teams, extending their hold on the trophy to a hat trick of three consecutive years and a total of seven titles.

The mission of the Intercollegiate/Interscholastic (I/I) Committee of the United States Polo Association (USPA) is to promote and grow the sport of polo by providing maximum exposure to the sport; recruiting collegiate and scholastic institutions; coordinating activities of member schools and players; providing for organized competition including sponsoring and administering regional and national tournaments with an emphasis on sportsmanship, fairness, and safety; and by effectively utilizing funding for the benefit of I/I activities.