NEWS

The National Polo Center – Wellington in Wellington, Florida, is hosting the XII Federation of International Polo World Polo Championship and the Intercollegiate/Interscholastic (I/I) program wants to send a team to cheer on the USA. Enter your intercollegiate team to win the Grand Prize package, including a trip for four players and one coach to this elite event!

Dates: Friday, October 28 - Sunday, October 30.
Location: National Polo Center – Wellington (Wellington, Florida)
Grand Prize includes:
• Airfare*
• Hotel accommodations*
• Five VIP tickets to the Opening Ceremony USA vs TBD
• Training session at Palm City Polo Club
• Welcome swag bag with USA gear courtesy of U.S. Polo Assn.
• Rental Car
• Food Stipend

*Airfare includes up to $750/per person in reimbursable funds; 3 rooms, 2 nights hotel stay; any additional nights and/or players may attend, but at the team’s expense.

Teams will compete regionally, and each regional winner will be awarded a first-place prize of including $500 gift card to a polo tack/equine store of their choice (e.g., Tackeria, Tatos, Farm Vet).

Competition will center around specific social media posts, as well as a final written essay. The timeline for submissions is below. Each task will have a specific point system and the team at the end of regional competition with the most points will win their region’s first place prize. Each of the regional winners will submit a short final essay and a committee will select the Grand Prize Winner from the four regional winners based on the essays.

To enter your team, or for more information please reach out to Director of I/I Polo Amy Fraser at afraser@uspolo.org expressing your interest. Please include your team’s social media handles as well.

This contest is open to official USPA registered intercollegiate teams. Teams must complete the 2023 I/I Intent to Compete form by Saturday, October 1 in order to be eligible.

Please submit or post each of the below items by the underlined due date and with all of the listed tags. All posts must be in good taste and must follow proper safety procedures, including proper footwear and helmets if mounted. If the committee deems a post inappropriate, it will not be eligible for points.

Due by Tuesday, September 13 at 12:00pm ET: Video Posted on Facebook of Tiki Challenge
Select one player from your team (current player on your 22-23 roster) to perform the tiki challenge and video. Post the best attempt on Facebook. The team with the most hits off of a foot mallet without the ball touching another surface will be awarded three points. Tags: @iipolo @uspoloassociation, @uspoloassnusa, @nationalpolocenter, #winatriptofip

Due by Friday, September 16 at 12:00pm ET: Facebook Post
Post topic: “The Spirit of I/I.” The team with the most “Shares” on the original post will be awarded five points. Tags: @iipolo @uspoloassociation, @uspoloassnusa, @nationalpolocenter, #winatriptofip

Due by Tuesday, September 20 at 12:00pm ET: Instagram Post
Post topic: Your favorite I/I pony (or ponies) to Instagram. The team with the most “Likes” on their original post will be awarded five points. Tags: @uspoloassociation, @uspoloassn, @nationalpolocenter, horse’s donor/owner, #winatriptofip

Due by Friday, September 23 at 12pm ET: Instagram Reel
Post topic: “Live Authentically.” A selection committee will choose their favorite! Eight points will be awarded to the chosen team. Tags: @uspoloassociation, @uspoloassnglobal, @nationalpolocenter, #winatriptofip, #liveauthentically

Monday, September 26: Reel winners & Regional Winners/Finalists Announced

Due by Friday, September at 12pm ET: Finalist Essays Due

Monday, October 3: Grand Prize team announced

October 28-30: XII FIP World Polo Championships