NEWS

The United States Polo Association (USPA) is proud to report that the XI Federation of International Polo (FIP) has awarded the World Championships Zone A Qualifying Tournament (FIP Zone A Playoffs) to the USPA. The tournament will be played April 22-30, 2017, in South Florida. The USPA in conjunction with Port Mayaca Polo Club and the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) will co-host the tournament. Four teams are expected to compete in the event (USA, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala).

Team USPA members representing the USA include:
1.Felipe Viana
2.Patrick Uretz
3.Jared Sheldon
4.Remy Muller
5.Jimmy Wright
6.Herndon Radcliff
7.Cacho Galindo
8.Geronimo Obregon
Coach: Joel Baker

Officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee, FIP is the international federation representing the sport of polo. FIP was created in 1982 to enhance the image and status of the game of polo internationally. Established in 1987, the FIP World Championship, a competitive tournament from 10- to 14-goals, takes place once every three years in a different location around the world. Horses are provided by the host and pooled among participating nations to give teams equal conditions.

The winner of the FIP Zone A Playoffs will be one of the eight qualifying teams to compete in the 11th FIP World Championship. The USPA has hopes to send a qualifying team to represent the United States in the FIP World Championship at the Sydney Polo Club in Sydney, Australia, October 21-29, 2017.

All of the Team USPA players previously listed are currently training in Sydney, Australia, to prepare for the FIP Zone A playoffs. The first group of players to arrive (Jared Sheldon, Cacho Galindo, Remy Muller, Geronimo Obregon and Coach Joel Baker) experienced ranch life in Sydney with a trail ride, where they experienced wildlife unique to Australia.

According to Sheldon, “The first day, we arrived to a cafe and while we ate lunch we hooked up to the wifi and watched Gladiator Polo. Once finished, we headed off to the barn and went on a trail ride with some of the horses through the ranch. We got a taste of the ranch life when we found a stray calf. The group split up to find the mother and while searching we saw a herd of at least 50 kangaroo running through the trees. While Cacho and I found the kangaroos, Remy and Geronimo were able to find the stray calf’s mother and reunite the two.”

On the second day of the trip, the players woke up early to adjust to the time change. Each player was given four horses to ride and worked on knock ins and penalty shots. Sheldon remarked, “We got a much better feel for the horses today and look forward to our trip to Richmond for our first practice. We will be in Richmond for the remainder of the trip.”