August 28, 2023

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Barrière snatches the Coupe d’Or in the final minutes—A victory of first times

28. August 2023

Despite the rainy weather conditions, the Coupe d’Or Marta & Lucien Barrière final – and the Coupe de Bronze Engel & Völkers final – were able to take place. And what a final! The very Normandy weather did not dampen the spirits of the spectators, especially as the sun came out for the final: several hundreds of them packed the stands of the Deauville International Polo Club to applaud the victory of the Barrière Polo Team in the prestigious Coupe d’Or after a hard-fought battle.

This is the first victory in a 16-goal tournament* for French captain Isabelle Lerenaudie who has been playing at this level for only the second season. To get to this level, she put together a team made up of the Zavaleta family, which has remained the same since last year. Two brothers, Simon and Ramiro, who know each other by heart, led by a cousin, Juan Martin, a regular at the world‘s top level, taking part in the Argentine Open, the highest level tournament in the world. It was a complicated game for Barrière, who was led until the fourth chukker, sometimes by as much as 4 goals, „but I‘ve always reminded my players that a game is long and everything can happen very quickly in this sport, and that‘s what happened“, explained Juan Martin Zavaleta. Simon Zavaleta finally gave his team a first lead at the very beginning of the fifth (and last) chukker, before Barrière again fell behind, and it was on two penalties from Juan Martin that Barrière sealed its first victory in this major event. It was also the first victory for his cousin Simon (Ramiro had already won it) and captain Isabelle Larenaudie: „It‘s phenomenal“, jubilated the first woman to win the Coupe d‘Or. Winning with this family, with two Zavaleta who have never won it before, is huge. I still can‘t believe it. It was a very tough match, but tonight it‘s a big party.” The joy of Juan Martin Zavaleta, named most valuable player of the final (he scored 10 goals on Sunday), who has many other victories to his name, was no less happy: „It‘s incredible. Already, winning the Coupe d’Or is something you think about all the time. It‘s one of the most beautiful tournaments to be played in France, and to win it as a family… there are no words to express the emotion it creates. It‘s an important victory in one‘s career, and now it‘s done. Deauville is a tournament that will go down in the history of our sport.”

Swiss Victory in the Coupe de Bronze Engel & Völkers

The final of the Engels & Völkers Coupe de Bronze was just as exhilarating, requiring an extra chukker and a golden goal from Jaime Roberts to separate the two teams and see the Swiss team Standing Rock triumph over Mungo‘s four French players. A consolation for the team‘s captain and junior, Ulysse Eisenchteter, was being named best amateur player of the final, while his pillar, Pierre Henri N‘Goumou, was the tournament‘s top scorer with 25 goals.

The Barrière Deauville Polo Cup will be back next year of course, but France’s international polo season is not quite over yet as the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly awaits the six teams from Deauville’s Coupe d’Or as well as a further twelve for a 23rd French Open that promises to be particularly competitive. The first games will be played on Friday, with the Coupe d‘Or winner opening the competition. Only five days to recover from these strong emotions!

* The total of the handicaps of the players on a team constitutes the team‘s global handicap (i.e. 16 goals for the Coupe d‘Or). For the record, the handicap is the player‘s value as established by his country‘s handicap commission. A beginner is valued at -2, while the world‘s top pros are rated at 10. There are currently only 7 10-goalers in the world.

TEAMS AND PROGRESS

COUPE D’OR MARTA AND LUCIEN BARRIÈRE

Barrière Polo Team: Isabelle Larenaudie (FRA, h0), Simon Zavaleta (ARG, h5, 2 goals), Juan Martin Zavaleta (ARG, h7, 10 goals) et Ramiro Zavaleta (ARG, h4, 1 goal)

Los Dragones Rouges: Sam Sztarkman (FRA, h2), Jules Legoubin (FRA, h3), Baratolomé Bayugar (ARG, h4, 5 goals) et Bautista Bayugar (ARG, h8, 7 goals)

Progression Barrière Polo Team: 2/4 – 4/6 – 7/8 – 10/10 and 14/12

BPP (best horse of the final): Calidad played by Juan Martin Zavaleta

BPP AACCP Mejor polo argentino: Siempre Magica played by Bauti Bayugar

MVP (best player of the final): Juan Gris Zavaleta

Best amateur player of the final: Isabelle Larenaudie

Top scorer of the tournament: Juan Gris Zavaleta, 35 goals

COUPE DE BRONZE ENGEL & VÖLKERS

Standing Rock: Philipp Muller (h0), Nick Van Open (h1), Jaime Roberts (h3, 3 goals), Ignacio Gonzalez (h4, 5 goals)

Mungo: Ulysse Eisenchteter (h 0), Daphné/Noemie Eisenchteter (h -1), Jules Legoubin (h3, 2 goals), Pierre Henri Ngoumou (h6, 5 goals)

Standing Rock progression: 3/1 – 4/4 – 5/6 – 7/7 – 8/7

MVP (best player of the final): Jaime Roberts

Best amateur player of the final: Ulysse Eisenchteter

BPP (best horse of the final): Cassandra played by Jaime Roberts

Despite the rainy weather conditions, the Coupe d’Or Marta & Lucien Barrière final – and the Coupe de Bronze Engel & Völkers final – were able to take place. And…

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U.S. Polo Assn. Extends Global Partnership with the Federation of International Polo (FIP)

28. August 2023

Global, Sport-Inspired Brand to Again Serve as Official Apparel Partner for FIP’s Top Events

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., (August 15, 2023) – USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL) has announced that U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), has extended its global partnership with the Federation of International Polo (FIP) through 2026. This extension marks a continued commitment to the global promotion of the sport of polo from the authentic, sport-inspired brand.

True to the heritage of the brand, U.S. Polo Assn. is proud to support polo around the world. FIP is the international federation representing the sport of polo, officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This strategic partnership between FIP and U.S. Polo Assn. represents the strong alliance that has thrived since the partnership’s inception in 2015, and means that the global, sport-inspired brand will continue to be the Official Apparel Partner for FIP’s top events.

In 2022, the shared vision of FIP, the USPA, and U.S. Polo Assn. culminated in the historic XII Federation of International Polo (FIP) World Polo Championship held at the USPA National Polo Center (NPC) – Wellington. The 2022 FIP tournament was only the second time in history the competition was held in the United States and was its first time being broadcast on ESPN to millions of households around the world.

As the Official Apparel Partner for FIP events, U.S. Polo Assn. will continue to support the sport‘s leading events, including the FIP World Polo Championship, FIP European Polo Championship, FIP Ladies World Polo Championship, and FIP Ladies European Polo Championship. The brand will also continue to supply custom performance jerseys for all teams, alongside other essential apparel items such as hats and shirts, for players and officials to elevate the experience both on and off the field.

This partnership will also encompass support for the highly anticipated Ambassador Cups, set to take place this year in Brazil and Italy; the FIP Arena Polo World Championship; as well as other international polo events, such as potential Olympic Exhibition Games.

„We‘re looking forward to continuing our strategic relationship with FIP over the next four years,“ said J. Michael Prince, President & CEO of USPAGL, the company that manages and oversees the U.S. Polo Assn. brand. „This meaningful partnership underscores our continued efforts to help grow the sport of polo around the world and aligns with our strategy as a brand to

authentically connect with our global markets as we continue to execute our aggressive international growth strategies.”

“We are thrilled by this renewed partnership with U.S. Polo Assn. and their continued support of the sport of polo, which goes far beyond supplying jerseys and gear for our players,” said Piero Dillier Chairman of FIP. “With the support of U.S. Polo Assn., we are now able to reach so many new polo fans globally through ESPN. This is a dream come true for us, and we are excited to use this platform to help broaden interest, access, and exposure to polo around the world.”

Global, Sport-Inspired Brand to Again Serve as Official Apparel Partner for FIP’s Top Events WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., (August 15, 2023) – USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL) has announced that…

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Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, played in the 2023 Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup.

28. August 2023

SINGAPORE, ASIA: On the 12th of August, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Co-Founding Patron of Sentebale returned to Singapore Polo Club to play in the 2023 Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup. The annual fundraising event has raised over £11milliion to date for Sentebale’s work supporting children and young people in southern Africa.

The Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup was previously hosted by the Singapore Polo Club in 2017. Excited crowds cheered on the Royal Salute Sentebale Team, captained by Malcolm Borwick as they took on the Singapore Polo Club Team, captained by Sentebale Ambassador and long-time friend Nacho Figueras in a fast-paced game. This year’s event saw Figueras, in opposition to The Duke’s team, one of the few occasions in the tournaments history when the pair have played on opposing sides. Both rose to the challenge, each scoring impressive goals but ultimately the teams were evenly matched with the final score levelling at 7-7 with honours shared.

Around 260 guests, including former All Blacks rugby player and ISPS Handa Ambassador Dan Carter, attended the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup followed by dinner at the InterContinental Singapore.

Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Co-Founding Patron of Sentebale said, “Sentebale has remained a pillar of support in communities across southern Africa for almost two decades, ensuring future generations are well equipped to address the many challenges facing our world. Adaptability and nimbleness have been a defining factor in our work since Prince Seeiso and I founded the charity 17 years ago. Our work has remained rooted in our mission, and in honour of our late mothers, we wish to ensure all children and young people in southern Africa are empowered, healthy and able to pursue their ambitions and dreams.”

Nacho Figueras, Sentebale’s Ambassador said, “Although Prince Harry and I played on opposing teams this year, we are always united in our support for Sentebale and the life-changing work they do for young people in southern Africa. It’s a highlight every year to come together for this incredible charity, and I’m grateful to everyone who contributes to their work.”

Dr Haruhisa Handa, Founder of International Sports Promotion Society said, “ISPS believes sport has the power to inspire, break down barriers, and change lives and communities for the better. This ethos was exemplified today at the Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup. Marrying the power of sport and the vital philanthropic work Sentebale undertakes in Lesotho and Botswana to eradicate HIV and AIDS stigma, ISPS is a proud and honoured partner of this platform. Our genuine thanks to the Sentebale team for their enduring commitment, and to Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, without whose vision the positive impact on so many lives would not have been realised.”

The funds raised from this year’s Sentebale ISPS Handa Polo Cup are essential to ensuring the progress made in recent years is maintained.

Sentebale’s holistic package of support for vulnerable children and young people focusses on four key areas:

Strengthening the social and emotional wellbeing of those living with or affected by HIV.
Working with communities to provide young people with access to health and social services.
Driving youth advocacy to improve health, education, and social protection.
Building individuals skills and livelihoods so they are more resilient, self-confident and empowered members of their communities.

This layered approach is supporting positive health outcomes, improving access to education and services, and is nurturing children and young people to thrive.

Sentebale is enormously grateful to all the players and partners for their support in making this year’s event possible including, ISPS Handa, Royal Salute Singapore Polo Club, IHG Hotels & Resorts, U.S. Polo Assn and The Cox Family of Oklahoma.

For more information about Sentebale’s work please go to www.sentebale.org.

SINGAPORE, ASIA: On the 12th of August, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Co-Founding Patron of Sentebale returned to Singapore Polo Club to play in the 2023 Sentebale ISPS Handa…