Gladiator Polo, a professional arena Polo league presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach with Mark Bellissimo combines the world’s best Polo players with modified rules that keep the play fast. Played in a ring with all-weather footing which is 1/10th the dimensions of a typical grass Polo field, Gladiator Polo is an innovative venture hosted at the International Polo Club Palm Beach’s newly developed outdoor arena. Previously hosted at the “Coliseum”, otherwise known as the equestrian village, the Gladiator Polo aims to bring more players, patrons, spectators and sponsors into the sport of Polo. In an effort to create an arena league for the budding players, Gladiator Polo launched Amazon Polo for women and Ninja Polo for kids. With prize money associated with the trophy, Gladiator Polo has been able to target players and sponsors from around the globe within a span of 2 years and has popularised the arena Polo which was confined to a small community before.
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Arena Polo has its origins in the USA. During the last century when the officers of the US Army Cavalry Regiment needed the means to practice field Polo during harsh winter months. To train themselves and their horses for field Polo, the US Army Cavalry Regiment started playing Polo in the large indoor riding school they had at the barracks and developed the game of Arena Polo. Before Played with three players on each side on a regulation size arena of 300 feet by 150 feet, an Arena Polo game is enclosed by walls of four or more feet in height. Unlike outdoor/grass Polo, arena Polo doesn’t require a large number of horses to play and a maximum of two-three horses are used by the players as they alternate horses after every chukker. A playtime of 5 minutes during a chukker, the Arena Polo match is played over a course of 6 chukkers. The Arena Polo differs from outdoor/grass Polo in many aspects. Played with a ball that is similar to the size of a mini-football, the Arena Polo can be played either indoors or outdoors, days or nights under lights all year round. The larger size of the ball gives the new player confidence in learning to hit the ball, providing a proper technique as the arena game is played on a dirt surface with the ball bouncing on and off the uneven surface. Most of the small clubs only play Arena Polo due to the smaller field size required and high cost of maintaining grass fields.
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In its inaugural edition in the year 2017, Gladiator Polo introduced two of the world’s most advanced riding simulators. One simulator to teach the general riding skills, and the other simulator to teach Polo riding and “stick and ball” training. The after-parties and the crowd are some of the highlights of the Gladiator Arena Polo league at the International Polo Club. A large crowd hooting for the players and horses makes it a great destination for a weekend at the Polo field. The VIP Marquee acts as the cherry on the cake providing a luxurious experience with a great buffet, cash bar, a hospitable environment, and front-row views of the action in the arena.
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Gladiator Polo returns to Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) for an exhilarating rematch between Charlotte and Greenville on 3rd August. Featuring the World’s best Arena Polo players, Gladiator Polo is all set to bring the fan-favorite action-packed Arena Polo to the venue. A brand new initiative by Gladiator, Ninja Polo Camp will be offered to kids of age 11-18 from August 1 – August 4 with instruction provided by Charlotte and Greenville competitors. Featuring a Ninja Polo showcase on Saturday night at Tryon Stadium prior to the Gladiator Polo match, the grandstand at Tryon Resort will be jampacked with the fans grooving for the epic battle between the two teams as Greenville will try to defend their title of “Battle for the Carolinas Champion” against a thrilled Charlotte who lost the championship match to Greenville last June.
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Collaborating with each other prior to the Gladiator Polo match, both teams will instruct at the first-ever Ninja Polo Camp at TIEC. Proudly supported by the Polo Training Foundation, the Ninja Polo will offer an immersive hands-on and educational experience for kids. Campers will learn from some of the world’s best professional high-goal arena players, a truly unique experience. Coaching staffing is headed by Gates Gridley, a USPA Certified Polo Instructor and lead instructor at the Polo School at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida. Providing the beginners with advanced Riding and Polo instructions, the Ninja Polo Camp requires no prior Polo experience, though participants must be able to walk, trot and canter consistently. School horses are available or campers can bring their own mount, and onsite lodging is available.
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Jared Sheldon, joined in 2019 by Matt Cappola and Felipe Viana, will return to Team Greenville to defend last year’s title. Team USPA member Felipe Viana, winner of the US Arena Open and National Intercollegiate Champion completes the Gladiator black trio. Fans can enjoy a premier competition dining experience from the Legends Club and Sky Deck, featuring an authentic Argentine Asado buffet and a beer festival with unlimited four-ounce pours of local craft brews. A perfect in-house experience for the crowd, the covered dining offers the best seats in the house and is perfect for large groups, couples, and families alike.t
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