Situated in the heart of the horse-centric village of Wellington, Florida, The International Polo Club Palm Beach is a world-class venue for polo enthusiasts to witness top class competitive polo. Some of the world’s renowned players, including Adolfo Cambiaso, Facundo Pieres including America’s top-rated players Julio Arellano, Jeff Hall and Nic Roldan come to Wellington every winter season for the love of the sport and enjoy the most prominent polo facilities and lifestyle. International Polo Club is the host of the most prestigious tournaments in the United States, including the US Open Polo Championship which has been hosted by IPC for more than 10 years.
“IPC has been focussing on High Goal Polo for many years now and will continue to do so. This is being done to preserve high goal polo at IPC for long term” – Mark Bellissimo
The 2019 Palm Beach Polo Season runs from December 30, 2019, through April 21, 2020.
Outclass hospitality along with guest seating which includes elegant grandstand viewing, lawn seating and stadium seating can be enjoyed by the public.
International Polo Club
History
Over the period of time the humble agricultural lands of Wellington, Florida developed into a world-famous equestrian community. It all started when William T. Ylvisaker, created polo fields and introduced the game of kings to the city. He himself was a seven-goal polo player and won the US Open Championships, two Coronation Cups, the Gold Cup, four National twenty-goals and also played elephant polo. In 1967 in co-founded the Polo Training Foundation and served as its vice president. He also served as chairman of the United States Polo Association from 1970 to 1975.
Later in the 1990s, Summerfield Johnston Jr., Mickey Tarnopol, and John B. Goodman combined their preowned private polo fields for high-goal competition. In 2002, patron of the Isla Carroll Polo team, John B. Goodman, took the responsibility of these fields and established the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC).
More polo fields were added in the following years along with grandstands, private boxes, and other facilities. In 2013, IPC celebrated its 10th anniversary season.
Although the club was later purchased by Wellington Equestrian Partners, Mark and Katherine Bellissimo in May 2016. They serve as the managing partner for many of the world’s most prominent and largest equestrian venues in North America including the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The Bellissimo bought a fresh perspective and innovative approach to a club. The sport of polo has been a major contributor to the city’s development.
U.S. Open Polo Championship
Facilities
The club has nine polo fields. The main stadium is probably the largest stadium for viewing polo in the United States. Other than that, the club has an Olympic-size pool, a spa, a fitness center, a tournament-approved croquet lawn, and the clubhouse. It also has two tennis courts and a tennis pavilion, a wine room, and the largest collection of polo books on the Earth.
Championship Field is used for Sunday matches during the winter season. Across from the championship, the field has located The Pavilion which is used for special functions, including Sunday Brunch and Polo, which is a centerpiece during the 16-week winter season.
Watching high-standard polo from the private boxes, viewing stands, field side tailgates, and special hospitality tents, all overlooking the Championship Field, is an unparalleled experience.
Besides an exceptional polo viewing experience and astonishing surroundings, the International Polo Club also has a polo school for anyone who wants to learn polo. The Polo School at IPC is managed by Gates Gridley, resident instructor and Gladiator Polo manager with polo playing and training experience of more than 17 years. The school accepts students of all skill levels and offers lessons to all ages, riding levels, and disciplines. The Bellisimos believe that it is imperative that the international polo club has a lesson program.
International Polo Club
Tournaments
Gauntlet Of Polo
The Gauntlet of Polo is Indeed the most anticipated series of polo tournament. As the world’s preeminent teams, most skilled athletes, and finest trained horses come together for three months to battle head-to-head for the coveted C.V. Whitney Cup, USPA Gold Cup, and the CaptiveOne U.S. Open Polo Championship. It is played at the beautiful international polo club. For polo enthusiasts from all over the world, the GAUNTLET is polo’s toughest competition. The winning team receives a $500,000 bonus totaling $1 million in prize money and mark their place in the history of Gauntlet of Polo.
The International Polo Club is the home of Gauntlet of Polo
CV Whitney Cup: Originally known as the U.S Handicap, the C.V. Whitney Cup is a single-elimination tournament with 16 teams. It has made the International polo club its home since 2003.
USPA Gold Cup: Established in 1974 at the Oak Brook polo club in Oak Brook, Illinois, the USPA Gold Cup moved to Florida in 1979 and became the crown jewel of the winter season. It has been played at many polo clubs in Florida, until 2007 when it landed in Wellington at the International Polo Club.
U.S. Open Polo Championship: The 22- goal tournament held during the Florida high-goal season attracts polo enthusiasts from all over the world. The tournament circulated among several clubs throughout the United States, including Meadowbrook polo club, Retama polo center and Oak Brook where it remained for 22 years. In 2004, after one hundred years since the tournament was established, the U.S. Open found its way to IPC in Wellington, Florida where it has been held ever since.
International Polo Club
