WELLINGTON, FL-Nov. 22, 2013---The United States will have a strong lineup to challenge Chile for the USPA International Cup on Nov. 30th at Grand Champions Polo Club.
Eight-goaler Nic Roldan, a Cardinal Newman High School graduate from Wellington, heads Team USA for the annual battle for the coveted cup.
Roldan will be joined by 7-goaler Jeff Hall, 3-goaler Carlitos Gracida and 1-goaler Marc Ganzi. All four players have extensive international experience.
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| Nic Roldan is highest ranked player on Team USA rated at 8 goals. Photo by Scott Fisher |
Roldan and Ganzi are coming off the Westchester Cup in July which Team USA narrowly lost to Great Britain, 12-11 in overtime on British soil.
Hall, 33, one of America's top-rated players, has experience competing against Chile for the U.S.
"They are going to be good, they are always good," Hall said. "We played them once in Santiago and lost by a goal. We were over there and on their horses."
Hall has represented the U.S. several times in international games around the world.
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| Seven-goaler Jeff Hall has experience playing Chile. Photo by Scott Fisher |
"It's always fun, always a pleasure to be on any U.S. team," Hall said. "I am honored to represent the U.S. It's always fun to play for your country. I guess there is always a little bit of pressure because you don't want to lose. You just go out and play hard."
It will be the second time Grand Champions Polo Club will host a major international men's game in its eight-year history.
The 20-goal men's championship game features some of the sport's top players. The international game is sanctioned by the United States Polo Association and Chile Polo Federation.The Chile roster features 6-goaler Matias Vial, 5-goalers Jose Antonio Iturrate and Juan Sanchez and 4-goaler Max Silva.
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| Marc Ganzi has led several U.S. teams in international matches. Photo by Scott Fisher |
Chile, former FIP Polo World Champions, won the 2013 BMW International Polo Series on August 25th. It was Chile's first victory in six tries on South African soil in Johannesburg. Chile won, 9-7.
In March 2012, Chile knocked off England, 11-9, in the Alfonso Rozas Ossa international match in Santiago. Vial was a member of the winning Chilean team.
"I know Matias Vial but the other three are new," Hall said. "They are going to be a good team."
The USPA International Cup game will be part of a polo doubleheader on Saturday, Nov. 30th.
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| At 22, Carlitos Gracida is the youngest member of the U.S. team. Photo by Scott Fisher |
The opening game, the Legends of Polo, will feature some of the world's top men's polo players including legendary Hall of Famer and former 10-goaler Carlos Gracida at 1 p.m. followed by the USPA International Cup at 3 p.m. Gates open at 12:30 p.m.
In last year's USPA International Cup in front of a sellout crowd, Team USA defeated England, 8.5-6. Roldan was named Most Valuable Player.
Proceeds from the doubleheader benefits The Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, a non-profit educational organization, dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the development, history and tradition of the sport of polo.
Tickets are on sale and various sponsorship packages are available. They are:
$20 General Admission per person. Be sure to bring your own seating. Che Grill will be at field side with delicious food, snacks and drinks, and tented seating will be available to enjoy your meal. Field side parking is not included.
$250 Signature Tailgate Package: Includes admission for one car. Your guests can enjoy a field side view of the game. The Signature Tailgate Package includes a reserved tailgate spot with parking for one car, a 10 X 10 tent and one table with 4 chairs. Bring your own food or buy some delicious food, snacks and drinks from Che Grill, field side.
$500 Grand Champions Tailgate Package: Includes admission for one car. Your guests can enjoy a field side view of the game. The Grand Champion Tailgate Package includes a reserved, preferred tailgate spot with parking for one car, a 10 X 10 tent, one table with 4 chairs, a bottle of champagne with an ice bucket with 4 glasses and 4 sport Grand Champions Polo Club hats. Bring your own food or buy some delicious food, snacks and drinks from Che Grill, field side.
VIP Pavilion Tickets: $200 Per Person: Includes one VIP admission ticket to the comfortable Grand Champions Lounge with a field side view of the game. Enjoy specialty cocktails and fabulous bites from Aaron's Catering of the Palm Beaches, and relax to DJ music.
$1,500 VIP Corporate Sponsor: Includes one table and 8 VIP admission tickets to the comfortable Grand Champions Lounge with a field side view of the game. Enjoy specialty cocktails and fabulous bites from Aaron's Catering of the Palm Beaches and relax to DJ music.
For Tickets: Go to www.grandchampionspoloclub.ticketleap.org or call (561)644-5050
For Sponsorships: Email Maureen Gross at mbg@phelpsmediagroup.com, or call (561)714-0887
Sponsors:
Braman Audi, Palm Beach
www.bramanaudi.com
Flight Options
www.flightoptions.com
Grand Champions Polo Club
www.grandchampionspoloclub.org
Museum of Polo & Hall of Fame
www.polomuseum.com
Onli Beverages
www.onlibeverages.com
Perfect Vodka
www.perfectvodka.com
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
www.phelpsmediagroup.com
United States Polo Association
www.us-polo.org
GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB
"Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly" 
Rabii Benadada
