Reception Honors Stanford Financial Group - U.S. Open Polo Teams At International Polo Club Palm Beach

WELLINGTON, FL – More than 250 guests attended a fun-filled, surprise-packed invitation-only cocktail reception honoring the high-goal polo teams entered in the historic 100th U.S. Open Polo Championship at the new International Polo Club Palm Beach

Thirteen teams, the second most in the history of the tournament, will attempt to have their names engraved on the most prestigious polo trophy in North America.

International Polo Club Palm Beach General Manager Michael Brown engineered the first surprise when he announced the tournament’s new title sponsor – the Stanford Financial Group.

Jay Comeaux, President of the Stanford Group Company and an avid polo player, briefly addressed the guests.

Stanford’s family of companies provides international private banking, investment banking, trust and brokerage services, investment advisory services and real estate development. Currently, the Stanford organization manages in excess of $17 billion in assets, serving clients on six continents. The success of the group is the result of entrepreneurial spirit and drive spearheaded by third generation Chairman and CEO R. Allen Stanford.

Then Brown announced a new spectacular trophy, designed by the world-renowned studios of Mitchell Peck that will be awarded during “A Salute to The Champions” match on Sunday, April 4 at International Polo Club Palm Beach. Inspired by the trophies created in the 19th century, the hand-crafted trophy stands 24 inches tall and boast a full team of polo players with heads bowed reverentially, busts of horses in full tack, decorated plinths and a hand-raised bowl 14 inches in diameter.

The Mitchell Peck trophy and the U.S. Open trophy were displayed in the middle of the room along with vertical banners honoring some the world’s most famous players past and present.

A who’s who of the world’s best polo players and patrons attended the reception, including 10-goalers Mariano Aguerre, Mike Azzaro, Javier and Miguel Novillo Astrada, Eduardo Heguy, Pite and Sebastian Merlos and Adam Snow. Memo Gracida, who has won the U.S. Open title a record 15 times, and his younger brother, Carlos, who has captured the crown nine times, also attended. John Goodman, owner of the International Polo Club Palm Beach and high-goal patrons Camilo Bautista, Michael Price, Gillian Johnston, Skeeter Johnston, John Hall, Bob Daniels, Steve Van Andel and Scott Devon also attended the reception.

The Stanford Financial Group – U.S. Open Polo Championship begins March 23 with the final scheduled for Sunday, April 18 at 3 p.m. at the International Polo Club Palm Beach stadium field.

High-goal polo action continues every Sunday at 3 p.m. The polo game is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling (561) 204-5687 or visiting the club’s website at www.internationalpoloclub.com. Tickets are also available at the gate on the day of the game.

International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South, between Lake Worth Road and Pierson Road, in Wellington.

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