Summer 2016

Page 18

TALK

PASTURES NEW

While the 2016 US high-goal season was playing out on the fields of the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC), another intense competition was taking place behind closed doors. At stake was the ownership of IPC, which had become the subject of speculation since it was placed on the market several years ago. The future of polo in Wellington – and along with it, the continued viability of the United States as the reigning winter venue for international polo – hung in the balance.

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18 19 TALK Sale of IPC KB EOG BD.indd 18

After a protracted bidding war, on 18 March, the news hit: the Goodman family trust had agreed to sell the IPC facilities and surrounding properties, totalling 248 acres, to Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Wellington Equestrian Partners (WEP). WEP owns the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and operates both the Winter Equestrian and Adequan Global Dressage Festivals. ‘Our partnership wanted to ensure that IPC was going to be protected as a long-term venue for polo and other equestrian sports, which is

key to Wellington’s economy,’ Bellissimo said in announcing the purchase. ‘We are now positioned to achieve a new level of prominence and excellence for the competitor and visitor experience at all our venues. This allows us to establish and showcase Wellington as the world destination for polo, showjumping and dressage.’ Signs of WEP’s interest in expanding into polo were there from the start of the 2016 Florida season, although few could have predicted the extent to which it would reach.

LILA PHOTO; JOSH WALKER

Its future may be uncertain, but the sale of the International Polo Club Palm Beach has already prompted a surge in sponsorship, reports Darlene Ricker

hurlinghampolo.com

03/06/2016 12:38


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