The International Polo Cup, also called the Newport Cup and the Westchester Cup, is a trophy in polo that was created in 1886 and is played for by teams from the United States and England.[a] Matches were conducted 12 times between 1886 and 1939, suspended during World War II, and not revived until 1992 due to changing times and interests.[2] Originally contested as a best-of-three series, single-game matches have been held since the event was revived. The most recent match was held in March 2023 at the National Polo Center in Wellington, Florida, won by the English team.
History
The history of the cup dates to 1886.[1] The cup was purchased by a subscription and presented to the Westchester Polo Club, from which its original name originates, in 1886. It was won in 1886 and 1902 by English teams from the Hurlingham Club.
In the 1920s and 1930s, the Westchester Cup was the most anticipated event on the sporting calendar in the United States.[4][5]
1886 English team
1902 American team
1909 English team
1921 American team
Match results
The below table lists the results of each match, and the overall series record between the two teams. The match was suspended in the 1940s due to World War II and was not revived until the 1990s.[6][7]
^"Polo Cup Gift of Deed. August Belmont's Proposals Accepted by Hurlingham Club". New York Times. 30 June 1912. The Hurlingham Club of London has accepted the proposal of August Belmont for the International Polo Cup. The document covering all the details of the deed of gift was framed last year by Mr. Belmont after a consultation with the Hurlingham Club.
^"The Coming International Polo Contest". New York Times. 2 March 1902. Retrieved 7 April 2011. International athletic contests have become so numerous lately that they have almost ceased to be a novelty. Their interest, however, has not diminished, and if one looks at the yacht racing rivalry between England and America for an example, it would seem as though popular enthusiasm increased with each new contest. ...
^"American Polo Victory. Englishmen Beaten in the First International Cup Match"(PDF). New York Times. 1 June 1902. Retrieved 20 February 2015. The first test polo match for the American Cup was played at Hurlingham to-day between the English and American teams, the latter winning by a score of 2 goals to 1. The weather was fine and the ground was good, but soft. An enormous crowd, including many ladies, was present.
^Polo in the United States. McFarland. 1 September 2016. p. 66. ISBN9780786480074. John Hardress Lloyd was joined by four Army captains, Frederick Barrett, Leslie St. C. Cheape and Eustace 'Bill' Palmes, all 10-goalers in India, and Herbert Wilson, a 9-goal handicap player. Lt. Arthur Noel Edwards was the designated spare ...
^"Polo Match to Be Played To-morrow. Sunshine and Wind Needed to Dry Out Field. Rainstorm Passes Away"(PDF). New York Times. 8 June 1911. Retrieved 31 December 2013. The international polo teams received another day of enforced, rest yesterday, made necessary through unfavorable weather conditions for the playing of the second match of the cup series, which will be decided to-morrow, weather permitting. The rainstorm passed away late yesterday afternoon and fair weather is predicted for to-morrow. ...
^"At Meadow Brook". Time magazine. 15 September 1930. Archived from the original on 30 January 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2011. Critics had predicted a runaway for the Americans. This did not happen. Through the first half, and until the seventh chukker. the Englishmen made it hard. Lacey's Argentine ponies outran the bigger U. S. mounts for a while; first Guest, then Roark and Hitchcock broke mallets. Lacey stole the ball from Hopping and Hitchcock for beautiful shots. What the English team lacked most was an accurate goal shooter like Pedley. Consistently the ball was fed to Balding at No. 1, but under pressure, Balding's shots were sliced, sometimes missed entirely.