ST. PATRICK’S DAY SHOWDOWN: USA TAKES ON IRELAND IN FIRST INTERNATIONAL MATCH OF THE SEASON SUNDAY
03/15/2024
On St. Patrick’s Day - Sunday, March 17, the National Polo Center (NPC) in Wellington, Florida, will play host to an international showdown as the USA takes on Ireland at 11:00am ET on BTG Pactual Field 2. Hope Arellano* (3), Quinn Evans (1), Felipe Viana* (6) and Tommy Collingwood (5) will represent USA. Viana and Collingwood both competed in last year’s match and defeated Ireland, 14-3.
Arellano has previously represented the U.S. in the FIP World Polo Championships and helped the USA secure the silver medal in 2022. In 2018, she also donned the red, white and blue in another international competition during the Junior Westchester Cup, defeating England 3-2. Her numerous other accolades include multiple U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship titles (2017, 2023) and a 10-goal women’s outdoor handicap rating, which she received in December of 2023.
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Evans’ polo journey has taken him from his hometown of Union, Oregon, to the international stage at NPC. Throughout his junior career, Evans played at the Tacoma Polo Club (Roy, Washington), La Grande Polo Club (La Grande, Oregon) and the Spokane Polo Club (Spokane, Washington). In February, 24-year-old Evans competed with La Dolfina in the C.V. Whitney Cup for his first Gauntlet of Polo appearance, making it to the C.V. Whitney Cup final where La Dolfina was runner-up to Valiente.
Viana, who competed in the USA vs. Ireland match in 2023, is no stranger to international competition. A two-time FIP World Polo Championship competitor, Viana helped guide the USA to a silver medal finish against Chile in 2015. He has also competed for multiple teams in the Gauntlet of Polo throughout the years, including Park Place, Cessna and SD Farms.
Rounding out the Americans, Collingwood boasts a long and decorated career with national trophy wins including the Silver Cup, Heritage Cup, Delegate’s Cup, National President’s Cup and more. Like Viana, Collingwood has also made multiple high-goal Gauntlet of Polo appearances, competing with the Park Place organization in 2019 and Daily Racing Form in 2020.
Traveling from across the pond, the Irish collective will be comprised of Evan Power (3), Max Hutchinson (4), Niall Donnelly (3), and Richard Tyrone (5). The Irishmen are returning to NPC looking for redemption from the rematch, as all four players participated in the 2023 competition.
Entry to the international match is free and open to the public with fieldside tailgating available on a first come, first served basis. Spectators are encouraged to join the team spirit and represent their county’s colors in support of their favorite team.
Continue the St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Sunday afternoon, with high-goal competition on U.S. Polo Assn. Field One at 3:00pm ET as La Dolfina take on Pilot in the USPA Gold Cup, featuring 10-goalers Poroto Cambiaso and Facundo Pieres. To purchase tickets to the 3:00pm match, please visit nationalpolocenter.com/tickets.
*Hope Arellano is an Active Team USPA Member. Felipe Viana is a Team USPA alumnus. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher-rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.