It’s a Polo Party! Scottsdale Polo Championships: Horses+Horsepower October 20, 2012

The Scottsdale Convention &Visitors Bureau, Barrett–Jackson &Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show Introduce… The Scottsdale Polo Championships: Horses & Horsepower.

High energy Polo Party & Car Extravaganza to feature three match showdown showcasing Polo Stars Nic Roldan & Tommy Biddle Jr. plus Work to Ride, Harvard, Bel Air &The Hamptons; Tickets Now on Sale

Arizona already has the Fiesta Bowl. Now it’s time for “The Fiesta Bowl of Polo,” the biggest polo event to ever hit Arizona which will culminate on Oct. 20, 2012 at WestWorld of Scottsdale’s Polo Field.

Sponsored by the City of Scottsdale, Barrett-Jackson Car Collector Auction, Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show and many others, The Scottsdale Polo Championships: Horses+Horsepower has greatly expanded from last year’s inaugural event and will now feature a three match showdown featuring some of the biggest names in American polo.

Gates will open at 10:00 a.m., with a warm-up match featuring members of the Arizona Polo Club dubbed U.S. vs. Columbia. The second match starts at 1pm and pits Harvard University against Work to Ride, the first African-American high school polo champion in U.S. History that has been featured on ESPN and “60 Minutes.”

Immediately following at 3pm check out the biggest rivalry as The Hamptons, led by top ranked American Polo Star Tommy Biddle Jr., Long Island’s County Farms Polo takes on The Bel Air Polo Club captained by Nic Roldan. One of the highest ranked players in the United States today, Roldan has charged polo fields on five continents, garnering many of the sport’s most acclaimed trophies, including the prestigious U.S. Open Polo Championship. As polo’s latest stunner, his rugged good looks and exceptional physique have also spawned a successful modeling career, landing him in the pages of top fashion magazines.

“It’s amazing to see the sport of polo growing and expanding into new arenas,” said Roldan. “I enjoy seeing it gain more exposure. I can’t wait to get to Scottsdale in October for a spectacular day of polo.”

But great polo isn’t the only attraction that will be on display at the high-energy event. Attendees will also enjoy a sneak preview of the 2013Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show and see some serious horsepower with a preview of Barrett-Jackson’s 2013 Collector Car Auction along with the local Ferrari and Lamborghini clubs lining the field. The “World’s Greatest Collector Car Auction” will host its 42nd annual car extravaganza in January.

A portion of the proceeds from the Polo Championships will benefit Work to Ride and local charities.

In June, the Scottsdale City Council ratified a $75,000 tourism grant for the event, initially recommended by the city’s Tourism Development Commission.

“Scottsdale is home to a variety of exceptional events that showcase everything from spring training baseball and professional golf to collector cars and championship horses,” said Rachel Sacco, president and CEO of the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This event is a great addition to our lineup and another reason for visitors to experience our world-class destination.”

Well-known polo announcer Steve Lewandowski says Scottsdale is the perfect stage for polo.

“I announced last year’s event and it was phenomenal,” said Lewandowski. “The setting, the atmosphere, the music and with this year’s match-ups October 20th in Scottsdale it’s a can’t miss polo and social event,” he said.

Tickets are now on sale with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Work to Ride and Scottsdale Healthcare’s Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health program. Go to www.thepoloparty.com to purchase tickets including the El Santo Champagne and Tequila Lounge, The Lounge: Presented by Phoenix Fashion Week, The Barrett-Jackson VIP Tent, Cusp Exclusive VIP by Neiman Marcus, the Molina Fine Jeweler Drivers and Player’s Lounge, tailgating tickets and more. Limited tables are available for reservation. Information about corporate sponsorship opportunities is also available.

Or for more information go to: www.thepoloparty.com