The Ylvisaker Cup will conclude this coming weekend with the semi-finals on February 7th and the Finals this Sunday, February 10th. This is sure to be a great and exciting event for horse and polo lovers.
The Ylvisaker Cup is played annually as a tribute to William T. “Bill” Ylvisaker, a true pioneer who was responsible for developing the Wellington, Florida, area into the high-goal winter polo capital of the world. Ylvisaker contributed extensively to the sport’s resurgence in the 70s and 80s. He carved out of the unwelcoming, wild and forbidding marsh on the edge of the Florida Everglades and created the Palm Beach Polo and Country Club. Palm Beach Polo Club flourished and the town of Wellington sprung up around it, going on to successfully host not only polo but numerous other equestrian sports.
Established in 2003, the Ylvisaker Cup has been exclusively played at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida. Over the past decade, the popular tournament has fielded rosters of up to 16 teams. New Bridge-La Dolfina captured back-to-back wins in 2006 and 2007, the only consecutive wins by one team in the history of the tournament. Coca-Cola is another staple of the Ylvisaker Cup with two recent victories in 2013 and 2015.
Last year’s Ylvisaker Cup Final which featured Orchard Hill and Valiente was canceled due to copious rainfall throughout January and February. While 2016’s competition fielded 12 teams, this year’s roster is packed with 14 impressive and competitive teams, including both teams slated for last year’s final.