Hosted by Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club (Carpinteria, California) for the second consecutive year, the 2021 Silver Cup® has returned to the west coast where six teams will contend for the prestigious title, including defending champions Lucchese. Located just five miles south of Santa Barbara and 60 miles north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club overlooks the Pacific Ocean providing an attractive backdrop to an active polo calendar.
The first USPA Official Event of the 16-goal season, the Silver Cup® will begin on Sunday, July 25, with the final set for Sunday, August 8. The high-goal season will culminate with the Pacific Coast Open, the only open trophy on the west coast, August 13 through 29.
Serving as the Official Stadium & Apparel Sponsor, U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association, will provide stadium branding and apparel for both high-profile west coast tournaments.
The Silver Cup® has been called many names throughout its illustrious 121-year history. Originally established as the Junior Championship, it was first played in 1900. In 1938, the Junior Championship was renamed the National Twenty Goal® Championship and in 1974 the tournament took its present name, the Silver Cup®. A trophy which bears the names of many Polo Hall of Famers including Tommy Hitchcock and Cecil Smith, the Silver Cup® also features Lucchese (2020, 2014, 2012) and Farmers & Merchants Bank (2016, 2015, 2013) with three titles each. Antelope is the only other team in the lineup who has qualified for the Silver Cup® Final.
On Antelope’s heels throughout the first half of the 2020 Silver Cup® Final, Lucchese turned the scoreboard around in the third, gradually extending the lead to secure the coveted trophy 15-11 for the first time in six years. In 2021 the defending champions will be joined by Keko Magrini on Lucchese’s roster, while 2020 Lucchese teammate Nico Escobar will compete with his family’s Santa Clara this year. Featuring father-and-son combinations on multiple teams, the 16-goal rosters feature a variety of young rising stars including several active and graduating Team USPA members and alumni.