Wellington, FL – April 6, 2017 – The grand finale of the 2017 season’s hottest ticket, the $250,000 Gladiator Polo™ Final presented by U.S. Polo Assn. will take place this Saturday, April 8. The event is hosted at the “Coliseum,” otherwise known as the Equestrian Village of Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) at13500 Southshore Blvd., Wellington, Florida.
With each team ranked between 23 and 26 goals, this will be one of the top arena polo matches in history. Total prize money for the final is $50,000, to be divided between the two teams. To showcase a gladiator theme, teams are all named after top Roman Gladiators: Spartacus, Crixus, Priscus and Spiculus. Team Spartacus and Team Spiculus have earned the right to battle it out in the final match.
The seven-game series began February 26, and has seen huge success since its inception. The final game has a later starting time than the previous matches. Gates will open on Saturday at 7:00 p.m., and the match will begin promptly at 8:00 p.m. Players will appear at a Meet & Greet before the game to talk with spectators and sign autographs.
While general admission is free, an optional dining experience, spectators can watch the game while enjoying an authentic asado buffet. The view of the competition doesn’t get any better than from the dining tent, where spectators get an up-close-and-personal view of the action. Asado tickets are $40 a piece, and reserved tables for six with premium VIP seating are available for $500 per table. Click here to purchase tickets for the event!
Top-rated Gladiator Polo™ player Tommy Biddle (10) is a member of Team Spartacus. “For me Gladiator Polo is the second-best thing to representing my country,” he said. “This event is doing great things for the sport of arena polo.” His teammates are Felipe Viana (7) and Jason Crowder (7). Spartacus’ team sponsor is Carol Sollak and Engel & Völkers.
Playing for Team Spiculus are Sebastian Merlos (9), Pelon Escapite (7) and Mariano Obregon (7).
“Gladiator Polo™ just keeps getting better,” said Merlos after a recent win. “We understand the game more now, and there is more speed.” He praised Mark Bellissimo, Managing Partner of International Equestrian Group (IEG), who created and organized Gladiator Polo™. “Mark has done a great job. He is very serious about bringing polo to the people and making it fun,” added Merlos.
Gladiator Polo™ players wear colorful jerseys to make the action easy to follow. Team jerseys are crafted by sponsor Horseware® Ireland. Roman-attired gladiators walk around the venue, greeting guests and posing for photo opportunities. The evening offers an optional asado buffet for just $40 as well as an after-party open to all at the onsite “Lions’ Den,” with music by DJ Maximus, drinks and dancing. Polo players mingle and socialize with the partygoers. For more information, please visit www.gladiatorpolo.com.