Organizers Build on a Polo Tradition

Second America’s Cup in Leesburg Adds Fashion Show, Wine Tasting

By Arianne Aryanpur (Contact)

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Last year, a group of U.S. polo players faced off against a British team in a match at Morven Park in Leesburg.

Dubbed the America’s Cup of Polo, the event attracted nearly 5,000 spectators. The day-long affair included a polo match, catered food and a musical performance by Journey.

Although the U.S. team didn’t beat the British, losing 7-3, a tradition was born. On Saturday, the same U.S. team will face a team from Italy in the second annual America’s Cup of Polo at Morven Park.

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America's Cup of Polo Media Event

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Tareq Salahi, chairman of the America's Cup of Polo, takes the field at Morven Park in Leesburg on Thursday. The event was held to announce the second annual event and Salahi took the chance to explain the weekend's events to the crowd. (Joel Richardson)

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America's Cup of Polo Chairman Tareq Salahi explains the events for the weekend's second annual event, which will be held at Morven Park in Leesburg. (Joel Richardson)

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At a media event held to announce the second annual America's Cup of Polo, Chairman Tareq Salahi explains the weekend's events. The Cup will take place this weekend at Morven Park in Leesburg. (Joel Richardson)

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Fashion consultant Victoria Prouty, left, and Chef Enzo, right, from D'Acqua Restaurant, at a media event held Thursday in Leesburg to announce the second annual America's Cup of Polo. The Cup will take place this weekend at Morven Park. (Joel Richardson)

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This weekend's America's Cup of Polo, being held at Morven Park in Leesburg, will feature a fashion show. Heading the fashion show are Victoria Prouty, left, and Paul Wharton, right. (Joel Richardson)

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Members of the U.S. Polo Team, Charlie Muldoon, left, and Doug Barnes, right, show off their skills at a media event in Leesburg on Thursday. The event was held to announce this weekend's second annual America's Cup of Polo. (Joel Richardson)

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Doug Barnes, a member of the U.S. Polo Team, logged some practice time Thursday to prepare for this weekend's second annual America's Cup of Polo, which will take place at Morven Park in Leesburg. (Joel Richardson)

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U.S. Polo Team members Charlie Muldoon, left, and Doug Barnes, right, prepare for this weekend's America's Cup of Polo. A media event was held Thursday in Leesburg, where the Cup will be held, to announce the weekend's events. (Joel Richardson)

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Organizers said they are expecting a similar turnout for this year’s festivities, which will include several new events.

The event will be chaired again by Michaele and Tareq Salahi, owners of Oasis Winery in Fauquier County. Tareq Salahi, a polo enthusiast, will play on the U.S. team.

Additions to this year’s program include a fashion show Friday, featuring U.S. and Italian designers. There will be a wine tasting, a performance by the Gipsy Kings Family and, to further heat up the competition, a culinary contest between Italian and U.S. chefs. The weekend will wrap up Saturday with a parachute show by Blackwater USA, a concert by Huey Lewis and the News and fireworks.

“This is about fun, sports, international diplomacy and giving back,” Tareq Salahi said.

Proceeds from the event will go to Journey for the Cure, which supports the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and other charities. The event raised about $250,000 for charity in 2007, Salahi said, and he hopes to surpass that amount this year.

Salahi said the event also is aimed at boosting tourism throughout the region. Because of that goal and because the polo field at Morven Park will undergo renovations soon, the match will move to a new location next year and to a different venue in the Washington area every two years, Salahi said.

A new chairman, Fernando Murias of PricewaterhouseCoopers, has been chosen to continue Salahi’s work next year.

Salahi declined to reveal next year’s location at a news event last week, saying only that “it won’t be too far” from Morven Park. Organizers said the new venue, as well as the country that will face off against the United States in 2009, will be announced during the opening ceremonies of this year’s match.

Tickets for the events can be purchased together or separately. Holders of lawn tickets will be allowed to bring chairs and blankets. Those items were prohibited last year because of security concerns.

For tickets and information, visit www.americaspolocup.com.

Note: The story was altered to correct a mistake in the originally published version. The Gipsy Kings Family, not the Gipsy Kings will be playing at the event.

Tagged: Morven Park, polo

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