Gladiator Polo Returns to TIEC June 8 for Three-Game ‘Battle for the Carolinas’ Series

After a successful inaugural season at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in 2017, the fast-paced sport of Gladiator Polo is back for another month of action-packed competition. Gladiator Polo™ served as a crowd favorite last season and the 2018 calendar will not disappoint. The “Battle for the Carolinas” Series begins with the ‘Battle for South Carolina’ on Friday, June 8, followed by the ‘Battle for North Carolina’ on Saturday, June 16, and concludes with the Gladiator Polo™ Battle for the Carolinas – North Carolina vs. South Carolina Final on Saturday, June 23.

The “Battle for the Carolinas” Series returns Friday, June 8, at 8:00 p.m. at TIEC. Free general admission and free parking!  Photo Credit ©TIEC

The fun will begin each evening at 6:00 p.m. with TIEC’s signature entertainment including free carousel and pony rides, face painting, live music, Gladiator-inspired activities, and more. There will be an exclusive autograph signing session with players in the front of Legends Plaza before the game, as well as a player Meet-and-Greet after the game at the Silo Bar. Fans of all ages can enjoy an authentic Argentine Asado buffet from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. in the Legends Club – tickets can be purchased here. The first Gladiator Polo™ match of the season will start at 8:00 p.m. Tryon Resort’s onsite shops, restaurants and bars will be open throughout the night. General admission and parking at Tryon Resort are free.

“Our organization has been very excited to announce the Gladiator Polo™ schedule for this season at TIEC. We received such a tremendous response to the tournaments we hosted last year and wanted to ensure top tournament play remains on the event calendar here for many years to come,” said Mark Bellissimo, CEO of International Equestrian Group (IEG) and managing partner of Tryon Equestrian Partners (TEP). “Gladiator Polo™ has allowed us to bring more focus and attention to the sport of polo, which has been our mission since getting more heavily involved with the sport two years ago. We anticipate a very competitive season this year and are eager to welcome our Gladiator Polo™ fans back to the venue in June.”

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The evening will offer player autograph signings, kids activities, face painting, a traditional Argentine Asado and more.  Photo Credit ©TIEC Click here to purchase tickets for the traditional Argentine Asado!

The first installment of Gladiator Polo™ will welcome Team Greenville and Team Spartanburg on Friday, June 8, in the “Battle for South Carolina.” The second match, taking place on Saturday, June 16, will see Team Asheville, sponsored by Ingles, and Team Charlotte duke it out during the “Battle for North Carolina.” The third and final game of the season, “Battle for the Carolinas”, will take place on Saturday, June 23. The Gladiator Polo™ team rosters are as follows:

Team Greenville

Jared “Soco” Zenni (5)

Jared “The Fuego from San Diego” Sheldon (7)

Pelon “Bam Bam” Escapite (8)

20 goals total

Team Spartanburg

Juan “The Stitcher” Martin Obregon (6)

Geronimo “Chori” Obregon (6)

Facundo “Facu” Obregon (7)

19 goals total

Team Asheville presented by Ingles

Nano “The Snake” Gracida (5)

Santi “The Polo Kid” Torres (7)

Patrick “Tricky” Uretz (7)

19 goals total

Team Charlotte

Tommy “The Great White Shark” Collingwood (5)

Mariano “Nino” Obregon (7)

Kris “Colorado” Kampsen (9)

21 goals total

Get to Know the Game
During Gladiator Polo™ matches, two teams of three players are pitted against each other in an enclosed arena, giving spectators an up close and personal look at the action. In this Roman-themed event, horse and rider teams wear distinctive colors – from the players’ helmets all the way down to the horses’ leg wraps – making it easy for spectators to follow the game and cheer on their favorite team.

The game consists of six chukkers, or six periods of five minutes each. Riders change horses at the end of each chukker. Gladiator Polo™ does not require the large number of horses to play that outdoor/grass polo demands. Many Gladiator Polo™ players use five to six horses in their string as opposed to the traditional ten to twelve.

Gladiator Polo will return to TIEC for a three-game series culminating with the “Battle for the Carolinas” on Saturday, June 23. Photo Credit ©TIEC

The Gladiator Polo™ ball is similar to a mini soccer ball, larger than the small and hard plastic ball used outdoors. While the larger size gives the new player confidence in learning to hit the ball, proper technique is necessary because the arena game is played on a dirt surface with the ball bouncing on the uneven surface and off the arena wall.

Unlike traditional equestrian competitions where audience participation is encouraged only before and after a rider competes, Gladiator Polo™ is fueled by a rowdy crowd. Spectators are encouraged to cheer on their favorite team throughout the entire match.

Argentine Asado Buffet
Kick off the evening with an authentic Argentine Asado buffet on the Legends Club Porch starting at 6:00 p.m. In celebrating the international mecca of polo, the evening will host an Argentine culture with this authentic fire-grilled Asado experience. The all-you-can-eat buffet is $29.99 per person, and tables of six can be reserved for $300, with an inclusion of two free drink tickets. Click here to purchase Asado tickets!

More Info
For more info on Tryon International Equestrian Center and Tryon Resort, visit www.tryon.com. For more information on Gladiator Polo™, please visit www.gladiatorpolo.com. Admission and parking for Gladiator Polo™ are free.

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