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America’s Cup of Polo -
coming to Morven Park
ByJanaRenn
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
If Tareq Salahi has anything to say about it, Leesburg will be to polo what Augusta, Ga., is to golf.
Salahi, chairman of the America’s Cup of Polo that takes place May 12 at Morven Park, envisions the event being as big for the sport as the Masters Tournament is for golf.
Salahi and several other people associated with the game held a press conference at the National Press Club in. Washington, D.C., bn March 26 to discuss the event.
In the America’s Cup of Polo game, the American Polo team' will square off against the British Polo team to commemorate America’s 400th anniversary.
Salahi said the day will begin with opening ceremonies, in which U.S. Navy M16s will fly over Morven Park while the rock band Journey performs the "Star-Spangled Banner.” Grammy award-winning gospel singer Claude McKnight, of the band Take 6, will perform “God Bless America,” and the Webb Sisters from England will sing “God Save the Queen.”
Then, Salahi said, “one of the most aggressive polo matches ever” will take place on the field of Morven Park. A two-hour Journey concert will follow, accompanied by the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra. A crowd of 5,000 is expected for the match.
“This will be a once-in-a-lifetime event,” Salahi said.
Cartier has been named the event’s official jeweler, while Sheila Johnson’s Market Salamander in Middleburg is the official caterer, Land Rover is the official vehicle and the RitzCarlton is the official hotel.
“We are really looking forward to raising the bar on the food at this event,” Johnson said at the press conference.
Julian Hipwood, a polo star playing for the British team, agreed with Salahi that the game should be quite aggressive. He commented on the attention the game is receiving.
“I never imagined how big and exciting this event would be,” Hipwood said.
Charlie Muldoon, the director of Polo Operations for the event and a member of the American team, mentioned that Hipwood’s brother and son are both on the British team.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” he said.
Ib purchase tickets for Hie America’s Cup of Polo, log on to www.americascupofpolo.com.
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