Wellington's Fall Polo Season Is Back: Santa Clara Polo Club Hosts Three Florida Circuit Tournaments This October

Fall polo season is officially underway in Wellington, and Santa Clara Polo Club is at the center of it. The 48-acre club at 12293 50th Street South — less than two miles from the International Polo Club Palm Beach — is hosting five USPA Florida Circuit tournaments from October through January, anchoring South Florida's polo calendar before the winter high-goal season begins.

The run starts Thursday, October 8, and doesn't let up until the end of January 2027.

Wellington's polo season is one of South Florida's most underrated spectator experiences — and Santa Clara is one of its best-kept secrets.

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October 8–11, 2026 | Santa Clara Polo Club, Wellington

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October 12–15, 2026 | Santa Clara Polo Club, Wellington

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October 12–15, 2026 | Santa Clara Polo Club, Wellington

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October 15 – November 1, 2026 | Santa Clara Polo Club, Wellington

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January 15–31, 2027 | Santa Clara Polo Club, Wellington

Founded in 1997 and now spanning 48 acres, Santa Clara Polo Club has grown over nearly 30 years into a cornerstone of the South Florida polo community. The club operates three full-size fields and one outdoor arena, runs a polo school, and hosts Florida Circuit tournaments throughout the fall and spring seasons. Club manager Luis Escobar has been the driving force behind its growth and its reputation as a welcoming, well-run venue for players and spectators alike.

The club's proximity to the International Polo Club Palm Beach — host of the prestigious Gauntlet of Polo® — makes Wellington's polo corridor one of the most concentrated equestrian destinations in the world. In the fall, before the winter high-goal season shifts the spotlight to IPC, Santa Clara carries the season.

The Regional President's Cup® is the headliner of Santa Clara's fall calendar — an 18-day tournament at the 4–8 goal level that draws some of the circuit's most competitive teams. Last year's final went to overtime: Iconica defeated AJT 13–12 in a match that had the grounds buzzing from the first chukker. MVP went to Santiago Moyano; Best Playing Pony to Valles, played by Moyano and owned by Nick Manifold. That's the level of play you can expect this October.

The 2027 season at Santa Clara opens with the Zero-Goal Challenge (January 15–31), an entry-level tournament that's as welcoming for first-time spectators as it is for developing players. If you've never watched a polo match, this is the one to start with — relaxed atmosphere, genuine competition, and a club that knows how to host.

Wellington's polo scene is a world unto itself — and October is the best time to discover it before the winter crowds arrive.

Wellington is a 45-minute drive from Miami and about 20 minutes from Palm Beach. The town's equestrian culture runs deep — horse trailers outnumber rideshares, and the local dining scene has evolved to match the international crowd that follows the polo circuit. Plan to arrive before the first match, walk the grounds, and stay through the awards presentation. If you're making a weekend of it, the Palm Beach area offers everything from casual waterfront dining to the kind of resort stays that make the drive worthwhile.

Polo in Wellington is a cultural experience as much as a sporting one — and Santa Clara is where the community gathers.

Florida Circuit tournaments at Santa Clara are accessible, social, and genuinely exciting for first-timers and regulars alike. Matches typically run in the early afternoon, and the grounds have a relaxed, community feel — this is polo without the velvet rope. Bring a blanket, arrive early, and stay for the divot stomp at halftime. Admission details and match times are available at santaclarapoloclub.com or by calling (561) 371-8808. Tournament schedules are also listed at uspolo.org.