Coronation Cup

The Coronation Cup is a polo competition that was first contested in 1971 between the United States and England. While England had previously dominated international polo, the United States won this particular match, which was a single-game event rather than the traditional multi-game series for the Westchester Cup.1

Polo itself is an ancient equestrian sport played on horseback between two teams of four players. Using mallets, players aim to drive a ball down a grass field and between the opposing team's goalposts. Its origins are traced to Central Asia, with early forms played in Persia as far back as the 6th century BCE, often serving as training for cavalry units. The sport spread across Asia and was later revived and popularized in the 19th century by British colonists in India, eventually making its way to the United States and becoming a global sport.1