Tournament History:

 

The East Coast Open (ECO) was first played in 1978 at Myopia Polo Club in Hamilton, Massachusetts. The trophy used for the event, known as the Perry Trophy, was first awarded in 1905 and retired by Myopia Polo Club in 1909. Per tournament stipulations at the time, if a team won the competition three times within five years, they would keep the coveted trophy. Myopia accomplished this prior to WWI and thus owned the trophy.

It was then put into use in1978, when Donald V. Little Sr. established the ECO at Myopia Polo Club. The tournament remained at Myopia for 25 consecutive years until 2003. In its inaugural year, five teams competed in the ECO at the 14-18 goal level. Village Farm prevailed over Fairfield 10-4. The following year the East Coast Open gained momentum as a total of eight teams competed for the trophy, which moved to a higher handicap level of 16-20 goals.

In 2005, the ECO moved to the renowned Greenwich Polo Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. The tournament was sanctioned by the USPA from 2015-2018. Over the past 10 years, White Birch has dominated the competition with eight wins; including a notable five-year streak from 2005-2009. Aside from powerhouse White Birch, only three other teams have succeeded in securing the title in the last decade; Tupungato in 2010, GSA in 2017 and most recently Audi in 2015 and 2018. Last year’s East Coast Open final match-up between White Birch Audi and Iconica resulted in a thrilling overtime victory for the home team White Birch.