The stars and stripes flew highest at the International Cup as USA’s O.H. Ingram River Aged squad triumphed in a spirited final to claim one of American polo’s signature trophies. In front of an energetic crowd, the team—Caroline Mooney, Nick Cifuni, and Wesley Finlayson—produced a complete, disciplined performance that blended cool-headed defense with confident, open-field attack.
From the opening bowl-in, the Americans looked organized and hungry. Finlayson set the rhythm, riding hard to first possession and dictating the early pace with accurate passes that stretched the opposing back line. Cifuni, sharp from both the spot and the field, converted key chances to give the home side a cushion, while Mooney’s relentless work rate on the boards regularly flipped field position and kept the pressure on.
The middle chukkers belonged to the USA as they tightened their shape, cut out fouls, and forced errors. Clean clearing shots from the back opened space for quick counterattacks, with Finlayson frequently the link man between defense and attack. When the match threatened to tilt, Cifuni’s composure in penalty situations—matched by Mooney’s smart marking—steadied the lineup and preserved the advantage.
At the final bell, the celebrations said it all. The team raised the gleaming International Cup trophy as sponsors and supporters joined them at the podium. The presentation, backed by Tractor Supply Co., highlighted the growing partnership between heritage brands and the sport of polo. Eric Jackson joined the champions for the winning photograph, a fitting capstone to a campaign marked by unity and consistency.
The victory underscores a broader point: American polo’s pipeline is strong, its horsemanship sharp, and its competitive spirit very much alive. With the International Cup now in their hands, the O.H. Ingram River Aged team has set a high bar for the remainder of the season—and offered a reminder that when the USA plays with pace and purpose, they are difficult to stop.
