More Than Polo: The International Polo Tour Celebrates 250 Years of American-Thai Friendship at Morven Park

Story by William Anderson

From the appearance of Miss Global Thailand to Thai cultural dances and even a personal letter from President Donald Trump, this month’s celebrity polo match was unrecognizable. On September 19, Morven Park hosted the International Polo Tour for the Ambassador’s Cup. This year the IPT played against Thailand. The event celebrated 250 years of diplomacy with Thailand, our oldest Asian ally. “That’s the wonderful part about the Ambassador’s Cup; it brings nations and brings people together,” says IPT chairman and player Tareq Salahi.

Every year the IPT chooses a new international partner. “Last year the deputy chief of mission approached us and said, ‘We would like Thailand to be considered for the games,’” Salahi shares. “When the government and the authority of Thailand wants to participate, we obviously were very thrilled with that partnership.” This partnership is part of an ongoing initiative from the Thai government to bring in more tourism. Cultural dancers were flown in from Bangkok for a traditional welcome and prosperity dance. The event was sponsored by Thai beer company Singha, and the event catering served Thai cuisine. Salahi told Middleburg Life exclusively that the IPT is currently deciding between France and Australia as next year’s international partner.

The polo itself was very competitive. The night opened with a celebrity match featuring former NFL linebacker Tim Johnson. It was a close defensive match with the score tied entering the final minute of play, when Johnson scored the go-ahead goal. As the clock wound below four seconds, Johnson hit a long 2-point shot to seal the game, earning him player of the game in his first-ever match. This was just a warm-up for the Ambassador’s Cup. 

To open the match, the announcer read an official letter of support from President Trump, as part of the ongoing America 250 celebrations. Thailand took an early lead, 7-0, after the first chukker. The American team managed a few goals in the second chukker but were still down significantly going into halftime. “We had to rethink our strategy,” says Salahi, who played for the American team. They changed horses, horse lineups, and even positions. “We really reinvented, like, we’ve got to mix this game up, because they’re just killing us right now,” Salahi says.

Team USA stormed back in the second half. As one of the Thai players brought the ball out slowly after an American goal, Salahi saw his opportunity and stormed forward to steal the ball and score again. “They weren’t happy. They didn’t expect me to do that,” Salahi explains. “It was a little heated at moments there. It was great because we threw them off guard.” Salahi scored a triple hat trick during the game, including three goals in a row to pull Team USA into the lead late in the fourth chukker, ultimately winning the game and securing MVP for Salahi.

Salahi knew the importance of the Ambassador’s Cup, which was founded in 1972 by Ambassador Marion Smoak, the U.S. chief of protocol, to foster diplomacy. The IPT did just that. “Polo is a passport to the world,” says Salahi. “That cup was designed to foster international exchanges amongst nations, exactly what the International Polo Tour does today.”

That was not the only meaning behind the matches for Salahi. The IPT also partnered with We Will Survive Cancer, a charity his wife, Dr. Lisa Spoden, helped found in 2009. WWSC helps provide for families that are battling cancer and financially challenged by providing assistance with rent, food, and clothing. “We realized that there were so many families that needed help, and that’s how We Will Survive Cancer was born,” shares founder Gayla Bynum. The story is more personal for Bynum. She developed the charity after her own daughter-in-law, Michelle Bynum, was diagnosed. WWSC raised over $20,000 just from their silent auction at the tournament. 

“A number of the patients and families were invited and were guests. It’s great to see the joy in their faces,” Salahi says. “It’s the charity and the bringing people together that gives the meaning behind the event.” ML

Posted on: September 30, 2026