Wellington, FL – March 3, 2004 - The Stanford Financial Group, a privately-held global network of affiliated companies, has signed on as the title sponsor of the 100th U.S. Open Polo Championship. The 26-goal tournament is scheduled for March 19 through Sunday, April 18 at the new International Polo Club Palm Beach. The tournament’s official name is the Stanford Financial Group – U.S. Open Polo Championship.

Thirteen teams, with nine 10-goalers, have entered the 2004 Stanford Financial Group – U.S. Open, one of the most prominent polo tournaments in the world. There are only three tournaments at the 26-goal level in the United States, including the U.S. Open. (A polo tournament is rated by adding the handicap ratings of the team’s four players. Handicaps range from minus-2 to 10 goals, with 10 being the maximum. There are only 13 10-goal polo players in the world.).

The competition has been fierce in the inaugural season at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Seventeen teams participated in the 22-goal season while 13 teams entered the 26-goal U.S. Open, the second-most participants in the 100-year history of the prestigious event.

“Stanford is pleased and excited to be the title sponsor for this prestigious U.S. Open Polo Championship on the historic occasion of its 100th anniversary,” said Jay Comeaux, President of the Stanford Group Company. Himself an avid polo player, Comeaux noted, “We are a global company and polo is a universal sport. We proudly support premier polo and equestrian events around the world.”

“This event is the highlight of our inaugural season and we look forward to welcoming a quality company such as Stanford Financial Group into our family,” said John Goodman, founder of the International Polo Club Palm Beach. “This is great for polo and the club.” The club, which officially opened on January 1, 2004, is at the forefront of a new era in the storied history of high-goal polo in the United States.

Stanford Financial Group has the opportunity to continue title sponsorship as long as the U.S. Open is held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Traditionally, clubs bid annually to host the U.S. Open, according to United States Polo Association (USPA) Executive Director David Cummings.

“To have a first-class company as the title sponsor of the most prestigious polo tournament in the United States is very important for the future growth of the sport,” said Cummings. “We hope the Stanford Financial Group will be the U.S. Open title sponsor for a very long time.”

Stanford’s family of companies provides international private banking, trust and brokerage services and real estate development. Currently, the Stanford organization manages in excess of $17 billion in deposits and assets, serving clients on six continents. The success of the group is the result of entrepreneurial spirit and drive spearheaded by third generation Chairman and CEO R. Allen Stanford.

The International Polo Club Palm Beach was founded by Goodman, who had it built around his 120-acre property in Wellington, about 30 minutes west of Palm Beach. The club’s inaugural polo season boasts 15 weeks of high-goal polo with 17 teams, highlighted by the Stanford Financial Group – 100th U.S. Open Championship.

“There’s no place like Wellington or Palm Beach. This is the mecca of polo,” said Goodman, who is patron of the Isla Carroll team that will compete in the 100th U.S. Open. “I think everybody comes here to compete against the best, win or lose.”

Polo is an integral part of the equestrian industry in Wellington that generates $350 million annually to Palm Beach County.

“We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship as title sponsor of the U.S. Open and helping polo grow in the United States,” said Comeaux.

The polo matches for the Stanford Financial Group – U.S. Open Polo Championship are open to the public. Tickets for the Sunday games at the International Polo Club Palm Beach are available at the gate on the day of the game. Advance ticket reservations are available by calling (561) 204-5687 or visiting the club website at www.internationalpoloclub.com.

International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington. From I-95, take the Forest Hill Boulevard exit and go west approximately 12 miles. Turn left onto South Shore Boulevard and go two miles. Turn left onto Pierson Road, travel about one mile and then make a right onto 120th Avenue South. The club is on the right. From Florida’s Turnpike, take Exit 93 (Lake Worth Road) and go west about six miles. Make a right onto 120th Avenue South. The club is on the left.