Wellington, FL – April 19, 2005 - There’s more at stake than a trip to the championship game – it’s all about family bragging rights – at Wednesday’s Stanford Financial Group U.S. Open Polo semifinals at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Skeeterville, the only undefeated team and No. 1 seed, plays No. 5-seeded Bendabout at noon. Skeeterville’s patron is Skeeter Johnston and Bendabout’s patron is his sister, Gillian, who happens to be the leading scorer among amateurs with 10 goals in five games. Skeeter is the third highest scoring amateur with five goals in five games.

In the second semifinal, No. 2 White Birch, a four-time finalist, takes on No. 6 Catamount at 3 p.m. Catamount is led by 10-goaler Carlos Gracida, a nine-time champion, while 2004 finalist White Birch features Gracida’s 17-year-old nephew, Julio, a 3-goaler.

The title game is Sunday at 3 p.m.

Billy Currington, one of country’s hottest young stars, will bring his high-octane show to South Florida when he performs in concert following the semifinals.

Currington’s hits include the "Party for Two" duet with Shania Twain, and the popular singles "I Got A Feelin’" and "Walk A Little Straighter," from his self-titled debut album.

Tickets are $20 each and include general admission seats to both polo matches and the concert. Tickets for the concert only are $20 each. Authentic BBQ cuisine by Pitmasters and beverages, including Coca Cola and Budweiser products, will be available for a fee.

Skeeterville (5-0) is one of only two teams that does not have either a 9- or 10-goaler in its lineup. Skeeterville features a trio of 8-goalers, Owen Rinehart, Julio Arellano and Lucas Monteverde, along with patron Skeeter Johnston, a 2-goaler. Arellano, who scored the game-winning goal with one second remaining, leads the team with 23 goals and Monteverde has scored 16 goals.

Bendabout’s leading scorer is 10-goaler Miguel Novillo Astrada with 24 goals while the other players form a potent and balanced attack. Tommy Biddle has 12 goals while Gillian Johnston and Alejandro Novillo Astrada have 10 goals each. They are the only team with all four players in double figures.

White Birch, which has scored a tournament-high 67 goals in five games, defeated Catamount 18-10 during the first round. Ten-goaler Mariano Aguerre leads the team with 25 goals and 9-goaler Lucas Criado has added 21 goals while Julio Gracida has scored 10 goals.

Ten-goaler Mike Azzaro leads Catamount with 32 goals and Carlos Gracida has scored 19 goals. Patron Scott Devon has eight goals, second among amateurs.

A record-tying 15 teams began the tournament, with nine of the world’s 14 10-goalers playing. Now whittled to four teams, only four 10-goalers are still competing. Only two, Azzaro and Carlos Gracida, both of Catamount, have won a U.S. Open championship. Gracida has won it nine times and Azzaro five times.

Gillian Johnston of Bendabout is the only remaining patron who has won the U.S. Open, having accomplished the feat in 2002 under the Coca-Cola banner. Patrons who have reached the final but are still looking for their first U.S. Open title include Peter Brant of White Birch (2004, 1997, 1995, 1994) and Skeeter Johnston of Skeeterville (2000, 1988). Scott Devon of Catamount has never advanced to the U.S. Open final.

Historically, the U.S. Open has always been the grand prize of polo in North America. It is one of only four tournaments played at the 26-goal echelon, the highest-rated tournament in the United States. The first U.S. Open title game was played in 1904 at Van Cortland Park in New York City where the Wanderers defeated the Freebooters 4 ½-3, the lowest scoring final in the history of the tournament.

General admission tickets are $15 and reserved terrace seating tickets are $40 and and available at the gate on the day of the match. For ticket information, please call International Polo Club Palm Beach at (561) 204-5687 or visit the website at www.internationalpoloclub.com

International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South, between Pierson Road and Lake Worth Road in Wellington.

Scoring leaders (through the quarterfinals)

Player/Team - Games - Goals