The US$ 1 Annual Lease Protecting Wellington’s Iconic Polo Fields

Aerial view of the Isla Carroll East polo field in Florida, USA.

The United States Polo Association (USPA) has announced a historic partnership with McCourt Partners and Discovery Land Company to ensure the future of the Isla Carroll East polo field. Under this landmark agreement, the USPA will secure long-term use of the championship-level venue for a nominal fee of US$ 1 per year.

The agreement structure—an initial 45-year license with automatic renewal options—effectively serves as a permanent extension of the USPA’s National Polo Center (NPC) in Wellington. While the US$ 1 figure may appear symbolic, it is a strategic legal instrument common in land preservation. By establishing a nominal "consideration," the contract becomes a legally binding "restrictive covenant" under U.S. law. This prevents the land from being repurposed for commercial development or residential housing, essentially shielding the space as a permanent athletic sanctuary.

Through this deal, the USPA gains exclusive scheduling control during the polo season, oversight of year-round maintenance to professional safety standards, and full operational authority over tournaments and training. Most importantly, it grants the USPA the right to veto any future conversion or redevelopment of the land.

A Strategic Vision for the Sport

“The National Polo Center’s primary mission is to create greater demand for the sport,” said USPA Chair Stewart Armstrong. “We achieve this by making polo better to play and more exciting to experience. Retaining Isla Carroll East is vital to those objectives. Complacency invites development; we are being proactive to ensure this field is not destroyed.”

Polo remains the cultural and economic heartbeat of Wellington, generating millions of dollars for the local equine industry, hospitality sector, and retail providers. By preserving tournament-quality fields adjacent to the NPC, the USPA reinforces Wellington’s global status as the epicenter of American polo.

Balancing Development and Heritage

The agreement remains contingent upon the Village of Wellington’s approval of a broader residential project proposed by McCourt Partners. The site—once owned by polo mogul John Goodman—sits within Wellington’s 9,000-acre Equestrian Preserve, where strict regulations govern density and land use to maintain the area’s rural character.

A previous proposal for the 80-acre site was withdrawn in early 2025 following community pushback. The revised plan, led by former L.A. Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and Discovery Land Co., reduced the housing density to 40 luxury homes centered around the preserved polo field. Ed Divita, a partner at Discovery, emphasized that the new plan dedicates 17 acres specifically to the polo experience, aiming to make Isla Carroll East a premier venue second only to the stadium field at the National Polo Center.

Community Scrutiny and the Path Forward

Despite the USPA partnership, the project faces rigorous debate. In late 2025, the Wellington Equestrian Preserve Committee expressed skepticism, with some members arguing the plan still leans too heavily toward a "country club" atmosphere rather than a horse-centric facility. Critics and local residents have voiced concerns regarding the permanence of the green space, fearing that residential encroachment may eventually erode the area's equestrian spirit.

While the USPA’s involvement provides a robust legal framework for the field’s survival, the proposal must still undergo review by the Planning, Zoning, and Adjustment Board before reaching the Wellington Village Council for final approval. The outcome will determine if this US$ 1 lease becomes the definitive blueprint for land conservation in one of the world's most prestigious equestrian enclaves.