As U.S. Polo Open Pits World's Top Players, Two Titans Vie Off The Field For Coveted Polo Label Crown; USPA Fashion Show To Offer Vivid Proof Of Jordache Galloping Over Ralph Lauren's Claims That He Alone Has Divine Rights To Upscale Polo Image PR Newswire -- April 1, 2002 BOCA RATON, Fla., April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- There's more at stake than a recently-stolen, then recovered championship trophy at the finals of this year's U.S. Polo Association Open Championships. It's also an off-field battle between titans Jordache and Ralph Lauren over the coveted association with polo. And so far, Jordache is scoring all the points. "Here we are at the virtual heart of polo and Ralph Lauren is nowhere in sight," said U.S. Polo Association Properties chairman, Merle Jenkins. Jordache, Ltd. and the 112-year-old U.S. Polo Association are saddling up to involve world-class polo players in a fashion show at the Super Bowl of Polo that demonstrates unequivocally the way the coveted polo label should really be worn and why the U.S. Open is the ultimate polo event. The event on Sunday, April 14 is the latest in a long running battle over who owns the fashion rights to polo, coinciding with the finals of the 2002 U.S. Polo Open. The USPA and Jordache have been battling in Federal Court with designer Ralph Lauren since filing a $100 million suit over rights to the polo name. "This is going to be the most vivid demonstration to date of truth in polo labeling presented by the people who play and sanction polo," said U.S.Polo Association Properties Chairman Merle Jenkins. "We're Polo, a sport of kings and much like licensing divisions of the NBA, the NFL, Major League Baseball and the Olympics, licensing our image to products that reflect our style and heritage is our birthright and expands the awareness and popularity of our sport," Jenkins said. USPA Properties is the official licensor for the USPA and Jordache holds exclusive master license in North America. The fashion show benefiting Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will be attended by the world's top polo players and features children with diabetes modeling sportswear bearing the USPA Properties label, preceding the finals at Royal Palm Polo Sports Club. Contact: Mark Hopkinson, 561-750-9800 x16, or mhopkinson@transmediagroup.com