2020 MYOPIA POLO MAGAZINE
2020 MYOPIA POLO MAGAZINE since 1888 / myopiapolo.org
Ipswich Offered at $5,750,000 “Waldingfield” ~ Italianate Revival on 39+acres with period fresco walls, fine millwork. Also guest cottage, pool/pool house, 10-stall barn, paddocks. Direct access to Essex County Trail Association. Chris Grammas & Josephine Mehm Baker
Original Tucker Estate home on 3.59 acres of sweeping lawns, mature landscaping. 1903 home renovated by Siemasko + Verbridge. Open floor plan, classic graciousness, lovely period details. George Needham
Hamilton Offered at $1,599,000 “West Hill” ~ Spectacular Colonial has 4 fireplaces, high ceilings, chef’s eat-in kitchen, solarium, patio. 7 bedrooms, 4.5 baths. Abuts Myopia fields, Harvard Woods. Access to horse trails. Josephine Mehm Baker
Exquisite 17-acre Wenham estate in the heart of horse country. 2004 custom Royal Barry Wills 7-bedroom, 6 fireplace home. 1st floor master suite, media room, in-law suite, tennis court. Alle Cutler & Deb Evans
Wenham Offered at $1,949,000
Wenham Offered at $2,375,000 Stunning Nantucket shingle style home on 4 acres has 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths. Gourmet kitchen, custom butler’s pantry open to fireplaced family room. In-law/au pair suite over 3-car garage. Josephine Mehm Baker
Wenham Offered at $4,350,000
Ipswich Offered at $1,890,000 At the junction of Gould’s Creek and Ipswich River! 13+ acre waterfront retreat, panoramic views. 1998 Shingle-style home with contemporary flair. 1st floor master, custom kitchen, deck. e.d. dick group
Hamilton Offered at $1,295,000
Wenham Offered at $1,399,000 Peaceful 5+ acre sanctuary! Centrally located, stunning 4+ bedroom, 3+ bath custom Colonial. Heated Gunite pool, pool house, pond, porches/patios. 3 offices, 2 fireplaces, 2-car garage. Deb Evans
The North Shore’s Premier Real Estate Agency
Beautifully restored barn on 3.87 acres of former estate surrounded by conservation land and managed forest with direct access to trail system. Flexible floor plan, 5 bedrooms, 4 full baths. George Needham
www.jbarrettrealty.com
J Barrett & Company, LLC supports the principles of both the Fair Housing and the Equal Opportunity Acts.
Prides Crossing 978.922.2700 • Marblehead 781.631.9800 • Manchester-by-the-Sea 978.526.8555 Gloucester 978.282.1315 • Beverly 978.922.3683 • Ipswich 978.356.3444 • Peabody 781.246.4600
CONTENTS
2020 myopia polo magazine
2 / CAPTAIN’S LETTER 58 / PARTING SHOT: DOG DAYS
52
13
26
FEATURES
AGENDA
MYOPIA
36 / SUNDAYS AT MYOPIA
4 / 2020 SCHEDULE
22 / MYOPIA POLO CLUB
Every weekend at Myopia Polo offers a spectacle of sport, tradition and culture. plus Tournament Spotlight— The Harriman Cup: UVA vs. Yale. by brion o’connor 46 / THE WILMINGTON TRUST CUP: HARVARD VS. CHINA
Some of the largest crowds of the season lined the pitch at Myopia in late September to take in a close game. by bill burke 52 / READY! SET! ACTION!
A visual chronicle of the most thrilling moments of Myopia’s 2019 season. photographs by jacqueline miller
6 / THE PLAYERS
A rundown of the Myopia Polo players. plus Polo 101. 13 / GEAR
Member enthusiasm keeps the country’s oldest polo club thriving after 131 years. 24 / ACHIEVEMENT
The Perry Trophy.
A look at some of the gear you’ll see polo players and their mounts wearing in today’s match.
26 / MYOPIA HUNT CLUB
14 / RULES OF THE GAME
A polo timeline and famous faces.
Polo’s rules and violations. 16 / YOUTH POLO
Myopia’s rising stars lay the groundwork for a strong future. plus The National Youth Tournament Series. 20 / EQUINE MEDICINE
The horse healers—polo pony safety and care are a top priority at Myopia. photographs, from left, jacqueline miller; glenn scott; bob packert
A blend of athleticism and tradition. 28 / HISTORY OF POLO 30 / SCENE
The annual Myopia Polo Ball. 32 / INSTAGRAM
Hasthtag it: #myopiapolo. COVER The Chairman’s Cup, sponsored by Visit Barbados, Longmeadow vs. Folly Fields at Gibney Field, July 28, 2019. Photograph by Jacqueline Miller
2020 myopia polo 1
CAPTAIN’S LETTER
this summer marks the 132nd season of polo on myopia’s gibney field—a remarkable tradition and one that we are pleased to share with you, our supporters and spectators, every Sunday from early June to late September. This summer we have an active season of polo planned—including national tournaments such as the National Chairman’s Cup, the Forbes Cup, the Harvard Invitational and the Harriman Cup. As we do every summer, we will host tournaments named in honor of some of our most historic Myopia equestrian families such as Ayer, Little, Poor, Rice and Tuckerman. I am pleased to report that Kim Maguire, who has supervised our operations for the past five summers, is continuing as our manager responsible for overseeing all polo activity. Myopia Polo would not be as vibrant and successful without the efforts of our dedicated staff and volunteers. I’d like to thank our volunteer leadership which includes Nick Snow, Peter Poor and Dave Strouss; long-time Myopia polo players; tournament committee members; Denny Ryus, Terri Campbell and Cathy Taylor, who oversee all our marketing; and our treasurer, Stephen Willet. We encourage you to follow Myopia Polo throughout the season. Updates on schedules, games and lessons are on our website, myopiapolo.org, or by calling 978-468POLO. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter. Best wishes,
Franz Colloredo-Mansfeld, captain/myopia polo
2020 MYOPIA POLO MAGAZINE EDITOR
Bill Burke DESIGN DIRECTOR
Robert F. Parsons / Seven Elm sevenelm.com IMAGE SPECIALIST
Adam DeTour CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
Fawn Deviney, Andrew Katsampes, Jacqueline Miller, Bob Packert, Lysa Pelletier, Glenn Scott, Shawn Tinkham CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Bill Burke, Brion O’Connor
MYOPIA POLO COMMITTEE
Franz Colloredo-Mansfeld, Captain of Polo Kim Maguire, Polo Manager & Equine Welfare Committee Chairman David Strouss, USPA Delegate & Tournament Committee Representative Stephen L. Willett, Treasurer Peter Poor, Official Announcer & Tournament Committee Representative Cathy Taylor, Corporate Sponsorships Terri Campbell, Polo Committee & Equine Welfare Committee Nicholas B. Snow, Polo Committee Member Bill Coke, Polo Committee Member Kurt Miller, Polo Committee Member Michael D. Ryus, Marketing and Design Director WEBSITE
myopiapolo.org FACEBOOK & TWITTER
Myopia Polo
PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER
Ernesto Burden GROUP ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Kimberly Lencki 603-413-5154, klencki@mcleancommunications.com ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Kelly Moores 800-736-1100 x. 356, kellym@yankeepub.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR
John Goodwin PRODUCTION MANAGER
Jodie Hall OFFICE MANAGER
Mista McDonnell PROOFREADER
Amanda Andrews SUBSCRIPTIONS
For additional copies or subscription customer service, email hrood@mcleancommunications.com PUBLISHED BY
McLean Communications, Custom Publishing A Division of Yankee Publishing, Inc., Dublin, NH 150 Dow Street, Manchester, NH 03101 603-624-1442, mcleancommunications.com
POLO magazine is published for Myopia Polo by McLean Communications. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in the magazine; McLean Communications is not responsible for errors or omissions. © Copyright 2020, McLean Communications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of McLean Communications is prohibited.
JACQUELINE MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY JacquelineMillerPhoto.com
•••
Equestrian Portraits Commissions Prints & Stock
2020 Myopia Polo Season Match time is 3 p.m. on Sundays on Gibney Field. Gates open at 1:30 p.m. SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
MAY 31
Opening Day
Joseph Poor Cup Neil Ayer Cup JUN 21 C.G. Rice Cup JUN 28 Agassiz Club Cup 0 Goal JUN 28- Tuckerman Cup 4 Goal JUN 7
JUN 14
JUL 31
JUL 1-12
JUL 5
JUL 12
JUL 15-26
JUL 19
JUL 26
USPA Cyril Harrison Cup 4-8 Goal USPA Cyril Harrison Cup 4-8 Goal USPA Cyril Harrison Cup Finals USPA National Chairman’s Cup 8-12 Goal USPA National Chairman’s Cup 8-12 Goal USPA National Chairman’s Cup Finals
Crossman Cup 2 Goal USPA Forbes Cup 4-8 Goal AUG 9 USPA Forbes Cup 4-8 Goal AUG 16 USPA Forbes Cup Finals AUG 19-31 USPA Amateur Cup 2 Goal AUG 19-30 USPA Governor’s Cup 6 Goal AUG 23 USPA Governor’s Cup 6 Goal AUG 30 USPA Governor’s Cup Finals AUG 4-18
SEP 6
SEP 27
Labor Day Classic Rodney O’Connor Divot Cup Harvard Invitational Last Chukker Cup
OCT 4
Harriman Cup: UVA vs. Yale
SEP 13 SEP 20
4 myopia polo 2020
Photograph by Jacqueline Miller
AUG 5-16
SHORE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL www.ShoreSchool.org
Where children are inspired for life.
Pre-K - 9 | 545 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA | (978) 927-1700 Bus routes from Andover, Gloucester, Lexington, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Newburyport
AG E N DA
the players
Polo Patrons and Captains 2020 POLO PATRONS
FRANZ COLLOREDOMANSFELD
ERICA L. AMES
TERRI CAMPBELL
BILL COKE
STEPHEN BURR
BARRETT COKE
HAMILTON COKE
FRANZ COLLOREDOMANSFELD CAPTAIN Franz grew up riding
and hunting with Myopia. He has won the Myopia Hunter Trials numerous times. Over the past decade, he has enjoyed playing polo with his children. He is the Captain of Myopia Polo and the sponsor of the Black Oak Polo team. Franz runs an international real estate investment firm based in Boston. A RATED
ERICA L. AMES Erica has been an avid horseback rider for most of her life, but discovered polo in 2013, when she took beginner polo lessons at Stage Hill Polo. Since then, she has become actively involved in Myopia Coaching League and is a huge supporter of all aspects of the sport. As Myopia’s director of corporate sponsorships, Erica is passionate about sharing the unique Myopia experience with new and returning patrons alike.
STEPHEN BURR Introduced to polo seven summers ago, Stephen, 21,
6 myopia polo 2020
instantly fell in love with the sport. A longtime soccer player who captained a Division One club team, he was taken with how similar polo and soccer can be—minus the horse. He currently attends Northeastern University.
TERRI CAMPBELL Terri is now a regular at Myopia after playing in Newport for 10 years. The sponsor of the Folly Fields Polo Team, she has played in tournaments in Chile, Ireland and South Africa, and competes at Gulfstream Polo Club in Florida in the winter. When she’s not with the ponies, she is a portfolio manager in Boston. -1 GOAL
BARRETT COKE A Myopia player since the age of 12, Barrett, 23, is passionate about the sport. Barrett was a three-time all-star National Youth Polo Player, and in 2015 he went on to win the National Youth Polo Championships in Denver, Colo., playing on the Northeast regional team. Barrett plays for the Coke family’s
Chanticleer Farm Polo Team. He loves competing alongside his father and brother. An avid sports enthusiast, Barrett plays soccer, squash, lacrosse and loves freestyle skiing. Barrett graduated from Brooks School in North Andover, Mass. 1 GOAL
BILL COKE An intense and competitive athlete, Bill has played polo at Myopia for more than 20 years. The sponsor of the Chanticleer Farm Polo Team, Bill is known for his powerful and spirited defensive play. He is thrilled to play with his sons, Hamilton and Barrett. A managing director with J.P. Morgan, Bill lives in Topsfield with his wife, Wendy, and sons Hamilton and Barrett. A RATED
HAMILTON COKE An engaged and skilled player on his family’s Chanticleer Farm Polo Team, Hamilton is a computer engineering student at Santa Clara University Engineering School in Silicon Valley, Calif. Hamilton is happiest when freestyle
All tournament photographs by jacqueline miller
John Adams, Erica Ames, Neil Ayer, William Ayer, Bryn Barror, Doralynne Bibby, Mary and Michael Blair, John Bos, Michael Bucci, Stephen Burr, Terri Campbell, Clark Family, Benjamin Collins, Franz Colloredo-Mansfeld, Susanna Colloredo-Mansfeld, Sandra Dunstan, MaryAnn Esdaile, Scott Fabyan and Marlene Pippins, Winnie Gray, Britt Hultgren, Myopia Hunt, Patricia Johnstone, Josh Lerner, William Meaney, Kurt Miller, Allison O’Neil, Anthony Pearson, Michael Pippins, Donald Pitman, Carlos Riva, Scott and Amanda Roberts, Evan Rochman, MD, Aramis Rusis, Stacey Scott, David Strouss, Thomas Sutro, Robert and Lois Whidden, Robert Wilkinson
CAPTAINS OF MYOPIA POLO, PAST AND PRESENT Franz Colloredo-Mansfeld
2011 (CO-CAPTAIN)–PRESENT W. Albert Ellis 2009–2010, 2011 (CO-CAPTAIN) Lyle Graham 2001–2008 Michael S. Fawcett 1996–2000 Neil St. John Raymond 1986–1996 Robert A. Wilkinson 1981–1983 Donald V. Little 1968–1981, 1983–1986 Neil R. Ayer 1960–1967 Forrester A. Clark 1937–1940, 1946–1959 Fredrick H. Prince, Jr. 1924–1925 Fredrick Ayer 1921–1923, 1929–1936, 1941–1945 Neil W. Rice 1920 Henry P. McKean, Jr. 1919 Charles G. Rice 1918 James H. Proctor 1917 Q.A. Shaw McKean 1916, 1927–1928 Quincy A. Shaw II 1914 Dudley P. Rogers 1908–1912, 1915, 1926 F. Blackwood Fay 1902–1903, 1907, 1913 Rodolphe L. Agassiz 1893–1901, 1904–1906 R. M. Appleton 1891–1892
RICE CUP JUNE 9, 2019
Polo 101
CARLOS COLES
JOHANN COLLOREDOMANSFELD
SIMON COLLOREDOMANSFELD
ANNIE COLLOREDOMANSFELD
SEPPI COLLOREDOMANSFELD
JUSTIN E. DANIELS
ALBERT ELLIS
RULES OF THE GAME AND A FEW OTHER BASICS.
GLOSSARY APPROACH SHOT: A long shot
taken to get the ball close to the opponent’s goal. BACK SHOT: When a player hits the ball backwards, can be played on both the nearside and the offside. BOARDS: Wooden barriers placed alongside a polo field to keep the ball in the playing area. BUMP: When two riders come into contact with each other, with the objective of knocking or pushing the other rider off the line of the ball so they are unable to hit it. Also called a ride-off. CENTER LINE: Middle of field where the ball is thrown in after each goal. CROSSING: When one rider cuts across another player’s right of way. CUT SHOT: When a player makes a stroke that is at an angle to the direction in which he or she is riding. DIVOT STOMP: A halftime tradition in which spectators enter the field to stomp divots made by the horses back into the ground. DRIVE: A player hitting the ball either forward or backward along the same parallel line the horse is taking. FOREHAND: When a player hits the ball forward, can be played on both the nearside and the offside. FREE HIT: For certain rule violations, a player will be allowed a free and uncontested hit at the ball. GOAL: When the ball crosses between the two goal posts, resulting in a score. HOOK: A defensive tactic used when a player makes contact with an offensive player’s mallet before it hits the ball. KNOCK IN (A.K.A. HIT IN): When the offensive team hits the ball »
skiing, mountain biking, surfing, playing rugby, lacrosse and programming the next big app. A RATED
CARLOS COLES
A resident of Wenham who has played polo for more than 37 years, Carlos learned the game from his father Charlie—a Myopia equestrian legend. A big hitter and very competitive player, he plays with speed and abandon. After spending a number of years playing for multiple sponsors at Gulfstream in Florida, Wellington, Vero Beach and Ocala during the winter months, Carlos rededicated his efforts to the continued growth of Myopia Polo. His work with younger generations helps feed Myopia Polo and the USPA with new sponsors. His 15-year-old daughter, Padan, is an aspiring equestrian. 1 GOAL (OUT) / 2 GOALS (ARENA)
AGASSIZ CUP JUNE 23, 2019
ANNIE COLLOREDOMANSFELD Annie is a graduate of the Groton School where she was a varsity cross-country runner and rower. She is an accomplished young rider and has competed in three phase events in Massachusetts and Vermont. The past few summers she has been
playing with her family and has joined the junior program at Myopia. B RATED
JOHANN COLLOREDOMANSFELD Johann is a graduate of Harvard University, where he was captain of the Harvard Polo Team. Over the past five years, Johann has played in tournaments in China, Italy and France. In 2013, he was selected for the U19 National Championship Tournament Team for the Northeast. Johann plays for the Black Oak and Myopia Teams. 1 GOAL
SEPPI COLLOREDOMANSFELD Seppi grew up riding and playing polo with Myopia. Seppi is a former three-year captain of the men’s Yale Polo Team. He has played in tournaments throughout the Northeast and in England on historic Guards Field at Windsor. Seppi was also a rower and a member of the Yale Lightweight Crew Team. Seppi now lives in New York City and works in the real estate development business. 1 GOAL
SIMON COLLOREDOMANSFELD Simon is a graduate of the University of Virginia where
he played on the polo team in one of the country’s top-rated college programs. In 2013, Simon was selected for the U19 National Tournament Team for the Northeast. A naturally talented horseman, Simon is a graduate of the junior polo program at Myopia and plays for Black Oak and Myopia. 1 GOAL
BENJI E. DANIELS A summer resident of Ipswich, Benji, 20, played youth polo in Wellington on the Pony Express Polo team under the watchful eye of Tomas Goti and Julian deLusaretta, who taught him well. Benji is calm, cool and collected on the field, where he has continuously improved his ability to take the man and hit a solid backhander. His ball control and smooth swing seem to improve with each tournament he plays. 1.5 GOALS
JUSTIN E. DANIELS A summer resident of Ipswich, Justin, 21, has been playing polo for more than 10 years, and is an excellent rider with a hard-hitting sense of urgency on the field. Justin was selected to play on the first-ever USPA National Youth Tournament for the winning Florida team in 2013. 2 GOALS
2020 myopia polo 7
AG E N DA
WHITNEY ELLIS
SCOTT FABYAN
LYLE GRAHAM
WILLIAM GRAYKEN
JONATHAN GRAHAM
JAMES GRAYKEN
AUGUSTUS “AUGIE” GROTNIK
LANDEN E. DANIELS Landen, 17, is the youngest of six polo-playing brothers. He has made quite a name for himself among the polo community in Wellington, Fla. An accomplished soccer player, Landen plays travel soccer when he is not on a horse. Playing polo for nine years (two years without a mallet), Landen has developed a keen understanding of where to be on the polo field—both defending as well as making key offensive plays. His hitting is surprisingly accurate. Landen’s potential as a polo player is demonstrated every time he plays competitively in kids’ polo or in six-goal competition matched against an opposing young player. A RATED
ALBERT ELLIS An experienced horseman, Albert grew up hunting and three-day-event riding at Myopia before becoming a polo player. Albert served as polo captain from 2007-2011 and has been a longtime fixture on the Myopia fields. He lives in Gloucester with
8 myopia polo 2020
the players
his wife, Anne-Seymour, and their three daughters, Isabella, Caroline and Jane. 1 GOAL
WHITNEY ELLIS Whitney will be returning to the fields of Myopia this summer. He has come back to his roots here on the North Shore after stints in Ireland, getting his master’s degree in English, and in New York, pursuing journalistic and literary endeavors. 2 GOALS
SCOTT FABYAN Scott is an avid outdoorsman, skier and licensed Captain with the U.S. Coast Guard. He is in his fourth season of polo, playing in both the Winter Arena and Myopia Coaching Leagues. He owns Kinsman Farm in Ipswich and is a portfolio manager in Boston.
JONATHAN GRAHAM Having started polo in Myopia’s junior program, Jon has played on his father Lyle’s Wintercreek team, captained the Colorado State University team and played
professionally in Aspen and on the East Coast. One of the biggest hitters at Myopia, Jon is always a threat to score from the middle of the game. 2 GOALS
LYLE GRAHAM A former Myopia Captain, Lyle has been an active player for the last 36 years (28 seasons at Myopia) on the family’s Winter Creek team and played competitively at a 5-goal USPA handicap. Taking a sabbatical from horses and polo, Lyle focuses on family activities, farm projects, boating and motorcycling. He lives in Rowley with his wife, Donna, and sons, Jon and Ian.
JAMES GRAYKEN James is 17 years old and has been playing polo for just over five years. He started his polo career at a club just outside London. He now is an active participant of Myopia Polo, playing in the junior program and with the Stage Hill/Myopia Interscholastic Polo Team. James is a competitive player who is eager to
Polo 101, cont. over the back line wide of goal. The defending team then plays the ball from the point at which it went over the back line. LINE OF THE BALL: The path along which the ball travels after a hit, this line extends beyond the ball as well. LINE JUDGE: Assists the umpires by signaling whether the ball went between or outside the goal posts. NECK SHOT/TAIL SHOT: The former is played under the horse’s neck; the latter, beneath and behind the tail. OFFSIDE/NEARSIDE: When seated on a horse, the offside refers to the player’s right side, and the nearside refers to his or her left side. TACK TIME: Stop in play called by umpire if a player’s tack is broken. TAILGATING: One of the most celebrated polo pastimes, complete with picnic baskets, gourmet snacks, and plenty of beverages. THROW-IN: When an umpire bowls the ball between teams to start play.
POSITIONS A polo match pits two teams of four against each other. The players on each team are numbered 1 through 4, with each number representing a general role as follows: 1. GOAL SCORER. This player pushes forward aggressively and seeks openings into which teammates can hit. This player also marks the opposing team’s number 4, or Back. 2. ENERGIZER. The energizer is always involved in play while quarterbacking the offense and neutralizing the opponent’s top player. 3. FIELD CAPTAIN. The field captain typically is the best player on the team and directs the flow of the game. 4. DEFENDER. The defender plays at the back of the game to prevent the other team from scoring.
HARRISON CUP 4-8 GOAL JULY 7, 2019
HANDICAP DESCRIPTIONS.
GRACE GROTNIK
PATRICIA JOHNSTONE
BOB MEHM
JACEK “YAZ” K. GROTNIK
KIMBERLY MAGUIRE
MAX MEHM
OLIVIA MEHM
Every player on the field carries a handicap from -2 to 10 goals based on his or her skill level and horsemanship, as determined by a national handicap committee. A handicap of 10 represents the top of the game.
THE RULES OBJECT OF THE GAME. The objec-
tive of the game is simple: Score as many goals as possible and win by outscoring the opposing team. PLAYING THE GAME. Because polo involves horses that weigh thousands of pounds, all moving at high speeds toward the same ball, the concept of “right of way” is the most important concept in the game of polo and is designed to keep the game safe for both horse and rider. RIGHT-OF-WAY AND RIDING OFF.
The rider who is following the ball on its exact line, or who has the least angle to reach the ball and is taking it on the offside without committing a foul, has the rightof-way. A rider can be ridden off the ball. Riding off is also allowed even if the other player is not playing the ball. But riding off is not allowed if the rider comes in to the other rider at a dangerous angle. When one rider rides off another, he or she is not allowed to hit, strike or push off with the hand, forearm, elbow or head, but he or she is allowed to push off with the upper arm. A rider is not allowed to grab another player, their equipment or their horse. A rider is not allowed to weave back and forth in front of another rider, thus forcing the other rider to change the speed at which he or she is riding. CROSSING. It is cause for a foul should a rider cross another » TUCKERMAN 4-GOAL JULY 9, 2019
learn, and plans to play polo through college and for the rest of his life.
Ipswich High School and enjoys skiing and soccer.
WILLIAM GRAYKEN
GRACE ELLEN GROTNIK
William’s polo career began approximately five years ago. At 13 years old, he is the youngest player on the Stage Hill/Myopia Interscholastic Polo Team. Prior to polo, he had been riding for almost three years. His family often went to see polo. As he watched, he fell in love with the fast-paced and exciting game. He and his brother James were offered the opportunity to ride a polo pony and discovered how different they were from the horses they were used to riding. “Different in a good way.” Since then, he and his brother have taken regular polo lessons in addition to horse-riding lessons. William hopes to play this magnificent game for the rest of his life.
AUGUSTUS “AUGIE” GROTNIK Augie started playing polo at the end of 2017 and has three seasons under his belt with the Stage Hill and Myopia Interscholastic Polo Team. At 16 years old, he has played polo on grass and in the arena in Arizona, Florida and locally in New England. Augie attends
B (OUT) / B (ARENA)
Grace is one of Myopia’s junior players. She started playing polo at 10 years old and entered her first tournament at 13. Currently 18 years old, she has played polo on grass, in the arena and on snow. Grace was presented the Dr. Billy Linfoot Award and named the Most-Improved Club Player at Myopia in 2016. She plays on the Myopia Interscholastic Varsity Team and was awarded the Sportsmanship Award in 2017 and All Star in 2018 at the USPA Preliminary Regionals and at the BTC NYTS in Arizona. She has won several medium goal women’s tournaments including the 14-Goal Women’s NE Arena Challenge, the 10-Goal Meadowbrook Women’s Cup and the 2017 Polish Women’s Open. Grace attends Southern Methodist University and enjoys skiing, soccer and tennis. B (OUT) / A (ARENA, WOMEN’S) / A (OUT) / +2 (ARENA)
JACEK “YAZ” K. GROTNIK Yaz started playing polo after a Sunday visit to Gibney Field over 25 years ago and
has since played across the US and internationally in various low- and mediumgoal tournaments up to the 14-goal level. He was captain of the Polish National Polo Team at the 8th Manipur International Tournament in India and represented the USA Men’s Team in their win of the 2015 Bukovina Polo Snow Masters. In 2016, his team won the USPA Border Circuit Amateur Cup. He lives at Husaria Farm in Ipswich and is a patron of Myopia Polo and the Husaria Polo Team. Yaz is the team advisor to the Stage Hill and Myopia Interscholastic Polo Teams and a USPA Certified Umpire. A (OUT) / +2 (ARENA)
PATRICIA JOHNSTONE Patricia has had a lifelong passion for horses, which spurred a love for the sport four years ago via Stage Hill Polo. Now she and her husband, Gary, owners of Stones Throw Farm in Ipswich, are enthusiastic supporters of all aspects of the game. She is actively involved in the Myopia Coaching League, Winter Arena League and a supporter of the Myopia Polo Interscholastic Team.
KIMBERLY MAGUIRE Kimberly started her polo
2020 myopia polo 9
AG E N DA
KURT MILLER
REED MILLER
MARCOS ONETTO
ALYSON POOR
MIKE NOLL
BRYAN PARROTT
PETER POOR
career in 1996 as Byfield Polo’s first youth player. After a short hiatus from polo to attend university, she has returned to Myopia, and is now in her fifth year here. Kimberly, manager of polo at Myopia, has achieved a USPA Level 1 Certified Polo Instructor and enjoys playing and coaching with the Myopia Coaching League. A RATED
BOB MEHM Bob is a former 3-goal player and is in his 37th season of polo. He has played in major cups in Dubai, Thailand, Switzerland, the U.K., Nepal, the Caribbean and at Myopia. He lives in Geneva, Switzerland, where he plays at the Vetey Polo Club, and looks forward to competing this summer and playing with his children, Max and Olivia. 1 GOAL
MAX MEHM This year marks Max’s fifth season at Myopia. Max has played the Coach’s League on Harvard horses and competed in the NYTS tournament. Max studies
10 myopia polo 2020
the players
at the Fessenden School in Newton, where he competes in soccer, squash and rowing. B RATED
OLIVIA MEHM Olivia has played several seasons at Myopia Polo as a junior player and rejoined the junior program after a warmup at her home club in Geneva. Olivia studied at Deerfield Academy, where she founded an interscholastic polo team. She competed on the cross-country, squash and tennis teams. B RATED
KURT MILLER A veteran player and horseman at Myopia, Kurt brings steady play and formidable competition to the game. During the winter, he often plays in Chile, where many of his horses are from. Kurt was inspired to follow in the footsteps of his father, who also played at Myopia. This summer, Kurt looks forward to another year playing at Myopia and joining forces with his son Reed, for a sixth season, on their Long-
meadow Team. Kurt’s wife, Jackie, is actively involved in planning events for the club. They live with their children in Hamilton. 0 GOALS
REED MILLER Reed is a third generation Myopia Polo player. He grew up around the Myopia Polo fields, foot mallet in hand, watching his father, Kurt, play, as his grandfather played before him. He began playing the sport with Myopia’s Junior program and Stage Hill Polo. Then four years ago, at age 13, Reed teamed up alongside his father on their Longmeadow Team and won his first tournament game. Reed then played for a second year on the USPA Interscholastic Team, Myopia/Stage Hill Rough Riders and was honored as an all-star at the NE Prelims at Yale. He also continues a family tradition of traveling to South America to play polo. He is passionate about the sport and horses. He also enjoys watersports, golf and his studies in math and sciences. B RATED
Polo 101, cont. rider in the right of way if they come close enough to be dangerous, or cause a rider and horse to slow up. A rider in possession of the ball can’t be crossed. HOOKING STICKS. A rider is allowed to hook another rider’s stick, as long as he or she and the ball are on the same side of the opponent’s horse and the rider is about to hit the ball. A rider is allowed to hook another rider’s stick if he or she is directly behind an opponent, but the stick must be below the level of the opposing rider’s shoulder. STICK MISUSE. 1) A rider may not reach across or under an opposing rider’s horse to hit. 2) A player is not allowed to use a stick in an unsafe way or in a way that obstructs or hinders another rider or horse. 3) A rider is not allowed to hit the legs of an opposing player’s horse. BALL OUT OF PLAY. A ball is out of play when: 1) It is hit over the boards or sidelines. 2) The ball is hit over the back line by the opposing team. STOPPAGE OF PLAY. An umpire will stop play if: 1) A rider is hurt or a horse is injured. 2) A rider loses his or her helmet, provided that no team will gain from a stoppage of play. 3) A horse’s equipment becomes damaged, presenting potential danger to other horses or riders. (Play is not stopped if a rider falls off his or her horse and is uninjured.) FOULS AND PENALTIES. Umpires decide the severity of fouls and which penalties are appropriate. Therefore, one particular foul does not have a specific penalty associated with it. Below are penalties listed in the order of their severity. Team captains are the only players who can discuss issues that arise during a game with an umpire.
GOVERNOR’S CUP 6-GOAL FINALS AUGUST 25, 2019
PENALTIES. 1) A goal awarded
to the team that has been fouled. Given for the most dangerous fouls. 2) A free hit given to the fouled team, taken from 30 yards from the front of the goal. Given for dangerous fouls. 3) A free hit given to the fouled team, taken from 40 yards from the front of the goal. Given for less dangerous fouls. 4) A free hit given to the fouled team, taken from 60 yards out. Given for moderate fouls. 5) A free hit for the fouled team, taken from where the foul occurred. This penalty is given for mild fouls. 6) Same as above, but the free hit is taken from the center of the field. 7) A 60-yard hit taken opposite from where the ball crossed over the back line.This is given for a defender hitting the ball over their back line.
THE MYOPIA POLO TEAMS BLACK OAK: The family team of the
Colloredo-Mansfelds, Black Oak is anchored by Filipe Viana and a rotating roster of family members. BLACKBURN SUNSET: The Berube family team played competitively at Myopia last season. CHANTICLEER: The Coke family team has competed successfully since the 1990s. DEL RANCHO: Dave Strouss’s team has competed at every level of Myopia Polo, including winning the 12-goal championship. GIDDY UP: Relatively new to Myopia, Terri Campbell’s team is a force to be reckoned with. EFG: Bob Mehm’s team and employer, EFG has sponsored teams around the globe—and now, at Myopia. FIREHOUSE SUBS: Richard Salter’s team has been a highly successful team at Myopia and in Aiken. » RODNEY O’CONNOR DIVOT CUP SEPTEMBER 15, 2019
ESTANISLAO “ESTANI” PUCH
THOMAS RIZZO
STEVE RUDOLPH
NEIL “JED” RAYMOND, JR.
AMANDA ROBERTS
RICK SALTER
MIKE NOLL A lifelong competitive athlete, Mike’s passion for horses began at an early age. His family has owned thoroughbred racehorses in Pennsylvania and Florida. Mike is the founder and CEO of Hamilton Capital Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm. B RATED
MARCOS ONETTO Marcos has been playing here at Myopia for the past five seasons. Rated at 4 goals, Marcos is a speed demon on the field with a fast group of horses. 4 GOALS
BRYAN PARROTT Bryan Parrott, DVM, owner of Parrott Equine Associates, LLC, has been practicing equine veterinary medicine for 33 years. Bryan has been playing polo for 23 years. As co-founder of the Myopia Equine Welfare Committee, Bryan’s mission is the health and well-being of the horses. 1 GOAL
ALYSON POOR Alyson’s career with animals started at age seven, when she began riding and playing polo at her father’s polo school in Hamilton. Alyson graduated with a degree in animal science from the
C.B. SCHERER
University of Kentucky, where she also played on the polo team. 0 GOALS
excelled in lacrosse, which he played professionally after graduation. 2 GOALS
PETER POOR
THOMAS RIZZO
Peter Poor has played polo at Myopia for 58 years, and his two daughters also play. Peter runs Stage Hill Polo School in Newbury and is the Northeast region governor for the USPA. He has been a central figure at Myopia in many capacities and is the announcer of Sunday games. 0 GOALS
Tom has been playing polo for seven years and riding for nine. He is looking forward to playing in the Myopia Coaching League again this year. He is an engineer by day and a pilot and sailor by weekend.
ESTANISLAO “ESTANI” PUCH With a handicap of 3 in Argentina and 2 in the U.S., Estanislao has played at Myopia for the last nine years. He divides his time between the U.S. and Argentina, where he runs El Rincon del Polo Club & School outside Buenos Aries in the winter months. 2 GOALS
NEIL “JED” ST. JOHN RAYMOND, JR. Jed grew up playing polo with his dad, former Myopia captain Ted Raymond, for Maplecroft Farms, and has played in the U.S., Argentina and the U.K. Jed is a graduate of Middlebury College and Harvard Graduate School of Design. A gifted athlete, he
B RATED / MYOPIA COACHING LEAGUE
AMANDA ROBERTS Myopia’s highest handicapped woman, Amanda is an avid athlete from Ipswich. A Merrimack College graduate, she plays for Stage Hill as well as at Myopia. RATED A.5
STEVE RUDOLPH In his eighth season at Myopia Polo, Steve is a lifelong New Englander residing in Newburyport with his wife, Sarah. When not playing polo, Steve is a strategy consultant to telecommunications and media companies in the U.S. and Latin America. B RATED
RICK SALTER Rick started playing polo at Myopia in 2001. He plays nearly year-round, as he owns a farm in Aiken, S.C., and plays in Florida during the winters and Argentina in the fall. RATED B.5
2020 myopia polo 11
AG E N DA
the players
Polo 101, cont. HOMEWOOD: The Riva family
CROCKER SNOW, JR.
NICK SNOW
ROB WILKINSON
DAVE STROUSS
FEDERICO WULFF
C.B. SCHERER C.B. joined Team USPA in 2010 and now works in finance in Boston, but continues his passion for polo and teaching at Myopia. A third generation polo player from Florida, C.B. played for the UVA squad and was a threetime Men’s National Intercollegiate Champion. In 2012, he was a finalist at the East Coast Open on the Airstream Polo Team, a Harrison Cup winner and MVP and winner of the Eduardo Moore 12-goal. 2 GOALS
CROCKER SNOW, JR. Myopia’s senior polo veteran, Crocker started playing in college during the rebirth of polo at Myopia in the early 1960s and has played ever since, broken only by years living abroad. Crocker has played in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America. Once rated at 4 goals, he now typically plays the back position and is co-coach of Harvard’s polo team. 1 GOAL
NICK SNOW The highest-rated home-
12 myopia polo 2020
grown player at Myopia, Nick played with his father and older brothers as a teen and later captained Harvard’s polo team. A big hitter and good horseman, Nick was named to Team USPA and represented the U.S. in the FIP World Championships in Argentina. 4 GOALS
DAVE STROUSS A regular at Myopia since 1994, Dave learned the game from his father, Bud. His team, Del Rancho, has successfully competed at every level of Myopia Polo, including winning the 12goal championship. Myopia’s delegate to the USPA, Dave lives in Ipswich with his wife, Tracy, and two daughters. RATED A
ROB WILKINSON Rob, a former captain of Myopia Polo, was an active player at Myopia for more than 25 years. He has been an enthusiastic rider for many years and enjoys riding and fox hunting with the Myopia Hunt. Rob is president of New England Trust Services
PHILIP ZOCCO
and lives in Topsfield with his wife, Darlyn.
FEDERICO WULFF Federico grew up playing Polo in Buenos Aires and is a knowledgeable tactician of the sport. He has made Myopia Polo his summer home for the past several seasons and can usually be seen playing for the Longmeadow Polo Team. Federico works to improve the level of beginner and intermediate players of our Myopia Polo Coaching League. Off the field, Federico is the tournament manager and can be found running the tournaments played at Myopia. 3 GOALS
PHILIP ZOCCO Recipient of Myopia Polo’s 2015 Most Improved Player and sponsor of Team Georgetown Door & Window, Philip returns for his 11th season at Myopia. His natural athletic abilities, team sport presence and a love for horses have contributed to raising his level of play and overall passion for the sport of polo. A RATED
team, Homewood is led by brothers Nick and Christian Riva and has won numerous championships at Myopia. LITTLE BOW/BIG FOUR: The Ellis family team, Big Four draws on the Ellises’ origins in Western Canada. Big Four won the top championship—the 12-goal Chairman’s Cup—in 2010. LONGMEADOW: Kurt Miller’s team, Longmeadow has had a long run at Myopia dating back to the 1980s. MAPLECROFT: The Raymond family team, once led by Ted Raymond, a former Myopia Polo captain, is now under the leadership of Ted’s son, Jed. PONY EXPRESS: The Daniels family’s team, Pony Express competes at the highest levels of polo in Florida and at Myopia. SEAGULLS: The Snow family’s team, now led by Crocker Snow, has perhaps the longest and most storied history at Myopia. STAGE HILL: The Poor family team, led by Peter Poor and now including Alyson and Amanda, is going on 55 years with Myopia. WINTER CREEK: The Graham family’s team, led by former Myopia Polo captain Lyle Graham, has had a 28-year run at Myopia.
MYOPIA COACHING LEAGUE MEMBERS Erica Ames Rich Burke Kirstin Costa David Dunstan Scott Fayban CC Jenkins Patricia Johnstone Alison Marlow Francoisa Martinolle Leslie Milne Lisa Ott de Bruin Michele Steyck
JUNIOR PLAYERS James Grayken William Grayken Augustus Grotnik Grace Grotnik Chloe Irvine CC Jenkins Reed Miller
AG E N DA
gear Stirrups Stirrups come in a variety of shapes and sizes and greatly enhance each rider’s ability to stay in the saddle and control the mount, which is essential during the match.
Polo Saddle Most akin to an English-style saddle, polo saddles are built to not be bulky or heavy and to allow for ease of movement for the rider. A polo saddle differs from most other horseback disciplines, like racing, jumping, or Western riding.
Bridle Also crucial for safe polo playing, the bridle is placed over the horse’s head and must be adjusted for the proper fit. It’s connected to the reins, which the rider uses to aid in directing his or her mount. A rubber Pelham is pictured, but the bits come in different styles and are dependent upon the horse.
The WellDressed Mount Here’s a look at some of the gear you’ll see polo players and their mounts wearing in today’s match.
spectators lining the
Ball Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team’s goal.
Mallets Made in a variety of sizes and weights, modern mallets have long handles, a rubber-wrapped grip, a sling that’s wrapped around the player’s thumb, and a shaft made for maximum flexibility, or whippiness.
Boots Essential for proper riding, players’ boots come in an assortment of styles and are protective during ride-offs.
pitch may turn out in their match-day best, but the players and ponies alike are adorned in a wardrobe steeped in tradition and designed for safety and effectiveness as much as it is for comfort. Playing the sport means being able to maneuver while mounted atop a 1,200 pound horse thundering down the field. The right kit can make all the difference. Here’s a look at some of the gear you’ll see polo players and their mounts wearing in today’s match. Helmet Polo helmets of decades past weren’t nearly as protective as they are today. New technology has brought them up to the safety and shock attenuation standards used in other sports, like football and hockey, but the traditional polo style remains.
photographs by glenn scott
2020 myopia polo 13
AG E N DA
the rules
Dangerous situations and injuries usually result in a violation of the rules, and it is the responsibility of the two mounted umpires and the referee on the sidelines to maintain order on the field.
Law and Order
The rules of polo are simple and designed to keep the game flowing and to protect the horses from injury. APPEALING FOR A FOUL
DANGEROUS RIDING
IMPROPER USE OF MALLET
Trying to influence the call of an umpire, most often done by lifting the mallet up in the air. Appealing for a foul is itself a foul, though seldom called.
A foul which occurs when a player executes an improper or dangerous ride-off, zig zags in front of another player traveling at speed, slides across the back legs of another player’s horse close enough so there is a risk one or both horses could trip, rides an opponent across the right-of-way of an oncoming player at an unsafe distance, deliberately rides his horse into the swing of another player or generally exhibits a disregard for the safety of other players or their horses.
A foul occurs when a player executes an improper hook, such as high hook (above the shoulder), a cross hook (from the other side of the horse) or a slash hook (excessive force), or uses a mallet in a way that endangers his mount, an opponent, an opponent’s mount, an umpire or a spectator.
FOUL
A foul is an infraction of the rules. The most common types of fouls are right-of-way infractions, walking the ball, turning the ball, dangerous riding, rough or abusive play, improper use of the mallet and unsportsmanlike conduct. 14 myopia polo 2020
PENALTY
The result of a called foul or infraction of the rules. The umpire imposes a penalty to either compensate the
other team for the loss of advantage or to sufficiently penalize the fouling team for a rule violation which did not cause a disadvantage to the opponent, such as unsportsmanlike conduct. Penalties range in severity from taking possession of the ball from a team and bowling it in to ejecting a player from the game. RIGHT-OF-WAY
The right-of-way is best thought of as a highway, with the line of the ball creating the center line. The player traveling in the direction of the ball, with the ball on his offside and at the least angle to it, generally has the right-ofway over the other players. photograph by andrew katsampes
When the player’s progress to the ball within that right-of-way is improperly impeded, a foul is called. Examples of right-ofway violations include entering the right-of-way at an unsafe distance or speed (comparable to cutting in from an onramp while driving too slowly), crossing over the line of the ball in front of someone on the right-ofway, stopping on the ball or one player meeting two. ROUGH OR ABUSIVE PLAY
A foul which occurs when a player abuses his horse, another player or another player’s horse. This can include seizing or striking with the hand, elbow, head, mallet or whip. SAFETY
NEW HAM PSHI RE H OME
Find out how Granite Staters’
GLORIO
distinctive homes and gardens
US GA RDE
NS
were imagined and created by
IOUS GARD ENS
WALKING THE BALL
talented architects, INTERIOR
Landscape Architects, garden
DESIGNERS,
Maga
Enjoy Bea utiful Seacoast Gar dens Learn from Garden Des Expert igners Check Out Renovatio an Impressive n of a Histor ic Home
zi n e
NEW HAM PSHI RE H OME
.com
designers, ARTISTS and
NHHo me
craftsmen. Learn about the special touches that make
N, URBAN
CON DO • THE BUZ
/FEBR UAR Y 202 0
New Hampshire homes unique
| INSPI RED D ESIG
places in which to live.
N NHHo me Maga zi n e
.com
Available on newsstands across New Hampshire
A MO DER
JANU ARY
Carrying the ball while slowed down to a walk. In outdoor polo, this is a foul for delay of game. When called, it results in a throw-in at the spot of the infraction. In arena polo, the player must maintain “reasonable pace” when along the wall. There is no rule governing pace in the arena when not along the walls. Compiled from USPolo.org.
Be Inspired. GLOR
Technically known in the USPA rules as a Quick Line Change, turning the ball is when a player slows down dramatically and changes the line in a very small space. When defended, this is a foul. Until recently, this rule was rarely enforced. In the last several years, all
A foul which occurs when a player uses vulgar or abusive language; is disrespectful to another player, coach, umpire or spectator; argues with an umpire; delays the game by feigning injury or requesting an unnecessary tack time-out; or appeals for a foul, especially by windmilling his mallet.
|
TURNING THE BALL
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
M AY/ JUNE 2020
A foul which occurs when a defending team hits the ball over its own end line. When a safety occurs, the attacking team is awarded a Penalty 6, which is a defended penalty shot from 60 yards out and perpendicular to the end line at the spot the ball went over the end line.
three major associations have begun enforcing the rule to create a more open and flowing game. To distinguish between running a turn, which is not a foul, and turning the ball, which is a foul when the player is defended, you must look at the distance between the player with the ball and the defender. When running a turn, the distance between the two players does not close. When turning the ball, that distance closes quickly and is therefore considered unsafe.
Subscribe at nhhomemagazine.com
INSPIRED
DESIGN
A COMFOR
WITH A MODTABLE RETREAT ERN AEST HETIC
Z ABO UT
BEE S • A MA RDI
GRA S FEA
ST
AG E N DA
youth polo Young Myopia players Reed Miller, 18, in action; Grace Grotnik, 18, below.
Rising Stars
Myopia’s young players laying the groundwork for a strong future.
/ by Bill Burke
if it’s sunday during polo season, you’re likely to find Reed Miller at Gibney Field. Since he was a toddler, Reed would typically be knocking a ball around the edges of the pitch with a foot mallet with his friend Grace Grotnik. Now, he and Grace are among Myopia Polo’s young rising stars, who, along with others like James and William Grayken, Stephen Burr, Augie Grotnik and Landen and Benji Daniels, are evolving into the next generation of polo players who hone their skills in South Hamilton. “Myopia has had a strong youth program and a strong youth presence for a long, long time,” says Amanda Snow, director of player development for the United States Polo Association (USPA), the sport’s national governing body. “The culture of the club is so focused on family polo and 16 myopia polo 2020
the youth that it keeps churning out strong players.” Like Miller, who was named an All-Star during the National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS) qualifier at Myopia last season, and has been a part of the program since his youngest days. “What I like most about playing polo at Myopia is the community,” Reed Miller says. “I like teaching and helping people move up. I like playing with the juniors—you can really see the difference your coaching makes.” Miller, an 18-year-old, thirdgeneration polo player who developed under the tutelage of mentor Federico Wulff, followed his father, Kurt, onto the field—something of a natural progression. His father and mother, Jackie, met at Myopia. As he grew up around the sport, Jackie and Kurt Miller decided to see if polo was something Reed wanted to pursue.
After learning the sport in the junior program at Stage Hill Polo, he paired up with his father on his Longmeadow team for the duo’s first tournament together. This past season, Miller was a part of the NYTS Eastern Region team, under the guidance of coach Nick Snow, which took the championship and earned the Cecil Smith Cup title with a 6-5 win over Florida at New Bridge Polo & Country Club, in Aiken. “I was very excited to play in the NYTS Championship,” Miller says. “I had played at the regional level for the past four years, and this was the first year I was chosen. The main difference between playing in NYTS and at Myopia is that NYTS is all juniors, 19 and under, and everyone makes a difference on the team. When it’s all kids, every move you make counts. It’s a great opportunity.” Facing the Eastern Region squad that day was a talented side from Florida, which included a pair of faces familiar to Myopia players—Benji and Landen Daniels. Part of the wellknown polo-playing Daniels family, both scored for the Florida team in the finals. The brothers play often at Grand Champions Polo Club, in Wellington, Fla., but when the summer
comes, it’s common to see the Daniels brothers taking to Gibney Field. “Myopia has always done a fantastic job with youth polo,” says Tom Goodspeed, Benji Daniels’ coach at Southern Methodist University. “They’ve always been a club of great players, great amateur players and with a focus on helping new players come along.” Benji’s strengths? “I coached Benji in the NYTS tournament at Myopia, and what I saw in his outdoor game very quickly was that he had very good hand-toeye,” Goodspeed says. “His strong suit outdoors was playing forward. He’s pretty darned accurate. And I could see his outdoor skills would translate well in the arena.” Goodspeed says comparing outdoor and arena polo would be like comparing outdoor and indoor soccer. And he says it’s a transition Benji took to quickly. “It’s a smaller area, there’s much more contact and you use a bigger ball,” he says. “Outdoors is about speed, while arena is about quickness, and Benji has skills that translate well to both. He’s comfortable at-speed, but he’s also quick with a mallet.” His brother, Landen Daniels, 17, is the youngest of six polo-playing brothers, and has made a name for himself among the polo community in Wellington. Now in his ninth year playing polo, Landen has developed a keen understanding of where to be on the polo field—both defending as well as making key offensive plays. Myopia’s Grace Grotnik has also taken her game to SMU, playing this season as a freshman on the varsity team. Grace started playing polo at 10 years old and entered her first tournament at 13. Recognition soon followed: She’s played polo on grass, in the arena and on snow, was presented the Dr. Billy Linfoot Award » photographs by jacqueline miller
The Next Generation National Youth Tournament Series returns to Myopia.
myopia this season will host the National Youth Tournament Series (NYTS) regional qualifying matches for the eighth time—this year Aug. 1-2. The continued involvement is a sign that Myopia is playing a key role in the growth of the sport. “It really is a community effort,” says Amanda Snow, director of player development for the United States Polo Association (USPA). “There are a lot of players and host families involved. Without Harvard, which helps mount players, it wouldn’t be possible, and of course, (Myopia Polo Manager) Kim Maguire makes it happen no matter what, year after year.” A season-long series, NYTS cultivates and promotes junior polo throughout the United States by providing the organizational structure to support junior tournaments. At Myopia, local professionals like Federico Wulff, along with Team USPA members C.B. Scherer, Nick Snow and Felipe Viana volunteer their time to coach teams at the qualifier. “The primary goal is to create more opportunities for youth players to play with their peers,” Snow says. “Polo is a unique sport in that people of all ages and abilities are on the field at the same time. Giving kids the opportunity to play with kids their own age is instrumental to their development and more fun, we feel.” The second key component of
NYTS is to get youth players seen as competitive players at their home clubs and give them goals to strive for. Engaging players at this level provides them with collegiate opportunities and opens doors for international travel, as well as fortifying clubs at the local level. Players—boys and girls—attend the local qualifiers as individuals, and are placed on teams by the host club. The NYTS program is built around targeting and identifying outstanding young players at each qualifier through the use of an All-Star Selection Committee. At the end of the weekend, All-Stars are chosen based on horsemanship, sportsmanship, playing ability at their current handicap and how they play on a team. From there, those All-Stars become eligible to be selected to advance to the National Championship. “You can’t just score a bunch of goals and expect to be an All-Star,” Snow says. “This system allows the top players to be recognized as well-rounded players while encouraging them to lead their teammates at the qualifiers.” It’s an effort the entire club rallies around. “Club players take a sideline for that event,” Snow says. “It only works if everyone supports it.” The National Youth Tournament Series qualifiers will be held at Myopia on Aug. 1-2. The finals will be played in Chicago. 2020 myopia polo 17
AG E N DA and named the Most Improved Club Player at Myopia in 2016; was awarded the Sportsmanship Award in 2017 and was named an All-Star in 2018 at the USPA Preliminary Regionals and at the BTC NYTS in Arizona. She has won several medium-goal women’s tournaments including the 14-Goal Women’s NE Arena Challenge, the 10-Goal Meadowbrook Women’s Cup and the 2017 Polish Women’s Open. “I’ve known Grace her whole life and I’ve watched her improve year after year,” Amanda Snow says. “I’ve always been a huge fan of hers and it’s been fun to watch her develop in the sport. She’s certainly one of the strongest female players that we have coming up.” Goodspeed gives high marks for Grotnik’s play, citing her poloplaying lineage—her father, Yaz Grotnik, is an accomplished player and coach—and what she brings to the team on and off the field. “Grace is an unbelievable hitter,” Goodspeed says. “She has a relatively small frame, but she can hit a big ball. She’s a wonderful personality and young, but she’s very talented. As she grows, she’s going to be a real factor in college polo.”
youth polo It may be something runs in the family’s DNA. Grace’s accomplishments are many, her father, Jacek “Yaz” Grotnik, has a long and wellknown polo history and her brother, Augustus “Augie” Grotnik has made his mark on Myopia Polo. “When Augie started about two years ago, he was a little nervous—he didn’t leave any room for himself to make mistakes,” Maguire says. “He’s very athletic, though, and he kept riding. His coordination is awesome and he’s really good at getting people on his team motivated.” Augie played well in the NYTS for two consecutive seasons, developing “unique” relationships with the horses, Maguire says. “He played last year in the fourgoal tournament with his dad and sister and Bryan Parrott, and he did really well,” she says. “He played the forward position and understands how to take the man. And when he gets the ball he runs with it and he will score the goal.” That family connection at Myopia goes back generations, and it’s continuing through James, 17, and William Grayken, 13, who came to Myopia after the 2016 NYTS championships,
Brothers James, 17 (foreground), and William Grayken, 13.
18 myopia polo 2020
which were held in South Hamilton. The brothers, who had played previously, started at Myopia initially in the youth program and the Coaching League. Lessons with Federico Wulff and new horses allowed their skills to grow even more. William grew up competing in several disciplines, and James—who started his polo career at a club just outside London—began to “love polo in a different way,” Myopia Polo Manager Kim Maguire says. “Last year was a turning point for the Graykens,” Maguire says. “When kids learn the sport, they’ll improve and then plateau, and then improve again. Their turning point was the opportunity to play on a team with (former 10-goal player) Adam Snow. Adam is an amazing teacher.” James and William, the youngest player on the Stage Hill/Myopia Interscholastic Polo Team, rode “amazing” Harvard ponies, which also made a difference in their game. “They’re really up-and-coming,” Maguire says. “They’ll be playing this year and likely on a team with Adam for a couple of tournaments.” Snow also played alongside Myopia rising star Stephen Burr, who saw his profile rise after winning the 2018 Chairman’s Cup and winning and being named MVP of the 2019 Forbes Cup. “Stephen worked with Adam in Aiken and then came up here ready to play,” Maguire says. “He played on an awesome team—Adam, Stephen, Nick Snow and Amanda Poor. It’s unusual to give the MVP to a zero-goal player, but he made a big difference and we had to raise him a goal. He’s very disciplined about what he does.” One of the top soccer players in the Northeast, Burr has a natural nose for offense. “He’s used to going to the ball,” Maguire says. “And those tournament wins were huge accomplishments.” photograph by jacqueline miller
AG E N DA
equestrian medicine
Dr. Bryan Parrott, co-founder of the Myopia Polo Equine Welfare Committee.
THE EQUINE WELFARE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
Kimberly Maguire
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Dr. Bryan Parrott Cathy Taylor Nick Snow MYOPIA EQUINE WELFARE MEMBERS
Terri Campbell C.J. Brown Betty Muise
The Horse Healers
Riders, referees and enthusiasts alike keep a close eye on the welfare of Myopia’s polo ponies. / by Bill Burke
when it comes time to caring for the four-legged athletes thundering up and down Gibney Field, the men and women of Myopia take a proactive approach to equine care. “Myopia has some of the highest standards and regulations in the United States for the humane care of horses,” says Dr. Bryan Parrott, owner of Parrott Equine Associates and one of the founding members of the Myopia Welfare Committee. “We have a very active group of regulators who oversee the care of the horses on the field. They’re the most important aspect of polo, and we want the animals treated with kindness and respect—it’s always at the forefront of our consciousness.” Founded six years ago, the Myopia Equine Welfare Committee—a group made up of polo players, equestrians, veterinarians, experts and longtime club members—ensures the safety 20 myopia polo 2020
and care of the horses remains a focus of everyone involved in the sport. “Here at Myopia we are very well prepared to care for the horses,” Committee Chair Kim Maguire says. “If anything should happen, we are prepared to take care of it in the best possible way. We have the people and we have the training.” The fast pace of the game and the physical nature of the sport can sometimes give the appearance of rough treatment. Play is closely monitored, however, and the horses are watched closely. It’s an approach that has not gone unnoticed on the national level. Many of the guidelines started here have been adopted by the United States Polo Association. Myopia’s rules on using artificial aids, core conditioning—ensuring the horses are healthy and fit to play—have been adopted by the national organization. “All the professionals are given a
set of guidelines they have to meet,” Parrott says of visiting players. “They have to read it and sign off on it and accept the guidelines, or they can’t play at Myopia. If ever a horse doesn’t look in good condition, they’ve accepted that they’ll remove the animal from the field and take care of it.” The committee and other members of the polo community participate in a training event every year, led by a certified professional, to deal with horse emergencies should they occur. The committee has a wide range of equipment on hand in the event of an emergency, including an equine ambulance, slide boards that help move horses and a medical kit. The Equine Welfare Committee was formed to better serve the needs of the animals who take part in the fast, exciting sport. While the game can move at a very fast pace and can be quite physical at times, riders, referees and others are keeping a constant close eye on the animals’ welfare. If a horse isn’t feeling right, it becomes apparent to the rider very quickly and a time-out is taken for the player to switch mounts. Steps are then taken to treat the horse. “The responsibility of the rider is to not put the horse into a dangerous situation,” Advisory Committee Member Nick Snow says. “The players really love their horses, there is no other way to say it, so we are just here to echo pretty much everybody’s collective feelings on equine welfare.” The Committee works closely with organizations such as the MSPCA to ensure the high level of care is ongoing. “We strive for excellence,” Maguire says. “And most of the time, people are excellent. They can’t play at our club if they’re not. The horses are our teammates, and they’re 85 percent of the game. Their health is of the utmost importance.” photograph by fawn deviney
ENJOY YOUR WEEKENDS
LIVE MAINTENANCE FREE AT CANTER BROOK VILLAGE
Janet Breiter & Wendy McGrath Realtors®
Hamilton
Priced at high $700s - low $900s
PH. 978.626.0236 janet.breiter@jbarrettrealty.com wendy@jbarrettrealty.com
www.villageatcanterbrookfarm.com
BRAND-NEW homes in Farm Village. Beautiful, architect-designed homes ranging from 2,200 to 3,500sf adjacent to 32 acres open space. Near Downtown. 2 designs with 1st floor Master bedrooms.
e.d. dick group Realtors®
PH. 978.471.6007 edg@jbarrettrealty.com
Ipswich
www.farmvillageipswich.com
The North Shore’s Premier Real Estate Agency
Starting at $699,900
www.jbarrettrealty.com
J Barrett & Company, LLC supports the principles of both the Fair Housing and the Equal Opportunity Acts.
Prides Crossing 978.922.2700 • Marblehead 781.631.9800 • Manchester-by-the-Sea 978.526.8555 Gloucester 978.282.1315 • Beverly 978.922.3683 • Ipswich 978.356.3444 • Peabody 781.246.4600
T
Myopia Through the Years
Member enthusiasm keeps the country’s oldest polo club thriving. / by Bill Burke
22 myopia polo 2020
he oldest continually active polo club in the country, Myopia can trace its roots back to the 1800s— when the sport was first introduced to the United States. As polo traveled up the coast from New York in 1887, Randolph M. “Bud” Appleton, who played on the Harvard Polo Team, encouraged a few enthusiasts to knock a ball around at Gibney Field. The following summer, more than 200 people traveled by carriage to watch players scrimmage and to listen
to a performance by the Salem Cadet Band. Although a witness to that event declared that “the best playing was done by the band,” Myopia was emboldened by its popularity and issued a challenge to the Dedham Country and Polo Club, igniting an intense rivalry that was to last almost 50 years. “There have been so many great things about Myopia,” former Captain of Polo Lyle Graham says about the venerable club. “You’re looking at a history which has this blend of British
aristocracy, ordered military and the can-do attitude of Americans. That’s compelling. That’s what Myopia was and is today.”
1887-1930 polo grips north shore elite In 1890, when the United States Polo Association formed, Myopia joined as a charter member. Five years later, the young team from Hamilton competed in the Senior Championship, the equivalent of the National Open today, and managed to take the top prize. Ties to the Harvard Polo Team, which are strong to this day, grew in 1907, when the team started practicing at Gibney Field; it was there that Harvard defeated Yale during the country’s first formal college game. Pictures from those early days show the sidelines crowded with carriages and spectators enjoying the proceedings under parasols. When automobiles first appeared on the scene, they were segregated to one corner, so as not to scare the horses.
1930-1958 the lean years Cars soon became an accepted fixture on the sidelines, but the Great Depression and World War II brought growth of the sport to a
virtual standstill; polo was simply too expensive during those years. Loath to give up the game entirely, some players took to bicycle polo to keep costs down, but even that disappeared when news of Pearl Harbor was brought to a group of bicycle poloists on the Myopia club practice field in 1941.
1958-1990 the glamour years It took years after the war for polo to regain momentum in South Hamilton, but the youthful energy of players like Adam Winthrop, Crocker Snow and the late Don Little—the latter of whom organized impromptu matches during his time as a B-47 bomber pilot at the Strategic Air Command Base in Tucson, Ariz.—inspired veteran players like Tim Clark, C.G. Rice, and Neil Ayer to retake Gibney Field, which had been turned into a hay field. Polo became so popular that members, many of whom had demanding weekday jobs and could only play on Sundays, were inspired to build an outdoor arena so they could also play on Wednesday nights. The arena, built entirely by the players using timbers from a torn-down dance hall in Peabody, became the site for several national tournaments. Hollywood discovered Myopia in 1967. Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway shot polo scenes for The Thomas Crown Affair, which tells the story of a jaded Boston playboy who robs a bank for kicks (in addition to playing polo at Myopia). The money from the two-week experience enabled Myopia to build a 24-stall polo barn, still in use today. A year later, the Myopia team was invited to play in Iran, the birthplace of polo, as part of that nation’s 2,500th anniversary celebration,
according to the book “Myopia: 1875-1975,” compiled and edited by Edward Weeks. As the book notes, “Each player chose three [Arabian stallions] from an original string of 30, and began to get accustomed to the [pebble] field…the steady diet of lamb kebab, vodka and Caspian Sea caviar, and the hot desert air.” In the 1970s, an Iranian team visited Gibney Field, as did teams from New Zealand, Pakistan and Argentina. The resurgence of polo on a national level, combined with the inspiration of Myopia captains like Ayer, Little and Michael Fawcett, attracted more players and more teams. The annual Forbes Cup, a New England championship game generally played against Fairfield, Conn., gained a strong following during this time, as did the renowned East Coast Open, at the 20goal level, which attracted 11 teams at its height, with top high-goal players and enthusiastic crowds.
1990-2020 a comfortable place Under the captainship of leaders like Neil Raymond, Rob Wilkinson, Lyle Graham, Albert Ellis and, currently, Franz Colloredo-Mansfeld, Myopia Polo has achieved a storied place on the polo scene. Further accolades have come to the club through a solidified relationship with Harvard Polo and the great honor bestowed upon Adam Snow, who achieved the USPA’s cherished 10-goal handicap—only the second Myopiatrained player to do so. In 2013, the club sent many local players to intercollegiate, national and international tournaments. The club has also placed emphasis on horse welfare. Above all, Myopia remains dedicated to introducing young players to the honorable sport of polo. 2020 myopia polo 23
MYOPIA
THE PERRY TROPHY A look at the prize awarded at the annual East Coast Open. Competitive polo has a number of highly sought-after prizes that honor victors and recognize outstanding achievement on the field. Among the most dazzling of these calls Myopia home: The Perry Trophy— the prize awarded to the winner of the annual East Coast Open. A brilliant, silver trophy designed by Oscar Luis Lanz and first presented by Mrs. Marsden Perry to the Rumford Polo Club in 1905, it sits in a place of honor in the clubhouse. In its earliest days, a team from Myopia won it three times in five years, and as dictated by the rules of the day, became its permanent caretaker. It was retired in 1909, but brought back into service in 1978, when Donald V. Little Sr. established the East Coast Open at Myopia. As the centerpiece of the summer season, the East Coast Open tournament has seen an impressive string of victories by teams such as White Birch, which recorded dominant five-year streak of wins from 2005-2009. The East Coast Open was held at Myopia for 25 years, until it was moved to the Greenwich Polo Club in Connecticut. The Perry Trophy, however, sits, as it has for decades, among a collection in the historic Myopia Hunt Club.
24 myopia polo 2020
achievement
MYOPIA
myopia hunt club
The Hounds of the Hunt
Myopia Hunt is a blend of athleticism and tradition. / by Brion O’Connor
for all its pageantry and majestic steeds, the rollicking gathering that is the Myopia Hunt is often heard before it’s seen, thanks to the joyful howls of more than 30 rambunctious foxhounds leading the charge. “When the hounds find the line, they’ll take off at full cry, which you can hear from a mile away,” says Phillip Headdon, Myopia’s Huntsman. “That’s the thrill of the chase, with the hounds running and you on your horse keeping up with them through every twist and turn and jump.” And when every rider and all the animals are working together, a special alchemy occurs. 26 myopia polo 2020
“It’s very rewarding to be a part of a hunt,” says Nicholas White, joint master of the Hunt since 2014. “It’s the culmination of hard work and dedication. It’s the coming together of all three components that make up a hunt—horsemanship, training of hounds and setting a route through our countryside. “We hunt through approximately 225 different properties,” White says. “Our horses and riders have put in countless hours working together. The hounds are fit and healthy. Riding in the countryside following a pack of hounds is much different, much better, than doing circles in a riding ring.”
It’s an experience that members of the Myopia Hunt want to share. The Myopia stable has been public for many years, and visiting riders from other hunts and other stables have always been welcomed. “Each year, the Hunt hosts several events which draw participants from outside our area,” says Wendy Wood, joint master of the Hunt along with White. “Our own homes and stables often house the overflow.” Just as important, Wood says, is that the Hunt is open to the general public. Despite a popular misconception, riders don’t need to belong to Myopia to participate. “We are always ready to greet a new member or follower,” she says. “The history of our area is rich with fox-hunting tradition, and it’s very photograph by shawn tinkham
Huntsman Phillip Headdon and hounds head out for some action.
important to all of us to keep this wonderful history fresh and relevant. The more, the merrier.” The responsibility of getting the hounds—don’t even think of calling them “dogs”—ready for their romp through the woods and fields of the North Shore falls to the 63 year old Headdon. “Training for the hounds starts when they’re pups and continues through to when they retire,” Headdon says. “The key elements (of an elite foxhound) are good manners and discipline and routine. I’m the one they look to for direction. I try to make myself the alpha male. The hounds must respect you, and you have to respect them.” The hounds and the Hunt have a long and colorful history on Bay Road in Hamilton, as befits the Myopia Hunt & Polo Club. “Our club logo is made up of a fox head and hunting horn, so I’d say that the hunt plays a very important part as far as public recognition of the club,” says Kim Cutler, former joint master of the Hunt and longtime member of the Hunt Committee. “One of the unique aspects of the Hunt is its ability to hold onto its long traditions. Things that were done in 1882 still take place today—the Blessing of the Hounds, Hunt Ball, Hunter Paces, etc.—and I think traditions are very important to the club as well.” More often than not, however, the Hunt is associated with the horses and the riders, in all their sartorial splendor, including the distinctive “pink coats” (the red jackets named after London tailor Thomas Pink) worn by the masters and Myopia’s canary colors found on riders’ collars. But the hounds have always been an integral part of the event. Myopia is home to 35 fox-
hounds, with 28 Crossbred—their lineage tracing back to England— and nine American, male and female, ranging in size from 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder, and weighing 50 to 90 pounds. “Crossbreds work well with drag hunting because we need a hound that is not too fast,” White says. “American hounds are a ‘little racy,’ according to our huntsman. “We also need hounds that will follow the scent we put down for the hounds to follow,” he says. “In general, crossbreds are more biddable, which means they are more easily led, taught and controlled. They’re a combination of all the best hound traits.” For Headdon, there’s an unmistakable joy in the partnership with his four-legged cohorts. “The hounds really live for their job and will do anything to please their huntsman,” he says. “For me, as huntsman, it’s very rewarding to watch and listen to my hounds as they puzzle out a line with little or no direction from me.” One tradition that has changed from those bygone days of the 19th century is that Myopia is “not a live quarry pack,” meaning the hunt doesn’t chase actual foxes. “We hunt what is called a ‘drag,’ which is a mixture of fox urine and a few secret ingredients,” he says. “Our hounds are trained to hunt a particular line and are trained not to chase anything live. “Me and my kennelmen go out the day before a hunt and determine where we are going to lay the line for the hounds,” Headdon says. “I try to keep it as close to hunting a fox as possible, with all the twists and turns as a fox would do in the woods and open farmland. We make sure it is safe for riders and respect the wishes of the landowners and farm-
ers whose land we ride over, so we don’t do any damage.” During a normal year, the hunt goes out every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from May 1 till the Thanksgiving Hunt, with breaks for the hounds in August. “We normally lay three to four lines in a day, which we walk the day before,” Headdon says. “So, over the course of a days hunting, we will run an average of four to six miles, maybe more.” Headdon and his kennelmen are also responsible for cleaning and maintaining the land and trails over which we hunt during the season, to make sure it is safe for everyone who hunts, or just rides for pleasure. Woods said the goal of the Myopia Hunt is “to provide a safe, friendly and fun environment for adults and children who want to experience this traditional sport and enjoy our beautiful countryside.” “We take pride in our relationship with the community of Hamilton and Essex County,” Wood says. “We’re very involved in the local and state conservation and public land groups - providing assistance in maintaining the public trails and parkland, as well as encouraging private landowners to allow public passage from one area to another.” Another public benefit of the hunt, Cutler says, is “its never-ending quest to keep land open for all— walkers, bikers and riders—to use.” “I’m sure most people as they walk, bike or ride the trails around Hamilton and many others all the way up to the Merrimack River have no idea that the hunt clears and maintains many of them,” she says. “One of the best examples is right in the middle of Hamilton—the Myopia Schooling Field.” For more information about Myopia Hunt, visit myopiahunt.org. 2020 myopia polo 27
MYOPIA
history of polo
A POLO TIMELINE 600 B.C.: The earliest form of polo is played in the Persian Empire. 1862: The world’s oldest active polo club, the Calcutta Polo Club, is established. 1868: The oldest polo club outside of India, the Malta Polo Club, is founded. 1874: The Hurlingham Rules are codified, limiting the number of players on a team to five, and it institutes the offside rule. 1876: A group of players establish the first formal club in the U.S., the Westchester Polo Club, at Jerome Park race track in New York. 1879: The first official polo match is held in Argentina. 1887: Myopia Polo Club, the oldest active polo club in the U.S., is founded. 1888: Handicaps and player ratings are introduced to polo in the U.S. 1900: Polo is added as an Olympic sport, until 1936. 1910: India and England add handicaps and player ratings. 1915: The Indoor Polo Association is established.
Gay Boy with J.A. Crawford, above, and in the prime of his career in the 1920s, left.
1922: The Argentine Polo Association is established. 1926: The 1926 Open pits the Hurricanes against Argentina as more than 30,000 spectators look on. 1928: More than 100,000 people witness the Cup of the Americas at Meadowbrook. 1967: The USPA moves its headquarters from New York to Oak Brook, Illinois. 1982: The Federation of International Polo is established. 1986: The USPA moves its national headquarters to Lexington, Kentucky. 1990: The Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame is founded. 2005: The Women’s Championship Tournament is created. 2013: The National Youth Tournament Series is established. 2016: There are more than 275 polo clubs registered with the USPA, with more than 4,500 members. Myopia hosts the NYTS Championships.
28 myopia polo 2020
The Pull of the Ponies
“Two heads, four legs and one heart,” is often used to describe the connection between horse and rider on the pitch. there is an almost mythical allure to the sport of polo, and much of that draw can be attributed to what many consider to be the best athletes on the field: the horses. Often afforded nearly as much of the spotlight as the riders, these four-legged athletes gallop at top speed, cut sharply and turn on a dime.
They are strong, beautiful and the best among them show a drive and willingness that help them stand out. What is it about polo that captures people’s imagination? “It’s the horses, for sure,” says Brenda Lynn, director of development at the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame in Lake Worth,
THE FAMOUS FACES OF POLO Winston Churchill: Churchill initially took up polo as a young officer in the British cavalry in the late 1890s. He suffered a shoulder injury while in India, but insisted on continuing to play. He strapped his arm to his chest and took to the field as often as possible. He played—an intense competitor— until 1927, when he retired from the sport at age 52. Walt Disney: Walt became interested in polo in the 1930s and put together a team that included his brother, Roy. He bought four polo ponies in 1934 and was described as being “an aggressive” player. His love of the sport extended to his studio, which produced the animated “Mickey’s Polo Team” in 1936. His career was relatively short, ending after an on-field injury in the late 1930s.
Women in Polo From left, Women began making their mark on the game as it grew in popularity through the 1930s. Frances Post, sister of Polo Hall of Famer, William “Billy” Post, was married to Dicky Santamarina, breeder of the famous “Santamarina Greys.” Women competed throughout the evolution of polo in the U.S., and have become one of the fastest growing divisions in the sport.
Fla. “When kids come in (to the museum,) they want to know all about the horses.” There are a number of horses that have come to some renown due to their abilities on the polo pitch, many of which are recognized by the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, but there’s one in particular that captured the imagination of Lynn: Gay Boy. A Texas cow pony sent east in the 1920s, rancher Will C. Gay gave what Hall of Fame administrators now call “a gift to the game of polo” in the horse, which was a half-thoroughbred gelding with a white blaze down his “wise and sensible head.” Considered the greatest polo mount of his day, Gay Boy was known for his remarkable speed, and his unforgettable play in the 1927 International matches that pitted the U.S. against Great Britain. In those matches, Gay Boy
ran in two chukkers in the first match and three in the second, and was ridden by polo Hall of Famer Malcom Stevenson, who described the horse as “supreme among ponies.” His strength, stamina and willingness made his reputation, and he was also played by Hall of Famers Robert Strawbridge Jr. and Tommy Hitchcock Jr.—appropriate, because Lynn describes Gay Boy as “the Tommy Hitchcock of polo ponies.” Sadly, his career was cut short by an unexpected and strange accident. In 1928, Gay Boy was standing in a stall at Meadowbrook when an airplane crashed into the building, killing him. “Just 20 minutes later he would’ve been out to play,” Lynn says of the timing of the Meadowbrook crash. The accident made worldwide headlines. He was an inductee in the Hall of Fame’s “Horses to Remember” in 2006.
Tommy Lee Jones: A Harvard alum with a well-known love of the sport, Jones is an accomplished player who spends as much time as possible honing his skills. The Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning actor fields two teams, breeds polo horses and engages family, friends and opponents on his polo fields. George Patton: Arguably one of the United States’ finest military generals, Patton was an avid polo player. He served in the cavalry at Fort Sheriden until 1911, where he kept a stable of polo ponies. He was an accomplished equestrian and approached the polo field with the same zest as he approached the battlefield. Will Rogers: Humorist, social commentator, cowboy—and polo player. Rogers was an enthusiastic participant, and the Will Rogers Polo Club bears his name today. Theodore Roosevelt: The 26th president of the United States was a renowned sportsman and outdoorsman who embraced “the strenuous life”—which included, among other pursuits, boxing, tennis, hiking and polo. He was even assigned a handicap in the early days of the U.S. Polo Association in the late 1890s. Spencer Tracy: The rugged actor was an active polo player, involving his young son and his wife in the sport. He often took part in celebrity matches with the likes of Walt Disney and Will Rogers.
2020 myopia polo 29
MYOPIA
scene
Having a Ball
Members of the Myopia Polo community gathered together to celebrate.
2
THE ANNUAL MYOPIA POLO BALL
3
JULY 20, 2019 1
1. Caroline Strouss, David Strouss, Tracy Strouss, Jason Gray and Samantha Gray. 2. Joseph Post, Annie Colloredo-Mansfield, Johan Colloredo-Mansfeld and Reed Miller. 3. Neil Ayer and Linda Lyons. 4. Kim Maguire and Tracy Strouss. 5. Cristian Piedrabuena, Joseph Post, Victoria Martins with baby, Lara, and Manuel Mazzochi. 6. Franz Colloredo-Mansfeld, John Grayken, Eilene Grayken and Crocker Snow. 7. Terri Campbell, Jackie Miller, Michael Noll and Kurt Miller. 8. Anne Colloredo-Mansfeld, Suzanna Colloredo-Mansfeld and Franz Colloredo-Mansfeld.
8
4 5
7 6
30
photographs by kendra dott for sharon’s studio
We’ve been telling stories for 200 years – let us help you tell yours.
The Myopia Polo Club has had a long and successful relationship with YCM
Drawing on its rich history of editorial excellence and creativity in a variety of media, Yankee Custom Marketing produces effective integrated communications solutions for marketers. YCM will help you inspire and influence new and existing customers. Specialties include: Publications ■ Newsletters ■ Video ■
Digital content development ■ Sponsored Content ■ Books ■
Yankee Custom Marketing Dublin, NH; 603.563.8111 Manchester, NH; 603.413.5117 www.YankeeCustomMarketing.com info@yankeecustommarketing.com
The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce relies on YCM to bring business, tourists and residents to the greater Manchester area.
MYOPIA
@amandap2242
@abbyk_
@amrus95
@backwoodstobackbay
@brittnoelle.co
@bronwinchandler_
@china1003polo
@zgburnett
@dipesq
@estani_puch
@farrahsousa
@hannah_farwell
@hestia_the_jack
@ja.son5984
@jenpereir
@kingmikedias
@josephpost_
@stage_hill_polo
#Myopia Polo Shoot it. Share it. Hashtag it.
@jessica_mcwade
32 myopia polo 2020
@lyviaferaco
@nicoleakis
@mikeconnersphoto23
@ladybiancairis
@mr.snugglyface
@myth_of_tara
@jhforster
@newenglandnaturepic
@salplayspolo
@philipottphoto
@nick_elymyers
@ponyexpresspolo
@myopia.stables
@culinary_gangstah
@stephenivesburr
@style_snoop
@theharrimancup
@shzzzzs
@podelson
@uspoloassociation
2020 myopia polo 33
MYOPIA POLO 2020 Sundays at Myopia
MATCH DAY DETAILS / PAGE 36
Wilmington Trust Cup: Harvard vs. China
TOURNAMENT SPOTLIGHT / PAGE 46
Ready! Set! Action! PHOTO ESSAY / PAGE 52
photograph by
jacqueline miller
35
MYOPIA POLO 2020
SUNDAYS MYOPIA AT
Every weekend at Myopia Polo offers a spectacle of sport, tradition and culture. by Brion O’Connor PHOTOGRAPHS BY
JACQUELINE MILLER
THE PLAYERS Amanda E. Roberts 34, WEST NEWBURY A MEMBER OF MYOPIA POLO FOR 15 YEARS
“I’ve played polo since I was about 6 years old. My father, Peter Poor, owns and runs Stage Hill Polo School. His love and passion for polo has been passed down to me and my sisters.”
David C. Strouss 64, IPSWICH MEMBER OF MYOPIA POLO SINCE 1994, AND THE MYOPIA HUNT CLUB SINCE 2015
“I first became involved with polo when I was a teenager, eventually playing with my father, Albert “Bud” Strouss, at the Del Rancho Polo Club in Ohio. Playing polo with my father, who was a veterinarian, has given me a great appreciation and love for the horses and running a horse farm, which I’ve carried on for the past 25 years at our home and the Del Rancho Polo Team at Myopia.”
Reed Parker Miller 18, HAMILTON LIFELONG MYOPIA MEMBER
“I have been playing for seven years. I originally got into the sport because my father played polo. Over time, I’ve started to love the sport because of the community of people and as a way to become a mentor for younger kids.”
Terri Campbell 52, HAMILTON MEMBER OF MYOPIA POLO SINCE 2013
“I started playing polo in 2001. I’ve been a rider since my early 20s, but when I saw my first game of polo in grad school at Cornell, I was hooked. I knew I had to learn how to play—it’s an amazing relationship between horse and rider.”
John “Kurt” Miller 81, HAMILTON LONGTIME MYOPIA HUNT CLUB MEMBER (AND REED MILLER’S FATHER)
“I’ve been playing since 1967. This will be my 53rd consecutive season. I’m the longest playing polo player at Myopia. My father played at Myopia and Dedham in the 1930s. He played until shortly before my birth. Later, when World War II began, polo stopped for a time at Myopia. When I became an adult, I decided I wanted to try my hand at it and came to Hamilton and Myopia to learn to play.”
38 myopia polo 2020
the spectators milling about Myopia’s Gibney Field on Sunday afternoons can always expect great polo—and a great social scene. But few fully appreciate the work required to create a first-class sporting event, from Polo Manager Kim Maguire making sure the pitch is perfect to the players preparing their ponies. In fact, preparations for a tournament match at Myopia start months before the games begin for every participant. So we enlisted several veteran polo players of all ages to get a true behind-the-scenes look at the necessary efforts leading up to a successful match day. Do you follow a regular fitness regimen? How about your ponies? Amanda: It’s very important to stay fit for polo. I do many different types of workouts including running, barre classes, free weights, etc. The horses also have to be fit and ready to play. We exercise our horses regularly by playing in practices, taking sets on a track and singling each pony. David: When I was younger, practicing two to three times per week was my usual routine. A few years ago, I took up fitness training on a year-round basis. I still try to practice once or twice per week. My horses get six weeks of conditioning before the season starts and then are ridden every day except Monday after a match.
Reed: The horses need more exercise than me. They get ridden twice a day around a track and get a little rest before the game. For my preparation, I ride a couple times a week and go to practices. Off the field, hydration, sleep and eating well is a key part of how an athlete performs. Terri: Both the player and the horses have to get in shape. Most horses get several months off to just pasture graze between seasons. About four to six weeks before games start, the horses are usually exercised around a track to build up their muscles and stamina, and the players should be doing that, too. We usually play two to three times per week, so we maintain our fitness during that time. Kurt: On the East Coast, the regimen really starts in mid-April to early May. Horses are exercised daily, doing ‘sets’ starting with walking for an hour twice a day, later increasing the pace. Longer slow sets build stamina needed for the game. Myself, my son and our groom will take them out, getting our horses and ourselves fit. Once the season begins, the horses are playing nearly every day. For players, by the time the season is underway, playing is rigorous and recovery is the most important between matches. Do you work with the ponies directly, or do you have someone to groom them? What’s a typical pre-week like for them? Amanda: I work with our ponies directly, and we also have a community within the Stage Hill Polo School that helps care for the horses, exercise and play them. It takes a community. David: Thankfully, I have the best groom in polo, Dennis Diaz, who has been with me for nearly 10 years. Dennis, with help from my wife and barn manager, are the ponies’ primary caregivers. It’s truly an aroundthe-clock operation. Dennis does sets every morning before breakfast, feeds, checks condition, turns ponies out, then prepares them for practice or games. Reed: My family has a groom to take care of our horses. He feeds twice a day, cleans stalls twice a day, works horses twice a day and many other things that go into the care
S U NDAYS AT MYOPIA
every week. In the summer, I ride the horses with my groom about four times a week. Terri: I work full-time, so I’ve always needed help to take care of my horses. When I only had two or three horses, I would do all the grooming work myself before and during games, but someone else would feed them and clean stalls daily. As I progressed in the sport, I needed to hire someone. I’m fortunate to have an amazing groom who loves the horses as much as I do. Kurt: It’s a combination. Our groom takes care of the feeding, grooming and mucking stalls. Early in the season, exercise is a combination of my groom, my son and myself. During the season on off days, we usually ‘stick and ball’ each horse for 15 minutes a day. It’s extremely important for the horses to play at a relaxed pace frequently. Do you participate in the practice games on Winthrop Field on Fridays? How important are these warm-up games? Amanda: I participate in all practice games that I can. Practice makes perfect. The more
you ride, the more you play, the more polo you watch, will make you a better polo player. Practicing also helps the ponies to get fit. David: I enjoy the Friday practice games on Winthrop Field almost as much as a tournament game. It is a great warmup for both horse and rider. The focus on a Friday afternoon can be working with your horse more than in a match and enjoying the camaraderie with fellow players. Reed: I participate a lot in the practices at the beginning of the season. However, as the season gets into tournaments, the horses need more rest. It’s very important in the beginning of the season for the horses to get into shape. Most injuries are caused because the horses aren’t fit enough. Terri: It’s very important to keep playing throughout the season and not just on Sundays. We have game practices on most Fridays and sometimes tournament games are scheduled then. What spectators see on Sundays is the result of many days of riding during the rest of the week. Kurt: Practice games are much similar to
A view from the sideboards: Spectators gather, some accompanied by four-legged fans, to watch polo players thunder up and down Gibney field on warm summer Sunday afternoons all season long.
2020 myopia polo 39
SUNDAYS AT M YO P I A
The fan experience on Sundays at Myopia is a collection of formal, informal, intense and relaxed. At this year’s Harriman Cup, spectators were treated to a close game only decided in the final seconds of play. After the match, Myopia’s Captain of Polo, Franz Colloredo-Mansfield, was presented with the Harriman Cup Award, (above, with his sons Seppi and Simon,) which honors someone who has made great contributions to the world of polo, and embodies leadership, public service and staunch advocacy and support for equestrian sports.
40 myopia polo 2020
‘stick and ball’ and it is better for the horses to play at a relaxed speed, and excellent for teammates to work together. What is Saturday, the day before, like? Is there a lot of nervous energy? Amanda: I always get nervous before a game. It doesn’t matter if it’s a captain’s game at Myopia or the Women’s East Coast Open. But once the first ball is thrown in, I’m focused and the nerves completely go away. David: On Saturdays, I try to do non-polo activities, such as going to the gym, work around the farm or a little fishing. By keeping my mind and body preoccupied and off the next day’s game, I’m more relaxed going into Sunday.
Reed: The day before is not much of a big stresser. Everyone wants to relax and have some fun and not worry about the game. Hanging out with friends or stick-and-balling is the best way to deal with any nervous energy. Terri: If we played a game on Friday and expect to play on Sunday, then Saturday will be a rest day for the horses. We’ll make sure all of the tack is spotless, including boots, bridles and leg wraps. Hopefully the horses will be grazing in a nice sunny pasture to relax before the big day. Kurt: No, I’m generally so busy with chores, which come with having horses, barns and land, that I don’t focus on it. I do usually go stick-and-ball a little, as some relaxed riding helps the horses and myself.
With matches starting at 3 p.m., how do you spend the hours beforehand? Amanda: The hours before the game are spent at home getting some good rest and then at the barn preparing the horses. David: On game day, I still have the same feeling of excitement mixed with nervousness as I did 25 years ago. I try to keep the same routine, whether taking the trash out, cutting the polo field or other chores. Shortly before the game the team will huddle, discuss strategy, and coordinate horses to ensure that everyone isn’t playing their weaker horses at the same time. Reed: Before games I try to not do any physical strenuous activities to save my strength for the game. Before the game, I eat very little—just enough to hold me over through the game—because I have a big dinner the night before. Terri: Even though the Sunday game doesn’t start until 3 p.m., game-day preparation starts early. The horses will be washed and their manes trimmed. Horseshoes will be checked. Each horse will have a warm-up ride before they go on the field in order to stretch. And it’s important for players to stretch beforehand, too. Kurt: I go over the horses and ‘line-up’ with the groom in the morning, who takes the horses to field. I set up a cooler for our tailgating, make sure I have an early lunch and rest for about an hour before I leave for the field. During the match, I hydrate before each chukker. I don’t do a lot of exercise beforehand, as I find it detrimental, but I do a small amount of stretching at the field. Is there a way to describe what the actual game feels like? Amanda: It is unreal. There is no easy way to describe it. But I will say, you just have to try it. It is absolutely exhilarating. David: Exhilarating may best describe playing in a Sunday tournament match. I often joke with people who ask why I’m still playing at this age. This sport is so powerfully addictive. I put everything mentally and physically into important games, and often pay the price afterwards.
MAKE THE MOST OF GAME DAY
An insider’s guide to the where, when and how of Sundays at Myopia. A polo outing at Myopia is what you make of it. With matches starting in late spring and continuing through late fall, weather conditions can vary dramatically. So the time-honored motto of the Boy Scouts— “Be prepared”—applies. “On cloudy days, either early in the season or late season, it’s good to have an extra jacket or two in the car for when the wind picks up,” says Hamilton’s Terri Campbell, a Myopia member and polo player. “Setting up a 10-by-10 tent is essential on hot days,” she says. “We often open the back end of the SUV to provide a little extra shade, especially for food set-up and a cooler space for the dogs.” Bug spray, sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher, and plenty of fresh water (and other fluids) are highly recommended. There is no concession stand. “I have a canopy for shade and bring chairs, tables, luxury food and drinks that I share with my guests and anyone who drops in,” says Mary Blair of Peabody, a longtime polo patron. “We are side-by-side, and there’s a lot of socializing while the match is under way. “There is nothing better than sitting within 10 feet of the sideboards on a great summer day and hearing the pounding of the horses hooves as they race by toward the goal,” she says. “It’s exhilarating.” Where to Sit Gibney Field is enormous, with an infamous dip toward the clubhouse. If you’re sitting on the ground, you can actually lose sight of the players and the ponies. A comfortable chair is a big advantage to keep your eye on the action. Recommended accessories include binoculars and a camera with a telephoto lens. “I’ve collected pink metal folding chairs and several folding tables, and somehow it all fits in the car,” says polo fan Kirsten Alexander of Wenham. “I set the tables with linens and use vintage tin plates, a silver champagne bucket and a vintage picnic basket. Don’t forget paper towels.” Spectators should pack out whatever they bring in. Trash bags are a must. What to Wear One of the best aspects of polo is playing the part. “While Myopia is among the oldest polo clubs in the U.S. and has a long history of traditions, there is flexibility in proper clothing for a polo match,” says Campbell.
The emphasis should be comfort. Start with polarized sunglasses and the right clothing. “No one will be out of place with summer dresses for women and lightweight trousers with a linen jacket for men,” says Campbell. “However, polo shirts—also known as golf shirts, but polo was first— and khaki shorts are more common.” Ladies, leave the spiked heels at home, since they sink into the soft turf. Wedges or flats are a much better choice, especially when it’s time to stomp divots. Conversely, wide-brimmed hats will protect your eyes from the mid-summer sun. Likewise, baseball caps work for women, men, and children, though it’s not unusual to see gentlemen sporting stylish straw fedoras. “We dress fairly casually,” says patron Britt Hultgren of Boxford. “You don’t have to dress up like in the movie Pretty Woman.” Safety First Respect the white lines drawn to keep you and your friends and family members at a safe distance. Don’t forget, we’re talking about a game with eight large, powerful ponies capable of making the ground shake. “The first rule of thumb is more about safety than fun,” says Campbell. “Always keep an eye on where the play is so if the ball is hit in your direction, you can move away quickly. Remember, this isn’t like hockey where there is a Plexiglas shield between players and spectators. And that ball will hurt if you get hit.” Don’t Be Shy Players and their ponies are usually very approachable, giving fans a chance for a real “hands-on” experience. “Visit the horse trailers on the side of the field,” says Blair. “You’ll be able to see the horses and equipment up close.” Pet Owners Your four-legged friends are welcome, but with restrictions. Dogs are expected to be on a leash at all times. Have enough water for them on warm days. Educate Yourself The more you know about the game, the more you’ll enjoy it. “Myopia Polo provides an annual program that gives you a lot of information about the game, the history of Myopia, the schedule and more,” says Alexander. “It’s well worth reading.”
2020 myopia polo 41
42 myopia polo 2020
SU N DAYS AT M YOP I A
Reed: In the best games, you have no other thoughts in your head except the game. The match is like a battle, constantly pushing back and forth between the teams. Terri: There’s always an adrenaline rush when you play. With polo in particular, because it is so dangerous, it’s a rush of excitement that lasts the whole game. The horses are so powerful, you have to be completely focused the entire time. And because it’s a team sport, you need to be able to communicate effectively with your teammates while so many things are happening at once. Kurt: It’s always exhilarating, but I mostly find myself ‘in the game.’ I don’t think about the spectators or how exciting it is. I’m concentrating on where the ball is, making sure that I’m doing my job for my position. I’m either making sure that no one gets by me and trying to look for an open space for the pro to hit to me, or if I’m back, I need to put the pressure on the other player, make him hit the ball, in hopes that one of my other players can get to the ball and take control of the play. Post-game, many spectators leave shortly after replacing a few divots. What does your post-game regimen look like? Amanda: After the game, I always make sure the horses are well taken care of. They give their all to you and your team, so I want to thank them and give them the care they deserve. David: After the game, it’s traditional at
Myopia for the players to meet for the award ceremony, spray a little champagne and then spend time together along with family and friends. Often there are still great tailgating parties going on and many players will just hang out as the sun sets. These are among the most memorable times in my polo life. Reed: After the game, my groom takes care of the horses, and the team talks after the game. In victories, hugs and smiles. In losses, ideas of how we could’ve been better. You can’t win every game, and everyone leaves it all out on the field. Terri: No. 1 is to take care of the horses. They need to be untacked and cooled down. Spectators can see the grooms washing the horses by the trailers right after they’ve played. It gets all of the sweat and dirt off and helps them cool off quicker. For players, it takes some time for the adrenaline to calm down. And no matter how competitive everyone is on the field, there is so much camaraderie after the game. Kurt: First, I go check the horses, make sure there are no injuries and talk with the groom. I head over to the pavilion for the trophy presentation, which is always better if I was on the winning team. But just being out there and having fun is the ultimate goal. We usually have a plan for a little barbecue after the game or take advantage of a beautiful evening and tailgate with other players from both teams, pros, friends and kids running around, long after the spectators have left.
A summer afternoon of polo at Myopia includes equal amounts of skill, festivities, respect for tradition, recognition and honors. Opposite: Myopia’s Captain of Polo, Franz Colloredo-Mansfeld and his wife, Anne, as Franz is awarded the 2019 Harriman Cup.
2020 myopia polo 43
TOURNAMENT SPOTLIGHT
THE HARRIMAN CUP
The 2019 season culminated in an exciting weekend of polo at Myopia, featuring highscoring games, young players making their mark and a festive party atmosphere provided by Visit Barbados. by Bill Burke
T PHOTOGRAPHS BY
JACQUELINE MILLER
the 2019 season was sent off in style on the last weekend of September—under conditions perfect for tailgating and polo—with an additional match preceding an alumni game pitting Yale University against the University of Virginia to decide the winner of the 35th Harriman Cup. The Virginia side was made up of Merrall Echezarreta, Nick Barry, Simon ColloredoMansfeld and Myopia-member and the
44 myopia polo 2020
youngest player on the field, Reed Miller. The Yale team included Jim DeAngelis, Sam Clemens, Patrick Marinelli (coach and manager of the Yale polo program), Seppi Colloredo-Mansfeld, Chelsea Messinger and Leila Chang. The four-chukker feature match started quickly under bright skies and with sidelines packed by spectators, alumni and families. With a one-goal handicap, Yale jumped into the lead by scoring in the first minute of play—putting the team up by two. Virginia answered, however, getting on the board and within one. With the game tied in the final chukker, Simon Colloredo-Mansfeld scored a penalty conversion with just seven seconds left in regulation to put Virginia on top, 5-4. The Best Playing Pony was presented to Reed Miller’s Mistica, and Yale’s Sam Clemens was named the Most Valuable Player. It was a day of recognition, however, with awards being presented for Best Tailgate, Best Hat and Best Dressed Man and Woman. Players for both teams were also presented with trophies at the end of the closely-contested match. After the game, Myopia’s Franz Colloredo-Mansfeld—captain of Myopia Polo and a longtime equestrian—was honored with the 2019 Harriman Cup Award. As a supporter of the Yale, Virginia and Harvard polo programs, Mansfeld saw two of his sons, Seppi and Simon, compete for the Harriman Cup that afternoon, and his daughter, Annie, compete in the captain’s match. More than 800 spectators lined the pitch at Gibney Field, with more than 300 packed into the pavilion for a celebration sponsored by Visit Barbados. Participants enjoyed island delicacies prepared by a Barbadian chef, sipped cocktails crafted by a mixologist from the island and danced to festive music while enjoying premium seating for the exciting match. Also that same day, Longmeadow faced Del Rancho/Black Oak in a game that saw Myopia members play a key role in a high-scoring game. Longmeadow players Reed Miller, Estani Puch, C.B. Scherer and Manuel Mazzocchi took on
S U NDAYS AT MYOPIA
Del Rancho/Black Oak’s Annie ColloredoMansfeld, David Strauss, Nachi Viana and Felipe Viana in a contest that ended in a 10-9 razor-thin Longmeadow victory. “They came to play,” Myopia Polo Manager Kim Maguire says. “C.B., Estanu and Manu played well as a team with a lot of give and go.” Puch and Miller played up front, keeping scoring options available at all times. The high scorer on the day was Manuel Mazzocchi, who scored seven thanks to some great tandem play with C.B. Scherer, who ran defense for him throughout the game. “He blocked a lot of players, returned balls, made them reverse direction—classic polo,” Maguire says of the flow of the game. “They were a very well-rounded team.” Maguire noted the play of Del Rancho/Black Oak’s Nachi and Felipe Viana, in particular. “They played awesome,” she says. “They
played their entire lives together on grass, so they were able to have a lot of give and go. If Nachi went up, he’d leave it for Felipe, who’d bash it up to him.” That strategy worked well for the first three chukkers—Felipe and Nachi each scored two using that formula. Longmeadow came back strong in the fourth chukker. The score remained unchanged in the fifth, with strong defense preventing either team from gaining an upper hand. In the final chukker, Mazzocchi came out on “a rocket of a horse,” Maguire says, and scored three goals. Felipe Viana answered with one, but in the end, Longmeadow came out on top. Mazzocchi was awarded the Most Valuable Player of the game. Felipe Viana rode Lady Rose, named Best Playing Pony. visitbarbados.org
The Harriman Cup, the longest-running alumni polo match in the nation, celebrated its 35th year in 2019 at the oldest polo club in America. This year’s matchup pitted Yale University alumni against the eventual lastsecond victor, University of Virginia alumni.
2020 myopia polo 45
TOURNAMENT SPOTLIGHT
THE WILMINGTON TRUST CUP
46
HARVARD
Some of the largest crowds of the season lined the pitch at Myopia in late September to take in a close game late in the polo season. by Bill Burke
VS. CHINA
PHOTOGRAPHS BY
JACQUELINE MILLER
47
THE WILMINGTON TRUST CUP
Clear skies on a perfect late summer afternoon warmed Gibney Field for the annual Wilmington Trust Cup, which saw Harvard face off against a skilled Team China in South Hamilton. The mixed team contest saw Harvard’s Annie Colloredo-Mansfeld, Jilly Cronin, Harvard Men’s Captain and South Hamilton native Sam Yonce, Carlos Roca du Togores, as well as Charlotte Hutchinson and Vinny Byju take the field against the China side—Paris Luo, Owen Chen, Arthur Lin and Kevin Quan. The game was the seventh annual such tilt, which in the past has seen Harvard test itself Myopia Polo’s Yaz Grotnik helped supply and groom horses for Harvard and Team China.
48 myopia polo 2020
against teams from Oxford, Mongolia, Holland, France and an all-star team with players from Singapore, India, Italy and Turkey. Coming at the end of the season, the grounds had seen a full summer of polo, exaggerating the characteristic rolls and dips of Gibney Field, but the unexpected bounces were handled well. “Every one of the players were amazing riders,” Myopia Polo Manager Kim Maguire says. “Sometimes there will be a rider on one side or the other who you may not be too sure about, but they were all amazing.” A string of outstanding Harvard horses, played by riders on both sides, also contributed to a high-quality match. Ponies provided by Myopia’s Franz Colloredo-Mansfeld and Bryan Parrott also helped Team China prepare in a pair of warmup matches before Sunday’s main event. “It’s a challenge to get (opposing players) on good horses that they’re going to be comfortable with, and that’s why we have a practice game ahead of time,” Harvard coach Crocker Snow says. “We want to be good sportsmen about it. We want them to be comfortable and to have the best game we can.” China came out strong, necessitating stiff defensive play by the Crimson. Team China jumped out to a lead, scoring two goals in
2020 myopia polo 49
THE PATH TO GIBNEY FIELD
50 myopia polo 2020
THE WILMINGTON TRUST CUP
the first chukker and leaving Harvard to play catch-up. Since the teams were made up of intercollegiate players used to the college style of play—essentially arena polo—it took time for the players to find their footing. “We didn’t play well in the beginning,” Snow says. “It’s a different ball, a different type of game and it took them a while to warm up.” The Myopia Hunt Hound Parade entertained the enthusiastic spectators before the start of the second half, which saw Harvard draw closer. “We started playing much better in the second half,” Snow says—though he also saw missed opportunities work against the team. “I’m a fairly demanding coach,” he says. “And I’ll say we missed a couple of foul shots we should not have missed. Very often a close game is determined by foul shots, and those were not difficult shots. We were coming from behind ever after.” Coaching adjustments in the third chukker led to two goals for Harvard and a closer match, but China extended its lead by the end. As time ran out, China finished on top, 4-3. Quan—who Snow says was the outstanding player of the game—scored three and Lin
BY THE NUMBERS There are certain jersey numbers in sports that carry with them great meaning. Think No. 4, No. 33 or No. 12, and New England fans, in particular, know exactly what player you’re talking about. There’s a similar correlation between polo shirt numbers and the players wearing them—just not in the same way. In polo, positions—and their corresponding numbers—are a simple one through four. And each one carries with them a general expectation about where you may find them during the game and what role they may be filling on the field. Here’s a look at what a typical roster, and its numbered players, might look like.
picked up the fourth for China and Yonce scored two of the three Harvard goals. “I thought it was a good, very well-contested game,” Snow says. “I thought we more or less dominated the game in terms of position. We had many more shots on goal for sure, but it’s a demanding sport—a bouncing ball and bouncing horses, and that’s why we play the game. It was a great experience for our players, and the Chinese were very gracious visitors.” A gray mare, Bonilla, was the best playing pony, according to Snow, and Harvard’s Yonce came on strong throughout. “Sam Yonce, our captain, certainly played better and better as the game went on,” Snow says. “He was our best player and consistently after the first chukker he was playing very well.” The week leading up to the Wilmington Trust Cup featured a pair of dinners feting Team China and a chance to reconnect with players who first met one another on a polo field in Tianjin, China—a coastal city on the Bohai Sea. “The weather was great and the turnout was great,” Maguire says. “It’s normally the biggest day of the season for us, and it was that way again.” wilmingtontrust.com
Spectators, guests and fans enjoyed a great afternoon of polo at the Wilmington Trust Cup in September. Here, two fans win a gift basket provided by match sponsor Wilmington Trust.
1 2 3 4
No.
No.
No.
No.
This player is the sniper. He or she will likely be the most offensiveminded player on the field, scoring goals and covering the opposing team’s No. 4.
The midfielder who can be an invaluable asset to his or her teammate upfield, the No. 2 can be expected to either punch it up for an assist or run it through for a score his- or herself. This player must have great field awareness and be ready to adapt to the ever-changing flow of the game instantly.
The tactical leader, the captain, the long, powerful hitter. This player can often be the highest-rated handicap, the best passer and the team leader.
The defender. This player will typically stay in the back to protect the goal and move the ball upfield. He or she will act as a safety net for the No. 3 player, allowing him/ her to try an offensive play, knowing the No. 4 player will be there to play defensively.
2020 myopia polo 51
READY! SET!
a visual chronicle of the most thrilling moments of myopia’s high-flying 2019 season. / Photographs by Jacqueline Miller
52 myopia polo 2020
READY ! SE T ! ACT IO N!
55
56
READY ! S ET ! ACTION!
PART IN G SHOT
D O G DAYS
Myopia Hunt Club has a long history with its hounds, so it’s no surprise that four-legged fans feel right at home along the sidelines of Gibney Field throughout the polo season. Spectators and their furry friends often indulge in some great tailgating and enjoy exciting polo throughout the summer season—literally the dog days. 58 myopia polo 2020
photographs by jacqueline miller
