15 minute read
Almanac
FROM THE GOVERNOR’S DESK
WOMEN’S LEAGUE
The Pacific Coast Circuit is one of the most successful in the country. It is home to a record number of USPA members, some of the highest-ranked U.S. clubs, great arena venues, and more. I am excited to announce that our territory has expanded to include several clubs from the Border Circuit: we welcome them and look forward to great things in our future together.
In the recent national meetings of the USPA, the organization deepened its focus on initiatives that have the greatest positive impact on clubs and members. The professional umpire program continues to make games safer and more enjoyable by improving consistency and communication on the field. Another successful program is the Polo Development Initiative (PDI): this funding has helped clubs across the country realize improvements in their facilities and infrastructure.
We have several successful new clubs in our circuit, such as Bonsall Polo Farm and Folded Hills Polo Club, and we see continued growth at several other member clubs, including Cerro Pampa, South Bay, and La Herradura. OC Polo Club recently hosted the USPA Women’s Arena Open to great success, and our Intercollegiate players continue to excel in programs operated by Megan Judge at Central Coast and at Santa Barbara under Jeff Scheraga.
On a broader level, the recent opening of the National Polo Center (NPC) realizes a long-term commitment to all levels of the sport, and roots our national brand, U.S. Polo Assn., firmly within the polo community. The recent Federation of International Polo (FIP) event hosted at NPC showcased the amazing facility as well as our nation’s strong leadership and depth of talent. Congratulations to silver medal winners Team USA, and a huge thank you to J5 Polo and USPA staff for making the FIP tournament a huge success.
The Pacific Coast Circuit’s continued success is in the great hands of our members, volunteers, club staff, and delegates. Congratulations to Vicky Owen, who recently completed her term as a dedicated Governor-at-Large, and to Dr. Mike Manno who succeeds her, in addition to his work as Chair of the Equine Welfare Committee. We also continue to rely on the expertise of Graham Bray, Chair of our Handicap Committee and member of the Umpire’s LLC committee.
I strongly encourage USPA members at all clubs to get involved. Find your voice and help our organization achieve goals on behalf of members and clubs moving forward. As always, I am here to work alongside you in the best interest of our sport.
Daniel Walker Pacific Coast Circuit Governor
Inspired by women’s leagues hosted at polo clubs across Argentina, Eldorado’s women’s league has found its niche as a stepping stone for newer and seasoned players alike to gain tournament experience and have fun.
Mia Bray, Eldorado’s Polo Coordinator, has been involved in the day-to-day running of the league since its inception. From the start, there was never a strict definition as to the level of play. Instead, Mia’s primary goal was to provide women a chance to increase their time, skill level, and confidence on the field, no matter if they were new or returning to the sport. Mia and the polo office create new teams every week in an effort to give players the chance to play with as many different teammates as possible.
Consensus amongst local and visiting players is that the league is a fun, competitive, and safe space for all. Los Angeles-native Lisa Gonzalez, who took up polo in the spring of 2021, competed in her very first league match in 2022. “It’s an amazing opportunity to play with some of the top women in California. I love the camaraderie, sportsmanship, and competition. Standing on the winner’s podium with my teammates is such a great memory for me! I can’t wait to do it again,” admits Lisa, whose daughter Sierrah also competes in the league.
Mia reports that the women’s league has also served an important role as a launch pad into other levels of club play, including women’s and pro pool tournaments, and the 2- and 4-Goal leagues. Women’s polo promises to continue to flourish at Eldorado, contributing to the fastest growing segment of the sport.
A ROYAL LEGACY
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had a lifelong passion for horse sports. While her first love was horseracing, the love of her life came to be polo: a passion which she shared with her husband and passed down to generations of family members.
The Queen was first exposed to polo in the late 1940s. While new husband Philip was stationed with a naval fleet in the Mediterranean, he took up polo at the historic Malta Polo Club under the guidance of his uncle, respected horseman and player, Admiral Lord Mountbatten. Elizabeth frequented the club in Malta and encouraged Philip’s new polo hobby with enthusiasm.
When the couple returned to England in 1952 upon the death of her father, King George VI, Philip continued to pursue polo at Cowdray Park. In 1955, he and the Queen decided to create a polo venue for the family much closer to home, on Smith Lawn at Windsor Great Park. The venue was originally named the Household Brigade Polo Club and as president, Philip’s first order of business was to invite one of Britain’s best players, Archie David, to move his string of 30 ponies to the club. The club subsequently changed its name to Guards Polo Club in 1969.
Queen Elizabeth regularly attended polo games at Guards – and rarely missed a match in which Philip or Charles was competing. She presented more trophies in polo than she did in any other sport, and she was actively involved in the family’s polo breeding operation. One of her most enduring polo legacies is the prestigious Queen’s Cup, a perpetual trophy she presented to Guards Polo Club in 1960. Over the past six decades, the high goal Queen’s Cup tournament has attracted the best players and teams from around the world.
The new monarch, King Charles III, maintains his parent’s passion for the sport of polo: he played for over 40 years across 5 continents. Charles also passed polo down to his sons: Prince William remains a member at Guards Polo Club at Windsor, while Harry recently made Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club his home club.
La Indiana wins the Cartier Queen’s Cup Scone patron David Paradice accepts his award from the Queen
Prince Harry at Santa Barbara Polo Club
UMPIRE’S CORNER
Umpires are required to make many difficult decisions over the course of each polo game, while also managing personalities on the field. Fergus Gould, Executive Director of Umpires LLC for the USPA, reports that the organization is making great headway with respect to professional development and technology. As a result, the quality of umpiring is improving at clubs across North America.
To help prepare them for the challenges of the job, professional umpires attend annual training camps. At the most recent camp, 25 umpires assembled for development seminars, and rules and standards of enforcement reviews. Consultants at the training event included Rachelle Strawther of the University of Gonzaga School of Leadership, who shared expert advice on interpersonal communication and emotional intelligence. The umpires also benefitted from the expertise of Echelon Front: a group of ex-Navy Seals who specialize in teaching leadership and problem-solving skills in high pressure circumstances.
Recent technological advances spearheaded by Umpires LLC include instant field-side replay. For the first time, officials in the 12Goal league at Eldorado will have access to a live feed, allowing them to revisit any complicated plays and provide immediate feedback. Also, the PoloSK App is now available to all members of the USPA, giving game officials, clubs, and players immediate access to results, scores, penalty reports, and more.
In other exciting news, Joe Henderson has been appointed as the new Assistant Director of Umpires LLC. No stranger to Eldorado, Joe has been a polo professional for more than 4 decades and brings great insight and experience to his new leadership role.
Danny Juarez joined Umpires LLC in 2019 and is the current captain of the California team. Over the past three years, Danny has worked hard to be accountable and approachable as an umpire: “I always try to give my best to the players. Every call is important in every game. Effective communication between officials and players is crucial.”
Danny recently attended the NASO Sports Officiating Summit in Denver: the only event in the world that focuses on critical topics impacting all aspects of officiating. He had the opportunity to meet and learn from professional officials at the highest levels of sport, from NHL and NFL, college basketball and softball, to tennis and more.
“One of my favorite takeaways from the Summit came from a March Madness basketball referee. He said, ‘there is a very fine line between communication and confrontation.’ I see this to be true all the time. Once the adrenaline hits, players get excited and emotional, and they risk crossing the line. This is exactly the moment when we all need to work harder to keep communication calm and focused. Developing these skills and better awareness in officials is a great objective of Umpires LLC – and it is definitely going to benefit players in the end.”
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BEST PLAYING PONIES
VALENCIA
The best playing pony in the 2022 Skins Tournament final, Valencia, has been a stand out in Ben Soleimani’s string since he purchased her from Santi Wulff. This 10-year-old Argentine-bred mare simply loves to play polo. She is extremely consistent, well-balanced, has a nice mouth, and can run like the wind! Valencia has been captained by Ben Soleimani, Santi Von Wernich, and most recently Iñaki Laprida. She has won a series of best playing pony awards at the Santa Barbara Polo Club, including the Lisle Nixon Memorial Tournament.
Valencia usually makes her appearance in the last chukker of games. While she is smaller compared to other ponies, standing at only 14.3 hands, she plays like a giant. She is very strong-willed, never backing down or shying away from a play.
Back in the barn, Valencia naturally maintains great athletic shape and a healthy weight, even though she can be a fussy eater. Ben Soleimani’s team manager Remy Muller admits that Valencia is one of he and his daughter Billy’s favorites: “She is a very quiet and sweet mare, making her a favorite for cuddles.”
SAHARA
Sahara is a feisty, 6-year-old, off-track thoroughbred mare owned by professional player Ulysses Escapite of Bush League Polo Farms. Escapite bought the mare from a trainer in El Paso, Texas in 2021.
Sahara’s happy place is on the polo field: “She is extremely comfortable and relaxed as soon as she sets foot on the field,” describes Escapite. But back at the barn, this excellent mare is a bit of a handful. She can be moody and grumpy (some call it “the curse of the red head mare”), and she is difficult to catch in the pasture unless you have treats for her.
Despite her feisty manners, Sahara is a an exceptional polo pony. She won her first best playing pony award in 2021 in the Carlton & Keleen Beal Cup 8-Goal final. “She never runs out of mouth in the game,” Escapite reports, and she has exceptional balance and athleticism. With such natural skills at a young age, we can expect great things from Sahara for many years to come.
POLOLA
Polola is a 15-year-old thoroughbred mare owned by Luis Saracco and played by his daughter Micaela. Luis and brothers bought Polola from Pepe Heguy when she was just a foal. She was trained and played by Luis until 2017, when Micaela was lucky enough to start playing her.
In the 6 years since then, Micaela and Polola have formed an inseparable bond. The two have a strong trust and read each other perfectly; this connection is evident in every game they play. This past year, Polola received the best playing pony award in the Fish Creek 6-Goal tournament final at Eldorado and in the NYTS Championship at La Herradura.
What makes Polola so special is her knowledge of the game. “She is one of those horses who can anticipate plays,” suggests Micaela. Polola is also incredibly fast and agile, making her a force to be reckoned with on the polo field.
The Saraccos recently decided to retire Polola, finishing her polo career on a high note in 2022. She has moved to a beautiful pasture in Argentina where she will spend her next years as a broodmare. The Saracco family look forward to meeting Polola’s progeny, hoping they share her same passion and talent for the game.
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PLAYER PROFILE: SY ZAHEDI
Sy Zahedi’s passion for horses began during his childhood in Iran, where he spent his weekends at his grandfather’s farm, watching his uncles ride and hunt. Sy moved to the U.S. as a teenager, bringing his love for horses with him. Six years ago, he picked up a polo mallet, signed up for lessons, and never looked back.
How did you get introduced to polo?
SZ: I was looking for a sport that I could share with my three sons, and I have always had a strong interest in riding horses. I was invited to watch an arena polo game which first sparked my interest in the sport. My son and I signed up for two arena lessons at OC Polo Club and while he decided it was not for him, I continued to play. When the OC club closed before relocating, I decided I wanted to get more out of the sport and started seeking other ways to play. I was introduced to Virgil Kyle who brought me to Eldorado to take a lesson with his pro, Ulysses Escapite, and I immediately fell in love with outdoor polo. The facilities, the scenery, all the people and horses, it’s just amazing.
What has been the highlight of your polo career?
SZ: Buying my first string of horses has been a highlight. After my first lesson at Eldorado, Memo Gracida took me under his wing. I stayed with him and his training program for quite a while. He has been a huge help in putting together my string.
In your string, do you have a favorite pony?
SZ: My favorite changes every season or sometimes every game. One that has been consistently at the top of the list is Chapo. He is very dependable and has the true heart of a champion. He wants to win as much as I do.
What is the most challenging part of the sport?
SZ: There are a lot of alpha males who play polo. Being able to humble yourself as a student of the game is difficult, but very important. Polo can be dangerous if you do not have a good perspective on your skill level; you risk hurting yourself and others.
What is the most rewarding part of the game?
SZ: The most rewarding aspect is competing with such great athletes – both horses and players. It’s rare in team sports to have such great ability from both species that results in such beauty and performance.
What would your advice be for someone looking to get into polo?
SZ: My advice would be to mount yourself the best that you can and surround yourself with people who you are able to trust. Fitness is also important as polo is an extremely physically demanding sport.
Do you have an ultimate polo goal?
SZ: One of my goals is to accelerate the learning curve. I want to get to a place where I can be a strong asset to my team, and I feel like I have been able to do that recently. I am hoping to continue this progress during the upcoming 12 Goal season at Eldorado.
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Step up your game.
Taking your game to the next level starts with a USPA Umpire on your field.
USPA Umpires are trained and experienced to ensure that every play gets a fair call. Becoming a better player starts with a better umpire. Call today to find out how you can have a USPA Umpire on your field.
MAGGIE MITCHELL: 941.928.4600 | mmitchell@uspolo.org FERGUS GOULD: 760.391.8373 | fgould@uspolo.org
www.uspolo.org/association/programs/umpires
