Polo Magazine 2009

Page 1

The American Issue

2009

WINTER POLO SEASON

2009 SEASON SUNDAY POLO PALM BEACH

The American Issue

JANUARY 11TH - APRIL 26TH OPENING DAY, JANUARY 11TH, 2009 12 :00 - POLO MATCH 12 :00 - CHAMPAGNE AND CROQUET 01:00 - PRE GAME FESTIVITIES

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CONTENTS

FEATURES & PROFILES

2009 SEASON GUIDE

70

Faces of American Polo Polo Magazine traveled around the country this summer, sitting down with some of the most influential players on the American landscape, profiling thirteen of them in this series of portraits and interviews.

64

A History of American Polo By: Sam Morton

104

Ladies of Leisure Fashion Spread: Shot at IPC during the 2008 Piaget Gold Cup Photographed by Navid

120

Building an Umpire, The Other Gentlemen of Polo By: Melissa S. Leshem

116

Just a Prick The Qi to a Champion By: Melissa S. Leshem

The American Issue

124

'

E7<B3@ >=:= A3/A=<

104

The Art of the Frame A look into Eli Wilner’s Frame of Reference. By: Linda Soper

Cover Photo Special Thanks: Santa Barbara Polo Club, Flying H Polo, Dawn and Tommy Lee Jones, Melissa Ganzi, Lauren Elam, Maria Feola, Julie Pickens, Farish Ensenat, Jimmy Newman and Melanja Jones, and Daniel Somogy.

15 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

Indulge Moderately. Belvedere Vodka, 40% ALC./VOL. (80 proof) 100% Neutral spirits distilled from Rye Grain. ©2008 Imported by Moët Hennessy USA, Inc., New York, NY.

©2009 Imported by Moët Hennessy USA, Inc., New York, NY.

Indulge Moderately. Belvedere Vodka, 40% ALC./VOL. (80 proof) 100% Neutral spirits distilled from Rye Grain.

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LUCCHESE

CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB 2009 WINTER POLO SEASON

22

Introduction

International Polo Club Palm Beach Founder John Goodman

International Polo Club Palm Beach President John Wash

Publisher Angela Baker abaker@internationalpoloclub.com

Creative Director / Graphic Design Sean Drake Creative Mafi a Advertising Design & Photo

26

Letter from the President

48

Polo From Around the World By Tim O’Connor

44

Champion Chic By Michelle Leshem

132

Social Scene: Rewind 2008

sean@creativemafi a.com

Contributing Writers Sam Morton, Melissa S. Leshem, Linda Soper, Michelle Leshem, Bree Daniels

Contributing Photographers Navid/belleandcompany.com, Lauren Lieberman, LilaPhoto, Kim Kupart, PoloLine

Polo Advisor Jimmy Newman and Melanja Jones

Advertising Sales: Terrie Rier, Charles Ward, Anya Babbitt, Linda Soper,

• 2008 Santa Barbara Polo Season • 2008 IPC Winter Polo Season • 2008 Ocean Drive Grand Marquee • 2nd Annual International Croquet Tournament • 2008 Annual 4th Grade Polo Day • 2008 Nadal vs Nalbandian Private Charity Match & Live Auction • 2008 Piaget Gold Cup Finals • 2008 Jaeger LeCoultre Charity Polo Match • 2008 Annual Polo Ball “Sky’s the Limit” • 2008 104th Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship Finals™

Kathleen OíHagan, Katie Metts, Martini Corp, Supermarket Creative.

page 132

Editorial Offi ces 3667 120th Avenue South Wellington, Florida 33414

Owner Westchester Media Company, L.P

Special Thanks: Santa Barbara Polo Club, Flying H Polo, Emily, Dawn and Tommy Lee Jones, Melissa Ganzi, Lauren Elam, Maria Feola, Julie Pickens, Jimmy Newman and Melanja Jones, Farish Ensenat and Daniel Somogy.

page 44

21 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

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INTRODUCTION RESOURCES

INTRODUCTION It is an honor for me to preface this 2009 edition of POLO Magazine, the official guide of International Polo Club Palm Beach. In my position as President of Club Operations for International Polo Club Palm Beach and The Wanderers Golf Club, I am thrilled to share with you the excitement and anticipation of the upcoming polo season. The season has again attracted some of the finest polo teams from around the world. Showcasing these top names in the game will be six polo tournaments, three 20-Goal Tournaments, The Joe Barry Cup, The Ylvisaker Cup, and The Iglehart Cup, and three 26-Goal Tournaments, The C.V. Whitney Cup, The Piaget Gold Cup, and The 105 th Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship. The 2009 Season has also inspired changes to International Polo Club, which include state of the art polo field drainage, the addition of the Sports Pavilion, and the redesign of the 7 th Chukker. The Sports Pavilion ties together our world class croquet lawn, tennis courts, and polo fields. From the wrap around porch, you can relax while watching the best athletes in the world compete. The “new” 7th Chukker is the place to be. The IPC Culinary team has created a signature version of American Tapas. The menu of contemporary small dishes with fresh flavors from around the world is accented by a unique wine list. Both have been designed to create a warm relaxing environment to watch a game or spend the evening with friends.

Photo: LILA PHOTO

“The 2009 Season has also inspired changes to International Polo Club, which include state of the art polo field drainage, the addition of the Sports Pavilion, and the redesign of the 7th Chukker.”

I am pleased to announce Veuve Clicquot has joined our impressive list of sponsors this season, along with Whole Foods, The Gardens Mall, and Lucchese Boots. I am also pleased to welcome back for another season Stanford Financial, Bessemer Trust, Piaget, Ocean Drive, and Nespresso. IPC has also opened the International Pavilion for public viewing of Sunday’s 3 o’clock game, leaving the new 7 th Chukker for the members to enjoy. The International Pavilion offers food and beverages to all fans watching the game, and entertainment to keep the excitement going once the game has ended. As a member of International Polo Club, you will continue to experience the grand tradition of the sport while building friendships with those around you who also embrace the uniqueness of it all. The entire IPC staff and myself would like to thank you for your continued support and loyalty to the club. You are what makes International Polo Club a continued success each year. In closing, I would like to invite you to continue to enjoy your club and the Polo Lifestyle that has become legendary in South Florida.

Sincerely, John A. Wash, CCM President of Club Operations

26 INTERNATIONALPOLOCLUB.COM

CONTENTS

RESOURCES 34

Letter from Jimmy Newman

35

International Polo Club’s Polo Season Teams Tournaments and Rosters

36

IPC Map

38

Polo 101 By: Paige Axel

42 40

EVERY SUNDAY 3PM JAN 11thAPRIL 26th

BVS >]Z] 5Z]aaO`g

page 122

2009 WINTER POLO SEASON

12 :00 GATES OPEN 03:00 FEATURED POLO MATCH CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD

Polo Survival Kit By: Paige Axel

LIMITED BRUNCH SEATING AVAILABLE FOR TICKETS AND FURTHER INFORMATION T. 1.561.204.5687 x107

Plan a Top Shelf Tailgate By: Paige Axel

RADIO AM 1620

INTERNATIONALPOLOCLUB.COM

page 117

press their desire for a foul by raising their mallets overhead, with or without a helicopter motion. Overzealous appealing is a foul hand swing is one of the basic strokes that sends the ball in the opposite direction to change the flow of play. e umpire starts or resumes play by rolling the ball down a lineup of the players (Also known as a throw in.) layer rides into another to disrupt his shot or remove him from play. he pony and turn safely. layer catches an opponent’s mallet in swing below the level of the pony’s back to turn or leave the ball for a teammate. hits the ball across their opponent’s backline, the defending team gets a free shot from the backline. inary path the ball travels on after it is hit. ed, well-trained polo pony. the left side of the pony.

e by hitting the ball under the pony’s neck. shot on the offside (right side of the horse) that sends the ball forward. d from one to 10, a penalty awards a free shot to the fouled player from a set distance determined by the severity of the foul. ony causes the ball to go through the goal posts. o riders make contact and attempt to push each other off the line of the ball to prevent the opponent from striking the ball. efending player hits the ball across his own backline. Also known as Penalty 6. practice time. play where the first team to score a goal wins. equipment used on the pony. sent at an angle under the ponies tail.

27 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

EFG BANK

Proud sponsors of: EFG Bank team for the Palm Beach season

EFG Bank team in the Outback 40 Goal Challenge

The Australia team at Cartier International Polo 2008 The England team in Mexico 2008 2008 Scandinavian Polo Open JLC Polo Masters 2008 in Veytay, Switzerland

Photo: David Lominska

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SOCIAL SCENE REWIND 2008 SEASON

32 INTERNATIONALPOLOCLUB.COM

RESOURCES p olo 1

South Pavilion

2

Center Pavilion

3

North Pavilion

4

Public Pavilion

5

Sponsor Tent

fi el d

Sports House

Sand Trap Volleyball Court

WILL CALL, SPONSOR, MEMBER, GUEST, GENERAL ADMISSION PARKING

# 2

Croquet Lawn .&.#&3 1"3,*/(

Member Entrance

lake Member Box 2

4

Member Box Seating

South Lawn Seating

Scoreboard

Center Lawn Seating

s ta nf or d

Grand Marquee

.&.#&3 1"3,*/(

3

North Lawn Seating

5"*-("5& 1"3,*/(

Bleachers

field

Bleachers

5"*-("5& 1"3,*/(

5

Bleachers

5"*-("5& 1"3,*/(

Event Entrance

Children’s Area

East Gate

2009 SCHEDULE

(3"/% ."326&& 5"*-("5& 1"3,*/(

Entrance To International Polo Club Palm Beach & Stadium

1

LETTER FROM POLO DIRECTOR RESOURCES

I would l i ke welcome you to be pa r t of our 20 09 se a son. We h ave added a new tour n a ment, t he Igleh a r t Cup, to our ver y succe s sf ul 20 goa l ser ie s. We a re ple a sed to welcome t wo new te a m s i n t he 20 goa l: Ji m W h i sen a nd ’s E FG Ba n k te a m a nd Joh n Mu se’s Lucche se te a m. Eight 20 goa l te a m s a re ret ur n i ng f rom l a st ye a r a nd K el ly B e a l ’s BTA te a m, wh ich pl ayed i n 20 07 a nd m i s sed 20 0 8, w i l l be w it h u s aga i n g iv i ng u s a tot a l of eleven 20 goa l te a m s.

A lthough the 26 goal tour naments are a few months away, we cur rently have seven teams from last year’s lineup confir med to play. At this time three other teams are work ing to fill their rosters i n t i me to compete i n t he 26 goa l ser ie s.

The club f ield s a re look i ng better t h a n ever i n sur i ng t h at 20 09 w i l l def i n itely be Photo: LILA PHOTO

our be st se a son to d ate.

“The club fields are looking better than ever insuring that 2009 will definitely be our best season to date.”

34 INTERNATIONALPOLOCLUB.COM

Ji mmy New m a n

TEAMS/TOURNAMENTS/ROSTERS RESOURCES

20 GOAL

26 GOAL

Audi Melissa Ganzi Juan Bollini Gonzalito Pieres Brandon Philips

Lucchese 0 6 9 5 20

BTA Kelly Beal Jeff Blake Hector Galindo Pablo Spinnaci

Bo Goodman Pelon Escapite Santiago Chavanne Gaston Lisioli

Gonzalo Avendano Julio Gracida Carlos Gracida Carlos Avendano

Tommy Lee Jones Sapo Caset Toto Collardin Carlucho Arellano

Pony Express 1 10 9 6 26

Camilo Bautista Adam Snow Eduardo Astrada Nacho Astrada

Victor Vargas Guille Aguero Juan Martin Nero Sapo Caset

Bob Daniels Pelon Stirling Nic Roldan Matias Magrini

0 9 8 9 26

White Birch 0 8 9 9 26

Lechuza Caracas 1 5 8 6 20

San Saba 1 7 7 5 20

Marc Ganzi Facundo Pieres Gonzalito Pieres Nicolas Pieres

Las Monjitas 0 6 8 6 20

Patagones 5 8 7 0 20

Isla Carroll John Goodman Sugar Erskine Owen Rinehart Todd Offen

Audi 0 6 9 5 20

Mt Brilliant 1 6 7 6 20

EFG Bank Whistle Uys Julio Arellano Luis Escobar Jim Whisenand

John Muse Andres Weisz Mike Azzaro Shane Rice

Peter Brant Jeff Blake Mariano Aguerre Pancho Bensadon

2 6 10 8 26

Zacara 1 7 10 8 18

Lyndon Lea Carlos Gracida Javier Astrada Magoo Laprida

1 8 9 8 26

Orchard Hill 0 8 7 5 20

Steve Van Andel Pablo MacDonough Hector Galindo Lucas Criado

0 10 7 9 26

Lechuza Caracas Victor Vargas Guille Aguero Nicolas Espain Santiago Toccalino

1 7 7 5 15

2009 SCHEDULE

Joe Barry Memorial Cup ..................................... 20-Goal ........................Jan. 08 - Jan. 18 Ylvisaker Cup ...................................................... 20-Goal ........................ Jan. 15 - Feb. 01 Philip Iglehart Cup ............................................. 20-Goal ........................ Jan. 29 - Feb. 22 C.V. Whitney Cup ................................................ 26-Goal ....................... Feb. 19 - Mar. 08 USPA Piaget Gold Cup ........................................ 26-Goal .......................Mar. 12 - Mar. 29 Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship ........... 26-Goal ....................... Apr. 02 - Apr. 26

35 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

polo 1

South Pavilion

2

Center Pavilion

3

North Pavilion

4

Public Pavilion

5

Sponsor Tent

field

Sand Trap Volleyball Court

WILL CALL, SPONSOR, MEMBER, GUEST, GENERAL ADMISSION PARKING

# 2

Sports House Croquet Lawn .&.#&3 1"3,*/(

Member Entrance

lake 2

3

4

Member Box Seating

South Lawn Seating

Scoreboard

Center Lawn Seating

s ta nford

Grand Marquee

North Lawn Seating

5"*-("5& 1"3,*/(

Bleachers

field

Bleachers

5"*-("5& 1"3,*/(

5

.&.#&3 1"3,*/(

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5"*-("5& 1"3,*/(

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N

Children’s Area

East Gate

(3"/% ."326&& 5"*-("5& 1"3,*/(

1 2 0 T H AV E N U E S O U T H

Entrance To International Polo Club Palm Beach & Stadium

1

Member Box Seating

POLO 101 RESOURCES

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B

Photo: LILA PHOTO

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VS bVc\RS`W\U ]T bVS V]`aSa¸ V]]dSa bVS Q`OQY ]T bVS POZZ Oa Wb [SSba bVS e]]RS\ [OZZSb bVS QVSS`a T`][ bVS aWRSZW\Sa Oa TO\a `]]b T]` bVSW` bSO[a bV]cUV ab]`WSR O\R a]^VWabWQObSR bVS UO[S ]T ^]Z] Wa cbbS`Zg SfQWbW\U 0cb ^]Z] Wa O a^]`b c\ZWYS O\g ]bVS` O\R bVS []`S g]c Y\]e OP]cb Wb bVS []`S g]c QO\ S\X]g

B63 67AB=@G

Scholars have been unable to pinpoint exactly when and where polo originated, but some report the sport was born in Tibet as many as 2,000 years ago while others believe China or Persia may have been its birthplace. Regardless of the region credited with its genesis, the game was played from Constantinople to Japan in the Middle Ages. Then, thanks to the Persians and the Moguls of India, polo spread across the eastern world by the 16th century.

The modern age of polo began when the British discovered the game in Manipur on the border of India and Burma and founded the world’s first polo club at Silchar. Many other clubs followed and today the Calcutta Club, which was founded in 1862, is the world’s oldest. British soldiers and tea planters in India quickly took up the sport, prompting its spread to the West, and today the oldest clubs outside of India include The Malta Polo Club, the All Ireland Polo Club in Dublin, England’s Monmouthshire Polo Club and the Meadowbrook Polo Club on Long Island in New York. From there, the sport headed south to Argentina and around the globe to Australia, making polo the international sport that it is today.

¾0`caV c^ ]\ bVS ^]Z] XO`U]\ a] g]c¸`S ac`S \]b b] [Waa O aSQ]\R ]T bVS OQbW]\ œ 37 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

POLO 101 FEATURES & PROFILES

B63 0/A71A To get the most out of polo, it helps to understand the ins and outs of the game. The field: The polo field is 300 yards long by 160 yards wide (the area of nine football fields). The goalposts are eight yards apart. The boundaries of the field can either be “boarded� with 12-inch boards or marked with white lines. B63 B3/;A Two teams of four compete on the field. While each player plays both defenseand offense throughout the game, each player’s number indicates his or her actual role or position. Number 1 is a forward player responsible for offense, Number 2 plays offense and supports Number 1 in addition to playing defense, Number 3 tries to take possession of the ball, passes and hits the ball downfield, and Number 4 defends the goal and returns the ball to teammates.

B63 3?C7>;3<B Both the players and the ponies are outfitted with the tools they need to win the game. 0/<2/53A( The ponies’ legs are wrapped in order to prevent contact with the polo ball. 0@33163A( The rules state players’ breeches (pants) must be white, and they are double-seated to provide a cushion from rough riding.

6/<271/> 2347<32 /ZZ ^ZOgS`a O`S `ObSR ]\ O aQOZS ]T b] eWbV PSW\U bVS PSab BVWa `ObW\U Wa POaSR ]\ bVS ^ZOgS`¸a OPWZWbg O\R VOa \]bVW\U b] R] eWbV bVS \c[PS` ]T U]OZa aQ]`SR BVS`S O`S [O\g TOQb]`a bVOb RSbS`[W\S O ^ZOgS`¸a VO\RWQO^ W\QZcRW\U VWa ]` VS` V]`aS[O\aVW^ VWbbW\U _cOZWbg

0@72:3( A collections of straps and a bit in the horses mouth.

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2@/E @37<A( Made of strong yet supple leather, the reins provide an effective method for controlling the pony and making fast turns and stops.

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63:;3B( Covered in linen, the helmet protects the player from oncoming balls that can travel up to 100 mph. Some players wear helmets with metal face guards.

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B63 @C:3A Similar to soccer, the objective of polo is to drive the ball (which is made of white plastic and weighs 4.5 ounces with a 3.5-inch diameter) downfield and between the opponent’s goalposts. The game is divided into six seven-and-a-half-minute play periods called “chukkers.� The “line of the ball� is the imaginary path the ball travels on, and it represents a right-of-way for the last player striking the ball. (Crossing “the line� is the most frequent foul in the game.) When the ball is hit between the goalposts, a point is scored and the teams switch ends of the field.

[ObQV

0SUW\\S` b] /dS`OUS

;/::3B( Made of bamboo or cane with a hardwood head, polo mallets range in length from 49 to 53 inches to accommodate the player’s swing and the size of the pony. As a rule, the mallet is always held in the player’s right hand.

5]]R b] ! DS`g U]]R " b] & 3ZWbS ' b]

;/@B7<5/:3( This reinforced strap steadies the pony’s head. Riding gloves: Leather gloves give the player a better grip on the reins and the mallet. A/22:3( The polo saddle is an English saddle with a wide, deep seat and a cantle (rear portion) designed for easy movement.

Photo: LILA PHOTO

38 INTERNATIONALPOLOCLUB.COM

¾>]Z] ^]\WSa¸ bOWZa O`S P`OWRSR b] ^`SdS\b W\bS`TS`S\QS eWbV aeW\UW\U [OZZSba œ

POLO 101 FEATURES & PROFILES

BVS >]Z] 5Z]aaO`g

Photo: LILA PHOTO

Appealing: Backshot: Bowl in: Bump: Check and turn: Hook: Knock in: Line of the ball: Made pony: Near shot: Neckshot: Forehand: Penalty: Pony goal: Ride off: Safety: Stick and ball: Sudden death: Tack: Tailshot:

Players express their desire for a foul by raising their mallets overhead, with or without a helicopter motion. Overzealous appealing is a foul This backhand swing is one of the basic strokes that sends the ball in the opposite direction to change the flow of play. When the umpire starts or resumes play by rolling the ball down a lineup of the players (Also known as a throw in.) When a player rides into another to disrupt his shot or remove him from play. To slow the pony and turn safely. When a player catches an opponent’s mallet in swing below the level of the pony’s back to turn or leave the ball for a teammate. If a team hits the ball across their opponent’s backline, the defending team gets a free shot from the backline. The imaginary path the ball travels on after it is hit. A seasoned, well-trained polo pony. Shot from the left side of the pony. Shot made by hitting the ball under the pony’s neck. The basic shot on the offside (right side of the horse) that sends the ball forward. Numbered from one to 10, a penalty awards a free shot to the fouled player from a set distance determined by the severity of the foul. When a pony causes the ball to go through the goal posts. When two riders make contact and attempt to push each other off the line of the ball to prevent the opponent from striking the ball. When a defending player hits the ball across his own backline. Also known as Penalty 6. Personal practice time. Overtime play where the first team to score a goal wins. All of the equipment used on the pony. Back shot sent at an angle under the ponies tail.

39 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

Plan a Top-Shelf Tailgate RESOURCES

Plan a Top-Shelf Tailgate Nothing beats spending a Sunday afternoon on the polo sidelines, and tailgating is all about food, fun and friends.

P By: Paige Herman-Axel

olo isn’t usually the first sport you associate with tailgating, but after spending a day with the International Polo Club die-hards, that may all change. Ten-year tailgating veteran Val Stanley says, “It’s just an all-day party. It’s a place where family and friends can gather and enjoy a great sport out in the sunshine. What could be better?” Planning your own tailgate can be as easy or elaborate as you’d like, but either way, you’ll want to cover the essentials.

in the back if you need extra space. Stanley even brings additional tents to add on, but she needs the extra room to accommodate her four banquet tables and generatorpowered TV she sets up so co-revelers can watch other sports. “We have such a great set-up that we usually stay well into the evening. On average, we get to the field around noon and don’t go home until 8.”

The set-up

As if the action on the field weren’t enough, members often create themes for the afternoon—and it gets competitive. A few favorites include Hawaiian, Mexican and picnic-y Beach Blanket Bingo themes, and members pull out all the stops with their decorations and food.

Think of your ten-by-ten tent as the frame for your tailgate. Although neighbors on either side may limit the width of your party, you can always “go deep” and build out 40 INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB PALM BEACH

Think of setting up a tailgate like preparing for a dinner party. In addition to putting out tables and chairs, you may want to think about decorating your area with table linens, flowers and even carpet. Tailgate regular and club member Gregory Ratner takes his decorating seriously, saying, “I get really into it and decorate my tent with polo photographs I’ve taken.”

Plan a Top-Shelf Tailgate RESOURCES

So can do you get in on the tailgate action? The easiest way is to befriend an established tailgater. But if you want your own party space. Non-members can contact the International Polo Club office at 561.204.5687 to learn more about availability and pricing. The food While some tailgaters may be more into the sideline festivities than the game itself, it’s not a party unless there’s food. The offerings in your tent say a lot about you, and your choices may depend on just how much time (and money) you’re looking to spend. On one end of the spectrum, many tailgaters cook their own food or take a pot-luck approach by asking each of their guests to bring an item. Other easy favorites include sandwiches from Panera Bread and platters from Publix. Stanley even recalls a pizza delivery or two on occasion. But if you’re looking for maximum taste with minimal effort, you may want to try using a local caterer who can whip up a feast fit for a king. Just a few guidelines: Try to stick to easyto-eat finger foods, and don’t forget to pack the plates, napkins and flatware. If you’re wondering how much food to bring, it really depends on how many guests you’re having and how big of a host you want to be. Ratner brings enough food to feed 40 or 50 people since his group hovers about 16 spectators, and his neighbors bring a big crowd. Stanley, on the other hand, goes the pot-luck route and turns to her guests and other tailgate regulars to put out an impressive spread.

Photo: LILA PHOTO /lilaevents.com/ipc2008

The extras A grill: Everyone loves anything that’s fresh off the grill. Whether you choose a portable charcoal grill or a more elaborate gas grill or grill/smoker combo, this is sure to be a pig crowd pleaser. One to try: Hammacher Schlemmer’s The Roaster/Smoker/Grill allows you to cook three ways in one portable unit. $179.95, hammacherschlemmer.com Tableware: For an Earth-friendly alternative to paper plates and plastic flatware, check out corn-based disposable tableware. Produced from a renewable resource without the need for oil, corn-based products are biodegradable and durable, too. plumparty.com

The drinks If there’s an unofficial drink of polo, it would have to be champagne, and most spectators start off the day with a glass or two. Wine is another big crowd pleaser, but regardless of your drink of choice, cocktails are a big part of the party at polo. Most tailgaters pack at least a cooler just for drinks, while others set up a full bar stocked with a wide array of choices. Just make sure you don’t forget the ice!

Binoculars: Sure you’re right on the sidelines but you never know when you might want a close-up of the action on the other end of the field. Keep your binoculars with your other tailgate gear so you’re never without them. A fan: Although polo season falls during the nicest weather of the year, a portable fan can provide just the breeze you need on those warmer days. Even if you don’t have a power source, you can find battery-operated versions in a variety of sizes. Best of all, you can store it in your hurricane survival kit during the off-season.

“A few extra special touches can take your tailgate from so-so to sublime.” 41 INTERNATIONALPOLO CLUB.COM

POLO SURVIVAL KIT RESOURCES

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42 INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB 2009 SEASON GUIDE

Style POLO SURVIVAL KIT RESOURCES

01.

A Sophisticated Scent

“A polo handicap is a passport

to the world,” said Sir Winston Churchill, and Creed’s Tabarome Milléseme was

originally commissioned for this historical

08

05.

Flying High

If the thought of flying

commercial to catch the polo action in

Greenwich or Bridgehampton causes you to reconsider, fractional jet ownership

icon and polo aficionado in 1936. Notes of

with Flexjet by Bombardier can get you

citrus and ginger mingle with sandalwood

there in style without the hassle. Named

and a touch of tobacco, making for a

“Best of the Best” in Flight Services by

scent as interesting and exciting as a day

Robb Report in 2008, Flexjet gives you

at the polo grounds. An interesting tidbit

access to their fleet of aircraft with as little

of information: Sixth-generation Creed

as six hours’ notice. Visit flexjet.com for

perfumer Olivier Creed is the only French

more information

citizen honored in the Walk of Fame at the

06.

Museum of Polo in Lake Worth. Startingat $110, available at Neiman Marcus

Made in the Shades

Whether you’re going incog-

02.

nito or making a statement, these Gucci

bag, the versatile Twilly scarf has been a

touch of glamour, and they’re available in

Tied Up

sunglasses also pay homage to the ponies.

Originally created to tie onto

The Italian fashion house’s signature

the handle of a Hermès Kelly or Birkin

horse bit is encrusted with crystals for a

fashionista favorite for years. Add a dash

black and this delicious wine color. $475,

of glamour to any ensemble by donning a

Gucci Worth Avenue

Twilly around your neck or wrist—or use

07.

it to hold your hair back on a breezy day.

These silk scarves beg to be collected, and at such a painless price point, you won’t

It’s About Time

To make sure you don’t miss

the start of the polo match, strap on

be able to stop at just one. $125, Hermès

Piaget’s aptly named Polo watch. Avail-

boutiques nationwide

able in a variety of styles and materials,

03.

this beauty is features 18-karat gold

game, and the Canon PowerShot TX1

08.

Point and Shoot

with a quartz movement and diamonds

To capture the polo action you

on a black satin strap. Suggested retail

need a camera that can keep pace with the fits the bill—and into your pocket—per-

fectly. With a 10x optical zoom that takes

professional quality 7.1 megapixel photos as well as HD video, this stainless-steel

$30,800, call 877-8PIAGET

A-head of the Game

Every polo wardrobe must

include a fabulous hat, and milliner Eric Javits is a perennial favorite. Available

stunner features a 1.8-inch LCD display

in both red and fushia, his “Squishee”

and a vertical design that makes taking

large-brim sunhat can withstand being

pictures a snap. $499.99, available at Best

packed in a suitcase so it will always ar-

Buy in

rive at your destinationintact. $325, Saks

West Palm Beach

Fifth Avenue

04.

09.

Protection from the Elements Unless you stay under cover

all day, your skin needs a helping hand

playing defense from the sun. La Prairie

Cellular Protective Body Emulsion SPF 30 is light enough for everyday use and

In the Bag

Blending both form and func-

tion, Tory Burch’s signature Tory totes

take you and all of your essentials from the sidelines to the street—and every place in between. The canvas “Gallop”

strong enough to withstand the sun’s rays

print is perfect for polo, and the white

for all six chukkers. And in addition to

patent trim makes a style statement. $225,

superior sun protection, you get anti-aging

toryburch.com

technology that actually improves your

04

skin as you wear it. $135, Saks Fifth Avenue

43 INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB 2009 SEASON GUIDE

Champion Chic By: Michelle Leshem

They Say Good Things Come in Three’s Hamilton Jewelers offer this

one-of-a-kind pendant from their Lisette Collection. Handwrought in 18k white gold, this exceptional

piece showcases fancy color

Boot Camp

diamonds in lime, pumpkin, and

Just unloaded from Austrailia,

lavender, surrounded by brilliant

the Moov Boot has been

diamonds $151,500. Available at

designed to keep your feet dry

Hamilton Jewelers in Gardens Mall.

and comfortable in all weather conditions while submitting to your fashion sense. Alice in Wonderland was the driving inspiration credited for the collection and lifestyle; the warmth of the Ugg and the weatherproofing of the Wellington. $145. Available at moovculture.com

Elephant Friendly As an environmentally- friendly alternative to tusk ivory, Tagua rings are the new rage in natural handmade jewelry. No two shapes — in fact, no two colors — are 100% identical. Each ring is hand carved by the designer, polished in her native Columbia and colored using natural dyes. Each hand carved gem is embellished with Nazly’s signature providing its authenticity. $75. Available at nazlyv.com

Two For One: Chicky & Techy For the chic savvy tech Miss, it is about the prettiest, funkiest, or most high speed gadgets. Dreamy Tina from Swarovski can be worn as a pendant or charm. She comes with a 2 GB USB key integrated with high-speed 2.0 interface. She can store up to 500 songs or 2000 photos. $180. Available at Gardens Mall

44 INTERNATIONALPOLOCLUB.COM

CHAMPION CHIC DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS

Excess Baggage

Gift Basket

Leave it to Alexander McQueen

Choosing an ideal gift for the Miss

to revolutionize the traditional

won’t become a daunting task

hard lines of luggage. Coupling

with these classic basket bangle

a modern futuristic look featuring

bracelets. Made out of mother

natural shapes and curves…

of pearl and diamonds, 1.ct per

literally, designed to look like a

bracelet. Price available upon

human rib cage. Mirror-finish silver

request, Danielaswaebe.com

(chrome-like) $2,000. Available at select Samsonite Black Label stores.

Geometry Lesson Let Cesare Paciotti bring out your cubist side with this patent sandal with geometric shape heel, only

Knit Pick

color available black, $645.

Elegant, sexy, and unique, this

Available at Cesarepaciotti.com

Super soft Pima Cotton Jacquard Dress has no front or back to it. Comfortable never looked so good. $196. Available at krelwear.com

Veuve Cliquot’s La Grand Dame

It’s Not Your Mother’s China… Known for their beautiful murano glass jewelry, Hilary of London, introduces their Italian ceramic collection. HL combines the ancient art of hand painted ceramics with the needs of today’s entertaining. Offered in a variety of patterns, each set includes a coordinating serving piece. $425. Available at hilarylondon.com

Sunny Side Up The British eyewear brand, Oliver Goldsmith will introduce a limited edition acetate and horn sunglasses line in collaboration with Hoffmann Natural Eyewear. Synonymous with grace and beauty, the new collection is priced as a set of eight frames. $3650. Available at olivergoldsmith.com Ego

45 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

Champion Chic By: Michelle Leshem

Pocket Full of Sunshine Sony rolls out the world’s smallest

Biker Chic

full HD Camcorder. The new

Bicycles are a simple solution

pocket-sized Sony HDR-TG1

for some of the world’s more

Handycam® camcorder’s weighty

complicated problems. Say b’ bye to

high-definition capability will

greasy hands, pants and messy chain lube.

appeal to vacationers who prefer

For 2009, Trek has replaced the traditional

to “travel light”. $830. Available at

chain-driven drive train

sony.com

on two select models with a belt drive system. The 2009 Trek District and the 2009 Trek

Cuckoo For Your Clock

Soho have eliminated an otherwise noisy, dirty,

Moooi does it again. A ceramic

heavy, rust-prone and easily worn-out chain.

clock, with all the detail and feeling

The future of mankind. $929.99

of a soft clock made from fabric. Flights of fantasy for your home.

Available at trekbikes.com

$1370. Available at Moooi Miami.

Maniac Why sacrifice style for functionality? Successful in their aim to take the laptop to a new level with its range of luxurious laptops Ego collaborated with Bentley Motors to introduce their newest limited edition piece, Ego for Bentley . The Ego Bentley is hand made and the exterior is clad in “the finest selection of Bentley leather” and is finished with authentic Bentley cross-over hand stitching. The leather exterior, which matches the deck under the hood, is available in a choice of 10 colors. Approx $20,000. Available at www.ego-lifestyle.com

46 INTERNATIONALPOLOCLUB.COM

CHAMPION CHIC DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS

Going For The Gold Be one of the special few in the world, who have the Apple Iphone 3G, fully plated in your choice of

Italians Do It Better

24kt Gold, Chrome, Copper, White

What has Italian style got to do

Gold, Rose Gold, and Platinum. All

with the cosmetics industry? A

that glitters is gold. $1,800.

spirit of dedication is what has

Vive La France!

inspired Gessato to create a

France’s most popular designers

full range of high-tech products

Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec were

based on natural ingredients for

inspired by the linear, well-defined

the treatment of men’s skin. The

structure of vintage chairs. The

cleansing treatment is specially

seat is comfortable and welcoming,

formulated to de-flake, cleanse

and the entire chair is very light.

and smooth the skin. Scrubbing

Papyrus exquisitely combines

never felt so good, so much so,

modernism and vintage charm.

that part of the proceeds from the

Available at Kartell, nationwide

sale of this product, are donated to

kartell.it

Available at computer-choppers.com

ZERO-The Project to End Prostate Cancer. $21. Available at gessato.com

How to Watch Polo In 1979, Piaget introduced a styled wristwatch inspired by the sport and called Piaget

La Dolce Vita Named after its legendary founder Madame Clicquot, the limited edition Cruiser Bag contains one

Polo. It immediately became

Special Edition La Grande Dame

highly requested among the

1998 Riva label bottle and two

stars. For 2009, to mark the 30th anniversary of the Piaget Polo watch collection, the brand is unveiling the Piaget Polo Forty Five crafted in Titanium. Price available upon request piaget.com

glasses protected by an isothermal case. In collaboration with Italian yacht makers- Riva, boats of the 1960s evoke the opulent style of La Dolce Vita. With its sleek design of mahogany edged in chrome, this 24-hour case brings true style and glamour on-the-go. $499. veuve-clicquot.com.

47 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

POLO

NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

By: Tim O’Connor Photos Courtesy of PoloLine

O

nce the season concludes at International Polo Palm

Beach with the ever prestigious Stanford U.S. Open Polo

Championship™ the men, woman and horses leave for the far corners of the world to capture the gold and be declared the next great champion. It all begins in the United Kingdom then moves on to Deauville France, Soto Grande, Spain, Dubai and then Shanghai before arriving back in Argentina for the 115th playing of the Argentine Open.

POLO NEWS CONTENTS

RESOURCES

VIVARI QUEENS CUP, ENGLAND The United Kingdom season begins with the Vivari Queens Cup hosted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. In that tournament Ellerston with Gonzalito Pieres and Pablo MacDonough, substituting for the injured Facundo Pieres, captured their record sixth Queens Cup by defeating Sumaya. The Ellerston victories began in 1991 under the direction of then team captain Kerry Packer of Australia. Packer’s son James has now taken the reigns from his father and led his team to yet another championship.

CORONATION CUP, ENGLAND The Guards Polo Club is also the home of the Coronation Cup which is hosted by HRH Charles the Prince of Wales. England redeemed itself, after losing last year, by defeating Australia 9-8. New coach of the England team, Javier Novillo Astrada seemed to rally his foursome and put them on a totally new direction following Australia’s tying score at six in the fourth chukker. The fi fth and pivot chukker went to the English as they built a two goal lead and then were able to coast into the victory ceremony hosted by Prince Charles. Most Valuable Player honors went to Luke Tomlinson. It is this English team that is expected to challenge the United States in playing for the 100 year old Westchester Cup at International Polo Club Palm Beach in 2009.

VEUVE CLICQUOT GOLD CUP, ENGLAND The fi nal High Goal stop in the UK is the Veuve Clicquot sponsored Gold C for the British Open Championship at Cowdray Park. Loro Piana who had lost a close contest in 2007 fought back a tough Ellerston team to claim the cup by an 11-10 margin. The combination of Pelon Stirling and Juan Martin Nero proved to be the dominant force this time against the Pieres Brothers, Facundo and Gonzalito. They continually challenged and turned back some incredible shots only the Pieres’ boys have mastered. It was Loro’s coach Carlos Gracida that kept warning his team that Ellerston was capable of bringing on stronger horses in any chukker and could easily score three goals quickly so no lead was safe. Loro finally triumphed as the “hooter” sounded just as Facundo Pieres let his final shot fly toward goal only to see it go wide to end the game. Nero was named MVP.

50 INTERNATIONALPOLOCLUB.COM

WORLD POLO NEWS RESOURCES

THE GOLD CUP,DEUVILLE, FRANCE The next stop for a polo champion is the Deauville Polo Club in Deauville, France. The Gold Cup was won by Emlor Polo who defeated The Cirecester Park Polo Club 9-8 in another evenly matched contest. The Emlor squad is led by Chilean Jose Donoso whose Chile team had defeated the English in the 2007 British Open. The Emlor foursome is rounded out by Spencer McCarthy, Joaquin Pittaluga and Nacho Gonzalez.

JAEGER LE COULTRE, SOTO GRANDE, SPAIN In Soto Grande, Spain at the Santa Maria Polo Club it was Pablo MacDonough who led his Ahmibah team to an 11-10 victory over Ayala in the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup. MacDonough was named MVP following a seven goal performance that saw his team build an 11-7 lead in the fi nal chukker and coast their way to victory. Teaming with MacDonough was B. Jeffri Bolkiah, Valario Zubiaurre and Ignacio (Inaki) LaPrida who described the play of MacDonough as incredible and the ease of victory unbelievable.

NINE DRAGONS HILL POLO CLUB, SHANGHAI, CHINA Following a short stop at the polo club in Dubai the players move on to the newest club in Asia the Nine Dragons Hill Polo Club in Shanghai. It was in Shanghai that 13 countries competed in the fierce competition. It was the Royal Salute Polo Team who captured the distinguished cup which was presented by Torquhill Ian Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll.

51 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

POLO NEWS THE ARGENTINE OPEN, PALERMO, ARGENTINA The fi nal stop on the world tour before returning to the USA competitions at International Polo is the Argentine Open at Palermo. 2008 marked the 115th playing of what is considered the toughest competition in the world as it attracts all of the top rated players competing for the title of the best. This year, many of those who captured other country titles like the Pieres brothers, Pablo MacDonough, Javier Novillo Astrada, Juan Martin Nero all lined up to end the dominance of the La Dolfi na team who with Adolfo Cambiaso had captured this title the past three years.

THE ARGENTINE OPEN, PALERMO, ARGENTINA The crowd was on its feet most of the match as Ellerstina thwarted the efforts of La Dolfi na and at one point mounted a 7-4 lead. But, La Dolfi na with Cambiaso, Mariano Aguerre, Lucas Monteverde and Lolo Castagnola do not go away easily. Near the end of the fi nal chukker they had fought their way back to a tie at 12 and looked poised to capture a record setting fourth Argentine Open in the overtime. But, the world seasoned Gonzalito Pieres with teammates, Juan Martin Nero, Facundo Pieres and Pablo MacDonough, took a pass and from 80 yards out and :56 seconds into the overtime let one fly that found its mark and sealed the victory for Ellerstina, its fi rst in over 10 years. Ten years earlier Ellerstina had won the Argentine Open with a team captained by Gonzalito’s father Gonzalo who played with a group of young up starts named Mariano Aguerre, Adolfo Cambiaso and Lolo Castagno

52 INTERNATIONALPOLOCLUB.COM

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PHOTO: KATE TURNING

– Time

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THE DROWSY CHAPERONE January 6-11 to

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NATALIE COLE Still Unforgettable Friday, February 13 to

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All Photos: Tammy Salinas-Bentley Š 2008

JANUARY 8–GOAL

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FEATURES & PROFILES E7:: 8=6<AB=< has won the Bronze Cup, the Jimmy Bachman, the Texaco in England, and Flying H Cup in Wyoming. SM: What’s the most Bizarre thing you have seen on a polo field? WJ: At night, or during the day? SM: If I say at night, would you tell me? WJ: Probably not. SM: OK, during the day. WJ: I saw a dog run out on the field so they stopped play but no one could catch the dog. It kept running around the field. SM: What four American players would you send to Argentina to play as a team? SM: Julio Arrellano, Nicolas Roldan, Adam Snow and Mike Azzaro. SM: Who gave you your start in high goal? WJ: My grandad SM: If you were the head of the USPA for a day what would you do? WJ: I’d probably find a way to promote opportunities for young American players. SM: Nic Roldan said he’d be hanging with Rick Sears. WJ: I’d save Rick for a trip to the Keys. SM: I’ve been with Rick to the Keys and let me tell you, It ain’t for everybody. By the way, who is the one person you have never played polo with that you would like to. WJ: Speaking of Nicolas Roldan, I’d like to play with him on a team. SM: If wou weren’t swinging a polo mallet what would you be swinging? WJ: Probably drumsticks SM: Speaking of drums, Rick Sears and I are looking for a drummer. We have a band we call oui suk, wanna join? WJ: Gotta Go

THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN POLO FEATURES & PROFILES

The History of American Polo By Sam Morton

64 INTERNATIONALPOLOCLUB.COM

THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN POLO FEATURES & PROFILES

hen New York Herald mogul James Gordon Bennett brought polo to America from the Hurlingham Club in England in 1876, the country was in the middle of an embarrassing episode. While America was celebrating its Centennial in Philadelphia, Gordon’s friend, Colonel George Armstrong Custer, celebrated cavalryman from the Civil War, had just got himself killed by Lakota and Cheyenne horsemen on the American Plains. Gordon had been promoting the Colonel’s articles in several eastern publications. Without Custer to promote, Bennett shifted his focus to a sport he saw while visiting England. Polo had been imported there from India seven years prior. Bennett brought mallets and balls back to New York and sent an associate to Texas to buy horses to bring to New York. The first game, witnessed by H.L. Herbert, was described as a…a huddling, pushing, shouting mass, Team play was unknown and the hero of the day was the individual who could score the greatest number of goals. What followed was an amazing history of American polo clubs, international matches, in Great Gatsby settings, with our sons and daughters galloping into the legends of American folklore. From the late 1800’s to the 1980’s the sport enjoyed a run of flowing fast paced games that were not only embraced by polo fans, but by sports fans across the nation. After Mr. Bennett got the ball rolling in New York, clubs started popping up in Boston, Buffalo and Philly. There was polo on a cavalry base in Sydney, Nebraska as early as 1879. In 1886, England, still prickly from the Battle of New Orleans seventy one years prior, challenged Thomas Hitchcock, Foxhall Keene and whatever rag tag polo team they could mount, for a series of polo games in America. Hitchcock had captained the Oxford collegiate team during his schooling abroad and knew the English team.

beat Captain Little to the ball and rattled home a goal in twenty four seconds as the band played Yankee Doodle. It proved to be the high water mark for the American team as England prevailed in a series of games which led to the servants, (recently arrived from England and Ireland) jumping on the carriages and cheering their home country. One reporter remarked that the English team used the mallet with the same ferociously wicked sweep with which they would have slashed down the Egyptian rebels during the Sudan campaign. The Americans suffered a lack of team work and inferior horses. One reporter’s comments described the American horses; Perhaps the mustang will do well in the mountains, feeding on cactus or dried leaves, but no cold blooded animal can stay with a well bred horse on a level field, and do the work of a polo match. Bennett’s friend Custer however, found out the hard way at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, that the Sioux and Cheyenne weren’t on a level field.

“From the late 1800’s to the 1980’s the sport enjoyed a run of flowing fast paced games

The game was played in the resort of Newport, Road Island with every type of horse drawn conveyance known to man crowded around the field. The game was started by a race to midfield where Foxall Keene

that were not only embraced by polo fans, but by sports fans across the nation.”

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THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN POLO FEATURES & PROFILES

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1902 rematch, now called the Westchester Cup, was again won again by the English. This time, the Americans learned their lessons well having realized that some of England’s polo horses were bred on the American frontier by English breeders. Oliver Henry Wallop, a classmate of Hitchcock’s at Oxford had over three thousand thoroughbreds on the Montana Open range. Malcolm Moncreiffe, a Scotsman living in Big Horn, Wyoming sent dozens of horses to England for polo.

America fielded winning teams the next two matches in 1911 and 1913 until Britain won the Cup back in 1914, which was to be the end of England’s prominence as a polo power. In 1921, a young Tommy Hitchcock Jr. was brought on the American team only to be cut out of the first game by Milburn. By the 1920’s, Tommy Hitchcock Jr. had become a national hero. He had been a flying ace for the Lafayette Escadrille during the First World War. He was shot down, held prisoner, and escaped to the Swiss border. After a brief suspension from the Westchester Cup, Hitchcock returned to the American team, which started a legendary career where the young man captained winning teams in four of the five next meetings between England and the United States. In his first game back, Tommy Hitchcock Jr. avenged his father’s loss in the inaugural match between England and United States thirty five years before. He became part of the greatest team ever put together in the United States. They were J. Watson Webb, Tommy Hitchcock Jr., Malcolm Stevenson, and Devereux Milburn with Louis Stroddard as an alternate. This team was never beaten. While the United States and England thought they had the world cornered in the polo market, a third country, Argentina, with just as long of a history with the sport, took a world tour in 1922 and beat both countries at their own game. Suddenly a serious rivalry sprouted up and the crowds were there to watch it. Forty thousand people turned out to watch the International matches on Long Island. Yet another country, India, where the sport predated Argentina, England or the United States, had over one hundred and forty thousand fans watch a polo game in the early twenties.

In 1909, Harry Payne Whitney, an obscenely wealthy and talented polo player, formed an American team. Whitney like his father, William C Whitney, was one of the top thoroughbred breeders in the world. His racing stables produced two Kentucky Derby, six Preakness, and four Belmont Winners. Whitney took the reins as a team captain of the American team providing 28 horses for his players while several American players, donated horses for the national cause. In a controversial move, Whitney replaced icon Foxhall Keene on the team with a young upstart player named Devereux Milburn. The American team emerged victorious and the “Big Four” of Whitney, Milburn, and the Waterbury brothers were lionized across sports pages back in the States.

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n 1928, Tommy Hitchcock led the United States over the Argentines in a series of three games held in Meadowbrook. Since then, Argentina has pretty much dominated international polo. Back in the States, however, a rivalry between polo players east and west of the Mississippi began, and in 1933, the cream of Texas and California took on the East Coast blue bloods in Chicago in what was called the East-West games. Trains of fans rolled in the Windy City to witness a series of three games. With the great Tommy Hitchcock on the east team and the rising star of Texan Cecil Smith on the western team, the game drew attention from newspapers all over the United States. The first game was played in front of twenty five thousand fans, where the West upset the powerful East team in a rough exhausting six

THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN POLO FEATURES & PROFILES

Tommy Wayman’s mare, ridden by Bart Evans, collapsed in the second half. For several anxious minutes, the crowd held its collective breath when she dropped, only to receive a standing ovation when she rose and gave a good shake in front of the crowd. It was a game for the ages. The fact remains that in the last seventy years; only four American polo players have risen to the rank of ten goals. In that same period, the Argentines have produced close to thirty rated at ten. Before this time the Americans dominated.

periods. In the three legendary games, horses and men both pushed themselves to their limits, and were sprawled pall mall across the turf. Smith and Hitchcock were both knocked unconscious but managed to return. Smith’s teammate, H.W. Williams had his ribs smashed by an opponent’s mallet and later wrenched his neck when colliding with a goalpost. When Hitchcock was knocked down by Boeseke of the West team, Hitchcock’s teammate Hopping knocked down Boeseke and broke his foot. In the end, Williams had his leg broken in yet another collision. Hitchcock brought his team back for a victory in the second game that tied the series up at one victory each setting the stage for the third and final match that was won by the west which rocked the national polo scene. What came out of the match was a changing of the guard in American polo. Cecil Smith would rise to the rating of ten goals and Tommy Hitchcock would briefly go down from ten to nine. Smith would become one of the great American players of all time, maintaining a ten goal handicap for over twenty years. Tommy Hitchcock Jr. died a hero’s death testing a fighter plane in World War Two. Never again would the Americans dominate world polo. An American team managed to 68 INTERNATIONALPOLOCLUB.COM

upset the Argentines in the Argentine Open in the late thirties but that was about it. The Cup of the Americas, played between the United States and Argentina, was won in 1928 and 1931, by the United States, but the last six meetings have been won by the Argentines. The Camcho Cup, an international tournament played between Mexico and the United States has come to resemble the Alamo in recent meetings. These games featured our two great MexicanAmerican players Carlos and Memo Gracida. By the 1980’s, there were so few Americans at the high goal level that a special act of congress gave Memo Gracida his citizenship to play for the American team in the Cup of the America’s. There have been rays of American brilliance however. In 1979 one of the great upsets off our polo history unfolded at Palm Beach Polo and Country Club. Tommy Wayman, Red Armour, Bart Evans, and Joe Barry playing as Texas, defeated the Argentine team of Juan Carlos Harriot, Horacio Araya, Celestino Garrós, and Ernesto Trotz, in one of the greatest polo games ever played. The game, which ended in overtime, could have been scripted in Hollywood. It left horses, men and fans in the state of utter exhaustion.

One problem is money. It used to be men like Whitney, who gave teammate Milburn a string of polo ponies and a groom for a wedding gift, were gifted players themselves. A New York Times article published in 1944 lamented the admittance of working men into the sport of polo. These men, it concluded, had neither the time nor resources to become top players. When Tommy Hitchcock Jr. was asked by a reporter which was the first thing to go in a polo player, as in legs in a fighter, or eyes in a marksman, Hitchcock replied money.

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ll the old top players from the 1920’s had money, and the trend continued into the 1980’s. Players like the Bostwicks, Armstrongs, Orthweins, and Peter Brandt were good players who could afford to play at a high level but something happened along the way. Some of the players during this time did little more than sit in the middle of the field and expect his players to do all the work came along, and the game changed. It slowed down to what was described as the huddling, shouting, mass it was once described as in 1879. One hundred and thirty one years after our first polo game, the sport has come full circle as the United States Polo Association is tr y ing to prevent the sport from reverting back to the original shouting mass it has started out as. One high goal game in Florida last year drew an outrageous forty one fouls. The officials are

THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN POLO FEATURES & PROFILES

forced to pull their disciplinary red flags quicker than the Earps at the OK Corral. The patrons are improving as players and are starting to take the game back from the pros who are used to playing around them. Last year, one patron fired all his pros in the middle of a preliminary tournament to the US Open.

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as professionals on an even field with the men. Their efforts enabled other women to come after them. The bulk of the great players in this country today have several loyal patrons to thank. Men like Steve Gose, Adolphus Busch, Skeeter and Skey Johnston and Peter Brandt have promoted young American players. Younger players like Jeff Hall are on the way up, and this year Jeff

as the center for American polo following Meadowbrook, Santa Barbara, Aiken, Oakbrook, Retama, Royal Palm and Palm Beach Polo. International Polo Club has lifted the U.S. Open Polo Championship™ to be the top tournament in the world for pageantry, history and competition. The history of American polo has included

oday, the state of the American polo player is a case for hard survival. First of all, there is little or no venue in America for a young player to play in a high level of play. In Argentina, a young player can play for a fraction of the cost of American polo in a half dozen locations. Most high goal Argentine players tend to use American polo to finance high goal operations in South America. They don’t purchase cars or houses, but take the money south and get three times the bang for their dollar in Argentina. Young American players can’t compete. It would be like a NASCAR driver having to pay for his own car, pit crew and all expenses. Evans, Waxman and Barry, three out of four of the last great American team, all have sons playing polo in the United States and yet none are currently in the high goal scene that is flooded with young Argentine players.

At the Millennium, the greatest player ever to play the game emerged, and has dominated the world polo circuit. Watching Argentine Adolfo Cambiasso compete with seven other ten goal players in a forty goal exhibition game, prompted one sports writer to describe the scene as Brown Moses and the Seven Dwarfs. On the surface, there are a handful of gritty American survivors who have clawed their way into the ranks high goal professionals against the odds. Players like Tommy Biddle of Aiken, Owen Rinehart of Charlottesville, Adam Snow of Boston and Mike Azzarro of Texas; the last three having achieved a ten goal status. Two American women, Vicki Armour and Sunny Hale broke the gender barrier in American high goal and played

Polo Fans in 1920’s Miami Beach. The polo field took up most of Flamingo Park, which ran from 11th to 15th streets east of Alton Road

Blake from New York won the U.S. Open playing with the great Adolfo Cambiaso. The state of Polo in America is still stronger than ever. Bigger clubs, more members, and patrons who spend money on polo facilities, likes of which have never been seen on this continent. America’s greatest venue for the sport of polo is at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, in Wellington, Florida. The club has taken its place in the history books

such celebrities as Teddy Roosevelt, General George Patton, Will Rogers, Sylvester Stallone and Tommy Lee Jones. To the true fan, however, there are players today who have fought their way into a sport that is becoming almost void of American players at the highest level. People like Tommy Biddle and Sunny Hale, Jeff Hall and Adam Snow are some of our best. Here is a portion of some conversations with some of America’s top players.

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Faces of American Polo Interviews by Sam Morton Photographed by Navid Styled by Lisa Marie

Shot on Location: Santa Barbara Polo and Racket Club, CA, Flying H, Wyoming, Bridgehampton Polo Club, N.Y, and San Saba, TX Hair and Makeup: Santa Barbara: Lusine for Artists by Timothy Priano Wyoming: Stevie Phillips New York: Alejandra for Artists by Timothy Priano Texas: Pamela’s Beauty Secrets Belleandcompany.com Sam Morton’s book “Where the Rivers Run North” is available at Amazon or through the author at fullmoon3@msn.com His second book “Land of the Horse: The Art and Photography of Absaraka” will be out this spring.

FACES OF POLO FEATURES & PROFILES

B=;;G 0722:3 is arguably the best back in high goal polo. He was part of the 2002 Coca Cola team that won the U.S. Open, in one of the greatest upset victories of the sport. He is a native of Aiken, South Carolina. As an athlete, he may be the best of our American players. His wife and oldest daughter play the sport as they tour the country in a traveling bus. SM: If you weren’t swinging a polo mallet, what would you be swinging? TB: I’d just be swinging. SM: What patron would you like to play with, that you have no ties to, presently or in the past? TB: Neil Hirsch. SM: Sure, pick the lounge singer. SM: What has your wife taught you in polo? TB: To control my temper. SM: Who gave you your first shot in high goal polo? TB: Adolphus Busch. SM: What four Americans would you take to Argentina as a team? TB: Adam Snow, Julio Arrellano, and Jeff Hall. SM: What is the most Bizarre thing you have seen on a polo field? TB: In the quarterfinals of the 1993 Gold Cup we were losing by two goals going into the last chucker. Beatrice Gottschalk, the mother of our sponsor came over and offered us five thousand dollars extra if we won the game. Marti Zubia, our number three, came out on an ugly, flea bitten gray horses and took over the game and we won by two. SM: If you were the head of the USPA with absolute power, what would you do? TB: Probably promote corporate sponsorship. SM: I thought you would say, I’d fire my dad. TB: Gotta Go.

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8344 6/::

won the U.S. Open in 2003 with C Spear. At 26, he is the United States youngest high goal player at eight goals. He was just married in California. SM: Are you nervous about the upcoming season and the newlywed jinx? JH: I never heard of it. SM: It goes back centuries to the Persians. There are dozens of examples just in the last decade. JH: The jinx stops here. SM: Who gave you your first start in high goal. JH: Christian Laprida. SM: If you weren’t swinging a mallet what would you be swinging? JH: I’d be flying airplanes. SM: What is the most bizarre thing you have seen on the polo field. JH: I saw a guy pull another player off his horse in California. SM: What you want to change if you ran the USPA. JH: I’d put more people on the handicap committees that had some experience in the high goal. SM: Name our best American team you would travel to Argentina with. JH: Adam Snow, Nic Roldan, and Mike Azzarro.

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FACES OF POLO FEATURES & PROFILES

AC<<G 6/:3 is one of my favorite polo players. One of the first women pros to play on an equal level with men, she is the first woman to win the U.S. Open as a professional. She won the U.S. Open with Outback in 2000 and was raised to the handicap of five goals.

SM: Who would you like to play for that you have never been connected to. SH: George Strait. SM: George Strait plays polo? SH: All right then, John Goodman. SM: What’s the most bizarre thing you have seen in polo? SH: In my second year in the high goal, I was playing with Henry de K in the 22 goal with Eduardo and Nachi Heguy. Eduardo looked at me and said “Sunny, I had a nightmare last night. We are the best players in the world and I am playing with a woman and I have to pay her� Also I had to ask Frank the flagger at Palm Beach Polo if he had seen my scrunchie on the back line as I had lost it and my hair was in my eyes. SM: So if you weren’t swinging a mallet, what would you be swinging? SH: I’d be riding horses. SM: Who helped you get in the high goal. SH: Bob Moore and Bill Ylvisaker got Marti Gruss (Pegasus Polo) between them sitting at a game and talked him into hiring me. I was three goals and it was my first year in the high goal. SM: Who has the best string of horses in polo next to yours? SH: Adolfo Cambiasso’s Open string. SM: What advice would you give women who are trying to make it as a pro in polo? SH: You need to earn respect based on your game. Behave like a lady. If you want to compete with the best players in the world, respect your teammates. SM: What three Americans would you take to Argentina with you to play as a team? SH: Mike Azzaro, Nic Roldan and Jeff Hall. SM: OK, You are running the USPA. What’s your next move? SH: I’d create a tournament for up and coming American players. 77 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

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8C:7= /@3::/<= is a native of Wellington, Florida. He won the U.S. Open in 1990 for Hanalei Bay, and again in 1995 for Outback. In 1989, he won the FIP World Championship of polo in Berlin for the United States. He was also named to the all Full Moon Team in 2004. He grew up in the largest polo center in the country. His wife Megan and his children ride and play polo.

SM: What has your wife taught you about polo. JA: During tournaments, she is tenacious on the field. SM: Who has the best string of horses in polo besides yourself? JA: Mariano Aguerre. Hector (Galindo) also has good horses. SM: Who would you like to play for that you are not playing with now or have no connections with in the past. JA: Kelly Beal. SM: If you weren’t swinging a polo mallet, what would you be swinging? JA: I’d be a game warden with my wife. SM: What’s the most bizarre thing you have seen on a polo field? JA: I was playing in a game with Charlie Armstrong and his horse’s front shoe got caught on his back shoe. He jumped off the horse who was hopping down the field. Also, when I was 9 years old I watched Vicki Armour spin a horsearound on its hocks and when I tried it, I pulled the horse over on me. I saw Stevie Orthwein attempt an open goal penalty shot and his horse stopped and spun around backwards at the ball, so Stevie just hit a back shot through the goal. SM: You run the USPA for one day. What’s your move? JA: I’d probably set up American polo like European football or Canadian Hockey where they would have quotas on the home country players. SM: What American team would you like to play with in international play. JA: Adam Snow Jeff Hall, Owen Rinehart and Hector Galindo. SM: That’s five, counting you. JA: Gotta Go.

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FACES OF POLO FEATURES & PROFILES

/2/; A<=E won the US Open in 2002 with Coca Cola and again in 2006, with Las Monitas. He achieved the ranking of ten goals in 2003. Along with Owen Rinehart he developed a high goal facility in Aiken, South Carolina which is monumental on two fronts. It gave Americans another venue for high goal polo and it also gave a place in this country where young players might progress on a higher level. SM: Who helped you get started in the high goal? AS: Alfonso Pieres, Brook Johnson and Steve Orthwein. SM: What’s the most bizarre thing you have seen on a polo field. AS: My godfather who I was named after, Adam Winthrop, had a horse named twister that bolted and ran sideways through a fence during a match in Myopia. He turned the horse back towards the field and it bolted again back towards the field and ran through the fence in a different place. Also, in the East Coast Open, I was playing with my dad, brother and Phillip Lake in a double overtime game against Celistino Garos and Marcos Heguy. We were scrounging for enough horses to play and when the match ended we realized that we had a horse named Ardesia that everyone on our team had played in that game Maybe only for a half chukker each but she had played for all four players. One more; I was playing in Brazil and while warming up for a penalty shot my mallet hit the ground and shot out of my hand. SM: I made a safety on a knock-in one time. AS: Doesn’t surprise me. SM: Who would you like to play for, that you have no connection to now or in the past. AS: Peter Brandt. He’s a competitor, knows how important horses are and finds a way to win. SM: What three Americans would you like to take to Argentina to compete? AS: Mike Azzarro Julio Arellano, and Nic Roldan. SM: If you were the head of the USPA for a day what would you do? AS: I’d send the above team to play in Argentina. SM: Hey, I just thought of something. Remember we won a 22-goal game together? Maybe I could go to Argentina with you. AS: Gotta Go. 81 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

FACES OF POLO FEATURES & PROFILES

=E3< @7<36/@B achieved the ranking of ten goals in 1983. He won the US Open in 1986 and the Gold Cup in 1994 with Michelob. He was instrumental in making Aiken polo, one of the top spots in the US for polo.

SM: Who gave you your start in the high goal? OR: Red Armour, Dick Riemenschneider and my dad. SM: If you were the head of the USPA for a day what would you do? OR: I’d pick one young America player and send him to Wyoming to play at the Flying H club for seven weeks. A young player needs to get exposed to faster polo to go on. SM: Who would you like to play with that you aren’t currently connected with now or in the past? OR: Tom Barrack seems like a really nice guy. SM: If you weren’t swinging a polo mallet, what would you be swinging? OR: I guess probably a golf club. SM: Name three Americans you’d take to Argentina to play with you. OR: Mike Azzaro, Adam Snow, and Julio Arellano. SM: What’s the most bizarre thing you have seen on the polo field? OR: I was playing in Gilbertsville, and Gonzalo Pieres ran flat out thru the goal to score, and ended up in the canal at the end of the field. Another time in San Antonio I was two or three goals and I jumped a car on the sideline. SM: Did you make it? OR: Almost. My horse’s hoof scraped the top of the car. SM: Designer car? OR: Oh yeah, BMW. SM: What’d you tell the owner? OR: Gotta Go.

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631B=@ 5/:7<2= came on to the polo scene in Midland, Texas. He and brothers Carlos and Chongo known together as the Flying Galindo’s, won the National Presidents Cup with sponsor Jimmy Yarborough. From here he won the World Cup twice, the Silver Cup four times and the Gold Cup once. Last year he reached the finals of the US Open as Captain of the Orchard Hill team. He is also considered one of the best horsemen in the sport of polo. SM: Who gave you your first start in high goal? HG: Jimmy Yarborough and Bart Evans. SM: What’s the biggest difference in being a pro now and when you first started? HG: The price of good horses. One English sponsor just paid $250,000 for a horse. It wasn’t that long ago that you could buy the best horse in polo for $30,000. SM: Who would you like to play with on a team, that you are not connected with now or in the past? HG: Camillo Baltista and Michael Price. SM: If you weren’t swinging a polo mallet, what would you be swinging? HG: Probably a golf club. SM: Who’s the man, as far as polo players go, for golfers? HG: I’d say Gonzalito Pieres. SM: What’s the most bizarre thing you’ve seen on a polo field. HG: I saw Fabio Diniz appeal a foul and fall off the back of his horse. SM: Who’s got the best string of horses in polo? HG: Mariano Aguerre and Owen Rinehart. SM: OK, you’re head of the USPA right now with absolute power, what’s your first move. HG: I would bring in some higher rated tournaments like the World Cup (30 goal). SM: What three American players would you like to travel to Argentina with as a team? HG: Julio Arrellano, Carlos Gracida, and Mike Azzaro. SM: Weren’t you and Carlos planning to play in the Camacho Cup against America? HG: Gotta Go.

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8344 0:/93 began his polo career as a 1 goal substitute, and has been like a rising meteor ever since. He won the 2008 U.S. Open playing with Crab Orchard and in 1999 with Outback. He’s won the US Gold Cup three times and a slew of tournaments including the 22-goal Challenge and Sterling Cup.

SM: If you were going to take 3 American Players to Argentina to play, who would they be? JB: My brother Brad, Hector Galindo and Jeff Hall. If I could take one more, it would be Joey Casey. SM: OK, If you had to pick between your brother Tom and your mother, who would you play with? JB: Definitely my mother. SM: Who’s got the best string of horses in polo? JB: Owen Rinehart. SM: What would you be swinging if you weren’t swinging a polo mallet? JB: I’d probably be pushing a broom. SM: If you were the head of the USPA for a day with absolute power what would you change? JH: Every tournament would be played in Florida, that way I wouldn’t have to travel. SM: What patron would you like to play with that you are not playing with now or have not played with in the past? JB: John Muse. SM: What’s the most Bizzare thing you have ever seen on a polo field? JB: Of all the things you think that can happen on a polo field, drowning isn’t usually among them. My horse went into a canal ten feet deep. I was underneath and couldn’t see which way was up. SM: We could start calling you Aqua man. Who gave you your first start in the high goal? JB: Carlos Gracida got me on the Bud Light Team. SM: Other than Florida, what is your favorite place to play? JB: Houston. SM: Anything else? JB: Gotta Go. 87 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

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:C7A 3A1=0/@ has won the Pacific CoasOpen twice, The East Coast Open twice, the Silver Cup, the Challenge and Sterling Cup and the Monte Waterbury among others. SM: You are the head of the USPA, what’s your move? LE: I’d buy 100 acres to build eight polo fields for 28-goal polo and up for three months a year as they do in Argentina. SM: If you weren’t swinging a polo mallet, what would you be swinging? LE: I’d be swinging a golf club for fun, and maybe real estate for work. SM: Who gave you your start in the high goal? LE: Peter Brandt, Gonzalo Pieres and Hector Barrantes. SM: Other than yourself, who’s got the best string of horses in polo? LE: Owen Rinehart or Jeff Hall. SM: What’s the most bizarre thing you’ve ever seen on a polo field? LE: Bob Fell was playing and his teammate hit the ball and it got stuck under his horse’s tail. The horse took off bucking while it was running and bucked Bob off. SM: What patron that you are not connected to now or in the past would you like to play with. LE: Lyndon Lea or Ellerstont. SM: What three Americans would you take to Argentina with you? LE: Nic Roldan, Mike Azzaro and Julio Arrellano.

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;3:7AA/ 5/<H7 and her husband Mark are the founders of the Grand Champions polo league played in the spring and the fall in Wellington, Florida. She has won the USPA Bronze Cup and the Pacific Cup Open with her Audi polo team and was the first woman to win the Monte Waterbury.

SM: Who would you credit as giving your start in the high goal? MG: Juan Bolini. SM: Were you aware that women weren’t allowed to play in the high goal in Florida until 1983? MG: I wasn’t. Most women, who start out play ing, can at least r ide well, while sometimes you’ll get a man who is trying to learn to ride and play at the same time. SM: Good point. What would you do if you were the head of the USPA for a day? MG: I’d try and find a way to get young Americans playing in the sport. SM: If you weren’t swinging a mallet, what would you be swinging? MG: I don’t think I’d be swinging anything, but I’d be involved with horses. SM: What is the most bizarre thing you have seen on a polo field? SM: Who is the one player that you’re not connected with now or in the past that you would like to play with? MG: Gillian Johnston. SM: Other than anyone on your team, who’s got the best string of horses in polo? MG: Mariano Aguerre. SM: What four Americans would you send to Argentina to play as a team? MG: How about five? SM: Sure go for it. MG: Mike Azzaro, Nic Roldan, Jeff Blake, Jeff Hall and Kris Kampsen (sic) SM: So who’s the alternate? MG: Gotta Go.

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FACES OF POLO FEATURES & PROFILES

<71=:/A @=:2/<

has won the US Open, the Pacific Coast Open twice, the CV Whitney twice, the Texas Open and the Monte Waterbury among others. SM: Who gave you your start in polo? NR: Pony Express gave me my start in polo and Escue gave me my start in the high goal. SM: What three Americans would you take to Argentina to play with you as an American team? NR: Jeff Hall Adam Snow and Julio Arellano. SM: Other than you who is the best mounted person in polo? NA: Owen Rinehart or Jeff Hall. SM: What’s the most bizarre thing you have seen on a polo field? NA: The semi’s of the 2006 Gold Cup when Millerville lost the game on purpose by 9 or 10 to get a better seat in the Open. Crazy!! SM: What patron that you have never played for, would you most like to play with? NA: I think playing with the Johnston’s would be fun. Gillian and I get along really well. I think another great patron is Steve Van Andel and Manchini is up there as well. SM: If you were the head of the USPA for a day, what would you do? NA: USPA, ummmm yeah no idea, shoot the ***it with Rick (Sears) I guess. SM: Huh, doing that probably made me the man I am today. Might want to rethink that. Anyway what would you be swinging, if you weren’t swinging a polo mallet? NR: Probably a tennis racquet or a golf club. SM: What do you think would improve opportunities for young American players? NA: There’s not enough polo for young Americans now. If you want to improve you have to play all day, everyday. American players are not getting enough playing time. Argentina is a great place to send kids to improve. There you really learn to play. SM: I’m going to shoot the ***t with Rick, thanks Nic, NR: Gotta Go.

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FACES OF POLO FEATURES & PROFILES

E7:: 8=6<AB=< has won the Bronze Cup, the Jimmy Bachman, the Texaco in England, and Flying H Cup in Wyoming. SM: What’s the most Bizarre thing you have seen on a polo field? WJ: At night, or during the day? SM: If I say at night, would you tell me? WJ: Probably not. SM: OK, during the day. WJ: I saw a dog run out on the field so they stopped play but no one could catch the dog. It kept running around the field. SM: What four American players would you send to Argentina to play as a team? SM: Julio Arrellano, Nicolas Roldan, Adam Snow and Mike Azzaro. SM: Who gave you your start in high goal? WJ: My grandad SM: If you were the head of the USPA for a day what would you do? WJ: I’d probably find a way to promote opportunities for young American players. SM: Nic Roldan said he’d be hanging with Rick Sears. WJ: I’d save Rick for a trip to the Keys. SM: I’ve been with Rick to the Keys and let me tell you, It ain’t for everybody. By the way, who is the one person you have never played polo with that you would like to. WJ: Speaking of Nicolas Roldan, I’d like to play with him on a team. SM: If wou weren’t swinging a polo mallet what would you be swinging? WJ: Probably drumsticks SM: Speaking of drums, Rick Sears and I are looking for a drummer. We have a band we call oui suk, wanna join? WJ: Gotta Go

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FACES OF POLO FEATURES & PROFILES

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is one of the top women players in the game. Despite a late start riding horses and playing polo, her past experience in athletics enabled her to compete and excel with and against men of equal ranking. She has played in Texas, Santa Barbara, Palm Beach and Wyoming for San Saba which she and her husband Tommy Lee Jones play for. She has won the Outback 14 goal three times and has also competed in several high goal tournaments.

SM: You married an actor, other than your husband, what polo player has the best drama skills? DJ: Other than my husband or Will Rogers, I can’t see anyone playing Cecil Smith. SM: What about Ben Johnson? DJ: Funny you say that, I think Ben Johnson was one of the best horsemen ever as an actor. If you watch “She Wore a Yellow Ribbonâ€? he rode a sorrel horse that was amazing. SM: Who gave you your start in the high goal? DJ: Tommy. SM: If you weren’t swinging a polo mallet, what would you be swinging? DJ: A tennis raquet. I used to play tennis with my mother a lot, it was something that the two of us had together. I certainly wouldn’t be swinging an ax (laughs) SM: At least not on a polo field! If you were the head of the USPA for a day what would you do. DJ: Loosen up opportunities for American players. You see the young American players come along at three goals, and then their handicaps are raised so quickly, they never have a chance. SM: Their MVP photos used to line the walls of the players club at Palm Beach Polo and you always used to ask yourself, “What ever happened to that kid?â€? Speaking of Americans, what four would you send to Argentina to play as a team? DJ: Hector, Adam, Nicolas, and Jeff Hall. SM: Besides yourself, who has the best string of horses in polo? DJ: Mariano Aguerre. His horses are legendary, Califa is an amazing horse. SM: Califa is a Wonder Mouth junky. It’s a liquid solution I designed for horses designed to‌ DJ: Gotta Go. 97 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

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THE QI TO A CHAMPION FEATURES & PROFILES

JUST A PRICK, THE QI TO A CHAMPION By: Melissa S. Leshem

W

PHOTO COURTESY OF: VETERINARYACUPUNCTURE.NET

beauties as opposed to beasts, horses have played title characters in fair ytales, heroes in histor y book s and above all, they have been sy mbols of valor and grandeur. So it is only natural that our affections for the noble steed are both, many and timeless. To say that theses creatures are of remarkable capabilities would

hen we think of images of imposing stallions, thoughts of not be merely, enough. Horses have played an integral role in man’s

unr ivaled gracefulness, exceptional power, and a sense of civilization. With only a few true wild horses left, for thousands noble spir it are adjectives that accompany them. K now n of years, humans have been domesticating these animals for 116 INTERNATIONALPOLOCLUB.COM

THE QI TO A CHAMPION FEATURES & PROFILES

purposes of work, warfare, assisted learning and therapy, and

As the equine world is a billion dollar competitive industry, there

even sport. It is through this domestication that they have won

is no exception when it comes to polo. Polo is a sport that requires

over our passions and have become arguably, man’s other best

the use of several different horses in a single match, as high goal

friend. The polo pony however, is most definitely the polo player’s

ponies are changed every chukker, the seven-minute intervals that

best friend. Credited with constituting up to 60% to 75% of a

make up the one and half hour polo matches. Ponies are altered in

polo player’s skill, ponies command the attention of the field, just

an effort to avoid their exertion as they have the tendency to over

as they are susceptible to the injury and often short lived careers

heat during play. With the cost and demand for high goal polo

that come with such a high speed, contact sport.

ponies constantly on the rise, it is understandable why owners

M

and players want to preserve their investments and ensure their ost

of the qualities that pony’s maximum health and premium performance.

deem an exemplary polo pony are things that are

In recent years, equine sports medicine has seen the value in

rarely

naturally,

adopting Eastern holistic methods as an effective way of treating

often

polo ponies. Although, acupuncture is a practice that has been

contradictory to a horse’s

fighting for its legitimacy in the Western world for many centuries,

innate behavior. An unchallenging disposition is crucial for any

many veterinarians swear by its ability to prevent, and heal both

polo pony, as it must always remain responsive under pressure

injury and poor health in animals. An argument that disputes the

and follow it’s rider’s cues while fighting the urge to become

age-old question of science versus pseudoscience or if you prefer

excitable and act on it’s own impulses. The most common

astronomy versus astrology, yet many veterinary professionals

requirement is that the pony is well bred. Thoroughbreds

decline conventional techniques and opt for what’s in the stars, or

and cross thoroughbreds are generally preferred. Though the

as they would say, in the QI. >

inconsistency lies where polo ponies are expected to be both

“An argument that disputes the age-old

rather

found are

obedient and commanding, swift while agile and able to stop

question of science versus pseudoscience

and turn directions in an instant. Combinations such as these

or if you prefer astronomy versus astrology,

require the utmost in endurance, training and often lead to

yet many veterinary professionals decline

injuries and long-term medical ailments.

conventional techniques and opt for what’s in the stars, or as they would say, in the QI.” 117 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

THE QI TO A CHAMPION FEATURES & PROFILES

A

effort to alleviate pain. According to this early theory, acupuncture points are positioned along channels that are otherwise known as, the path of qi, or more commonly explained as the body’s flow of energy. The channels are connected to the central nervous system, joint structures, muscles and internal organs and thus, can be manipulated and stimulated accordingly to obtain an optimal result. Acupuncture aims to unblock qi energy, which results in encouraging the immune system, the body’s natural defense mechanism, as it increases its white blood cell count. Asian philosophy advocates that the healthy being, whether human or animal is comprised of a harmonious relationship between and balance of, the ying and yang. Compromising this

s one of the main principals of traditional Chinese medicine, the

equilibrium is detrimental to both the physical and mental health of

ancient practice of acupuncture dates back to 3000 B.C. Derived

a being. Discovering that animals have similar acupuncture points

from the Latin word meaning, “needle”, acupuncture is the

as humans, Chinese farmers starting implementing the technique on

procedure of placing needles on specific points of the body, in an

their horses and other farm animals, and so today many animals and there owners continue to reap acupuncture’s holistic benefits. Shelley helley Onderdonk, DVM, ten year veteran as a certified veterinary acupuncturist, and a once upon a time skeptic herself, has polo close to heart. As the wife of celebrated American professional polo player, Adam Snow, Shelley sees first hand the injuries and common health complications that polo ponies are exposed to. Shelley explained that the method that is adopted in Western diagnosis, is not so for acupuncture. “I stress to owners that there is no way to use Chinese medicine to label something conventional. I don’t need to examine the blood count, listen to the heart or even

PHOTO COURTESY OF: VETERINARYACUPUNCTURE.NET

118 INTERNATIONALPOLOCLUB.COM

see the rider, acupuncture is gonna tell me.”

CONTENTS FEATURES & PROFILES

A

cupuncture has the ability to cure polo ponies from an array of ailments such as, muscular, skeletal, lameness and even behavioral or emotional distress. Whereas the Western school of thought would isolate emotional or behavioral issues to the discipline of psychology, traditional Chinese medicine doesn’t see a distinction between the body and the mind. Rather, it believes that all issues, whether mental or physical are a functioning part of the main organism. Shelley continued to explain that, “acupuncture is really just one part traditional Chinese medicine, as there is also a heavy emphasis on food or nutrition therapy

chiropractics and herbal remedies,” that like acupuncture tend to be less invasive methods of healing with the minimal side

effects that its counterpart, prescription drugs often entail. As a precursor to prevention, acupuncture is being used in all forms of sports medicine, as it has been known to improve the performance of both athletes and athletic animals. Although, the process of acupuncture on polo ponies is known to have a sedating effect, it is found that shortly after the sedation subsides, ponies experience a boost in virility and energy. Another more immediate method used to invigorate ponies without enduring an acupuncture session, is to administer B12 injections directly into the acupuncture points. Now that’s horsepower. Whether you are an advocate of astronomy as opposed to astrology, or prefer the theories of Western traditions and view Eastern methodologies as myth, does not change the fact that the objective is really the same. Equine specialists, no matter their doctrines, share a common thread- their commitment to improving the quality of life, while decoding the complex physiology of the creatures that we have come to respect and have a growing fondness for. Through the quest for understanding, and implementation of a variety of ideologies, owners and players can give their ponies optimal care. For in both the East and the West we fight the same diseases, value the same life and always sleep under the same blanket of stars.

“For in both the East and the West we fight the same diseases, value the same life and always sleep under the same blanket of stars.” 119 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

BUILDING AN UMPIRE FEATURES & PROFILES

0C7:27<5 /< C;>7@3 BVS =bVS` 5S\bZS[S\ ]T >]Z]

< By Melissa S. Leshem

o matter the time that may pass between matches, disgruntled fans always remember the moment their team lost to what they believe was a bad call of judgment. Just as the animated horsemen, who play polo never forget, nor forgive the black and white pinstriped authorities that overruled their athletic efforts. With all the bad press, umpires and the individuals who respect their difficult tasks at hand must remember that at the end of the day, there is no bad press, and even insult is a form of flattery.

Whether you secretly have feelings of personal vendetta for a polo umpire, that you deemed unfavorable, or even unqualified, or whether you have chosen to voice these opinions out loud, it is recommended to understand the challenges that an often, thankless job entails. Although their work may be attributed to making enemies, both on and off the field, these ‘unsung heroes’ of the game of polo are rarely noted for the detail, depth and complexity from which their expertise must come. With a sport that has spanned over two thousand years and has traveled over several continents, such as Asia, Europe, South America and North America, it is understandable that many variations and interpretations of the rules of the game still exist and are commonly disputed. Like many of the conquests of the British Empire and its golden era of global colonization, the English were provided the opportunity to introduce the world to many exotic, international commodities. Through the efforts of the British East India Company, coffee beans from South America replaced many pints of beer in London pubs, sugar cane from the Caribbean sweetened Asian imported “English teas�, while Chinese opium, an even sweeter import for many, was the foreign merchandise of choice. Regardless of the vast array of inventory, presently the British are credited with publicizing and celebrating many of the things that the world has come to be fond of; tea pots, the Beatles, Harrods and of course, the sport of kings-polo. ,

121 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

BUILDING AN UMPIRE FEATURES & PROFILES

/

lthough, today in the United Kingdom, the princes have been known as the ones who play polo, it is significant to note that the Hurlingham Polo Association drew up the first set of formal British polo rules in 1874. Further, the Federation of International Polo, which was established in 1983, aims to unify polo associations under one set of rules and governing, while it continues to represent national polo in over eighty countries around the world. Back home on American shores, and since 1890, it is the United States Polo Association and their dedicated Rules and Umpire Committees that preside over polo regulations, affairs, and finally contribute to the overall improvement of the game. The USPA instituted the Professional Umpire Program in 2001. In the few years since it’s inception, the program has become synonymous with the highest caliber of certification. Umpires that are a benchmark of excellence in the sport are also currently in high demand. Although, their authority extends to awarding penalty shots, calling fouls, recommending the suspension of a player and even imposing a fine on a player for mistakenly mixing up misconduct for sportsmanship, umpires are not the final law of the field. Professional and non-professional polo matches require two mounted on-field officials (one for each side), in their easily identifiable vertical striped uniforms to act as umpires and uphold the polo code of conduct and rules. In the event that a consensus cannot be gathered from both mounted officials, the guidance of a referee, otherwise known as the Third Man is sought and regarded as the determining decision maker. Preaching a philosophy of gentlemanly behavior and demeanor, in the game of polo a player should never appeal an umpire’s call in any manner. Despite this, it is important to

122 INTERNATIONALPOLOCLUB.COM

remember that polo is not a dictatorship, rather, polo is a game of strategy and athleticism, just as it is a game of intense passion, fevered spirit and often heated tempers. Debated and controversial, though traits that only the best in competitive spirits must posses. Currently, with so many athletics and team sports dependent upon ratings the method of approach has commonly been ‘blood sport’ as opposed to sportsmanship. Hockey, although played on ice and sans polo ponies, shares many of the basic principals of polo. Teams assume both defensive and offensive positions in an effort to score in the opponents’ goal, while using mallet-like apparatuses. No one can dispute the agility or athleticism required to win, but modern hockey has opted for a “stick, gloves, shirt” approach. A technique that recurrently abandons the game, in an effort stir-up the crowd. Ratings aside, it is crucial to understand that the polo life is a demanding one and its characters are often misrepresented. As Rick Sears, Chief Umpire of the USPA explained, “people try to judge umpires and they don’t know what we go through. We travel, and it makes it tough to keep marriages and children. We are gypsies.” What is often forgotten or just completely disregarded is that polo umpires are part of the game, because in many ways, they are the game. The polo umpire is there to remind players and spectators alike of the heritage and the principles of eminence of which a sport like polo should be played. With big corporate sponsorships often overshadowing the game and its players, umpires continue to decode the complexity of polo game rules, whilst forfeiting celebrity and opting for integrity. That is not to say that the sport of polo is not filled with many faces of great athletes. Today, we have been graced with some of the finest AA professional polo umpires. Individuals such as; Steve Dalton, Kevin Fawcett, Steve Lane, Horton Schwartz, Rick Sears and of course the late and beloved Bobby Barry,

are names that will always be remembered fondly and proudly when thinking about the true definition of the polo gentleman. What has made these men exceptional contributors to the sport is more than just their mastering of the intricate and elaborate rules and procedures. More than their finely tuned field judgment, rather their commitment to the right attitude. The attitudes that make their judgment calls dictated from good faith and an intimate, innate perception of the game, no matter their vantage point. A perception that can only come from an honest place rather, than a reactive and emotional one. Jimmy Newman, Polo Manager of the International Polo Club Palm Beach and forty year veteran of the sport explained that, “Umpires are born, not trained. All the classes in the world won’t give them, field judgment. They have to know polo”. As teams may share rivalries, the small but honorable polo umpire community is anything but that. There is a true sense of fraternal camaraderie amongst them. Most being former polo players themselves, they live like lives, battle like stigmas, endure like training and share lifelong friendships that extend beyond the field. “Their bond comes from excellence. There aren’t many, so the few have to the best. They earned their job”, Peter Rizzo, Executive Director of the USPA explained. Simply put, whether fan or foe actually took the opportunity to delve past the veil of the unexplored polo legacy, they would find a league of extraordinary individuals. Legends in their own right, polo umpires continue to convey notions of humility, without the trophies and fan fare. And as for them being just, sticklers for the rules well, perfection and nothing less should be expected of the other gentlemen of polo.

BUILDING AN UMPIRE FEATURES & PROFILES

Memorial to Bobby Barry By: Melissa S. Leshem

>

olo is history. It’s a history that has survived centuries, distances, culturesand even classes. It is comprised of athleticism, strategy, seconds of anticipation, moments of disappointment and lifetimes of sheer glory. And once in while through this history, the game is blessed with a hero that only makes retelling the polo story even more essential. No version of any polo story would be complete without the tales of Bobby Barry. A former six-goal player, AA professional umpire and friend to more than many, Roy Robert “Bobby” Barry was born on August 3rd, 1961 into the equivalent of the polo royal family. The son of former nine-goal polo star Roy Barry and nephew of Joe Barry, an inductee of the Polo Hall of Fame, Bobby had polo in his blood. Born in San Antonio, Bobby traveled across the country as his father played the professional polo circuit, finally settling in their home of New Braunfels, Texas. Growing up around polo, it was only natural for Bobby to venture into the sport himself. Soon after graduation, like his father before him, Bobby began a journey into the polo life and career that spanned over continents as he played for leagues all over the world. From Mexico to Argentina to England, where he experienced the great honor of playing as a teammate of Prince Charles.

After and exciting career abroad, Bobby returned home to fulfill a family legacy. As a successful professional polo player, Bobby who always welcomed a challenge became one of the best polo umpires of all time. Or at least that is how he will be remembered. The only umpire next to Gene Fotugno to win Umpire of the Year twice, Bobby had an inherent sense of field judgment. Though, to say that good field judgment is the sum of a great man’s life would just be wrong. Anyone one of his friends (and there are many) would tell you that it was more than his consistency and impartial performance that made Bobby an unknown legend. Poised with an infectious smile that he took with him no matter the play or the call, Bobby loved life, and if one were lucky enough to meet him, they would have loved life too.

More than a respected son, loving husband, doting father and polo star, Bobby practiced and preached kindness while celebrating every moment. Diagnosed with terminal cancer, Bobby chose to be positive, maintained a healthy lifestyle, played the game of his life and won. He continued to spread joy and raise the bar of sportsmanship until his passing on July 10th, 2008, when he suffered heart complications, while jogging on the beach in Carpinteria, California. A celebrated athlete and always an immortal spirit, Bobby was a pillar of strength, man of honor and an example of integrity. The sport of polo has had its kings and just as it’s had it’s lifetimes of sheer glory and Bobby Barry’s was no exception.

“Umpires are born, not trained. All the classes in the world won’t give them, field judgment. They have to know polo.” 123 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

THE ART OF THE FRAME FEATURES & PROFILES

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nyone immersed in the world of art knows of or has worked with Eli Wilner. His name is synonymous with Christies; Sotheby’s....the Metropolitan, the Smithsonian and even The White House. But outside the art collector world, not many know the charismatic Eli Wilner who in a nutshell can be described as the leading authority of framing in the United States. Eli Wilner’s keen eye is legendary amongst his disconcerting clientele and with a presence in New York and Palm Beach, he has the ability to meet discretionally with the owners of some of the largest private art collections in the country by going straight to them, whether it be their home, apartment, second or third residence, yacht or even airplane. “We are doing more and more installations in mobile residences such as yachts and aircrafts and have been asked to create frames with an added emphasis on security installations both from the elements and from unruly party goers” says Wilner.

A Look Into Eli Wilner’s Frame of Reference By Linda L. Soper

124 INTERNATIONALPOLOCLUB.COM

Known internationally for his vision in creating the perfect marriage between art and frame, Eli Wilner is the consummate frame dealer, restorer, and collector of 17th through mid 20 th century frames. Eli Wilner founded the company when frames were still being discarded – with the purpose of educating curators, collectors and dealers about the importance of the antique frame. Until recently, museums did not necessarily treat frames as accessioned objects – separate from the artwork that is a documented part of the collection – so, frame whereabouts were not always tracked. Galleries often reframed works of art, depending on the styles dictated by the market and their clients. Private collectors often used reframing as a way to personalize their artwork, as well as to display their decorating tastes. But, the tides turned by the 1980s, with a revival of interest in 19th-century American art. “People now see frames as historical objects,” says Wilner. “Museums, curators, collectors, and dealers now give great thought and attention to the historical appropriateness of frame styles.” As evidence, Eli Wilner’s New York workshop is in a perpetual swirl of activity as growing numbers of museums and galleries reunite American paintings with appropriate period frames. “It is no longer enough just to present a work of art,” said Rick Stewart, Curator of the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. “Awareness of the period frame as an important decorative object in its own right has taken hold in the art world. In keeping with our mission to collect, preserve and exhibit the finest examples of American art, we have undertaken an effort to enhance our collection through Eli’s involvement.”

THE ART OF THE FRAME FEATURES & PROFILES

H

is company, Eli Wilner & Company is the United States largest resource for antique frames with over 3,000 frames in its collection. Using centuries old techniques, the firm’s craftsmen are able to match finishes that create the perfect synergy between painting and frame that is consistent with style, artistic composition, and historical period. In addition to collecting, the company also operates a professional studio on Long Island, employing skilled craftspeople providing full frame restoration services as well as precise frame replication

Founded in 1983 and located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Eli Wilner & Company employs over 50 master craftspeople and over the years has restored and replicated antique frames for a variety of prestigious collectors, auction houses, institutions and museums. Working extensively with the White House, Wilner has now reframed 28 American paintings from the White House collection as well as has worked with the majority of the nation’s most prominent museums and auction houses. “Working with the White House collection has been inspiring for me. The most important residence in America has a great collection of paintings which are now beautifully presented and I am extremely proud to be a part of it” says Wilner.

“People now see frames as historical objects”

Above: Pablo Picasso, Dora Maar Au Chat (Woman with a Cat), c. 1941, Replica of 19th Century Dutch style frame, shaped and stained wood with inner gilded ornament ($95 million; the second most expensive painting ever to be sold at auction) re-framed by Eli Wilner & Co.

W

ith over 10,000 works complete, Wilner’s business continues to flourish globally. The firm works with several galleries and museums outside the U.S. with clients throughout Europe and the Far East and is now looking towards the United Arab Emirates with a focus on Dubai collectors and galleries. The frames that are collected and replicated by Eli Wilner & Company are reserved for the very high-end niche collector. “We pride ourselves on the personal attention we give our clients’ framing needs, whether it is antique frame consultation, antique frame restoration, or antique frame replication,” says Wilner. “Using centuries old techniques, we are able to match finishes and crispness of detail. We offer a specialized service for those clients interested in unparalleled quality.” Wilner goes on to explain that the key for a good frame is not to overwhelm the painting but to frame it so it shows the best effect. “It should be a perfect marriage that creates a unity of object. It should go with the painting as if the artist had chosen it himself. When I look at a piece of art, I think about the artists prospective and how the artist would see the finalized product of his or her work, whether it’s a Picasso, Renoir, Matisse or O’Keeffe. When framing a piece of art the idea is to create a single, unified presentation with the painting as its central object and strongest element. I would never want a viewer to look at a painting and say ‘what a great frame’.” >

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THE ART OF THE FRAME FEATURES & PROFILES

I O

n addition to his profession as a master framer, Wilner is an acknowledged and published authority on period art and was a Bryant Fellow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art from 1995 to 1999. He has been an Art Forum member since 1993 and a member of the Director’s Circle of the Smithsonian American Art Museum since 1997. In 1998, Wilner served on the Board of Trustees for the New York Academy of Art. Wilner has also written and collaborated on several books including The Gilded Edge: The Art of the Frame (2000), Antique American Frames: Identification and Price Guide 2nd Edition (1999) (with Mervyn Kaufman) and Antique American Frames: Identification and Price Guide (1995) (with Mervyn Kaufman), and the The Art of the Frame: American Frames of the Arts and Crafts Period (1988).

f most recent interest, Eli Wilner & Company framed a $95 Million Picasso, one of the most expensive paintings ever sold at auction, a Frida Kahlo which sold for $5.6 Million, and has undertaken the unprecedented challenge of replicating a 3,000pound hand carved and gilded frame for the iconic masterpiece by Emmanuel Leutze, “Washington Crossing the Delaware” currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This frame has phenomenally intricate carvings, particularly of the eagle pediment, and is a great example of the skill and care of the master woodcarvers within the Eli Wilner & Company studio.

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MAGNIFICANT 10 ACRE EQUESTRIAN ESTATE

Beautifully built 22 stall barn, with stick & ball field or large enough for Grand Prix jump ring, exercise track, plenty of paddocks, 3.5 car garage, (2) beautiful apartments, (1) 4-BR, 2-BA & another 2/2. Lovely courtyard, wonderful for entertaining during season. Generator to run entire operation. (2) fly systems, gated, room for another barn or larger house. A must see!!!

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Brand new covered indoor arena with over size ring & mirrors. 2nd outdoor full size dressage arena, 23 stall barn with 24 foot aisleway, large stalls, with run outs. Covered new round pen, trails, oak hammocks, fenced, Low AG taxes, approx 6 miles from the Ocean, close to 95, 4 stall additional pole barn, paved driveway. Can be subdivided, exercise track. Barn has 5+ wash racks, 3 fans in every stall, rubber mats, fly system, tack & feed rooms with office & bathrooms. Separate building for equipment.

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AWA R D W I N N I N G M U LT I - D I C I P L I N A RY D E S I G N S T U D I O F O R T H E H O S P I TA L I T Y & R E TA I L I N D U S T RY

REWIND 2008

SOCIAL SCENE REWIND 2008 SEASON

2008 SANTA BARBARA SUMMER POLO SEASON SANTA BARBARA POLO CLUB Santa Barbara Polo Club

Pacific Coast Open Ball - August 29th, 2008 Bombardier Pacific Coast Open - August 24th, 2008 Photos: Kim Kupart

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1. Grand Champions/Klentner Ranch with

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Sabrina Kelly from Tiffany & Co. and Billy Baldwin. 2. Fredrick Mannix Jr, Jeff Hall, Cachi Gracia-Velez, Andy Busch (Grants Farm). 3. A. Molinas and Jeff Hall. 4. Polo Fans. 5. Grants Farm team w/Spouses and friends. 6. Carlos Gracida

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SOCIAL SCENE REWIND 2008 SEASON

2008 SANTA BARBARA SUMMER POLO SEASON SANTA BARBARA POLO CLUB Santa Barbara Polo Club Pacific Coast Open Ball - August 29th, 2008 Bombardier Pacific Coast Open - August 24th, 2008

Photos: Kim Kupart

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1. Georgette Escobar, Amanda Klentner, & friend. 2. Clarisa Ru, Bowen Farrell, Wesley Ru, & Michelle Ferrell. 3. Juan Bollini & Carlos Gracida. 4. Erica Phillips and friends. 5. Mike Azzaro & Juan Bollini. 6. Polo Fans Watch on at Santa Barbara Polo Club. 7. Beverly Singer & Toian Alexander.

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133 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

SOCIAL SCENE REWIND 2008 SEASON

2008 WINTER POLO SEASON International Polo Club Palm Beach January 6th-April 20th, 2008 Photos: LILA PHOTO

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1. Nacho Figueras of Team Black Watch. 2. Isla Carroll vs Mt. Brilliant. 3. John Wash and Tim O’Connor greet Former Mexican President, Vicente Fox. 4. Onlooker Enjoying Champagne. 5. IPC President, John Wash. 6. A Poodle gets into the action after the match. 7. Friends at Sunday Polo.

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SOCIAL SCENE REWIND 2008 SEASON

2008 WINTER POLO SEASON International Polo Club Palm Beach January 6th-April 20th, 2008 Photos: LILA PHOTO

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1. John Walsh, America’s Most Wanted, and IPC President, John Wash. 2. Friends on the Field. 3. Cody Linley Signs Autographs for fans at Opening Day Sunday Polo Guests. 4. ? 5. Onlooker with dog. 6. Field Side Guests.

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135 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

SOCIAL SCENE REWIND 2008 SEASON

OCEAN DRIVE GRAND MARQUEE INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB PALM BEACH

Every Sunday January 6th - April 20th, 2008 Photos: LILA PHOTO

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1. Exterior of Ocean Drive Grand Marquee 2008. 2. Ocean Drive Publisher Jerry Powers and Nacho Figueras. 3. Marquee Guest enjoying some Champagne inside the Field Side Marquee.

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SOCIAL SCENE REWIND 2008 SEASON

OCEAN DRIVE GRAND MARQUEE INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB PALM BEACH Every Sunday January 6th - April 20th, 2008 Photos: LILA PHOTO

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05 1. Michelle Leshem, Cindy Borjas & Sasha Lauzon 2. Marie Claire Holthuizen and Glenn Harris, of Caribbean Escapes. 3. John Goodman and VP of Nespresso. 4. Ronnie Wright of Platemate entertains guests. 5. Interior Shot of Grand Marquee.

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137 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

SOCIAL SCENE REWIND 2008 SEASON

2nd ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CROQUET TOURNAMENT International Polo Club Palm Beach Saturday & Sunday, November 16th & 18th, 2008 Photos: LILA PHOTO

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05 1. IPC Members watch Tournament from the Sports House. 2. David McCoy, Cana-

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dian Leo McBride, and Don Jacobson. 3. Tournament Players. 4. Don Jacobson, Leo McBride, David McCoy. 5. New David McCoy, Don Jacobson, Leo McBride. 6. New IPC Sports House. 7. Canadian Leo Mcbride.

07 139 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

SOCIAL SCENE REWIND 2008 SEASON

ANNUAL 4th GRADE POLO DAY-2008 International Polo Club Palm Beach Tuesday, January 22, 2008 Photos: LILA PHOTO

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1. Kids Cheer on their Favorite Players. 2. Todd Offen Shakes

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Hands one his Opponents. 3. Todd Offen Signs Autographs 4. 4th Grade Polo Team Members. 5. Fans cheering in the Stadium. 6. Nic Roldan signs Autographs.

141 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

SOCIAL SCENE REWIND 2008 SEASON

RAFAEL NADAL VS DAVID NALBANDIAN PRIVATE CHARITY MATCH AND LIVE AUCTION With Celebrity Umpire: Adolfo Cambiaso All Proceeds of Live Auction Benefiting the Nalbandian Foundation International Polo Club Palm Beach Tuesday, March 25th, 2008

Photos: LILA PHOTO

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1. Rafael Nadal in Action. 2. David Nalbandian, Melissa and Marc Ganzi. 3. David Nalbandian in Action 4. IPC Members Watch on. 5. Gonzalito Pieres, Javier Novilla-Astrada, Facundo Pieres, Rafael Nadal, David Nalbandian, Adolfo Cambiaso, Nic Roldan, Paul Hope.Â

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SOCIAL SCENE REWIND 2008 SEASON

RAFAEL NADAL VS DAVID NALBANDIAN PRIVATE CHARITY MATCH AND LIVE AUCTION With Celebrity Umpire: Adolfo Cambiaso All Proceeds of Live Auction Benefiting the Nalbandian Foundation International Polo Club Palm Beach Tuesday, March 25th, 2008

Photos: LILA PHOTO

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04 1. Rafael Nadal and David Nalbandian. 2. Facundo Pieres.

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3. Rafael Nadal, David Nalbandian, and Adolfo Cambiaso. 4. IPC President John Wash presents a check to the David Nalbandian Foundation. 5. Adolfo Cambiaso. 6. David Nalbandian and IPC Founder John Goodman.

06 143 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

SOCIAL SCENE REWIND 2008 SEASON

2008 PIAGET GOLD CUP FINALS Las Monjitas vs. Skeeterville Las Monjitas Wins International Polo Club Palm Beach Sunday, March 26th, 2008

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1. Scoreboard for Piaget Gold Cup FInals. 2. Lauren Duffy, Piaget

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and Eduardo Astrada. 3. Piaget Trophy’s. 4. Piaget Shirts. 5. Lauren Duffy, Piaget, Helga Piaget and Javier Astrada Javier Astrada, Eduardo Astrada, Lauren Duffy, Helga Piaget, Camilo Bautista, Nacho Astrada.

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At Tara we have developed a reputation for building the best quality custom residences and equestrian facilities to match our clients’ aesthetic and financial requirements.

Tara Management Inc. 1300 Corporate Center Way, Suite 202 Wellington, FL 33414 Tel. 561-795-9940 Fax 561-795-9941 LIC CGC 037377

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SU PER MA R K E TC R E ATIVE .CO M

SOCIAL SCENE REWIND 2008 SEASON

JAEGER LECOULTRE CHARITY POLO MATCH Hosted by Aldolfo Cambiaso International Polo Club Palm Beach March 3rd, 2008 Photos: LILA PHOTO

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1. Trophy. 2. Wanderers Club Member Amanda Kuipers, Devel-

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opment Director Dorothy Sperling, Anita Holmes, Immediate Past President Michele Donahue, and Former Board Member Rosemary Hubartt receive a check for Susan G Komen for the Cure. 3. Jaegar LeCoultre Guests Touring IPC Stables. 4. Sunny Hale, Jeff Hall, Jaegar Le-Coultre CEO Jerome Lambert.

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5. Adolfo Cambiaso and Jaegar Le-Coultre CEO Jerome Lambert. 6. International Press Members observing the latest Jaegar Le-Coutlre creation.

147 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

2009 WINTER POLO SEASON

EVERY SUNDAY 3PM JAN 11thAPRIL 26th 12 :00 GATES OPEN 03:00 FEATURED POLO MATCH CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD LIMITED BRUNCH SEATING AVAILABLE FOR TICKETS AND FURTHER INFORMATION T. 1.561.204.5687 x107

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SOCIAL SCENE REWIND 2008 SEASON

ANNUAL POLO BALL-2008-“SKY’S THE LIMIT” International Polo Club Palm Beach Friday, April 4th, 2008 Photos: LILA PHOTO

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1. 2008 Polo Ball “Sky’s the Limit” Interior. 2. Mr. and Mrs. John Wash Dance the Night Away. 3. Marc and Melissa Ganzi, Cardie and Carol Saunders, Michelle Grubb and Jack Saunders.

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4. Member Guest. 5. Brandon and Erica Phillips. 6. Fairies Welcoming Guests at Entrance of Marquee. 7. Anna Tillman and Friends 8. Larry Zaffuto, Jack Saunders, Cardie Saunders.

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SOCIAL SCENE REWIND 2008 SEASON

2008 STANFORD U.S. OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS™ Crab Orchard vs. Las Monjitas Crab Orchard Wins International Polo Club Palm Beach March 30th-April 20th, 2008 Photos: LILA PHOTO

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1. IPC President John Wash and Don King. 2. Onlooker Watches the Match 3. Crab Orchard Teammates Jeff Blake, David Sterling, Adolfo Cambiaso, & George Rawlings celebrate their win on the Presentation Wagon. 4. Adolfo Cambiaso Wins. 5. Little Bignet. 6. Adolfo Cambiaso Hugs a Crab Orchard Teammate.

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2008 STANFORD U.S. OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS™ Crab Orchard vs. Las Monjitas Crab Orchard Wins International Polo Club Palm Beach March 30th-April 20th, 2008 Photos: LILA PHOTO

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1. Half Time Divot Stop. 2. Crab Orchard and Las Monjitas go head to head. 3. Crab Orchard Awards Ceremony 4. Guests enjoying Champagne at the Half Time Divot Stop

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5. More Action from Crab Orchard and Las Monjitas

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T

he Forbes Company built The Gardens Mall on a vision that both Sid Forbes/ The Forbes Company and The MacArthur Foundation had for Northern Palm Beach County. This vision created the footprint for the luxury lifestyle we currently enjoy. Both The Forbes Company and The MacArthur Foundation were the early pioneers of Northern Palm Beach County. This property was the catalyst for all of the extensive growth that happened in the last 20 years. The Gardens Mall was the centerpiece to the master plan that The MacArthur Foundation has for this regional complex. The city was really born out of the need for schools, hospitals and restaurants and logically, the need for world class shopping was also evident.

When we first opened, our community was much more seasonal with less year round residents. Today, 20 years later, our community has many more year round residents and the customer base has grown, more affluent and younger. The permanent population grew with a vengeance and we were (and will continue to be) prepared for this growth within our community. It is our responsibility to our community to constantly be challenging ourselves to bring in the best in class retailers from around the world to satisfy our growing consumer needs.

What is most important to The Forbes Company is that we continually satisfy the needs of our consumer by constantly evaluating our retail mix and making sure that we constantly upgrade the physical environment of the center. Safety, Cleanliness and Architecture play an important role in the overall experience that the guest has when visiting The Gardens Mall. We never want our properties to get old. It is our job every day to fulfill this promise to our customers, constantly changing and evolving for their good. We won the National Landscape Architecture Award in 1988 for The Gardens Mall, along with many other awards

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T

wo innovative young Viscounts from Burgundy. Arthur (23) and Bertrand (21), set out with the task of designing silk ties for the 2012 Parisian Olympic delegation. Their social network carried them quickly, and propelled the business to unimaginable proportions. Their desire has not ceased, and within the space of two years, their unique Italian design house has been fully developed into a polished, well researched and popular outlet ready to expand. Vicomte Arthur stores have since sprung up effortlessly across the globe. The look is continental and preppy, with some catchy twists. There is something for everyone from the snappy executive, to the fashion conscious female and of course, something for children. Arthur and Bertrand, have turned every stone, and studied, noted and met the needs of their clients, choosing meticulously for you what’s hot and what’s not. The team is happy to discuss and develop a personal line, or bespoke an item of clothing with your own individual colors, or specifications should you wish.

Today you are never very far away from VA. Bertrand de Soultrait has carefully nurtured the company into ever greater dimensions. Where better to start than Wellington, Palm Beach, home of the dedicated horseman and equine elite. Arthur has continued to nurture the much-loved brand into Paris, with 5 corporate stores, and 150 retailers throughout Europe. The following stores have opened in the last six months St. Tropez, Megeve, New York, and Barcelona. Every Sunday this season, you have the privilege to breeze through the Vicomte Arthur booth at both IPC, and at WEF. Vicomte Arthur is the official sponsor at Santa Barbara and Greenwich Polo Clubs every summer, and extends to Southampton and Nantucket with seasonal retail location. Vicomte Arthur’s is located at 150 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach FL 33480 and 1067 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10028

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WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF THE LUXURY LORD LUXURYLORD.COM

“I’m always too busy living in the present to look in the past,” states Lord Alain Levenfiche, who has been coined “The Luxury Lord”.

I

n his fifty-six years, Levenfiche has covered a lot of territory. Starting at age 17, he traveled to 123 countries and held numerous odd jobs before launching his own real estate company at age 29 and has retired three times unsuccessfully.

Lord Alain Levenfiche was born in Paris to a British aristocratic family and raised in London. His title is inherited from his ancestors. Today, his real estate portfolio stretches the globe from London to Thailand over to Argentina and now Africa. He spends his calendar year moving from place to place enjoying each of his unique homes.

A

lain is in Argentina for polo season where he enjoys his newly completely estancia that is alongside polo field number 1 in Santa Maria de Lobos. Here he can sit on his veranda or in his pool and watch all the polo action. Actually, he can view polo from just about anywhere on his property from all different vantage points including his dining room, living room, quincho, jacuzzi or even his bed. Tommy Lee Jones is his neighbor and the Caset polo family are nearby. Spring and Fall, Alain heads to his paradise places in Thailand. Then, Lord Alain ends up in his favorite spot, Ibiza where he boards his yacht “Praise the Lord” to unplug and unwind for the summer. Squeezed in between are trips to London, Paris, Africa’s Ivory Coast, Brazil’s secluded beaches, Miami and Wellington.

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THE HISTORICAL PISO 14, ‘EDIFICIOKAVANAGH’, BUENOS AIRES

Lord Alain ventures each year from the tranquility of Thailand to Argentina. Here he bought the best apartment in Buenos Aires, in a historical landmark building, Edificio Kavanagh. It was built in 1937 by the same architect as the Empire State building.

“I have spent significant time and money lovingly turning it back into the largest, most exquisite apartment in this exciting city of Buenos Aires,” boasts Lord Alain. The terraces include three gardens with trees and fountains. The interior has six bedrooms with marble baths and a 400 square meter living room with panoramic views of the city. It also includes Lord Alain’s signature discotheque.

THE LEGENDARY ‘CASA DE LORD’ POLO ESTANCIA, LOBOS Levenfiche’s first project in Argentina, Santa Maria de Lobos is set in an exclusive 875 acre Polo Ranch, Golf & Spa sitting on the Pampas with a 225 acre natural lake just one hour’s drive from Buenos Aires. It is located in Lobos, home to some of the best polo in the world with a complete equestrian infrastructure including an international polo school,

polo team with top ranked players competing in the Argentine Open, 5 official polo fields, practice fields, stables, inner streets for riding horses, spa, tennis and clubhouse.

equestrian complex is also in the works. “Simply magnificent picture postcard perfection,” exclaims Alain!

“In Santa Maria de Lobos I have tried to create a ‘gentleman’s residence’ evocative of 19th century living in Argentina,” remarks Lord Alain. The house is built around a courtyard with a Spanish flavour. There is a lounge with views of both the polo field and the inner courtyard. Stone steps lead down to the gentleman’s room which includes a snooker room, old English bar and fireplace nook surrounded by Chesterfield sofas.

Levenfiche’s summer resting place is aboard his Argentine built Tarrab yacht, “Praise the Lord” in Ibiza. His first boat was bought, not for the lifestyle, but for a home. He took it across to Ibiza and then never moved it. It is moored next to Club El Divino and that is where his party began and never ends.

“The walls around the room contain alcoves with thousands of backlit bottles of wine all cradled and aging excellently from my own vineyards in Mendoza,” explains Alain. The master bedroom has a long balcony overlooking the polo field where breakfast can be served while watching teammates battling on the field. An 18 meter by 9 meter swimming pool with its own beach and waterfall complements his new home as well as a Turkish bath, sauna and massage. Additionally, a dedicated barbecue house seating 45 enables guests to view the whole cow being cooked. An 18 stables

The smart money reaches a place before the pack of wolves arrive and savagely split it up,” states Levenfiche. His experience shows that land prices over a mid term period always rise regardless of world events. “I will continue to stomp where others fear to tread”, Conclude Lord Alain Levinfiche.

FLOATING PARTY PALACE ‘PRAISE THE LORD’ IN IBIZA

WORDS OF WISDOM

His current properties are all for sale as he gets ready to move onward to undiscovered places.

T HIN K .PL A N.CRE AT E.RESULT S

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161 2009 POLO MAGAZINE

POLO NOTES & DOODLE SECTION

162 INTERNATIONALPOLOCLUB.COM

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