Lockdown

Lockdown What players are doing while quarantined

KATERINA MORGAN

Tommy Biddle

Place quarantining: Wellington, Florida

Quarantining with: My wife, Amber, and my daughter Bailey comes a few days a week

Favorite quarantining food: Mustard molasses pork chops from my John Wayne grilling cookbook

Favorite quarantine cocktail: Old standby—Bud Lite

Favorite quarantining TV show or movie: The “Tiger King” documentary. It was very entertaining!

Something you’ve gotten to do that you wouldn’t normally have the time to

do: I’ve been doing more cooking than usual. I love the grill so it gives me time to try new things and work on smoking meats on the grill.

If you could replay any polo game right now, what would it be? The 2002 U.S. Open semifinal when I played for Coca Cola. We defeated Los Banditos, Memo [Gracida’s] team with Mike Azzaro, Brandon Phillips and Dave Dollinger. We beat them in overtime to reach the final. It was an awesome game.

What horse would you like to be playing right now? Mufasa, he is a chestnut gelding I bought from Dale Smicklas as a 4-year-old and I retired him at 23. He was an amazing horse that I usually played in the sixth chukker. The cool thing is I retired him to my dad’s farm in Aiken, where he is still alive today at 31 years old! It is always cool to see him when I am there.

The best thing about quarantine: Getting to spend more time with Amber. By April 1, I am usually off to a different destination to start playing the spring season but that is on hold.

The worst thing about quarantine: Just the indecisiveness of how long this will go on. And 24-hour news!

Other than polo, what is the one thing you are looking forward to doing

when things open back up? Getting back to playing tournament polo at the good clubs I am fortunate to get to play, like NYC Polo Club, Greenwich, Mashomack and Houston, and the time off the field with friends.

Dawn Jones

Place quarantining: At our ranch approximately 5 miles outside San Saba, Texas

Quarantining with: my husband, Tommy

Favorite quarantining food: tangerines

Favorite quarantine cocktail: Fever Tree Ginger Ale

Something you miss: Taking my mom to her favorite lunch spots in San Antonio every Sunday

Favorite quarantining TV show or movie: In terms of films, I’m enjoying revisiting Akira Kurosawa’s “Dreams” and finding Marty Scorsese playing Vincent Van Gogh.

Something you’ve gotten to do that you wouldn’t normally have the time to

do: I wouldn’t normally have as much time to read as many books as I would like. I’m currently reading a book gifted to me by Henry Porter’s mother, Heather. The title is “The Mystery of Olga Chekhova.” [It is about] the niece of Olga Knipper, Anton Chekhov’s wife. Olga Chekhova was a Russian/German actress who survived the Russian Revolution, and became an accomplished film actress in Berlin. [She] was directed by directors Frederich Wilhelm Murnau and Alfred Hitchcock. The book explores the possibilities of Chekhova becoming a Russian spy during World War II while working as a Nazi film star to gain access to Adolf Hitler, who admired her work. So far, it’s still a mystery. Simultaneously, I’m fascinated by Anton Chekhov’s “Fifty-Two Stories” I am reading while learning more about the history of the Russian Revolution, and a pandemic ravaging Europe and Asia Chekhov endured as a young physician just coming into fame as a writer. Chekhov has become the embodiment of humility, patience and decency. He endowed libraries, built schools and treated thousands of patients free of charge. Plus, he had a great sense of humor.

If you could replay any polo game right now, what would it be? The polo game I would love to play again would be the second game of the 2020 U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship. Unfortunately, I had an injury in the first few minutes of game one, but managed to finish with minimal pain. By game two, playing was practically impossible. Oh well.

What horse would you like to be playing right now? I would love to be playing our heroic mare, Pretty Bird Woman. She’s a paint mare that was born on the battlefield of The Little Big Horn near Garryowen, Montana, on the Crow Nation. Her former owner and horse breeder, Chuck Real Bird also helps organize the Wild Indian Relay Race hosted by the Sheridan WYO Rodeo where Native American teams compete for cash and prizes. Chuck, his wife, Ramona, and their son Sean take great pride in breeding their paint horses. Pretty Bird is a remarkable equine athlete with a heart of gold. She has given the Jones family hundreds of chukkers. Since the 2020 U.S. Women’s Polo Championship, she is now officially retired on the ranch at San Saba.

The best thing about quarantine: The best thing about quarantine has been completing countless unfinished projects on the ranch, and fully appreciating its biodiversity of flora and fauna. There is a pair of painted buntings building a nest in one of several native Mexico Plum trees along our Texas Hill Country spring.

The worst thing about quarantine: The worst thing about quarantine is that which caused it.

Other than polo, what is the one thing you are looking forward to doing when

things open back up? I am looking forward to traveling to Tokyo and having dinner at Yakumo Saryo.

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS

KAYLEE WROE

KC Krueger

Place quarantining: Fire Iron Ranch, Brookshire, Texas

Quarantining with: My parents, husband and two kids, and my oldest sister and her two kids

Favorite quarantining food: Quest chocolate chip cookies and a 5-hour Energy

Favorite quarantine cocktail: Ranch Water Margarita! Just trying to keep the virus away!

Favorite quarantining TV show or movie: “The Last Dance” documentary on Michael Jordan

Something you’ve gotten to do that you wouldn’t normally have the time to do: Rearrange my kitchen

If you could replay any polo game right now, what would it be?: If I could be replaying any polo game I would be so much happier! We miss it!

What horse would you like to be playing right now?: Sandy, an older Appaloosa mare. She gives me tons of confidence. She doesn’t have the top speed but is very fun in the short plays.

The best thing about quarantine: Getting to spend more time at home with my kids.

The worst thing about quarantine: Not getting to have any barbecues or see any friends; and the weather has been perfect for polo and barbecues!

Other than polo, what is the one thing you are looking forward to doing when

things open back up? Getting a pedicure!

Steve Krueger

Place quarantining: Brookshire, Texas

Quarantining with: My family and in-laws

Favorite quarantining food: A hotdog bun with peanut butter and jelly and a banana as the hotdog, dubbed “The Nannerdog”

Favorite quarantine cocktail: Tequila and soda with lime

Something you miss: Jimmy John’s [gourmet sandwiches]

Favorite quarantining TV show or movie: “Tiger King”

Something you’ve gotten to do that you wouldn’t normally have the time to do: Fixing things on vehicles that I’ve been meaning to do for months

If you could replay any polo game right now, what would it be? Intercollegiate finals in my junior year. We should have won to make it all four years!

What horse would you like to be playing right now? Haole or Rihanna, those are the go-to horses when I need to get something done

The best thing about quarantine: Spending time with family

The worst thing about quarantine: Spending time with family

KAYLEE WROE

Sugar Erskine

Place quarantining: Wellington, Florida

Quarantining with: My family. Just before the state shut down, we thought we had plenty of immunity ourselves but we didn’t want to take it and give it to my mother-inlaw, who had a touch of cancer and is [immune compromised]. And the kids had to start doing school online.

Favorite quarantining food: We did a bit of a scramble and bought canned food and bags of rice and beans and that sort of thing but didn’t go overboard. It got monotonous, and we had it with salami and cheese and salad. Bridget’s sister, Debra, had some grass fed cows we filled up the freezer with so once a week we’d have some steak and everybody got excited about it.

Favorite quarantine treat: Bridget’s mom makes an English dessert that is cold milk tarts, so we wait for that once or twice a week. And Jell-O seems to be a huge hit at the moment.

Something you miss: Just getting back to normalcy in our lives. And going and sitting at the barn, drinking maté with a few people.

Favorite quarantining TV show or movie: “Black Mirror.” It’s awesome. It’s like 15 different episodes in the near future, so stuff that’s probably going to happen in the next 10 or 20 years.

Something you’ve gotten to do that you wouldn’t normally have the time to

do: Doing gym. I hate it with a passion but I’ve managed to somewhat make a quarantine body out of sitting in the house for five weeks.

If you could replay any polo game right now, what would it be? The final of the Argentine Open. I feel terrible that Eduardo [Heguy] got sat down because he got two yellow cards. I was very blessed to get to play [for him] in the last four chukkers. It was one of those dream-come-true moments of my life. I’ve literally just been very fortunate to have people help me and look after me.

What horse would you like to be playing right now? Chiquito, a little chestnut gelding that [Tommy] Wayman and Hap Sharp bred in Argentina and sold to [John] Goodman. He didn’t turn right and pulled the whole time, but I had a connection with him. I could get on him and score a couple of goals and for some reason, nobody else liked him but I just loved him. He was by no means the best horse I ever had but he’s definitely my favorite. I bought him from Goodman and played him for six years.

The best thing about quarantine: Just being around. I mean we totally take that for granted—being around family and being around the kids all day. Obviously, we all get irritated with each other, but it is something we will definitely remember. We are getting to be around each other through the ups and downs and then we relax and chill out ... so I’ve loved every moment of that.

The worst thing about quarantine: Not being around people has become normal. We forget how lucky we are do to what we do and be involved with all the people we are involved with.

Other than polo, what is the one thing you are looking forward to doing

when things open back up? Golfing and shredding and macheteing vines and weeds. I’m always big on weed-whacking fence lines and stuff like that but now we are stuck in a little apartment. You can ride a green horse for 20 minutes, but nobody can see a difference. If you shred a pasture, you look back and see what you accomplished. And I’m a fanatic about golf. I’m terrible at it but I love it.

UNITED STATES POLO ASSOCIATION

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS

Annabelle Garrett

Place quarantining: Wellington, Florida

Quarantining with: Leighton Jordan and my two daughters, Daphne (16) and Stephanie (14)

Favorite quarantining food: Tostitos

Favorite quarantine cocktail: Anything from Mint Juleps on Derby Day to a good bottle of red wine

Something you miss: Normalcy

Favorite quarantining TV show or movie: “Yellowstone” (I have always had a HUGE crush on Kevin Costner), “Shitt’s Creek”, Jackie Chan’s “The Foreigner”, “Contagion”

Something you’ve gotten to do that you wouldn’t normally have the time to do: I’ve been cooking a lot more now, which I’ve always loved but am always too busy to do. I did a year of university in Paris and took cooking classes there, but I am often just too lazy to cook. I now have to cook and really do enjoy it, especially when I have helpers to clean up!

If you could replay any polo game right now, what would it be? My first 20-goal game ever in Florida was the Herbie Pennell. We drew a bye for the first round, so we were automatically in the final against Villa de Lago on Field 1 at International Polo Club. I was so nervous, I played one of my worst games. We lost the game and I would love to replay it, not because of the loss, but to enjoy the moment. Playing on that field is so special, and I remember thinking after the game that I forgot that part!

What horse would you like to be playing right now? Machitos Sante Fe. She is tiny and literally bred for me. She is just 6 and has really come into her own. We have developed a wonderful bond.

The best thing about quarantine: I can be my true anti-social self, and it being okay!

The worst thing about quarantine: Seeing the devastation that this has and will have on so many, and not being able to do anything about it. For me to complain about anything would be laughable. I am extremely fortunate, blessed and grateful for everything in my life.

Other than polo, what is the one thing you are looking forward to doing when things open

back up? Doing the little things that we take for granted, even it it’s just going to a restaurant and sitting outside enjoying the day.

SHELLEY HEATLEY

Hope Arellano

Place quarantining: Aiken, South Carolina

Quarantining with: My dad, my mom, my brother Lucas, friend Harry Caldwell and the guys that hold it all together, Marvin and Edwin! Luckily, we are all able to be on the farm together!

Favorite quarantining food: Sushi. During this quarantine we have learned how to make it and have started a Sushi Night.

Favorite quarantine cocktail: Shirley Temple

Something you miss: Getting to play tournament polo

Favorite quarantining TV show or movie: “Outlander”

Something you’ve gotten to do that you wouldn’t normally have the time to do: I have been able to get ahead in school, since during the season it is hard to get this much done. We have also been able to work with our younger horses.

Jared Zenni

Place quarantining: On my farm in Wellington, Florida

Quarantining with: My girlfriend

Favorite quarantining food: Power bowls, like salads. Nothing out of the ordinary, something healthy

Favorite quarantine cocktail: I don’t drink that much but if I drink I have a little red wine or an IPA beer

Something you miss: Being able to go out to the beach, play golf, play tennis and just kind of live an active lifestyle

Favorite quarantining TV show or movie: The Formula One movie, “Money Heist” (La casa de papel), “Sonic the Hedgehog” and the Michael Jordan documentary “The Last Dance”

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS

Something you’ve gotten to do that you wouldn’t normally have the time to do: I’ve been working out a lot. There is not much else to do. I’ve been able to practice and ride because I am at the farm, so I really haven’t skipped much of a beat. I’ve been able to get things done organizationally wise.

If you could replay any polo game right now, what would it be: The 2018 U.S. Open. I have been watching some of those games and I’d like to go back and replay that final.

What horse would you like to be playing right now? Ovaltine. I bought her last year from Julio Arellano. I played her the whole Gauntlet season and then I sent her to Argentina. I had a shoulder injury and missed a game or two so I wasn’t able to play her that much. I’d like to get back on her. It has been a while since I played her. She’s a black mare and I’ve never been on a horse that fast with that much handle. In the Gauntlet she was playing really well and was living up to everything I thought she was and I found out she had a whole other gear.

The best thing about quarantine: Getting to spend more time with family, friends and my girlfriend

The worst thing about quarantine: Not being able to play polo. That is definitely 100 percent the worst thing.

Other than polo, what is the one thing you are looking forward to doing when things open back

up? Going to the beach, paddle boarding or playing a round of golf

If you could replay any polo game right now, what would it be? I would probably replay my first 18- goal game. I had such an amazing time getting to play with DRF for one game this season. It was so kind of Mr. Zenni to allow me to play for him! I was so lucky to have that team to play my first 18-goal game with! They were all so kind to me!

What horse would you like to be playing right now? There are many horses I miss playing but if I had to pick one it would be Hippi Chic. She is a very special horse to me. She came from Kim Murphy and was one of my dad’s favorite horses of all time. It is such a blessing that now I get to play her.

The best thing about quarantine: The best thing is getting to have the time to spend with all of our animals; and getting to catch up on all the things I never really have time to do.

The worst thing about quarantine: Not getting to spend time with a lot of our friends.

Other than polo, what is the one thing you are looking forward to doing when things open back

up? Getting to play tennis and also walk around the stores without a mask and gloves!

CHUKKER TV

Grant Ganzi

Place quarantining: Wellington, Florida

Quarantining with: My parents and my sister

Favorite quarantining food: Oh, that’s tough! Well, my mom got hot dogs from the Wiener’s Circle [in Chicago] shipped to our house. We made those twice and that was probably my favorite night of eating. That was really, really good.

Favorite quarantine cocktail: My sister made spicy margarita’s the other night and that was really good.

Something you miss: Being able to interact with my friends and hang out, playing video games or talking, going out to lunch or dinner, those things I used to love doing

Favorite quarantining TV show or movie: “Outer Banks” on Netflix. It was only one season but it was a really good show. I couldn’t stop watching it. It was amazing.

Something you’ve gotten to do that you wouldn’t normally have the time to

do: I’ve gotten a chance to spend a lot of time with my dad and mom that lately I haven’t had time to do. I just had a really busy semester with school and polo. It is really nice to be able to see my dad every day and be able to talk to him more because he is traveling for work and my mom is running the polo operation. It has been nice being able to see them and my sister, who is usually away at Georgetown University. Just being able to see my family has been nice. We’ve cooked together but the biggest thing is we’ve been doing a lot of puzzles. My mom is really good at them. She is very dedicated. She has more willpower than my dad and I. We get pretty frustrated if we can’t get a piece in. I have to take a break and come back to it.

If you could replay any polo game right now, what would it be? Last year’s semifinal of the Triple Crown against Colorado. We should have won that game and if we played it again we would win.

What horse would you like to be playing right now? A horse of my dad’s called Alto Pista. I only got to play her once in practice before she was injured but I would love to play her now. I would have loved to have her in her prime. She was an amazing horse. She was a small chestnut and was handy but really fast and just did everything right.

The best thing about quarantine: It is nice to have time to relax and just not do much of anything and just be able to let my mind cool off.

The worst thing about quarantine: Running out of things to do sometimes and getting bored

Other than polo, what is the one thing you are looking forward to doing

when things open back up? Getting back in a classroom. Online school is really tough for me to focus and concentrate. I took being in a classroom for granted, and now I can’t wait to get back. It is so much more helpful to me to be in a classroom.

Pamela Flanagan

Place quarantining: Denver, Colorado—Officially moved in!

Quarantining with: My roommate Rob Jornayvaz and my dog Bella. (Rob is also my boyfriend, but now that we live together I prefer calling him my roommate!)

Favorite quarantining food: The interesting dishes Rob and I have managed to create, most notably giant funfetti cookies and sweet potato and egg chilaquiles

Favorite quarantine cocktail: We don’t drink much, but I do love a glass of Meiomi occasionally. Otherwise, I’m usually making fresh squeezed juice or infused water (cucumber/lemon) to keep in our refrigerator.

Something you miss: My horses. All but one are still in Florida, so I’ve had very little horse time. Shout out to everyone who has sent me photos of my babies over the past few weeks. They make my day!

Favorite quarantining TV show or movie: I think we can all agree, “Tiger King” was unexpectedly addicting.

Something you’ve gotten to do that you wouldn’t normally have the time to

do: Stay home! Normally, I’m on a flight every 3-4 days. Not flying has been such a welcomed relief. I have also had more time to study horse color genetics, and the history of the Appaloosa breed. Both topics fascinate me. Lastly, we started our own vegetable garden. We are excited to have homegrown produce!

If you could replay any polo game right now, what would it be? Our first game in the 2020 Women’s U.S. Open. Not because it was fun, but rather because I know we could do so much better. I personally had a terrible game. If I could go back and play that game again, I would in an instant.

What horse would you like to be playing right now? Stella. She was injured last summer while being used as a referee horse. I haven’t been able to play her in nearly a year. We have such a connection. I really miss playing with her, on and off the field.

The best thing about quarantine: Finally being able to sit still; spending time with Rob and Bella; having this time to properly move in and get our house organized. I’ve had a few stressful work deadlines, but once they pass I’ll have more free time to enjoy this quiet time and do the things I normally don’t have time to do.

The worst thing about quarantine: Not being able to see my family and not being able to spend time with my horses.

Other than polo, what is the one thing you are looking forward to doing

when things open back up? Visit my family. We are all incredibly close. Before moving to Denver a few months ago, I worked with four of my siblings at our law firm so I would see them everyday. I lived with my sister, and my parents were only a few minutes drive away. Not being able to see them or hang out with them has been hard. •

UNITED STATES POLO ASSOCIATION