May 2018 Polo Players' Edition by United States Polo Association

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CONTENTS M AY 201 8

VO L . 21 ,

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

26 Teenage dream

Young team tops Women’s Championship Tournament

30 Best of breed

NO. 9

Association News

USPA Bulletin Club Spotlight

12 Instructors Forum

Tennessee’s Graymar Farm is creating champion horses

by Tom Goodspeed

36 Polo losses

14 Usefuls

Several community members will be missed

by Peter Rizzo

16 Equine Athlete 18 22 24 40

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OUR COVER A mare and foal relax at Graymar Farm in Tennessee. Photo courtesy Graymar Farm

by Gwen Rizzo

Polo Scene News, notes, trends & quotes Team USPA Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Polo in the Pampas

by Ernesto Rodriguez

42 Polo around the Globe 58 Calendar 60 Yesteryears 46 Polo Report

Breeding Polo’s Talented Ponies

March madness at Empire Polo Club

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OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN SIGNED COLUMNS ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLISHERS OF THIS MAGAZINE.

2 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

THE OFFICIAL MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE UNITED STATES POLO ASSOCIATION

Editor & Publisher

GWEN D. RIZZO

Contributing Editors

HEATHER SMITH THOMAS, ERNESTO RODRIGUEZ, ALICE GIPPS, CHRIS ASHTON, TOM GOODSPEED

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©Copyright 2018 by USPA Global LLC. No part of this issue may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic or electronic process without written permission of the publisher. Paul Brown illustrations are ©2018 and are reprinted by permission of Paul Brown Studios, Inc., P.O. Box 925, Hedgesville, WV 25427. Subscription rates: $45/one year, $78/two years. Other countries (air mail), $78 drawn on U.S. bank/one year, $144 drawn on U.S. bank/two years. (GST:134989508). Subscription problems call (561) 968-5208. VOL. 21, No.9 POLO Players’ Edition (ISSN #1096-2255) is published monthly by Rizzo Management Corp. 6008 Reynolds RD, Lake Worth, FL 33449 for U.S. Polo Association, 9011 Lake Worth RD, Lake Worth, FL 33467. Periodicals postage paid at West Palm Beach, FL and additional mailing offices. (USPS: 079-770). POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Polo Players’ Edition, 6008 Reynolds RD, Lake Worth, FL 33449. Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement No. 40612608. Canada Returns to be sent to Imex Global, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2.

4 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

USPA Umpires, LLC from 0 goal to 40 goal, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve gotcha covered! For information regarding a professional umpire at your club, please contact: Charlie Muldoon (240) 731-2248 cmuldoon@uspolo.org Maggie Mitchell (941) 928-4600 mmitchell@uspolo.org For information regarding umpire certification, online testing, umpire clinics or rule reviews, please contact: Steve Lane (352) 454-6611 slane@uspolo.org

6 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS

IPC Partnership International Polo Club Palm Beach, the United States Polo Association and USPA Global Licensing Inc. announced the terms of a major three-year partnership intended to elevate the sport of polo globally. The partnership introduces a guaranteed $500,000 in prize money through the United States Polo Association’s Triple Crown of Polo events and up to an additional $500,000 bonus for the Triple Crown of Polo winning team during the premier 22goal tournaments that culminate in the prestigious 2019 U.S. Open Polo Championship at International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida. Mark Bellissimo, CEO, of the International Polo Club Palm Beach, Robert Puetz, CEO of the United States Polo Association, and David Cummings, chairman of USPA Global Licensing Inc. have announced a historic three-year partnership between the three organizations, which will aim to build and cultivate the sport of polo on a national and international level. The partnership deal will provide the USPA and USPAGL a home for its top competitions throughout the year with the USPA becoming a major commercial sponsor of the IPC venue and the title sponsor for the facility’s primary and most notable competition field, Field 1. Bellissimo said, “We are honored to partner with the USPA and USPA Global Licensing to continue to grow the sport of polo with the goal of transforming it from a sport long considered a hobby to a more professional sport for team owners. It will take time and cooperation from all parties but I believe over time we can get there.” The recent decision by the USPA, supported by IPC, to lower the premiere highgoal tournament level from 26 goals to 22 goals set the stage for the agreement, which was negotiated by Mark and Katherine Bellissimo, Cummings, and Puetz over the last few weeks and whose deal terms were approved by the USPA’s Executive Committee on Wednesday, March 28. Puetz said, “The USPA is committed to

Colorado’s Diego Cavanagh and Audi’s Polito Pieres duel for the ball in the USPA Gold Cup.

growing the sport of polo and we believe that adjusting the handicap level and creating a world-class polo series will encourage players from all over the world to compete in the Triple Crown of Polo. With this historical achievement, we are certain the prize money, new opportunities for American players and a new home for the USPA and U.S. Polo Assn. at one of the premiere polo facilities in the world will ensure a promising future for U.S. polo.” “We are confident that this strategy will yield significantly more teams and a far better and more competitive tournament season for the team owners, players, spectators and sponsors, as well as provide a platform for the future growth of polo,” said Bellissimo. “We will continue to invest in and expand the number of highquality fields, work with the USPA to ensure the highest quality officiating, and promote the IPC Polo School, as well as, promote the sport locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Our goal is to deliver a better experience and value for all our constituents.” Cummings said, “The partnership is long overdue. Our involvement gives USPAGL and U.S. Polo Assn., the official licensed brand of the USPA, a year-long

platform to reinforce the authenticity and connection to the sport of polo.” All parties were confident this partnership platform and series format will provide an increased number of competitive teams, enhanced spectator interest, greater opportunities for American players and lower the cost of fielding a team for team owners. The Triple Crown of Polo events will include an innovative winner-takes-all prize money format during the tournaments. The C.V. Whitney Cup will offer $125,000; the USPA Gold Cup, will offer $125,000; and will culminate with the U.S. Open Polo Championship, which will offer $250,000. An added bonus, with details forthcoming, will provide the team winning the Triple Crown of Polo up to an additional $500,000 bonus, which would yield a total of $1 million in the total prize money package. Bellissimo also noted more dimensions would be added to its IPC seasonal polo and club operations in 2019, with at least three, and up to five new fields, an expanded polo school intended to attract IPC club members, a permanent stick-and-ball simulator, and the addition of an improved and enhanced tournament schedule that will feature Gladiator Polo.

cies affecting the game of polo. The hosting of the 2018 USPA fall meetings corresponds with the 40th anniversary since Oak Brook Polo Club held the U.S. Open Polo Championship final in 1978 between teams Abercrombie & Kent and Tulsa. In honor of this history, the Oak Brook Polo Club, in coordination with the USPA, is working on a hosting U.S. Open alumni match on Sunday, Sept. 23 on Oak Brook Polo’s Prince of Wales Field located at 2606 York Road in Oak Brook, Illinois, to close out the 2018 season. Players and sponsors interested in participating should contact Oak Brook Polo Club’s managing director, Daniel O’Leary via email: doleary@oakbrookpoloclub.com.

TIME STOPS PHOTOGRAPHY

Westchester Cup The Hurlingham Polo Association and the United States Polo Association are pleased to announce the challenge of the historical Westchester Cup Saturday, July 28, 2018, at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club in Windsor, Berkshire, England. The Westchester Cup was first played in 1886 and has been played 17 times throughout its history, only five of which have taken place since World War II. The cup, created by Tiffany & Co., is currently held by England who defeated the U.S. team of Marc Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Polito Pieres and Mike Azzaro in 2013. This year, the USPA will field a team consisting of Julio Arellano (8), Jeff Hall (7), Nic Roldan (8), and Costi Caset (5). Carlucho Arellano (5) will serve as the alternate and coach. USA currently holds the record for the most tournament wins (11), but has not hoisted the cup high since 1992. Team USA will be hosted at the Cowdray Estate in Midhurst, West Sussex, where pre-game practices will also be held. An invitation has been extended to the HPA to play the Westchester Cup on U.S. soil in 2019. Team USA will be outfitted with U.S. Polo Assn. apparel on and off the field. Players will wear performance wear jerseys, team hats, vests and jackets to promote the authenticity of the sport of polo and the licensed brand of the USPA, U.S. Polo Assn. The U.S. team will also receive the support of John Muse and Lucchese, which will outfit the players in Lucchese boots.

Fall USPA Meeting The United States Polo Association has awarded the 2018 USPA Board of Governors and Annual Member Meeting to Oak Brook Polo Club in Oak Brook, Illinois, and the Chicagoland polo community. The annual Board of Governors and Annual Member Meetings will be held from Wednesday, Sept. 19 to Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Hyatt Lodge on McDonald’s Corporate Campus in Oak Brook, Illinois. The USPA fall meetings are one of two meetings held every year. The USPA spring meetings are held in Wellington, Florida, prior to the U.S. Open Polo Championship every April, while the USPA fall meetings are held in different

Del Walton competes at Oak Brook Polo Club, where the USPA fall meetings will be held.

polo communities throughout the U.S. The USPA board of governors, committees, subsidiary boards, club delegates, members and staff will gather to hold a variety of meetings, discussions and presentations to review the progress and health of the sport throughout the United States and abroad, as well as debate and vote on key issues and poli-

Published by the United States Polo Association Offices at 9011 Lake Worth Rd. Lake Worth, Florida 33467 (800) 232-USPA

Chairman: Chip Campbell President: Tony Coppola Secretary: Stuart Armstrong Treasurer: Sam Ramirez Chief Executive Officer: Robert Puetz

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 7

NYTS All-Stars were Madelyn Porter, Ian Campbell, Vaughn Miller and Vance Miller. The series was held at Sarasota Polo Club.

pages of uspolo.org or contact Amy Fraser with any questions: afraser@uspolo.org.

NYTS Update

Certified Polo Instructor Program Congratulations to the newest USPA Certified Polo Instructors: Nicolas Maciel, Marcos Llambias, Ernie Ezcurra, Marcial Socas and Juan Martin Gutierrez. For more information about these talented instructors visit the uspolo.org website and click on their full profiles. A special thank you to Empire Polo Club for hosting the certification event. For more information about the Certified Polo Instructor program please contact Jess Downey at jdowney@uspolo.org.

Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Congratulations to the I/I teams who competed in the 2018 I/I Tournament Season! Thank you to our host sites, horse providers, coaches, players, parents and officials for a successful season! 2018 Interscholastic Varsity Letter applications are due May 15. Please contact Ali Davidge with any questions adavidge@uspolo.org. 8 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

2018 USPA Intercollegiate Scholarship Applications are due May 30. Guidelines and applications can be found on the I/I Maryland’s Jack McLean and Gardnertown’s Joe Post shake hands after the National Interscholastic Championship final.

Sarasota Polo Club in Sarasota, Florida, hosted its first NYTS qualifier. Madelyn Porter, Vaughn Miller, Vance Miller and Ian Campbell were named All-Stars. The summer polo season is just around the corner with more than 30 NYTS events scheduled. The NYTS events are open to all players born after 1/1/1999 that hold a minimum of a B handicap. New at this year’s national championship weekend: The East vs. West Invitational All-Girls Division. For more information please visit uspolo.org or email NYTS@uspolo.org.

Team USPA Update On the East Coast, Team USPA members are involved in every level of polo being played in Wellington, Florida, from 6 goal to 26 goal. The Team USPA 12 Goal $50K team made it to the semifinals, falling short in overtime to the winning team, GSA. Jared Zenni has stepped up into the 26 goal and also won the All Pro Polo League tournament, which six other Team USPA members participated in. On the West Coast, Patrick Uretz and Remy Muller were MVPs in the USPA Rossmore Cup and USPA Governors Cup, respectively, on the last weekend of tournament polo at the Eldorado Polo Club. Uretz played alongside Mason Wroe on Twin Palms and Muller with Jared Sheldon on Boss Polo.

New Orleans Polo Club New Orleans, Louisiana

club member David Fennelly, where we started playing in 1997 and use for our large events.” Each of the two main NOPC locations have more than one regulation field to accommodate USPA-sanctioned games and events. “We also have some practice fields at surrounding area farms,” Parsons said. The club has benefited from the local farm owners’ willingness to change and adapt their facilities for polo. “Summergrove Farms was originally called the Folsom Thoroughbred Training Center and it was a racetrack operation,” explained Parsons. “The

BOBBY GILBOY PHOTOGRAPHY

ocated among the lofty pine trees and rolling hills of Northwest St. Tammany Parish in Folsom, Louisiana, just 45 miles north of the bustling New Orleans culture and nightlife, lies New Orleans Polo Club. Serving as the only active USPA club in the state, NOPC has a long-running history in Louisiana, having resided on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain since the mid 1970s. Many of the same core members have been with the club since its inception despite several location and name changes. Officially becoming a USPA member club in 2001, New Orleans Polo Club has thrived due to hardworking management, dedicated players and its ability to stay relevant in an ever-changing climate. NOPC offers a full six-and-a-halfmonth playing schedule broken up into spring and fall seasons. “We have several different facilities, but primarily focus on two main ones,” said club manager Doug Parsons. “The first is Innisfree Farm, a location we began using in 1992. The other is Summergrove Farms, owned by

Many of the players find horses at the local racetrack to retrain for polo.

track is still there, but the rails and starting gate have been removed. We use it to pony horses now, and they have 60 stalls in two different barns next to that field. We have paddocks available at both main farms and there are a few hunter jumper facilities that will lease barns and paddock space to players. We don’t offer a full board program because a lot of people in polo come into town with several horses and their own caretakers, so we have found that it works best just to lease out space.” Aside from field maintenance crews, as the only full-time staff member at the club, Parsons wears many hats. “I’m the busboy, laundry man, garbage man, chukker organizer; really just about anything that needs to be done,” he said lightheartedly. “I have managed the club for about 10 years. I was president of the club in the 90s and did some management of the club then. In 2008, I was asked by one of the farm owners to manage the club again and I have been here ever since.” Those from out of town may not be familiar with the plethora of equine activities the Folsom area boasts. Jumpers, hunters, western pleasure and racehorse operations are all prominent in the city. Polo compliments the wide offering of disciplines, and NOPC has drawn from this large pool of horse enthusiasts when looking for new members. “Our best success over the last four or five years has been getting people out of the jumping barns,” said Parsons. “We are most successful through word of mouth. One of our dedicated members, Lori Summers, has been involved in jumping, and one of the pros here was dating a woman that was very involved in jumping. So, we were able to convince many of their friends to come out and POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 9

BOBBY GILBOY PHOTOGRAPHY

The club recently added a USPA Women’s Charity Challenge, which was well received.

give polo a try.” New Orleans Polo Club provides players with a well-rounded offering ranging from practices and a Margarita League, to large charity events. Six USPA tournaments provide competitive play each year, and most recently the club added a well-received USPA Women’s Charity Challenge. “We hosted the inaugural women’s challenge the week before the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship in Houston, [Texas,] last year and have plans to do the same again this year,” Parsons said. The tournament benefitted the Thoroughbred Retirement Network of Louisiana, an organization dedicated to rehabilitation of off-the-track Thoroughbreds, and raised over $14,000. Ladies from Texas, Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Puerto Rico and England battled it out. Visiting professional Sarah Wiseman led her teammates Lacey Conway, Lori Summers and Sara Regis Torres to victory and then went on to win the most prestigious USPA women’s tournament the following week. The professionals and out-of-town players loved competing at the club, with plans to return again. “Playing in the New Orleans Polo Club 10 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

USPA Women’s Charity Challenge was an absolute blast,” recalled visiting professional Courtney Asdourian. “Being that it was my first time in New Orleans, the club representatives could not have been more accommodating and welcoming. The tournament was professional, competitive but most importantly, fun for all involved.” The USPA Women’s Charity Challenge supported an organization close to the

“It is great to have people from other disciplines try polo because they ride pretty well already, they understand the expense of the horses and they are competitive.” —Doug Parsons, club manager

hearts of many members of the club who play polo on retrained racehorses. “During the event, they painted a big heart on the flank of all of the horses that were playing that came out of the Thoroughbred Retirement Network,” said Parsons. “Lori played several rescue horses in the tournament that came out of that program. There is a big racing community here. We have the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans which is owned by Churchill Downs, so there are a lot of farms in our area that train here and race there. We really benefit from being able to find horses that may have not been suitable for racing, but can be retrained for polo.” Charitable causes have been a large focus for NOPC and its members for many years. The club hosts several charity polo matches each year benefiting the Southern Hotel, Greater Covington Junior League, New Heights Riding Center, Land Trust for Louisiana, and the LSU Ag Center. Now in its 22nd year, The Harvest Cup is considered the main charitable event for NOPC, drawing a robust 2,000-2,500 spectators each year. “We have two polo games in one day and there is usually a concert from a locally well-known music entertainer after

BOBBY GILBOY PHOTOGRAPHY

the games,” said Parsons. “There are a lot of local restaurants and bars represented, a live auction, silent auction and several opportunities to donate to the Junior League of Covington. It is probably the second or third largest community event in our parish each year.” NOPC has found companies that relate to their unique demographic, ranging from polo gear suppliers to stock brokers and boost revenue through sponsorship of their games. “We have an awards stage for trophy presentations and we do a number of different things for our sponsors,” explained Parsons. “The local Ford dealership is one of our sponsors. We put out a banner for them on the awards stage and then they bring out trucks and display them at the fields for the bigger games and USPA matches. You have to give the sponsors a bang for their buck. The more exposure they get, the more likely they will want to sponsor your event. Many of our spectators and players drive trucks so that works out for Ford!” So many spectators in one place can be beneficial not only to the charitable organizations and sponsors, but it also presents an opportunity for the club to gain new members. “We have had several spectators that want to try polo,” said Parsons. “When someone shows interest, we try to get them to come out and get on a horse as soon as possible. It is easy for a

The club’s many charity matches draw large groups of spectators.

person to say that they want to try it when they are in the moment at polo, but then they get home and maybe lose the spark, so we contact them within a few days after the event and invite them out to ride. I obviously tell them all about polo, but ultimately the way you get hooked is to get on a horse and feel what it is like to hit a ball, so we try to do that in the first lesson.” Ever growing and changing, New Orleans Polo Club adapts to member

The club plays mostly 0- to 4-goal polo, adapting to its members’ needs.

needs. “We mostly play 0- to 2-goal and some 4-goal polo here,” said Parsons. “As our membership has aged, we have moved our playing level down, as many clubs in the country have.” A truly versatile club, however, the level of play fluctuates yearto-year based entirely on the current polo climate. “We try to run a very organized club that is still a lot of fun,” said Parsons. “It is obviously very cool to come to New Orleans, as it is one of the most popular cities, not just in the country, but in the world. We tie in social events in our area to our club such as a yearly crawfish boil and Mardi Gras-themed party for our Mardi Gras Cup.” As for the future, NOPC has a member looking to build more fields, which will enable the club to grow membership and play even more polo. “I think people expect us to be playing on the bayou with alligators, but that is not the case at all,” Parsons joked. “We have amazing facilities, great people, and always welcome new members of all levels and ages.” For more information on New Orleans Polo Club, please visit its website: www.neworleanspoloclub.com and “Like” it and follow it on Facebook, facebook.com/neworleanspoloclub. POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 11

BY TOM GOODSPEED

LOST Tips for getting back in the game when you feel like you are just floating around

ow often have you found yourself between plays, having run to the ball only to arrive where it used to be—or into a pack of players now turning back at you—all the while feeling a bit lost in the mayhem? How can you gain a better understanding of what you should be doing to be more effective from play to play? When you are feeling a bit lost, the first major tip is to hook up with an opponent. The best opponent to cover is the most experienced person your riding skills will allow. A common mistake is for teams to hope a player can work some type of black magic to offset years of experience his opponent holds over him. It is a little naïve to think you are going to be able to ride against a player with a great deal more riding experience and playing ability. However, at the same time, marking someone of your own riding and playing ability might not be that instructive in terms of improving your game. Challenge yourself within realistic parameters. One way to do so is in either a lesson or practice chukkers. Ask someone with more experience if you can work on trying to cover them during a practice chukker. They may even be willing to help you out on certain occasions. If not, you might be able to set up some type of a coaching chukker with a pro within normal chukkers. Then they can help identify your weaknesses as you play against them.

Equitation If your limitations are in equitation, direct some attention and energy into improving your riding skills. I have seen amateurs with strong horsemanship skills be able to frustrate pros that are handicapped 3 to 4 goals higher. Amateurs like that are an incredible asset to any team. I have seen team sponsors like that in high goal, and in 12 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

low goal I have seen an amateur or two neutralize a talented 3-goaler. So, go sign up for some lessons. Learn how to ride more effectively at speed and to be able to better handle your horse. Those are pre-requisites to out-dueling your opponent, especially if they are more experienced. If you have your horsemanship skills in place, you are now ready to learn the strategies and movement to expect from higher-handicapped players and how best to mark them. Again, it is best to work with a pro or more experienced amateur to help you understand the movements and flow of more experienced players. Speed Good horsemanship opens the door to being better balanced with your horse, and becoming more comfortable at greater speeds. In outdoor polo, some equestrian disciplines would categorize this as runaway speeds. Full throttle is not your norm in most disciplines outside of horse racing. The only way to become more comfortable at greater speeds is by going faster on a real horse. There are plenty of horses that go fast, but tolerant horses that are manageable at speed are key. Before stepping on the gas, be sure you are riding a steady and manageable horse that is comfortable to sit to and easy to stop in a well-balanced manner. Some horses can be a bit jerky, leap, dart from side to side, stop on their front or may be difficult to stop at all. Level of Your Horses Another limitation may be your horses. If your riding is solid but your horses are limited, you must set realistic expectations. Exceptions aside (and there always are some), it is not very realistic to expect a 20-year-old, short-strided, arthritic school or starter horse to run stride for

stride with a top-performing 6-year-old. But then again, are your riding skills even ready for that high-performance, hardrunning Thoroughbred leaving you in the dust? I do not think many of us learn to drive in Formula One cars. In fact, most of us never develop the skills necessary to drive Formula One-level cars. And there are certainly horses in high-goal polo that most amateurs and lower-goal pros will never be able to ride effectively—and maybe should not even ride at all. Most amateurs need “tolerant” horses that have ability, but are forgiving at the same time. You do not want to wind up under 1,000 pounds of horseflesh, just because you pulled a bit too hard on the reins or goosed them a little too much with your leg. You want to ride horses within your riding ability—maybe upgrading one level as you go along, but certainly not stepping from a Ford Focus into a Formula One. So, what considerations do we have here so far? • Your riding ability and playing experience • Your opponents’ riding ability and playing experience • Your horses, relative to your playing ability and your opponents’ horses. Reviewing these considerations will allow you to focus on both to whom you should be assigned on the field, as well as what you need to work on to improve your game: equitation? strategy? upgrading your string? Maybe even more realistic expectations? Flow of the Game When thinking about the broader flow of the game, you have to start with what level you are playing: Coaching chukkers? Low goal? Medium goal? High goal? Open? Each has its own rhythm and a variety of patterns

US POLO ASSOCIATION

NANO’S POLO MALLETS

While on the field, learn to “zoom out” more often and take a look at the big picture so you have a better understanding of where all the players are on the field.

of play, even within its respective level. Other factors include: is the opposing team balanced, or is it a one-man show? Are they hard running? How is their ball-handling? In high goal, teams are usually very well spread out, since you have the hitting and riding ability that allows the game to open up. A teammate in the Argentine Open has the confidence that the pass will be coming from that 8-, 9- or 10-goaler. Whereas in a 0goal tournament, you better fall behind that hitter in most cases. You certainly should not be running 80 yards in front of your teammate, looking to receive the pass, if he can only hit it 20 yards—if at all. You will be doing a lot of running without very much hitting. There is a saying often used in low goal: that you could throw a rug over the entire field of players. In other words, they are all traveling very close to one another while moving up and down the field. The cool thing is, they are still having a lot of fun. That is what makes polo such a great game to play. Next month, I will give some general rules for understanding the flow of the game at the various levels of polo. But for now, remember that in all levels of play, field awareness is essential. Field awareness gives you the necessary information to make better decisions about strategy and safety. Field awareness will allow you to anticipate the result of the next play and to better understand the rhythm and patterns of the play.

So what is field awareness? Simply just learning to look at the field of play, knowing the location of all the players and umpires, the ball, the line of the ball and associated right of way. It is pretty amazing how most of us run around the field without total field awareness. We tend to narrow our focus to the ball but lose focus on the traffic and flow of the game. That creates dangerous situations, resulting in more whistles and reckless play situations. It is kind of like a kid running out after a ball into the street. Learning to “zoom out” more often and take a look at the big picture, allows you to better understand and anticipate the upcoming play situations. That is what the better players do. That is what allows them to anticipate what will be happening in the next few plays or at least considering the probabilities associated with the developing play. So learn to look and keep doing 360-degree scans of the field to understand the flow of the play. Players who anticipate the next play know where the ball is going to be, as opposed to where it is. And field awareness allows them to do that. Tom Goodspeed is a renowned polo instructor, coach and horse trainer. He achieved a 5-goal handicap outdoors and 9 in the arena. He can be reached at polotom@usapolo.com.

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BY PETER RIZZO

THE BUCK STOPS HERE Host tournament committees are responsible for managing USPA events

here is something special about playing in a polo event sanctioned by the USPA. Players compete and umpires officiate in these official tournaments using USPA rules, rules interpretations, tournament conditions and by-laws. Sanctioned events come in a variety of handicap levels and all qualified USPA member clubs can apply to host these types of tournaments. A listing of the sanctioned events and the official standards for hosting and managing them are published annually in the rulebook supplied to all members. In the 2018 USPA Rulebook, the tournament conditions begin on page 153. Outdoor and arena national events are awarded annually to member clubs that apply in writing to the Tournament Committee. That committee recommends approval of the applications to the board of governors, which decides who is awarded the right to host a particular event. Examples of National events are: the U.S. Open Championship (20-26), the U.S. Open Arena Polo Championship (12 and over), the Monty Waterbury (16-20), Continental Cup (12-16), the Bronze Trophy (8-12), the Delegates Cup (4-8), the National Sherman Memorial (3-6) and the National Amateur’s Cup (0-4 Outdoor and 0-3 Arena). The tournament conditions section of the Blue Book lists the respective clubs that have been awarded those events. The trophies for National events are provided by USPA at no cost and for some events, the USPA Umpires, LLC will provide some umpiring resources at no cost. Another classification of sanctioned events are the circuit outdoor and arena events. Circuit Governors approve event 14 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

applications received from member clubs located within respective circuits, and the USPA provides the trophies for these events that include outdoor and arena tournaments with names such as: the Delegates, Governors, Amateur and Players Cups. Sanctioned events are named by the club requesting the sanctioning and can be hosted at any handicap level, and played in the arena or outdoor. The Tournament Committee must review sanctioned events above the 12-goal handicap level however, the USPA does not provide official trophies. The board of governors ultimately approves all USPA tournaments. There is a price to pay for the honor and distinction of competing in official USPA events. All players in USPA events must be registered members of the USPA and the tournaments must be played by all USPA rules, procedures and tournament conditions, not just some of those rules and conditions. The USPA bylaws obligate member clubs to apply and enforce the USPA constitution, by-laws, rules and directives of the association. The USPA chairman, with majority consent of the USPA Executive Committee, must approve exceptions or deviations to the official event rules or tournament conditions. In some cases, the club must pay a per-event contract or sanctioning fee. While the USPA Umpires, LLC may subsidize some umpiring expenses for game officials; official games must have two mounted, helmeted umpires per game, plus a referee. For official arena events, the Host Tournament Committee is provided the discretion to utilize two mounted umpires and a referee or simply one mounted umpire. As a matter of fact,

arena rules allow a second arena umpire to be mounted or serve from a vantage point on the outside of the arena. It is important that any officially approved variances or exceptions to the USPA rules and polices be communicated by the HTC to all event participants. Simply by playing in a national, circuit or a sanctioned event, players can be immortalized on the pages of the USPA Blue Book, the official record of the sport of polo in the Unites States, but only if someone at the club takes the time and makes the effort to forward the team rosters (with the names spelled correctly and the official player handicaps verified by the USPA administrative office); provide a photo of the winning team; and provide the tournament game results to the USPA office. The USPA staff monitors the validity of the information supplied by the clubs and may exclude team members with unpaid USPA dues from being listed in the tournament results’ section. If a notqualified player or team is discovered, that player or team could be disqualified from the tournament. There have been cases in which teams were asked to return its hard-earned, firstplace trophies, which were later awarded to the tournament’s second-place team, if that team had met all qualifications. How embarrassing for the disqualified team, and for the host club for allowing a notqualified player or team entry into a USPA sanctioned event. A thorough monitoring policy by the club officials to verify handicaps and membership status prior to the start of the tournament saves time, trouble and embarrassment. Who is responsible for hosting and managing USPA events? According to the USPA rulebook, the host club shall

appoint a host tournament committee to manage it. The HTC’s responsibility starts at the time of the draw and ends at the conclusion of the final game. For all games in any official event, the HTC selects the officials, including umpires, timers, scorers and goal judges. Tournament conditions list the duties and responsibilities of the host club, which are different than the duties and responsibilities of the Host Tournament Committee. Many players are under the impression club managers or owners are responsible for the conduct of the tournament. This may be the actual case in the vast majority of clubs, both big and small; however, in order to host a USPA event, the conduct of the event is the responsibility of the Host Tournament Committee. Usually the club owner or the club’s board of directors will appoint someone to manage the day-to-day details of the event and that is no easy task for the weak of heart or the untrained or inexperienced club manager. Many clubs make the mistake of including the club manager/coordinator as a member of the HTC. While there is usually a close relationship between the club manager and the club HTC, they have different duties and responsibilities that may conflict over the course of the event. Many times, procedural mistakes made by a club may be subject to HTC review. Before selecting a host tournament committee, made up of at least two people, review the rulebook’s Section VII. Host Tournament Committee Responsibilities. Those responsibilities have been refined and updated over the years, and provide a standard blueprint for hosting a successful event. The buck stops at the tournament committee—it is responsible for all things tournament as outlined in subsection F. that states the HTC shall apply and enforce USPA rules and policies throughout any USPA event and shall, when necessary, make decisions regarding the interpretation of such rules

and policies. The decision of the committee is final, subject only to the authority of the USPA board of governors. In official events, it is the HTC that has the final authority, not the opinion of the club manager, club owner or the aggrieved team captain. This does not mean the club tournament committee can make up its own rules and policies. When a club chooses to host a USPA event, it is in the best interests of the registered members and member clubs to adhere to the standards set by the timehonored USPA rules and by-laws. Event management and conflict resolution is supported by the legacy of its official standards of excellence for event success. Agreeing to host a USPA event means the club is willing to play by the rules and all participants know what those rules and procedures are and how to properly adjudicate disputes that may arise before, during or after a match. If a participant believes USPA rules or policies were not followed, he can protest the actions of the host tournament committee, as outlined in Rule 11-USPA: Protests, Variation from Rules, Enforcement. Rule 11 a. states Protests of the decisions or the manner in which the Host Tournament Committee and/or officials conducted an event or involving disciplinary matters shall be resolved in accordance with the By-Laws of the Association (see By-Law 12. Protest Procedure). Having the USPA adjudicate official player protests and conduct violations is a resource clubs will find useful and effective for third-party conflict resolution. Playing the game by time-tested standards levels the playing field for all participants, and teams entering USPA events know what to expect before the event draw or the first throw-in. Earning a trophy embellished with a USPA logo is indeed an honor and a privilege. Winning and recording official events in the national governing body’s record books become an integral part of the ongoing u history of our sport.

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BY GWEN D. RIZZO

PROTECTING HORSES If you witnesses equine neglect or abuse, report it

he U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s national campaign “If you see something, say something” raises public awareness of the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement. The premise is community members can help keep their communities safer by reporting suspicious activity. The same idea works for polo. Our equine partners are arguably one of the most important aspects of the sport. It is in the polo community’s interest to keep the sport’s horses safe and healthy. The majority of polo players participate in the sport because of their love of horses, so it is no surprise most polo ponies are treated very well. Unfortunately, every sport has bad apples. It is imperative members of the polo community look after the horses in their area and report any cases of abuse or neglect. The USPA has rules that protect horses while on the polo field. These rules prohibit excessive whipping and allow horses to be ruled off the field if an umpire feels a horse is not in good health, not fit enough for the type of polo it is playing, is exhausted, overheated or otherwise in distress; has blood visible on any part of its body; or is not under control. A horse may not play if it is blind in one or both eyes. A horse may not be played by more than one team in the same tournament. Other rules prohibit shoes with outer rims, screws or sharp or long heel calks. Front legs must be protected with boots or bandages and blinkers and shadow rolls are prohibited. The 2018 USPA rulebook provides a Body Condition Score Chart adopted 16 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

from the Henneke Body Condition Scoring System to help members better understand horses’ ideal body condition and when they might be too thin or to fat. It is also available online at uspolo.org. Additionally, Equine Welfare Incident Report forms and Equine Welfare Guidelines are available on the USPA website under Programs—>Forms and Documents—>Equine Welfare. If you see something on the field that you believe threatens the welfare of a horse, whether or not the umpires witnessed it, you can fax or email a report to the USPA office within 72 hours of the incident. If the horse is in immediate danger, contact police. The USPA has little or no jurisdiction to monitor horses away from the polo field. When someone is accused of horse abuse or neglect on their own property, people often ask why the USPA doesn’t do more. The USPA cannot go onto personal property to investigate abuse or neglect, but civil authorities, including police or local animal care and control, can. If the USPA is notified of a suspected case of abuse or neglect away from the polo field, it sometimes will ask the area’s circuit governor to investigate the claim. This may mean speaking to the accused or others in the area that may have knowledge of the abuse or neglect, but again, the governor would not have the authority to go onto the property without the owner’s permission. If the governor is not able to gather enough information, he may elect to contact civil authorities. A call to the USPA, which will then decide whether to contact a circuit governor for an investigation, can take time so again, if you feel a horse or horses are in imminent danger, your best option is to call police or animal control first.

I have heard people say that civil authorities never do anything if they are called. When pressed, the person will often admit they didn’t actually call, but they heard someone else had. Usually, a case number is assigned, which verifies the call has been received. If someone tells you they have called but nothing was done, ask for the case number. People are often hesitant to make a call themselves regarding abuse or neglect because they may be seen as a trouble-maker or are afraid of retribution. When possible, it is best if the person who witnessed the suspected abuse or neglect makes the call. Just like the Telephone Game, the more people the message is passed through, the more distorted the details become. Horses cannot speak for themselves so it is up to every person in the polo community to protect the sport’s horses. If you see abuse or neglect, don’t assume someone else will report it. If you are hesitant to contact police you may be able to contact a local rescue group for assistance. Some agencies will allow a caller to remain anonymous. It is not a good idea to confront the suspected abuser or enter the property without the owner’s permission. And don’t try to feed horses even if they look like they are malnourished. They may already be receiving veterinary care and the food you give them may make them sick. If it is a dire situation, ask authorities to meet you at the property, then let authorities handle it from there. Don’t harass or try to shame the horse owner, either in person or on social media. If the person is cooperating with authorities, it may cause them to stop (continued on page 59)

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POLO SCENE N E W S

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NO T E S

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Q U O T E S

BEACHY-KEEN

Club puts on exhibition during annual winter festival

A BLUEBIRD WEEKEND in Newport, Rhode Island greeted participants at Beach Polo, sponsored by The Hermitage Club, when overnight snowfalls melted away into sunny afternoons on Feb. 17-18 for the opening of the 30th annual Newport Winter Festival, with over 1,000 spectators each day witnessing polo action on postcard-pretty Easton’s Beach. Fans lined the playing area and got a bird’s eye view from The Chanler, site of the official afterparty.

MICHELLE OEIL

The Hermitage Club, a renown private mountain enclave in neighboring Vermont, joined Newport Polo’s exhibition to entice winter enthusiasts to explore its penultimate ski experience, winter sports haven and year-round outdoor destination with a special invitation for polo fans, redeemable from nptpolo.com. Both days featured a four-chukker match at low tide, on firm intertidal footing, between Blue and Gold teams from the Westchester Polo Club. For many spectators that came to enjoy the lively 10-day annual winter festival, it was their first-ever polo match. For others, it was a long-awaited polo fix until the popular summer exhibition matches resume in June. Observed long after the final bell, children continued to frolic, dogs socialized and friends lingered at the beach in the afterglow of an afternoon outdoors, while others toasted the start of the season from The Chanler’s Cliff Walk Terrace. On the first day of play, Blue’s Dan Keating and Clark Curtis joined two players from the Newport Interscholastic Girl’s Polo Team splitting a position to challenge Gold’s Sam Clemens, Amy Rice and Peter Jenkins in the three-on-three competition. Gold drew first blood with two goals by Jenkins and one by Clemens, setting the tone for the match. Keating kept Blue in the running to end the chukker 3-1. Clemens came out on his favorite horse for the second chukker and immediately went to work, scoring four goals. Curtis and Keating turned up the heat with a goal each to trail Gold 7-3. A halftime strategy meeting paid off as Blue took control of the third chukker. Keating and Curtis doubled Blue’s score, while strong defense helped cut the deficit to 8-6. With one chukker remaining, Keating made an early move to close within one point of Gold. Clemens and Rice padded Gold’s advantage as the clock ran down, ending in a 10-7 Gold win. Riding in on its Saturday victory, Gold trotted onto the field the next day to face Brian McCormick standing in for the interscholastic players in Blue. Once again, Gold grabbed an early lead with goals by Clemens and Rice. Keating renewed his determination, unleashing a torrent in the second chukker to briefly overtake, until two goals by Gold reasserted a 5-3 lead. Blue continued to advance in the third chukker, with goals by Keating and Curtis flanking a goal by Clemens to narrow the lead, 6-5. Cracks in Gold’s armor appeared in the final chukker, unable to break through Blue’s defense, while Blue strengthened its position, for a comeback 8-6 victory.

18 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

WORTHY CAUSE

Event raises funds for Alzheimers and Parkinsons

Carlitos Gracida makes it look easy.

ANGELA PHAM/BFA.COM

meteorologist for the Palm Beach NBC affiliate WPTV and a regular supporter of the biennial charity event, served as the luncheon’s emcee for the third time. One lucky event participant won the featured raffle prize, the Maria Canale Starburst Medallion diamond drop necklace and earrings set valued at $50,000. Other raffle prizes included Valentino and Chloe handbags donated by Holt Renfrew; Elite Airways round-trip tickets; a Costa d’Este hotel package; golf, equestrian and dining experiences; fashion, jewelry and accessories; and more. Proceeds will be equally distributed to the national organization, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and locally to the Alzheimer and Parkinson Association of Indian River County. ANGELA PHAM/BFA.COM

ORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE gathered at the Windsor Equestrian Center in Vero Beach, Florida, on Feb. 17, for the 4th Biennial Windsor Charity Polo Cup. Event proceeds support families who are struggling with an Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diagnosis and help fund research to find a cure. Teams Pezuñas Caliente (Juan Monteverde, Lucas Criado, Nacho Figueras, John Walsh) and Falasiri (Carlitos Gracida, Rodrigo Andrade, Jesse Bray, Salvatore Ferragamo) battled it out with Pezuñas Caliente coming out on top, 9-8. Lucas Criado was named MVP and Doble Dové, played by Criado and owned by Orchard Hill Polo, was Best Playing Pony. In addition to polo, there was a themed tailgate competition judged by J. McLaughlin, with the winner, La Tabla Food & Juicery, taking home a $500 J. McLaughlin gift card. Additional festivities included a Windsor junior team demonstration, a Porsche concours, a specialty retail village, a halftime performance by 15 members of Vero Beach Pipe & Drums, and a gourmet concession stand. Over 800 match attendees enjoyed an elegant fieldside champagne luncheon designed by Windsor’s executive chef Robert Meitzer featuring a selection of passed canapés, a mustard-crusted beef tenderloin with remoulade and Louie Lump stuffed crab-stuffed tomato entrée and a delectable El Ray chocolate tart with raspberry mouse for dessert. Other event-goers enjoyed picnicking in the festive fieldside tailgate area for viewed Hilary and the match from the grandstand Galen Weston seating. Steve Weagle, chief

Nacho Figueras signs autographs.

Steve and Karen Weagle, Jeff and Deborah Brooks, Jeff Quattry and Jane Smalley

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 19

A WAY WITH WORDS

Polo ponies featured in new fable

INA HENRIOT RECENTLY wrote a book about the sport of polo. “A Polo Pony Fable: Prince and Pampita” is a timeless book for all polo enthusiasts, according to Henriot. The book includes vivid and captivating photos from Henriot’s family’s Play Polo Club in Columbus, Ohio. Henriot explained, “Polo is a sport of beauty, teamwork, horses and, of course, vocabulary. We share our passion through photos and invitation, but for many, polo remains a mystery. In an attempt to share the love of all things polo, I wrote a playful fable utilizing polo terminology. This children’s story features vibrant photos and not only fits in your library, it will captivate friends

and loved ones. As a parent of six children, the moral of the story is equally important to our family and club: being the best brings very small gain if done by yourself; rather, be a good friend.” Polo terms and concepts are used throughout the story and defined at the end, helping readers learn basic polo vocabulary. But that’s not all readers will learn from the story. This delightful fable features two polo ponies: one with wisdom and experience, the other talented and self-focused. Will Prince heed Pampita’s words regarding how the best teams are built on something even more valuable then talent? Henriot shows that trust and comradery always build unity, especially on the polo field! The book is available on Amazon for $12.99.

MR. & MRS.

Couple celebrates wedding at polo club ERIC NALPAS

POLO PLAYER JOSH SHELTON AND Amanda Diehl

ERIC NALPAS

were married on March 17 at the Sarasota Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. The couple announced their engagement last August. Polo player Buck Schott served as the best man and Pedro Lara was one of five groomsmen. Amber Kenis was matron of honor along with five bridesmaids. Fittingly, after the couple said their wedding vows, they exited to a polo mallet salute. Afterward, the new couple and their guests celebrated at a reception, also held at the polo club. Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Shelton!

20 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

SHOW OFF

Club magazine takes Gold, Best of Show

PHOENIX PRINTING was awarded a Gold Addy at the AAF Augusta American

Advertising Awards for their publication design of the 2017 New Bridge Polo magazine. A Gold Addy is recognition of the highest level of creative excellence, which judges rated superior to all other entries in the category. Honors went to designer Robin Raymond, photographer Shelly Marshall Schmidt, editor and publisher Katie Roth and printer Phoenix Printing. Judges also awarded the New Bridge Polo magazine with the Best of Show Addy Award, presenting it with top accolades across all categories of print and digital media entered into the competition. “We are so proud of the New Bridge magazine and winning these awards is a real feather in our cap,” said Roth. “The Addys are so well respected and to be recognized by them at the highest level is a privilege and an honor.” Raymond said, “... we knew it was something special.” The New Bridge magazine now continues to the district level of competition. Following the district level, the national awards will be presented in June in Chicago.

PARKER’S POLO MINUTE BY PARKER SCOTT

Look at polo as a chess match and calculate the odds of success with everything you do. Only make the plays which will improve your chances of success and will make your opponent’s task more difficult. SanDiegoPolo@hotmail.com

POLO VACATION

Ohio club members make the most of the off-season

LAY POLO CLUB OF Columbus, Ohio, organized a trip for its members to visit Argentina to experience polo at its finest from March 6-17. In all, 22 people made the trip, staying at Estancia Puesto Viejo, located just outside Buenos Aires. Club founder Horace Henriot said the trip revolved around the extraordinary sport and everyone had a glorious stay. The club’s main instructor, Santiago ‘Chino’ Estrada, taught many of the players new skills, and everyone, including the non-playing guests, enjoyed listening to his stories and asked questions throughout the week. Of the 250 horses stabled on the property, 80 are used as school horses for visiting players. Guests simply walked or rode a bike to the stables at scheduled times and were handed safe and saddled horses ready to play. Henriot said, “The hospitality service at Puesto Viejo was exceptional. Healthy, whole, local food was served daily. And players and their family members took advantage of other activities, including the infinity pool, daily yoga and even tango! Play Polo Club members u plan on using their new skills on the field this season and have already booked Puesto Viejo for next year!”

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 21

Speed training Several members participate in high-goal season The United States Polo Association established Team USPA in 2009 to grow and sustain the sport of polo by identifying talented young American players and providing opportunities to grow their abilities.

Team USPA had another successful season in Wellington, Florida. For the third year in a row, Team USPA entered a team in the $50,000 National 12 Goal at Grand Champions Polo Club. The team, Julia Smith (A), Tomy Alberdi (4), Felipe Viana (5) and Nick Johnson (3), had an impressive win over Grand Champion’s strong squad in quarterfinal play. They came up short in overtime against the eventual back-to-back champion, GSA. Captain of the Team USPA team, Felipe Viana, is no stranger to four-man polo. He has represented the United States in the last two FIP World Championships. Each time Viana has an opportunity to play this kind of polo, he views it as a way to learn and improve. “Competing in the $50K was a great opportunity for all four of us to play against good players and good organizations in Wellington. It’s important for people to see that American players are investing in horses and continuing to improve our strings and our game. We improve every time we show up to the field, and we become stronger when we make it as a wellorganized group of American players,” he explained. For Julia Smith, having the opportunity to play mixed polo was thrilling. This was her first season working in Wellington with mentor Maureen Brennan and the Goose Creek organization. “It was amazing to be a part of such a talented team. We all worked to help each other’s game, and I felt that we all came out of the 22 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Team USPA’s Julia Smith, Nick Johnson, Felipe Viana and Tomy Alberdi

tournament having improved. This was the first big opportunity for me to play mixed tournament polo at a high level. I can’t wait to use what I learned for my future endeavors,” she said. The threetime intercollegiate champion graduated from the University of Virginia last year and has been working for the high-goal Goose Creek operation. This spring, she is looking forward to playing in the 8 goal with BTA and hopefully continuing her success and growth as a player. Team USPA had nine players represented in the 20 goal this season in Wellington including Matt Coppola, Jared Zenni, Felipe Viana, Rob Jornayvaz, Cody Ellis, Steve Krueger, Jesse Bray, Santi Torres and Wesley

Finlayson. Torres played for the Valiente squad, winning the Ylvisaker Cup. Zenni had an impressive run with Modere, making it to the final of the Joe Barry Cup. “Getting to play the 20-goal tournaments alongside my father and making a final is an experience I will never forget,” he said. Zenni also made a debut with the Daily Racing Form in the 26 goal, making it to the semifinals of the Gold Cup and the final of the Open. “Getting to play against the best players in the world is an incredible opportunity. I feel like I have learned a lot playing this type of polo and I know that these top players have a major focus on creating a very good string for the

Santi Torres

high-goal tournament series here in Wellington. I feel like my horses held up and performed very well next to the strings of these top players,” Zenni said. Smith and Kylie Sheehan participated in the women’s high-goal practices hosted by San Saba. This was a series of fast practices geared towards improving female players. “The experience was so unique. Playing with such talented women’s players and concentrating on hitting at speed and making advanced plays has really improved my game,” said Smith. Sheehan said, “Having a place for strong, talented women to play not only helps us become better players, we also have become a collective group of motivated individuals with a fantastic goal to work towards together. It is truly one of the best opportunities I have had in polo. I have already thought about ways to improve myself and my string to become more competitive for next year.” Sheehan also played in the Grand Champions Polo Club Women’s League and was awarded MVP in the final match for February. Team USPA players also had the opportunity to improve their horsemanship while in Wellington this year. Team USPA partnered with Palm Beach Equine to create a lecture series

focused on veterinary care for opportunity to speak candidly with such polo ponies. One of the greatest revered veterinary professionals in the expenses for players is often polo community was an incredible veterinary care for their horses. opportunity for Team USPA players and Team USPA member and one that will help them going forward in Palm Beach Equine Veterinary their polo careers. Intern Dr. Stephanie Massey Team USPA is designed to enhance Colburn saw the need for an and grow the sport of polo in the United open line of communication States by identifying young, talented between local professional American players and providing players on Team USPA and training and playing mentored veterinarians at the clinic. opportunities leading to a pool of higherClinic founder Dr. Paul rated amateur and pro players and the Wollenman, clinic president Dr. resultant giveback to the sport of polo. Scott Swerdlin and several other There is no better place to do that than top veterinarians took the Team Wellington in the winter. Some of the USPA members for a tour of the best professionals in the world gather facility and sat down to have a there to do what they do best. It is clear round table discussion about that many of the Team USPA members common issues seen in polo are capitalizing on this opportunity to ponies and realistic remedies to perform, learn and improve themselves save money. as professionals in the sport. The state-of-the-art clinic is constantly acquiring new technology and improving Tomy Alberdi its facilities to accommodate and treat horses from all disciplines. Colburn wanted to show Team USPA members and young players how they can use specialists, imaging technology and regenerative treatment options at an affordable cost. Swerdlin, Wollenman and Colburn fielded questions from the players on common lamenesses in polo, assessing ultrasounds and X-Rays, surgical procedures and facilities, reproductive services and new equipment for MRIs. Wollenman reminded players that for $150 they can create a vet kit for the barn that will solve most small, common problems. “But you also need to know when to call the vet so a little problem doesn’t turn into a big, expensive problem,” he said. Having access and the POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 23

Mighty Maryland Team repeats as National Interscholastic Champion BY AMY FRASER • PHOTOS BY MIKE RYAN

Maryland, led by Brennan Wells (with the ball), doubled up Poway’s score, 18-9, in the semifinal. Wells went on to score 14 goals in the final against Gardnertown as Maryland defended its title.

our regional winners descended upon Cornell University’s Oxley Equestrian Center in Ithaca, New York, March 23-25 for the 63rd playing of the Open National Interscholastic Championship. Maryland Polo Club, Southeastern Regional Interscholastic Tournament winner and 2017 defending National Open Interscholastic Champion, coached by Kelly Wells, carried on its season all the way to the national final. The team, comprised of Brennan Wells, Parker Pearce, Jack McLean and Aidan Tydings, got off to a strong start, defeating Western Regional Interscholastic

24 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Tournament winner, Poway, comprised of Skylar Dale, Ian Schnoebelen, Niki Mobtaker and Maddie Graydon, in the first semifinal game. The second semifinal pit Central Regional Interscholastic Tournament winner Houston Polo Club (Grayson Price, Joe-Mack Stimmel, Anson Moore and Chino Payan) versus the Northeastern Regional Interscholastic Tournament winner Gardnertown Polo Club (Joe Post, John Dencker and Matteo Chaux). Gardnertown prevailed, securing the second final position. The consolation final between Houston and Poway on Saturday, March 24, was a fast, fun game ending with a final score of 18-9 in favor of Houston. Sunday’s final

showcased a duel of quick sticks and smart riding. The first goal of the game wouldn’t come until the four-minute mark when Maryland’s Wells sunk the first two pointer. Two additional goals by Wells and one by McLean ended the first with an early, yet commanding 5-0 lead by Maryland. Shut out in the first, Gardnertown gained momentum in the second with Post securing two goals for his team. Firing back even stronger, the fierce duo of Wells and McLean added a combined seven goals including a twopoint shot to their tally, dominating Gardnertown 12-3 going into the half. The third chukker saw a determined Gardnertown team return to the field. Dencker contributed two goals for the

MARYLAND POLO CLUB Brennan Wells Jack McLean Parker Pearce Aidan Tydings GARDNERTOWN POLO CLUB John Dencker Joe Post Matteo Chaux HOUSTON POLO CLUB Joe-Mack Stimmel Anson Moore Grayson Price Chino Payan

Maryland’s Jack McLean, Brennan Wells, Parker Pearce and Aidan Tydings

POWAY POLO CLUB Skylar Dale Nikki Mobtaker Ian Schnoebelen Maddie Graydon

green and white team, but Maryland relentlessly accumulated five points of its own. Headed into the fourth chukker, Gardnertown continued to dig deep. All Gardnertown players contributed to the final tally, a two pointer by Chaux and goals from Post and Dencker took the chukker with six goals to Maryland’s three. The effort was not enough to overcome Maryland’s unwavering lead, which was spearheaded by Wells with 14 powerful goals. Earning its second consecutive national championship, Maryland etched its name once again in the history books with a 20-11 final score. John Dencker (Gardnertown), Jack McLean (Maryland), Joe Post (Gardnertown) and Brennan Wells (Maryland) were selected as tournament All-Stars with sportsmanship presented to Poway’s Maddie Graydon. Best Playing String was presented to Maryland Polo Club and Best Playing Pony of the final was presented to June, another Maryland pony. The event would not have been such a great success without the support of Cornell University, Maryland Polo Club and Gardnertown Polo Club that provided horses, and Bradley Biddle, Robert LynKee-Chow and Tom Wisehart of USPA Umpires, LLC, for excellent officiating.

Maryland’s Jack McLean and coach Kelly Wells with Wells’ Best Playing Pony, June.

Sportsmanship award winner Maddie Graydon (Poway) and All-Stars John Dencker (Gardnertown), Jack McLean (Maryland), Joe Post (Gardnertown) and Brennan Wells (Maryland)

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 25

Chateau D’esclans’ Riley Ganzi, Mia Cambiaso, Mia Novillo Astrada and Nina Clarkin

Teenage dream Young team tops Women’s Championship Tournament By Sharon Robb • Photos by Chairo photo

ith three talented teenagers, Chateau D’esclans won the Sunny Hale’s Legacy WCT Final Tournament with a 7-3 victory over CrossFit El Cid on April 7 at Grand Champion’s Polo Club.

Ten-goaler Nina Clarkin of Great Britain and teammates Mia Cambiaso, 16, Mia Novillo Astrada, 17, and Riley Ganzi, 18, dominated the game from start to finish. After three chukkers, Chateau 26 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

D’esclans led CrossFit El Cid (Paige McCabe, 6, Cecelia Cochran, 5, Tiffany Busch, 6, Sarah Wiseman, 8), 7-1, after three chukkers. “The girls just were fantastic, I am so proud of them,” Clarkin said. “We knew

they were going to come out with a really good game plan. They worked so hard. Riley just worked, worked, worked all day. And the two Mias were just fantastic. We just had to go out and put the pressure on them, go fast and play

G-String/Amista Polo’s Gillian Johnston handles the bouncing ball in the 16-goal title game.

controlled, simple polo. “It’s exciting to see such talent coming through and that I can be here to help them along the way. They are young, talented players with big futures. They were great teammates. I think Sunny would be really pleased how far the polo has come and what sort of talent is here.” Chateau D’esclans, the lowest handicap team rated at 21 goals (Ganzi, 2, Cambiaso, 5, Novillo Astrada, 4T, Clarkin, 10), advanced into the final with impressive round-robin qualifying wins over CrossFit El Cid, 8-5, and San Saba, 11-2. “I think Sunny would be so happy especially because we have all been playing at her junior levels and now we are finally playing in the open,” Ganzi said. “It’s crazy that we have gone this far. I wish she could be here to watch us today. I think she would be really proud. “This was a blast playing on this team,” Ganzi said. “It’s really

competitive but you are also learning the entire time and working together. The WCT is a really valuable experience. Nina is the greatest. On the field, we look up to her so much. She’s always making sure we are in the play. We are always working out there, there is never a second where you have to think about where to be. You’re always focused about the play. You’re never not in the game.” Clarkin earned the Whispering Angel Tournament Most Valuable Player and Captain MVP awards. Cambiaso, winner of the inaugural Women’s Argentine Open with Clarkin and daughter of 10-goal great Adolfo Cambiaso, was named game MVP. Clarkin and Cambiaso each scored three goals. Novillo Astrada added one. Tiffany Busch scored all three goals for CrossFit El Cid. “This was so much fun,” Novillo Astrada said. “Nina is amazing. I like how she talks. You always know what to do. Playing with Riley and Mia, my

friends, was very fun.” Several fathers watched proudly from the sidelines including Miguel Novillo Astrada. “I am very proud, she played really hard today and had a great game,” Novillo Astrada said. “The horses were the horses I played in the high goal and she rode them really well. “When she was a little girl she showed that she loved riding and horses. I never really pushed her. She asked me one day, ‘Daddy, I want to play a tournament,’ so I took her to play and she loved it.” In the 8-goal championship final, Grand Champions (Summer Kneece, 0, Gracie Brown, 2, Malia Bryan, 3, Sydney Jordan, 1) led by MVP Bryan, defeated Catena (Olivia Uechtritz, 2, Catherine Roze, 1, Malicia Von Falkenhausen, 2/Rebecca Clark, 2, Jennifer Williams, 3), 5½-0 in a shortened game in the third chukker. Bryan and Kneece each had two goals. Williams was presented the Captain MVP Award. POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 27

CrossFit El Cid’s Tiffany Busch heads downfield in the Sunny Hale’s Legacy WCT Final. Busch scored all of her team’s goals.

In the 16-goal title game, GString/Amista Polo (Olivia Merlos, 2, Hope Arellano, 4, Malia Bryan, 3, Gillian Johnston, 2), led by MVP Arellano, defeated Hawaii Polo Life (Olivia Uechtritz, 2, Pamela Flanagan, 3, Mia Cambiaso, 5, Courtney Asdourian, 6), 3½3. Cambiaso, who competed in two finals, scored all three of her team’s goals. Merlos, Arellano and Johnston each had one goal. Johnston earned the Captain MVP Award. Open Oro, played by Clarkin and owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm, was the open division Catena Best Playing Pony. Canadian Thoroughbred Cricket, played by Pamela Flanagan, was the Museum of Polo Best Playing Pony for the 16-goal. Tiare, played by Bryan, was the Whispering Angel Wine Best Playing Pony for the 8-goal. All three were American Polo Horse Association best registered horses of the finals. The APHA was created in 2006 by 28 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Hale to recognize polo ponies in America and encourages events that showcase them and the hard-working dedication of grooms. After a year’s hiatus, the WCT Final attracted a Who’s Who of women players. Twenty-eight women competed in three levels of play. The tournament is named in honor of legendary Hall of Famer Sunset “Sunny” Hale. The WCT is the only women’s polo event of its kind. The largest polo league in the world has grown in popularity since its inception in 2005. The WCT Final, adult and junior qualifiers have U.S. and international players with more than 20 qualifiers in the U.S. alone. Hale, the first woman in U.S. history to win the U.S. Open in 2000 with Outback and part-time Wellington resident, died February 26, 2017 in Oklahoma due to complications from cancer. She was 48. Women’s polo remains the largest growing sector in polo, aided by the WCT Series, which has helped consolidate

women’s polo and promote high quality competition throughout the world. “This was Sunny’s mission, to create a women’s polo venue where the girls could bring their polo up,” said WCT Ambassador Joanne Smicklas. “She remains an inspiration to other women who are determined to achieve their goals with grace and dignity. The players were so excited to play in the WCT for Sunny’s legacy, they loved her and want to support everything she did for them getting to play this level of polo.” Catena USA has been the official timepiece of the WCT Final since its inception. Catena USA owner Bill Kraft is one of women’s polo’s biggest supporters and valued sponsor. In addition to Catena USA, other major tournament sponsors were: Whispering Angel Wine “Rose All Day,” Chateau D’esclans and Nano’s Mallets. VIP guests, players and sponsors were treated to a variety of finger foods from Wellingtonbased chef Donna Kokulak.

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Best of breed Tennessee’s Graymar Farm is creating champion horses By Gwen Rizzo

raymar Farm takes a nurturing approach, using tops stallions and broodmares, to produce quality polo ponies with plenty of talent and stamina to hold up under the best players in the sport.

Polo pony breeding has evolved over the past 15 years with more professional players making it part of their operation. Prior to that, most players in the U.S. searched racetracks for young off-thetrack Thoroughbreds they could train for the sport. In some cases retraining racehorses can be more cost efficient than breeding. The best breeding ages are often also the best playing ages. So, breeding takes them away from the game. There is also always the chance of complications during the pregnancy or birth, putting these best playing mares at risk. But even when everything goes perfectly, you have to wait several years for the foal to mature before polo training can begin and even more time before you know if the young General Manager Bob Connors works with one of the foals. horse has the talent to be a good polo pony. If your lucky, the horse won’t have any injuries during Instead of the mare carrying the foal to that time. For the ones that don’t make it, full term, very early on the embryo is you’ve put nearly five years of time and flushed from the mare and transfered to expense into them, all for naught. a recipient mare to carry. It also allowed When embryo transfer became widely for multiple embryos to be transfered available, it solved part of the problem. from the same mare in a year. All the 30 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

while, the original mare could continue to play. Now, cloning is making headlines. Cloning can be done from horses of either sex and basically involves taking DNA via a tissue biopsy from a horse, sending it to a lab where it is inserted into an egg that has been stripped of its DNA, essentially tricking it into believing it is fertilized, growing the embryo and finally transfering it to a recipient mare to carry. The cost to clone started at $150,000 per horse and is now down to $85,000. Because environmental factors, training and life experience all play a part in what the horse becomes, there is no guarantee it will turn our like the original. Graymar Farms is taking a different approach to creating the sport’s talented horses. Wesley “Whistle” Uys grew up on a big cattle farm in South Africa. He was on a horse from the time he was three, riding around the farm. His dad played polo so by the time Uys was 12 he picked up a mallet. The family had a big Brahman stud on the farm and Uys

TIFFANY DANIELLE PHOTOGRAPHY

enjoyed watching the development of the cattle and how to cross them. They also did a small amount of horse breeding for themselves. When Uys was 4, 10-goal Tommy Wayman, came to South Africa and met Uys’ dad. His dad told Wayman that when his son was old enough, he was going to send him to the states to work for him. Wayman agreed and when Uys was 18, he headed to San Antonio, Texas. He worked for Wayman for five years, until Robert Lipman offered him a job. He has worked for Lipman ever since. The two played polo together until Lipman decided to quit playing, but he didn’t want to completely get out of the sport. So, they decided to get into the polo horse business. At first, Lipman and Uys were buying young horses and finishing them for polo. Every summer for years they would go to Wyoming. One summer Adam Snow came

TIFFANY DANIELLE PHOTOGRAPHY

Cowboy is one of the Graymar stallions. A homebred, he is out of Quaker by Reds Lazarus. Reds Lazarus is the first stallion they bought from Mike Morton. Uys calls the Quaker bloodline the best Charlie Armstrong ever had and he is known for having some great bloodlines.

The Graymar brand

up and was trying horses in a 14-goal practice Uys was playing in. Snow was on some horses Mike Morton was selling. “He was flying. He was stopping. He was playing ice hockey on one mare ... going here and there ... I’m like, What? They don’t do that for Mike. And [Adam] was like, ‘Yeah, I know, but they have it.’

“I was besotted. Just like, I’ve got to see this guy,” remembered Uys. So, Uys went to Morton’s barn to see how he trained the horses. “His schedule was easy. In the spring, he’d take 10 horses, work them, use them for branding [cattle] and knock the edge off. Then he’d hire a girl for a few months to ride each of them for about 20 minutes. He’d tell her to go ride them up the hill. Then he’d play them. The days they played, they didn’t get ridden. And he’d play them in snaffles. After three months of that [they were ready].” Morton told Uys that if the young horses needed a lot more work and had to be ridden down he wouldn’t breed those mares anymore. “Pretty much what he bred worked ... and that’s a guy who is breeding in Wyoming, getting three months of polo a year and didn’t have access to the best mares,” Uys explained. He wasn’t sold on breeding POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 31

KAYLEE WROE

The young horses are sent to CJ and Sheila Lequerica’s Vintage Polo Ponies for saddle breaking and training when they are turning 3.

polo ponies until he met Morton. Over the years, Uys and Lipman bought about a dozen horses from Morton. “I loved the product he was putting out. Mike was breeding good stallions and good mares. He is a very good horseman, good rider and was producing [good horses],” said Uys. “Mike had sold enough horses to the high-goal, to Adam Snow, to Owen Rinehart, to a bunch of people. And then we came and bought a bunch from him, from Tennessee, just as young horses and ... they worked out so well, so we said, let’s get that stallion. “When he decided to slow down on his breeding, I asked him if I could buy his stallion. He said no, but a year later, he sold us the stallion,” Uys said. The stallion was Reds Lazarus. And Uys had also purchased a 2-year-old from Morton called Reds Isaac. “I think it was one of the best lines he ever produced. I 32 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

played a full sister of his and she was phenomenal. He was amazing, played great. We used him as a stallion and ended up with seven full brothers and sisters. They are great, they all play polo and Isaac, the youngest, his babies are phenomenal,” said Uys.

Robert Lipman

Uys isn’t looking to breed just your average polo horse, he only wants the best, using the best stallions and mares, and only wants them to go to the best players. “That is what my aim was, to breed horses that played at least the U.S. Open ... or the Argentine Open, not the 20goal,” he said. “I think its coming around. Sapo [Caset] bought one this year, Facundo [Pieres] bought one a year ago that he plays, I think she is one of his best mares. [Adolfo] Cambiaso bought one, Juan Martin Nero bought one, Mariano Aguerre, Tonkawa ... Our

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Graymar’s O’Lace was purchased as an 8-year-old by Facundo Pieres last year.

homebreds stand out and that was the aim.” Uys says that about 70 percent of the horses they have bred are top-caliber horses. “Los Machitos is cloning one mare in Argentina just to keep her as a broodmare. We’ve got her full sister and she is not even our best broodmare,” he said. Lipman’s Graymar Farms, encompassing 275 acres, is located in Franklin, Tennessee. The farm has four polo fields, lush green pastures and is home to over 90 horses. General Manager Bob Connors and Uys lead the breeding program. Uys brings about 30 horses to Port Mayaca Polo Club in Okeechobee, Florida during the winter high-goal season to work and play until they are ready to be sold. Uys says the breeding operation is small and boutique, but high quality.

This allows them to spend a lot of time nurturing the young horses. They do a limited amount of breeding using embryo transfer, only about three a year. They understand that embryo babies often require extra handling so they keep it manageable. “Our motto is if the brain isn’t there, if its not willing to be with you, we don’t want to breed that mare anymore,” said Uys. “You run into those problems when you do embryos because embryo mares run in a big herd. They are run into corrals and chutes to get their shots or get branded so every time they are handled, it is chaos. The don’t want to be around people. They learn to fight and peck in the herd so the babies get raised with a different character. “That is why we kept it kind of small. If a mare cribs or doesn’t like to be caught, we can bring those in and spend more time with them so they are more

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POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 33

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Jeff Hildebrand’s Tonkawa has purchased several Graymar horses, including Cicada played by 10-goal Sapo Caset in this year’s high goal.

34 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

just created wild horses. You’ve bred very expensive, good quality, wild horses.”

TIFFANY DANIELLE PHOTOGRAPHY

accepting. If they want to run away from you when they are young, it never leaves them. We get a horse used to us a much as we can so when we go to get on its back, it is not something foreign to the animal. They just have to learn to bear the weight on its back.” Graymar works with the recipient mares before the foals are born and turns them out with some other mares so when they hear the chain rattle at the gate, they don’t run but will walk with the other mares to the gate with their babies. Uys explains, “If we were doing that with 20 recipient mares a year, that is a lot of work. But three or four, you can get them where they want to be with you. With large numbers, you put too much quality into quantity. Let’s say you’ve got a herd of 25, and you can only catch two of those, you’ve got a problem. You go out to put a halter on a broodmare and the whole herd takes off running, you’ve

Five-goal Whistle Uys

The training begins as soon as a foal is born, imprinting them and touching them everywhere. Uys says by two weeks they are leading and can be tied up. After that they are turned out for several months. “If you go over that, you create problems. They are babies and can’t take in as much as we want to give. Everything is new to them so it has to be done carefully. And too much of a good thing can become a bad thing,” said Uys. In turn-out, they get rubbed on and have halters put on them. “Essentially we go to their house to work with them,” explained Uys. “We go to where they are comfortable. If [one is being difficult] we bring it in along with the mother to work with it. ... I’m always looking for that release and connection ... horse training

is psychology. We want them to retain what we are teaching them.” When they are ready to be started under saddle, they go to CJ and Sheila Lequerica’s Vintage Polo Ponies in Sealy, Texas. They go just as they are turning 3, and come back as they are turning 5. Work is alternated with turnout during that time. Uys admires the Lequerica’s operation and visits once or twice a year to check on the young horses’ progress. “[Others] have butchered a lot with breeding. At Graymar, we don’t want to do that. I’d like to see this program still going in 20 years,” explained Uys. “[Hopefully], it can continue to grow and produce better horses than it did the year before. Every foal that hits the ground, by the time you put a saddle on it, it needs to ride better than the mother did.” Uys pointed out that many of the Thoroughbreds you see today have some of the same blood lines, like Mr. Prospector and Northern Dancer, on both sides. “These horses are pretty much running into the ground. They are a little bit smaller, which I love, but they don’t last. Their feet are terrible and the cartilage is getting thinner in the joints, which is a big deal. “They have been bred to perform for no more than a year and then they are broken down. Or they’ve been injected so much, some stupid polo guy gets it for six months and just when he gets it going well and he wants to sell it, it doesn’t pass the vet,” said Uys. “None of our mares and stallions [bloodlines] touch anywhere. It’s a unique thing. Mike Morton had that blood out there. Orrin Ingram gave us some, Tommy [Wayman] gave us some and none of them are similar.” Uys also said cloning won’t work for Graymar’s model. “I don’t think cloning will be the best thing for Graymar’s operation or any breeding operation that wants each generation to be better than the [one before it].” Graymar has also made sure their horses have stamina. “I would not breed a mare that could only play a half chukker, or gets strong at the end of a chukker,” said Uys. Graymar’s young horses play full chukkers three times a week. “It is good to have horses with stamina and lungs. They’ve got to have the agility, but they

Foals play in Graymar Farm’s lush pastures in Tennessee.

must be able to move a full chukker,” he said. “I believe changing [mid-chukker] is good, I just don’t believe playing a horse you have to change is good.” By the time a horse is between 6 and 8 years old, Uys expects it to go left and right effortlessly and stop easily. “By far [polo ponies] are the most unique equine athlete ever. The problem is, horses are too expensive. But, if you think about it and look at it in a collective way, a polo pony should be the most expensive horse in the world ...” said Uys. “Average jumpers sell for a half million dollars, but the difference is you have to take 10 polo ponies to the field. It’s very difficult to take $10 million worth of horses to the field when you are playing for a prize,” explained Uys. Graymar currently has seven stallions, some that play competitively, and a total of about 14 broodmares—four in Texas, two in Wyoming and eight in Tennessee. They generally produce six to 12 foals a year. This year, only the broodmares in Texas and Wyoming are in foal. “[Those] are kind of like a satellite breeding program. We say who we want them bred to, send the semen and they breed them.

We get first option on the babies,” explained Uys. “The farm is not big enough to hold so many broodmares.” Uys doesn’t believe a polo pony reaches its peak until its 8, and he prefers to sell them at that age. The mare Graymar sold last year to Facundo Pieres, O’Lace, was from the first group of five horses they bred. All five were top horses. Cicada is 9 years old this year and playing high goal. “When I sell a horse at 6, I’m telling you it is a top horse. The only thing you can do to mess up the horse is to overplay it and get it sore. ... When you sell them at 5 or 6 you are selling hope and I hate to sell hope. It’s a great business tool, but if hope doesn’t work out, then it’s my name and Graymar’s name. I want them to work out,” said Uys. Uys hopes the success Graymar has seen selling to some of the top pros in the sport will continue and that those horses will do the marketing for them. “In five years, I’d like to see Graymar doing most of its business over the phone with existing clients, repeat customers,” explained Uys. “When you get repeat customers, you’ve created something because they are obviously super happy with the product, and that is what we are trying to do.” POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 35

Polo losses

Several community members will be missed

t has been a difficult year for many, with several prominent members of the polo community dying in the first three months.

Steve Orthwein American polo icon, Stephen A. “Steve” Orthwein, passed away peacefully in his sleep early Monday morning, March 12, surrounded by his family at his home in Wellington, Florida. A lifelong supporter of the United States Polo Association, Mr. Orthwein devoted much of his life to playing and contributing to the sport of polo. Born October 28, 1945, to the renowned Busch brewing family, Mr. Orthwein spent his childhood in St. Louis, Missouri. Polo was a way of life for the Orthwein family and he, along with his brothers Dolph Jr. and Peter, learned to ride and swing a mallet at a young age from their father, Dolph Orthwein. Mr. Orthwein carried his love of the sport to Yale University, where he captained back-to-back national championships in 1967 and 1968 beating the Cornell team captained by his twin brother Peter. Also in 1967, he won his first major USPA tournament, the National Sixteen Goal, with a family team consisting of his father, brother Peter and Bennie Gutierrez. Throughout the next several decades he competed in many national and international events, and in 1969 he was selected to represent the United States in Pakistan and won the Pakistani Open. His numerous polo accomplishments include the Butler Handicap in 1975 and 1979 with Good Hope Farms and Oak Brook; the Monty Waterbury title in 1977 with 36 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Steve Orthwein

Mallet Hill; and three Midwest Regional Classic wins in 1995, 1997 and 2001 with Huntleigh Oaks and Grant’s Farm Manor. Additionally, he won the National Copper Cup title in 1997 with the St. Louis Polo Team. Mr. Orthwein achieved a 6-goal handicap, and at one time was the highest-rated amateur player in the United States. In 1988, the USPA honored him with the Hugo Dalmar Sportsmanship Award, which is presented to an individual who exemplifies characteristics of sportsmanship inherent

to the sport of polo. In the early 1970s, Mr. Orthwein was elected captain of the St. Louis Polo Club, a position he held for most of the next three decades, and introduced many great players to the sport. As the St. Louis Polo Club Delegate, Mr. Orthwein became involved in the United States Polo Association and played an integral role in the development of the sport across the country. While working with the USPA, he served as secretary from 1984 to 1988, president from 1988 to 1991, and chairman from 1991 to 1995. In 2001, Mr. Orthwein became chairman of the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, a position he held until 2010. He continued to serve on its board until his passing. One of his major accomplishments while serving as chairman of the museum was to bring the illustrious Westchester Cup back into play on U.S. soil. For the first time in 70 years, it was played in February 2009 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Mr. Orthwein’s contributions to the sport are commemorated in not one, but two sports Hall of Fames. These include the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame in 2011 and the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. He also served as a United States ambassador to the Federation of International Polo and served as the U.S. chairman of the Rules Committee and Zone A director until the time of his death. The Orthwein family has been involved in the sport of polo for three

generations, originally with the St Louis Polo Club and later with Gulfstream Polo Club in both the Delray and Lake Worth locations. After the closing of Gulfstream Polo Club, Mr. Orthwein had the vision to establish a new haven for polo enthusiasts to collaborate and share in their love of the sport. Port Mayaca Polo is the embodiment of this vision, and was officially founded in 2007 in Okeechobee, Florida, and best represents Mr. Orthwein’s hard work, values and love of the sport. “All of us at the USPA, along with the world of polo, have lost one our most honored and respected friends,” said USPA CEO Robert Puetz. “Steve will be sorely missed, but his contributions to the sport of polo and his legacy and memory will stay with us forever. Our hearts go out to the entire Orthwein family.” Steve Sr. is survived by his wife of 42 years Virginia; sons Stephen Jr. (Margaret), Robert (Tiffany) and Danny; granddaughter Hazel; brothers Dolph (Judy), Peter (Beverly), David and Chris (Binkie); and step-brother Mike (Mimi) Montgomery. A celebration of Steve’s life was held at the National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame in Lake Worth, Florida on March 17. A standing-room-only crowd listened to touching stories from his family. Those wishing to honor him can do so by making donations in his name to the following organizations :

• The Shepherd Center Foundation SHARE Military Initiative, The Housing Program & Assisted Technology 2020 Peachtree Road NW Atlanta, GA 30309

Jesse Upchurch Polo lost an icon on February 26, with the passing of Jesse Upchurch. Jesse was a dedicated family man and had an amazing life, starting from dirt poor roots in South Carolina through an extremely successful business career in a myriad of businesses. This memorial just touches on his impact on polo. His obituary published in the Fort Worth newspaper highlights the rest of his life. Jesse and his wife Connie, although never polo players, were monumental in their support of the sport, especially that of young players. In the early 1970s, when their sons attended The Robert Louis Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, California, the Upchurch family provided immense financial support to the interscholastic polo program. Many polo players learned or improved their game at Robert Louis Stevenson School including several members of the Walton family. Later, in support of the Walton’s desire to promote professional arena

• Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame 9011 Lake Worth Road Lake Worth, FL 33467

• Polo Players Support Group 11924 Forest Hill Blvd. Suite 10-A-287 Wellington, FL 33414

• Polo Training Foundation 70 Clinton Street Tully, NY 13159

• Ralph G. Darcy, Jr., MD Distinguished Professorship in Neurological Surgery Washington University, David Blasingame Campus Box 1101, One Brookings Drive St. Louis, MO 63130

Jesse Upchurch

polo in the Los Angeles area and then in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, Jesse and Connie were major sponsors. During the time when Jesse was sponsoring professional arena polo in Dallas-Fort Worth, he purchased land in Burleson, Texas, and built Brushy Creek Ranch into a polo club with a world-class outdoor field, a practice field and an arena. Then 10-goal player Joe Henderson was often quoted as saying, “Brushy Creek is a polo player’s Disney Land.” The National Intercollegiate Championship was played in Dallas and Fort Worth in conjunction with professional games in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Around this time, Jesse joined the board of the Polo Training Foundation. Jesse discontinued his sponsorship of professional polo in the early 90s, but he invited the PTF, who was managing the USPA Intercollegiate/ Interscholastic tour na ments at that time, to come play at Brushy Creek. Brushy Creek became the home for the National Intercollegiate Championship for 12 years, before the USPA decided to move the tournament around the country. Brushy Creek remained a parttime host center for the national intercollegiate and interscholastic tournaments and hosted most of the Central Regional Tournaments. Jesse wanted young players to always feel welcome at Brushy Creek, and initiated a year-round PTF program there. Cissie (Jones) Snow was hired as the first instructor/manager to run lessons, camps and tournaments. There was a time in the 1990s when nearly every player in Intercollegiate/ Interscholastic polo had attended a Brushy Creek summer camp. When Cissie retired, Robin Sanchez managed Brushy Creek until the Upchurch family decided to sell the facility. Brushy Creek was also the home base for TCU, and Texas A&M trailered their horses there nearly every weekend, giving students a home away from home and a wonderful polo experience while in college. When Connie Upchurch passed away, the Texas A&M polo club donated a beautiful bronze trophy named in her honor that is awarded POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 37

annually to the male and female sportsman at the National Intercollegiate Championship. Jesse went on to become chairman of the PTF and helped develop many of the strong intercollegiate/interscholastic programs that are still active today. He was a recipient of the PTF Distinguished Benefactor Award and was also inducted into the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame as an Iglehart Award recipient in 2009. This was in recognition for all his support for youth polo and for his sponsorship of polo in the Southwest. Although his sons did not go on to play intercollegiate polo after their scholastic careers, they did continue to play polo and participated in and won several high-goal tournaments including the Silver Cup with Hall of Famer Charles Smith. Some of this polo success came from a very successful training program run by Archie Salinas, where many of their ponies were trained and also sold. Jesse had a painting in his house of five of Hall of Famer Hector Galindo’s top ponies, all of whom had come from Brushy Creek, when Hector was 9 goals. Jesse was a truly giving soul whose support gave young players a tremendous boost for over 30 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Connie, and granddaughter, Gwendolyn. Survivors include children Kenneth Upchurch (Vicki), Gwendolyn Perrone (John), Jay Upchurch (Jan), Matthew Upchurch (Jessica) and five grandchildren. —Danny Scheraga Nicolaus Hahn Nicolaus “Nicky” Hahn, the founder of California’s Hahn Family Wines and a pioneer of Monterey County’s Santa Lucia Highlands wine region, died March 2 at his home in Zurich, Switzerland. He was 81. According to his former polo pro Ian “Ginger” Hunt, Nicky was a gentleman patron. He sponsored teams in Europe and the USA in the 1980s. In Europe his team was known as Ingwenya (named after his farm in South Africa) and in the states as Smith & Hook (named after his winery). 38 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Nicky Hahn

He played out of the Guards Polo Club in England. In the early 80s he won all the major low-goal tournaments. Then he moved to medium goal again winning all the majors. His proudest moment was winning the Royal Windsor Cup when it was rated at 17-goals and presented by her majesty the Queen. He then moved into high goal, playing two seasons before moving to the U.S. He cherished playing in Deauville, France’s high-goal season, 1986 being his finest year. His team was undefeated for the whole season only to be defeated in the final of the Gold Cup. During his time in Europe he also played in Germany, Spain and France. Nicky was a great family man and won so many of the tournaments playing with his children Nicholas (who sadly passed away as young man) and Caroline. Nicky played two seasons in Palm Beach in the low- and medium-goal. He bought into South Forty and then built a barn at Palm Beach Polo & Country Club. Later, he moved to California to run his very successful wine operation.

You can’t tell the story of Santa Lucia Highlands without Hahn. In 1979, Nicky and his wife Gaby purchased a former horse and cattle ranch in the hills above California’s Salinas Valley, an area that was known for its agriculture but not its grape growing. Both the winery and region’s reputation swelled over the next four decades, thanks in part to Hahn, who championed the area as a unique winemaking region. During the 1980s and ‘90s, growers like Caymus Vineyards’ Wagner family, the Talbotts and the McIntyres recognized the potential, and were followed by resident farming families like the Pisonis and the Franscionis, whose vineyards have garnered much of the acclaim Santa Lucia Highlands has seen in recent years. Hahn was instrumental in gathering his growing group of vintner neighbors and achieving appellation status for the region in 1991. The family business has grown to owning and farming 650 vineyards within Santa Lucia Highlands—10 percent of the total planted acreage in the region. The Hahns also own and farm two vineyards in Arroyo Seco in southern Monterey County. Hahn was born in 1936 in Switzerland. His father, a Jewish banker from Frankfurt, Germany, had moved there to escape the Nazis. Nicky spent his childhood moving through England, Spain, Portugal, Cuba and Los Angeles. He attended grade school in New York, high school in Switzerland and university in Munich, where he studied economics and met Gaby. “I like to say that he’s lived 10 lifetimes in the span of one,” said Hahn’s son Philip. Nicky was a successful businessman in Paris and New York, as well as chairman of an international computer software company in London, before his travels led him to Monterey County. “He went searching for land with the intent of pioneering,” said Philip. “He was trying to find something that had never been done before.” Included on the property Hahn purchased was a vineyard that was planted to Cabernet

Sauvignon. Over the next few years, he began buying farmland and converting it to vineyards. After several years of making just Cabernet, Hahn concluded that the grape was not well suited for the cool and windy region. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he risked it all, replanting their 650 acres to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The tall and lanky Hahn was ambitious beyond his foray in wine. Hahn split his time between Monterey and Switzerland, as well as at a 50,000acre wildlife preserve in Kenya he owned, where he worked on saving wildlife and strengthening the local economy. “My father left me with one indelible lesson: There are many dreamers, but it is not enough to dream. We must also do,” said Philip. “He built something truly meaningful, and I’m proud to carry on his legacy.” Philip has been the chairman of the family business since 2007. Hahn is survived by his wife, Gaby Hahn, and his two children, Philip Hahn and Caroline Hahn. Tony Yonge Anthony “Tony” Edward Lockhart Yonge passed away in his 89th year, on January 14, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Born in 1929 in Reigate, Surrey, United Kingdom, Tony was educated at Downside School for Boys near Shepton Mallet, in Somerset. World War Two was in full cry during his residency there and he witnessed a number of violent incidents in the Battle of Britain, including a fighter plane crash that killed several students on the campus of his school. In 1953, he decided to seek his fortune in Canada. Tony was introduced to polo in Vancouver and in 1954 met St. George’s School professor Basil “Nip” Grosvenor Parker, an active player despite having lost a leg while serving with the Canadian Seaforth Highlanders regiment in Italy. Together the two worked to revitalize the Vancouver Polo Club at Southlands, which had languished in the aftermath of the war.

Tony Yonge

Tony soon became engaged to Captain Parker’s daughter, Jill, an accomplished rider and future polo player. The wedding took place in England where the couple took up residence in the English countryside and where Tony became a member of the Cowdray Park Polo Club. In 1964, their first child, Sally, was born in London and shortly afterwards the new family decided to return to Vancouver where Tony was employed with the East Asiatic Company. In 1965, their son Nigel was born. Having enjoyed the country life in England, Tony and Jill decided to leave the city of Vancouver and move to the pastoral Saanich Peninsula on Vancouver Island, a place where Jill’s parents had moved a few years earlier. In 1967, on a six-acre plot in Saanichton,

they built their house, “Wicklands”, named after the country home where Tony grew up. In addition to the house, they built stables and corrals for a succession of jumping and polo horses. During these years Tony’s devotion to polo became ever more keen. In a matter of months he was instrumental in restarting the Victoria Polo Club and due to his tireless networking was able to recruit enough players to make up two teams on any given Sunday. Teams subsequently visited the island from all over the Pacific Northwest and beyond, including Bellingham, Tacoma, White Swan, Spokane, Vancouver, Kelowna, Jamaica, and the U.K.--a tradition that has continued to the present day. In 1972, Tony got in touch with the secretary of the Hurlingham Polo Association, and pitched a U.K. tour by a Western Canadian polo team. The idea was embraced by Hurlingham and in 1973 Tony and three other teammates became the first Canadian team to tour Britain, an event chronicled in “Polo The Galloping Game - An Illustrated History of Polo in The Canadian West,” by Tony Rees, and later at an exhibit at the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame in Wellington, Florida. Tony’s passionate dedication to polo was legendary and he continued to play the game into his 80s, doing justice to his well-earned reputation as a “goer.” As he once said, “Polo enabled me to enjoy the company of a wonderful crosssection of humanity, from maharajas to cowboys.” Indeed he had many tales to tell of chukkers with players like the flamboyant Hanut Singh, the Domecqs of Spain, and Lord Cowdray himself. In 2009 he was fêted by the appreciative members of the Victoria Polo Club and presented with an engraved silver cup commemorating his 50 years of polo. There was another love in Tony’s life, and that was his family. He adored his wife and children more than anything in the world. He was an “old school” English gentleman, and by example a devoted husband and a true and nurturing father. Tony Yonge is survived by his wife, Jill, daughter Sally, son Nigel, and four grandchildren. POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 39

BY ERNESTO RODRIGUEZ

HIGH SPEED

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS

Polo league rules attempt to improve the game

ll Pro Polo changes [to the rules] had to be League, the made. I suggested I set up a project launched competitive tournament to check by Javier Tanoira [APPL] rules in a game situation for in 2015 to bring the points because being so, the back team play and quickness in the players compete for the score and for game, is gaining ground and their handicaps that are evaluated seducing the sport’s 10-goal players. and they always want to improve it. Tanoira is one of the most lucid Luckily it went very well. analysts of the polo world. An expert in tactics and regulations, after The tournament, held in considering that the sport had Pilarchico, had the participation of become a game of speculation and eight formations between 16 and 20 individuals rather than a fast and goals of handicap. The final, held on team-play activity as it was for Friday, Dec. 1, was between Magdala decades, he decided to develop a new Facundo Pieres and Javier Tanoira watch an APPL game in (Mateo Lafuente, Juan Monteverde, Wellington, Florida. Pieres later played with young players. form of the game that took shape Juan Campion and Martín Tassara) under the name of All Pro Polo and Don Urbano Las Overas League. And with some novel rules, tried England and Spain,” he explained. (Federico Rooney, Alfonso Pieres, Pablo to return to the game its lost spirit. What Tanoira refers to is the series of Llorente and Manuel Sundblad), in which The main differences between matches held in Europe that included two Magdala won 9-8. traditional polo and Tanoira’s game are exhibitions in Chantilly, a meeting in APPL’s other major promotion was the chukkers are shorter; players cannot Cowdray Park Polo Club and an All-Star organization of a test match between 10change horses in the middle of the period Game in Sotogrande with the goalers a month earlier, which allowed (except for injury); after a goal, the team participation of Facundo Pieres and the best polo players on the planet to test who conceded the goal will resume the Pablo Mac Donough. the APPL’s rules and give their opinion. game with a hit in from the back line; and The match was also held in the Pilarchico there are only two types of penalties (A Polo Players’ Edition: Were there fields, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, and B) and execution of the fouls is from more places that wanted to try out the between Team Pampas (Adolfo Cambiaso, the spot, with the hitter having a new style of play? Hilario Ulloa, Pablo Mac Donough and territorial advantage over the rest of the Javier Tanoira: Yes. We also had Nico Pieres, who took the place of the players. very good experiences in Hawaii (Hawaii injured Facundo Pieres) and Team Eagles Tanoira’s project began with a series of Polo Life) and in Brazil (Helvetia Polo (Juan Martín Nero, David Stirling, exhibitions in the first two years of life, Club) with local players. They called us to Gonzalo Pieres and Polito Pieres). but from the second half of 2017 it began test our rules under the supervision of Pampas was left with the victory, to transcend frontiers and generate Marcos Aldao, the APPL main referee. thanks to a golden goal by Adolfito in an milestones in APPL’s organization. extra chukker, but the fundamental thing Tanoira explained in a talk with Polo PPE: How has the growth been in was the excellent reception of the Players’ Edition. “From the second half Argentina? participants to the regulatory novelties. of 2017, we went very well. In Europe, ... JT: When the AAP presidency and “The general opinion of the 10s is that the 10-goal players approached us and board changed, I was finally able to sit you should try the rules in games for the that gave us momentum. They made the down with someone like [AAP President] points, that’s where you can find the project grow, especially in France, Eduardo Novillo Astrada who agreed that return to efficiency in the law. I think the 40 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS

Some of the most talented young players in America were paired with 10-goal Argentines to form four teams in an APPL tournament.

with a tournament played in Wellington on Friday, March 23, in which young American players shared the Outback field with several icons such as the brothers Facundo and Gonzalo Pieres, Sapo Caset and Hilario Ulloa. The winning team was Ulloa’s with teammates Justin Daniels, Jared Zenni and Jason Crowder. “It was a bit complicated for us to enter the USA. We had a very good reception from USPA but I do not know if we are communicating our project well. There are patrons who see the APPL as a

threat and others as an opportunity. The interesting thing is that those who try it go from believing that it is a threat to realizing that it is an opportunity for growth, to recover a more fun polo form for the players and that it is again a visual spectacle for the public, something that now it is not. “Our message is not to be afraid to try; this is not to take the patrons out of the field, but an alternative to grow. The 10goalers who played the Outback (continued on page 57)

SERGIO LLAMERA

deterioration of the game in the last 15 years comes because the players found the deficiencies of the game without breaking the rules. The AAP changed the rules and some, like those for blocking, were not well applied in the [Argentine] Open. The same happened with the minimum time for the execution of the fouls. It is one thing to write the rule and it is more difficult to enforce it, but it is not useful. But the overall balance of the stars was approval,” said Tanoira. The APPL’s plan is to continue the expansion in the United States, beginning

Juan Martin Nero takes the lead in the APPL test match played with all 10-goalers in Argentina in November. Following Nero is Pablo Mac Donough, Adolfo Cambiaso and Gonzalo Pieres. An eight-team APPL tournament was played a month later and matches have been held in several countries.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 41

The St. Regis Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club, which opened in October 2016 with four world-class polo fields and stabling for over 500 horses, held the Dubai Polo Silver and Gold Cup Series, consisting of five tournaments, for the second year. The resort is St. Regis’ first ever Gold Cup Series includes five tournaments equestrian inspired resort PHOTOS BY GONZALO ETCHEVERRY/DPGC 2018 worldwide. The series began January 26 with the 18goal McLaren Cup, followed by the 10goal Polo Masters Cup, the 18-goal Julius Bäer Gold Cup, the 18-goal Dubai Challenge Cup and finishing with the 10goal Dubai Cup final on April 13. Founded by Mohammed Al Habtoor

DESTINATION: DUBIA

Abu Dhabi took on Habtoor Wolves on the first day of the Gold Cup.

caption

42 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

in 2009, the series is the premier regional polo competition of the year, attracting VIPs, society figures and senior corporate executives from across the region. The tournament is played under Hurlingham Polo Association rules. Al Habtoor, patron of the Habtoor Polo team, said, “This year there are six teams playing in the McLaren Cup. The participating teams will host some of the top-ranking world polo tour players, including Pablo Mac Donough, the 10goal superstar and three-time Triple Crown Champion with La Dolfina; Polito Pieres, another 10-goal figure and winner of the 2012 Gold Cup in England; Ezequiel Martinez Ferrario; Francisco Elizalde; Ezequiel Martinez Ferrario, and many others who have come directly from [the] Argentine Open.” In the McLaren Cup final, Zedan Polo Narrowly edged Bin Drai Polo 9-8½ to raise the Hildon Cup. Mac Donough scored the game winner on a 30-yard penalty with 38 seconds on the clock. Bin Drai Polo was led by Raúl Laplacette who scored five goals and was named MVP. Cruzeiro, one of the horses he rode, was named Best Playing Pony. Bin Drai led after the first seven minutes but a strong second chukker put Zedan on top 6-2½. Bin Drai chipped away at the deficit in the next 14 minutes to eventually take the 7½-6 lead. Bin Drai scored one more in the final chukker, but Zedan hammered in three more to take the win. In the subsidiary, Habtoor Polo defeated UAE Polo 11-8 to win the Hildon Cup. Habtoor’s Bautista Urbina and UAE’s Polito Pieres were top scorers with five goals apiece. In the Masters Cup final, UAE Polo defeated Habtoor Polo 5½-5. UAE Polo was down by a half goal after the first chukker, which increased to a goal and a half in the second. The team rallied after the half, putting in a pair of goals while holding Habtoor Polo to one in the third and cutting the deficit to a half goal. The

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

S P O T L I G H T

High-goal Teams Zedan Polo:

Bin Drai Polo:

Habtoor Polo:

Mahra Polo:

UAE Polo:

Wolves Polo:

Desert Palm:

Abu Dhabi:

Amr Zedan Martin Gandara Tomas. Panelo Pablo Mac Donough Rashid Bin Drai Raúl Laplacette Matias Torres Zavaleta Andrés Laplacette Mohammed Al Habtoor Jack Hyde Bautista Ortiz de Urbina Francisco Elizalde Rashid Al Habtoor Benjamin Urquiza Isidro Strada Jeronimo del Carril

0 5 3 10 1 6 7 4

0 4 6 8

0 5 6 6

Her Highness Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum 0 Pablos Avalos/Jimbo Fewster 2 Matias Benoit 6 Polito Pieres 10 Bin Drai’s Raúl Laplacette, Matías Torres Zavaleta, Rashid Bin Drai and Andrés Laplacette were winners of the Gold Cup. Andrés Laplacette was MVP and Cruzeiro, played by Raúl Laplacette was Best Playing Pony.

team had another strong fourth, outscoring Habtoor 2-1, including the game-winner from a young Lucas Monteverde Jr. In the subsidiary, Wolves slipped RA Polo 5-4 for third place honors. Up next was the highlight of the series, the 18-goal Julius Bäer Gold Cup. Eight teams competed in the tournament. After two weeks of playoff matches, defending champion Zedan defeated Habtoor 12-9 and Mahra defeated Wolves 8-7 in overtime to advance to the semifinals against Bin Drai and Abu Dhabi, respectively. In semifinal action, Abu Dhabi defeated Mahra 9-7 in a spirited match, while Bin Drai Polo edged Zedan 6-5. Abu Dhabi jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the second chukker, but Mahra chipped away at the deficit to come within one, 6-

5 in the fourth. Abu Dhabi outscored Mahra 3-2 in the fifth and final chukker to take the win. After the match, Abu Dhabi patron Faris Al Yabhouni said, “... It has been a tough semi-final, more than we expected. We have much better than this and hopefully you will see it in the final. ... This was not our best performance but we won. Horses hopefully will be good, we expect they will be good. We expect a good final.” In the other match, Bin Drai trailed 21 in the second but leveled the score at 33 after the third. The score remained tied (5-5) in the fourth before Bin Drai took the 6-5 lead for the win. The final pitted Bin Drai against Abu Dhabi. Bin Drai took an early 2-1 lead and increased it to 9-3 by the end of the third. The team kept up the pressure,

Habtoor Al Habtoor Matias Diego Gonzales Miguel Ezequiel Martinez Ferrario Manuel Crespo Rashid Al Bwardy Camilo Castagnola Santiago Laborde Bartolome Castagnola Faris Al Yabhouni Santiago Gomez Romero Santiago Cernadas Alfredo Cappella

1 2 8 7

2 4 6 6

0 3 6 9

taking an eight-goal lead by the end of the fourth. In the final chukker, Abu Dhabi rallied with five goals, while holding Bin Drai to one but it wasn’t enough and Bin Drai held on for the win. Andrés Laplacette, playing in Dubai for the first time, was named Most POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 43

The Julius Bäer Gold Cup is the highlight of the high-goal season. A team presentation and draw was held at the St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club for the eight teams entered. The tournament featured a line-up of exceptional players.

Valuable Player, and Raúl Laplacette’s Cruzeiro was Best Playing Pony, just as it was in the McLaren Cup. Raúl played the bay gelding in both the first and fourth periods. The final was televised on ESPN and was livestreamed by Pololine TV. In the subsidiary, Desert Palm defeated Habtoor Polo 7-5 for the Bentley Cup. The 18-goal tournaments in the series concluded with the Dubai Challenge Cup. Zedan took its second victory in the series after defeating Wolves 10-7 in front of a large crowd. The results were similar to when Zedan met Wolves in preliminary play, with Zedan taking the 10-6 win. In the final, Zedan led after each chukker, and despite a valiant effort by Wolves, it could not get closer than two goals. Zedan’s Pablo Mac Donough was highscorer with four goals in the winning effort. Prior to the final, members of the riding school paraded around the field. Cheerleaders, some with large blow-up horses, danced in a halftime performance. And after the prize giving ceremony, a horse show was followed by a laser & mirror show and finally fireworks. The finalists were determined in a shootout after last round preliminary matches had defending champion Bin Drai, Zedan and Wolves all equal in points with two victories each. Zedan and Wolves advanced after leading the penalty shooting. In the subsidiary, Bin Drai defeated 44 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Zedan won both the McLaren Cup and the Dubai Challenge Cup.

HH Sheika Maitha Al Maktoum’s UAE Polo Team won the Polo Masters Cup. A young Lucas Monteverde Jr. scored the game winner after the team trailed most of the game.

Cruzeiro, owned by Bin Drai Polo and played by Raúl Laplacette, was Best Playing Pony in both the McLaren Cup and the Gold Cup.

Zedan’s Pablo Mac Donough led his team in the Dubai Challenge Cup.

Habtoor 8-6 for third place honors. Between matches a fashion show by Dina Melwani was held in the Gold Lounge. Later, prizes were given to the Best Dressed Ladies in the crowd. The Gold Cup Series finished up with the 8-goal Dubai Cup from April 6-13. Seven strong teams participated in the event. In the final, Habtoor defeated Bin Drai Polo 9½-7 in an exciting neck-andneck match. It was the third consecutive Dubai Cup title for Habtoor. Third place honors went to Zedan Wolves with a 4½-4 win over AM Polo in the subsidiary Dubai Cup final.

Saman Habibian, Mohammad Al Habtoor and Joe Rogan

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 45

POLO REPORT DISPATCHES FROM THE WORLD OF POLO CALIFORNIA

JIM BREMNER/POLOZONE.COM

MARCH MADNESS AT EMPIRE POLO CLUB

Empire’s Eileen Duffy takes the ball while teammate Rob Scapa keeps the pressure on Evergreen’s Bayne Bossom in the final of the 4-goal General Patton Cup.

hree teams competed over two days for the Debii $ women’s tournament at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, March 7-9. Mix It Up came away the victor after winning all but one of its rounds over Mother Bears and Luna Polo. On the first day, Mix It Up (Kit Neacy/Lynni Hutton, Meghan Gracida, Caroline Anier, Madelyn Cobb) took on Luna Polo (Susan Adams, Jennifer Alexi, Malia McCoy, Miranda Luna) in the first round. Caroline Anier got the

46 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

scoring started, but Jennifer Alexi had the answer, added to a half-goal handicap. Anier sunk a Penalty 2 conversion in the second, the only goal of the chukker, for the 2-1½ win. Luna Polo then took on Mother Bears (Carol Farnsworth, Audry Persano, Catlin Dix, Sukey Forbes). The teams shut each other down in the first chukker. A Penalty 1 got Mother Bears on the board in the second, but Alexi matched it to end the round in a 1-1 tie. The last round had Mother Bears

starting with a half-goal handicap against Mix It Up and neither team could reach the goal in the first chukker. Mix It Up’s Madelyn Cobb stole the show in the second chukker with back-to-back goals for the 2-½ win. The teams continued with another round robin played two days later. Mix It Up and Mother Bears played in the first round, starting where they left off. Unanswered goals by Audry Persano and Catlin Dix, added to a half goal it ended with in the previous match-up, put

R E P O R T

JIM BREMNER/POLOZONE.COM

P O L O

Mix It Up’s Meghan Gracida, Lynni Hutton, Caroline Anier, Kit Neacy and Madelyn Cobb won the Debii $ Memorial.

Mother Bears on top at the end of the first chukker, 2½-2. Mix It Up shot back in the second with Caroline Anier scoring three goals, only interrupted by a goal from teammate Madeline Cobb. Mother Bears couldn’t find the goal, leaving Mix It Up on top 6-2½. Mother Bears fared better in the next round against Luna Polo. After starting 1-1, Neither team was able to reach the goal in the first chukker. Audry Persano broke the drought in the second with back-to-back goals. Jennifer Alexi responded with a goal for Luna but time ran out and Mother Bears took the 3-2 win. The last round pitted Mix It Up against Luna Polo. Mix It Up carried the 2-1½ lead into the match but Malia McCoy struck first to put Luna ahead. Madeline Cobb and Caroline Anier answered ending the first 4-2½. Jennifer Alexi brought Luna to within a half goal early in the second chukker, then took the lead with a Penalty 3 conversion. Mix It Up struggled to reach the goal as time ran out, leaving Luna with the 4½4 victory. When the goals were tallied, Mix It Up was on top with 3 net goals, Luna was second with minus-½ and Mother Bears finished third with minus-2½ goals. Audrey Persano was named MVP and Caroline Anier’s Cheeza was Best Playing Pony. Kit Neacy won the Dorrie Forstmann Sportsmanship Award. Play continued on March 18 with the final of the 4-goal Congressional Cup

La Herradura Polo Team’s Carlos Hernandez, Caroline Anier, Meghan Gracida and Gina Padilla won the Congressional Cup.

between La Herradura (Gina Padilla, Meghan Gracida, Caroline Anier, Carlos Hernandez) and Prima Polo (Jenny Alter, Todd Randell, Robert Payne III, Toto Socas). Prima Polo was firing on all cylinders in the first chukker with Toto Socas nailing two in a row. Todd Randell jumped on a pass and sent it between the posts for a 3-0 lead. La Herradura came up empty but rebounded in the second with Carlos Hernandez and Caroline Anier combining for three unanswered goals to tie the score after the first 14 minutes. Robert Payne broke the tie with a field goal and a Penalty 3 conversion before Meghan Gracida found the uprights, ending the third with Prima ahead 5-4. Hernandez stole the show in the final period, scoring three in a row while Prima was silenced, to give La Herradura the 7-5 win. The same day, Evergreen topped ReMax 12-9 in the 8-goal Constitution Cup final. Evergreen (Tom Sprung, Juan Jo Gonzalez, Carlos Galindo Jr., Shane Rice) came from behind at the half, 7-6, to defeat ReMax (Gordon Ross, Dayelle Fargey, Jared Sheldon, Matthew Fonseca) in the last three periods. Juan Jo Gonzalez put Evergreen on the board to get the party started. Matthew Fonseca responded for ReMax but Shane Rice had the answer. Jared Sheldon finished the chukker off with a goal to end 2-2. Sheldon wrapped goals around one from Carlos Galindo in the

second to give ReMax the 4-3 lead. In the third, Fonseca and Gordon Ross traded goals with Rice to maintain the one-goal lead. In the second half, Galindo tied the score before Rice sunk a Penalty 3 to give Evergreen the lead. Fonseca answered with a Penalty 2 to tied the game once again. Rice added Penalty 2 and 4 conversions in the fifth to jump out front 10-8. A Penalty 1 brought ReMax within one in the last period but Rice dashed ReMax’s hopes when he converted a Penalty 2, then scored from the field for the 12-9 win. Rice, high-scorer with nine goals including seven penalties, was MVP and Dayelle Fargey’s Peace was Best Playing Pony. Another Evergreen polo team (Tom Sprung, Carlitos Galindo, Juan Jo Gonzales and Bayne Bossom) scored wins over both Empire (Rob Scapa, Eileen Duffy, Erik Wright and Jim Wright) and C & R Farms (Cheryl Shindell, Luis Saracco, Ross Adam and Alonzo Cruz) over the course of two weeks in late February to win the 4-goal USPA General Patton Cup . Carlitos Galindo, tournament highscorer, continued to lead the Evergreen attack against Empire, but every member of the team got on the scoreboard in the Sunday afternoon match. Evergreen edged itself to a 4-3 halftime lead on the strength of two goals from Galindo and single goals

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 47

R E P O R T JIM BREMNER/POLOZONE.COM

JIM BREMNER/POLOZONE.COM

P O L O

Evergreen’s Juan Jo Gonzalez, Tom Sprung, Carlitos Galindo and Shane Rice won the 8-goal Constitution Cup at Empire Polo.

JIM BREMNER/POLOZONE.COM

from teammates Tom Sprung and Juan Jo Gonzalez. The two teams exchanged goals in the fourth with Galindo adding his third and Sprung scoring for the second time on the day. Empire matched them goal for goal but continued to trail, 6-5. Two fifth period Empire goals leveled the score at 7-7 but sixth chukker goals from Sprung, Bayne Bossom (who earned MVP honors for his efforts and a pair of Leisure Society sunglasses) and Gonzalez canceled out Rob Scapa’s fourth goal of the game and carried them to a resounding 10-8 win. Iceman, owned and played by Carlos Galindo, won Best Playing Pony. In the 8-goal division of the General Patton Cup, Spindrift (Leslie Tims, John Bickford, Juan Curbelo and Luis Saracco) rebounded from a last chukker rally by STG (John Ziegler, Tommy Costello, Max Menini and Francisco Guinazu) to secure the win. Juan Curbelo opened the scoring with a goal from the field for the early Spindrift advantage, but fouls proved costly in the early goings. Penalty goals from STG’s Max Menini and Francisco Guinazu closed out the chukker with STG on top, 2-1.

Evergreen’s Tom Sprung, Juan Jo Gonzalez, Bayne Bossom and Carlitos Galindo won the General Patton 4-goal Cup.

48 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Spindrift’s Leslie Tims, John Bickford, Juan Curbelo and Luis Saracco won the General Patton 8-goal Cup.

Curbelo tied it at 2-2 with his second goal of the game, but STG countered with a 40-yard penalty goal from Guinazu for a fragile one goal advantage, 3-2. Leslie Tims scored the final goal of the period, leveling the score at three goals apiece, 3-3. The Spindrift defenders were on their game in the third. Shutout defense coupled with a pair of 40-yard penalty conversions from John Bickford gave the advantage to Spindrift, 5-3. Two more penalty goals from Bickford and a goal from the field from Luis Saracco and a second consecutive scoreless chukker for STG saw Spindrift expand its lead to five goals, 8-3, with just two periods of regulation play remaining.

The STG offense came alive in the fifth with Menini opening with a goal from the field followed by two penalty goals from Guinazu, 8-6. Bickford converted a penalty shot from the 30-yard mark, 9-6, with Menini adding the final goal of the period. Spindrift continued to lead but a storming STG team appeared to have morphed into attack mode, and trailed by just two goals, 9-7. The momentum remained with STG as the final chukker got underway. Guinazu’s fifth goal of the day had STG within a goal of the lead, 9-8, and Tommy Costello’s first goal of the afternoon had it all even at 9-9. Both teams pressed frantically for the winning goal and with 13 seconds on the clock it was Saracco executing the winning shot for the 10-9 win. All five of Bickford’s five goals came on penalty shots and earned him MVP honors. Saracco and Curbelo each scored twice and Tims added a goal for the Cup. Guinazu was STG’s top scorer with five goals (four on penalty conversions). Menini scored three times (twice on penalty shots) and Costello was credited with a goal in the loss. Curbelo’s Briza was named Best Playing Pony. —Alex Webbe contributed to this report

R E P O R T

KAYLEE WROE

P O L O

Antelope’s Geoff Palmer, Santiago Trotz, Remy Mueller and Jared Sheldon won the 12-goal Beal and Constitution Cups.

ANTELOPE TEAMS

WIN IN ELDORADO

Antelope teams dominated the competition in both the 8- and 12-goal levels of the USPA Carlton & Keleen Beal Cup played Feb. 3-11 and the USPA Fish Creek Constitution Cup played Feb. 17-25 at the Eldorado Polo Club in Indio, California. The Beal Cup final was a one-sided contest as Antelope (Geoff Palmer, Santiago Trotz, Jared Sheldon, Remy Du Celliee Mueller) outscored Farmers & Merchants Bank/RH Polo (Ben Soleimani, Mariano Fassetta, Santiago Von Wernich, Danny Walker) by an average of a goal a chukker to cruise to a 14-9 victory. Walker was replaced in the final by Alonso Cruz due to injury. Antelope won the opening throw-in and scored in the first 25 seconds, offsetting the handicap goal given to FMB/RH Polo. FMB/RH scored one of its own to take the lead at the end of the first. Antelope exploded with five goals in the second, while holding FMB/RH to one, 6-3. The teams matched goals in the third, ending the half 8-5. Antelope outscored FMB/RH 3-2 in the fourth and 2-1 in the fifth to increase the lead to 13-8. Each team tallied in the final chukker to end with Antelope the winner. Trotz led Antelope with eight goals,

Antelope Jr.’s Grant Palmer, Patrick Uretz, Caroline Anier and Jimmy Wright won the 8-goal Beal and Constitution Cups. Fred Mannix is center.

earning him MVP honors, and his mare Pepper was named Best Playing Pony. The final game of the 12-goal Constitution Cup saw Antelope (Geoff Palmer, Santiago Trotz, Jared Sheldon, Remy Du Celliee Mueller) and Highwood (Ron Mathison, Marcelo Rodriguez-Abbiati, Mariano Gutierrez, Geronimo Obregon) change leads three times. The start very quickly belonged to Highwood as Obregon converted a Penalty 3 and Gutierrez scored from the field to lead by two after the first period. Antelope got back in it in the second as Du Celliee Mueller and Sheldon evened the count at 2-2. The pronghorns led for the first time in the early third as Sheldon converted a Penalty 3 but Highwood got that back and then some as Obregon scored a Penalty 3 and a 2 from the spot. Going to the Ruffino Prosecco halftime divot stomp the Albertans had the 4-3 edge. A Penalty 1 in the fourth tied the count. Rodriguez-Abbiati struck from the field to give Highwood its third lead going to the penultimate frame at 5-4. Trotz evened the score with a 60yard penalty and Du Celliee Mueller gave the pronghorns its second lead of the afternoon with a nice run from midfield. However, Gutierrez sunk a Penalty 2 to level the score at 6-6. Many scoring chances came and left

for both in the sixth period but a Penalty 2 was the opportunity Antelope needed and Palmer split the uprights to win the Fish Creek Constitution Cup. Fish Creek’s Fred Mannix was on hand to present the trophies and Scott Niwa, area manager, bestowed bottles of Don Julio to the winners. Trotz was MVP and his sixth chukker horse, Pampiano, wore the Best Playing Pony blanket back to the barn. After the Coachella Valley Officer’s Cup victory, Antelope Junior (Grant Palmer, Carolyn Anier, Patrick Uretz, Jimmy Wright) continued to dominate, taking the 8-goal division of the Beal Cup. The win once again came at the expense of Bush League (Virgil Kyle, Ryan Robertson, Ulysses Escapite, Shane Rice). The young pronghorns jumped out to a two-goal lead but Bush League responded. Another for Antelope Junior gave it a 3-2 lead going into the second. Antelope Junior scored early but Bush League came back with two for a 4-4 tie. Antelope scored a pair of unanswered goals in the third for a 6-4 halftime lead. Bush League outscored Antelope 21 in the fourth to come within one, 7-6. The teams matched goals in the fifth to begin the final stanza 9-8. Robertson tied the score and Kyle

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 49

R E P O R T KAYLEE WROE

KAYLEE WROE

P O L O

Danny Walker presents the Governor’s Cup trophy to Boss Polo’s Bayne Bossom, Jared Sheldon, Remy Mueller and Leslie Tims.

gave Bush League its first lead of the game halfway through the sixth period. Wright and Uretz replied to quickly quell Bush League’s rally and Antelope took the 11-10 victory. Uretz led Antelope with eight goals including four penalties. Wright was named MVP and Escapite’s Benny was Best playing Pony. Antelope Junior kept up its momentum in the Constitution Cup, where it met Twin Palms (Chris Maloney, Graham Bray, Mason Wroe, Mia Bray) in the final. Scoring in the first was even at two apiece but a handicap gave Twin Palms the 3-2 lead. The only goal of the second frame went to Twin Palms and its lead became a pair (4-2) going to the third chukker. The Twin Palms lead remained two after the third period as both teams scored a goal leading to the half (5-3). With equal scoring in the fourth the Maloney crew held the lead (7-5), an unusual situation for Antelope Junior. The youngsters tightened the defensive screws in the fifth as it tied the game at seven with one to go in regulation. A strike from the field in the final frame gave Palmer his third tournament championship of the season by a final tally of 8-7. With the Constitution awards in hand, Niwa presented the winners with bottles of Don Julio Tequila, save Palmer himself who will have to wait

50 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Twin Palms’ Patrick Uretz, Graham Bray, Mason Wroe and Mike Kerley (and an injured Chris Maloney) won the Rossmore Cup.

several years before he can collect. Veteran Carolyn Anier was MVP and Sydney, owned by Mia Bray and played by her father, Graham Bray, was Best Playing Pony. Play continued with the Governors Cup from March 3-25. The final was between Thermal (Reg Whyte, Mia Bray, Patrick Uretz, Felipe Sordelli) and Boss Polo (Leslie Tims, Bayne Bossom, Jared Sheldon, Remy Du Celliee Mueller) in a game with several swings in momentum. Uretz ran from the initial bowl-in and scored to give a very early lead to Thermal. However, Sheldon scored three goals in a row to grab a two-goal bulge for Boss Polo. Bossom finished off the first period with two counters of his own and the youngsters lead 5-1. Thermal took the momentum in the second frame as the pressure they exerted created defensive errors by Boss Polo. The result was three open-goal awards that Uretz converted. Boss Polo still led but by just one at 5-4. Du Celliee Mueller and Sheldon combined for four to increase Boss Polo’s lead to 9-5 after holding Thermal to one from Uretz. Thermal came within three as Sordelli scored his first but Sheldon got that back to quell a possible comeback. Sordelli was able to grab another but that would be it as Boss Polo won 10-7. Du Celliee Mueller was MVP and Sheldon’s Chiquita was Best Playing

Pony. The season concluded with the USPA Rossmore Cup final, played as the 24th annual Polo Skins Game. Twin Palms (Graham Bray, Mason Wroe, Patrick Uretz, Mike Kerley) took two-thirds of the $21,000 purse and a 12-9 victory over FMB/RH Polo (Danny Walker, Mariano Fassetta, Santiago Von Wernich, Catlin Dix). Mike Kerley subbed for an injured Chris Maloney, while Caitlin Dix replaced an injured Ben Soleimani. With $3500 available in each chukker, the hotly-contested game turned out to be a perfect example of how polo is supposed to be played—hit the ball and run. FMB/RH led 3-2 in the first, taking the $3,500. Twin Palms outscored the bankers by an identical count of 3-2, tying the match at 5-5 and grabbing its first cash award of $3,500. FMB/RH Polo retaliated in the third, outscoring Twin Palms 2-1 for the 7-6 lead and another $3,500. Twin Palms rallied after the half to outscore FMB/RH 4-1, taking a 10-8 lead and its share of the cash. The teams tied 1-1 in the fifth chukker, carrying over the chukker’s cash, making the sixth chukker worth $7,000. Twin Palms continued to lead 11-9. Uretz scored the only goal of the final chukker, giving Twin Palms the 129 win and the final $7,000 payout.

P O L O

J.Levine’s Sarah Coleman, Thomas Phelps, Dan Coleman and Kris Laughlin won the Rusher Cup in Phoenix, Arizona.

Pathlight’s Sarah Coleman, Roque Sarmiento and Bryan Birby won the Amateur Cup’s B Flight.

Uretz was high-scorer with nine goals including four from the penalty line, earning him MVP honors. Josephina, a Walker homebred, was named Best Playing Pony. Prior to the awards presentation, David Carlson was presented with the club’s Robert Skene Most Improved Player trophy. BORDER

J.LEVINE ACES RUSHER CUP Four teams battled for two divisions of the Rusher Cup at Polo Azteca in Phoenix, Arizona March 23-25. When all was said and done, J.Levine (Kris Laughlin, Sarah Coleman, Dan

R E P O R T

Cutco’s Jaime Rizo Patron, Allison Freeman and Dan Faherty won the Arena Amateur Cup at Polo Azteca.

J.Levine’s Ward McDaniel, Allison Freeman and Troy, Trent and Theo Wakefield won the USPA Constitution Cup.

Coleman, Thomas Phelps) took the win after defeating Cutco (Allison Freeman, Dan Faherty, Bob Brotherton), 10-8, in the upper division. Bob Brotherton was named MVP and Dan Coleman’s Hera was Best Playing Pony. In the lower division, VIP Mortgage (William Faherty, Troy Wakefield, Roque Sarmiento) shut out Pathlight (Benjamin Faherty, Logan Behrens, Trent Wakefield), 6-0. Earlier, the club hosted the Border Circuit Arena Amateur Cup in honor of Jerry Mitchell, an institution in Southwest polo, cultivating several generations of players. Mitchell was born in Texas, and ranched there as well as New Mexico. In the 1970s, he moved to Arizona where he developed several ranches and polo clubs

including ABC Ranch and Polo Club, Rawhide, Krazy Horse Ranch and Polo Club and Wranglers Roost Dude Ranch. Players in the area remember his trademark red boots and sharp Mexican spurs, not to mention the Cadillacs and Hummers he would drive to polo. He died in 2013 at the age of 78. Mitchell’s widow, Jennifer Tuzzolino Mitchell, is an active player at Polo Azteca in Phoenix and still runs Krazy Horse Ranch as a youth riding program in Black Canyon City. The 4-goal Amateur Cup had 14 players participating on five teams, divided into two flights. The A Flight pitted Cutco (Allison Freeman, Dan Faherty, Jaime Rizo Patron) against J. Levine’s (Katie Stiles, Zak Coleman, Dan Coleman). Cutco came away the

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P O L O

R E P O R T

Paul Jornayvas presents belt buckles to 0- to 3-goal winners CTPA’s Lauren Platt, Taylor Morris and Loreto Natividad.

winner after a 12-8 victory. Dan Faherty was named MVP. In the B Flight, Pathlight (Sarah Coleman, Roque Sarmiento, Bryan Birby) topped the round robin against VIP (Carol Hobson, Soleil Dolce, Kris Laughlin) and J.Levine (Katie Stiles, Logan Behrens, Benji Faherty). Earlier in the month, J.Levine (Theo Wakefield, Ward McDaniel, Allison Freeman, Trent Wakefield, Troy Wakefield), Cutco (Dan Faherty, Steve Bentz, Rob Phipps, Kris Laughlin, Benji Faherty) and VIP Mortgage (Dan Coleman, Zak Coleman, Thomas Phelps, Roque Sarmiento, Logan Behrens) played a round robin for the -2 to 1-goal USPA Constitution Cup at Being the Change Polo Club. The first round had VIP Mortgage edge Cutco 4-1. Dan Coleman scored all the goals for VIP while Dan Faherty scored Cutco’s lone goal. VIP sat down while Cutco took on J. Levine. Dan Faherty struck first but Ward McDaniel shot back. Theo Wakefield followed with a pair of goals in both chukkers to push J.Levine out front 5-1 for the win. J.Levine then met VIP, each with a win under their belts. Dan Coleman got the scoring started but Wakefield responded. Thomas Phelps found the goal but McDaniel answered to end the first chukker 3-2. Dan Coleman struck again early in the second, but

52 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Prevalecer’s Megan Flynn, Loreto Natividad and Ashley Owen won the 3- to 6-goal Texas Arena League and the Alumni event.

Wakefield answered to give J.Levine the 4-3 win. Theo Wakefield was named MVP and Zak Coleman’s Blackie was named Best Playing Pony. SOUTHWEST

TEXAS ARENA LEAGUE

WRAPS UP IN MIDLAND After events at County Line Polo Club in the Austin area and Legend’s Horse Ranch in the Dallas area, the final leg of the Texas Arena League was played at Midland Polo Club in Midland, Texas. Ten teams competed in the 0- to 3-goal flight and seven teams competed in the 3- to 6-goal flight. Teams and players from all over the state have been competing at multiple locations to garner points toward the final awards. The final in the 0- to 3-goal flight was between Central Texas Polo Association (Loreto Natividad, Taylor Morris, Lauren Platt) and County Line One (Drew Richardson, Zain Saud, Oscar Bermudez Jr). CTPA took home the game win, the league win and the trophy buckles. County Line One was the Texas Arena League 0- to 3-goal runner-up. Loreto Natividad won league MVP honors in the 0- to 3-goal division. John Hand’s Maria was named league Best Playing Pony and John also won the Sportsmanship Award.

The final of the 3- to 6-goal were between Prevalecer (Megan Flynn, Ashley Owen, Loreto Natividad) and County Line (Seth Bray, Drew Richardson, Zain Saud). Prevalecer won the match, which was also played as a USPA I/I alumni tournament with Texas Tech, University of Texas and Midland Interscholastic represented amongst the players. With the win, Prevalecer also took home Texas Arena League winner belt buckles. There was a three-way, all-around point tie for league runner-up between Central Texas Polo, Legend’s and County Line. After going to net goals, County Line was named TAL 3- to 6goal runner-up. Wyatt Myr won league MVP honors and the fabulous handmade knife from Brian Weaver. Megan Flynn’s Awesome Sauce won 3to 6-goal Best Playing Pony and Brady Williams was honored with the Sportsmanship Award. Players who competed in the Texas Arena League voted for Best Host Club, which was awarded to Midland. Some of the goals of the TAL were to promote arena polo, build camaraderie between clubs and players around the Southwest Circuit and create a competitive but friendly atmosphere. Goals achieved! Clubs that were represented in TAL included County Line, San Antonio, Central Texas Polo Assn., Midland, East Texas, Dallas, Willow Bend, Legend’s, Texas

P O L O

Midland’s Brady Williams, Leigh Fulkerson and Ashley Owen won the USPA Southwest Circuit Arena Amateur Cup.

Military, ATX, Heart Of Texas, South Padre Island, Houston, Texas Tech, River Bend and Texas A&M. The league even garnered attention from local media—both print and television. Texas Arena League was made possible through support from USPA Services, Arena, Tournament and Marketing Committees and USPA Umpires LLC. Thanks to all of the volunteers, host sites and players who made TAL such a successful endeavor in its first year; looking forward to an even better 2019. In addition to the Texas Arena League, several other tournaments were played for that weekend. Midland Polo Club (Brady Williams, Leigh Fulkerson, Ashley Owen) played Legend’s Polo Club (Nacho Estrada, Steve Gilchrist, Lara Semmelmann) for the USPA Southwest Circuit Arena Amateur Cup. Midland Polo club’s onetwo punch was hard to defend despite the efforts of Legend’s, and Midland came out with the win. Brady Williams won MVP honors and Panela, played by Nacho Estrada, was named Best Playing Pony. San Antonio Polo Club (Molly Musselman Smith, Gal Shweiki, Patrick MacLeod), donning Air Force jerseys, played Santa Elena Minerals (Joanie Jackson, Carter Nix, Cara Kennedy) in

R E P O R T

Santa Elena Mineral’s Carter Nix, Joanie Jackson and Cara Kennedy won the Nimitz military tournament.

Legends’ Steve Gilchrist, Wyatt Myr and Nacho Estrada won the National Arena Challenge.

the Nimitz military tournament. Santa Elena Minerals was just coming off playing the final of the Central Region Girls’ Interscholastic tournament and Molly Smith was put in to substitute for an ill Ursula Lipari. On the Santa Elena team, Cara Kennedy’s grandfather served in Marines; Joanie Jackson’s and Carter Nix’s grandfathers both served in the Air Force; and Joanie’s grandmother and grandfather also worked for the CIA. On the San Antonio team, Gal Shweiki’s wife is an Army doctor; Patrick MacLeod was Air Force ROTC and his father was in the Air Force; Molly Smith’s grandfather served in the Navy. The tight teamwork of the young Santa Elena team was tough to beat and it took the win despite the best

efforts from San Antonio. Molly Musselman Smith was named MVP and Gracie, played by Carter Nix, won Best Playing Pony. When players participate in a USPA Arena Challenge, they qualify to play on a team in the National Arena Challenge. Ten players have now qualified through this Southwest Circuit event at Midland Polo Club to play the national tournament. For this event, Legend’s Polo Club (Steve Gilchrist, Wyatt Myr, Nacho Estrada) faced off against Midland Polo Club (Brady Williams, Ernesto Natividad, Leigh Fulkerson) and San Antonio Polo Club (Ursula Lipari, Gal Shweiki, Jack Crea, Patrick MacLeod). In the round-robin play, Legend’s maintained a lead thanks in part to consistent teamwork through the course of the Texas Arena League. Both San Antonio and Midland made valiant attempts to stop the runs on goal but Legend’s took the victory. Wyatt Myr was MVP and his horse Romeo won Best Playing Pony. The first USPA I/I alumni circuit event was played, pitting County Line Polo Club with Zain Saud and Drew Richardson representing University of Texas and Seth Bray from Texas Tech against Prevalecer with Megan Flynn and Ashley Owen formerly of Texas

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 53

P O L O

R E P O R T

Shamrock’s Max Secunda, Trevor Niznik, Hayden Walsh and John Walsh, with Julian Hipwood, right, won the Black Olive 6-goal.

Tech and Loreto Natividad who played on the winning National Interscholastic Midland team. Both teams had been undefeated in the Texas Arena League up to this point with additional players competing in the first legs of the tournament (Wendy Stover, Tiamo Hudspeth, Amanda Massey and Kendall Plank for County Line and Pato Tadeo for Prevalecer). Natividad was hot off his win in the 0- to 3-goal division with Central Texas Polo Assn., but County Line played hard defense against the Prevalecer team, keeping the score close in the first chukker. Prevalecer, however, dominated in the second, bringing the team to a significant lead at the half. County Line came back in the second half of the match but could not overcome the lead. Prevalecer won the I/I Circuit Alumni Tournament. Ashley Owen was MVP and Megan Flynn’s Awesome Sauce took the Best Playing Pony honors. FLORIDA

SHAMROCK LUCKY IN BLACK OLIVE 6-GOAL

Shamrock had the luck of the Irish on its side as it won the Black Olive 6-goal at Port Mayaca Polo Club in Okeechobee, Florida, on St. Patrick’s

54 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

The Villages Insurance’s Paige McCabe, Charly Quincoces, Nick Johnson and Frankie Bilbao won The Villages Insurance 12-goal.

Day, March 17. Shamrock (John Walsh, Hayden Walsh, Trevor Niznik, Max Secunda) defeated Field One (Stacy Simpkins, Pelon Escapite, Chris Lund, Madelyn Porter), 7-3 in a spirited final. Shamrock’s Hayden Walsh was named MVP and Pelon Escapite’s pretty chestnut mare, Virginia, was Best Playing Pony. In the consolation, Speedwell (Nicole Watson, Agustin Mahoum, Marcos Onetto, Mike Egan) narrowly defeated Willowcreek (Mikey Matz, Misty Allen, Mariano Gracida, TBA), 5½-5. To get to the final, Shamrock defeated Speedwell after doubling up the score, 6-3, and Field One defeated Willowcreek by a half goal, 4-3½.

VILLAGES INSURANCE

ENSURES 12-G VICTORY

The Villages Insurance team edged Galaxy Home Solutions in the seasonopening The Villages Insurance 12-goal at The Villages Polo Club in The Villages, Florida on March 11. The Villages Insurance (Paige McCabe, Charly Quincoces, Nick Johnson, Frankie Bilbao) started off strong, shutting out Galaxy (Jim Parr, Alfredo Guerreno, Alan Martinez, Eddy Martinez) in the first half, 4-0. Paige McCabe shot through the first goal two minutes into the chukker. Two minutes

later, Charly Quincoces added another and with time winding down, Frankie Bilboa scored to give The Villages the 30 lead. Neither team could reach the goal in the second and most of the third, until Bilbao hit the mark with two minutes remaining. Galaxy played out of this world in the fourth, with each team member finding the goal to knot the score at 44. The Villages jumped back into the game in the fifth with Bilbao sinking two Penalties and McCabe scoring from the field. Jim Parr and Guerreno responded with goals to keep it close, 76. Bilbao increased the lead in the sixth with a penalty conversion but a pair of penalty conversions by Eddy Martinez leveled the score with three minutes left. A minute later Quincoces split the uprights, but another penalty conversion from Eddy Martinez knotted the score with just over a minute left. The Villages won the ensuing throw-in and just after the bell signaling 30 seconds, Bilbao’s shot crossed the goal for the win. Nearly the same two line-ups met in the final the next week, this time wearing different jerseys. The Villages Insurance teammates played as Citizens First, while Galaxy Home Solutions played as Fross & Fross for the Fross & Fross 12-goal. Marcelo Torres took Paige McCabe’s spot on the Citizen’s team. And the game was much different this time around. Bilbao

R E P O R T

CHAIROPHOTO

P O L O

Fross & Fross’ Alfredo Guerreno, MVP Jim Parr, Alan Martinez and Eddy Martinez won the Fross & Fross 12-goal Tournament.

struck first added to a handicap goal, but Jim Parr answered. Guerreno tied the score at 2-2 at the 4:32 mark in the second and a pair of goals by Parr put Fross & Fross on top, 4-2. Johnson sunk a penalty conversion to bring Citizens closer, 4-3, but Parr scored again to take a 5-3 lead at the half. Quincoces and Guerreno traded goals in the fourth and Alan and Eddy Martinez both scored in the fifth to push Fross & Fross out front 8-4. A Johnson field goal was neutralized by another Parr tally but Bilbao got in one more to end with Fross & Fross ahead 96 going into the sixth. Eddy Martinez found the goal two minutes into the chukker to go up by four. Citizens fought back but was held to a single penalty conversion from Bilbao, leaving Fross & Fross the winner, 10-7.

GSA TAKES THE MONEY IN $50K NATIONAL 12-G

Defending champion GSA became the first team in tournament history to win back-to-back titles in the fifth annual $50,000 National 12-goal tournament on March 17, at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida. The After a close first half, GSA (Henry Porter, Santino Magrini, Toro Ruiz, Nachi Viana) dominated Beverly Equestrian (Bill Baullhaus, Hilario Figueras, Tolito OCampo, Carlucho Arellano) for an impressive 12-5 victory

GSA’s Toro Ruiz, Nachi Viana, Santino Magrini and Henry Porter won the National 12-goal title and a check for $50,000.

in front of a packed house. For the second year in a row, GSA won by a seven-goal margin. Last year, the team of Porter, Magrini, Ruiz and Juan Martin Zubia defeated Casablanca (Matias Gonzalez, Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Jesse Bray), 13-6. “Defending the title is always the toughest, there is more pressure and we knew everybody wanted to win it,” Ruiz said. The game was close in the first half with the teams playing a 2-2 first chukker and 0-0 defensive second chukker. OCampo’s angle cut shot from the corner with 2:57 left gave Beverly Equestrian a 4-3 halftime lead. Argentine 7-goaler Matias Magrini was the team coach. He explained what makes this team so special. “They are kids. They are young. They have a lot of energy. They enjoy playing together. They grew up together and are great friends. They work hard and deserve it. They end up playing really nice,” he said. The championship final was played in memory of Steve Orthwein. The renowned polo player and visionary inducted into the Polo Hall of Fame in 2011, died the previous week in his Wellington home at age 72. A moment of silence was held before the game. Toro Ruiz, enjoying his finest season in polo in Wellington, was named Most Valuable Player after scoring a game-

high nine goals. Ruiz was also awarded the inaugural Steve Orthwein Sportsmanship Award for his selfless act of sportsmanship in the second chukker. Figueras went down with 4:51 left. As play continued, Ruiz stopped to help him with his mallet and to make sure he was uninjured. The road to the title was not an easy one for GSA that defeated Team USPA 8-7 in overtime in the semifinals. The prize money will help pay bills, Porter said. There will be a celebratory dinner and party on Sunday, but most of the money will go back into polo. “Because we play so much and there are so many expenses we have to pay, pretty much all of that will go straight to the bills,” Porter said. “For sure, we will go and party tomorrow.” Dolfina Marquez, 13, ridden by Santino Magrini in the third chukker, was named American Polo Horse Association Best Registered horse for the game. Her groom was awarded $100 by American Polo Horse Association Executive Director Tiana Smicklas. Yatay Shazan, 10, ridden by Tolito Ocampo in the fifth chukker, was selected the Grand Champions Polo Club Best Playing Pony of the game. Rosinanta, a bay mare ridden by Henry Porter in the fifth chukker, was named Grand Champions Polo Club Best Playing Pony of the tournament. —Sharon Robb

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 55

R E P O R T

SUE FURGESON

P O L O

The Sodbusters’ Carlitos Zamora shakes hands with Lettuce Play’s Tony Tornquist after the Lt. Governor’s Cup in Canada.

INTERNATIONAL

WONDER WOMAN FANS TOP LT. GOVERNORS CUP

Canada’s Vancouver and Victoria Polo Clubs, linked by geography as much as by mutually shared passions and a long history of friendly rivalry, decided to play a sneaky trick on the weather gods this year by quietly moving the date of Victoria’s Lt. Governor’s Cup tournament with a view to fooling those mischievous clouds whose frequent custom has been to douse the region with rain just after Labor Day when the event is traditionally held. As well, the clubs decided to share the responsibility for the organizational efforts for the event which served to dampen concern over the fact that the exquisite trophy itself, which the Victoria Polo Club considers to be its own, is quite plainly engraved with the words Vancouver Polo Club. Just how this tastefully elegant artifact managed to migrate across the Salish Sea to Vancouver Island to the jealous guardianship of the Victoria Club is a story for another time. Enough to say that on this occasion the neighboring clubs honored its history in communal harmony as never before. As the plan was hatched on the fly, recruiting players was done without regard to specific teams (which were made up at the last and based on the

56 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Giorgio Brignone presents trophies to Pro-fit/Rose City’s Nicola Hodges-Neal, Claudia Howell, Kathryn Richert-Boe and Megan Rioux.

principal of even matching). With plenty of well-mounted players to choose from in this happy multitude, the roster was as follows: Saanich Wheat—Paul Gannet, Lindsey Mann, Mike Adey, Ernesto Mana; Invasive Species—Murray Farmer, Jay Garnett, Glen Sellers, Carlos Zamora; Wonder Woman Fan Club—Josh Adey, Claudia Tornquist, Annie Woods Sellers, Tomas Flamino; The Sodbusters—Steve Mann, Dean Medwid, Dan Adey, Carlitos Zamora; Lettuce Play—George Dill, Frank Van Veggel, Tony Tornquist, Matt McNeill. Round Robin play began on Saturday morning on Victoria’s Field No. 1, which was in good condition considering that more than 50 days had passed without a drop of rain—an alltime record drought for B.C.’s south coast. Not for the first time the Lt. Governor’s Cup tournament was sanctioned by the USPA. Well known umpire Robert Lyn-Kee-Chow was in attendance to see that all went well. The weather was superb and the weekend was replete with blistering breakaways, knee-cracking ride-offs, and long ball passes--especially from the four pros who each played on one of the four teams. At the end of a beautiful weekend Wonder Woman Fan Club received the nod of the undeniable arithmetic giving them the win. —Dan Pedrick

PRO-FIT/ROSE CITY BAGS CAREYES’ GIULIANA CUP

Pro-fit/Rose City edged Dix Farm 7-6 in the final seconds of the 8th Annual Giuliana Cup, a ladies tournament held at Costa Careyes Polo Club in Costa Careyes, Mexico. Dr. Megan Rioux, Mackenzie Martin, Claudia Howell and Dr. Kathryn Richert-Boe came from Portland, Oregon; Suzy Dix came from Spokane Washington; mother and daughter Angela and Anabel Colterjohn came from Toronto; and Nicola Hodges-Neal came from England to compete in the tournament named after club founder Giorgio Brignone’s daughter. The club, located in a private gated community on the Pacific Ocean south of Puerta Vallarta, entertained the guests with beach rides, shopping, snorkeling, relaxation and a trip to Copa del Sol, a sanctuary for Careyes turtles. Club manager Susan Stovall divided the women into two teams, with eight chukkers played over two days. Dix Farm had Dix, Martin and the Colterjohns, while Pro-fit/Rose City had HodgesNeal, Richert-Boe, Rioux and Howell. Day 1 ended with Pro-fit holding a 42 lead after Rioux broke a 2-2 tie and a pony kicked in another. On Day 2, Dix and Martin scored two each but goals by Rioux and Hodges kept Pro-fit/Rose City narrowly on top. Everyone received a u shot of tequila and trophys.

SERGIO LLAMERA

Facundo Pieres, Adolfo Cambiaso, Hilario Ulloa, Pablo Mac Donough, Nico Pieres, Gonzalo Pieres, Pelon Stirling, Polito Pieres and Juan Martin Nero tested out the APPL rules. The interest from these 10 goalers will surely give the APPL traction.

(continued from page 41)

polo to be very complicated to understand for an unfamiliar public and very difficult to promote in new markets. It is a very complicated bet, which requires a lot of investment at a high risk.

PPE: What is the league’s development plan? JT: When the 10-goalers joined, I tried to [come up with] a way to grow polo globally. And it is to train good players in other countries to capture a global audience, because people are interested to see compatriots standing out. We started to propose to the countries where there is a polo strategy of development, to take high-handicapped players to [help] improve young [local, upand-coming players]. The expectation is to play with the talents of the countries [where the APPL tournaments are held]. We also have high-handicap exhibitions planned for different places in the world. The project requires more time than we initially thought, but we are not in a hurry and we trust in the evolution of the project. PPE: In this search for growth, why did you meet with [British business magnate] Bernie Ecclestone? JT: With Ecclestone we met thanks to common acquaintances. I was interested in his opinion because he is someone who understands sporting events and finds interesting variants, as he showed in his actions in Formula One. He was very kind, but his message is that he considers

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS

tournament told me the American guys have good material to grow and play true team polo,” Tanoira explained.

I do not want to hide it, it’s saner to say it and understand that you have to generate changes to popularize it. In fact, they prefer to put darts on TV before polo, as it seems to be a more salable product.

Wesley Bryan tries to avoid the hook of Justin Daniels in the APPL match in Wellington. Bryan played in front of Gonzalo Pieres while Daniels played with Hilario Ulloa. Daniels’ team won.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 57

APRIL 6-JUNE 8 Centennial Cup (0-2) Pecan Acres, Simonton, TX A P R I L 15 - J U N E 3 0 Arena Amateur Cup Firestar, Wagener, SC A P R I L 2 7 - M AY 13 Sportsmanship Cup (6) Aiken, Aiken, SC M A Y 1 - 19 Officer’s Cup (4-8) Houston, Houston, TX MAY 2-20 Players Cup (0-4) Houston, Houston, TX Pete Bostwick Memorial (12) New Bridge, Aiken, SC MAY 4-6 Amateur Cup (0-4) Point Clear, Silverhill, AL The McLin Burnsed Cup The Villages, The Villages, FL MAY 5 Polo on the Lawn Prestonwood, Oak Point, TX Victory Cup ATX, Manor, TX

MAY 5-6 Retro Classic New Orleans, Folsom, LA M AY 5 - 13 Eastern Challenge (12-16) Grand Champions, Wellington, FL MAY 6 Tall City Cup Midland, Midland, TX M A Y 9 - 19 Aiken Saddlery Tournament (6) Wagener, Aiken, SC M A Y 11 - 1 3 The Sharon/Studio Cup The Villages, The Villages, FL M A Y 11 - 2 7 Spring Trophy Challenge (8) New Bridge, Aiken, SC

MAY

MAY 12 Frisco Life Cup Prestonwood, Oak Point, TX USPA NYTS ATX, Manor, TX M AY 12 - 13 Mothers Day Matches New Orleans, Folsom, LA M AY 13 USPA NYTS Two Wishes, Lockhart, TX USPA Sportsmanship Cup Midland, Midland, TX

The Villages Cup The Villages, The Villages, FL M A Y 19 Preakness Stakes Cup Prestonwood, Oak Point, TX M A Y 19 - 2 0 NOPC Challenge Cup New Orleans, Folsom, LA I/I JV & Club Level Tournament (0-3) Central Coast, Los Osos, CA MAY 20 Polo in the Palisades Atlanta Regional, Atlanta, GA

M AY 13 - 2 7 SW Regional Classic (10-14) Houston, Houston, TX

MAY 23-27 Amateur Cup (0-4) Honolulu, Waimanalo, HI

M A Y 16 - J U N E 3 Tommy Hitchcock Memorial (12) New Bridge, Aiken, SC

MAY 23-JUNE 2 USPA Congressional Cup (6) Wagener, Aiken, SC

M A Y 17 - J U N E 3 USPA Congressional Cup (4) Aiken, Aiken, SC

MAY 25-27 USPA National Arena CINC Cup (8-12) Texas Military, Poteet, TX

M AY 18 - 2 0 Sportsmanship Cup (0-4) Point Clear, Silverhill, AL

M A Y 19 Polo on the Prairie Musselman Brothers Lazy 3 Ranch Albany, TX The 32nd annual Polo on the Prairie fundraising event will take place in West Texas with a polo match, chuck-wagon barbecue dinner and a private concert with Grammy Award-winning country music star Ryan Bingham. A spectacular fireworks display caps off the festivities.

The Villages Polo Club Cup The Villages, The Villages, FL MAY 26 Frisco Challenge Cup Prestonwood, Oak Point, TX Rotary Club Benefit Newport, Newport, RI MAY 26-27 USPA Governors Cup (0-2) New Orleans, Folsom, LA Arena Sportsmanship Cup Seneca, Poolesville, MD New England Polo Pony Market Farmington, Farmington, CT

Proceeds benefit cancer research and patient programs at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The event has raised over $6.5 million over the past three decades. This year is expected to be another success. More than $310,000 had already been raised five weeks before this year’s event took place.

MAY 27 Memorial Day Cup Midland, Midland, TX

Tickets can be purchased by calling 866-262-9029 or by emailing events@mdanderson.org. Tickets will not be available at the event.

M AY 3 0 - J U N E 10 Polo Museum Cup (2) Aiken, Aiken, SC

M AY 2 7 - J U N E 10 Western Challenge (12-16) Houston, Houston, TX

Note: All dates are subject to change. “USPA” refers to tournaments sponsored or sanctioned by the United States Polo Association. 58 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

(continued from page 16) cooperating or they may move the horses to a more secluded location, making it harder for authorities to monitor them. When you call to report neglect or abuse, provide the address where the horses are located. If you aren’t sure of the exact address, give the nearest intersection and any identifying landmarks to help authorities locate the horses. Give a description of the animals involved with as much detail as possible. Ask for the case number so you can follow up with the investigation. Keep in mind, civil authorities must follow state and local laws so they may be limited in what they can do or how quickly they can do it. They may also want to consult with a veterinarian to better assess the horses’ conditions. In certain cases, they may try to work with the offenders, giving them a certain amount of time to correct a problem

rather than charging them or taking their animals away. This may not be what you would like to see happen, however civil authorities have to determine what is in the best interest of the animals as well as what fits within the law and the likelihood of a conviction. Be cooperative if authorities ask for your assistance but don’t interfere in the process. In some cases of neglect, a person may not know how to properly care for an animal or he may have financial problems that prohibit him from doing so. There have also been cases where well-meaning individuals rescue animals, can’t say no and eventually take in more animals then they can care for and the animals need to be rescued from them. These are things civil authorities will try to determine and may elect to educate the owner or find temporary assistance to get them through a tough situation. If

they determine the horses are in danger, they may make arrangements to remove them. If a person is found guilty of horse abuse or neglect in a court of law, the USPA can act. The USPA code of conduct includes a line reading: Always consider the welfare of the horses. Since the association is a voluntary sporting organization, it reserves the right to deny a membership application or suspend, revoke or terminate a person’s membership if the board deems the person acted in a manner inconsistent with the association’s code of conduct, terms and conditions of membership, articles of incorporation, by-laws, constitution, rules or tournament conditions. You can help protect the sport’s horses. Do not tolerate horse abuse or neglect. If you witness it, report it.

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COACHING POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 59

BY ROBERT D SEALS, USASOC

A DREAM COME TRUE The U.S. Army Polo Center of the “Roaring Twenties”

“A

dream, a theory, call it what you will, was whipped into something concrete. From this dream there have emerged two polo fields, a stable built of steel with 100-box stalls with space for feed and rooms for the welfare of the grooms,” wrote W.C. Vreeland in the July 1, 1923 issue of “The Brooklyn Daily Eagle.” Polo on Long Island epitomized the golden era of the game in the United States during the “Roaring Twenties,” according to polo author and historian Horace A. Laffaye. One of the least known, but in some respects most successful, institutions on the island dotted with polo fields in that storied era was the United States Army Polo Center at Mitchel Air Field. Located on this former World War One Army Air Corps airfield on Hempstead Plains, Long Island, the Army Polo Center enabled the interwar Army to establish a “golden era” of its own during polo’s most remarkable decade. Long since forgotten, the Army Center is a remarkable story of one man’s vision, aggressively pursued, and fiscally responsible, that helps illustrate a U.S. Army presence in and around New York City now largely gone. The purpose of this short article is to introduce the reader to the center, and pay tribute to the remarkable officer visionary behind the facility, Cavalry Col. W.F.H. Godson Sr., and the Army institutions that were once very much an active part of the “Big Apple” during the early 20th century. The Army Polo Center began in the years immediately after “The War to End 60 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Army’s Maj. A.H. Wilson, Maj. J.K. Herr, Lt. Col. Lewis Brown Jr. and Maj. L.A. Beard defeated a powerful visiting British Army. The notable Army team trained at the polo center.

All Wars” in the early 1920s, as the U.S. Army underwent a period of enormous change. Drastically reduced in personnel and budget, from a wartime high of 4 million men, by the time post-World War I demobilization was over, the entire U.S. Army combat force in the United States could be seated in Chicago’s Soldier Field stadium, as George C. Marshall observed. As an institution, the Army struggled to organize, plan and train for an uncertain future in an era of severe fiscal and personnel constraints between two world wars. America’s armed forces were subsequently reorganized with the National Defense Act of 1920, providing for the creation of some six organized reserve cavalry divisions that could, in theory, be mobilized and used in future wars. One of these six reserve units was the 61st Cavalry Division created in 1921. In a letter to

Maj. Gen. W.H. Hart, the division’s chief of staff George Vidmer wrote, “This division has really wonderful personnel and the espirit is very splendid.” With its headquarters in New York City, at 39 Whitehall Street in Manhattan, the division, nicknamed “The Foragers,” was composed of four horse mounted cavalry regiments based in New York and New Jersey, and assigned to the Second Corps of the Fourth Army. The division, helped by its geographic location, had officers who became prominent during the Second World War to include Terry Allen who commanded the “Big Red One” 1st Infantry Division and William “Wild Bill” Donovan, who organized and led the Office of Strategic Services, institutional precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency. As was the standard Army practice

Skilled prison labor from Castle Williams on Governor’s Island in New York Harbor was used for construction of the Army polo center on Long Island in 1923.

The United States Army Polo Center at Mitchel Air Field was in the center of the many polo fields dotted across Long Island.

with the reserves, an Army active duty officer advisor was assigned to many units to provide needed dayto-day continuity, training oversight and advice. The 61st Cavalry Division was fortunate to have for several years a most remarkable and creative advisor in Godson as Chief of Staff for the division. A former enlisted man who had risen through the ranks, Godson had served in the Philippines, Mexico and numerous dusty small southwest Army posts across the United States. Promoted to the rank of full colonel, Godson served as military attaché to Switzerland during the First

World War, and was decorated for his service with the U.S. Distinguished Service Medal, the French Legion of Honor, and the Belgian Order of Leopold II by King Albert. Godson was, however, much more than a competent professional cavalry officer, he was a creative and original thinker. Prior to the war he was known in the Army as a talented sculptor, artist, and painter who apparently pursued such unsoldierly hobbies for mental relaxation. Approaching the twilight of his military career, Godson needed creative ways to help train a new unit, the 61st Cavalry Division, which was short of men, material, money and places to train, and ride. The Idea and Construction In his book “U.S. Army Order of Battle 1919-1941, Volume 2, Steven E. Clay wrote, “Some popular images of the U.S. Army between the wars consist of soldiers on parade, painting rocks, or pulling weeds.” Although short of resources, like all reserve units, ‘the foragers’ did train throughout the year. Unit drills or assemPOLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 61

Army Chief of Staff Gen. John J. Pershing personally approved of the polo center. Here he is arriving for the British American Army games.

blies were held on Tuesday nights, riding classes on Thursday evenings for those in need, and annual two week summer training camps were normally held at either Fort Dix, New Jersey or Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont. Horsemanship or riding proficiency for a reserve cavalry unit was problematic given the time, mounts, tack and facilities needed to attain the level required. Prewar Army experiments with raw recruits indicated that at least a year of training and riding was required to develop a very good Cavalry soldier. Godson developed an original concept of a regional Cavalry center for the reserve training of various units from New Jersey and New York to support requirements. Mitchel Field, then home to the 1st Aero Squadron and 3rd Observation Group of the U.S. Army Air Service, on Long Island, was proposed as a location for the center. The airfield had plenty of land available for training, and was at the epicenter of America polo at the time, with 30 polo fields within 62 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

roughly a 10-mile radius or so of Mitchel, which included Meadow Brook Club, the Yankee stadium of the sport. This initial plan was well received by the Army in 1922 with Godson later that year also proposing the creation of an Army Polo Center at the airfield. At the time, Army polo teams preparing to compete in various national or international level tournaments had to use practice fields at nearby Meadowbrook Polo Club, with rather mixed results. Now Godson’s plan was to, in effect, help solve two separate, but interrelated problems: basic horsemanship proficiency required by the reserves and more advanced levels required by handpicked Army polo squads preparing for stiff competition. Army Chief of Staff Gen. John J. Pershing had personally approved the polo center and the modest sum of $1,300 was allocated for the facility. To an observer the project was to become the construction of something out of nothing. A second New York City U.S. Army

facility, Castle Williams, was to provide a partial solution to the center’s budgetary constraints. A 19th century red sandstone fortress built on Governors Island in New York Harbor, by 1921 “Castle Bill” was the Eastern Branch of the United States Disciplinary Barracks and was said to be the best assignment for Army prisoners, unlike the strict military prisons at Leavenworth or Alcatraz Island. Duties were relatively light on Castle Bill with trusted prisoners allowed to take afternoon walks without guards. From the disciplinary barracks a detail of prisoners with necessary skills was provided from Governors Island to work on the polo center according to Godson’s plan. Castle Bill disciplinary leaders were rather progressive, with military offenders offered trade classes such as carpentry and masonry. Additionally, maximum use was made of World War One surplus and salvaged materials from numerous bases to include lumber, steel and girders. Work began on the Army Polo Center

Center Operational The Army Polo Center was available for use by the summer of 1923. Both the U.S. and visiting British Army polo teams used the facilities on Mitchell Field for the first ever Military Championship Tournament, played at nearby Meadow Brook, and won by the legendary American Army squad in a best-of-three series. Before that September tournament, the powerful U.S. squad had also won the 1923 Junior Championship for the United States. Work still needed to be done with the now established polo fields at the

USMA LIBRARY HERR PAPERS

on the first of March, and was complete four months later by July 1923. According to a report in the April 1929 edition of “The Cavalry Journal,” at the conclusion of the project the Army had two regulation (450 x 900 feet) polo fields—one practice and one match—with a stable of 92 box stalls, seven tying stalls, one soak stall (with hot and cold water), four saddle rooms, two hay and gain sheds, one shoeing and blacksmithing shop, one barrack building with kitchen and showers sufficient to accommodate 30 grooms. Space was not a concern with the stables constructed in a large unutilized aircraft hangar on the airfield.

U.S. Army Maj. John K. Herr on “Hunter” at the Army Polo Center preparing for the tournament against the British Army squad, a combined 14 goal favorite over the Americans.

center being described by some visiting teams as “lumpy,” at least in the mid-field areas. Accordingly, plans were established to further develop the center with the U.S. Polo Association, the Army Central Polo Fund, the Second Corps Area Polo Fund, and Meadow Brook all providing funds during the decade to improve the center. Funds were used to re-sod and improve the two fields, install side boards, a watering system, plant and road improvements, and build a grand stand and bleachers for spectators. With the Army Polo Center now a viable

The opening ceremony for the British American Army matches.

entity, a standard sequence of events was established that enabled U.S. Army polo teams to remain competitive at national and international levels during the interwar period. In the spring each year, the Army Central Polo Committee picked a total of six high-ranking and regarded players, cavalry and field artillery officers from units and posts across the United States. These officers were then ordered to report to Mitchell Field for six weeks practice before the beginning of tournament season. Ponies were sent by rail from remount stations and posts, arriving at the airfield before the players. Daily practice and conditioning then began, including practice matches at nearby Meadow Brook Club, against some of the best polo players in the nation, including the legendary Tommy Hitchcock. A few polo players and horses were selected repeatedly for the Army squad, a continuity of talent that served Army polo well during the period. In 1927, for example, the Army polo team, after preparation at the center, was the Junior Champions and its Back, Capt. G.E. Huthsteiner, played on the winning Fort Bliss team in the Twelve Goal Championship. At the conclusion of the tournament season in late summer or early fall, the Army players and mounts returned to their respective posts across the nation for normal duties and responsibilities. The center hosted many international teams and celebrities over the years POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 63

Aerial photo of the Army Polo Center at Mitchel Field, Long Island, circa 1929. This photo illustrates the size of the facility on the airfield.

the polo center during the Depression years, a far cry from before. By 1940, the higher-level Army polo committees and organizations disbanded with play suspended after American entry into the war during the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. The Second World War also proved to be unkind to the 61st Cavalry Division, The Foragers, which was disbanded in January 1942, with the Army Cavalry branch and horse mounted units disbanded or motorized soon afterwards. The horse, it seemed, no longer had a place in the

CAVALRY JOURNAL

Conclusion “The Brooklyn Daily Eagle” reported on the polo center’s demise in November 1940 with the following: “Goodbye to the rush of hoof beats, Goodbye to the crack of the ball, For after the game of Sunday, There’ll be no polo at all.” The Army Polo Center at Mitchell Field on Long Island is an Army and polo institution now gone and largely forgotten. During its existence the center provided a focal point and facilities that prepared Army polo teams annually to be truly successful in the medium-handicap tournaments held in the inter-wars period. The center was at its zenith in the “Roaring Twenties,” however with the advent of the Great Depression, riding sports such as polo and hunting were deemphasized due to perception concerns when the nation was in economic distress. Events such as the British and U.S. military championship series were cancelled. Some fundraising matches continued to be held at

CAVALRY JOURNAL

including British Army, Indian and Argentine polo squads, with chlorine gas used by Army chemical warfare troops to make stables and barracks comfortable and sanitary for visitors. The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII and Duke of Windsor) stabled his polo ponies at the center during his state visit in 1924.

Modified First World War airfield hangar used as the enormous stables for the Army Polo Center. The stables could accommodate some 100 mounts and support staff.

64 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Army. Other Army institutions in and around New York City changed as well over the years. Technology, the needs of the Army, and land development pressures progressed steadily in the latter half of the century. Mitchel Field closed in 1961 with Castle Williams and Governors Island both closing by 1966. Ironically, Godson was reassigned from duties as the Chief of Staff of the 61st Cavalry Division before the successful completion of the Army Polo Center in 1923. Godson went onto service with the 14th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Des Moines in Iowa before commanding a reserve cavalry regiment in Detroit, Michigan. The Army Polo Center at Mitchel Field flourished during a truly colorful era for the Army and New York City area. As the last Army Chief of Cavalry and Army polo team star, Maj. Gen. John K. Herr commented after the Second World War, “… [polo] kept the officers fit and alert, and furnished a welcome antidote to the routine of garrison life … there was never a dull moment; all worked hard and played hard.” The Army Polo Center at Mitchel Field was an integral part of this golden era of Army polo, now gone but worthy of remembrance.

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