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CONTENTS
P L AY E R S’ E D I T I O N
NOVEMBER 2020
VOL. 24,
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
32 Lucky 13 by Gwen Rizzo
6
Association News USPA Bulletin Player Spotlight
White Birch adds to ECO record
36 Egalitarian Sport by C. Maybe Ortiz
14 Instructors Forum
Black polo lives that have mattered to me
16 18 20 26 28 40
NOVEMBER 2020
by Susan Cain
Ask an Umpire Equine Athlete Polo Scene News, notes, trends & quotes Polo Development Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Polo in the Pampas by Lucas Noel
OUR COVER
White Birch secures East Coast Open
NO. 3
Peke Gonzalez slips Lucas Diaz Alberdi on his way to scoring one of six goals for White Birch in the ECO final. Photo by Peter Michaelis for Greenwich Polo Club
42 Polo around the Globe 58 Yesteryears 64 Calendar 46 Polo Report
Maryland Dominates Women’s Arena Challenge
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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
P L AY 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, ALICE GIPPS, LUCAS NOEL, C. MAYBE ORTIZ, SARAH EAKIN
Editorial Board BOB PUETZ, TONY COPPOLA, TOM BIDDLE, DAWN WEBER, AMI SHINITZKY Art Director DAVID BEVERAGE Prepress THE OVID BELL PRESS
@USPOLOASSN
Advertising & Editorial Offices USPA Member Subscription Inquiries (800) 232-8772 OR FAX (888) 341-7410 ldolan@uspolo.org
General Subscription Inquiries 9011 LAKE WORTH RD, LAKE WORTH, FL 33467 (561) 968-5208 gwen@poloplayersedition.com
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©Copyright 2020 by United States Polo Association.. 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. 24, No.3 POLO Players’ Edition (ISSN #1096-2255) is published monthly by Rizzo Management Corp. 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, 9011 Lake Worth RD, Lake Worth, FL 33467. 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
U S PA B U L L E T I N
Helmet Update The USPA would like to share the following information regarding the upcoming changes to the USPA helmet requirements (Outdoor Rule 4 and Arena Rule 3). Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, players participating in USPA events and club events, which include any USPA national, circuit or sanctioned tournament or league, any intercollegiate/ interscholastic or National Youth Tournament Series event, as well as any club-level game, league or tournament, will be required to wear helmets that pass the NOCSAE ND050 polo helmet standard. Over the past several years, the USPA Safety Committee has done extensive research on polo helmet safety and has consulted with experts in the departments of bio engineering, sports safety, and liability. In the fall of 2017, the Safety Committee recommended the board adopt a rule requiring players to wear a helmet that meets the NOCSAE polo helmet standard to help reduce the possibility of brain injury. The board approved the changes to the USPA rules to take effect Jan. 1, 2021, provided more than one helmet meets the NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) approved polo helmet standard is available to the membership. The board will continue to monitor the availability of helmets that meet the NOCSAE standard. Please review the following information and feel free to reach out to USPA Membership and Handicap Director Lindsay Dolan at ldolan@uspolo.org or Safety Committee Chairman Dr. Thor Norregaard at norregaardt@health.missouri.edu should you have any questions. • NOCSAE is an independent and nonprofit standards development body that has certification standards for football, baseball, lacrosse, hockey, soccer and many other sports. It is also the only organization that has a certification standard specific to the sport of polo. In addition, participants in the SEI certification program must hold a valid license agreement with 6 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
NOCSAE. • In order to receive SEI (Safety Equipment Institute) Certification for ND050 polo helmets, manufacturers must pass physical testing of their product, have an on-site audit of their manufacturing facility, have an approved recall procedure, and must maintain $2 million product liability insurance. • The Virginia Tech Helmet Lab conducted a review of standards for evaluating helmet performance. In doing so, it compared the following standards: NOCSAE ND050, PAS 015:2001 with BSI Kitemark, VG1 01.040-2014 with BSI Kitemark, (BS) EN 1384:2017 with CE mark, AS/NZS 3838: 2006, ASTM F1163, and Snell E2001. Following its review, the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab recommended the NOCSAE ND050 standard above all others. To review the findings, please see the following link: https://www.uspolo.org/assets/pdf/VirginiaTech-Polo-Standards.pdf • As of Oct. 1, the Casablanca NEU and the Charles Owen Sovereign are the only helmets that pass both the NOCSAE polo standard and the standard required by the Hurlingham Polo Association. As additional helmets pass the NOCSAE polo standard become available, they will be added to the list of approved helmets. Check the USPA website for an updated list of helmets on the market that meet the standard. • The new polo helmet mandate (USPA Outdoor Rule 4 and USPA Arena Rule 3) does not take effect until Jan. 1, 2021. However, helmet manufacturers need time to produce enough helmets for all USPA members. If all USPA members wait until the last minute to order their NOCSAE helmets, the manufacturers will not have adequate time to produce them. • Manufacturers may offer discounts to USPA members, youth players, and for bulk orders. Please contact the manufacturers directly for additional information. • The USPA is not directly affiliated with any helmet manufacturer. Manufacturers have the ability to set their own pricing and may offer discounts. • Generic riding helmets, which may pass other standards such as the ASTM F1163 equestrian standard, undergo a different testing protocol and must be replaced after a single impact. Notably, the NOCSAE ND050 testing is designed specifically for the sport of polo and accounts for multiple impacts, which occur from the rider
U S PA B U L L E T I N
falling, being struck with a mallet or ball or coming in contact with another player. It is also important to note that MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) technology is not required for the NOCSAE ND050 standard. • Eye protection, such as a face mask must be deemed as an “authorized accessory” by the helmet manufacturer. If the face mask is an “authorized accessory” then it does not void the certification. However, if the end user applies a face mask that is not the helmet manufacturer’s “authorized accessory,” then the NOCSAE/SEI certification would be void. High-goal Tournaments The USPA and International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida, are pleased to announce the 2021 high-goal polo tournament schedule. The season will begin on Sunday, Jan. 3, with the Joe Barry Memorial and conclude on Sunday, April 18, with the U.S. Open Polo Championship final. Prior to the start of the 2021 Gauntlet of Polo series, the remainder of the 2020 USPA Gold Cup, which was postponed due to COVID-19, will be played. The semifinals will commence Wednesday, Feb. 10 and culminate with the final on Sunday, Feb. 14. The 2021 Gauntlet of Polo will return for the third year to the U.S. Polo Assn. Field on Wednesday, Feb. 17, with the start of the C.V. Whitney Cup. IPC will also be welcoming back the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship beginning on Wednesday, Mar. 10 and concluding with the final on Saturday, Mar. 20. The closing date for teams for both the 18-goal series and Gauntlet of Polo is Sunday, Nov. 15, while the closing date for the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship is Tuesday, Dec. 15. Plans regarding spectators, stadium seating, and brunch in the club’s pavilion are still being finalized and will be released soon. The safety of staff, players and spectators are of the utmost importance, so the club will be introducing various safety protocols. Please visit InternationalPoloClub.com for updates regarding the new procedures. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 season was unexpectedly cut short with both the USPA Gold Cup and U.S. Open Polo Championship postponed. The four semifinalist teams will compete for the USPA Gold Cup a year later for a chance to claim the second trophy in the 2020 Gauntlet of Polo. All tournaments except the Iglehart Cup will be livestreamed on Global Polo TV.
2021 IPC POLO SCHEDULE 18-Goal Joe Barry Memorial Jan. 3-17 Ylvisaker Cup Jan. 20–Feb. 7 Iglehart Cup Single Elimination—IPC will host this tournament provided there are enough teams and resources. Feb. 10-21 GAUNTLET OF POLO 22-Goal Warm Up Feb. 1-14 2020 USPA Gold Cup (conclusion) semifinal & final Feb. 10-14 C.V. Whitney Cup Feb. 17-March 7 U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship March 10-20 USPA Gold Cup March 10-28 U.S. Open Polo Championship March 31-April 18 Please note: dates are subject to adjustment POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 7
U S PA B U L L E T I N
Gator Giveaway Once again, in conjunction with the USPA Polo Plus Discount Program, USPA member clubs will be eligible to win a John Deere TS Gator. The USPA member club with the highest cumulative discount program dollar amount spent by its members during 2020 will receive the John Deere TS Gator Grand Prize. Second and third place will also be eligible for prizes. In addition, all USPA members that utilize the discount program with any of the participating companies will be entered into a drawing for a $500 Tackeria Gift Certificate. A full list of participating companies and current club standings leader board can be found on uspolo.org. Membership Renewal It’s that time of year again! Renew your USPA membership for 2021. The fastest and most efficient way to renew your membership is through the USPA website (www.uspolo.org). To ensure your membership benefits continue uninterrupted, please renew no later than Thursday, Dec. 31. When renewing, please ensure your contact information, including your email and mailing address, is current. If you require a paper renewal,
please send a request to membership@uspolo.org. Frequently Asked Questions Why can’t I pay my membership by phone? The USPA requires every member to accept the “Terms and Conditions.” This can be done quickly by logging onto the member portal on uspolo.org or by mailing in the completed membership renewal forms. Why can’t two members use the same email? Our membership database uses e-mail addresses as a unique identifier. All information, such as handicap, member status and club affiliation, is tied to an email address and cannot be used for another member. How do I obtain a handicap? To obtain a USPA handicap, the delegate at the club with which you are affiliated must send a recommendation via email to handicaps@uspolo.org. This recommendation is then sent to the circuit handicap chairman and national handicap chairman for approval.
Published by the United States Polo Association Offices at 9011 Lake Worth Rd., Lake Worth, Florida 33467 • (800) 232-USPA Chairman: Stewart Armstrong President: Tony Coppola Secretary: Charles Smith Treasurer: Steven Rudolph Chief Executive Officer: Robert Puetz
8 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
How long does it take to obtain a handicap? A handicap takes up to two weeks to be processed. If you plan on playing in a USPA tournament, please make sure to allow sufficient time to receive a confirmed handicap.
U S PA B U L L E T I N
National Youth Tournament Series Several NYTS qualifier tournaments took place under the warm August sun. Giant Valley Polo Club (Hamden, Connecticut) hosted three teams in their first ever NYTS qualifier tournament. Vlad Tarashansky, Connelly Cashen, Chris Veitch, Sophia DeAngelis and Malachi Light were recognized as allstars. In its second NYTS tournament of the summer, Boston Polo Club (Georgetown, Massachusetts) named Landen Daniels, Ariadne Dogani, Daniel Arnold and Rehan Kumble as all-stars. After a lively summer of polo in Virginia, many kids were eager to compete in the NYTS tournament held at Great Meadow Polo Club (The Plains, Virginia). Catherine Brentzel, Emmie Golkosky, Abby Irwin and Will Ballhaus were selected as allstars. North of the border, Black Diamond Polo Club (Alberta, Canada) hosted its annual NYTS tournament with two teams, including players from several different clubs. Matt Schneider, Adam Ramson, Nadia Stobbe and Will Schneider were added to the growing list of eligible all-stars.
Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Fundraising The I/I fundraising application is open to all intercollegiate and interscholastic teams looking to hold a fundraiser to support their I/I team. If you are interested in applying for a reimbursement grant, please check out the intercollegiate/interscholastic page on uspolo.org for more details. For more information on the I/I Start-Up & Enhancement program, please contact I/I Program Coordinator Ali Davidge at adavidge@uspolo.org. Feldman Cup Congratulations to the winners of the 2020 I/I alumni Feldman Cup—Santa Barbara! Intercollegiate and interscholastic alumni, representing nine I/I programs, gathered to compete for the alumni national trophy at Central Coast Polo Club in Los Osos, California, Sept. 19-20. Thank you to all of our
wonderful clubs and I/I alumni for continuing to support their alma maters.
NYTS all-stars Matt Schneider, Adam Ramson, Nadia Stobbe and Will Schneider
Fall Clinics I/I clubs can apply for up to $1500 in reimbursable funds to host a clinic for your team this fall. Clinics can be held until Dec. 31. Reimbursement requests must be submitted by Jan. 5. For more information, check out the I/I pages at uspolo.org. Fundraising Congratulations to the Polo Training Foundation’s Player of the Year recipients: Men’s Intercollegiate-—Morgan Palacios Women’s Intercollegiate-—Shariah Harris Open Interscholastic-—Matteo Chaux Girls’ Interscholastic-—Catherine Stueck POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 9
10 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
U S PA B U L L E T I N
Dale Johnson Strategizing for a lasting future in polo Sparked by a brief, but impactful, encounter with the sport in Argentina, Dale Johnson’s deep passion for polo was solidified the minute he first picked up a mallet at age 32. Attending a clinic with Francesca Finato at Menlo Polo Club (Atherton, California), Johnson channeled his enthusiasm into lessons at South Bay Polo Club in Gilroy, California, dedicating a full year and 100 hours to learning how to ride and play the sport. Demonstrating the same level of commitment and consistency, which has served him as an Olympic weightlifting hobbyist, Johnson has taken a lot of what he has learned in the weight room and applied it to polo. Originally from Oakland and based in San Francisco, California, Johnson’s career in financial technology enabled he and his wife Christine to approach the capital-intensive game with a strategic three-year plan for economic sustainability. Two years in and one polo horse later, Johnson is continuously exposing the world of polo to his family and community via Instagram (@sfexceptionalism) while learning and sharing valuable lessons along the way. “When I first met Dale in 2018, he was struggling to post at the trot. Now he is fearless, tearing up and down the field! I’m so proud to have been a part of his polo journey,” said Finato. Although Johnson is the first in the family to venture into polo, his equestrian roots are based in a lineage of Texan cowboys. “My grandfather raised Quarter Horses in Texas about 90 miles north of Houston in a town called Madisonville,” Johnson explained. “We still have a family ranch in Madisonville with horses where my family raised cattle and every year they participate in an annual cattle drive for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.” Traveling to his company’s Buenos Aires satellite office to design a program and write software, Johnson came across a piece of the sport during a work trip, which immediately caught his eye. “I was in a leather goods shop when I saw this beautiful pair of boots so I asked the shop keeper what the boots were used for and he said polo,” Johnson recalled. “I had seen polo depicted in
Dale Johnson
movies like ‘Pretty Woman’ and I thought it would be really fun to play, so I said to myself I’m going to get into polo one day.” Three months later, he reached out to Finato in the local Bay Area and set out on the path to make his dream into a reality. “I loved horses, but I gravitated to polo because of the sheer athleticism of the game,” Johnson said. Since then polo has quickly moved to the forefront of Johnson’s world, motivating and driving him to be even more successful in other areas of life. Already a high-performance athlete before entering the sport, currently dead-lifting 500 pounds and squatting 450, Johnson knows the discipline necessary to achieve results and has devoted the past eight years to the physically demanding rigors of Olympic weightlifting. Focusing on strength training, power lifting and functional fitness, Johnson has found the latter key in helping him to move seamlessly into the sport of polo. “I advocate for a lot of functional fitness, which simulates common movements, when training for polo,” Johnson said. “As polo players we are highlyPOLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 11
U S PA B U L L E T I N
Johnson rides off Oliver Williams at Naimara Polo in Argentina.
Dale Johnson with his beloved polo pony Sunny
trained athletes and I don’t think a lot of people recognize that about equestrian sports. The next frontier for polo is training with the mindset of an athlete because I believe that’s what ultimately will change the game.” Incorporating mobility and cardio training into his polo regimen, Johnson has been able to virtually bypass the common issue of saddle soreness due to the intensity of his workouts. Applying his training philosophy of consistency in the gym to his polo routine, Johnson focused on building up confidence and strength in his abilities and working with his equine partner in preparation for a long polo career. Riding over 30 different horses and working with
12 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
several coaches over the course of his introductory year, Johnson discovered the benefit of diversifying and cross training with other disciplines to strengthen his seat for polo. Exploring jumping with Susan Bosserman, Johnson emphasizes a strong riding foundation as the key to unlocking a greater confidence to make plays on the polo field. “If you are new to riding, polo can be intimidating because you have to reach over to hit the ball on the nearside, which doesn’t feel natural,” Johnson said. “I wanted to work on building confidence in the seat outside of a polo atmosphere so I started jumping and learning how to motivate the horse to go over the fence.” Implementing lessons from jumping, including how to use your legs effectively to direct the horse, Johnson improved his ability to be in the right spot at the right time on the field. “I was able to push many of the jumping fundamentals over to the game,” Johnson said. “When playing polo I have to motivate the horse to be where I need to be in order to hit the ball or make a play.” Now that Johnson is able to ride five to six days a week as a horse owner, he and his red roan mare are strengthening their connection on the polo field. “We, as the horse owners and polo players, have to be the stewards of the sport and share our love of horses,” said Johnson. Although not planning to purchase a polo pony until after his third year in the sport, Johnson gradually formed a bond with a fiery mare named Sunny and was unwilling to part with her. Rehabbing from a small injury, Sunny was kept at South Bay Polo Club and Johnson’s trainer asked if he would like to ride her. “At first she was bucking and running me up against the wall, but I patiently worked with her three days a week and we finally started to hit our groove,” Johnson said. “I really wanted to play, so when Sunny’s owner offered to lease her to me for the season I said yes. After playing together the entire season she had opened up and played beautifully.” When the owners were looking to sell Sunny, Johnson had a decision to make and although it went against his plan, he knew what the answer would be. “A part of me couldn’t let her go, so when Susan asked if I would like to buy Sunny, I said of course, but I didn’t know what I was getting into because I had never owned a horse before!” Johnson recalled with a laugh. Making his first commitment to horse ownership, Johnson relocated Sunny 20 miles south of San
U S PA B U L L E T I N
Francisco, closer to his home and within an easy distance to visit her every day. Offering many people the opportunity to visit and ride Sunny, Johnson is a large proponent of opening up the world of horses and polo to a broader audience through exposure. Encouraging his wife Christine to participate in the game as his involvement with polo grew, Johnson’s infectious enthusiasm is spilling over into his family and sphere of influence. “I didn’t want Christine to always be field side while I am playing polo every day,” Johnson shared. “She started playing a year after me because polo is a sport we can do together. I told her I would arrange for her to go to the clinic too because I really wanted her to see why I love the sport and the polo community.” Also introducing his young nephew and friends to the game, Johnson has become a positive ambassador for the sport and an inspiration, having recently picked it up himself. “Where I come from in East Oakland, horseback riding is not common,” Johnson said. “I have a lot of connections there and many of those people follow me on social media, and they couldn’t be more excited, supportive and encouraging of me playing polo. When you start to see more women and other representations, it begins to bring more people into the fold and the sport changes for the better.” Using his social media platform to highlight and peel back the layers of a sport, which is often in the backdrop, Johnson’s genuine connection to the game continues to bring polo to the forefront, touching and engaging demographics both near and far. Goal-oriented and intentional by nature, Johnson’s education from Santa Clara University in California has taught him to look at his goals in polo in terms of sustainability. “I have secured a horse and trailer and now I’m working on logistics, which has ultimately been the biggest part of my second year in the sport,” he explained. “I’ve learned to ride and play, but now I am focused on setting up the basic infrastructure necessary to continue my game long term.” Making a point to invest in his financial portfolio to the same degree that he invests in the sport, Johnson is building a viable model guaranteed to allow him the funds to play for the next 30 years. “Not only do I want to physically sustain my body, but I want to be economically sustainable and that means that there are some things I have to pull back on.” While Johnson exercises financial responsibility through investing, he also encourages younger polo
players to look at the potential longevity of their time in the sport and consider playing more gradually. “You have to find that balance and be creative,” Johnson said. “It’s not easy doing all your own grooming, but when you get to the point of having help, its definitely worth the extra work because you will know the ins and outs. I hope it will serve me well in the future.” Naturally progressing in just a couple short years with a passion and a plan, Johnson has only begun to unlock his potential in the sport. Serving as a micro influencer for polo, Johnson is proud to share the game, which has transformed his world with anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of the polo life. “I’ve worked really hard and for me my biggest accomplishment has been having the opportunity to talk to people about the sport,” Johnson remarked. “People reach out to me through direct messages on Instagram all the time just wanting to know more, and for me that is very rewarding.” Transitioning from track and field and rugby to weightlifting and now polo, Johnson has found a new way of life and greater fulfillment because of the sport. “Polo has helped me find so much purpose and personal motivation,” Johnson shared. “Having the ability to influence others and show them that there’s a way to play this amazing game is really special.” Exercising prudence in the day-to-day to ensure a lifetime in the sport, Johnson’s foundation has been built upon preparation and vision, protecting his passion from fizzling out and preserving an enduring blaze for many years to come. •
Johnson and his wife Christine enjoy quality time on the polo field.
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 13
INSTRUCTORS FORUM
DISC polo Improve your game with the new Riding Styles Assessment by Susan Cain, Ed.D, LCSW
Knowing your style and understanding others’ styles can help your game.
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with horses and humans. The Riding Styles Assessment encompasses a fourquadrant model: The Dominant Preference (D) If you fall into the Dominant area, you face every challenge forcefully with a “can do or else” perspective. The Influential (I) Preference If you fall into the Influential area, then a positive and happy bond with your horse and others is your most important priority. The Steady (S) Preference If you are a Steady style, your priority is to create calmness and consistency. The Conscientious (C) Preference If you are a Conscientious style, then you focus on improving things and getting it right. Learn to flex your riding style All styles bring value as well as liabilities to polo teams. For example: • Dominant riders can help a team take risks but must remember polo is a team sport requiring collaboration. BOBBY GERRY
Every polo player knows having skills and an effective strategy can help win a game. But, these are not the sole determinants of winning or even enjoying polo. Many sports psychologists argue there is an “inner game” or “mental game” that can also provide useful insights. Concepts like mental toughness, remaining calm under pressure and becoming emotionally intelligent can help riders engage useful strategies for enjoying and winning polo games. I created a new assessment to help riders develop a deeper understanding of their behavioral strengths and challenges, and learn how to have more productive relationships with their horses and others. The Riding Styles Assessment is based on the DISC model used in organizations world-wide. The DISC model is the leading personal assessment tool used by over 1 million people every year. The Riding Styles Assessment helps improve the rider-horse relationships and also the rider-rider relationships. Learning about your unique style helps you use your strengths to their advantage and flex your style to get a more productive relationship
INSTRUCTORS FORUM
• Influential riders help harmonize their teams and can flex their style to face, not avoid conflicts. • Steady riders benefit their teams by ensuring consistency and details and can improve by risks when needed. • C riders help teams excel with their high standards but need to remember that failure is part of learning. No rider, horse or team is perfect. There is no right or correct style to have as a polo player. Rather, all riders have both strengths and challenges that make them the unique individuals they are. Improve your self-awareness and ability to connect with others Whether you are a younger player or a seasoned veteran, knowing your riding style can help you flex your style to get the results you want during practice and games. Knowing your style can help you in two distinct ways: 1. Improve your impact on your horse: Are there times when you need to flex your style? Are you too demanding? Are you consistent? Are you pacing your horse, and sensitive to its training level and needs? Check your riding style results and make a plan to improve.
2. Improve your impact on teammates: Can you easily “read” team members’ riding styles? Are you sensitive to others’ skill levels, strengths and challenges? Their fears? Their needs? Building effective relationships, trust and mutual support is critical for building a positive team climate. Since polo is a team sport, knowing your impact and understanding others’ styles can help teams improve both their enjoyment and skill levels. The riding styles assessment was developed with concepts borrowed from Monty Roberts’ trust-based horsemanship approach. Roberts believes that it is extremely valuable to step back and make adjustments that might well cause you to be a better partner with your horse. Debbie Roberts Loucks, legacy strategist for Monty and Pat Roberts, co-authored the assessment’s companion eBook, available on the Riding Styles website. We used a team of graduate student interns to develop and beta-test the assessment and are proud to offer it to the equine community at an affordable price. We hope riders will use it as a tool to improve trust, support, communication and collaboration. Find out more or order your assessment at www.ridingstyles.com. • POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 15
ASK AN UMPIRE
Rule 17 Who wins when a round robin ends in a three-way tie? By Dana Fortugno
We send an umpire to Russia every year at the request of the Moscow Polo Club (moscowpolo.club) to umpire its games during the summer season. The club is owned by and operated by Alexis Rodzianko, his son Misha and daughter Alexandra. They play in the U.S. in the winter so, with few exceptions, they follow USPA rules in Moscow. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the USPA was not able to provide an umpire this year. But that didn’t stop them from playing polo nor did it stop them from having a major rules question at a delicate moment. The final of the season’s last tournament was played in a round-robin format. Yes, you probably guessed it—it ended in a three-way tie and they needed to produce a winner, so they called us. More specifically, they called the umpire we sent them the past couple of years–Marcos Bignoli. Marcos was a professional player for over 35 years. He reached a 7-goal handicap indoors and a 6-goal handicap outdoors. Marcos played in 24 countries and all over the United States during his long tenure Marcos Bignoli has umpired at the Moscow Polo Club for the past couple of years.
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as a polo player. Some of his more memorable places to play include France, England, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, El Salvador and Spain. Highlights of his career include winning the Delegates Cup three times, the 20-goal Sunshine League six times and the Hartman League several times. He has been umpiring with Umpires, LLC. since 2017. Marcos has four children. His daughter Daniela is a medical doctor; his son Marcos is an architect and a 5goal player in the arena (4 outdoors); his daughter Eva has a degree in international relations; and his fourth child, Sofia is studying international relations and Arabic at George Mason University. All the children speak at least two or three languages fluently. Marcos credits polo in part for his children’s successes because the polo lifestyle exposed the family to a variety of cultures, opening their minds to different ways of life. After receiving a call from the Moscow Polo Club, Marcos called me and we went to work on providing an answer. Their question was when a round robin ends in a three-way tie, who wins? A three-way tie is when red beats white, white beats blue and blue beats red. Got it? That’s easy! Now the corresponding rule: Rule 17-Round Robins says the host tournament committee must elect what happens in this kind of tied situation by choosing either a shootout to break the tie or a count of net goals; if still tied, then gross goals; if still tied, then a shootout. Most clubs opt to resolve it using net goals and gross goals before resorting to a shootout because a shootout can be challenging. Net goals is the sum of all the goals your team won by, minus the sum of the goals your team lost by. Gross goals is the sum of all the goals your team scored in the entire round robin. Assuming they elected to use net goals, gross goals then a shootout or got there by default—no matter—we will use that to determine the winner. We got the winner after the first stage of a net goal count—easy peasy. But, there’s more. In the discussion to determine the winner, we went down the rabbit hole of how we determine second and third place. The Russians didn’t care, they just wanted the winner and we gave it them. Now, we must complete the rabbit hole because if we don’t, nobody else will. The issue we
ASK AN UMPIRE
Rule 17—Round Robins b. The winner of the Round Robin shall be the team with the best won-lost record, if there is such a team. In the event of a won/lost tie at the end of the Round Robin, the order of finish shall be determined using one of the following two methods, with the chosen method to be determined by the Host Tournament Committee, which shall notify the teams of that method before the Round Robin begins: (1) the “shoot out” procedure set forth in USPA Outdoor Rule 14.d, or (2) based on net goals in both games played, if conclusive; or gross goals in both games played if net goals is inconclusive; or the “shoot out” procedure set forth in USPA Outdoor Rule 14.d, if both net goals and gross goals are inconclusive. *Only a portion of Rule 17 is listed. To read the entire rule, go to uspolo.org*
talked about was using net goals then gross goals to determine second and third place and we had second place as red and third as blue, though it seems strange to have red over blue when blue beat red (just talking about second and third place now). Why is this important? Prize money, that’s why. Now that we have prize money going to second and maybe even third place—possibly different amounts—it’s a big deal who was second. Anyway, if you overthink the rule (like me) you wonder if the net/gross method determines the winner and then you start over with who beat who, then net goals, then gross goals. Read the rule and
you’ll see what I mean. If you read the rule and don’t overthink it, it seems straightforward: once you pick the method, you use that method for the entire order of finish. The rule does not say it like that but we found that to be the intention—the only intention that makes sense. So, once you use a certain method for order of finish, then you must use that same method all the way through all the placements. If you use net goals to get a winner, then you use net goals for second place and third place as well, unless still tied, then you would continue to the next step, gross goals and so forth. •
Alexis, Alexandra and Misha Rodzianko, left (shown in 2011), own and operate the Moscow Polo Club.
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 17
E Q U I N E AT H L E T E
ProT.I.P. Thoroughbred polo horses to be honored
T
DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS
he Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) and the USPA recently announced they will recognize Thoroughbreds that are excelling as polo horses through six awards offered annually, beginning this year. For a Thoroughbred to be eligible for one of these awards, it must have a T.I.P. number, which is available at no cost. Simply apply for one on the T.I.P. website at tjctip.com. “Polo is just one of many disciplines in which Thoroughbreds can succeed following their racing careers, and T.I.P. is pleased to partner with the USPA to honor the accomplishments of these horses at all levels of polo,” said Kristin Werner, senior counsel of The Jockey Club and coordinator of T.I.P.
Each award winner will receive an award sash and special logo prizes. The categories for each award are: • High-Goal Horse: for a Thoroughbred that has played in at least one 2020 USPA high-goal (16+) outdoor tournament • Medium-Goal Horse: for a Thoroughbred that has played in at least one 2020 USPA medium-goal (8to 16-goal) outdoor tournament • Low-Goal Horse: for a Thoroughbred that has played in at least one 2020 USPA low-goal (less than 8) outdoor tournament • Arena Polo Horse: for a Thoroughbred that has played in at least one 2020 USPA arena tournament. • Lesson Horse: for a Thoroughbred used in a lesson program at a USPA club. • Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Horse: for a Thoroughbred that has played in an I/I regional or national tournament in 2020. “The USPA is excited to work with the Thoroughbred Incentive Program to highlight the Thoroughbred’s long history in the sport of polo,” said Justin Powers, executive director of the United States Polo Association Polo Development, LLC. Applications will open on the T.I.P. and USPA websites on November 1 and close November 30. The winners will be announced in January and selected based on the application and an essay. Applicants will be judged by a committee formed by the USPA and T.I.P. Created and announced in October 2011, T.I.P. recognizes and rewards the versatility of the Thoroughbred through sponsorship of Thoroughbred classes and high-point awards at sanctioned horse shows, year-end performance awards, a recreational riding program, and non-competition awards. Additional information about T.I.P. is available at tjctip.com and on the T.I.P. Facebook page at Facebook.com/tjctip. • Matt Coppola played 6-year-old Old Tavern (by Peak Dancer and out of Modest Madame) in Santa Barbara’s high-goal season this summer. Trained by Charlie Caldwell, the mare won America’s Most Wanted Thoroughbred at the 2017 Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover. Old Tavern is eligible for the TIP High-Goal Horse award.
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POLO SCENE
N E W S • NO T E S • T R E N D S • Q U O T E S
CREATIVE HEADKIDS Local youth participate Subhead in mallet design competition
POLO PROFESSIONAL NIC ROLDAN has always had a passion for projects focused on the welfare of kids. He decided to create an initiative to spread the word about the sport he is dedicated to while at the same time, benefiting a local charity in Carbondale, Colorado, where he spends his summers. Local photographer Michele Cardamone introduced Roldan to the local Buddy Program, a charity providing one-on-one and group mentoring in an effort to empower youth and help them reach their full potential. Roldan came up with an idea for a competition to have kids design artwork for one of his mallets, using a template he created. Entries were submitted by uploading photos via Instagram and tagging Roldan (@NicRoldan). Equestrian artist Tyler Robertson agreed to bring the winning design to life on one of Roldan’s mallets. Kids from as far as Germany submitted original designs. Carbondale’s 12-year-old Ruthie L.’s Aspenscape design, including mountains, rivers, ducks and deer, was chosen as the winner. Robertson said, “I’ve worked with young children for a long time and one of my favorite things to do is redraw their own creations. It’s difficult for adults to draw or paint as freely as children, and I’m so jealous of their ability to let it flow so easily.” Roldan used the specially-designed mallet in the final of the Triple Crown of Polo at Aspen Valley Polo Club on Sept. 13. Ruthie was at the match and excited to see her designed mallet in action. After, the mallet was auctioned off online for $1000, with proceeds going to the Buddy Program. Roldan raised another $1000 by hosting a Tiramisu Masterclass with local foodie hotspot Casa Tua. The funds raised will help the organization continue to offer professional case management, activities for Buddy Pairs throughout the year, extracurricular activity scholarships for youth, therapeutic counseling and other services. These services have proven to help increase self-esteem, and aid in decision-making, academics and relationships with friends and family. Buddy Program Executive Director Lindsay Lofaro said, “The Buddy Program is thrilled to have this new partnership with Nic and his team. His influence can help spread the word about our mission and programs to a whole new audience.” During the last weekend of polo, one of the Buddy Program families enjoyed their first glimpse of the sport. Roldan signed polo balls for 9year-olds Hayden and Bode, whom shared them with their class during show and tell later in the week. Roldan looks forward to an ongoing relationship with the local non-profit in years to come.
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POLO SCENE
NOTES BOOK Player publishes 1938 polo manuscripts
POLO PLAYER TIM ZEE recently published a book about polo, originally written and illustrated by polo player Capt. H. Lavergne, an instructor in the elite Cadre Noir de Saumur in France. Lavergne completed the instructional manuscripts for riding in 1923 and polo in 1938, but they were never published due to the outbreak of the Second World War. Sadly, Lavergne was injured during a cavalry charge and died in a prisoner-of-war camp in 1943. With a passion for the sport of polo and collecting first editions, Zee came across the author’s proof nearly a century later in a rare bookstore in New Tim Zee York City. Written in French, Zee translated them into English and published them in honor of Lavergne. Highlights include original artwork and illustrations by Lavergne, principles of polo from the
legendary American 10-goaler Tommy Hitchcock, handwritten notes in English and French attributed to Lord Louis Mountbatten, and complete facsimiles of the original French manuscripts on polo and riding. A private equity investor, Zee is originally from Dallas, Texas, where he started playing polo in his teens. He played in Argentina and England in his early 20s before hanging up his mallet for nearly 20 years to focus on career and family. He picked it up again in 2018 and now plays in Singapore, where he and his family currently reside. The book is available this month through exclusive worldwide distributor James Cummins Bookseller in New York. Go to jamescumminsbookseller.com.
HONOR ROLE
LEZLIE HINER was recently recognized for her outstanding contributions to arena polo. Hiner is founder and manager of Work to Ride, a community-based non-profit for disadvantaged urban youth in the Philadelphia area. She has developed and coached interscholastic teams annually with program participants. Teams she coached won national championships in 2011 and 2012. The award is named for Russ Sheldon, a longtime champion of arena polo until is death in 2014. It was presented during arena tournaments at Great Meadow Polo in The Plains, Virginia.
DAVE MERRELL
Hiner recognized with Russ Sheldon award
Robin Sanchez presents the Russ Sheldon Award to Lezlie Hiner. Hiner’s former student Shariah Harris is with them, right. POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 21
POLO SCENE
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IT’S A CLASSIC Match raises funds for library and museum
THE GREAT MEADOW POLO CLUB in The Plains, Virginia, held the National Sporting Library & Museum’s 2020 Polo Classic presented by Mars Equestrian, Sept. 13. The event featured two polo matches, the Founders Cup and the Mars Cup. The format differed from year’s past, with the safety of spectators, players, sponsors and staff a top priority. Tailgates were 15-feet wide and limited to six guests. A 12-foot gap was between each tailgate to ensure social distancing. As the sole fundraising event for the NSLM, the Polo Classic supports everything from exhibitions to educational programs to preservation of its collections and helps fulfill its mission to preserve, promote and share literature, art and culture of equestrian, angling and field sports. Jacqueline B. Mars and Juliana May co-chaired the event, with $10,000 of the proceeds shared with two local food banks—Seven Loaves and Fauquier Community Food bank—to support community members who experienced loss and hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic. The event included a tailgate competition; a dog divot stomp and Best Turned Out Dog award, both sponsored by Nutro; and a parade of the Orange Country Hounds. Teams included NSLM (Chris Holder, Tareq Salahi, Marcos Bignoli, John Gobin) and NetJets Orange County Hounds on parade (Bob Parr, David Tafuri, Juan Sanchez and Nico Eurnekian) playing for the Founders Cup, and Holman Hall (David Greenhill, Daymar Rosser, Justo Mourino, Tolito OCampo) and Buckeye Nutrition (Bill Ballhaus, Kareem Rosser, Nacho Figueras, Hilario Figueras) playing for the Mars Cup. SAS EQUINE PHOTOGRAPHY
MIDDLEBURG PHOTO
MIDDLEBURG PHOTO
Bottom left: Daymar Rosser pressures Nacho Figueras in the Mars Cup. Bottom right: Mars Equestrian Family Ambassador Charlotte Rossetter presents Nutro Best Turned Out Dog to Bundles Murdock’s Charlotte, and Natalie and Glenn Epstein’s Whitney.
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POLO SCENE
PAY PER VIEW Non-USPA members to purchase live-stream subscriptions
THE MISSION of the USPA is to promote the game of polo and what better way than to live stream its best games via a television program like Global Polo TV? After nearly seven years of live streaming games with ChukkerTV and producing global broadcasts, together with Global Polo Entertainment, it is continuing to grow. Goals for the new platform are to build one premier destination for polo and showcase the best USPA polo tournaments in the U.S. Sustainability of the sport is dependent upon building public awareness and educating the sports– minded consumer about the game, its players, their horses and their lifestyle. In 2019, the USPA and GPE developed a pinnacle event called the Gauntlet of Polo by combining the C.V. Whitney Cup, USPA Gold Cup and the U.S. Open Polo Championship, offering a $1 million prize. Team entries rose from six in 2018, to 16 in 2019, to 14 in 2020. The execution and promotion of the Gauntlet of Polo proved to be hugely successful, creating a venue in which players and patrons wanted to compete. In 2021, the USPA and Global Polo TV will continue to provide year-round content and live games free to current player and lifetime members. To receive your free Premium Polo Pass membership to Global Polo TV, first pay your USPA dues in full and then you’ll receive access to the library of content, short films and live games. Additionally, USPA social members will also receive The Polo Pass complimentary and receive discounts off the Gauntlet of Polo Pass. Beginning November 2020, Global Polo TV will begin charging subscriptions to non-USPA members. The subscription model will consist of three packages: • The Polo Pass will include games for more than 18 live tournaments (excluding the Gauntlet of Polo series) for an annual fee of $49.99 (a $75.00 value). • The Gauntlet of Polo Pass will include all three Gauntlet of Polo tournament series games (C.V. Whitney Cup, the USPA Gold Cup and the U.S. Open Polo Championship) for an annual fee of $125. • The Premium Polo Pass will include all live-streamed games of the Polo Pass and the Gauntlet of Polo Pass for a discounted fee of $175 (a $225.00 value). Special offers are available at globalpolo.com through Dec. 31.
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION Seneca Polo Club installs new arena lights
Members of the Seneca Polo Club in Poolesville, Maryland, are enjoying the club’s recently installed lights, partially funded with a USPA PDI grant. Wayne and Kate Brier put up lights before their spring season started to help promote polo and keep Seneca a premier arena facility. The lights extend the playing time in the club’s picture-perfect arena.
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 23
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HAVING A HEART Club benefit raises funds for teleconference center
THE SHANNON HILL POLO CLUB in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, held its 25th annual Shannon Hill Cup to benefit the Cardiac Education and Research Fund of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Foundation. The fund supports research and education activities of the staff of the cardiac catheterization laboratory of the hospital. This year, the fund is financing a much needed, albeit costly, total overhaul of the cardiac teleconference center of the hospital. The fund has consistently raised upwards of $80,000 a year, and despite the global pandemic had already raised $50,000 prior to the match. This year, spectator seating was limited to tailgating, the number of cars was limited and tailgates were spread out to allow for social distancing. Spectators were invited to divot stomp with social distancing in mind. A bagpiper set the tone for the event, greeting guests when they arrived and during halftime. Hospital CEO Darrell Terry; chairman of the hospital’s board of trustees Frank Giantomasi; and Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders Wayne Richardson attended the event. The match saw Shannon Hill (Val Washington, Billy Paterniti, Zain Khakwani, Dani Wasty, Juan Vidal) take on Nuevo Esperanza (Barclay Knapp, Naji Wasty, Rhea Lowenthal/Cheryl Arnold, Leandro Berrios, Dennis Santana). The teams were knotted in the first two chukkers before Leandro Berrios pulled Nuevo Esperanza ahead with four goals, while Shannon Hill was silenced. Dr. Khakwani rallied Shannon Hill in the fourth with four goals of his own. Dr. Wasty tallied for Nuevo Esperanza to keep the team narrowly out front, 7-6. Berrios found the mark in the last period with a lone goal to insure the victory for Nuevo Esperanza. Shannon Hill’s Wasty said a few words after the match, thanking the doctors and nurses who continue to work tirelessly during this pandemic, putting their own lives at risk to help others.
Leandro Berrios, Dr. Zain Khakwani, Dani Wasty, Juan Vidal, Dennis Santana, Billy Paterniti and Barclay Knapp
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POLO SCENE
Left: Nuevo Esperanza’s Barclay Knapp comes in to challenge a charging Juan Vidal. Below: Spectators enjoy the match. Hospital CEO Darrell Terry
A bagpiper entertains guests during the halftime divot stomp. Dr. Naji Wasty is shown coming on the field for the fourth chukker.
Nuevo Esperanza’s Dennis Santana, Leandro Berrios, Barclay Knapp, Cheryl Arnold and Rhea Lowenthal POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 25
P O L O D E V E L O P M E N T, L L C
Pulling together Polo league expands offerings in Virginia By Hayley Heatley
additional 11 teams playing in the Open League—designed to welcome newcomers to the sport and create a fun environment for patrons to play—for the high summer season of June, July and August. Five USPA tournaments were played, including the 6goal Eastern Circuit Governor’s Cup, National 8 Goal Championship, Eastern Circuit Intra-circuit 12-Goal, Eastern Circuit Women’s Challenge and VUP Women’s Challenge. Over 120 games were played over the course of the season. With the support of Bill Ballhaus, the owner of the Beverly Equestrian organization, Marcos Bignoli, Juan Ghirlanda and Tolito Fernandez Ocampo managed the league. Bignoli laughed while explaining there were lots of phone calls, lots of time JOANNE MAISANO
Three local clubs in the Middleburg, Virginia, area decided to join forces and maximize the resources available to teams and players by creating the Virginia United Polo League, opening a new era of Virginia polo. Beverly Polo, Foxlease and Kingland each had three to four teams actively participating before the club owners decided to pursue the combined effort that became the league. Beverly Polo Club founder, Bill Ballhaus believes Virginia is one of the premier destinations for summer polo. “The numbers speak for themselves,” said Ballhaus. The level of play and participation was elevated overnight. The results were evident: the 6and 8-goal tournaments had six teams each and five teams competed in the 12 goal. There were an
Woodrow’s Agustin Arellano and Beverly Equestrian’s Hilario Figueras play on Beverly Polo Club’s newly renovated fields.
26 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
JOANNE MAISANO
changes, field changes and organizing! “But, we had a good time and I think we did a good thing for Virginia,” he said. The confidence of Beverly Polo Club in committing to the expansion of polo in the area provided a positive atmosphere for the Virginia United Polo League to flourish. After completing several projects, and with the intent of growing a sustainable polo community, Beverly Polo Club turned to the Polo Development Initiative program for assistance. Partnering with the PDI program to finalize its outdoor field and install a new scoreboard helped prepare the club for the summer season. Ballhaus explained, “The PDI grant was instrumental in helping us maintain the fields. Providing high-quality footing to ensure safe play was one of our priorities.” Approximately 60 games were able to be played at Beverly Polo Club, a testament to the work that was put into the field. The PDI grant program continues to provide support to clubs as they pursue projects aimed at enhancing the sustainability of polo. The PDI guidelines and application for the 2021 application cycle are now available on uspolo.org. •
KAILA DOWD/USPA
P O L O D E V E L O P M E N T, L L C
Beverly Equestrian’s Bill Ballhaus, Hilario Figueras, Tolito OCampo Jr. and John Gobin won the IntraCircuit Cup. Five teams competed in the league’s 12-goal events.
Woodrow’s Nico Eurnekian challenges Beverly Equestrian’s Bill Ballhaus in Virginia United Polo League play.
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 27
I N T E R C O L L E G I AT E / I N T E R S C H O L A S T I C
The Feldman Cup Santa Barbara takes national alumni tournament By Amy Fraser • Photos by Janelle Ross
Santa Barbara’s Jeff Scheraga, Emma Blackwood and Seamus Tuohy
The seventh edition of the National Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Alumni Tournament, the Feldman Cup, was a weekend of fast-paced, round-robin play at Central Coast Polo Club in Los Osos, California, between three competitive I/I alumni teams ready to relive the glory days. Consisting of players with a variety of I/I backgrounds, the two days of play on Saturday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Sept. 20, resulted in a dominant Feldman Cup victory for Santa Barbara, as it captured the win over both the Mustang Managers and the Trojan Frogs with decisive victories. A hard-fought opening two chukkers between Santa Barbara (Jeff Scheraga, Seamus Tuohy, Emma Blackwood) and Mustang Managers (Megan Judge, Maggie Papka, Trista Noland) resulted in Santa Barbara taking an early two-goal lead off the mallets of Scheraga and Tuohy. Foul trouble prevented Santa Barbara from extending its lead, including a Penalty 5 that was sent through by Judge for a two-point goal, tying the game at 2-all. A quick attack from Santa Barbara in the second chukker caught Mustang
28 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Managers off guard, as field goals from Scheraga and Blackwood extended the lead to 4-2 moving into the second day of play. In the most impressive two-chukker stretch of the tournament, Santa Barbara made no mistakes against Trojan Frogs (Danielle Travis, Tyler Lindberg, Alison Smith, Eric Schloss) on both sides of the ball, led by the play of Scheraga. Scoring six goals in the first chukker, Scheraga was seemingly everywhere, pushing his team’s lead to 8-0. Continuing to build on the momentum, Santa Barbara held Trojan Frogs off the score sheet while receiving three goals from Tuohy to finish with a dominant 13-0 lead and cementing its status as the team to beat. Mustang Managers and Trojan Frogs battled to keep their hopes alive, needing a victory to match Santa Barbara, but it was Mustang Managers who used a well-balanced offense to race into the lead. Two goals each from Papka and Judge contributed to a five-goal opening chukker in favor of Mustang Managers, while Travis answered to put Trojan Frogs on the board. Trading goals, Mustang Managers maintained its four-goal lead until a Penalty 1 extended the lead further, ending the first day of play with Mustang Managers ahead, 8-3. Trojan Frogs saw its title chances disappear on day two after falling to both Mustang Managers and Santa Barbara. Fighting to keep pace, Trojan Frogs started strong in the third chukker against Mustang managers with two goals from Travis, but slowing down the three-pronged attack of its opponents proved difficult. All three ladies on Mustang Managers contributed at least two goals each over the final two chukkers to cement the victory, 16-7. Earlier in the day, Santa Barbara took its astounding 13-0 advantage over Trojan Frogs and managed the lead effectively, leaving little opportunity for Trojan Frogs to mount a comeback. Santa Barbara set-up the deciding game against Mustang Managers to determine the tournament champion. Carrying over the 4-2 score from the first day, the tough competition between Santa Barbara and Mustang Managers continued into the third chukker as both teams marked tightly. Eight combined fouls
I N T E R C O L L E G I AT E / I N T E R S C H O L A S T I C
MVP Megan Judge
resulted in just one Penalty 2 conversion for Mustang Managers’ Noland, but Santa Barbara responded with two field goals, one each from its dynamic duo of Scheraga and Tuohy. With the tournament on the line, Scheraga came through in impressive fashion, scoring a couple of two-point goals as part of a total six-goal scoring final chukker, securing the 12-3 victory and the Feldman Cup title for Santa Barbara. As a mentor and a coach, Scheraga knows the value of relationships and began to establish the team’s bond well before the actual tournament. “I teamed up with Seamus Tuohy, who works for me and is really learning the game, so we were able to talk about polo for a while before this tournament even happened,” Scheraga revealed. “When I found out Emma [Blackwood] was also on our team I didn’t waste any time and I called her to discuss strategy as well. We already had a rapport built before even getting to the tournament. The other thing I believe we did well was take pride in the string of horses that we brought with us,” he added. “I’ve been building this string for years and now I’m happy because we really don’t have a weak horse in the bunch.” I/I Central Coast Polo Club and California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) coach and former intercollegiate Cal Poly alumna Megan Judge was awarded Most Valuable Player. “This year was very competitive,” Judge said. “I had a big smile on my face the whole time because I enjoy playing with Trista Noland and Maggie Papka. I have coached Trista since she was 13 years old and during high school, and Maggie for five years while she was at Cal Poly.”
Best Playing Pony was presented to 18-year-old Flamingo, played by Jeff Scheraga a former University of Connecticut intercollegiate polo player and the current coach of intercollegiate teams Westmont and University of California—Santa Barbara. “My client Lauren Mcintire purchased him last year as her first horse to learn to play polo. He is a lot of horse for a beginner but she has learned to be a very aggressive player thanks to Flamingo,” Scheraga said. “He’s very large which helps dominate his space on the field, which is even better to have in the arena. Despite his large size, he’s also very handy, quick and easy to hit the ball because he sets you up well either going slow or at a full out gallop.”
Sportsmanship Award winner Tyler Lindberg
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I N T E R C O L L E G I AT E I N T E R S C H O L A S T I C
Lauren Mcintire’s 18year-old Flamingo, played by Jeff Scheraga, helped Santa Barbara win the tournament.
Danielle Travis turns the ball under pressure from Emma Blackwood and Seamus Tuohy.
Former Southern Methodist University intercollegiate women’s player Emma Blackwood received the Horsemanship Award along with a $100 gift card to The Tackeria. “I participated in the 2016 Feldman Cup, but this is the first time I’ve won,” Blackwood said. “We [Santa Barbara] were able to get the ball out of the throw-in pretty consistently, which was definitely a huge help.” The Sportsmanship Award was presented to Tyler Lindberg, a former University of Southern
Emma Blackwood earned the Horsemanship Award and a $100 gift card to The Tackeria.
California intercollegiate polo player. Participating in her third Feldman Cup (2014 and 2016), Judge has continued to compete in this tournament because of the great relationships she has fostered over the years. “I love hanging out with all my friends for the weekend and playing in a fun tournament,” Judge said. “Also getting to know other players from different parts of the country is the best experience. Having Seamus Tuohy and his dad here for the weekend, I got to learn a lot about polo in other parts of the country and swap stories.” • 30 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
I N T E R C O L L E G I AT E / I N T E R S C H O L A S T I C
Congratulations to the following 2020 intercollegiate scholarship recipients: Elizabeth Owens Carlisle, Massachusetts IS Team: Boston Polo Club IC Team: University of Virginia Year in school: Sophomore Major: Pre-Law Favorite thing about I/I: My teammates and the horses
Grace Mudra Bellville, Texas IS Team: Houston Girls IC Team: Texas A&M University Year in school: Freshman Major: Architecture Favorite thing about I/I: My favorite thing about I/I is the community that is created by players from all teams combined. I am so grateful to be part of a wonderful polo environment!
Grace Grotnik Ipswich, Massachusetts IS Team: Myopia Interscholastic IC Team: Southern Methodist University Year in school: Sophomore Major: Studio Art w/ Minor in Education Favorite thing about I/I: Being able to play with and against my friends
Samantha Leach Morris, Illinois IS Team: Culver Academies IC Team: Oklahoma State University Year in school: Sophomore Major: Animal Science Business Favorite thing about I/I: My favorite thing about the I/I program is the opportunity it gives students to play polo across the country that may not be possible otherwise.
Kaylin Bender Dripping Springs, Texas IS Team: Garrison Forest School IC Team: Texas Christian University Year in school: Sophomore Major: Biology Favorite thing about I/I: My favorite thing about I/I polo is the long-lasting friendships you can make with people all around the U.S.
Hannah Reynolds Westminster, Maryland IS Team: Garrison Forest School IC Team: Texas A&M Year in School: Junior Major: English Favorite thing about I/I: What I love about I/I polo is the ability to grow and develop not only as a player but as a person with a community that will be there with you for a lifetime.
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 31
Lucky 13 White Birch adds to ECO record By Gwen Rizzo Photos by Peter T. Michaelis
Mariano Aguerre shows his elation after the win.
32 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Torito Ruiz, right, scored a game-high eight goals in the East Coast Open final.
White Birch notched another win, putting its name on the East Coast Open’s historic Perry Trophy after a three-year drought. Prior to this year, the team had won the title a dozen times, the last time in 2016 when team founder Peter Brant played his last season. The tournament has been held at Greenwich Polo Club in Greenwich, Connecticut, since 2005. The tournament was established by polo player Donald Little Sr. in 1978 and played at Myopia Polo Club in Hamilton, Massachusetts until 2004. It was first played at the 14- to 18-goal level before being raised to 16 to 20 goals. Due to COVID-19, the club canceled all of its tournaments except for the East Coast Open. The public was invited back, however guests were kept socially distanced, whether on the lawn, in the VIP section or tailgating. This year, five teams competed from Aug. 30Sept. 13. The action began with Altaris (Jamal Nassabeh, Joaquin Panelo, Lerin Zubiaurre, Kris Kampsen) defeating Gardenvale (Shane Finemore, Cristian “Magoo” Laprida, Felipe Viana, Pedro Falabella), 12-9. Kris Kampsen led the winners with six goals, all penalty conversions. The next day,
White Birch (Chris Brant, Pablo Llorente, Mariano Aguerre, Peke Gonzalez) beat Los Violines (Christophe Landon, Gringo Colombres, Michel Dorignac, Tommy Biddle), 12-8. Tragically, in the opening minutes, Colombres took a ball to the face and had to be replaced by Lerin Zubiarre.
Mariano Aguerre, on Best Playing Pony Machitos Francisca, eyes a Matias Magrini back shot.
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 33
Chris Brant celebrates after the win. The last time White Birch won, his dad was in the irons.
The East Coast Open finalists masked up for the trophy presentation.
Colombres suffered several broken bones, requiring surgery and was unable to continue in the tournament. Action continued with Black Hound Don Ercole (Will Tomita, Lucas Diaz Alberdi, Torito Ruiz, Matias Magrini) and Altaris tying, 6-6, when rain forced the game to be postponed with just over six minutes remaining in the third chukker. When it continued three days later, the teams kept it close
34 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
until Black Hound DE eked out the 13-12 win. The next day, Gardenvale outscored Los Violines, 14-10. Los Violines began with a two-goal handicap after 6-goal Mariano Gonzalez was brought in to replace 8-goal Colombres. The last preliminary match saw White Birch fall to Black Hound DE, 12-11, in overtime. White Birch, Black Hound DE and Altaris advanced to the semi-finals while Gardenvale and Los Violines had
to playoff for the remaining spot. Gardenvale eliminated Los Violines, 14-11, to advance. The semi-finals were scheduled for two days later, however inclement weather forced the games to be postponed 48 hours. When the fields dried out, White Birch edged Altaris, 12-10, while Black Hound DE edged Gardenvale, 13-11. The final was held on Sept. 15, allowing White Birch to revenge its earlier overtime loss to Black Hound DE. Pablo Llorente got White Birch off to a great start with a pair of early goals. Black Hound DE got on the board with a Penalty 2 from Toro Ruiz but Peke Gonzalez countered it with a Penalty 2 conversion of his own. Ruiz sandwiched goals around a Gonzalez tally, bringing Black Hound within one, 4-3. Gonzalez increased the lead with three in a row, including a Penalty 2, but another Penalty 2 by Ruiz kept Black Hound in the match, 7-4, at the half. “Our strategy was to play fast and move the ball,” Llorente told the USPA. “I think the key was that we were really good on defense. We defended every ball as if it was the last.” Gonzalez agreed. “I think the big difference between the final and the first game was that the four of us played closer to our men during the entire final game,” he explained. “We also tried to move the ball around a little more and play a more classic style of polo, which I think worked well for us.”
Black Hound DE benefited from the halftime break, coming back strong with Ruiz continuing to capitalize on penalty opportunities and Matias Magrini scoring from the field, while White Birch was held to a single tally from Mariano Aguerre. Black Hound was hot on White Birch’s heels and caught up early in the fifth when Lucas Diaz Alberdi split the uprights. Aguerre was unfazed and confident, coming back out on his 7-year-old grey mare, Machitos Francisca, who he played in the first. She carried him to goal, not once, not twice but three times in quick succession to regain the advantage, 11-8, and the momentum. Aguerre added another goal early in the sixth for good measure. Ruiz fired back with two in a row, but a final goal by Gonzalez put the game out of reach. White Birch prevailed, 13-10. Aguerre was named MVP and Machitos Francisca, who Aguerre brought to the U.S. last January, was Best Playing Pony. Aguerre, now 51, has played for White Birch since the mid-1980s. He was inducted into the National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame in 2017. “Winning the East Coast Open was the cherry on the cake for a great final of this particular season,” Aguerre said. “We learned from our defeat in the first game and that was a key for the final. We were able to beat a very good team and that was a result of teamwork and chemistry.” •
Lucas Diaz Alberdi lays it on the line as Pablo Llorente prepares to back the ball.
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 35
Egalitarian Sport Black polo lives that have mattered to me By C. Maybe Ortiz
Marc Harris played at Bluewater Creek Polo Club with Work to Ride in 2016.
36 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
“I feel very optimistic at the number of people stepping up and talking about it, making statements,” responded polo player Kareem Rosser. For their July 2020 issue, Stephanie Shertzer Lawson of the East Coast Equestrian interviewed Kareem about his soon-to-be-published book and the Black Lives Matter demonstrations. Writing about Black individuals who have helped me along the polo path seems to be an appropriate though minimal step that I can take from my sequestered set-up here in the backwoods of Georgia. I invite you to examine your own perspective and to share your thoughts. I emphasize that this is how it appeared to a corn-fed Pennsylvania farm girl more than 40 years ago. I could be wrong, but I would like to give the sport of polo reasonably high marks for accepting Black players into the line-up during my lifetime. I know Jimmy Brown, one of the last registered left-handed players in 1974, was not only respected at Brandywine Polo Club (Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania) but feared for his awesome back shots since his nearside was actually his stronger stroke. His highest handicap was 2 goals (possibly 3). He made all of us think about the line more often. It was very difficult to estimate Jimmy Brown’s age. He had been making horses for Harley and Cooper Williams for some time when I met him in 1975. He brought joy to the game and had encouraging words for all. I was not around when he went on to coach at Valley Forge Military Academy. I will always be able to hear his cheers shouted to me on the rare occasion that I was allowed to play a practice chukker. “Act like you know, girl! Act like you know!” In 1976, a smaller club in the Philadelphia area had called Brandywine with two holes in their Sunday line-up. After a few players had turned down the invitation, Jimmy and I were ‘selected’ to make
Power hitters Freddie Villar and Eddy Martinez at Upatoi Polo Club on the Georgia side of the border with Alabama.
Carlos Martinez at his home of Bluewater Creek Polo in Florence, Alabama.
number of seasons with Dr. Hugh Johnson. Eddy “Papa” Martinez and his son Alan continue to anchor 8-goal polo with ratings at 4 and 5, but it’s their buoyant personalities and boyish grins along with their booming passes that make them favorites for the quarterback position. After meeting at Casa de Campo, Eddy and his wife, Linda have been based in Columbus, Georgia, and he spreads his positive attitude around the Southeast. Dr. Grayson Brown, who passed away in March, always loved to have Eddy on his Casa Azul team in Aiken, South Carolina. Older brother Carlos Martinez has lived in Athens, Alabama, for nearly 40 years. At 2 goals, he has always been one of my polo heroes due to his overwhelming work ethic and his spiritual values. While climbing the ladder at demanding positions with the Alabama Department of Transportation, Carlos managed to train and sell horses, take on outside shoeing and raise a lovely daughter, going to church with the family on Sundays and Wednesdays. We would adjust our
The Hardnox School of Polo held a number of sessions at Dolph Orthwein’s Atlanta Polo field in the late 1980s. Women, lefthanders and everyone with a passion for polo was welcome.
Jimmy Brown at Brandywine Polo Club in 1975.
the 50-mile trip and be mounted. As we got out of the car the club owner, in his hard-riding Pennsylvania Dutch-style, noted, “Geez! I ask for two polo players and what do I get? A girl and a …” He didn’t finish the sentence but we all chuckled and knew that he was being brutally ironic. We were sure that at least Jimmy and his skills were most welcomed. That’s the trick to our strangely egalitarian world of polo—eventually you are judged on what you can do. It’s probable that the acceptance of Black players in the United States was facilitated by the appearance of numerous darker-skinned individuals from the Dominican Republic. Since this is an opinion piece and not a research article, I can’t say definitively who came first but I know the Martinez family has had a huge influence on many players up and down the East Coast, with Eddy making it all the way to Maine for a POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 37
Madison Richardson, right, and a friend came to Houston for the polo pony sale in 1985.
schedule at Bluewater Creek Polo Club (Florence, Alabama) as best we could, but Carlos would often fly down the paved driveway with a rig full of alreadytacked horses just before Sunday throw-in. When I was stunned at the difficulty of teaching Spanish in a local high school, Carlos conjured an image from his Catholic school days in the Dominican Republic. He said his teachers made sure the students understood that they must leave their boyish ways outside the classroom door. Carlos Martinez is an educated and thoughtful human being who still calls me “May-berry” with the accent on the second half. I incorporated enlargements of photos of polo friends into my Georgia high school instruction a decade ago on the approximately 20 Spanish-speaking countries, including one of Eddy and Freddie Villar. The students literally responded, “But they’re Black.”
Pantera Gill at Gulfstream in 1979.
38 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Caleb Cherry prepared for action at the Atlanta Polo Club in 2018. He now plays for Morehouse College.
This was a reaction both to their skin color and to the phrase that I intentionally used—“I love these guys.” Freddie Villar is another Dominican who has shared his smile around Alabama for the past four decades. Long and lean, Freddie achieved a 3-goal top rating and blasted many passes to patrons, including Ed Robbins and Frank Stitt. Like many of his countrymen, Freddie can sure enough dance! Since we’re still in the historic stage of this article, I must emphasize a gentleman at Gulfstream in 197879 named Alejandro “Pantera” Gill. Gentle only begins to describe his demeanor. Very few people called him Alex since he had numerous panther-like qualities. This is not the first time I have written that he was so black he was blue, which remains an aesthetic compliment. He was the best man in my mounted wedding to Agustin Ortiz in 1982. I seem to remember meeting Dr. Madison Richardson in the early ‘80s at Palm Beach Polo. It impressed me that he was visiting from California since the two coasts had minimal polo interaction back then. He was pleasant and conversational and I thought, “By golly, this is how it’s supposed to be—no issues with professional Blacks becoming polo players.” I lost track of him, but it’s my understanding that Madison Richardson went on to serve in various capacities in the USPA. A management employee of a pharmaceutical
NANO’S POLO MALLETS
Work to Ride students Shariah Harris, far left, and Brandon Reese, second from right, played with Melissa Harrington and Alan Medina at Skaneateles Polo Club in 2014.
company was one of the students in my Hardnox School of Polo sessions in the Atlanta area in the late 1980s. Gary Kaufman had minimal equestrian experience but absorbed information well and fit in nicely with that friendly group. He arranged for me to pick up large plastic drug-shipping barrels with locking lids that I still use for feed storage. Possibly the Atlanta-area clubs have had more Black players over the past few decades than many USPA groups. One of my favorite individuals has been Caleb Cherry who started playing in the arena with Jolie Liston at the Atlanta Regional Polo Center. He competed in the NYTS and interscholastic programs and is now playing with the Morehouse intercollegiate squad. Having skipped a year or two of his early education, Caleb is not large or physically powerful, but he is an extremely intelligent, polite and a pleasantly challenging conversationalist. Here’s hoping his career choice will allow him to maintain life-long participation in the game. Though Caleb investigated Harvard as a polo-playing educational destination, his choice to stay in Atlanta was rapidly rewarded by the backing of men’s fashion designer Miguel Wilson, and practices were scheduled for the Morehouse team at Atlanta Regional Polo Center with Jolie Liston in the coach’s saddle. Raised in Washington, DC, Miguel Wilson is a strong and fit Army veteran who plays an enthusiastic game in the burgundy and gold colors of his favorite Washington football team. His website describes his product as “conservative
clothing with a touch of excitement that makes it fun, functional and classy” —just like polo. His 3rd annual Fashion & Polo Classic at the downtown Atlanta field, planned for last month, was canceled due to rain. If you are not familiar with Lezlie Hiner’s Work To Ride program in Philadelphia, you are in the minority of American polo players. Initiated in 1994, this system of linking personal responsibility with the powerful motivator we know as polo has received considerable national media coverage. Lezlie has arranged for her students to travel both internationally and regionally. They checked the Deep South box by competing at Bluewater Creek in 2016. Lezlie Hiner’s long-time friend Cissie Jones Snow added to the cultural experience for these innercity kids by taking them for their first Cracker Barrel breakfast (with grits). Allow me to emphasize that the book “Crossing The Line” written by Kareem Rosser, one of Work To Ride’s most accomplished graduates, will be released in February of 2021 (but is available for pre-order). Kareem inspired the Colorado State University polo team to a national championship in 2015. This memoir looks back at what it took to get there. “Where I grew up, kids dream of making their eighteenth birthday. Many can’t see beyond the poverty and violence that they were born into,” quotes the Work To Ride July 8 Facebook page. Kareem drives the point home by stating, “I will be giving 50% of the book sales to the organization that saved my life—Work To Ride.” •
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P O L O I N T H E PA M PA S
The last dance La Dolfina line up to change next year By Lucas Noel • Photos by Sergio Llamera
Like “The Last Dance,” the documentary about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, La Dolfina will face this season knowing it will be the last one with its legendary lineup. For Juan Martín Nero, it will not be an easy year; he was injured again preparing for the start of the Argentine Triple Crown. This year has been more than unusual for everyone. However, for Juan Martín Nero it will be more special than for any other polo player. His physical problems have not allowed him to have a peaceful end to 2019
Juan Martin Nero takes a moment after falling in last year’s Argentine Open final. It was the start of several injuries that continue to keep him off the field.
and most of 2020. Since fracturing his fibula in a fall in last year’s Argentine Open final, he has traveled a path of unexpected injuries. The best back in the world returned to the pitches only in February and after two matches, suffered another fracture in the same area, only a few inches higher. He missed the entire season in Palm Beach. After the coronavirus pandemic, he simply went back to practice. But his bad luck continued when he suffered a meniscus injury. He had to abandon his intentions of playing in the British season, but he took the opportunity to have surgery on a torn cruciate ligament that he had been playing with for some time. After recovering, he played the summer in Aspen and today, after a couple of weeks in his native Trenque
40 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Lauquen, he traveled to Buenos Aires. In one of his first and more formal team practices, he fell, fracturing his collarbone and left wrist, which required surgery. Will he be ready to face what will be a momentous moment in his career: his last season with La Dolfina? You have really suffered a considerable amount of physical problems since your injury in Palermo. Physically, I was fine until this. I have dedicated myself to my body since the knee operation on April 20. I trained every day and with a lot of kinesiology. I felt very good and wanted to start playing practice more seriously while I waited for the calendar to be adjusted to have a more-or-less logical season. Last season you were champions in Palermo, answering, “one more year,” to the constant question of how long you will continue to play together. That moment has arrived. It will be the last year of the La Dolfina quartet. Well, hopefully this year ends the same: winning. This is going to be the last one of the four of us together. We have talked about it, and Poroto (Adolfo Cambiaso’s son) is already going to start playing. And we believe that after 10 seasons it is time to end. Of course, it hurts. We know that it will be very difficult to put together a team like the one we achieved, but we will try to enjoy our last year to the fullest. We will see what we can put together for next year. Personally, I don’t have anything planned. I'll wait to see what options there are. The idea now is to enjoy this year. An Argentine version of The Last Dance? Hopefully we end up winning like the Bulls. It was an incredible 10 years. Adolfito has been called the Michael Jordan of polo. Is it just as difficult to share a team with him as the documentary with Michael Jordan shows? (Laughs) No, no! This Jordan of ours is more relaxed. Luckily, we didn’t get the one from the Chicago Bulls. This crazy guy is quieter. We can’t complain. What has been the best moment of the
P O L O I N T H E PA M PA S
10 years? Just a moment? Difficult. I think the 2015 Open. The third Triple Crown in a row was an impressive moment—because of what it generated, because of what it cost, because of the pressure. It was a very nice moment. Were there any moments you consider ugly in this decade or were they all wonderful? Yes, of course. The first one that comes to mind is the 2012 final. It was hard because we were the best candidates but lost the final playing very badly. There were also some painful defeats at Tortugas. But there were perhaps also some that we did not deserve and we ended up winning. This year, Ellerstina made an important change in its quest to defeat you, like the ones you described. How do you see the team working with Hilario Ulloa? It will be necessary to see if, with Hilario, the team works better. With Polito (Pieres) out there they didn’t have a well-functioning team, but it was always a very difficult team to beat. Hilario is another great player. He is well organized and it will be necessary to see how he fits into Ellerstina. I think they will continue to be a very tough team. It’s too soon to say if they are going to be better with Hilario. Do you see room for surprises this season? We and Ellerstina are one step up, but you have La Natividad and Murus Sanctus, which are two teams that, without any doubt, on a good day of theirs and not so good of yours, can beat you. They are teams of 36 and 35 goals. I don’t think there could be a surprise from someone else. Maybe La Dolfina II, but I see them as a step below those two teams. What would be a good last season for La Dolfina, and what would make it fantastic? It would be fantastic to win Palermo, and it would be good to win one of the three tournaments. The bar is high after the years and the triumphs we have had and there is no shuffling it. The four of us want the team to end up winning Palermo.
A determined Juan Martin Nero races Polito Pieres to the ball on his way to an Argentine Triple Crown victory.
In the last season, the Cambiaso-Stirling-Mac Donough-Nero cast was crowned champion for the seventh successive year at La Cathedral (Palermo) with an eighth title in Palermo since they began playing together. In 2019, one of the best versions of La Dolfina could be seen with passes into the empty spaces for teammates’ runs, plays in an almost surgical precision at speed, assists without looking and shots at impossible angles. We all want to see the last performance of perhaps the best quartet that has ever played this sport (let’s leave the discussion of whether Coronel Suárez was superior or not for another time). Nero needs to be on the field. It would be tragic if he were not fully recovered when Palermo starts. It will surely be a mixture of nostalgia and satisfaction to know we are witnessing the history of polo itself as it is being written. • POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 41
POLO AROUND THE GLOBE
France Les Lions dominates 20th French Open Photos by Pascal Renauldon/R&B Presse
Les Lions’ Barto Castagnola keeps his eye on the prize despite Fran Elizalde closing in.
Straight from their Queen’s Cup victory in England, Dillon Bacon and 18-year-old Barto Castagnola carried that momentum into the 20th French Open at Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly in Apremont, France. The tournament was played from Sept. 4-20. Two other tournaments—Trophée Castel and Nam’s Cup—were played at the same time, bringing together a total of 26 teams and providing polo almost all day, every day. The Open drew eight teams (seven 16-goal, and one 17-goal) and kicked off on Sept. 4 with the opening match. Spectators celebrated with Moët & Chandon and an asado. Later, teams gathered at the terrace of the Orangerie Musuem to enjoy music with a DJ.
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The playoff games provided plenty of action. The match between Les Lions Panarea and Talandracas, pitting brothers Barto and 16-year-old Jeta Castagnola, was called the most beautiful match in the history of the club by one spectator. Another called it the most exciting match played in France for decades; while another marveled at the incredible speed and dream horses. In five chukkers, 29 goals were scored; eight from Barto and 10 from Jeta, despite him missing a Penalty 3 at the end of the match. Les Lions Panarea prevailed, 15-14. “This game deserved an overtime,” lamented Talandracas manager Santiago Gastambide. It was the first time the brothers, trained by their
POLO AROUND THE GLOBE
father, former 10-goaler Lolo Castagnola, played each other. “I didn’t know Jeta played so well! I had a hard time countering him,” confided Barto Castagnola to his manager. Despite their young age, the two go to every possible match, even low-goal games, in case there is a horse to be found. They take every opportunity to try new horses. Other game highlights include Marquard Media revenging its Deauville Gold Cup loss, defeating Marqués de Riscal, 13-8; and former 9-goaler Santiago Chavanne leading Dutchman Nicky Sen’s Amanara to victory against Le Pommeray (11-8) and Sainte-Mesme (9-4). Les Lions Panarea was the only team to go undefeated in preliminary play and moved on to the semi-finals. Amanara, Talandracas and Marquard Media also made it to the semis, with 3-1 records each. The excitement continued into the semi-finals with the matches both decided by a single goal. Talandracas tied with Amanara in the first (3-3) and again in the third (6-6). Talandracas took a 9-8 lead in the fifth but Amanara caught up and remained tied, 10-10, until the very last second when Jeta Castagnola scored the golden goal, sending his team to the final. The match between Les Lions Panarea and
Marquard Media was just as close with the teams knotted 2-2 and 4-4 in the first two chukkers. Les Lions took a 7-4 advantage in the third, but
Amanara: Nicky Sen Segundo Condese Stanga Santiago Chavanne Santiago Laborde
16 0 3 7 6
Marques De Riscal: 16 Alejandro Aznar Luis Aznar Santiago Cernadas Alejandro Muzzio
Majoa Paris:
0 1 7 8
16
Les Lions Panarea’s Aristide Faggionato, Dillon Bacon, Barto Castagnola and Tommy Beresford
Marquard Media: Ignacio Kennedy Juan Pedro Chavanne Martin Aguerre Jr. Tommy Rinderknecht
Le Pommeray: Victoria Smith Tito Ruiz Guinazu Juan Griz Zavaleta Derek Smith
Sainte-Mesme:
16 4 5 7 1
16 0 7 7 1
16
1 6 8 1
Robert Strom Birger Strom Clemente Zavaleta Santiago Araya
5 0 7 4
Les Lions Panarea: 17
Talandracas:
16
Sam Sztarkman Pierre-Henri Ngoumoucap Guillermo Terrera Alex Sztarkman Aristide Faggionato Dillon Bacon Barto Castagnola Tommy Beresford
6 6 5 6
Edouard Carmignac Nick Rogerson Fran Elizalde Camilo “Jeta” Castagnola
0 1 8 7
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 43
POLO AROUND THE GLOBE
very special final. The most important thing for us is to enjoy the game. This tournament is spectacular with extraordinary grounds, allowing us to [run] without a speed limit.” The preliminary match pitting these two teams was a preview of what was to come—long passes, great plays and talented horses. But, Talandracas didn’t put up quiet the fight it had last time. Les Lions got a narrow 3-2 advantage after the first seven minutes, but it increased the lead to three in the next period. It maintained that difference into the final period, when it scored a lone goal to secure the victory. Barto Castagnola was MVP and his small black stallion, Federico, was Best Playing Pony. During the trophy presentation, the greens-keepers were recognized for a job well done. Bacon said, “The first match gave us an idea of how they play and how they were organized. Talandracas is a big team, and today, I played more in defense in order for us to have three players for the attack. On the outside, it might seem to be easier compared to last time, but it was a very tiring game for all of us.” Les Lions’ Dillon Bacon drives the ball while under pressure from Nick Rogerson. Dillon said the game was tiring for everyone.
Marquard Media rallied to level the score, 7-7, in the fourth. It wasn’t until the last chukker when Les Lions got the 11-10 edge to advance. “The game ended as we hoped, even if it was tough, as I scored during the last 10 seconds,” said Jeta Castagnola. “Against my big brother, it’ll be a
MVP Barto Castagnola with his Best Playing Pony, Federico
44 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Ladies Division The French Open also included a division for ladies, with four teams competing. Maison Décalé opened with a big win against Hyatt Regency Chantilly, 10-2½. Maison Décalé included three Venot sisters guided by 4-goaler Caroline Anier. DS Automobile, led by the highest-
POLO AROUND THE GLOBE
Hyatt Regency Chantilly: 11 Fabienne Last Naomi Schroeder Maike Hoelty Svenja Hoelty
Engel & Voelkers: Lavinia Fabre Clarissa Marggraf Chloé Sebban Agathe Mobian
0 4 4 3
10 3 3 2 2
15 DS Autombiles: DS Store Saint-Maximin Pauline Schaer Margaux Perruchot Lia Salvo Adèle Renauldon
Maison Décalé: Pearl Venot Lucie Venot Elena Venot Caroline Anier
1 2 9 3
16 3 3 6 4
rated women player, Lia Salvo, also had a strong start, dominating Engels & Völkers, 7-4. Maison Décalé and DS Autombile advanced to the final after facing each other in preliminary play. Maison Décalé was not expecting such a formidable
resistance as that displayed by DS Automobile. After its heavy defeat in the earlier match up, Salvo organized a new strategy. It seemed to work when the team led during the first half of the match, 2½2, but Anier and the Venot sisters turned the tables, taking a narrow 4-3½ lead in the third. Maison Décalé kept up the pressure, outscoring DS Automobile, 2-1, in the final chukker to take the win. Elena Venot was named MVP and Lia Salvo’s Bacana Jouée won Best Playing Pony. Salvo was best scorer of the tournament, finishing with 12 goals in four matches. •
Elena Venot was named MVP in the final of the Ladies French Open.
Maison Décalé’s Pearl Venot, Lucie Venot, Elena Venot and Caroline Anier
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 45
POLO REPORT DISPATCHES FROM THE WORLD OF POLO EAST
PAT MICHAELS
MARYLAND DOMINATES WOMEN’S ARENA CHALLENGE
Maryland’s Madison Jordan get past Bad Ass Polo’s Sarah Lynch in the final of the Woman’s Arena Challenge at Seneca Polo Club in Poolesville, Maryland.
T
HE Seneca Polo Club in Poolesville, Maryland, hosted the 8-goal Women’s Arena Challenge at its newlylit arena, Aug. 11. The title went to a tough Maryland team. Five teams, made up of future superstars, competed in the event. The playoffs began with a round robin on June 28. Garrison Forest I (Josie Smith, Lindsey Morris, Jenny Schwartz) took on Bad Ass Polo (Lucy Steele, Posey Obrecht, Sarah Lynch, Tori Picha) in round one. Lynch stuck
46 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
first but Morris responded with two. Lynch added two more and Obrecht scored a two-pointer to take a quick 52 lead. Morris scored three to Obrecht’s two in the second but it wasn’t enough and Bad Ass won, 7-5. Garrison Forest II (Gabby Chiasera, Cailin Phebus, Molly Muedeking) faced Garrison Forest I in round two. Each team member scored for GF II, with Chiasera adding two, including a two pointer. GF I was held to a goal from Schwartz, ending the
chukker 5-1 for GF II. The tables turned in the second with Morris hammering in four goals and Schwartz one, while GF II was held to a single goal from Muedeking for a 6-6 tie. GF II faced Bad Ass Polo in the last round. Muedeking shot out with an early goal but it was answered by two from Lynch. Chiasera tied the match early in the second and Muedeking scored to take the lead but that would be it, while Bad Ass shot out with three from Lynch and one each from
R E P O R T
PAT MICHAELS
PAT MICHAELS
P O L O
Maryland’s Zoey Bivalacqua, Jenna Davis, Madison Jordan and Liv Berube (not shown) won the Women’s Arena Challenge.
Obrecht and Picha for the 7-3 victory. In the next game, Pittsburg (Lauren Bilsky, Kate Dougherty, Juliette Powers) took on Maryland (Zoey Bivalacqua, Madison Jordan, Liv Berube, Jenna Davis, Brianna Jordan). Maryland took control early and never let up. Davis scored six unanswered goals without taking a break and Madison Jordan added another. Berube knocked in four goals in the second and Madison Jordan scored one before Bilsky scored Pittsburgh’s first goal, adding to a handicap goal, for a 12-2 halftime lead. The second half didn’t go any better with Davis scoring three and Brianna Jordan tallying two, while Pittsburgh was held scoreless. Maryland advanced to the final with the wide 172 victory. Maryland took on Bad Ass Polo in the final on Aug. 11. The first seven minutes were evenly matched with Madison Jordan sinking three goals, only to be answered by three in a row from Lynch. Each of Maryland’s players scored in the second and they got lucky with a pony goal, while Bad Ass stayed close thanks to goals by Obrecht and Lynch. The half ended with Maryland ahead, 7-5. Maryland increased its lead in the third after a hat trick from Davis, including a two-pointer, while Bad Ass had trouble reaching the goal. Ahead
Bad Ass Polo’s Lucy Steele, Sarah Lynch, Posey Obrecht and Tori Picha (not shown) were runners-up in Maryland.
by six, Madison Jordan and Berube combined for six goals in the last chukker. Bivalacqua added another before Picha responded for Bad Ass, but it wasn’t enough as Maryland had tripled up Bad Ass, 18-6, for the win. Maryland took the trophies and the $2,500 prize money, part of the USPA stimulus. The action continued with Aviators Polo coming out the winner in the USPA Sportsmanship Cup, Aug. 22. Four teams, rated from 0 to 4 goals, filled the lineups, playing off over two days under the lights in the club’s spectacular arena. In the first match, Hickory Furniture Mart (Chase Dixon, Carson Tucker, David Brooks) defeated Seneca (Victoria McGraw, Claudia Tobler, Dario Sotomayor), 128. Seneca began with a 2-goal handicap, which Sotomayor added to, getting the scoring started. Hickory Furniture Mart responded with each team member scoring, ending the chukker ahead, 4-3. Brooks increased the lead to end the half, 6-3. Seneca rallied in the second half with five field goals off the mallet of Sotomayor, but four more goals from Brooks and a goal each from Dixon and Tucker sealed the deal and Hickory advanced to the final. The second game saw Aviators (Rohail Khan, Tim Lewis, Aamir “Sunny” Khan) overcome Donatelli
Equine (Tomas Gutierrez, Nicky Powers, Javier Donatelli), 13-8. Donatelli began with a one-goal handicap but Aviators quickly overcame it, jumping out to a 4-1 lead. Donatelli scored, ending the first, 4-2. Donatelli and Powers tied the match early in the second but a pair of penalty conversions put Aviators back up by two, 6-4, at the half. Donatelli and Powers cut the deficit to one in the third, but the fourth was all Aviators as it outscored Donatelli, 6-2, to take the win. Donatelli and Seneca met in the consolation. Seneca received two goals by handicap and won, 15-12. Sotomayor led Seneca with 11 goals. The final had Hickory Furniture Mart taking an early lead after receiving a handicap goal, then a pony goal early in the first. Sunny Khan put Aviators on the board but Brooks matched it with a Penalty 2 conversion for a 3-1 lead. Hickory doubled its tally with goals by Brooks and Dixon, while Khan was held to a penalty conversion, ending the half, 6-2. Aviators made the most of the halftime break and came back stronger. Sunny Khan shot in three goals and Lewis added one while Hickory’s drives were all turned back, leveling the score at 6-all. Goals by Brooks and Tucker gave Hickory back the lead in the fourth, but Sunny Khan scored two in a row to knot the
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 47
R E P O R T LORI NAPP
ELIZABETH HEDLEY
P O L O
West Shore’s Wesley Uys, George Hempt, MVP Trevor Reeves and Max Hempt won the Gerald Balding at Brandywine Polo Club in Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania. Uys’ Yeager was Best Playing Pony.
score and force a shootout. Hickory went first, however none of the players’ shots reached the goal. Then it was Aviator’s turn. The first shot didn’t make it but Lewis found the target to secure the 9-8 win. Brooks was named MVP and Vicky, a mare Sunny Khan scored three goals on in the third, was Best Playing Pony.
HAWKWOOD TOPS PRESIDENTS CUP
DOUGLAS JOHN VERGARA
Tinicum Park Polo Club in Erwinna, Pennsylvania, hosted the USPA Presi-
Marcos Bignoli and Trevor Reeves fight for the ball, while Nate Berube and Leandro Berrios look on.
IGEA’s Adam Lipson, Vlad Tarashansky, Juan Redlich and Glen Sam Lostritto (with Debra Napp) won the Jerry Napp Memorial.
dent’s Cup, with two teams, Aug. 15. The final pitted Hawkwood (Barclay Knapp, Mark Mulligan, Leandro Berrios, Marcos Bignoli) against New Hope Against Cancer (Rhea Lowenthal/ Tim Cheromcka, Dennis Santana, Nate Berube, Trevor Reeves). Dave Halliday and Atif Mohamed donned the black and white stripes. Berrios showed he came to play when he scored back-to-back goals in the opening minutes. Reeves put New Hope on the board with a penalty conversion, but Berrios retaliated to put Hawkwood ahead, 3-1. Reeves cut the difference in the sec-
ond, while his team stopped Hawkwood from scoring. But Hawkwood made up for it in the third, regaining a two-goal lead. New Hope rallied after the half, with Santana and Berube finding the target to level the score but Mulligan and Bignoli would have none of it, firing in goals to take back the two-goal lead. Undaunted, New Hope kept working, outscoring Hawkwood, 2-1, in the fifth and bringing the team within one, 7-6, entering the final chukker. The teams went back and forth in the final seven minutes with five goals scored, but Hawkwood regained its two-goal advantage for the 10-8 win. Reeves was named MVP and Bignoli’s California was Best Playing Pony. NORTHEAST
IGEA PREVAILS IN NAPP MEMORIAL The Meadowbrook Polo Club on Long Island, New York, honored longtime polo friend Jerry Napp with the 4th annual Jerry Napp Memorial Celebration of Life, Oct. 3-4. Three teams competed in the event, played in a round robin over two days. IGEA (Vlad Tarashansky, Glen Sam Lostritto, Juan Redlich, Adam Lipson) defended its title, topping Meadow-
48 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
R E P O R T
LORI NAPP
KATIE ROTH
P O L O
Horton Schwartz takes the ball, backed up by teammates Mrinal Dansingani, on Best Playing Pony Oreo, and Gonzalo Ambroselli.
PETER SANCHIRICO
brook (Glen Lostritto, Horton Schwartz, Gonzalo Ambroselli, Mrinal Dansingani), 4-3, and Country Farms (George Fox, Jordan Benet Mastromonico, Simon Pioltino, Lobo Fernandez), 5-2. Meadowbrook and Country Farms ended in a 4-4 tie, but Meadowbrook was runner-up based on gross goals. IGEA received beautiful hand-
MVP Gaston Lisioli chases down Joaquin Panelo in the Al Bianco Memorial.
SD Farms’ Aiden Meeker, Trevor Reeves, Carlitos Gracida and Peco Polledo won the Northrup Knox Cup at New Bridge Polo.
etched glass trophies by Kim Doran. Lipson was MVP, an award sponsored by Deirdre Duke, and Dansingani’s Oreo was named Best Playing Pony, an award sponsored by Lori Napp. The tournament honors Jerry Napp, who played for more than 50 years, and was a big supporter of Long Island polo up until is death in 2017.
A week earlier, Aliano Realty/ Berkshire Equine captured the 8-goal Al Bianco Memorial. Aliano Realty/Bershire’s Johnny Snyder, Nick Aliano, Gaston Lisioli and Hugo Lloret took on IGEA’s Mrinal Dansingani, Adam Lipson, Juan Redlich and Joaquin Panelo. The teams were tied, 4-4, at the half before AR/BE took a one-goal lead in the fourth and exploded with three more in the fifth, while IGEA was held to a goal. AR/BE led 8-5 going into the sixth. IGEA fought back, tallying three in a row while shutting down AR/BE to knot the score and force extra time. Lisioli wasted no time in sudden death, taking the ball out of the throwin and sending it through the posts for the win. Lisioli was named MVP for his heroics and Panelo’s beautiful grey mare, Torda, was Best Playing Pony. SOUTHEAST
SD FARMS CAPTURES NORTHRUP KNOX CUP SD Farms captured the 12-goal Northrup Knox Cup at New Bridge Polo Club in Aiken, South Carolina, Sept. 27, after a back-and-forth final. SD Farms (Aiden Meeker, Sayyu Dantata, Peco Polledo, Carlitos Gracida) faced Hit Air (Jack Whitman, Justin
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 49
R E P O R T
Bottega’s Joe Post, Nachi Viana, Adam Snow and Hope Arellano won the National President’s Cup at New Bridge.
SHELLY MARSHALL SCHMIDT
Pimsner, Alan Martinez, Pelon Escapite) in the final. Trevor Reeves replaced Dantata in the final match. Martinez got right to work scoring backto-back goals in the first. Polledo put SD on the board, ending the first, 2-1. Gracida knotted the score early in the second, then gave SD the lead. Polledo tallied and Gracida added his third, while Hit Air was silenced for a 5-2 lead. Martinez found the mark in the third, but Gracida sunk a Penalty 2 in response. Escapite sent the ball through the posts and Martinez followed with another. Escapite’s Penalty 2 conversion MVP Peco Polledo, on Best Playing Pony Paragua, led SD Farms to a Northrup Knox Cup victory.
50 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
KATIE ROTH
KATIE ROTH
P O L O
Bottega’s Nachi Viana was MVP and his Cautiva was Best Playing Pony in the National President’s Cup final.
late in the chukker leveled the score at 6-all at the half. Hit Air took control in the fourth with Whitman scoring and Martinez and Escapite combining for three more while SD was held to a single goal. But SD rallied in the fifth with Reeves and Polledo combining for four goals, while Hit Air only reached the goal with a Penalty 2. The teams were tied, 11-11, heading into the sixth. The back and forth continued. Escapite sunk a Penalty 4, but Gracida answered with a field goal. Escapite converted another penalty but this time Polledo responded,
keeping the teams level as regulation time ran out. Extra time would be needed to determine the winner, but it wouldn’t take long. Just 17 seconds into sudden death, Polledo scored the golden goal for the win. Polledo, who led his team’s scoring with seven goals, was named MVP and his mare Paragua was named Best Playing Pony. The action continued with the National President’s Cup, Sept. 20-Oct. 4. Five teams participated in the event. Matches opened with Hardscrabble (Mason Lampton, Jack Whitman, Pelon Escapite, Polo Baez) defeating Cooper Home & Stable/Foxdale Equine (JD Cooper, Wesley Bryan, Ruben Coscia, Hugh Worsham), 14-10, and Sig (Deep Singh, Malia Bryan, Alan Martinez, Willie Hartnett) falling to Bottega (Frank Stitt, Hope Arellano, Adam Snow, Nachi Viana), 12-7. Hardscrabble celebrated another win, this time over Skaneateles (Marty Cregg, Whistle Uys, Cesar Jiminez, Dennys Santana), 12-7. Sig got the best of Cooper Home, 129; Bottega crushed Skaneateles, 14-2; and Skaneateles beat Cooper Home, 1410. With the only undefeated record (30), Bottega moved on to the semi-final against Sig. Bottega prevailed, 14-8. On the other side, Hardscrabble (2-1) edged Skaneateles (1-2), 11-10. The final came down to Hardscabble
R E P O R T
JUDITH COLEMAN
P O L O
USA’s Tomas Obregon, Mariano Gutierrez, Horacio Onetto and Jim Drury won the Butler International Cup at Oak Brook.
and Bottega. Joe Post filled in for Frank Stitt on Bottega. The teams ended the first seven minutes in a 2-2 tie. Snow and Viana scored the only goals of the second, putting Bottega ahead, 4-2. Viana converted a pair of Penalty 2s in the third, while Whitman scored for Hardscrabble. Bottega had doubled up Hardscrabble, 6-3, at the half. Bottega turned up the heat in the second half, with Arellano, Snow and Viana combining for four goals in the fourth and again in the fifth. Three goals by Escapite and one by Lampton kept Hardscrabble in the game, 14-7, but it would be an uphill battle. Hardscrabble would need to score a goal a minute to tie and it tried. Whitman, Baez and Escapite each scored but it wasn’t enough and Bottega took the win, 15-10. Nachi Viana was named MVP and his Cautiva went back to the barn wearing the Best Playing Pony blanket. CENTRAL
USA TRIUMPHS IN BUTLER INTERNATIONAL The Oak Brook Polo Club in Oak Brook, Illinois, ended its season Sept. 27 with the final of the 12-goal USPA Butler International Cup. The tour-
Parrot Heads’ Frankie Bilbao was MVP and Valencia, owned by Jan Pamela and played by Bilbao, was Best Playing Pony.
nament began Sept. 18 with four teams competing. In the end, USA prevailed over Argentina, 13-12. Early games saw USA fall to Argentina, 8-7; Switzerland beat Germany, 8-4; Argentina beat Germany, 9-7; USA edge Switzerland, 7-6, and Germany, 13-10; and Argentina beat Switzerland, 13-10. Argentina (Larry Aschebrook, Juan Martin Gutierrez, Juan Martin Obregon, Matias Obregon) and USA (Mariano Gutierrez, Toto Obregon, Horacio Onetto, Jim Drury) advanced to the final, held at the Prince of Wales field. Opening festivities included a team parade led by Ronald Vassar in a 2020 Corvette Stingray and Mark Weidman in a 1986 Mercedes-Benz convertible. Passengers included Reute Butler, president of the Friends of Conservation and granddaughter of club founder Paul Butler, and Miss Illinois 2019 Monica Patankar. Both the Argentine and United States anthems were performed by The Singing Men of Oak Brook. Horacio Onetto scored twice in the first chukker but each time was countered by Argentina, the first by Juan Martin Gutierrez and the second by Juan Martin Obregon. A trio of goals by J.M. Obregon in the second while holding Onetto to one gave Argentina the 53 advantage. J.M. Obregon and Onetto continued to battle in the third chukker, ending the half with Argentina
holding a narrow, 6-5, lead. USA took control in the fourth with Onetto and teammate Mariano Gutierrez combining for four goals while Argentina was silenced. Toto Obregon responded in kind in the fifth, tallying four times to regain Argentina’s lead, 10-9. Onetto tied the match later in the chukker, but Juan Martin Gutierrez gave Argentina the edge. Onetto leveled the score once again, 11-11, going into the final period. Juan Martin Obregon gave Argentina the edge but Mariano Gutierrez had the answer, with back-toback goals to give USA the lead, 13-12. Argentina ran out of time, leaving USA on top. Horacio Onetto, who scored 10 goals in the match, was named MVP, an award presented by Monica Patankar. Onetto’s Chick was named Best Playing Pony, receiving a blanket from presenter Sheryl Srivastava. PAC I F I C N O R T H W E S T
PARROT HEADS ACES FLYING H CUP IN WY Parrot Heads closed out its season at Flying H Polo Club in Big Horn, Wyoming, with a win in the Flying H Cup, Aug. 22. Parrot Heads (Miki Astrada, Roni
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 51
P O L O
R E P O R T
Melody Ranch’s Steve Tipler, Tommy Costello, Charly Quincoces and John Paneno won the USPA Officers Cup at Jackson Hole.
Duke, Frankie Bilbao, Sugar Erskine) faced Bendabout (Avery Evans, Gillian Johnston, Pite Merlos, Gonzalo Teves) in the final. Astrada got Parrot Heads rolling, adding two goals in a row to the team’s one-goal handicap. Johnston’s Penalty 2 conversion put Bendabout on the board, ending the first, 3-1. Merlos and Duke traded goals in the second and Astrada and Erskine struck in the third, countered by one from Teves, allowing Parrot Heads to double up Bendabout, 6-3, at the half. Parrot Heads kept up the pressure in the third with Bilbao and Erskine combining for three goals while keeping Bendabout to a single goal from Merlos. A pair of Penalty 2 conversions from Evans in the fifth allowed Bendabout to start shaving away at the deficit but another Bilbao strike kept Parrot Heads with a comfortable four-goal advantage going into the sixth. Bendabout rallied in the final period with Merlos following a Johnston tally with two of his own, and coming within a goal but time was running out and when Duke sunk a Penalty 3 conversion, it was all she wrote. Parrot Heads had the 11-9 win. Frankie Bilbao was MVP and Valencia, a pretty chestnut mare owned by Jan Pamela and played by Bilbao, was Best Playing Pony. In the consolation Last Chance Cup, Cessna/Clearwater (Camp Campbell,
52 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Wind Rush’s Charly Quincoces, Carlos Praiz, Stuart Irby and Jay Addison won the 4-goal Congressional Cup at Jackson Hole.
Chip Campbell, Hector Galindo, Will Johnston) defeated Evergreen (Jeff Blake, Nico Saenz, Tom Sprung, Lucio Benedit), 11-8. Hector Galindo was MVP and Nico Saenz’s SA Chita was Best Playing Pony.
MELODY RANCH TAKES USPA OFFICERS CUP In an up-and-down final, Melody Ranch rallied in the last chukker to force a shoot-out and take the 4-goal USPA Officers Cup at Jackson Hole Polo Club in Big Horn, Wyoming, Aug. 9. Four teams competed in the event. In the semi-finals Fair Play/Lockton (Esther Kane, Hernan Tejera, Mark Prinsloo, Tim Kelly) edged Bobcat (Bob Edmundson, Lars Neumann, Peter Blake, Chino Payan), 7-6. The teams were tied at the half, but Prinsloo gave Fair Play the edge in the fourth and it never relinquished it. In the other semi, Melody Ranch (John Paneno, Tommy Costello, Charly Quincoces, Steve Tipler) carried the lead over Shootin Iron (Hannah Mitchell, Gary Roubin, Jimmy Wetter, Marcos Villanueva) from the second chukker through to the 10-9 finish. Melody Ranch and Fair Play/Lockton were evenly matched in the final. Hernan Tejera scored a lone goal in the
first but Melody’s Costello and Quincoces combined for three goals in the second to take the lead. Kane scored to cut the difference to one, 3-2. Costello and Quincoces struck again in the third but responded to keep Fair Play within range, 5-3, at the half. Tejera and Quincoces swapped goals in the fourth before a strong fifth chukker put Fair Play/Lockton in the lead. Prinsloo tallied, followed by Tejera. Kane split the uprights and Tejera followed with another. Melody Ranch was caught off guard and after enjoying a two-goal advantage was now two goals in the hole. In an effort to stay on top, Fair Play made some errors that didn’t get past the umpires. Melody Ranch was awarded two free hits, which Costello capitalized on to level the score at 8-all. Prinsloo briefly gave Fair Play back the lead, but Quincoces responded to knot the score and force a shootout. Melody Ranch made the most of the opportunity and out-shot Fair Play/Lockton for the win. Hernan Tejera, who matched Costello’s five goals, was named MVP and Quincoces’ Amanda was Best Playing Pony. In the consolation, Marcos Villanueva led Shootin Iron with seven goals in a 10-6 win over Bobcat. A week prior, Wind Rush turned a one-goal deficit into a four-goal lead in
P O L O
R E P O R T
SEATTLE POLO CLUB ENUMCLAW, WASHINGTON
Team Parasites’ Robert Hong, Sheryl Sick, Kasia Lindgren and Guy Higginson defeated Seattle Polo, 4½-4, in the 3-goal USPA Governors Cup, Aug. 16. The event was held over two days.
Seattle Polo’s Sai Veeramalla, Jessica Dubin, Felipe Vincente Alberdi and Cameron Smith edged Camp Polo and Yolo Polo in a round robin for the 0-goal USPA Governors Cup title, Aug. 16.
Dix Farm Polo’s Guy Higginson, Catlin Dix, Kasia Lindgren and Anna Anderson captured the 3-goal USPA Sportsmanship Cup.
Camp Polo’s Reese Straughan, Juan Jo Gonzalez, Becky Gonzalez and Sally and Travis Camp won the 0-goal Sportsmanship Cup.
the final of the 4-goal Congressional Cup, coming from behind in the last chukker to take the title, 12-8. Four teams played off over two days. In the preliminary games, Wind Rush (Jay Addison, Stuart Irby, Carlos Praiz, Charly Quincoces) defeated Fair Play, 97, to advance to the final. Fair Play outscored Wind Rush, 5-2, in the first half, but Wind Rush came alive in the second half, scoring seven goals while holding Fair Play to two. In the next match Bobcat/Shootin Iron (Gary Roubin, Lars Neumann, Marcos Villanueva, Bob Edmundson) got the best of Lockton (Tommy Costello, Peter Blake, John Paneno, Tim Kel-
ly), 12-10. With three field goals and three penalty conversions, Bobcat held a 6-4 halftime lead. The teams were tied after Costello and Blake combined for four unanswered goals in the fifth. Bobcat kept up the pressure, adding two more to Lockton’s one in the sixth to advance. The final saw Bobcat/Shootin Iron take a 2-1 lead in the first, but Praiz scored unanswered back-to-back goals in the second to go up, 3-2. The third chukker belonged to Bobcat, with Neumann and Villenueva combining for three goals while Quincoces was the only one to hit the target for Wind Rush. Praiz and Quincoces counted
three goals in the fourth while holding Villanueva to one. But Villanueva wasn’t finished and hammered in two in a row while Wind Rush was silenced, giving Bobcat the 8-7 advantage with seven minutes left. That’s when Wind Rush, with the wind to its back, sailed ahead with Addison, Praiz and Quincoces combing for five goals to insure the victory. Addison was MVP and one of Marcos Villanueva’s horses took Best Playing Pony. In the consolation, Fair Play rallied with three goals in the final period to force a shootout, but Lockton hung on for the win.
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 53
R E P O R T DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS
P O L O
Krabby Pattys’ Greg LaBlanc, Marco Esposto, Nicole Hai, Emmeline Sears, Grant Dollens, Lucas Esposto and Eric Wright aced the Amateur Cup.
CALIFORNIA
KRABBY PATTYS SIZZLES IN AMATEUR CUP Krabby Pattys may be the number one selling sandwich at the Krusty Krab and SpongeBob Square Pants’ favorite, but it was also the winner in the USPA Amateur Cup played at Cerro Pampa Polo Club in Petaluma, California, Sept. 27. Four teams competed over two days in the tournament, also known as the Aqua Cup. Pros were not allowed to score in order to get everyone involved in the action. In preliminary play, Krabby Pattys (Greg LaBlanc, Marco Esposto, Nicole Hai, Emmeline Sears, Grant Dollens, Lucas Esposto, Erik Wright) downed Sparkle Mermaids (Rachel Faierman, Elizabeth Holson, Tracy-Jane Dawson, Kyla Douglas, Michael LaBlanc), 3-1, to advance to the final. The next game saw Sea Slugs (Timur & Ilona Kotelnikov, Alda Jones, Angus Harris, Toto Socas) rally in the second half to beat Laser Dolphins (Simone Harper/ Kelly Lee/ Jena Watson, William Ellis/ Steve Baumhoff, Jennifer Hahamian, Rafael Hernandez), 5-3. In the final, Dollens struck first for Krabby Pattys, while Sea Slugs got off to
54 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
La Herradura’s MVP Dayelle Fargey, Izzy Parsons, Meghan Gracida and Suzette Yamani won the Women’s Pacific Coast Open.
a slow start. Harris responded for Sea Slugs in the second to knot the score, 11. Neither team was able to reach the goal for the remainder of the game, ending in a tie. A shootout was needed to determine a winner. Greg LeBlanc represented Krabby Pattys while Angus Harris shot for Sea Slugs. Both connected on the 30-yard shot, however LeBlanc scored the 40-yarder, while Harris’ shot went wide. In the consolation, Sparkle Mermaids out-swam Laser Dolphins by a handicap goal after the teams tied 1-1 on the flat.
LA HERRADURA WINS WOMEN’S PC OPEN Making its debut in the second annual Women’s Pacific Coast Open, La Herradura captured the title. The final was held at Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club in Carpinteria, California, Sept. 6. Played at the 18-goal (women’s handicap) level, La Herradura (Suzette Yamani, Meghan Gracida, Izzy Parsons, Dayelle Fargey) met Timing (Nicole Ball, Mia Bray, Mia Novillo Astrada, Sofia Lorenzo) in the final. A quick start for La Herradura saw it hold the possession advantage in the first chukker as Parsons opened the scoring with back-to-back goals on a
gelding named Elvis, giving the team the 2-0 lead. Gracida extended the lead to three early in the second before Astrada and Lorenzo struck for Timing to end the half with La Herradura narrowly ahead, 3-2. Yamani and Gracida stretched the lead to 5-2 in the third. Bray tallied for Timing to end the chukker trailing, 5-3. The intensity increased in the fourth as a Fargey penalty conversion doubled up Timing’s score, 6-3. Bray and Gracida traded goals in the final minutes, ending the match with La Herradura ahead, 7-4. Fargey was MVP and Galuita, a grey mare owned by Patagones Polo Team and played by Mia Novillo Astrada, was Best Playing Pony. A few weeks later, the club held the 8-goal regional Presidents Cup. Six teams competed, with BFBST Law (Juan Curbelow, Cory Williams, Alejandro Gonzalez, Leigh Brecheen) and Rancho Polo (Bayne Bossom, Piers Bossom, Jason Crowder, Torrey Ripinsky) meeting in the final. Earlier in the tournament the teams had met, with Rancho Polo prevailing, 10-8. This time would be different. The teams’ first goals came from penalty conversions. Williams scored a pair of field goals for BFBST but Bossom answered with one to keep Rancho close. BFBST kept pressing
R E P O R T
DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS
P O L O
BFBST Law’s Alejandro Gonzalez, Leigh Brecheen, Cory Williams and Juan Curbelo won the President’s Cup at Santa Barbara.
in the second and third with a trio of unanswered goals in each period, ending the first half, 9-2. Rancho Polo regrouped at the half, vowing not to give up. Crowder scored a hat trick in the fourth and Bossom traded Penalty 2s with Gonzalez in the fifth. Crowder added another, but there was still work to do. BFBST Law held the 12-7 advantage with seven minutes to go. Crowder put his head down and got to work, notching goal after goal while his teammates fought off BFBST’s drives. Rancho got within one, 12-11, but time was not on its side and BFBST Law held on for the win. Responsible for half his team’s goals, Curbelo was named MVP and Crowder’s Lolita, an 8-year-old black mare, was Best Playing Pony. FLORIDA
CITIZENS FIRST BANKS SEASON OPENER IN FL Citizens First rallied late to swipe an 8-7 overtime victory over Fross & Fross in the opening weekend of The Villages Polo Club (The Villages, Florida) 8-goal Pro Pool, Sept. 27. The tournament was played as a round robin over two days. In the first round on day one, Fross & Fross (Larry
MVP Wadi Gomero-Cure scored six goals for Citizens in his The Villages Polo Club debut.
Nelson, Paul Wadsworth, Horacio Lizaso, Francisco Bilbao) edged Galaxy Home Solutions (Paige Boone, Lord Lyall, Sergio Arias, Nick Johnson), 5-4. Citizen’s (Wadi Gomero-Cure, Miguel Lis-Planells, Charly Quincoces, Stuart Campbell) tied Fross & Fross, 4-4, before falling to Galaxy, 4-3. The scores carried forward when the teams met again two days later. Fross & Fross was leading by a goal when it met Galaxy for the second time. The teams kept pace this time around, but Fross & Fross managed to maintain the one-goal difference, 8-7. Galaxy was leading by a goal when it met Citizen’s again, but this time Citizen’s turned the tables, scoring six times while holding Galaxy to two for a 9-6 win. Fross & Fross then faced Citizens with the teams level after the first day. The teams continued to be tied at the end of each chukker, ending knotted at 7-7. An overtime was needed to determine a winner. Just a minute into sudden death, Stuart Campbell found the target to give Citizen’s the win. Wadi Gomero-Cure, who hails from Sarasota and was making his debut at The Villages, scored six times and earned MVP honors. Charly Quincoces’ Money was Best Playing Pony. The following week, United Healthcare (Alex Guzman/Cameron Smart,
Paige Boone, Tony Vita, Nick Johnson) edged Arden’s Fine Jewelers (Wadi Gomero-Cure, Paul Wadsworth, Charly Quincoces, Stuart Campbell), 14-12. Gomero-Cure and Vita came to play, scoring three goals each in the first seven minutes. Quincoces struck twice for Ardens in the second, but Boone, Vita and Smart each scored for United to give it the 6-5 edge after two. Quincoces added another in the third, but Boone and Vita had the answer to give United an 8-6 halftime lead. The teams matched each other in the fourth and Ardens outscored United 2-1 in the fifth to cut its deficit to just a goal, 12-11, going into the final chukker. Quincoces scored is sixth goal but Vita, who was on fire the entire game, came through with two more, including a penalty conversion, to give United the victory. ROCKY MOUNTAIN
SEMINOLE CASINO GETS TWO TITLES IN ASPEN Seminole Casino celebrated two big victories at Aspen Valley Polo Club in Aspen, Colorado, during the second half of a highly-competitive season. Seminole Casino (Melissa Ganzi, Paquito de Narvaez, Alejandro Novillo
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CHUKKERTV
R E P O R T CHUKKERTV
P O L O
Seminole Casino’s 12-year-old Paquito de Narvaez was MVP after scoring four goals in the final of the Triple Crown of Polo—Colorado.
Astrada and Juan Bollini) captured the Triple Crown of Polo—Colorado, defeating Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Gussie Busch, Nic Roldan, Jared Zenni), 8-5. Ganzi put the first goal on the board, capitalizing on a pass from Bollini. The 12-year-old de Narvaez added another before Roldan put Los Amigos on the board. Roldan and Novillo Astrada traded goals early in the second. Roldan continued to attack, scoring back-to-back goals while Seminole Casino was silenced, ending the half with Los Amigos leading 4-3. Zenni struck for Los Amigos in the fourth, but that is when Seminole Casino took over. First, de Narvaez struck to keep the difference just a goal. Ganzi leveled the score early in the fifth and de Narvaez gave Seminole the lead early in the sixth. He scored again after passing the ball to Novillo Astrada just long enough to find a clearing then got the ball back and sent it through the posts. He scored his fifth goal at the 30-second mark, insuring the 8-5 victory. De Narvaez was named MVP for his savvy combined with raw talent, and Gauchita, a chestnut mare played by de Narvaez, was WPL Best Playing Pony, while Utopia, a bay mare owned by Santa Rita Polo and played by Novillo Astrada, was APHA Best Playing Pony. In the subsidiary Aspen Cup, White Claw (Alejandra Foster, Vinny Sanga-
56 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N
Los Amigos’ Juan Bollini, MVP Horacio Heguy, Alejandra Foster and Jared Zenni won the Triple Crown of Polo—Aspen.
line, Horacio Heguy, Nacho Novillo Astrada) fell to McClure River Ranch (Lauren Sherry, Marc Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Brian Boyd, Paco de Narvaez), 13-7. De Narvaez was MVP and Marc Ganzi’s Sun River was WPL Best Playing Pony. A few weeks earlier, Los Amigos (Alejandra Foster, Jared Zenni, Horacio Heguy, Juan Bollini) edged La Karina (Brian Boyd, Gussie Busch, Juancito Bollini, Nacho Badiola), 8-6, in the World Polo League’s Triple Crown of Polo—Aspen. The scoring got started early with Zenni hitting the ball out of the air and finding the target and Juancito Bollini responding with a rocket to goal. Heguy and Foster tallied in the second, while La Karina was unable to reach the goal. Juancito Bollini and Zenni traded goals in the third, ending the half with Los Amigos ahead, 5-3. Juancito Bollini scored a long goal in the fourth to cut the difference to one, 5-4. Los Amigos increased its lead in the last two chukkers to take the win, 8-6. Heguy was MVP and Colt M4, played by Heguy, was WPL Best Playing Pony. Bacall, played by Juancito Bollini, was APHA Best Playing Pony. In the subsidiary Just for the Joy of It, La Indiana (Michael Bickford, John Bickford, Tincho Merlos, Alex Gooding) slipped White Claw (Vinny Sangaline,
Michael Payne, Pablo Spinacci, Nacho Novillo Astrada), 9-8. Seminole Casino (Melissa Ganzi, Lauren Sherry, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, Juan Bollini) also won the High Alpine Cup, topping The Island House (Michael Payne, Peter Holowesko, Toro Ruiz, Stewart Armstrong), 10-7. The teams had a defensive battle in the first 14 minutes, ending with Seminole Casino narrowly leading, 2-1. Ruiz and Holowesko scored in the third, but their goals were matched by Ganzi and Novillo Astrada, keeping Seminole ahead, 5-3, at the half. Ganzi scored her third goal early in the fourth, but Ruiz and Armstrong responded. Novillo Astrada added another to keep Seminole Casino ahead by two, 7-5. Sherry traded goals with Holowesko in the fifth, and Novillo Astrada sandwiched goals around one from Ruiz in the last chukker to insure the win, 10-7. Novillo Astrada was MVP and Open Rucula, played by Novillo Astrada and owned by Santa Rita Polo, was Best Playing Pony. The same day, in the McClure Challenge Cup, Casablanca (Brian Boyd, Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Juan Martin Nero) defeated McClure River Ranch (Alejandro Poma, Marc Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Jared Zenni), 9-7. Nero was MVP.
R E P O R T
CHUKKERTV
CHUKKERTV
P O L O
Marc Ganzi’s pretty bay mare, Aspen, was Best Playing Pony in the Mount Sopris Cup. Aspen was bred by Pablo Spinacci.
McClure River Ranch (Alejandro Poma, Marc Ganzi, Nic Roldan, Jared Zenni) celebrated an 8-5 win over Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Michael Bickford, Polito Pieres, Alejandro Novillo Astrada) in the Mount Sopris Cup. Poma was the first to strike 10 minutes into the match. Bickford countered with first a Penalty 3 conversion, then a field goal to give Los Amigos the narrow edge. But goals by Roldan, Zenni and Ganzi put McClure River Ranch on top, 4-2, at the half. McClure kept the momentum into the second half with Zenni, Ganzi and Poma increasing the lead to five, 7-2. Foster and Novillo Astrada traded goals as the time ticked away, leaving McClure River Ranch the winner, 8-5. Roldan was MVP and Ganzi’s Aspen was Best Playing Pony. In the subsidiary, Just for the Fun of It, Casablanca (John Bickford, Grant Ganzi, Juancito Bollini, Juan Martin Nero) held an early 5-1 lead over Tonkawa (Jeff Hildebrand, Stewart Armstrong, Pablo MacDonough, Horacio Heguy). Tonkawa battled back into the game but Casablanca was able to hold on to win, 6-5. The action continued with La Karina (Brian Boyd, Carlitos Gracida, Stewart Armstrong, Juan Bollini) edging Spindrift (John Bickford, Gussie Busch, Jared Zenni, Horacio Heguy) in the
McClure River Ranch’s Juan Bollini, Alejandra Foster, MVP Gussie Busch and Stewart Armstrong won the Carbondale Classic.
Rocky Mountain Open. La Karina capitalized on Spindrift’s mistakes in the first chukker, with Gracida scoring three penalties while holding Sprindrift scoreless. Sprindrift fought back in the second, with Busch and Zenni converting penalties to get in the game. The teams traded goals in the third, ending the half with La Karina ahead, 5-3. The fouling continued into the second half as La Karina held a slight 8-7 advantage going into the final period. Gracida made the difference two but Bickford and Heguy tied the score to keep it interesting. The umpires’ whistles stopped the action and Gracida converted another penalty to give La Karina the 10-9 win. Gracida, who tallied eight of his team’s 10 goals, was MVP. Armstrong’s 7-year-old bay mare, Maradona was Best Playing Pony. In the subsidiary Just for the Fun of It, White Claw (Lauren Sherry, Vinny Sangaline, Pablo Spinacci, Nacho Novillo Astrada) topped La Indiana (Michael Bickford, Michael Payne, Nacho Badiola, Tincho Merlos), 7-6. August ended on a good note for McClure River Ranch (Alejandra Foster, Gussie Busch, Stewart Armstrong, Juan Bollini) as it defeated La Karina (Lauren Sherry, Brian Boyd, Juancito Bollini, Horacio Heguy) and Mountain
Chevrolet (Michael Payne, Alex Gooding, Pablo Spinacci, John Bickford) in round robin play over two days to take the Carbondale Classic title. After the first day, Mountain Chevrolet trailed McClure by two. Armstrong traded goals with Bickford and Payne in the first period. Each of the McClure teammates found the goal in the second while Mountain Chevrolet was held to a single tally from Payne. McClure sailed away with the 10-5 victory. McClure led by one, 4-3, after the first day against La Karina. Bollini knotted the score in the first chukker on the second day, but Armstrong and Foster gave McClure back the lead early in the second. The action pivoted back and forth between the teams with neither able to find the posts for the remainder of the game. McClure held on for the 64 win and the title. Gussie Busch was named MVP and Colt M4, a handsome bay played by Horacio Heguy, was Best Playing Pony for the second time this season. In the subsidiary Just for the Fun of It, La Indiana (Michael Bickford, Nic Roldan, Marc Ganzi, Jared Zenni) prevailed over Los Amigos (Paul Foster, Pedro Romero, Pablo MacDonough, Tincho Merlos), 7-6. Trailing by three, Los Amigos rallied to level the score, 6-6, in the sixth before Bickford scored the game winner. •
POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 57
Y E S T E RY E A R S
The Naturals The talented horses and players of polo By Grove Cullum, 1936
Were noted players Hal Roach, Eric Pedley, Elmer Boeseke Jr. and Neil McCarthy born with good hands?
Last night I attended a party where the conversation was mostly about horses and horsemen. This in itself was bad enough, but the thoughts expressed, if such they may be called, were really discouraging. The consensus of opinion was that the ability to ride is inborn and cannot be acquired; in other words, the only ones who can ever hope to achieve any degree of skill are the natural horsemen. This natural horseman was constantly paraded through the conversation, and I had a lurking suspicion that each member of the party felt that he was the one natural horseman present. Finally, I tired in my efforts to keep track of the times I heard it said, “if one is not born with good hands, he cannot acquire them.” Since I was born with untrained and probably insensitive hands, I should be discouraged, but I must say I wasn’t, for I knew that once more I was being deluged with meaningless platitudes.
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According to the author, intelligence is more often found in well-bred horses. These pretty horses are Eric Tyrrell-Martin’s string.
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Again this morning, I was told that Mr. so-and-so cannot ride because he is not a natural horseman, and this, despite the fact that Mr. so-and-so is one of the most successful riders and trainers of show horses in this country. This was going too far! For I have seen him take horses that were spoiled by others and in a short time make a smooth, clean performance over a fairly difficult course. Oddly enough, Mr. so-and-so makes no claim to being a natural horseman. He insists that in the beginning he spoiled many horses and attributes his present success to having studied carefully the best authorities and to having analyzed mercilessly his own short-comings. Circulating among the horse lovers and horse users of our country as I do, it seems to me that it is high time we unburdened our minds of the growing mass of platitudes that through generations have been handed down and added to, until at best our thinking on the subject is fuzzy. First of all, let it be said that there is no such thing as a natural horseman. I may be a bit rusty on the Bible, but I do not recall that any horses were counted that first morning in Eden. And when the horse does first appear in war, he was a charioteer, not a saddle-bearer. Later, there are many accounts of mounted soldiers. But the early monuments of
Was Pat Roark born a polo player, on a great pony, or did long practice help?
Egypt portray no mounted soldiers. The Bible does tell us, however, that having finished his job, the Creator looked down upon his handiwork and called it good. Who for instance, can look upon some of the sights that we see on our bridle paths, as well as in our show rings, and contend for an instant that man was created to ride on horses? Surely, the omniscience could not have looked down upon these sights as part of his handiwork and have pronounced it good. Moreover, we are told that all men were created equal, but the fact is that some were created fat and others thin. There does not seem to be equality in this. No, man was created to walk on his feet, and consequently he was given a well-sprung arch. Just when and where men first rode horses is not recorded in history so far as I know, but careful investigators have told us that since the days of primordial man, men and horses have been associated together, or at least their bones are found together in the same caves and burial grounds. It is quite certain
Is this young man a natural horseman, or did 25 years of training make him great?
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Some horses are much more easily trained than others.
that the first horses used by man were consumed as food. As to how and when and where horses were first used as beasts of burden, we can only conjecture. One guess is probably as good as another. My own is that the children of some remote tribe discovered in play that they could mount these animals and control their movements, and that their elders learned from them and took advantage of the horse to add to the speed of their legs to increase the distances they could travel in a day, without fatigue to themselves. Authorities tell us that the first horses were small forest animals, no larger than an ordinary dog. Surely, the natural horseman of that period did not ride these horses unless he himself was a mere pygmy. Here in America we hear it said, too often, that the Native American is the greatest of all natural horsemen. Certainly, it is true they utilized the Western pony to great advantage in the hunt and in warfare, and this with but scant equipment. Definition in general is difficult, and if it were not
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so, there would be fewer arguments in the world. But when it comes to defining a horseman, the task is almost impossible. There are many professions and occupations that carry with them the rating of horsemen. So, perhaps after all, the Native American is a horseman, but I still insist that he is not a natural one. For years after the first herds escaped from the Spanish conquerors to roam on the plains and in the foothills of the Southwest, Native Americans continued to hunt them for food. I know of a sportsman who never rode a horse until he was 46 years of age, and who, at the age of 49 took up the game of polo and is now carrying a 2-goal rating. No doubt there are those who will insist that he was a natural horseman, otherwise he could not have accomplished what he has. But this man was unusually successful in a highly-competitive business, and his success was due to careful thought and attention. When he retired from business and was forced almost, to taking an interest in horses, he brought to them and
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A young Thoroughbred and his dam; is he born to play polo or will he require years of thoughtful effort and interminable patience in training?
to the game of polo, the same clear thought, untrammeled by platitudes and prejudices, that carried him successfully through his business. As a matter of fact, one of the most successful riders in the history of our American Olympic teams could not, by an ordinary standards, have been called an athlete, much less a ‘natural horseman.’ However, this rider had a student’s mind, plus a will to carry to successful completion any task that he undertook. He never was athletic, but has been a success in whatever he took up with earnestness. So I say, horsemanship can be acquired by those who are willing to apply themselves to it and do not wait for some great natural ability to force itself to the front. Polo ponies are ‘born, not made,’ so it is alleged, which is another bit of fuzzy thinking—or at best a futile attempt to explain one’s failure. Some few horses are foaled with the innate requirements of a polo pony, and many are not. But it takes training to convert even a good polo prospect into a well mannered polo pony. Of course, some few prospects are much more easily trained than others, but even these can be spoiled. Some mountains have gold in them, but it takes labor to bring the gold out and put it into the market. By instinct, the horse is a gregarious animal whose first means of defense is flight. A whole herd can be stampeded by a quick movement or a warning call from a single member. Consequently, the horse has a highly-organized nervous system, extremely sensitive and capable of electric response. When startled it is the instinct of horses to run together,
that is in the same general direction. So when we ask a polo pony to turn instantly and face a rush of oncoming players and ponies, we are asking him to do something against his natural instinct, which as indicated above, would be to whirl and go with the others. In the case of many excellent prospects, it has required much painstaking effort on the part of a skillful trainer to overcome this instinct. It seems that many of our domestic animals have had their natural instincts bred or educated out of them. But this is only apparently so. It is surprising to see how quickly they revert to their wild instincts when turned back to their natural habitat. One of the most natural range stallions I have ever seen was a Thoroughbred horse foaled and raised in a paddock in the East. He was 6 years old when taken to the West and turned loose with a band of mares on a desolate range. At once, he took charge of his band and herded them about in the most approved manner for fiction and scenario writers. On one occasion, I was watching a domestic milch cow with her cattalo calf (a cross between a domestic cow and a buffalo bull). As dusk approached, the old cow lay down with great aplomb, chewing her cud. But the calf, still harboring the instincts of his wild ancestry on his sire’s side, was not so complacent. He circled about his mother several times, and finally lay down with his back to her back, facing in the opposite direction. This may have been purely coincidence, but it seemed to me there was uneasiness in his mind resulting in an attempt to take a position so that the POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 61
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Were these young yearling Thoroughbreds of Thomas Hitchcock’s born with such manners or did they have to be trained?
pair together could see an approaching enemy from any direction. It has occurred to me, and especially last night, that many who ride and train horses are unaware of the great mass of instincts that lie hidden so close to the surface and glossed over by a thin veneer of domesticity. This is even true with the human race, otherwise how are we to explain the cruelties of mobs and the unbounded war enthusiasm of a whole nation. As a matter of fact, our much vaunted civilization has changed the fundamental nature of man but little, if any, since Mark Antony’s funeral oration over the dead body of Caesar. What are the inherent qualities or the instincts of a polo prospect that must be uprooted and supplanted by acquired traits before he can be classed as a polo pony? One of the first is the herding instinct as mentioned before. Another is the instinct to flee from whatever frightens or annoys him. Gradually, and by well-chosen logical steps, the horse must be trained and educated until he loses fear and gains confidence in his rider; and until finally the rider’s will becomes the will of the horse; or at least until the horse is apparently unable through habit, to resist the demands of his rider. This frequently is a long and tedious process requiring infinite patience on the part of the trainer. Some horses appear to be very much more intelligent than others; that is; they seem to discover more readily the wishes of the rider, and show a great willingness to comply with them. This may not be intelligence, but it is what we laymen call intelligence. This characteristic or quality is discovered with far greater frequency in animals that we call well-bred;
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animals whose heads and general appearance reflect greater refinement and conform more nearly to the type we call beautiful. I have seen a few coarse-headed. pig-eyed horses that never would surrender and become docile in the hands of man. When a horse with the inherent qualities of a polo prospect is properly trained and conditioned, and when in addition to this, he has been carefully played in polo matches, he is a polo pony. All that nature gave him was the fundamental requirements, and man, through skillful training had to make these available for use on the polo field. Perhaps the originator of the statement, ‘polo ponies are born, not made,’ had in mind only that some respond more readily than others. But regardless of what he had in mind, he unwittingly furnished the lazy with an excuse—and provided a boring topic of conversation. Sometimes I feel that I could make a phonograph record of a half dozen or so pet sayings, start the record, go sound asleep and take an intelligent part in the conversation of the average group that is so fond of discussing the subject. While we are at it, let us go a bit further with this born polo pony. The instinct to avoid circumstances and conditions that cause pain or discomfort is almost universal in animal life, and I think is particularly acute in horses. This is one of the instincts that the trainer learns to control and consciously or otherwise takes advantage of, to train a horse. More over, it is this instinct that causes so many polo ponies and other horses used under the saddle, to develop faults that impair their efficiency in their particular field. All of us have seen calm, bold jumpers made
Y E S T E RY E A R S
frantic and fearful by riders who punish them at and over the jumps; horses with good mouths that were made pullers by brutal hands. If, for example, a polo pony that has been going well and true on the ball, suddenly develops the habit of shying off, it is certain that the rider, in executing his strokes, is in some way punishing the pony. One of the most common sins is, of course, striking the pony with the mallet. Frequently, it results from an unintentional use of the spur at the moment when the rider twists in his saddle to execute or finish a stroke. Occasionally, a pony carries the rider so far forward that the latter’s heels bump the pony on the elbows. There are of course, many causes, but when a player discovers that a pony is developing the habit of shying from the ball, he may take it for granted that somehow he is inflicting pain or discomfort upon the pony at the moment of striking. If it were not for the instinct to avoid discomfort, it would be difficult to train a horse. Reward is another real aid to the trainer, and this reaches anywhere from relaxing of light pressure to pats on the neck, or possibly a handful of oats. The success of a trainer depends in a large measure upon the skill and
Horsemanship can be acquired by those who are willing to apply themselves. Once a pony has been trained, conditioned and played, he is a polo pony.
judgment with which he inflicts discomfort or grants a reward, in taking advantage of a few equine instincts to uproot others and replace them with acquired habits. The good trainer uses all the facilities at his command, at all times. No, I cannot concede that polo ponies are born, and not made; that a horseman has to be born in the saddle with reins in one hand and a polo mallet in the other, and rowel spurs on his heels. •
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CALENDAR
November / December O C T O B E R 19 - N O V E M B E R 6 Gen. Georges S. Patton Jr. (-1-2) Two Wishes, Lockhart, TX O C T O B E R 21 - N O V E M B E R 1 USPA Bronze Cup (12) New Bridge, Aiken, SC Constitution Cup (0-6) Wagener, Wagener, SC O C T O B E R 2 2 - NOV E M B E R 5 Western Challenge (12-16) Houston, Houston, TX O C T O B E R 2 3 - NOV E M B E R 1 Gen. S. Brown Willow Bend, Little Elm, TX O C T O B E R 2 8 - NOV E M B E R 1 USPA Masters Cup (8) New Bridge, Aiken, SC O C T O B E R 3 0 - NOV E M B E R 1 Fall Classic Grand Champions, Wellington, FL O C T O B E R 31 - N O V E M B E R 1 Middle School League Lakeside, Lakeside, CA Arena Challenge Cup (0-6) Rancho Naranjo, Santa Teresa, NM Retro Classic New Orleans, Folsom, LA O C T O B E R 31 - N O V E M B E R 5 Governors Cup (0-6) Houston, Houston, TX NOV E M B E R 6 - 7 National Arena Amateur Cup (0-3) Legends, Kaufman, TX NOV E M B E R 6 - 8 Fall Plates Grand Champions, Wellington, FL Arena Adm. Chester Nimitz (0-3) Arena Amateur Cup (0-3) Legends, Kaufman, TX NOV E M B E R 7 Mixed adults tournament Mountain View, Charles Town, WV
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Scottsdale Polo Classic WestWorld, Scottsdale, AZ NOV E M B E R 7 - 8 National Arena Amateur Cup Orange County, Silverado, CA Governor’s Cup (0-6) New Orleans, Folsom, LA Middle School League Yale, Bethany, CT Middle School League New Bridge, Aiken, SC N O V E M B E R 11 - 17 U.S. Open Women’s Handicap (10-12) Texas Women’s Open (18-20) Houston, Houston, TX NOV E M B E R 12 - 2 6 Arena Adm. Chester Nimitz (-3-3) Texas Military, Poteet, TX N OV E M B E R 13 - 15 Arena Sportsmanship Cup (0-3) Arena Congressional Cup (3-6) Legends, Kaufman, TX Pedro Morrison Memorial Grand Champions, Wellington, FL N O V E M B E R 14 - 1 5 Congressional Cup (0-2) New Orleans, Folsom, LA Middle School League Buffalo, Wainfleet, Ontario Middle School League Central Coast, Los Osos, CA N O V E M B E R 14 - 21 Wellington Open (20) Grand Champions, Wellington, FL NOV E M B E R 2 0 - 2 2 Congressional Cup (0-8) San Antonio, San Antonio, TX NOV E M B E R 2 0 - 27 USPA National Twenty Goal Grand Champions, Wellington, FL NOV E M B E R 2 0 - 2 9 Arena Challenge Cup (2-8) Yale, Bethany, CT
N O V E M B E R 21 - 2 2 USPA Teddy Roosevelt Cup Texas Military, Poteet, TX Middle School League Houston, Houston, TX NOV E M B E R 2 2 - D E C E M B E R 3 National Delegate’s Cup (4-8) Houston, Houston, TX NOV E M B E R 2 9 Legends of Polo C. Gracida Memorial International Cup Grand Champions, Wellington, FL DECEMBER 5 Annual Christmas Polo Cup Dallas, Dallas, TX DECEMBER 5-6 Desert Challenge Arena Tournament Empire, Indio, CA Middle School League Liberty Hall, Rixeyville, VA Arena’s Women’s Challenge (2-8) Legends, Kaufman, TX Sportsmanship Cup (2-4) Arizona, Casa Grande, AZ D E C E M B E R 11 - 1 3 Linfoot Polo Clinic Eldorado, Indio, CA D E C E M B E R 12 - 13 Coyote Cup Arena Tournament Empire, Indio, CA D E C E M B E R 18 - 2 0 USPA Women’s Challenge WCT Eldorado, Indio, CA D E C E M B E R 19 - 2 0 Jackalope Cup (4) Empire, Indio, CA DECEMBER 26-27 Holiday Cup (4) Empire, Indio, CA
Note: All dates are subject to change. “USPA” refers to tournaments sponsored or sanctioned by the United States Polo Association.