October 2020 Polo Players' Edition

OCTOBER 2020

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CONTENTS

P L AY E R S’ E D I T I O N

OCTOBER 2020

VOL. 24,

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

32 Pacific Power by Gwen Rizzo

6

NO. 2

Association News USPA Bulletin

Klentner, Lucchese, Santa Clara count wins in California

38 Splitting Hairs by Gwen Rizzo

12 Instructors Forum

Michael Butler talks polo, producing and politics

by Corky Linfoot

14 Ask an Umpire 16 Equine Athlete 20 24 26 44

OCTOBER 2020

Klentner Ranch Tops in PCO

OUR COVER Best Playing Pony Chala offers a steady platform for Klentner’s Geronimo Obregon in the Pacific Coast Open final.

by Heather Smith Thomas Polo Scene News, notes, trends & quotes

Polo Development Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Polo in the Pampas

by Lucas Noel

46 Polo around the Globe 62 Calendar 64 Yesteryears 52 Polo Report

Photo by David Lominska/ polographics.com

Blue Triumphs in Spencer Smith Memorial

$5.00 US/$5.50 Canada

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 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.

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VOL. 24, No.2 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

Fall Meeting Due to the pandemic, the USPA Fall Board of Governors and Annual Member Meeting will be held via video conference from Monday, Oct. 5 through Saturday, Oct. 10. Please visit uspolo.org for more information and the most up-to-date schedule.

National Arena Amateur Cup Rankings An initiative launched in 2019 by the Tournament and Arena Committees, the new format of the National Arena Amateur Cup has continued to be a success. This format has created an opportunity to showcase the accessibility of amateur polo and to incentivize amateur players to participate longer and more frequently in USPA tournaments at their home clubs, in their home circuits and nationally.

All amateur players rated -1 through 3 goals will be eligible. In accordance with National Arena Amateur Cup rules, no player may have a handicap higher than the upper limit of the event. If there is a question regarding whether a player falls into the amateur category, that decision will be made by the NAAC Tournament Committee, in consultation with the player’s home club manager as well as the club’s circuit governor.

Eligibility to play in the National Arena Amateur Cup will be based on a point system. Those who have competed in the Pacific Coast Arena League, Texas Arena League, horse shows, or other sports—like NASCAR, cycling or triathlons—should be familiar with the concept of a points system based on win-loss or ranking.

Points will be given to individuals playing in all

DAVID MURRELL

The National Arena Amateur Cup will be held at Legend’s Polo Club in Kaufman, Texas.

Right: Mark Osburn hits the ball in the air.

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

USPA arena events—circuit, sanctioned and national.

Points will be based on the number of teams and team standing in each tournament. All points will be awarded to each team member, not the team as a whole. Points will be based on team members playing the entire tournament and all chukkers within each game. Players with the highest points will be eligible to play in the National Arena Amateur Cup, which will be held at Legend’s Polo Club in Kaufman, Texas in November.

In addition to NAAC points, circuit and national arena events are eligible for: • Trophies and/or trophy reimbursement from USPA • Arena Incentive Program reimbursement funds • Pump 8 Umpire (maximum 8-goal tournament with four team minimum) • Exposure through USPA weekly e-blast “This Week In Polo” and Polo Players’ Edition magazine with submission of write-ups and photos

KAYLEE WROE

U S PA B U L L E T I N

To view 2020 rankings, visit the National Arena Amateur Cup page on uspolo.org. For more information, contact tournament coordinator, Kaila Dowd at kdowd@uspolo.org.

Tournament Results Clubs are encouraged to assemble and submit summer tournament results from all USPA events for inclusion in the Blue Book and on uspolo.org.

Tournament results may be submitted electronically through the tournament database. Please include the name of the host club, name of tournament and dates played.

Information must also include names of players on all teams that have competed in the event, list of games played with scores of each game and a captioned high-resolution photo of the winning team for each event, as well as Most Valuable Player and Best Playing Pony. If you have any questions about the tournament database, please contact tournament coordinator, Kaila Dowd at (561) 517-1652 or via email at tournaments@uspolo.org.

Women’s Tournaments Mark your calendars: the Houston Polo Club in Houston, Texas, has announced the dates of the prestigious Texas Women’s Open and U.S. Open Women’s Handicap. These USPA tournaments are not to be missed, as they bring together some of the best high-goal women’s players in the country for a competitive series of games. The U.S. Open Women’s Handicap also offers the unique opportunity to showcase women’s high-goal polo and will be livestreamed on Global Polo TV. Tournament Dates: Nov. 10-15 Levels: Texas Women’s Open: 16- to 20-goal U.S. Open Women’s Handicap: 8- to 12-goal For more information about the tournaments please contact Houston Polo Club at polomanager@thehoustonpoloclub.com.

Gen. George S. Patton Jr. Award Remembered for his fierce determination and ability to lead soldiers, Gen. George S. Patton Jr. is considered to be one of the greatest military figures in history. Immortalized as one of the world’s most intriguing military men, he was known for carrying pistols with ivory handles, his intemperate manner and his love for polo.

Patton was an avid believer that polo was a useful

Tiffany Busch competes in Houston’s women’s polo. Two high-goal events are scheduled for November.

tool in understanding how his fellow officers performed under pressure. Regarded as one of the most successful United States field commanders of any war, he continuously drove his troops to the highest standard of excellence in training, and utilized his love for polo as a teaching aid. He traveled from post to post with a fine set of polo ponies and routinely established weekend polo matches at his assigned military bases. Patton encouraged participation, and helped grow awareness and interest in the sport.

The Armed Forces Committee encourages nominations of members who have gone above the call of duty to create opportunities for military members and their families to be involved in the sport of polo. Please include how the nominee best embodies the characteristics described with your nomination. Nominees are not required to have served in the military but must be current USPA members.

Please submit your Gen. George S. Patton Jr. Award nominations to Kaila Dowd at kdowd@uspolo.org by Dec. 31.

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

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

Middle School Do you have a 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grade player ready for tournament polo that would like to compete in this year’s USPA I/I Middle School League? Check out the dates for upcoming Middle School tournaments on the I/I page at uspolo.org.

Don’t see a club near you? Contact Emily Dewey at edewey@uspolo.org to schedule a tournament at your home club.

Intercollegiate/Interscholastic

I/I tournament conditions have been amended for the current year.

Contact Ali Davidge for questions.

The USPA National Intercollegiate Championships, originally rescheduled for Oct. 20-25 at the Virginia Polo Center in Charlottesville, Virginia, have been canceled. We are very proud of our qualifying teams and want to commend them for the fantastic season.

Qualifying teams are University of Virginia Men & Women, Cornell University Men & Women, Texas A&M University Women, University of North Texas Men, Southern Methodist University Men, University of Kentucky Women, Point Loma Women, and Oregon State University Men. The USPA National Interscholastic Champi-

onships, rescheduled for Nov. 18-22 at the Houston and Brookshire Polo Clubs in Houston, Texas, have also been canceled. We want to congratulate the qualifying teams on a successful season. Open Teams: Gardnertown, Houston, Rancho Naranjo, Central Coast and Maryland Polo Clubs. Girls’ Teams: Aiken, Maryland, Houston, Maui and Boston Polo Clubs.

Tournament Conditions The National Host Tournament Committee has approved an addendum for 2020-2021 I/I tournament conditions. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, team requirements and paperwork deadlines have been adjusted to support the program’s current schedules. There will be no regular season game requirement. No paperwork or tournament fee will be due before January 2021. A full list of deadlines is available on the uspolo.org I/I page.

If your team is worried about completing paperwork or you have any questions concerning the upcoming season, please reach out to Ali Davidge at adavidge@uspolo.org.

Ask the Expert Thank you to all of our guest presenters for the I/I “Ask the Expert” Summer Series, including Cindy Halle, Beth Supik, Dr. Molly Muedeking, Lou Lopez, Amy James, Caleb Pilukas, Robin Sanchez, Shannon Stilson and Megan Judge.

NYTS Cerro Pampa and Black Diamond took advantage of the extended NYTS Qualifier season. Cerro Pampa’s three teams played a round-robin tournament.

Camilla McFall, Ryan Kerley, Antonio Theirot and Simone Harper emerged as the winners. Ryan Kerley, Caroline Mathews, Liliana Gonzalez, Marco Esposto and Camilla McFall were named All-Stars.

North of the border, Black Diamond provided two days of fast play for local Canadian players. “Platino” played by Adam Ramson was awarded Best Playing Pony. All-Stars were Matt Schneider, Adam Ramson, Nadia Stobbe and Will Schneider.

8 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

Clint Nangle Celebrating a lasting legacy On the morning of Friday, Aug. 7, the polo community lost long-time contributor and polo pony advocate, Clint Nangle, who passed away quietly at his home in Aiken, South Carolina. Born in 1930 to Jane and John Nangle in Marblehead, Massachusetts, Clint had just recently celebrated his 90th birthday on the Fourth of July.

Though born left-handed, Clint learned to play the sport with his right hand and went on to win tournaments at Myopia Polo Club (South Hamilton, Massachusetts), Royal Palm Polo Club (Boca Raton, Florida) and Ocala Polo Club (Ocala, Florida). His interest in the sport of polo began while he was attending Harvard University (Class of 1952) and grew while beginning to play at the Myopia Polo Club in the 1960s. Upon graduation, Clint was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, followed by employment at the National Security Agency, ABC, Procter & Gamble, as well as forming his own investment company. He also helped to develop the New England Polo League, fostering growth of club competition throughout the Northeast; mentored Harvard and Radcliffe players for a number of years; and later at Royal Palm Polo was a leader in encouraging young players and lending polo ponies.

“I was very saddened to hear of Clint Nangle’s passing,” Dr. Mike Manno shared. “For myself and every member of the Equine Welfare Committee, past and present, I just hope he knew how important his contributions were to the well-being of the polo horse. We all owe him a debt of gratitude. Clint is the sole reason I became involved in the committee when he asked me to join almost 15 years ago. I can’t think of a more deserving or fitting tribute than to have the USPA present the Clint Nangle Equine Welfare Award in his name each year.”

Clint became a member of the United States Polo Association in 1965 and was affiliated with the Myopia Polo Club for almost 20 years. While working for Kenyon & Eckhardt, a national advertising agency, Clint bought a small farm in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, located next to the polo barns. His first polo pony came from Doc Roberts, a

Clint Nangle was involved with the USPA for three decades.

professor at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. After relocating to Florida, he began playing at the Royal Palm Polo Club in Boca Raton. It was there the Oxley family encouraged him to become involved with the USPA. In 1990, he became co-chairman of the Club Polo Committee and began to serve on other committees.

In 1992, when Florida and the Caribbean separated from the Southeastern Circuit, Clint became the first circuit governor. He held the role of Florida circuit governor for a total of 12 years, taking an early retirement to do the job full time. After, he served as a governor-at-large for another nine years.

In a special issue of Polo magazine, Clint was called one of the USPA’s outstanding polo contributors of the Twentieth Century.

In 1995, Clint founded the USPA Veterinary Committee, which is now the USPA Equine Welfare Committee. He served as the committee chair for 20 years and was crucial in developing a number of programs to increase the welfare of horses in the sport. During that period he created the Unwanted Polo Pony program and the Polo Pony Welfare Guide. Over the years, he served as a member of POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 9

U S PA B U L L E T I N

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

COURTESY DANA NANGLE SCOTT

COURTESY DANA NANGLE SCOTT

Counter clockwise from top left: Clint playing at Overbrook on his 80th birthday; Clint at Royal Palm Polo in the 1980s; Clint with daughter, Dana in West Newbury, Massachusetts, 1967; Clint at Royal Palm; The Clint Nangle Equine Welfare Award.

COURTESY DANA NANGLE SCOTT

sportsmanship characteristics inherent to the sport of polo. Clint was also the first recipient of an award created in his honor, the Clint Nangle Equine Welfare Award, in 2014.

In 2007, after relocating to Wagener, South Carolina, Clint founded the Overbrook Polo Club, a small local club focused on easy, relaxed polo for both beginners and seasoned players. He continued COURTESY BARBARA PARKER

numerous committees including the Nominating, Constitution, Marketing, Tournament and Women’s Committees. Additionally, he served on the board of the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame from 1997 to 2015.

In 2013, Clint was the recipient of the Hugo Dalmar Trophy, which is presented by the USPA chairman to the player who best exemplifies the

U S PA B U L L E T I N

C. MAYBE ORTIZ

COURTESY BARBARA PARKER

COURTESY DANA NANGLE SCOTT

COURTESY BARBARA PARKER

Clint is survived by his daughter Dana Nangle Scott (John) of Simsbury, Connecticut; sons Gene and Rod (Elizabeth), three grandsons, and longtime companion Barbara Parker of South Carolina. He was predeceased by his first wife Ann Edmiston Nangle and son John Nangle.

A memorial mass and celebration of life will be held at a later date.

• COURTESY BARBARA PARKER

to teach polo there for the last 13 years.

Clint was an avid reader and art collector. He played the piano and loved jazz and big band music.

A little-known fact about Clint is that he is a published author. His first book, “Some Things Harvard Never Taught Me” was published in 1993, and “Love Songs at Harvard Sq.,” a book of poems and lyrics was published in 2009.

Counter clockwise from above: Clint around 1934; Clint, at 88, riding 40-year-old Freckles; Clint enjoyed teaching polo at his Overbrook Polo Club for the past 13 years; Clint received the Hugo Dalmar Trophy from Chuck Weaver; Clint in Aiken, South Carolina: Clint winning the senior tournament at Royal Palm Polo, 2005.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 11

INSTRUCTORS FORUM

Game prep Plan for various game situations, and be ready to adapt

by Corky Linfoot

There are certain aspects prior to the time a team arrives at the field that will sooner or later determine whether the team is a winning team or a losing team.

Planning for basic known situations will establish a stronger team bond.

A captain is a guaranteed requirement. This individual should have an established pattern of performance that demonstrates capability to communicate not only what is previously planned but aspects that change and occur on the field.

There are three basic plays that must be discussed and understood prior to the first throw-in: knock-ins, throw-ins and free shots.

On knock-ins, when on the defensive side, are you playing man on man? Are you playing zone? Are you trying to limit the opponents to the outside of the field, hold the ball or release the ball long to no one?

As in all situations involving knock-ins defensively, On offensive, are you going to make short knock-ins covered by one of your teammates or will you hit long, gain ground and limit opportunities to the opponent?

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

what happens if the opponents change what they are doing? What are you, as a team, going to do to adapt?

On knock-ins on the offensive side, what is your strategy? Are you going to make short knock-ins and then have it covered by one of your teammates? Are you going to try to hit long, gain ground and limit opportunities to the opponent? Who is knocking in?

How is the team going to be positioned? One of the things that must be determined is how the opponents are playing in relationship to man or zone. If the opponent is playing a zone, try to put more people in the zone than they can cover. If they are playing a man, your team should try to switch positioning and see if they can adapt. It only takes a momentary hesitation to create space and time. That is all we are looking for on knock-ins.

On throw-ins, who is lining up where? And how?

And why? Are you lining up with a standard 1, 2, 3,

INSTRUCTORS FORUM

When lining up for a Penalty 4, how do your want your team to move once the ball is struck?

4? Is the No. 1 then supposed to stop the opposing No. 1? Is he supposed to look for the ball? Or is he supposed to go to his front-end position ? What are the responsibilities of the No. 2 and No. 3? Are they hunting the ball or holding a man? Are they releasing and going somewhere? Is the No. 4 lined up facing the throw-in? Is he in or out of the line up? Is he turned facing away from the umpire? All of these things should be understood before the game starts.

On free shots, make sure horse line-ups guarantee a free shot shooter is available with a usable free shot horse for the entire game. Going to a free shot knowing the horse is the main problem is the main problem.

How do you want your team lined up on Penalty 4s defensively and offensively? Where do you want them to move when the ball is struck? On Penalty 5s, defensively and offensively, it becomes a half field.

How is the team going to handle this position-wise?

There are certain areas of game performance that should be discussed and created to benefit the maximum performance of the team. That is true game strategy. Is the team going to play zone? Man? Is the team going to hit and run first and hold

second? Is the team going to do a “hold and cover,” meaning a player maintains control of the ball with one of his teammates backing him up. Is there a determination of whether to leave the play or the one player continuing to control the ball?

Understand there are an infinite number of situations that can be covered. Where are spare mallets held? How many spare horses will there be and where will they stand? What happens if a player breaks his mallet? These things can be discussed along with other possible scenarios but they are of minor consequence in relationship to the information above.

Einstein defined insanity as a repetition of the same events with the hope of a different outcome.

Have alternate plans and set-ups before you get to the field. When you play competitive polo against winning teams and things aren’t going well, you had better change what you are doing and how you are doing it. For example, if you lose two throw-ins, don’t go to the third one in the same manner. When you play against winning teams and you are winning, chances are they are going to change something. Be aware. See what changes. Be prepared to adapt. • POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 13

UMPIRES, LLC

Umpire revolution Arena rules and officiating has improved

By Bradley Biddle

Arena Polo has changed in a lot of ways over the past few years. The implementation of new rules, that are in the 2020 Blue Book and have been used as tournament conditions the last few years, has brought a more open style to the game and changed the umpiring, making for a better, open game.

I field a lot of questions in regards to the arena rules. I have listed the most asked questions and explain the answers below:

The USPA holds numerous training tournaments for umpires so everyone is on the same page.

Bradley Biddle instructed umpires at a tournament in Texas a few years ago.

What are the main fouls you see in arena polo, and do they differ in the lower and higher levels of the sport?

The fouls we see are mainly tight-quarter fouls– reaching (Rule 15b) and blocking the right of way (Rule 12). The arena is a smaller area so the players tend to stay close to one another and therefore, the idea of digging at a ball in front of another player when they are overlapped becomes enticing, especially along the end walls. Blocking the ROW is the most common foul in any polo but once again, with a tight space, defenders are more likely to block a player’s ROW.

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

Are they different at higher and lower levels? The rules aren’t different, but how the umpires call those rules are. The better the level, the more advantage the umpires will play because of the ability of the players. There are dissenting opinions in regards to this, but a good umpire knows the level they are doing and what should be called.

What are the most confusing rules to arena players?

With any change in the rules there is confusion.

Luckily, over the last three years we’ve been able to tweak the new rules so they make as much sense as possible.

One aspect that is confusing is the “affect the play” part of Rule 9 in regards to Penalties 2, 3 and 4. The defender may not “affect a play,” which describes conduct that includes, but is not limited to, being within a 5-yard radius of the fouling team’s play on the rebound. What this means in layman’s terms is the hitter has the first tap or full swing without any play from the defender (inside the 25 yard line).

Players will ask where they should be to get ready for the next play to mark the hitter. The answer is to the left or right outside of 5 yards. In that position, you won’t be called for fouling. If you are in front of the hitter, there is a good chance it will be called.

Another rule that is confusing is along the wall in regards to the nearside ROW (Rule 12g). This is mostly confusing for players that don’t play a lot of arena polo. In conjunction with that is the player following the ball having the ROW over the player meeting the ball as long as that player is at lesser angle (Rule 12e). Players tend to want to meet the ball on the wall. They have to realize the ROW along the wall and be at lesser angle (or 100% on the line of the ball) than the player following the ball. This is different than the outdoor rule in that the defender has to be 100% on the line.

The last rule that is confusing for players and umpires is riding into the swing vs. hitting into a horse (Rule 15c, 1 and 2). Questions always arise about that play, and it always comes down to players being overlapped or not. The umpires have to have keen eyes to determine if a defender rode in to a shot,

ELIZABETH HEDLEY

UMPIRES, LLC

Because of the tight space in an arena, it can be enticing for a player to try to dig at a ball in front of another player.

or that defender put his horse within the other player’s horse, preventing that player from swinging.

What rules would you change and why?

That’s a really hard one. We’ve changed so much as a rules committee over the last few years and really got it down to a science. Everything works. I would say that picking up speed along the walls would be something to look at, and we’ve discussed this as Britain’s Hurlingham Polo Association has a rule called the “Hancock Zone” to help with this. Having the ball along the wall should be an advantage, and we have rules to continue pace of play, so should it be changed? Not really sure.

Arena polo has seen a resurgence over the last few years. With that, the USPA has asked for better arena umpire training. I became head arena umpire director this year and my main goal has been to bring the quality of umpiring up in all levels of arena polo.

At the request of the USPA, four years ago the

Umpires, LLC started training umpires and umpiring in the intercollegiate/interscholastic program. The idea was to train the umpires that were working the I/I tournaments the way we were trained as professional umpires. The aspects we have been working on are mannerisms, playing the advantage and managing players, parents and coaches. It has been a success, and it also gave those umpires support to have someone to go to if a problem arose. We have numerous training tournaments and conference calls to keep everyone on the same page. I’ve been very happy with all of the I/I umpires and their willingness to listen. In fact, they are doing so well they can actually umpire USPA PUMP8 arena tournaments as professional umpires.

I’m proud to be a part of arena polo and I hope it continues the surge we’ve seen over the last few years at all levels. Hopefully, you all have played with the new rules and the umpiring has been consistent with what we are teaching. I look forward to seeing you all in an arena soon.

• POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 15

E Q U I N E AT H L E T E

Eating greens Benefits and drawbacks of alfalfa for horses

By Heather Smith Thomas

Forage is the most natural feed for horses, as opposed to grain, and should make up the bulk of every horse’s diet. Forage (as hay or pasture) can be divided into two categories—grasses and legumes.

Grass hay can be anything from orchard grass, timothy, bluegrass, bromegrass, etc. to fescue and coastal bermuda grass, or some of the cereal hays (oats, barley). Legumes for horses are generally alfalfa and various clovers.

“Alfalfa is a perennial legume, grown in most regions of the U.S. for horses and other livestock,” says Krishona Martinson PhD (Equine Extension Specialist, University of Minnesota Department of Animal Science).

Alfalfa grown in drier climates often makes better hay for horses than alfalfa grown in wet climates because the hay dries more readily, according to Martinson. It’s easier to get harvested without mold.

Alfalfa also grows best in well-drained soils rather than wet soils, since it originated as a desert plant.

Too much soil moisture will kill it. “Another important factor for growing alfalfa is to have the correct soil pH—within the recommended levels and soil types,” says Martinson.

History of alfalfa Dr. Ray Smith, Professor and Forage Extension Specialist at University of Kentucky, says alfalfa was one of the first domesticated forages, planted and harvested by early people in what is now Iraq-Iran several thousand years ago. They had discovered its nutritional benefits for horses, especially for horses being worked hard. “The main feed for horses of early armies in those regions was alfalfa,” says Smith.

“In its early development as a forage crop, much of it was grown under irrigation or partial irrigation in that dry region. In recent years, modern plant breeding has enabled this legume to adapt more readily to various conditions, including the more humid Eastern U.S., and alfalfa’s disease resistance has also been improved,” he says.

“When alfalfa was first brought to the Eastern U.S. in the 1700s from Europe it didn’t survive well— partly because of wetter soils and lower pH. The nutrient content of soils in high-rainfall areas wasn’t 16 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

good; much of the nutrients leaches out of wet soils.”

By contrast, when alfalfa was brought to the Western U.S. in the 1800s during the Gold Rush in California, to grow feed for livestock, it did very well in that arid climate and soil types. “Use of alfalfa grew rapidly in the Western U.S. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, we began to learn more about adding lime to soils, to change the pH and make it more appropriate for growing alfalfa. Plant breeding was also beginning by the 1900s and plant scientists were able to develop alfalfa that could adapted to various soils in the U.S.” says Smith.

Benefits of alfalfa “The biggest benefit of alfalfa for horses is that it tends to be more nutrient-dense than most grasses when harvested at the same stage of maturity,” says Martinson. Alfalfa tends to have more digestible energy, and more crude protein and calcium, and lower levels of non-structural carbohydrates.

Alfalfa is a good feed for horses that are underweight (since it is nutrient dense), or horses prone to gastric ulcers (since the extra calcium acts as a buffer for acid in the stomach). “It can also be beneficial to horses with muscle problems that are prone to tying up, or horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) due to the lower amount of nonstructural carbohydrates,” she says.

Horses with insulin resistance, Cushings, etc. can’t handle the high sugar content of some grass hays. Alfalfa is typically lower in sugar. For horses that are sensitive to the sugar content or carbohydrates in feed, a legume diet or mixed legume/grass diet will help lower the total sugar intake. Most owners of a sugar-sensitive horse realize the grain portion of the diet should be reduced or eliminated, since oats, corn and barley are 55 to 75% carbohydrates. But the forage component of the diet should also be evaluated. If hay is fed at 2% of body weight or more, that’s 20 or more pounds of hay. If the hay is 10% sugar, that’s a lot of sugar! It can be helpful to have hay tested, to see what the nutrient levels actually are.

The biggest benefit of alfalfa is for horse owners who want to keep their horses on a higher plane of

E Q U I N E AT H L E T E

nutrition (such as hard-working athletes or lactating mares) yet reduce grain in the diet. Diets high in grain can lead to health issues, and grain also tends to cost more than hay.

Alfalfa can be more economical, but price will depend on your location.

It is excellent feed for lactating broodmares, growing horses, thin horses, or any horse that has trouble keeping weight on, or a young foal that isn’t getting enough milk (an orphan, or a foal whose mother doesn’t milk very well). The alfalfa supplies the necessary protein. With growing horses, however, use caution in the amount fed, so they don’t grow too quickly or get too big too fast and be at risk for DOD (developmental orthopedic diseases).

“Many horse owners feed several flakes of grass hay and one flake of alfalfa,” says Krista Lea, Forage Extension and Research Analyst at University of Kentucky.

“Horsemen can create their own mix, which can be more economical and easier to feed, especially if they have some horses that don’t need alfalfa and some that do,” she says. The feed can be matched to the individual horse.

This works better than trying to buy hay that’s a grass-alfalfa mix, since it doesn’t grow uniformly in a field. There will be some parts of the field with very little grass and some with more grass and less alfalfa.

Buying a good grass hay and an alfalfa hay and feeding some of each, in appropriate ratio for a specific horse’s needs, is better. You can also use alfalfa pellets or cubes to add to a grass hay diet, for the same purpose.

Feeding a little alfalfa an hour or two before work or competition can help prevent gastric ulcers because the calcium can help buffer acid produced or splashed up into the non-glandular part of the stomach (where the lining is not protected by mucus) during work. Horses that tend to suffer from ulcers should be fed hay that includes some alfalfa.

“Another key to preventing ulcers in horses that have nutrient dense diets is to increase the forage (which increases chewing time) and decrease the concentrates. More chewing creates more saliva, which also helps buffer stomach acid. The only time you might run into problems with alfalfa is if the alfalfa was very rich and leafy with no stems at all or very fine stems, minimizing the need for chewing.

Even though you are getting the calcium, you are losing the benefit from increased saliva,” explains Lea. If you are feeding a lot of grain and leafy alfalfa you could still have ulcer problems because there’s not enough fiber to increase chewing time.

Alfalfa is an excellent feed for some horses since it has more digestible energy, crude protein and calcium and lower levels of non-structural carbohydrates.

Horses that should not be fed alfalfa “One of the negative factors is that alfalfa supplies more nutrients than needed for some horses, especially adult horses that are not working or only being ridden lightly,” says Martinson. “They tend to become overweight and this may create a number of issues,” she explains.

The easy-keeper, fat horse doesn’t need alfalfa, but there are other horses that do better with little or no alfalfa. Alfalfa is generally a good source of nutrients for the horse that needs a lot of calories, such as racehorses and performance horses. The exception might be a horse working hard in hot weather, since protein metabolism creates more heat than does metabolism of fat or carbohydrates, according to Dr. Stephen Duren, Performance Horse Nutrition. The added heat created by processing the extra protein can cause problems with heat dissipation and the horse might dehydrate (due to extra sweating because of extra body heat produced, and increased urination from the alfalfa breakdown/flushing from the kidneys) and be more likely to suffer heat stress.

“Extra protein cannot be stored in the body (like extra fat or carbohydrates, which can be stored as fat) and must be excreted. If a horse is fed more protein 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

than he needs, some of it goes to waste and is broken down so it can be excreted. The end group of amino acids on the protein structure is chopped off, converting the balance to carbohydrates, which can be used as energy or stored as fat (helpful for a working horse or thin horse), but the unneeded nitrogen portion becomes ammonia or urea, which are both excreted in the urine (producing smelly urine),” says Duren.

A horse eating more protein than the body can use will also drink more water (to flush out the additional waste products). This creates more urine, with a strong ammonia smell. “This may be why horsemen in earlier years thought the kidneys were damaged by high protein feed. The actual detriment would be more expense and labor in providing extra bedding to replace that which is soiled by increased urination,” he says.

When buying alfalfa, look for leaf to stem ratio and whether the hay is clean and bright with no dust or mold.

Square bales are generally easier to feed than round bales.

Another undesirable factor is poor air quality in a barn where too much protein is fed. “The ammonia in stalls can irritate air passages and make horses more susceptible to respiratory problems (which you certainly don’t want, in a performance horse). This is especially true with foals, since they are smaller (breathing air in the lower portion of the stall) and spend a lot of time lying down. Ammonia is heavier than air and tends to be most highly concentrated near ground level,” he says.

Feeding extra protein is wasteful, but aside from the disadvantage of more urine and ammonia in a barn, or more heat to dissipate during exertion in hot weather, the high protein diet in itself does not hurt a healthy horse. It can be detrimental, however, to a horse that already has impaired kidneys or a damaged liver. These horses have problems processing and excreting protein, and should always

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be kept on a very low protein diet. The kidneys must work harder to filter out and excrete the breakdown products of excess protein.

“We don’t recommend straight alfalfa hay for a racehorse, endurance horse or any horse working hard for long periods,” says Duren. “The extra calcium in the diet on a routine basis—from the alfalfa—triggers the parathyroid to think there is plenty all the time, so the body doesn’t absorb it very well from the digestive tract. If you couple this with hard work, where the horse is sweating for long periods and losing calcium along with the other electrolyte minerals in the sweat, this creates a calcium deficit. Some of these horses get the thumps, which is a diaphragm flutter associated with compromised function of the nerve that goes across it. For those horses, you should never feed alfalfa as the sole forage, even though they can benefit from small amounts of alfalfa, just like any other performance horse,” explains Duren. What’s best for a horse will depend on what he does for a living.

“Many performance horses can do a lot of work but since they are not working to the point of dehydration they can handle a higher percentage of alfalfa. In California there are many cutting, reining and other performance horses that eat a lot of alfalfa hay (because that’s the forage that grows best in that climate) and balancer pellets, and that’s their entire diet and they do fine.”

Another group that does best with limited alfalfa are horses with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP), since alfalfa is often high in potassium. This is an inherited muscle disease, caused by a genetic defect. In the muscle of affected horses, a mutation exists in the gene that affects the muscle cell membrane which controls contraction of the muscle fibers. The muscle can become overly excitable and contract involuntarily when potassium levels fluctuate in the blood. This may occur if the horse hasn’t eaten for a while and then consumes a high potassium feed such as alfalfa. Hyperkalemia, which is an excessive amount of potassium in the blood, causes muscles to contract more readily than normal—with sporadic episodes of muscle tremors or paralysis.

“Potassium levels in forage are dependent on what the plants are pulling out of the soil, however,” says Duren. “Thus it can make a difference how and where the alfalfa was grown, and also whether it was fertilized with manure—which drives the potassium levels higher. If a horse is sensitive to potassium, rather than exclude alfalfa, I suggest having the hay

E Q U I N E AT H L E T E

Misconceptions about alfalfa Horsemen used to think that a diet of rich alfalfa could cause kidney problems in horses. “A normal, healthy horse can metabolize and excrete the extra protein in alfalfa just fine, if the horse has adequate water,” explains Smith. Horses that already have kidney disease should not have a diet high in protein (such as alfalfa), but the alfalfa will not cause kidney disease.

Another common misconception is the amount of non-structural carbohydrates in alfalfa. Cool-season grasses like timothy, bromegrass and orchard grass actually have a higher non-structural carbohydrate content (and sugars) than legumes. Horses with carbohydrate sensitivity that should not be fed grain include obese horses, individuals with laminitis, EMS, Cushings, and PSSM. These horses need their diet carefully monitored for the amount of non-structural carbohydrates, and can benefit from including some alfalfa rather than grain or cool-season grasses. Even a small portion of alfalfa can bring down the level of non-structural carbohydrates for those horses. A mixed grass-alfalfa hay is a good choice for horses that need lower levels of nonstructural carbohydrates.

Often these horses are overweight, however, so you just need to make sure the forage is mature, to bring down the

Alfalfa is most nutritious when it is budding but before it blooms.

overall total energy content. Otherwise the horse will be gaining more weight, which increases risk for laminitis, EMS, etc. Alfalfa with a fair amount of grass in it, cut at late bloom stage when the plants are more mature, would be a good choice for these horses. For horses that are overweight but otherwise healthy (with no non-structural carbohydrate sensitivities), mature grass hay is a better choice than alfalfa, due to the lower nutrient content.

“Another issue that is partly a misconception is that alfalfa aggravates respiratory problems in horses with

analyzed. Not all alfalfa hay will be really high in potassium, but you have to test it to find out,” he explains.

“When feeding alfalfa to young horses, limit sweet feed or pasture, and closely monitor/measure their growth rate,” says Lea. “The key to growing a healthy horse is consistent, steady growth, avoiding growth spurts. If you want them to grow fast, you need to make sure they don’t grow too fast, and you want the growth to be consistent instead of sporadic,” she says.

Some horses with unpigmented skin should not eat alfalfa. “These horses may be prone to photosensitization--which can be caused by black

heaves,” says Martinson. These horses tend to cough more when fed alfalfa, but this is mainly due to factors other than alfalfa itself. The irritants are dust and mold. Alfalfa can be dustier than grass hay unless moisture conditions at baling were ideal. Alfalfa leaves tend to shatter when too dry, and this creates more dust particles. Grass hay tends to have a bigger window of acceptable moisture content at baling.

“Mold formation is directly related to moisture content when baling. One issue with alfalfa—which tends to have more stem than grass—is that the stem takes longer to dry. Alfalfa might take 12 to 24 hours longer to dry than a grass crop, simply because it has more stems. Moldy grass hay or moldy alfalfa hay can both cause irritation of the lungs when mold dust is inhaled,” she says.

“Any time you bale hay at more than 17% moisture, you have risk for mold.

Hay over 19% moisture will always mold,” says Martinson. It’s a narrow window, since baling too dry will cause leaf shatter and dust. People who are good at growing alfalfa try to bale it within that narrow window of ideal moisture, to reduce the risk for mold, yet hold the leaves on the plant so there is less leaf loss (since most of the nutrients are in the leaves) and less shattering/dustiness.

blotch disease—a mold that causes black blotches on the undersides of the leaves of legumes including alfalfa,” says Martinson. “Horses ingesting this mold may experience excessive sunburn—which most seriously affects unpigmented areas of their bodies,” she says.

“The thickening/reddening of those areas is easily seen, but liver damage from the toxins in the mold could be a more serious issue. Dark-skinned horses would also have the liver damage, but without the signs of photosensitization,” she explains. The (continued on page 60) POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 19

POLO SCENE

N E W S • NO T E S • T R E N D S • Q U O T E S

AWARDHEAD WINNERS PTF recognizes Subhead student polo players

THE POLO TRAINING FOUNDATION recently announced its interscholastic and intercollegiate award recipients. The annual awards are given to both male and female participants that showcase exceptional qualities at both the interscholastic and intercollegiate levels.

The Interscholastic Female Player of the Year is Catherine Stuek; Interscholastic Player of the Year is Matteo Chaux; Intercollegiate Female Player of the Year is Shariah Harris; and Intercollegiate Player of the Year is Morgan Palacios.

The Polo Training Foundation also awarded scholarships to three aspiring polo players. The scholarships were established in 2010 to encourage and promote the attainment of higher education goals based on evidence of a high-level of academic achievement during high school or college. This year, scholarships went to Cipiriano Echezarreta, Grace Mudra and Lea Jih-Vieira. Both Echezarreta and Mudra are attending Texas A&M as freshman, while Jih-Vieira is a sophmore at Cornell University. Congratulations to all recipients.

Catherine Stueck Interscholastic Female Player of the Year A senior at Garrison Forest School, Stueck is a member of the Maryland Girls’ Varsity Polo Team, coached by Kelly Wells. She won three National Interscholastic Championships in the past five years on the team. Stueck has served as a member of the PTF Junior Board for the past three years. She was its president last year and chairman this year. She plays in New York in the summer and participates in PTF tournaments in Florida in the winter. She plans to continue to play polo in College.

Matteo Chaux Interscholastic Player of the Year As a member of Gardnertown Farms’ varsity team in Newburgh, New York, Chaux made it to the National Interscholastic Championships twice. He was team captain this year when nationals were canceled due to COVID-19.

In 2019, Chaux participated in PTF’s England exchange program, which was one of his favorite polo experiences.

Chaux is attending the Fashion Institute of Technology, studying women’s fashion design. He plans to play polo in the summers.

Shariah Harris Daniel J. Wallace Jr. Intercollegiate PTF Award winner A former Interscholastic Female Player of the Year, Harris got involved in the sport through the Work to Ride program. She has played throughout the world, including Nigeria, Argentina and England.

A recent Cornell graduate, Harris is currently enrolled in a program to become a registered nurse with a BSN. She hopes to work in an emergency room one day. She also plans to stay connected to Cornell’s polo program and says polo will always have a spot in her life.

Morgan Palacios Intercollegiate PTF Award Winner Palacios is a recent graduate of Cornell University where he played polo while earning a bachelor’s degree in agriculture.

He calls college polo one of his favorite experiences. He plans to attend graduate school, and pursue a career in sustainable architecture. In the meantime, he plans to continue in the sport and help the I/I program so he can help others explore the world of polo and the amazing opportunities and experiences that surround the USPA I/I polo program.

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POLO SCENE

TEAM TONY Club raises money for former player

THE OAK BROOK POLO CLUB in Oak Brook, Illinois, held the 4th Annual Team Up for Tony Benefit Aug. 30. The day included double-header polo matches. This year, $50,000 was raised from tournament fees and donations from the greater Chicagoland polo community as well as event spectators.

The funds were raised for Tony Sekera, a longtime player who fell off his horse after it stumbled while stick and balling near Aiken, South Carolina, in June 2017. He broke is C4 and C5 vertebrae and was left paralyzed from the chest down. At the time, Sekera, then 69, said it happened doing something he loved so he couldn’t have regrets. Sekera started playing in the Chicago area in 1986.

The club has raised a total of $150,000 over the past four years for Sekera’s long-term care.

USPA Central Circuit Governor Bob McMurty and Oak Brook Polo Club President Jim Drury presented Sekera a check after the polo matches.

HOLD YOUR HORSES

Bob McMurty and Jim Drury present Tony Sekera and his wife Cindy Engdahl with a check for $50,000.

Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover canceled

THE RETIRED RACEHORSE Project’s annual Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium has been canceled for 2020. Originally scheduled for October in Lexington, Kentucky, an expanded version of the event is planned for Oct. 12-17, 2021, with separate classes in all 10 disciplines, including polo, for both 2020 and 2021 entries.

“This was a decision that was not entered into lightly,” said the RRP’s executive director Jen Roytz. “We went to great lengths to look at the feasibility of putting on the event from various perspectives, including preparedness of our com-

petitors, current sponsorship commitments, the cost and steps necessary to implement COVID-19 risk management protocols for an event like ours, and what changes we would need to make to the event to comply with state and venue regulations.

We also explored various ‘what if’ scenarios with our legal counsel, insurance company, and board, and what their impacts could be on not only the event, but our organization as a whole.”

Trainers who entered this year’s makeover will have the option to retain their registered 2020 horses to compete in a special division at the 2021 makeover or withdrawal and use their entry fee for a 2021-eligible horse.

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

POLO SCENE

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LEARNING THE ROPES Professionals lead PTF clinic in California

THE CENTRAL COAST POLO CLUB in Los Osos, California, held a Polo Training Foundation clinic

Joel Baker, sitting top left, led a discussion on knock-ins, throwins and field strategies.

Tomy Alberdi, second from right, worked with participants on the first day.

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

this summer. Organizers had to be creative, making accommodations for COVID-19 restrictions.

The goal of the clinic was to benefit existing intermediate to advanced interscholastic players so it was limited to players with a minimum of two year’s experience. This allowed for minimal hands-on instruction as the players could care for their own horses or those they leased. A limit of six players allowed for participants to scrimmage in teams of three in the arena, or with a professional, teams of four on the grass.

Professional player Tomy Alberdi worked with the participants the first day. After speaking with them about their goals and questions they had on plays, swings and strategy, they mounted up to do drills, then played a scrimmage. The day finished up with more discussion about strategies for throw-ins and team communication.

Joel Baker worked with the students on the second day, beginning with discussions on knock-ins, throw-ins and field strategies before moving on to practice on Baker’s grass field.

Participants continued with more discussion the third day, this time with the help of Andy Maze and Todd Randall, with an emphasis on open shots, passing and respect for the right-of-way. It was the first time playing on the grass for some players and highlighted skills they needed to continue to work on.

POLO SCENE

VIRGINIA IS FOR POLO LOVERS Fifteen students benefit from summer clinics

THE VIRGINIA POLO CENTER and The Polo Training Foundation were safely able to conduct two interscholastic polo clinics despite restrictions brought on by the global pandemic.

In July, nine students attended the clinic taught by Bill Matheson, Lou Lopez Jr., Jess Schmitt and Danny Scheraga. The clinic started off with a cavalry-style drill team exercise, followed by riding for polo, hitting and strategy sessions, including video review. Of course, scrimmaging was the highlight every day.

To follow recommended guidelines, students observed social distancing and wore masks at all times when not scrimmaging. Food was served in box lunches rather than the usual buffet style and hand sanitizer was available almost everywhere.

In August, 20 students originally registered however Northeast states started requiring travelers from 34 states, including Virginia, to quarantine for 14 days.

The requirement saw all but eight participants and one instructor unable to attend. This created an opportunity for some young talent to shine as instructors.

Agustin Arellano and Kylie Sheehan joined Bill Matheson, Jess Schmitt and Lou Lopez Jr. in instructing the clinic.

With the low student-to-instructor ratio, each participant received plenty of oneon-one instruction. The participants again enjoyed drills, strategy sessions and scrimmages.

The PTF was thankful to the instructors, students and parents for persevering in these difficult times.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 23

P O L O D E V E L O P M E N T, L L C

Summer fun Youth tournaments played from coast to coast

By Hayley Heatley

All-Star Olivia Reynolds’ Tito was Best Playing Pony at the Maryland NYTS qualifier.

Acme Stove’s Robyn Leitner, Alea Crespo, Cate Godey and Stuart King won at Roseland Polo Club.

Out of concern for the health and safety of players, their families and the local polo community, the USPA has postponed this year’s NYTS National Championship event. After careful consideration of travel restrictions and local government guidelines, there were simply too many factors impeding our ability to host a safe and memorable championship event for our youth players at this time. We recognize that many USPA NYTS host clubs have faced similar challenges with hosting qualifiers this season and have extended the qualifier deadline.

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

Throughout this unusual year, host clubs did a fantastic job adapting to the circumstances and provided a fun and welcoming atmosphere to youth players. Face masks and socially distanced trophy pictures became the norm, but the players were resilient and took advantage of the opportunity to play polo with and against peers.

Prior to the pandemic, Empire and Eldorado Polo Clubs each hosted their annual events.

Eldorado’s five-team tournament was played over two days with Bush League (Teo von Wernich, Quinn Kyle, Micaela Saracco, Jazmin Trotz) emerging as the winner over Boss Polo (Bayne Bossom, Grace Gonzalez, Nick Fernandez, Rose Gonzalez). All-stars included Grace Parker, Grant Palmer, Lars Neumann, Teo von Wernich, Bayne Bossom, Piers Bossom, Riley Jordan and Micaela Saracco.

A few weeks later, Empire Polo Club hosted a three-team tournament as part of the “Polochella” Junior Tournament. From lead-line to NYTS, the participants demonstrated sportsmanship on and off the field, volunteering to help throughout the day when not playing. The tournament was played in honor of Margery Magill, who was killed while walking her dog in Washington D.C. last year.

Proceeds from the dinner and junior tournament benefited the National FFA Organization’s Give Blue program, which provides traditional corduroy jackets to members of Future Farmers of America, an organization near and dear to Margery’s heart.

The jackets help unify members and remind them they are part of something larger than themselves.

Elise Pardue, Grace Parker, Lars Neumann, Colby Smith and J. Martin Perez were named all-stars.

On the East Coast, Aiken hosted six teams at the end of May to kick off a series of summer NYTS qualifiers. The Aiken community supported a fantastic 2019 NYTS National Championship and has been growing an active youth polo program.

Chris Veitch, Josh Escapite, Sophie Grant, Hope Arellano, Aiden Meeker, Summer Kneece, Nick DeValentino, Reagan Leitner and Jack Whitman

P O L O D E V E L O P M E N T, L L C

were recognized as all-stars. Moving west, Houston organized a three-team round robin comprised of many local players. Brother and sister, Lily and Joe Bob Lequerica were named all-stars along with Vance Miller, Lance Stefanakis and Niklaus Felhaber. Houston’s NYTS tournament was played alongside the Houston Polo Club’s annual kids’ tournament with lead-line, walk-trot and canter divisions.

Blackberry Polo Club in Illinois attracted many young players to participate in its NYTS tournament. Winston Painter, Aiden Meeker, Grace Mudra, Ramon Caro, Kelsey Bray, Will Mudra, Maximo Font, Saralyn Painter and Winifred Branscum finished as all-stars.

The centrally-located Nashville Polo Club organized a round-robin tournament. The Ashblue team (Max Scott-Barnes, Robby Mooney, Vance Miller, Zac Wallace) came away with the win. Allstars were Finn Secunda, Vance Miller, Caroline Mooney, Gracie Brown and Zac Wallace.

Maryland Polo Club fielded two divisions with two teams each for its NYTS tournament. Past Girls’ NYTS National Championship winner Sophie Grant was recognized as an all-star along with Madison Jordan, Brianna Jordan and Olivia Reynolds in the A-flight. Esteban Penados, Josie Dorsey, Kylie Beach and Rory Knox each received all-star medals in the B-flight.

The Roseland Polo Club hosted its NYTS tournament at the beautiful King’s Family Vineyard polo field. Reagan and Robyn Leitner, Zac Coleman, Alea Crespo and Virginia Gwinn were named all-stars.

Things got rockin’ and rollin’ in the Northeast as the summer progressed. Gardnertown, Buffalo and Boston Polo Clubs each hosted fantastic and lively tournaments for local players. At Buffalo Polo Club, Hunter van der Burgt, Brona Mayne, Kat Gaulin and Julia Northcott were recognized for their efforts in horsemanship, sportsmanship, playing ability at current handicaps and ability to play as members of their teams.

Boston Polo Club nominated Taylor Palacios, Vlad Tarashansky, Matteo Chaux, Landen Daniels, Caleb Kingsbury, Brynn Whitten and Rehan Kumble as all-stars.

Gardnertown Polo Club fielded two teams in a close match that ended with Gardertown Polo (Connelly Cashen, Nico Diaz Alberdi, Elizabeth Leudsdorff, Jonathan Wallace) edging Barton Farm (Eduardo Palacios, Vlad Tarashansky, Matteo Chaux and Max Gundlach), 6-5. Nico Diaz Alberdi,

Matteo Chaux, Max Gundlach and Eduardo Palacios were added to the growing list of all-stars for the season.

Towards the end of July, South Bay, Big Horn, Cerro Pampa and Black Diamond Polo Clubs hosted tournaments for their NYTS enthusiasts.

All-stars for South Bay included Taylor Olcott, Ajay Moturi, Elise Pardue, Liliana Gonzalez and Alyssa Garcia. All of the all-stars named at South Bay were also participants in the I/I season. Cerro Pampa recognized Ryan Kerley, Caroline Matthews, Liliana Gonzalez, Marco Esposto and Camila McFall. At Black Diamond, Adam Ramson, Will Schneider, Nadia Stobbe and Matt Schneider were named allstars.

With the qualifier season extended, clubs can still host a tournament. Interested clubs please contact NYTS@uspolo.org to schedule a date.

Information regarding the NYTS National Championship will be forthcoming.

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Lance Stefanakis hooks Niklaus Felhaber in the NYTS at Houston.

Max Scott-Barnes, Robby Mooney, Vance Miller and Zac Wallace won in Nashville.

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

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

Next adventure College seniors celebrated after NIC canceled

By Amy Fraser

Players can begin their journey toward the USPA National Intercollegiate Championships in fifth grade as they work their way up through the middle school and interscholastic ranks, before making the leap to college. The collegiate season kicks off in early fall with a flurry of regular season games and invitational tournaments, all with the intention of preparing teams for the big dance.

Teams follow national rankings of their competitors through the winter, and the arrival of spring brings the regional tournaments.

Competition is fierce, as only the top team in each region is guaranteed a spot at the national tournament. If a losing team shows merit after the winners have been determined, it may be granted a last-chance wildcard bid to prove its mettle. The USPA National Intercollegiate Championship is where the best of the best show up to compete for the chance to raise trophies with a joint history of over 100 years.

Enter 2020. COVID-19 brought the I/I season to a screeching halt a day before the start of the

Northeastern Regional tournament; the only regional tournament left to play. The outlook for nationals: not good. The decision was made to postpone NIC until October for the safety of all involved. Fast forward a few months to August, and the I/I National Host Tournament Committee had to make the final decision to cancel NIC 2020. It was a heartbreaking decision for everyone associated with the program, but for our senior players with their last chance at a national championship, it was devastating. Although nothing will fill the void of a national tournament that was never played for, the 2020 NIC seniors deserve the recognition of a career well played.

To all of our graduates: the I/I community has watched your hard work and growth throughout your time in the program and we could not be more proud of everything you have accomplished. We cannot wait to see your journey both in and outside of polo in the coming years. Congratulations and Good Luck!

Wyatt Weaver Oregon State University I/I member since fall 2018

Wyatt Weaver

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What are your plans post grad? Get a job working as a mechanical design engineer at an interesting company like SpaceX, NASA or Lockheed [Martin] Where are you going to be located? Wherever the job takes me, honestly Best memory of I/I? Hands down the 15-hour van rides, packed with some of my favorite people, on our way to play one of the most entertaining sports I’ve ever played How are you staying involved in polo? I’ve been staying involved in polo by playing throughout the summer but will be looking to join a club once I settle down and have a full-time job.

Best advice for young I/I players? GO GROOM. Seriously though, if it wasn’t for grooming over the summers I wouldn’t be where I am today as a player.

It allows you to learn so much more and you’ll have fun doing it too!

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

Anna Ullman

Antonio Mendes de Almeida

Antonio Mendes de Almeida University of Virginia I/I member since 2016 What are your plans post-grad? I'll be working in New York City as a full-time markets analyst for J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Where are you going to be located? New York City, New York Best memory of I/I? My favorite two memories are the trips to nationals in Santa Barbara and the numerous high-intensity practices at Virginia Polo.

It’s hard to believe anyone puts on tougher practice sessions than Lou Lopez at UVA. How are you staying involved in polo? By nature of living in NYC, polo is going to have to be put on hold for a year or two. However, my close friend, Diego Gallego, just built a new polo field back home in Portugal and has high ambitions to grow the sport there. I look forward to helping him with that.

Best advice for young I/I players? Play as much polo as you can in college. It becomes much harder to play once you graduate. If you really want to improve, watch as much high-goal polo as you can.

the incredible individuals who have become my friends and family through the mutual love of this sport.

How are you staying involved in polo? While I am still in my hometown, I will be playing with the local club.

Best advice for young I/I players? All the hours you are spending at the barn are definitely worth it.

Joel Potyk Oregon State University I/I member since 2016 What are your plans post grad? Start my career

Joel Potyk

Anna Ullman Cornell University I/I member since 2013 What are your plans post grad? I am spending one year working, and then I will be continuing my education in graduate school.

Where are you going to be located? Once I begin graduate school, I will be living in Germany.

Best memory of I/I? My best memory is not necessarily a specific moment, rather an appreciation of 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

in industrial engineering, hopefully somewhere on the West Coast where polo is close by!

Where are you going to be located? Not sure yet!

Best memory of I/I? There are two: winning western regionals my senior year and all the road trips traveling to play all over the West Coast How are you staying involved in polo? Staying in contact with current collegiate teammates, keeping in touch with other [Pacific Northwest] clubs and teams Best advice for young I/I players? Play as much as you can, [and] gather advice from a wide array of people.

Shariah Harris Cornell University I/I member since 2010 What are your plans post grad? I will be attending nursing school this fall Where are you going to be located? I'll be located back home in Upper Darby/Philadelphia.

Best memory of I/I? Participating in the tournaments was always my favorite part of I/I because you are able to interact with the different I/I teams.

How are you staying involved in polo? I’ve been playing a lot of summer polo and if the school allows us, [I’ll] travel back to Cornell in the spring to play in alumni games and against the current Cornell players.

Shariah Harris

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

Demitra Hajimihalis

Best advice for young I/I players? Embrace riding the different and difficult horses. If you’re able to get the best out of the more challenging horses, it can be really advantageous for your team but also for further developing you as a rider and player.

Demitra Hajimihalis University of Virginia I/I member since 2011 What are your plans post grad? I have officially moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, and accepted a position as operations manager and property manager at CORE Real Estate and Development, LLC, and CORE Polo. I am working on my real estate license to practice commercial real estate as well. I am also the Sunday polo sponsorship coordinator at Roseland Polo Club at King Family Vineyards.

Where are you going to be located?

Charlottesville and Crozet, Virginia Best memory of I/I? My best high school I/I memory includes an impromptu trip to play in Canada and driving in the Reynolds’ RV for all long trips. My best college memories include playing with friends, fun car rides, and the amazing experience in the 2019 USPA/SUPA International Arena match in Wellington.

How are you staying involved in polo? I am managing CORE Polo, looking after horses, grooming, teaching and playing a little bit. I am the announcer at Roseland Polo Club at King Family Vineyards for Sunday Polo and love it! I am also playing in the USPA Women’s Arena tournament in

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

Morgan Palacios

October. I plan to become a USPA I/I tournament manager, certified umpire and certified instructor. I love to visit and play at UVA Polo when possible as well.

Best advice for young I/I players? If you have an opportunity to teach polo, I definitely recommend capitalizing on that as it reinforces fundamentals and is awesome for practicing communication skills.

I also loved getting to know all members of our polo club through teaching because as president, it really helped to see what adjustments needed to be made across all of our programs and not just through my lens on varsity.

Ingrid Donnan Cornell University I/I member since 2016 What are your plans post grad? I plan to work in finance for a few years and then continue my education with a master’s degree in business or economics.

Ingrid Donnan

Morgan Palacios Cornell University I/I member since 2014 What are your plans post grad? I am planning to complete my portfolio and hopefully apply to a master’s program for architecture.

Where are you going to be located? I am staying in the Northeast until I go to graduate school.

How are you staying involved in polo? I plan to continue playing at tournaments in the Northeast.

Best advice for young I/I players? Never lose sight of how you treat the horses and fellow players.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 29

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MIKE RYAN

can give to the young I/I players is to make every moment count. I have met some of my best friends thanks to this sport and have experienced so many unique opportunities. I/I gives you the chance to travel and play polo almost anywhere in the world, not only allowing you to meet new players but to make valuable connections for life.

Kyra Umrigar Cornell University I/I member since 2014 What are your plans post grad? I will be serving with Americorps, tutoring ESL students.

Where are you going to be located? Gloucester, Massachusetts Best memory of I/I? My favorite memory of I/I is successfully co-organizing our annual Sue Knight Suicide Prevention Benefit Game this year.

How are you staying involved in polo? This summer, I had the opportunity to play at the Central New York Polo Club.

Best advice for young I/I players? Take the time to foot-mallet and have fun.

•

Ally Vaughn

Where are you going to be located? In the Northeast Best memory of I/I? Jamming out to Big Booty remixes in [the] Oxley [arena] before every practice and game How are you staying involved in polo? I hope to continue playing polo wherever I end up.

Best advice for young I/I players? Enjoy every moment with your team and the horses.

Ally Vaughn Texas A&M University I/I member since 2012 What are your plans post grad? I am applying to vet schools for the year 2021. My intention is to focus on large animals and stay involved with horses and polo.

Best memory of I/I? One of my favorite memories of I/I was having the opportunity to become part of history by winning back-to-back national titles with our men’s team at A&M. It wasn’t only the winning part that made the experience memorable but the opportunity to play with my best friends.

Best advice for young I/I players? Some advice I 30 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

Kyra Umrigar

Pacific Power Klentner, Lucchese, Santa Clara count wins in California

By Gwen Rizzo

Santa Clara’s Lucas Escobar was MVP in the America Cup final.

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

advanced to the semifinals, while the remaining teams, all with 1-3 records, moved into the consolation U.S. Polo Assn. America Cup semifinal.

In the Silver Cup semifinals, Antelope narrowly advanced over Farmers & Merchants, 9-8, while Lucchese edged FMB Too!, 12-11. Antelope and Lucchese would meet in the final two days later.

Antelope had seen its biggest talent, 8-goaler Alfredo Bigatti, get hurt in the first preliminary match so it had been making adjustments throughout the tournament. Gringo Colombres was in the irons for him in the final, joining Grant Palmer, Matt Coppola and Santi Trotz.

On the other side, Nico Escobar, Jeff Hall, Facundo Obregon and John Muse lined up for Lucchese.

Antelope benefited from a pair of Penalty 2s early in the first, which Coppola easily converted.

Hall stole the ball from Colombres and sent it through the goal to put Lucchese on the board and Obregon followed with a Penalty 3 conversion.

Colombres put Antelope out front, 3-2, tapping a bouncing ball to goal with a minute on the clock.

The second chukker began with a Penalty 3 awarded to Lucchese, which Obregon converted to level the match once again. Trotz converted a Penalty 3 of his own a minute later. Coppola converted a Penalty 2, then got by a hook to slip the

Klentner’s Marcos Alberdi, Geronimo Obregon, Justin Klentner and Jesse Bray won the Pacific Coast Open.

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS

SHELLEY HEATLEY

Just like other clubs around the world, Santa Barbara Polo Club in Carpinteria, California, began its high-goal season with state and local restrictions. The club was closed to the public throughout the season, with empty grandstands a an ominous reminder of the global pandemic. This didn’t stop the players from bringing their A games and their best horses. Spectators relied on Global Polo TV to get their fix.

Dating back to 1900 (first called the Junior Cup, then the Twenty Goal), the USPA Silver Cup returned to Santa Barbara after a three-year stint in Greenwich. It was played July 24-Aug. 9, with eight 16-goal teams divided into two brackets in contention. First round winners included Dundas, Farmers & Merchants Bank, FMB Too! and Lucchese. FMB Too! and Lucchese carried their momentum into the second round, while Santa Clara and Antelope counted their first wins.

FMB Too! continued undefeated in the third round, while Klentner counted its first win.

Farmers & Merchants handed Lucchese its first loss, while Antelope added another win.

Bensoleimani.com picked up its first win in the fourth round, while Antelope, Farmers & Merchants, and Lucchese added wins.

Four teams had 3-1 records: Antelope, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Lucchese and FMB Too! All

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

MVP Nico Escobar outruns the Antelope team in the final of the Silver Cup.

ball in the goal, doubling up Lucchese, 6-3. Escobar got Lucchese back in the game with two in a row, the last a belly shot after slipping a hook by Trotz.

Lucchese turned the tables in the third. A Penalty 1 in favor of Lucchese knotted the score, 66, to open the chukker. Less than a minute later, Escobar defended a Trotz knock-in, backing the ball with a perfect shot to goal. Colombres missed a back shot in the goal mouth, allowing the ball to slip through the posts. With less than a minute in the half, Obregon converted a Penalty 2 then Hall sent a nearside shot through the goal for a solid 96 lead.

Antelope worked hard on a comeback, and a

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

high Penalty 4 conversion straight through the posts by Trotz in the first 15 seconds of the fourth got them off to a great start. A minute later, Palmer sent a perfect nearside to goal despite pressure from Muse, to cut the deficit to just one, 9-8.

Obregon tapped the ball into the goal in traffic that brought down the goal post. He followed a minute later, getting past Trotz and sending the ball into the goal. Hall added another, tapping the ball out of the air at speed to make the difference four, 128. With just a minute on clock, Colombres muscled past his opponents and took the ball to goal, but it bounced just outside the posts.

The teams battled into the fifth, with no goals

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS

Antelope Grant Palmer Matt Coppola A. Bigatti/Gringo Colombres Santiago Trotz

16 0 4 8 4

FMB Too! Joaquin Avendaño Felipe Marquez Santiago Wulff Henry Walker

16 3 6 5 2

Bensoleimani.com Ben Soleimani Jason Crowder Iñaki Laprida Remy Muller

16 0 6 7 3

Klentner Ranch Marcos Alberdi Geronimo Obregon Jesse Bray Justin Klentner

16 4 5 6 1

Dundas Sarah Siegel-Magness Mariano Fassetta Santiago Torres Roberto Zedda

16 0 4 7 5

Lucchese Nico Escobar Facundo Obregon Jeff Hall John Muse

16 4 6 6 0

Santa Clara Lucas Escobar Luis Escobar/Luquitas Criado Santiago Toccalino Francisco Escobar

16 3 4/3 8 1

Farmers & Merchants Bank 16 Danny Walker 2 Lucas Criado 7 Felipe Vercellino 6 Alonso Cruz 1

scored until the 3-minute mark when Coppola hit the sweet spot. Both teams were unable to convert Penalty 4 conversions. Finally, Coppola passed to an unmarked Trotz for the score, cutting the deficit to two, 12-10. With just 30 seconds in the chukker, Obregon and Colombres were in a sword fight along the boards, but Colombres caught the umpires’ whistles. A Penalty 3 was moved to a 2 after Colombres was given a yellow card. Obregon converted the shot to give Luccesse a three-goal lead into the final chukker.

A Penalty 2 for Antelope early in the sixth put the team closer but Hall negated it halfway through the chukker. The teams kept battling but with just

over a minute left, Hall and Colombres collided, sending Hall and his horse to the ground. After a brief moment to catch his breath, Hall continued for the final minute, but later learned he had a concussion, which kept him out of play for the Pacific Coast Open. Meanwhile, Colombres was given another yellow and Lucchese was awarded a Penalty 2, which Escobar easily slipped between the posts. It was the final nail in the coffin as Lucchese took the 15-11 win.

Nico Escobar was named MVP and Hall’s Twiggy was Best Playing Pony. The 8-year-old steel gray Twiggy was trained by Australian Ruki Ballieu. Hall said she is very quick and handy with plenty of speed.

In addition to the trophies, Lucchese received $2,500 from the USPA’s COVID-19 stimulus package prize money.

It was the ninth Silver Cup title for Hall, if you count 2006 when he played in three preliminary games to make it to the final in Houston, Texas.

The final was rained out and was played at International Polo Club in Florida on March 25, 2007. Isla Carroll took the win, however Hall was unable to play the final game.

The same day in the America Cup final, Santa Clara overcame Klentner, 10-7. Eight-goal Santi Toccalino led the Escobar family team with brothers Luis and Federico Escobar and Luis’ 17year-old son, Lucas.

Klentner led the match 2-1 after the first 14 minutes. The teams knotted the match at 4-4 going into the half. Klentner gained a narrow 5-4 advantage in the fourth but Santa Clara tied the POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 35

MVP Marcos Alberdi heads to goal in the PCO final.

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

SHELLEY HEATLEY SHELLEY HEATLEY

Jeff Hall digs at a bouncing ball on best playing pony Twiggy in the Silver Cup.

match with the most exciting play of the day. Luis Escobar passed to his son, who ran to goal with a hard-riding Alberdi fighting to stay with him.

Lucas’ nearside neck shot split the posts for the tie.

Some back and forth between the teams ended the chukker with Santa Clara sporting a 7-6 lead.

The final chukker went to Santa Clara as it eventually took a four-goal lead. A Penalty 4 from Bray late in the chukker brought Klentner closer but it wasn’t enough and Santa Clara had the title.

Lucas Escobar was named MVP and Luis Escobar’s Scar, a 9-year-old appendix mare, was Best Playing Pony.

It was a great day for the Escobar family as both boys were named MVPs and the family team had a big win.

Santa Clara and Klentner Ranch met again in the Pacific Coast Open final. Both teams were 3-1 going into the semi-finals, Santa Clara’s only loss to Klentner Ranch. Klentner edged Antelope in the semis, while Santa Clara beat bensoleimani.com.

Santi Toccalino and Lucas Escobar had won the Pacific Coast Open with Farmers & Merchants Bank last year and were hoping for a repeat.

While it was the same teams as the America Cup, it was a different game with both teams having improved. Santa Clara’s Luis Escobar was injured in an earlier game and was replaced by 3-goal Luquitas Criado in the final.

Alberdi shot first but the ball went wide.

Toccalino put the first tally on the board two minutes into the first chukker. Later, Bray dropped a pass for Klentner in front of the goal, needing just a touch for the tally. A Penalty 2 conversion by Obregon just before the horn gave Klentner a slight lead. Toccalino tied the match with a Penalty 3 conversion in the second but Obregon and Bray found the mark to give Klentner the 4-2 lead.

Toccalino tied the match in the third and Lucas Escobar traded goals with Klentner to keep it tied (5-5) after the first half.

The game remained tied through the fourth after Lucas Escobar and Marcos Alberdi swapped goals. The teams matched each other, keeping it level, 8-8, through the fifth. In the final seven minutes, the teams battled for control.

An early drive by Santa Clara was cleared by Bray. Klentner was awarded a Penalty 4 at the fiveminute mark, but was unable to convert it.

Toccalino then took control of the ball but he shot wide. The go-ahead goal came off the mallet of Alberdi after Obregon knocked-in, passing to Bray, who sent it to him. It took several swipes of a

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS SHELLEY HEATLEY

Lucchese’s Jeff Hall takes a moment to catch his breath after falling in the Silver Cup final.

bouncing ball before Alberdi passed it through the posts. Klentner was awarded a Penalty 5 and Bray tried his best to score; the ball had the distance but was just wide. In the waning minutes, Toccalino found Criado but his shot went wide, letting Klentner breathe a sigh of relief. Bray hoped for an insurance goal, but his shot from the boards went wide. With seconds on the clock, Toccalino passed to Lucas Escobar, but Klentner was able to recover it as the clock ran out.

Marcos Alberdi was named MVP. “This is probably the most important tournament I’ve won in my career to date, so it means a lot,” he said.

Alberdi grew up playing kids’ polo with Obregon.

Obregon’s Chala wore the Best Playing Pony blanket back to the barn. The 7-year-old Argentine mare came to the U.S. last year. “She was a little green when I first got her but she is becoming more mature and better as the seasons progress,” Obregon said. “One of her best qualities is the way she can stop on a dime coming to any play, turn and run in another direction. She’s a complete mare.”

It was the second win for Klentner and Bray, who won in 2018. “Truly the most important thing is to find teammates you like and who you would hang out with off the field,” Klentner said. “That way you develop a friendship and you will go the extra mile on the field.”

•

Jesse Bray holds steady while under pressure from Lucas Escobar in the PCO final.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 37

Splitting Hairs Michael Butler talks polo, producing and politics

By Gwen Rizzo

Michael Butler at Oak Brook in 1988.

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

To the general public Michael Butler may be best known for bringing the rock musical “Hair” to Broadway. To the polo community, he is known as the tall, slender and colorful character who played a solid game of polo and managed his family’s Oak Brook Polo Club, located in a suburb of Chicago.

While he says polo had the biggest influence in his life, politics and celebrity were woven through it. When producing Hair, the press dubbed him the hippie millionaire. He has been linked to celebrities Candice Bergen, Nati Abascal, Audrey Hepburn and Rock Hudson, among many others. He counts presidents, princes and maharajahs as personal friends. And as a political activist, Abbie Hoffman apparently once threatened to “get” Butler’s polo ponies if he didn’t support his cause.

Though horses and polo were a large part of Michael Butler’s life, the third-generation polo player got off to a rough start with riding. At 7 years old, Butler was riding his pony outside of the barn when they accidentally stepped on a rotten basement door, which they fell through.

“The wood was rotten and there were a lot of nails there, so I got blood poisoning,” he recalled. “First, the doctors wanted to cut off my arm. The family, fortunately, had enough influence in Hinsdale, Illinois, to tell them no, they couldn’t do it.” Instead, tubes were inserted into his right arm, which had to be stationary for three months.

“As a result … they said, now you’ve got to move your arm. So, they gave me a bucket full of window weights …” recalls Butler. “That is one of the first real memories I have of crying to my father … that I couldn’t take it anymore … It hurt so much.”

That trauma didn’t stop him from riding horses.

Much of his childhood was spent on the back of a horse. With plenty of room to roam, Butler and his

At one time, there were 12 companies of “Hair� performing around the country.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 39

Michael Butler shares a laugh with Hall-ofFame trainer James Rice.

friends rode all around the thousands of acres, which made up the Oak Brook property, but the injury to his arm prevented him from swinging a polo mallet.

“That was quite upsetting to me because it was practically the only thing that was done or talked about at home,” Butler said.

Instead, Butler started going to horse shows and competing in show jumping. At one point he even considered becoming a professional show jumper.

Later, while attending the University of Virginia he took up foxhunting.

Butler didn’t pick up polo until his late 20s. He said, “I walked into the [stable] and father said, ‘Maharaj Prem Singh is not coming to Oak Brook this summer. Why don’t you take his ponies and play polo?’ I couldn’t believe what he said. And he said, ‘You can do it,’ so I did.”

That summer he played on his father’s team with Jackie Murphy and Cecil Smith. Butler said Murphy was about his best friend and Smith and his family were considered part of the Butler

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

family, having played with them in Chicago for years. Butler even referred to him as Uncle Cecil.

So, he felt right at home on the team. But it still wasn’t easy. His scarred right arm was six inches shorter than the left, was locked at the elbow and he was unable to turn the wrist. Somehow, he was able to compensate for it all over the years.

“I had to twist quite a bit,” he admitted. “I definitely felt I could handle my handicap, which was 1. They were talking about moving me to 2, but I had enough influence because I was the governor of the circuit at the time … I felt I could deliver 1 in the back position, but I couldn’t deliver 2.”

Following in his father’s footsteps, Butler was circuit governor for 17 years.

“I had a wonderful time with the USPA. [Bill] Ylvisaker and I did not get along at all. And we had been very close friends,” said Butler. “The biggest disagreement we had was over Ralph Lauren, frankly. I felt, at that time, they should make a deal with Ralph Lauren. He was just brilliant; it wasn’t our business and so forth. But there were some people I thought were taking advantage of the USPA.” Details of the Coronation Cup matches in England were also a bone of contention.

“One of the deals that was made with the HPA was that the second match, which was medium goal, would only be amateurs and Ylvisaker wanted his son to play,” he said. “He son was not strong enough, so they wanted to put Corky Linfoot in with his son.

That broke the thing and we had a terrible fight over that. He was the chairman, so that is what was done.”

Butler also disagreed on the direction polo should go. He said Ylvisaker felt professional players were the key and high-goal polo was the only answer. In contrast, Butler focused most of his attention at Oak

Heath Manning, Ronnie Tongg, Michael Butler, Benji Toda, Tony Devcich and Corky Linfoot in England.

ALAN DITCH

Brook, believing family polo was the key to the sport.

“We had a totally different attitude about the sport. To this day, I still feel 16-goal polo is the best polo to watch,” Butler explained.

Butler managed the Oak Brook club for many years, supplying the ideas while his father supplied the financial backing. He said the club’s location at the center of the country made it an ideal place to host the Open, which was very successful there.

However, after hosting it 22 times from 1954 to 1978, USPA officials decided to move it to Retama, Texas.

With the Open gone, Butler concentrated on bringing in visiting teams and sending teams to other clubs. Using his influence with American Airlines at the time, he made a deal to fly teams in and out.

He also traveled to Argentina to purchase horses.

In the early days, they would purchase horses from Texas, but later bought them from Eddie Moore in Argentina. Butler said, “Eddy Moore was a terrific person to buy horses from because he would say if you didn’t like them, you could send them back.”

His polo travels took to him to Santa Barbara, where he played with polo greats like Bob Skene, Bill Atkinson and Ronnie Tongg, and eventually England.

“It was Ronnie who influenced me, saying, if you really want to have a good time, let’s go to England, because he had played there before. That is why I moved to England,” explained Butler.

Many of Butler’s closest friends were those that had come to play at Oak Brook when his father and John Cowdray brought the British team to play at Oak Brook and Milwaukee.

The Jaipurs were very close friends with the

family and came to Oak Brook to watch the Open in the summers. Michael moved to England in 1970, the same year the Maharaja of Jaipur passed away on the polo field at Cirencester Park. Butler ended up leasing his home at Ascot Park, and took over his ponies and staff, which included horse trainer Judy Balding.

“After being spoiled by James Rice, I wound up being spoiled by Judy Balding,” said Butler. “[I had] the two greatest trainers in each country.”

Butler played with Tony Devcich in England, but when Devcich wanted to go back home to New Zealand, he introduced Butler to Stuart Mackenzie.

The 9-goaler ended up playing with Butler for years, including at Oak Brook, before playing with Butler’s sister, Jorie, and her husband Jeffrey Kent’s Abercrombie and Kent team.

Another friend was Lord Patrick Beresford.

Butler said Beresford convinced The Queen to let them dust off the Coronation Cup in 1971, which, with the exception of 1953, had sat idle for decades.

He and Butler also talked Ronnie Ferguson into taking over management of the Guards Polo Club.

“He had been Prince Charles’ polo manager, but we talked him into it. He is the person who really turned that club upside down and made it happen.

He brought in all the commercial sponsorship, including Cartier,” said Butler. “Windsor was a very small operation when I came, but when I left it was really growing …”

Butler spent a lot of time with Prince Philip and even more time with Prince Charles. “Every time Charles came to this country, I would supply him

Michael Butler, playing in Oak Brook in the early 1980s.

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

American team captain Michael Butler receives a trophy in Jamaica.

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Michael Butler, Stuart Mackenzie, Dan Shirey, Michael Dailey, Richard Kimber, Tommy Harris, Fred Stauder and Dale Schwetz in 1984.

with ponies,” Butler said.

Butler arranged for Charles to come to Oak Brook with a British team in 1986, the only time he played with a British team in the U.S. as he normally played with American teams when he visited.

“It was quite an event for everybody in Chicago for him to come,” explained Butler. “He was a very good player. He could have been 5 or 6 if he didn’t have his schedule. I wouldn’t have that job for all the tea in China.”

Butler may not have envied Charles’ royal duties, however he did his share of civic duties. After doing work for Jack Kennedy in the Middle East, Bobby Kennedy asked him to get involved in Otto Kerner’s reelection campaign.

“Otto Kerner was the governor of Illinois. He was being opposed by Chuck Percy, the wunderkind running Bell and Howell in Illinois. The odds were 71 that he would beat Otto to be reelected,” said Butler. “I agreed to [help] and wound up running most of Otto’s campaign and winning. … Otto was appointed chairman of the [National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders]. His [vice] chair was John Lindsay, [then] mayor of New York. Bobby asked me to go with Otto to New York, and so I did.”

Known as the Kerner Commission, it was established by President Lyndon B. Johnson to investigate the causes of the 1967 race riots. The 1968 commission report blamed lack of economic opportunity, failed social service programs, police brutality, racism and the white-oriented media.

Butler was very much against the Vietnam War so he decided to run for U.S. Senate after Otto and then-Chicago Mayor Richard Daley pledged their support for him.

“Frankly, in Illinois, that’s all you needed,” said

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

Butler. So, he was going to be a senator. But while in New York, he happened to see an ad for “Hair,” the American tribal love rock musical in a newspaper.

The ad showed a picture of five Indian braves.

“I thought, my God, the Indians are going to do a show together. My grandfather had instilled in me a great concern for native Americans, which was my major cause until I got involved in the Vietnam War,” said Butler. “So, I got tickets to the first preview of this show, which was at The Public Theater.” He went with friend and author Nancy Friday, whom Butler had worked with. He said it was the strongest anti-war statement he had ever seen, and saw it as a great way to show his constituency what he felt about the Vietnam War. He asked Roger Stevens, who was head of Kennedy Center, for an introduction to Joe Papp, the head of The Public Theater. He asked Papp if he could take the show to Chicago but Papp declined, saying they run for four or six weeks then move on to something else. But about 10 days after Butler

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returned to Oak Brook, Papp called, saying he had a change of heart, they were getting good reviews and asked Butler to be co-producer.

“I said, yes, and I called the governor and mayor and told them I was not going to run for the Senate,” said Butler. “They thought I was absolutely crazy, they really did. However, a couple of years later, Percy, by that time a U.S. senator and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and his wife came to Warfield Hall for the weekend. While there, he said, ‘Michael, you made the best decision of your life when you decided to do ‘Hair’ instead of becoming a senator.”

Butler admits he had never produced anything prior to “Hair” so his initial co-production didn’t succeed and Papp dropped out. Unfazed, Butler took the show on himself. He had the support of Stevens, who he called the best producer on Broadway.

Butler wanted the show to be seen by as many people as possible. The show was doing very well on Broadway, but against the advise of business people, he decided to open it in Boston, Washington, Philadelphia and Chicago.

“At one time, we had 12 companies going across the country at the same time,” said Butler. “In the beginning a lot of the critics were always talking about the music, not talking about the story. But it has a terrific story.

“Almost anybody who was in ‘Hair’ will tell you it changed their life. And of course that starts with me.

It changed my life, too. ... There is something so special about it and the effect it has on everybody who is involved in it. That is what gives it strength.”

As much as the production had an effect on his life, Butler admits polo has dominated his life more than anything, almost like a drug would.

“Polo meant more to me than any aspect of my life. Most of my friends are people who are tied to polo. It meant a tremendous amount to me—the spirit and meaning of the game,” he explained.

Butler calls polo the most difficult sport to play, and he enjoys the family-like feel of it—no matter if you are a king or a cowboy, if you play polo you are welcomed almost anywhere. Even after seeing three players killed in polo accidents and having several accidents himself, he was still fascinated with it.

Butler has remained close to many of his former polo teammates. McKenzie, Tongg and Mike Dailey all live in Hawaii, a place Butler visits often. Butler attended a luau in celebration of Murph Dailey’s 100th birthday. “I was fortunate to have my dream team together: Ronnie Tongg, Stuart, Mike Dailey and myself,” he said.

He admits he used to literally live in a plane, however now, at 93, he is reliant on a walker, which limits his travel. That doesn’t keep him from working and he hasn’t seemed to slow down.

He is currently working on another production of “Hair,”—now in its 52nd year—which is scheduled to open in Hollywood in February 2021. The production is scheduled to tour after that.

“It is very pertinent today, maybe is some ways more so than it was in 1968,” Butler remarked. “I have a great crew. They are all like half, to one-third my age, but they are a lot of fun to work with. ... We have a reworked script by the original author. It’s exactly the same story, same songs, but he’s tightened up different aspects of it, which makes it an even better show.”

Butler has a son, Adam, whom he had with his third wife, Loyce Stinson Hand. He calls his son his greatest pleasure. He now lives with him, his daughter-in-law and grandson in Los Angeles, however, he stays involved with the Oak Brook Polo Club and visits once or twice each summer. He has a series of podcasts about his colorful life and is working on another series about Oak Brook polo, to be released in 2022, coinciding with the club’s 100th anniversary. For more information on Michael Butler, go to michaelbutler.com.

•

Michael Butler receives a proclamation from the mayor’s office in 1985 during a match between USA and Mexico.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 43

P O L O I N T H E PA M PA S

In the black Hilario Ulloa prepares to join Ellerstina for the Triple Crown

By Lucas Noel

SERGIO LLAMERA

After a great Gold Cup for the British Open and while he is waiting for his first appearance with Ellerstina, Hilario Ulloa plans the most transcendental moment of the year: the Argentine Triple Crown.

Lincoln is a city of 28,000 inhabitants, located northwest of Buenos Aires. It is, as its number of residents suggests, extremely quiet. Ulloa is a native of this city and on the family farm, he carried out the required quarantine upon his arrival from England, where he reached the semifinals of the Gold Cup with Park Place Vaara.

All this secluded time allowed the next member of Ellerstina to diagram the most important moment of this year. To use the word ‘diagram’ is perhaps exaggerated because in Argentina it is not yet known how the season will take place. The dates for the Tortugas and Hurlingham Open, let alone the Palermo schedule, are not yet confirmed. While the organizational conflicts are being resolved, Hilario has two clear challenges that monopolize his attention: to integrate himself into the tactical scheme of the Pieres brothers and find the formula to defeat La Dolfina. All this dressed in black.

You were summoned to play in Britain at the last minute, a surprise in one of the 44 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

most important competitions. Did you wonder how far you would go?

Yes, I was very happy. I knew it was going to be a very difficult year. I had already settled in the countryside to spend the winter and make new horses. Suddenly, Andrey [Borodin] called me and, within 48 hours, I was in England, in summer and we started playing right away. It was a pleasure to compete and play for Park Place. We had a great Gold Cup. We could have even played better in the semifinal (defeated by Next Generation with the Cambiasos), but still, we were very close.

Do you feel you have formed a true partnership with Juan Britos on the field?

Also, you played with two English boys with great potential: Nicholas Rogerson and Will Harper.

We have been playing together with Juano for a while now and we understand each other very well.

That was a little bit Andrey’s idea and also to prepare for the season in Florida, in the United States, where we will also be playing together. It was great for us.

And as for Will Harper, he is without a doubt one of the great promises of English polo. He emerged, he played incredible and it was a pleasure. When you meet a young man like that in a quartet, you automatically have a great team.

How did you adapt to the lack of spectators?

Playing without people takes away the atmosphere, takes away the passion, takes away the extra the games have—having your people, your family, your audience cheering, especially when a semi-final is played. You live differently and this year it was so much colder. Looking at the bright side, with the enormous problem that exists in the whole world, we were lucky to be playing, to be competing and, at the same time, to be working.

What did you think of some of the changes to the rules in order to avoid players being crowded on the field?

I think maybe it helped to realize that you adapt to everything. They changed the rules, some for the better and others I don’t know if that much. But we were all very happy to be in England playing. We put

our best will into it and ended up accepting the rules in the best possible way. I do not know if some are ideal to remain, but without a doubt it is good to try.

Being in the same [Park Place] organization, you shared many meetings and practices with Facundo and Gonzalo Pieres. What are you planning for the new Ellerstina?

It was truly great. I am very grateful to Andrey for taking me, because it not only helped me to work and compete, but it was also very useful to share the dayto-day life in the stables with Gonza and Facu. We were able to get to know each other much better. It was three months of constantly playing practices together or against [each other]. For the Argentine season it meant a great advance.

Hilario will wear the Ellerstina jersey near his 35th birthday on December 18. Argentine Open finalist with Alegria in 2013, today he is a world elite 10 goals. But, in joining Ellerstina, he will have the same challenge as his predecessors: joining a structure that suffers from the absence of a back with innate conditions for the position.

The challenge is to snatch the title in Palermo from La Dolfina, something that has not happened since 2012. Hilario has plenty of confidence. In addition, it is an atypical year and everything is yet to be decided.

At what point in your career does this opportunity with Ellerstina come to you?

It grabs me in the prime of my career. It is my best moment between maturity, experience, desire and horse organization. Now I have more structure, without a doubt. It comes at the right time in my professional career.

Ellerstina’s issue in recent years was functioning: there was no natural back and the movements they have tried in recent seasons never solved it.

Yes, we know that. That topic is present. But we also know that with the team we have and with the players we have, we intend to be a very dynamic formation, with many rotations. Nico has been proving for years that he is a great back. Gonzalito has been playing No. 3 abroad for more than 10 years and he can do it without any problem.

However, the idea is to try other positions and see if there is something else that is even better. But I think it can become a very versatile team, with a lot of circulation, a lot of intensity and that is going to be something new and different.

SERGIO LLAMERA

P O L O I N T H E PA M PA S

How much did the pandemic affect your preparation for the Triple Crown?

Now I am in the countryside, resting and enjoying [time] with my family. I like being here and I use it as a preparation before the season starts. The only thing that has affected me is that everything is delayed. My personal organization and my horses are going very well so far. All my horses are already in Pilar, working, exercising and getting ready. [We are] a little more delayed than usual, but everything is on track.

Can you imagine the season in Argentina without spectators?

Playing Palermo without an [audience] would be a pity and it wouldn’t be the same. But it is a special situation and you have to understand it.

You have to know that there are people who are having a hard time and are suffering. If the entire season should be behind closed doors and colder as it was in England, so be it if it’s the best for everyone. We will be lucky to be competing and playing what we expect all year.

What if the Argentine Open final was played at Christmas?

It would be the best Christmas present ever: to play the final in Palermo and win it.

•

Hilario Ulloa has traded in his orange Las Monjitas jersey for a black Ellerstina jersey in the Argentine Triple Crown.

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

POLO AROUND THE GLOBE

England Third time is the charm for Les Lions/Great Oak

By Gwen Rizzo

ALICE GIPPS

After an unusual, if not difficult, start to the British high-goal season, the top three tournaments were eventually played to empty grandstands at three different clubs.

After the global pandemic put a halt to polo, the Hurlingham Polo Association began making plans to get the season started. At the same time, Argentina announced it was halting all incoming and outgoing commercial flights until September. A group of over 100 players and support staff flew out of Argentina on a chartered flight, arriving in England days ahead of government-imposed 14-day quarantine. Shortly after practices began, The Department for Digital Culture, Media and Sport announced that only those that earned a living playing sports or those 16 years or older and in an elite pathway program were eligible to begin competitions.

This rule essentially prohibited team patrons and other amateurs from playing. It also would have eliminated 14year-old Poroto Cambiaso, who was scheduled to play with his father. The polo association met with the DCMS and legal advisers and the rule was revised to allow teams to play as long as they contained a minimum of three professionals (or elite pathway players) along with a player responsible for putting together and entering the team.

Rules were revised to ensure minimal contact between players. Bowl-ins (except to begin overtime) were eliminated. Instead, games began with the team winning a coin flip getting a free hit from the center. After goals were scored, the opponent hit in

Barto Castagnola’s Chalo Angelo was the Queen’s Cup Best Playing Pony.

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

from the 60-yard line. Goals were switched after each chukker rather than after each goal. Players were limited to 10 horses each to limit the number of staff needed on site at matches, and players, staff and umpires wore masks during the games.

Play began at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club. The club was founded in 1986 by music mogul Bryan Morrison who worked with musical talent such as Pink Floyd, The Bee Gees, George Michael and many more. Morrison converted a 220-acre estate he had purchased the previous year into the club, with the Prince of Wales joining as its first member. The same year, the first Prince of Wales Trophy was played.

The tournament was played again this year with seven teams competing in a single-elimination format. Matches began on June 15 and continued everyday for a week with each team getting two matches. Park Place and Les Lions made it to the final, the only teams with 2-0 records. The final was played on June 24.

With temperatures hotter than normal—reaching the upper-80s—for the final, officials allowed players time to switch horses midway through each chukker.

Alejandro Muzzio put Les Lions on the board 40 seconds into the match but Kian Hall responded for Park Place. The teams battled until Hall scored again with less than 30 seconds left. Park Place took control in the second chukker with a trio of goals from brothers Gonzalo and Facundo Pieres. Barto Castagnola walked in a goal with 17 seconds left in the chukker to keep Les Lions in the game, 5-2.

Santiago Laborde cut the deficit early in the third but Muzzio was given a yellow card, which resulted in a Penalty 2 for Park Place. Facundo Pieres had no trouble converting it to double up Les Lions, 6-3, at the half.

The second half began with a flurry of fouls.

Facundo Pieres converted back-to-back open goal penalties, but Castagnola converted three in a row to bring his team back within two, 8-6. Facundo Pieres scored again to end the chukker ahead by three. A Penalty 2 conversion by Castagnola got the team closer but Gonzalo Pieres responded. Hall stole the ball on a broken knock in and sent it

MARK BEAUMONT

POLO AROUND THE GLOBE

through the posts. Les Lions kept fighting, shooting at goal but sending them wide. Third time was a charm as Muzzio tallied with seconds left in the chukker.

Les Lions was trailing by three when two in a row

by Hall increased the difference to five. Castagnola added one more with a minute left but that would be all and Park Place had the win, 13-9. Hall, who led Park Place with six goals, was MVP. Gonzalo Pieres’ Lovelocks Illusive (Clark x Grappa Ilusa) was Best Playing Pony. Castagnola led Les Lions with six goals and matched Facundo Pieres for Top Scorer of the tournament with 14.

The British Open Gold Cup, usually the last tournament of the season, was played next, with 10 teams in contention at Cowdray Park Polo Club.

The tournament dates back to 1956. The club property dates back to the early 1500s. The castle ruins that serve as a unique backdrop to the polo fields were said to have been visited by King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I. In 1793, while undergoing repairs, a fire broke out largely destroying the building. In the early 1900s, the 1st Viscount Cowdray commissioned restoration of parts of the Tudor building to keep it from total collapse. More restoration was done and in 2007,

the restored areas were opened to the public.

After three weeks of play, Les Lions/Great Oaks and Next Generation made it through the semifinals and onto the final. Next Generation was formerly known as La Bamba de Areco, however, patron JeanFrançois Decaux decided on the name change in honor of Adolfo’s 14-year-old son, Poroto, who joined the team for the first time. Masks, which were seen on all the players in the first tournament, were less visible as the tournaments went on.

The final pitted brothers Camilo “Jeta”—back in the saddle after an injury kept him from the first tournament—and Barto Castagnola against their cousin and uncle (Poroto and Adolfo Cambiaso).

The Castagnolas were on the winning team last year, wearing the Dubai shirts with Rashid Albwardy.

This time they played alongside Dillon Bacon and Santi Laborde while the Cambiasos joined Decaux and Diego Cavanagh, who replaced Pelon Stirling, after he broke his thumb on a direct pass from teammate Adolfo Cambiaso.

It would be a rematch of the opening match of the tournament when Les Lions/Great Oaks got the best of Next Generation, 14-10. This was a different day and Next Generation started out strong. Just seconds into the match Cambiaso sunk a Penalty 4. Cavanagh

Brothers Barto and Jeta Castagnola take on their cousin Poroto Cambiaso in the Gold Cup final.

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

ALICE GIPPS

POLO AROUND THE GLOBE

followed by sandwiching goals around one from Barto Castagnola for a 4-1 lead after the first seven minutes.

Les Lions drove to goal early in the second but it went wide. Barto than converted a Penalty 4 but Poroto Cambiaso responded, carrying the ball through traffic and around the goal post on eventual Best Playing Pony Pintita, doubling up Les Lions, 4-2. Les Lions kept pace in the third with each team scoring three times.

Cavanagh took advantage of a pair of Penalty 2 opportunities and Adolfo Cambiaso found the mark. On the other side, Laborde scored twice and Jeta Castagnola got past both Cambiasos to reach the goal.

The half ended with Next Generation leading 7-5.

Les Lions caught back up in the fourth when Barto Castagnola muscled his way to goal. The ball was just about to go through but the umpires blew a foul on a Next Generation player and a yellow card was given for overuse of the whip. Les Lions was awarded a Penalty 2, which Barto converted, then a Penalty 5b for the yellow card. Barto passed to Jeta, who sent it to Bacon for the goal, leveling the score at 7-all. Next Generation got back the lead after Poroto found himself in the right spots on poorly-executed back shots for backto-back tallies. Adolfo Cambiaso sunk another Penalty 4, putting the team ahead, 10-7.

ALICE GIPPS

Who are those masked men: Park Place’s Andrey Borodin, Kian Hall, Gonzalo Pieres and Facundo Pieres, winners of the Prince of Wales Trophy.

Queen’s Cup MVP Dillon Bacon

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

Early in the fifth, Poroto ran around dodging opponents, showcasing his horsemanship and talented horses. He ran, then stopped on a dime; he ran left, then back to the right. Adolfo got a hold of the ball and Jeta got caught in his way. Cavanaugh converted the ensuing Penalty 3 to go up by four.

But Les Lions kept fighting and goals by Jeta and Barto (Penalty 2) got the team back within two for the last seven minutes.

The last chukker saw Les Lions trying hard to make up for the deficit, but in doing so, they ended up making costly fouls. Jeta passed to Laborde early in the chukker, but the ball went wide. Ninety seconds later, Jeta bounced the ball out of the air and into the goal to come within one, but Cavanaugh answered with a Penalty 3 conversion.

Knocking-in, Barto passed to Jeta who sent the ball to Bacon for a score. But, Bacon was whistled for an uneven ride off shortly after, and Cavanaugh converted the Penalty 2. Next Generation was awarded another Penalty 2 with a minute and a half left, which Cavanaugh had no trouble converting, putting the final nail in the coffin. Still, Les Lions played hard until the end. Barto sent through the last goal with under a minute left, as the team fell, 14-12.

Bacon’s Small Ax was Best Playing Pony-Patron, while Pintita, owned by Valiente, bred by La Aguada and played by Poroto Cambiaso, was Best Playing Pony. Adolfo Cambiaso was MVP. The last time a father-and-son duo won the tournament was when John and Jack Oxley did in 1970.

It was the second Gold Cup victory for Decaux, who won in 2009 with brothers Gonzalo and Facundo Pieres. “It is a special second win because I am playing with the best player ever, Adolfo

ALICE GIPPS

POLO AROUND THE GLOBE

Cambiaso, and his son who is 14 years of age,” he said. “So, we are writing a new page in polo history today with the youngest player ever winning the British Open Championship.”

Adolfo Cambiaso and Cavanagh won the tournament together in 2014. Cavanagh said, “I am very happy. Winning the Gold Cup is a dream come true. With this team, with friends, this is with help from Pelon [Stirling]. He put the team in the semis.

He couldn’t be here today, but all his horses were here, all his organization, his grooms so I have to thank Pelon and the other team.”

The Queen’s Cup began on July 28, with 10 teams divided into two brackets. The tournament was held at the Guards Polo Club, formerly known as the Household Brigade Polo Club, which was founded in 1955. Prince Philip served as the first club president. The name change was made in 1969 and in 2000 the club became a civilian club.

Located at Smith’s Lawn, the club includes a dozen fields, including the Queen’s Ground; a clubhouse with restaurant and bar; 120 stalls and an exercise track. The magnificent Windsor Castle serves as the backdrop for two of the fields.

Playoffs were held over two weeks before the knock-out phase began. Next Generation, which entered with a 3-1 record, was narrowly eliminated

by Les Lions/Great Oaks (2-2), that moved on to the semis. Other semifinalist included Park Place, the only team to emerge undefeated at 4-0; and Scone and Thai Polo, both with 3-1 records.

Les Lions seemed to be getting stronger and edged Thai Polo, 10-9, to earn a spot in its third final in a row, while Park Place had no trouble ousting Scone, 14-8. Les Lions would get a chance to revenge its Prince of Wales Cup defeat, but this time

ALICE GIPPS

Les Lions/ Great Oaks’ Santi Laborde, Barto Castagnola, Dillon Bacon and Jeta Castagnola won the Queen’s Cup.

it would feature brother pairs on both sides: Facundo and Gonzalo for Park Place and teenagers 19-year-old Barto and 17-year-old Jeta Castagnola for Les Lions/Great Oaks.

The final was held on Aug. 23. The teams lined up with their best horses. The Castagnola’s strings were propped up with five top horses from Ali Albwardy.

The empty stands were a stark contrast from the thousands that normally attend and the Queen’s absence was an exclamation mark on an unusual season.

Les Lions/Great Oaks’ Dillon Bacon holds out Park Place’s Facundo Pieres, giving Jeta Castagnola room to run in the Queen’s Cup final.

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

Barto Castagnola catches up to Gonzalo Pieres in the Prince of Wales Trophy final.

MARK BEAUMONT

Diego Cavanagh reaches to hook Santi Laborde in the Gold Cup final.

Les Lions/Great Oaks got off to a great start. A Penalty 3 conversion by Jeta Castagnola put the team on the board. Laborde then struck. The team missed on a Penalty 4 opportunity, followed by a

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

tally from Bacon. Park Place nearly scored in the last seconds of the chukker, but Barto Castagnola saved it, limiting the team to the handicap goal it received. Facundo Pieres scored for Park Place early in the second, making the most of a Penalty 5. Park Place successfully shut down Les Lions/Great Oaks in the second but was not able to gain much ground.

Three shots off Facundo Pieres’ mallet went wide.

Early in the third, Les Lions was awarded a Penalty 3, but it was stopped by Facundo. A few minutes later, Facundo carried the ball through traffic to level the score at 3-3, but soon after, Barto scored under pressure from Will Harper, to carry a narrow, 4-3 lead into the half.

Without the traditional halftime divot stomp, the field remained choppy into the second half, with the ball bouncing. Neither team scored for the first five minutes of the fourth. Jeta broke the drought with a Penalty 4 conversion. Facundo responded with a Penalty 2 conversion shortly after. Just before the 30-second horn, Laborde sunk a neckshot to end the chukker with Les Lions ahead, 6-4.

Park Place shot to goal twice without luck. On the second knock-in by Les Lions, the ball was stolen

by Park Place but Barto snatched it back. Finally, with two minutes on the clock, Jeta scored despite pressure from Facundo on his hip. A minute later, Gonzalo turned around Barto’s backshot and sent the ball to goal but Les Lions got it back on a Penalty 2 conversion a minute later. Les Lions led 8-

ALICE GIPPS

POLO AROUND THE GLOBE

MARK BEAUMONT

POLO AROUND THE GLOBE

5 going into the sixth.

Park Place dug deep to make up the deficit.

Facundo converted a Penalty 2 then scored on a difficult nearside angle shot with Laborde leaning on him to come within one, 8-7. With just over two minutes left, Gonzalo backed the ball to Facundo who passed it to Harper. After an initial miss, Harper recovered the ball and tied the match. Both teams tried to finish the match in regulation time, but it wasn’t to be and extra time was needed.

A midfield bowl in, the first of the match, started the sudden death overtime. Players were instructed to lineup six feet apart. Les Lions won the bowl-in, Barto coming out with the ball, carrying it on both sides but was unable to finish it off. Soon after, Gonzalo stole the ball, eliciting whistles from the Les Lions side. Facundo got out front but the drive was turned back by Barto. With two minutes gone, Barto got the ball and ran to goal but with Borodin chasing him down, Jeta came in to help. Barto took out the defender while Jeta, unchallenged, hit to goal with two careful shots, a third push ensuring it crossed the goal line for the win.

Barto said, “When I hit the ball it was amazing because I hit hard and towards the goal. Jeta was coming through strong. He shouted for the ball and I left if for him.”

“I had more horsepower and he took [Borodin] out of the way,” explained Jeta. “I said, I can’t miss this.”

Dillon Bacon was named MVP, though he attributed the team’s success to teamwork. “This is one of the best moments of my life,” he said. “I have dreamed of winning the Queen’s Cup every since coming here with my father as a kid ... This season everything came together: the team, the horses, the teamwork and importantly, the chemistry. We had ups and downs, making it to two other finals but today we had one last thing to prove it and win it ...”

Barto Castagnola’s Chalo Angelo was Best Playing Pony while Facundo Pieres’ Open Mediteránea was the best Argentine-bred horse.

Laborde, who worked hard at back, complimented the team well. “I can’t believe it yet, after so much effort. We lost two finals already and it was going to be an incredible season, or if we didn’t win today, a bitter taste,” he said. “I think we deserved it. In the Gold Cup we made a lot of fouls and today we tried to avoid it because Facundo doesn’t miss any penalty shots.”

The players managed to deliver a highly competitive season amid a global pandemic. The highlights were the youngest players: Poroto Cambiaso, Jeta Castagnola and Barto Castagnola. At the end of August, ESPN Polo announced on Twitter that the Hurlingham Polo Association had raised Barto from 8 to 9, while Jeta would go from 7 to 8.

Poroto Cambiaso would go from 5 to 6. Additionally, Tommy Beresford and Jero del Carril went from 6 to 7. Gonzalo Pieres was lowered from 10 to 9.

•

Next Generation’s Adolfo Cambiaso, Diego Cavanagh, Jean-François Decaux and Poroto Cambiaso won the Gold Cup. They are shown with Barto Castagnola and Dillon Bacon.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 51

POLO REPORT DISPATCHES FROM THE WORLD OF POLO CENTRAL

COLIN MACDONALD

BLUE TRIUMPHS IN SPENCER SMITH MEMORIAL

Davis McClarty, far left, and Tia Andrews, middle, tangle in the Spencer Smith Memorial.

Andrews’ teammate Katie Smith and McClarty’s teammate Regan Smith are far right.

T

HE Springfield Polo Club held its 2nd Annual Spencer Smith Memorial at its renowned fields in Birds Hill Provincial Park, in Manitoba, Canada, Aug. 22-23. Two teams played off over two days, ending knotted in a tie and requiring a shootout to name the tournament winner.

Although travel was still permitted within Western Canada, the club made the responsible but difficult decision to avoid inviting out-of-town teams to compete due to rising concerns sur-

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

rounding the novel coronavirus. With a resolve to continue to honor Spencer Smith, the club member pivotal in shaping the club throughout 30-plus years before losing his fight with cancer in 2018, the club elected to field teams of local players.

Many local members stepped up to take on big roles on the field throughout the season, along with finding more time to exercise and train their horses in the unusual year with open schedules and an absence of hired

help for the horses. Ultimately, the involving nature of the year for local club members brought out the best of each member’s playing and riding abilities and it was highlighted during the tournament.

Just as Smith would have liked it when he was managing the fields and organizing the tournaments, the playing surface was immaculate going into Sunday’s final. After ending level at 44 the first day, the teams continued the second day with extremely close

R E P O R T

COLIN MACDONALD

P O L O

Red’s Lauren King comes in to hook Blue’s Gary Senft in the Spencer Smith Memorial tournament in Manitoba, Canada.

and competitive play. Red (Regan Smith, Davis McClarty, Bruce King, Lauren King, Jordan Bull, John Keller), captained by 2019 NYTS Championship player Regan Smith, had the 3-2 advantage going into the final chukker but that disappeared when McClarty put a strong back shot into the chest of Garrett Smith and the turnover gave him the chance to send a long cut shot in the goal for the 3-3 tie.

Back and forth action followed with several great runs by young rising stars Tia Andrews and Lauren King but it was another new member, Jordan Bull, who made his mark and put Red up 4-3 with a play across the goal and an open back shot that took a hop and went post-in.

With only a minute to spare, Blue (Garrett Smith, Katie Smith, Gary Senft, Chandler Howe, Tia Andrews) was on the ropes when Katie Smith took a page out of longtime Prairie Polo Club legend Cledwyn Lewis’ book and pulled out the belly shot to tie the game after a mad scramble in front of the goal. A shootout was needed and the fans got a welcome treat as they all took to the field to get a closer look.

True to the theme of the tournament and season, all players on the field for the last chukker participated in the shootout. After two tied rounds,

Tevis Ranch/Chalk Hill’s Rafael Hernandez, Richard Mansfield, Fabian Lezcano and Elizabeth Mansfield won the Masters Cup.

Blue sealed the deal to cheers from friends, family members and local fans spending the day in the park.

The club hopes to return to a threeday format with visiting teams for next year’s edition.

CALIFORNIA

TEVIS/CHALK HILL ACES MASTERS CUP ACTION Tevis Ranch/Chalk Hill topped a four-team line up to take the Masters Cup at Cerro Pampa Polo Club in Petaluma, California, on Aug. 22.

The first semifinal match saw Cerro Pampa (Michael LaBlanc, Gregory LaBlanc, Hassan Khan, Ashton Wolfson) fall hard, succumbing to Tevis Ranch/Chalk Hill (Elizabeth Mansfield, Fabian Lezcano, Richard Mansfield, Rafael Hernandez), 12-1.

The second semifinal was much closer with Casa Socas (Ian Breed/Timur Kotelnikov, Katy Mckegney, Will Harris Toto Socas) narrowly edging Baum Squad (Steve Baumhoff, Michael Downing, Cipi Echezarreta, Erik Wright), 6-5.

The final between Casa Socas and Tevis Ranch/Chalk Hill was also very close. Casa Socas began with a handicap goal. Neither team could reach the goal in the first seven minutes. Socas slammed through back-to-back goals in

the second but Elizabeth Mansfield and Richard Mansfield each scored to get in the game. Tevis Ranch/Chalk Hill kept the momentum into the third chukker with Elizabeth and Richard each adding another goal and Lezcano scoring one of his own for a 5-3 lead.

Socas trimmed the lead to one in the fourth, 5-4, and the team held Tevis Ranch/Chalk Hill scoreless but was unable to get any closer and Tevis had the win. Lezcano was named MVP. In the consolation, Baum Squad and Cerro Pampa were tied in the first chukker, but Baum Squad took control to overcome Cerro Pampa for the win.

In other action, Sparkle Unicorns (Eileen Duffy, Lucas Esposto/Tracy Dawson, Rachel Faierman/Nicole Hai, Elizabeth Holson) took on Cerro Pampa (Will Ellis/Jena Watson, Illona Kotelnikov/Marcos Esposto, Jennifer Hahamian, Erik Wright) in the low-goal flight Rosé Cup. Sparkle Unicorns got on the board with a pair of goals in the first chukker and another tally early in the second.

Cerro Pampa struggled to find the goal for the first 10 minutes. Finally, Hahamian broke the drought and put the team on the board in the second.

She followed with a lone goal in the third. The team tied the match in the fourth but Sparkle Unicorn got back in the game in the nick of time for the narrow 4-3 win.

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

Quite on Z’s Paco de Narvaez took home Best Playing Pony honors in the last two legs of the Rincon League. Clavel is shown above.

KLENTNER PREVAILS IN MALIBU CUP After falling to Quite on Z in the James Colt Classic, Klentner Ranch won the fight in the final of the Malibu Cup, part of the 8-goal Rincon League at Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club in Carpinteria, California on Aug. 15.

An undefeated Klentner Ranch (Cable Magness, Luke Klentner, Jake Klentner, Jesse Bray) met Quite on Z (Paige Beard, Paquito de Narvaez, Paco de Narvaez, Kristos Magrini) in the final.

Starting out trading goals, Klentner Ranch led 5-3 at the half. Magness came out strong in the second half, tallying three field goals for the Klentner team, with support from three strong teammates. Quite on Z fought back with Paquito de Narvaez scoring a pair of goals and his dad, Paco adding a few more but it wasn’t enough and Klentner proved too tough to overcome.

Klentner won the match, 11-6. Magness was named MVP and Paco de Narvaez’ Poppy was Best Playing Pony.

Rincon action continued with the Montecito Cup, played over two days.

Klentner Ranch didn’t play, dropping the roster to five teams. And Matt Yonally took over for John Ziegler on Barrossa. The first match was played as a round robin. Barrossa/Del Padre

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

defeated both Mayer Ranch and Whitehall Ranch to advance to the final while BGBST Law defeated Quite on Z to take the other Klentner Ranch’s Cable Magness final spot. was named MVP in the Malibu Cup. BFBST Law took advantage of Barrossa/Del Padre’s Quite on Z defeated Barrossa/Del mistakes, capitalizing on five penalties Padre in the first semifinal, while BFBoff the mallet of Luquitas Criado, ST Law advanced over Mayer Ranch added to a pair of goals from Juan Monand Whitehall Ranch in round-robin teverde. Meanwhile, Barrossa/Del play.

Padre was having trouble around the BFBST Law kept up the momengoal and trailed, 7-3, at the half. tum, coming out strong in the first half Barrossa/Del Padre regrouped to lead, 6-4. Quite on Z rallied in the going into the second half. It scored five second half, with Paco de Narvaez tying goals in the fourth and fifth, while holdthe match at 7-7 at the end of the fourth ing BFBST to just two goals. Down by and 8-all at the end of the fifth. The last just a goal going into the last chukker, chukker saw Luquitas Criado and Paco Barrossa/Del Padre tied the match. In de Narvaez trade goals to keep the game an effort to take the lead, Barrossa level. Monteverde broke the tie and Cricaught the umpires’ whistles and BFBado scored an insurance goal with less ST Law took back the lead as Criado than a minute on the clock. converted two penalties in a row.

Juan Monteverde was MVP and Paco Barrossa wouldn’t concede, fighting de Narvaez’s Clavel was Best Playing until the end. It managed another goal Pony. It was the second Best Playing with just under two minutes remaining Pony honor for De Narvaez in as many but time ran out for the team and BFBweeks.

ST had the 11-10 win. Luquitas Criado The players that participated in the was MVP and Juan Monteverde’s ScanRincon League voted on End of Season dalosa was Best Playing Pony. award recipients. Paquito de Narvaez The same teams battled in the was MVP of the league; Jim Wright had Carpinteria Cup, also played over two the Best String; and Cory Willams was days. given the Sportsmanship Award.

DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS.COM

R E P O R T DAVID LOMINSKA/POLOGRAPHICS.COM

P O L O

WILLIAM T. STACY/BLUECINNABAR.COM

R E P O R T

WILLIAM T. STACY/BLUECINNABAR.COM

P O L O

Mother Chukker’s Susannah Forbes helped the team win the Pacific Coast Constitution Cup.

MOTHER CHUKKER WINS CONSTITUTION CUP

WILLIAM T. STACY/BLUECINNABAR.COM

Mother Chukker came out on top in the Pacific Coast Constitution Cup at Wine Country Polo Club in Oakmont, California, Aug. 15-16.

Following a late team forfeiture, three teams played in a round-robin format over two days.

Under the watchful eye of USPA umpire Dan Healy, round one saw STG (Waqass Al-Siddiq, Brian McFall, Jack Ziegler, Ignacio Deltour) facing POLOSF (Caroline Vissers, Vladimir Rivkin, Alberto Gonzalez, Leandro Floccari). The game favored POLOSF, with Gonzalez and Floccari always com-

Mother Chukker’s Carlos Rivas outruns PoloSF’s Caroline Vissers in the Constitution Cup.

bining to counterattack in response to Deltour’s fancy footwork.

Gonzalez’s speed on his selftrained ponies was Players, spectators and staff are reminded to maintain social also noticeable. distancing, keeping at least one horse length apart.

POLOSF ultimately prevailed 4-2.

Despite efforts by Deltour and his teamIn round two, Mother Chukker mates to even the score, plays were (Susannah Forbes, Carlos Rivas, Collin quickly shut down by Guinazu and his White/ Mehrdad Baghai, Francisco team.

Guinazu) dominated STG to win, 4-1.

In the third round, the winners of Led by team captain Guinazu, Mother the first two games lined up for the Chukker quickly built up an early lead throw-in. Mother Chukker met its in the first chukker, with goals by White match with POLOSF. Again, Gonzalez and Forbes. Mother Chukker then and Floccari were able to break away added to its lead in chukker two. and lead the scoring for POLOSF, especially in the second chukker. Gonzalez outpaced the speed of Rivas, whose string was charging hard, but not quite fast enough. POLOSF won 4-2.

Because of an unusual battery of thunderstorms hitting Northern California late Saturday, Sunday’s games were postponed to the following weekend. Meanwhile, those storms ignited one of the worst wildfires in California history–the LNU Lightning Complex fire. While the club was not under direct threat of fire, a thick layer of smoke engulfed the field for over a week, creating a health hazard. The skies eventually cleared and play resumed on Saturday, Aug. 29.

The teams with losses on day one of

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

R E P O R T

Good Thunder’s Tommy Collingwood, Lindo Novillo Corvalan, Miguel Gutierrez and Bill Paterson won the Chicago Open.

the tournament played first. In game one, Mother Chukker edged out STG, 31, with scores by Forbes and White for the winning team and by McFall for STG. In game two, POLOSF outscored STG, 3-2, again with Gonzalez and Floccari leading the charge to goal. McFall and Deltour added a point each for STG, but that was not enough.

By winning the most two-chukker games, the final showdown pitted POLOSF against Mother Chukker.

Mother Chukker, having lost to POLOSF previously, decided to turn the tables. With three goals by Guinazu, two goals by Rivas, and one by Forbes, their win was sealed. Gonzalez and Floccari, a powerhouse duo the day before, seemed flat-footed. They added three goals but it was not enough and Mother Chukker took the 6-3 win.

After two days of play Mother Chukker came out on top with 15 goals, POLOSF was close behind with 14, and STG had 6. Club president Paul Griffin presented the trophies to the winners.

All teams received local wine and a specialty halter. Field owner and club patron Victor Trione was also present to congratulate the players. Pleased with the overall quality of play and sportsmanlike conduct on the field, Trione commented, “This is what it’s all about.

Top flight polo combined with a strong spirit of friendship and comradery.”

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

ANDREW MEIER

ANDREW MEIER

P O L O

Good Thunder’s Lindo Novillo Corvalan scored five goals, including the game winner, in the Chicago Open and was named MVP.

CENTRAL

GOOD THUNDER CRACKS CHICAGO POLO OPEN Good Thunder took the win in the 12-goal Chicago Polo Open at Oak Brook Polo Club in Oak Brook, Illinois, Aug. 16.

The final was between Good Thunder (Bill Paterson, Miguel Gutierrez, Lindo Novillo Corvalan, Tommy Collingwood) and Oak Brook (James Drury, Mariano Gutierrez, Tomas Obregon, Horacio Onetto).

The match featured the traditional opening ceremonies and activities, including a team parade, the National Anthem sung by Reid Taylor and champagne sabering by WGN TV’s Lauren Magiera.

The first chukker got off to a quick start with Obregon scoring the first goal. Mariano Gutierrez responded with a goal to end the first 1-1. Miguel Gutierrez scored back-to-back goals to give Oak Brook a 3-1 lead. Collingwood scored to cut the deficit to one, 3-2.

Good Thunder took the lead in the third with goals by Collingwood, Paterson and Corvalan. Obregon squeezed a goal in before the half ended with Good Thunder ahead, 5-4.

Onetto tied the match early in the

fourth, but Corvalan scored two in a row to push ahead, 7-5. Miguel Gutierrez and Onetto scored in the fifth to knot the score at 7-all. Obregon gave Oak Brook the lead in the sixth, but it was short-lived as Corvalan hammered in back-to-back goals for the 9-8 victory.

Corvalan, who scored five goals in the afternoon, was MVP. Collingwood’s Avispa was Best Playing Pony.

Play continued with the 4-goal Masters Cup and the 8-goal Sportsmanship Cup. The finals of both were held on Aug. 30. A benefit match was held that afternoon for former player Tony Sekera. The annual Team Up for Tony benefit raised $50,000 for Sekera, who was injured in a riding accident in 2017.

In the Masters Cup, Elk Grove-Sanfilippo (Courtney Rohs, Roueen Rafeyan, Lindor Novillo Corvalan, Adam Kaminski) took on Brinker Hill Farm (Kelcey Roberts, RJ Roberts, Christian Aycinena, Pedro Manion).

Brinker Hill got off to an aggressive start with three goals, the first from Aycinena, followed by a Penalty 2 conversion from Kelcey Roberts and a goal from Manion. Kelcey and RJ Roberts both added goals in the second, while Elk Grove continued to be shut out, ending the half, 5-0.

Neither team was able to score in the third chukker, but Corvalan came alive in the fourth, scoring a hat trick to cut

the difference. With time winding down, Manion scored one last time to give Brinker Hill the 6-3 win.

RJ Roberts was named MVP and Corvalan’s Pico Blanco went home with the Best Playing Pony blanket.

In the Sportsmanship Cup, Oak Brook (Jim Drury, Samantha Falbe, Mariano Gutierrez, Tomas Obergon) took on Morgan Creek-Good Thunder (Bill Paterson, Tod Rackley, Cristobal Consiglier, Tommy Collingwood).

Collingwood struck first and Rackley followed with a Penalty 3 conversion.

Collingwood added another in the second before Obregon put Oak Brook on the board with three in a row to tie the score at 3-3. Gutierrez scored a lone goal in the third to put Oak Brook ahead, 4-3, at the half.

Rackley tied the score early in the fourth, but Drury gave the lead back to Oak Brook. It was short-lived however as Consigliere tied the match for the third time. Collingwood and Obregon traded goals, keeping the score level going into the fifth. Collingwood then swapped goals with Gutierrez before Rackley shot in back-to-back goals to give Good Thunder a 9-7 lead. Rackley traded goals with Gutierrez in the sixth, but Oak Brook could get no closer, and Morgan Creek-Good Thunder had the win.

Collingwood took MVP honors and Obregon’s M&M was Best Playing Pony.

Morgan Creek-Good Thunder’s Tommy Collingwood, Cristobal Consiglier, Tod Rackley and Bill Paterson won the Sportsmanship Cup.

EASTERN

NEW HOPE TOPS ARBY DOBB CUP Tinicum Park Polo Club in Erwinna, Pennsylvania, held its annual USPA 4-goal Arby Dobb Cup, July 21-25.

Five teams competed in the event. In the first preliminary match Tinicum Park ((Erica Lipton, Laura Willson, Ahmed Mounkadi, Cheryl Arnold) fell to Boothwyn Pharmacy (Jose Cervantes, Brook Burke, Alan Medina, Manuel

Ontiveros), 7-2.

Boothwyn Pharmacy had a tougher time against Barefield/Stars Aligned (Val Washington, Mark Mulligan, David Halliday, Mauricio Diaz). Barefield scored two goals early, nearly making up for the 2½-goal handicap given to Boothwyn. But Boothwyn kept pace with Barefield/Stars Aligned for the rest of the game, holding on to the half-goal difference for the win, and earning a spot in the final.

Harkwood (Kirk T. Hoffman, Barclay Knapp, Leandro Berrios, Juan Martinez-Baez) faced New Hope (Rhea New Hope’s Trevor Reeves handles the ball while being pursued by Hawkwood’s Barclay Knapp in the Max Berger Cup final.

D. JEAN VERGARA

Brinker Hill Farm’s Kelcey Roberts, backed up by teammate Christian Aycinena, leads the pack in the Masters Cup final.

ANDREW MEIER

R E P O R T

ANDREW MEIER

P O L O

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

P O L O

R E P O R T

Cessna’s Miki Astrada, Chip Campbell, Miguel Astrada and Gonzalo Teves won the Gallatin Ranch Cup.

Bendabout’s Gillian Johnston, Julian de Lusarreta, KC Krueger and Steve Krueger won the Bradford Brinton Memorial.

Lowenthal, Tim Cheromcka, Trevor Reeves, Nate Berube) in a battle for the other final spot. The game started out close but New Hope pulled ahead to double up Harkwood, 8-4. Reeves scored seven of New Hope’s goals.

Hawkwood played Barefield/Stars Aligned in a fast-paced consolation match. Hawkwood prevailed 5½-3.

New Hope traded its hot pink jerseys for red ones with a sheep dog emblem representing the cup’s longtime sponsor. Arby Dobb’s Greg Krugg and his family and Mike Brady have been club sponsors for over 20 years.

The teams lined up under the watchful eyes of umpires Dennis Santana and Marcos Bignoli. Medina put Boothwyn Pharmacy on the board, but Berube answered. Boothwyn continued to play well but the chemistry between Reeves and Berube proved too tough to beat and New Hope took the 9-4 win.

Reeves was MVP and Ontiveros’ Gabby was Best Playing Pony.

The previous week, four teams competed in the USPA 4-goal Max Berger Cup. Players, dedicated to supporting the longstanding tournament and enticed by USPA prize money, signed up despite rain delays and the obstacles of COVID-19 regulations.

Barefield (Val Washington, Mark Mulligan, Dario Sotomayor, Mauricio

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

Diaz) fell to Hawkwood (Barclay Knapp, Talha Chaudhry, Leandro Berrios, Juan Martinez-Baez), 8-4½, in the first semi.

The other semifinal saw New Hope (Rhea Lowenthal, Dennis Santana, Trevor Reeves, Tim Cheromcka) overpower Boothwyn Pharmacy (Jose Cervantes, Alan Medina, Manuel Ontiveros, Brook Burke), shutting it out and holding it to the handicap it was given, ending 6-2½.

Barefield and Boothwyn Pharmacy settled for the consolation, with Barefield prevailing.

In the final, Hawkwood faced New Hope. Hawkwood took control in the first half. New Hope rallied in the second half, outscoring Hawkwood, but it was unable to make up for the first half deficit and Hawkwood took the trophies. Hawkwood also took the largest share of the tournament prize money, part of the USPA’s COVID-19 tournament stimulus. Juan MartinezBaez also took the MVP trophy.

PAC I F I C N O R T H W E S T

CESSNA TRIUMPHS IN GALLATIN RANCH CUP Father and son, Miguel and Miki Novillo Astrada, led Cessna to victory

in the Gallatin Ranch Cup at Flying H Polo Club in Big Horn, Wyoming, Aug. 8. The Astradas were joined by Chip Campbell and Gonzalo Teves.

The team took on The Villages (Paige Boone, Frankie Bilbao, Steve Krueger, Craig Duke) in the final after giving them a five-goal handicap. The Astradas jumped right out in the first chukker, scoring four goals to chip away at the deficit. Krueger added a goal for the The Villages to keep out front.

The dynamic duo kept up the pressure in the second, combining for three goals but The Villages made the most out a pair of open-goal penalties off the mallet of Boone to maintain a narrow lead. Campbell sunk a Penalty 3 in the third and Miguel Astrada split the uprights but Bilboa sunk a Penalty 4, ending the half, 9-9.

Teves and Campbell took over in the fourth, combining for three goals while The Villages was silenced. The fifth chukker kept the umpires’ whistles busy, with Boone sinking a trio and Campbell a pair—all open-goal penalties. Leading by two, Miguel Astrada sunk a final goal, the only one of the sixth, to seal the victory, 15-12.

Steve Krueger was MVP and his mare Sophie was Best Playing Pony.

In the consolation rounds, Parrot Heads (Roni Duke, Jeff Blake, Malia

Bryan, Pite Merlos) edged Jan Pamela (Wayne Garrison, Will Johston, Lucio Benedit, Hector Galindo), 10-9, in the Circle V Cup; and Clearwater (Camp Campbell, Sugar Erskine, Nico Saenz, KC Krueger) slipped Bendabout (Tom Sprung, Gillian Johnston, Carlitos Galindo, Julian de Lusarreta), 13-12. In the latter match, Camp Campbell was MVP and Galindo’s Paparazzi was Best Playing Pony.

Action continued in the Bradford Brinton Memorial the following week.

Bendabout (Gillian Johnston, KC Krueger, Steve Krueger, Julian de Lusarreta) faced Parrot Heads (Roni Duke, Camp Campbell, Nico Saenz, Pite Merlos) in the final.

Bendabout jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first chukker. It added three more in the second, while Parrot Heads was held to a single penalty conversion.

Johnston and Steve Krueger traded goals with Saenz in the third, ending the half, 9-4. Merlos took control in the fourth, scoring three goals while Bendabout was held to one. But that flipflopped in the fifth, with Bendabout outscoring Parrot Heads, 3-1, thanks to strong team play.

Trailing 13-8 going into the sixth, Parrot Heads had another strong chukker but it wasn’t enough and Bendabout had the 14-11 win. Saenz was MVP and Johnston’s Wizard was Best Playing Pony.

In the consolation Red Grade Cup, Evergreen (Tom Sprung, Malia Bryan, Carlitos Galindo, Miguel Astrada) defeate Jan Pamela (Wayne Garrison, Mia Astrada, Sugar Erskine, Hector Galindo), 12-7. Sprung was MVP and Garrison’s Maggie was Best Playing Pony. Carlitos Galindo led Evergreen with a game-high six goals.

In the consolation Turban Creek Challenge, No Trees (Chip Campbell, Gonzalo Teves, Jeff Blake, Craig Duke) beat The Villages (Paige Boone, Will Johnston, Lucio Benedit, Frankie Bilbao), 13-11.

OBITUARY

RUTH DALSKY

Ruth Ann Dalsky of Keswick, Virgnia, passed away peacefully at home Jan. 1, at the age of 58 after a brief courageous battle with brain cancer.

Born Dec. 9, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois, she was the only child of Jean M. Dalsky and Benno W. Dalsky. Ruth earned a bachelor of science degree from Northern Illinois University and a masters from University of Virginia. An inquisitive mind made her a lifetime learner with additional studies at William and Mary’s Marine, Piedmont Community College and UVa. After a career as a counselor in the nutrition clinic, Ruth joined the court system as a magistrate in the Charlottesville office 12 years ago.

Ruth will be remembered for her wide variety of interests, sense of humor and quest for living. Her love for animals kept her house and barn overflowing with dogs, cats, tropical birds, horses and others that needed a home.

Along with Rita Mae Brown, Ruth co-founded the Piedmont Women’s Polo Club in 1988. It was made up of a handful of women, playing mostly on borrowed ponies in a borrowed facility. In later years, the club leased the Virginia Polo Center from May through August.

Active for over 20 years, the club played arena polo with Saturday night

R E P O R T matches open to the public. At its highest, there were 36 members, including 10 non-playing associate members.

“Ruth Dalsky mentored many of us women. With her help and encouragement, I was able to be a playing member of the club and could stable my mare in her string,” said friend Patrica Poindexter. “I did a six-hour commute from the Blue Ridge Mountains to Charlottesville, Virginia, twice weekly. Ruth was one of the most important people in my life and I am in her debt forever.”

A pianist from childhood, Dalsky added accordion, guitar, bass, cello, violin and harp to her music room.

Plants filled every room and garden space. She was keenly interested in computers, animation, robotics and every new electronic development.

Ruth was predeceased by her father.

She is survived by her mother and dearest friend Nancy Eismann, whose help over more than 25 years enabled Ruth to earn an abundance of happy living into a shortened lifespan.

• COURTESY OF NANCY EISMANN

P O L O

Ruth Dalsky at the Virginia Polo Center.

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

E Q U I N E AT H L E T E (continued from page 19)

Putting up alfalfa hay Glenn Shewmaker, State Forage Specialist, University of Idaho, says stage of maturity at harvest is important. “If you are putting up your own hay, as soon as alfalfa starts to bloom it’s time to cut that field. Don’t wait any longer, because once it starts to bloom most of the yield increase is stem. When alfalfa is this mature, horses do more sorting when you feed it; they’ll try to eat just the leaves and sort out the larger, coarser stems.” If alfalfa is too mature you also lose a lot of leaves if they shatter, or if the wind is blowing while you’re feeding the hay or if the leaves fall off the stems and get trampled on the ground or into the mud.

He recommends cutting mixed hay based on a compromise between maturity stage of the alfalfa and the grass. However, when alfalfa starts to bloom, it should be cut, even if the grass isn’t quite ready. Alfalfa usually matures quicker, starting to bloom before the grass is in the boot stage. If you wait until you see that first bloom in the alfalfa you are giving up about 20% of potential biomass for the grass, but still have a high quality feed that works well

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

for horses. The grass is very high quality when cut at boot stage because there are fewer stems. The alfalfa is a little bit into the bloom but this makes a nice feed mix, and it is high enough in protein for any horses.

“The main factor is plant maturity, for determining forage quality. The cutting also makes a difference. In an arid climate there’s usually less mold on the standing plant in the later cuttings, due to the dry heat of summer.

Sprinkler irrigation can change that a little, but there is still less mold on the growing alfalfa,” he says. There are a few molds that may contain mycotoxins, which can be harmful.

“It’s usually much easier to get second and third cuttings dry for baling, since by then you have warmer temperatures, more radiation, the hay is lighter (not as heavy and dense) so it dries quicker. If you can get it dry quickly, then catch it with dew on it for baling (just a little moisture to help hold the leaves on and keep them from shattering), this makes ideal harvest conditions.” Most hay producers in an arid climate like to bale in late evening

just as the dew comes on, and then quit when the dew gets heavy.

In eastern parts of the country where there’s more rain and a humid climate it’s harder to get hay dry. “If hay growers are diligent and focus on moisture content they can still get it accomplished. Using a really wide swath spreads the hay more thinly so it can dry easier. They can put up good quality hay that way in three days.”

Hay too wet creates mold spores that billow into the air when the bale is opened, and hay too dry can be dusty just from leaf shatter. Another factor that can create dust in hay is cutting it too close to the ground and picking up dirt. “Some of the rotary mowers put a lot of dirt into the windrow. The way those rotors turn, they pick up soil from gopher mounds and uneven ground. For horse hay, it’s best to use the old sickle bar mowers or swathers. Raking is also crucial (whether raking it into a windrow or raking two windrows together with a ground-driven rake).

Some people have the rake set a little too low, and this can also kick a lot of soil into the windrow.”

E Q U I N E AT H L E T E

problem is not due to the alfalfa but to the mold that may occur on legumes in humid conditions.

Selecting alfalfa The main things to look for include leaf to stem ratio, and whether the hay is clean and bright with no dust or mold. “It should be green, meaning there are

more leaves and the hay is not weathered or rained on before it was put up,” says Smith. “Many types of hay, but particularly alfalfa, can be dusty just because it was too dry when baled. You don’t want it too wet or it will mold, or too dry because then the leaves shatter.” The crumbling, dry leaves create dust.

“Square bales, large or small, are generally easier

Blister Beetles These flying insects contain the toxin cantharidin, which can kill a horse if very many beetles are consumed. They feed on alfalfa blossoms and can be a problem if a swarm of them are in an alfalfa field at the time of harvest. Some will be killed by the haying equipment and could end up in the hay.

Some years are worse for blister beetles, especially following a drought-because grasshopper populations are higher during a dry year (they don’t survive as well in wet conditions), and blister beetle larvae overwinter by feeding on grasshopper eggs. Irrigated alfalfa fields in Western states are often adjacent to drier pastures or rangelands where there are lots of grasshoppers. If an abundance of grasshopper eggs were laid, the blister beetle larvae thrive, and greater numbers survive. A hot or dry year with lots of grasshoppers is often followed by increased numbers of blister beetles the next haying season.

Adult blister beetles emerge in June (sometimes a little earlier or later depending on region and climate) to feed on alfalfa blooms. “These beetles tend to be more prevalent in late summer. The first (and sometimes second) cutting of alfalfa almost never contains blister beetles because it’s generally cut and baled ahead of when the adult blister beetles emerge,” says Smith.

There are many species of blister beetles, but only a few cause problems because they travel and feed in swarms.

If there are a lot of blister beetles in a

Blister Beetles can kill a horse if consumed.

They can be a problem if they swarm in an alfalfa field at the time of harvest.

certain area, hay can be cut pre-bloom to avoid beetles in the hay. When purchasing hay, examine a few bales to see if the alfalfa has blooms.

Even though there is a lot more risk for blister beetles if alfalfa has bloomed, 99% of that hay won’t have blister beetles in it. The beetles travel in a swarm together and will only be in one area in that hayfield. If there are beetles in the hay, they will end up in just a few bales, rather than throughout the bales from that field. You might feed most of the bales from that field, without a problem, and then find a few bales that are loaded with dead beetles. “If you always check the hay as you feed it, you

can discard those bales or flakes of hay that contain beetles. The beetles will be very concentrated in the hay; if you find one or two you will usually find many,” says Smith.

All blister beetles contain cantharidin. “The difference is that some species fly around together in swarms, versus a single beetle here and there,” says Smith. None of them contain enough cantharidin to kill a horse. The problem occurs when the horse consumes multiple beetles. Also, there is a variation in size of different kinds of blister beetles, as well as variation in concentration of cantharidin, and it’s not uniform through a given species.

“Many farmers who grow alfalfa hay are now using management, and in some cases insecticides, to control blister beetles. It’s rare today that these beetles are an issue, except in the central U.S. (Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska). If you are getting a new batch of alfalfa hay, however, it’s always good to look at it and check for beetles,” says Smith.

“Producers who market hay for horses are aware of the issue of blister beetles. The biggest risk might be when buying from someone who has just started in the hay business (or when horse owners put up hay themselves) without looking in the fields at harvest time.

Always follow the recommendations in your state regarding scouting for and controlling blister beetles,” he says.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 61

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CALENDAR

to feed and keep the leaves on (without being lost and wasted) than round bales.

Horses eating free choice from a round bale tend to waste more hay and there’s more leaf loss. In many parts of the country if people go to the trouble to produce alfalfa they put it in large square bales or small squares because it’s easier to transport and feed than round bales. Some horse owners buy large or mid-size square bales because that is what is available, and adapt feeding methods—finding a mechanical means to move those bales around. A big square bale can be put on a cart, hauled around, with flakes taken off for feeding.

This can work if you are set up to handle big bales,” says Smith.

“Many horse owners prefer a mixed grass/alfalfa hay. Except for hardworking horses the nutrition level of pure alfalfa is too high, and horses don’t need dairy quality hay,” says Smith. To know the nutrient content of any hay— whether grass or alfalfa—it should be tested, since maturity, harvest conditions, soil conditions, etc. can all make a difference in protein, energy and mineral levels.

Glenn Shewmaker, University of Idaho, says even after you’ve selected good hay it always pays to check it as you feed it. “Look for dust, mold, weeds, foreign objects, blister beetles etc. as well as checking it for maturity,” he says.

Even if most of the hay is excellent, there might be a few bales that came from a corner of the field with weeds—or blister beetles, since these insects swarm. They may only be present in one small area when the hay was cut, with only one or two bales containing dead beetles, or a bale with a dead snake or some other small animal baled up in the hay.

“Poisonous plants sometimes grow in alfalfa fields. Work with your hay supplier and only buy from a reputable person who knows what they are doing in terms of growing weed-free hay. Ragwort, groundsels, Johnson grass, sudan grass, water hemlock and hoary alyssum are examples of poisonous plants found in hay and pastures,” he says.

•

October

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S E P T E M B E R 1 - NOV E M B E R 1 Keleen & Carlton Beal Cup (12) Houston, Houston, TX

Arena Constitution Cup (3-6) Arena Adm. Chester Nimitz (0-3) Poway, Poway, CA

SEPTEMBER 4-OCTOBER 4 Kentucky Cup (12-14) Mt. Brilliant, Lexington, KY

Middle School League Tinicum, Erwinna, PA

S E P T E M B E R 18 - O C T O B E R 4 USPA National President’s Cup (4-8) New Bridge, Aiken, SC National Arena Chairman’s Cup Great Meadow, The Plains, VA SEPTEMBER 24-OCTOBER 8 Regional Classic (10-14) Houston, Houston, TX SEPTEMBER 25-OCTOBER 12 USPA Governors Cup (0-6) Houston, Houston, TX SEPTEMBER 26-OCTOBER 4 USPA Wickenden Cup (8) Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, CA S E P T E M B E R 2 9 - O C T O B E R 11 USPA Governors Cup (6) Aiken, Aiken, SC Wagener 4 Goal Wagener, Wagener, SC SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 4 Women’s Arena Open (12-15) Women’s Arena Handicap (7-10) Great Meadow, The Plains, VA

Congressional Cup (0-2) South Bay, Gilroy, CA Congressional Cup (0-4) San Antonio, San Antonio, TX Southern Hotel Cup New Orleans, Folsom, LA OCTOBER 4 Harriman Cup—UVA vs. Yale Myopia, South Hamilton, MA OCTOBER 4-6 Women’s Invitational (8-12) Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, CA OCTOBER 7-25 USPA Association Cup (8) New Bridge, Aiken, SC O C T O B E R 9 - 11 National Sherman Memorial (3-6) Westchester, Portsmouth, RI O C T O B E R 9 - 18 Intra-Circuit Cup (8-10) Willow Bend, Little Elm, TX Arena Masters Cup (0-8) Denver, Littleton, CO

S E P T E M B E R 3 0 - O C T O B E R 11 USPA Constitution Cup (4-8) Mashomack, Millbrook, NY

OCTOBER 9-23 H. Ben Taub Memorial (8-12) Houston, Houston, TX

S E P T E M B E R 3 0 - O C T O B E R 18 USPA National Copper Cup (8-12) New Bridge, Aiken, SC

OCTOBER 9-26 Sportsmanship Cup (-1-2) ATX, Manor, TX

OCTOBER 1 Nat’l Arena Commander in Chief Cup Virginia Polo, Charlottesville, VA

O C T O B E R 10 Arena Challenge Cup Skull Valley, Skull Valley, AZ

OCTOBER 1-2 Sportsmanship Cup Tulsa, Bixby, OK

O C T O B E R 1 0 - 11 USPA Women’s Challenge ATX, Manor, TX

OCTOBER 3 LBI Beach Polo Classic Tinicum, Erwinna, PA

Mardi Gras Cup (0-2) New Orleans, Folsom, LA

CALENDAR

November Arena Challenge Cup Rancho Naranjo, Santa Teresa, NM Masters Cup Arizona, Casa Grande, AZ Middle School League Garrison Forest, Owings Mills, MD Middle School League Gardnertown, Newburgh, NY NOPC Fall Classic New Orleans, Folsom, LA O C T O B E R 12 - 13 Last Chance Tournament (1) Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, CA O C T O B E R 13 - 2 5 Gen. George S. Patton Jr. (2-6) Aiken, Aiken, SC O C T O B E R 16 - 2 5 Arena Women’s Challenge (0-6) Yale, Bethany, CT O C T O B E R 17 All Stars Academy Arena Cup Seneca, Poolesville, MD Poloween!

Franklin, Nashville, TN 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 21 - 2 5 Tackeria Invitational Grand Champions, Wellington, FL 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

OCTOBER 24-25 USPA Sportsmanship Cup Two Wishes, Lockhart, TX Middle School League Gardnertown, Newburgh, NY USPA Mardi Gras Cup New Orleans, Folsom, LA O C T O B E R 2 8 - NOV E M B E R 1 USPA Masters Cup (8)l 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 NOV E M B E R 1 - 3 0 National Twenty Goal (16-20) North America Cup (16-20) Grand Champions, Wellington, FL 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 NOV E M B E R 7 Mixed adults tournament Mountain View, Charles Town, WV 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 Texas Military, Poteet, TX N OV E M B E R 13 - 15 Arena Sportsmanship Cup Arena Congressional Cup Legends, Kaufman, TX Pedro Morrison Memorial Grand Champions, Wellington, FL N O V E M B E R 14 - 1 5 Congressional Cup New Orleans, Folsom, LA Middle School League Buffalo, Wainfleet, Ontario 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 - 27 USPA National (20) 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

Note: All dates are subject to change. “USPA” refers to tournaments sponsored or sanctioned by the United States Polo Association.

POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N 63

Y E S T E RY E A R S

Buffalo polo Western New York club was one of the country’s first

The Buffalo Country Club Polo Team included William G. Schoellkopf, Harold C. Bickford, Seymour H. Knox and Harry B. Spaulding.

The Buffalo Polo Club, founded in 1877 by the Rumseys, Carys and Scatcherds, was one of the very first polo clubs formed in this country. The club was absorbed into the Country Club of Buffalo, founded by the same families, in 1889. Golf was added in 1894, the first hole created by digging a hole and inserting a tomato can for a cup. It eventually was expanded to 18 holes. The club grounds (and all of the Rumsey lands) were the site of the Pan-American Exposition in 1901.

Polo continued to be an important factor in the life of the club until around 1915, when it was allowed to die out. Fortunately for the club, when the game got started again in 1921, the principal polo field was more or less intact, with the turf in fine condition.

The stables had to be entirely remodeled. The largest stables accommodated 47 ponies in box stalls, and there were 16 more stalls in an adjoining stable.

The club started back up 1922 with 14 players, including Richard S. Allison, polo coach and manager, and with 50 playing ponies. The members wanted to develop enthusiasm for the game more than a polo team, so they seldom used the same lineup twice in games with other polo clubs. Every one of the players was given the opportunity of taking part 64 POLO P L A Y E R S E D I T I O N

in at least one of these matches, and this greatly increased their enjoyment.

During the season, the club played 16 matches both at home and abroad, and were successful in winning considerably more than a majority. Games were played with the Toronto Polo Club, Miami Valley Polo Club of Dayton, Ohio; Detroit Riding and Hunt Club and Lake Shore Hunt Club. A team was entered in the Thousand Islands polo tournament in August of that year.

The season ended with the final game for the Averill Cup, played with the Toronto Polo Club, Sept.

25 at Buffalo. This is an old and important cup in the Country Club history, and years before had been won twice by Toronto and twice by the Country Club. The matches were always played without handicap.

Buffalo won the last and final match, 4-1. Playing for Country Club was Harry B. Spaulding; Seymour H. Knox; Harold C. Bickford; Lawrence Rumsey.

Toronto fielded Gordon Beardmore; Gen. James MacBrien, Allen Case and Col. R.K. Marshall.

Several of the best American players started to play polo at the Country Club, including both Milburns and the late C.C. Rumsey. Polo continued to be played at the club until 1935. •