The Polo Report
by Steve Crowder
Oct. 18th 09
With all the dreadful talk of today’s economy you have to wonder if polo will survive? Well it has so far and for the better in some ways. There are fewer players for sure. Maybe this is better as many unprepared players have been weeded out and that can be a positive thing. Yes it’s true no one asked me.
Polo has survived around the World in these hard times and some polo has improved they say. I am not sure of that fact as you need some polo to get some new people in the game and it will often be the worst polo that gives the best opportunity. This maybe, but that is not what people who want to get in the game need as it often seems to bring people who really cannot afford to be involved in the sport. It is like a cancer to people who can afford polo. Some players decide to avoid better polo when they can avoid the cost and pressure of the bigger picture. It is usually the individuals who want to go on to a higher level of polo and there is nowhere to go, so they do not grow. They just join in with what level of polo is available. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if it was just one way and that was it.
A Patron once told me it did not matter if we lowered polo in the desert from 16- to 12-goal because as he said the same people will play anyway, so why bother? The club management disagreed. They said we would get more people if we lowered the goal level they were wrong! We got exactly the same Patrons just less quality polo and unfortunately some left for better polo elsewhere the following year.
Polo people are weird and polo is often a very different sport from one moment to another. For example, in Santa Barbara in May and June we had to beg to get 4 teams in 8-goal polo none were a 3 pro team as amateurs filled the low goal positions. Yet in July -August we had all we could handle with 8 teams and all were 3-pro teams and it was very good polo. However, low goal was not available during the high goal and then come Sept. again and we cannot even field 4 full teams for 8-goal polo again. Even after most locals have been shutout for summer, so tell me what works?
Around the World of Polo it is still moving down south in Argentina where they are playing open polo up to the 40-goal level. They have 8 teams and 6 others that did not qualify. All of the teams were at least 30 goal teams and something is about to happen that has been a long time coming for real a 80 goal game. It will not be exhibition as Ellerstina and La Dolfina will be in the semis this week coming in the Hurlingham Open. Yes that is 8 players rated10 goals each. That will be something to see. Both have won their other games. Fred Mannix lost his first game of the Hurlingham Open, but only on the flat. It would have been tied if they gave a handicap, they do not as it is called an Open.
In Aiken, SC it was a Family affair for the Silver Cup Finals and it was the husband winning as Tom Uskup beat his wife Barbara’s team in the finals. Speaking of Women in Polo last week in Del Mar it was Mrs. Tracy and the San Diego Polo Club putting on a super polo show of Lady’s Only. It was Lady Joy Bancroft stealing the big prize and taking home the silver. Guess what else they got for prizes some incredible snowboards produced by Miss Alex Mathision and the name of these boards takes the cake . . .
BITCH BOARDS. They are said to be top of the line snowboards and they are very cool looking. They are for Men or Women . Thanks again Tracy for a fantastic weekend for all involved.
Need a Truck? A very good Chevy Dually for sale . . . excellent shape. It is black and totally cool inside.
Need HORSES? Some packages available include a big group from Aiken all young and playing good polo and many others around the nation.
NEED A POLO PROPERTY? There are two right here on the Gold Coast one totally finished and awesome one with fields and stables and it will just get better.
NEED POLO PLAYERS? Americans or others? We have them both and they will be ready to serve your needs well … we Guarantee.
WE CAN AND WILL CONNECT YOU!
Call Steve Crowder 805-896-4406
See ya.