The Polo Report
By Steve Crowder
It was a very good game despite the score which was 6 goals. The reason Ellerstina that it was that close was due to penalty shots. That is part of the game, but it was hard to believe the first goal from the field from Ellerstina was in the 6 th chukkar. I’ve seen it on TV and I was not there, but it did show you must work for your team and it is not an option. It has to be Facundo, who did not have a breakaway until the 4 th chukkar. This shows you it was not team play. In my opinion Nick will get much better, but he must work, take a man like GP and it has to happen. Their first 4 goals were penalty shots, so they had no field goals at 1/2 time. The opposite was true for La Dolfina. Their’s was brilliant team work, especially between Pablo and Nero and the same for Adolfo Cambiaso and Pelon. As soon as they all work together, look out. I was equally surprised at so many foreign horses including several from Australia, England, New Zealand as well as from the United States. There was at least 1 from Chile. I saw the the Fantini brand on one. I think they had about 4 foreign players there including Rodrigo, Mannix, Tomilson and Arellano, so maybe there is an opening there.
Ellerstina needs a back that”s fast and tough. I have one named Jason Crowder. I really do think he fit. La Dolfina needs time. They are going to get so much better if they continue. It also maybe time to start taking International teams there as after these two teams, I am not so sure it would be that tough. Horses will be tough, but obviously they do not have to be locals. All it takes is money. Lets take a North America team to the Argentine Open … Fred Mannix, Jeff Hall, Nick Roldan and Jason Crowder. They all play in order and follow instructions. It would be tough if they do it. They are 26 goals now and will be 30 in one year. The trouble is they have to get paid, but it would be fun to have a team from Europe without cross passports, a team from Asia, Australia- NZ and a team from South America minus Argentina. Chile , Brazil , Colombia and Urugway or wherever, but again no cross passports. This would be a World Cup and a real Cup.
I still think it was the best game, but it is going to be the same two teams for a while the way I see it. Ellerstina will change and La Dolfina will get much better.
Looking back at the game, it was not one team dominating on horses. Naero was mounted very well. AC was the best mounted and it looked like the rest had 3 chukkars of awesome horses and the rest very good. It has been 118 years and it is time to rock the boat. MAKE POLO GROW IT IS THE WORLD’S FASTEST TEAM SPORT.
see ya