Hey polo fans,
We are down here in San Luis, Argentina getting ready to represent our country in the FIP World Championships. After much travel from around the country and internationally, our US team members first gathered in Buenos Aires and ventured to the quaint city of San Luis. The first couple of days were about familiarizing ourselves with getting around the city, getting to and from the host club, and learning the group of 28 assigned horses.
Day one consisted of all countries gathering at the San Luis Capitol building to participate in the official draw for the horses. In attendance, were the mayor of San Luis and all his staff and ministers, as well as president of the Argentine Polo Association, Luis Lalor, and all the FIP tournament officials. Each team fairly selected their group of horses in the presence of both local and international members of the press. Following the selection, all teams went to the beautiful Estancia Grande Polo Club for lunch and to tour the facilities. Once leaving the club, our now normal 30 minute commute to our hotel took a little over an hour due to the fact that our driver, (from Mendoza) was unfamiliar with the roads and highways of San Luis. Thankfully, our local team manager, Nico, arrived that afternoon so we have been able to avoid getting lost.
On the second day, our team members woke up at the crack of dawn, and ventured out to the club to evaluate the horses by riding and stick-and-balling all 28. All four players evaluated their 7 horses, while Nico took notes and USPA’s Ed Armstrong photographed each horse, allowing us to create our master horse notebook. With the weather turning for the worse, Team USA was forced to play their first practice game in the cold, wet, windy weather against Argentina. Surprisingly, despite the bad conditions and lack of team practice, the boys demonstrated why they won their spot to get us here in the first place.
Today was the opening day, we spent our time enjoying the perfect weather, opening ceremonies and watching the other bracket’s first two games. In two fast and furious games Italy handily defeated Pakistan and Argentina defeated Mexico 13 to 6 with India anxiously waiting to compete on Wednesday. Tomorrow, our bracket commences with us competing against Brazil, and Chile competing against England, and Australia waiting in the wings until Thursday. With our starting squad of Gobin, Snow, Wroe and Collins, and our “Killer B’s” of Jake Stimmel and Sterling Giannico, I feel we are ready to ‘Rock and Roll’.
I would love to share your support or any inspiring quotes with the team prior to us playing at 12:30p.m. EDT, so please comment on our wall at www.facebook.com/teamuspa. For game updates and photos follow us on Twitter @PoloAssociation as well as Facebook.
GO TEAM USA!!!
Coach Muldoon