Polo today had a bit of a sad note to it with the Loss of Bobby Barry, who was one of the very best umpires here in the USA. He was well thought of by everyone. Life, however, goes on and so does Polo.
Across the pond in the U.K. it was a huge win for California’s Tom Barrack. He is now in the semis of the most important tournament in Europe, the British Open. It is also the biggest high-goal tournament in the World with 20 teams at 22-goals and its sooo big. The fields are unreal, the organizations are awesome and its not a place for cheap patrons. Its the real deal. You are either in or your OUT.
New York had its Maschomack finals and it was Heathcote. In Greenwich its unknown, but White Birch was taking on Airstream, but it was not a social game. Also in England it was TB and Ellerston beating Cadenza and Sumaya led by Milo over the Broncos, a team led by Pablo Mc Donough (who was raised to 10 goals). Monday sees Mariano Gonzalez in the quarters and also a many time player here in Santa Barbara, Julio Arellano, is also in the other Quarters playing defending champs of the Pacific Coast Open Zacara.
Here in Santa Barbara today there was an exhibition game between Long Beach and Klentner Ranch/Audi and it was not a good first game of 2008. The umpires were horrible and the game followed that. If we are going to have a premo season something has got to change very soon. The calls were silly and the play followed the calls. Bad calls and bad umpiring makes bad polo. In the 2nd chukker of this exhibition game was one of the dumbest calls I have ever seen. It resulted with a player taken out of play for the last 6 minutes. This is not good for first time spectators and especially in an exhibition game. RESPECT is earned by action, not a WHISTLE. We have to fix the problems with the umpiring or we will be a two team show in the best place in the World to play Polo in the summer time (Santa Barbara).
We have all expierenced what I call the security guard connection in relation to umpiring. They often become extremely important (Umpires that is) with a badge and they do not know why, but at least they are told to call the Police. In polo it would be just as easy . . . call the third man. He saw it as well, right in that moment like everyone else. This play was bad, but a viewing of the game will justify the players. It has to change. Its 1/2 million dollars being controlled by WHAT? This is not a project, it is a job. Do your jobs or get out of polo. Umpires are paid to call games, so its not like the old days. Umpires are hired and they can be fired.
Down in Del Mar it was Chris Maloney treating his sister rudely as Tri Tech/Madison creamed Ohana to the tune of many goals. It sounds like Kelly made Silent Chris Maddddddddddd. However there will be one more chance and oh I bet Kelly is thinking lovely thoughts about this meeting.
So that is the World in 2 minutes and always remember just BE HAPPY. See ya.