Well…we did get lucky…twice this weekend. Once friday and again on saturday. Skies were gray and rain had pretty much emptied all the polo fields around the Northeast….except for one. You already heard about superhero Fuad and his magic mallet that led Smithfield to an over-time victory against Buena Vista on Friday.
Saturday’s contest was set on a slightly wetter and slower field in the match-up between the Supersized Titans vs Longfield Farm. The name Supersized Titans conjures up visions of Greek Gods and large bolts of lightning and such……and The Titans could of used some celestial help as Longfield Farm galloped to a 13-6 victory in Game #2 of the USPA Officer’s Cup at Mashomack.
Supersized Titans has a lot of experience in their foursome…but Longfield just had a lot more goals after six chukkers. All four of the Longfield members had multiple tallies. Duke Buchan’s second goal was after he yelled back to a teammate…”Hombre”…and then Duke took a series of cut shots thru the uprights. The ST team had 2 goals by Sam Ramirez, 1 goal from Michael Levin, and 3 goals by Felix Martinez. Bruce Colley rounded out the squad for the Titans.
We all had some great food, wine, and some great laughs at the Asado hosted by Matias Bullrich and Michel Dorignac Saturday night at their barn. Matias’s team Polo Do recently won the Barrantes 12 goal in Saratoga. Polo Do’s next scheduled tournament will be at Polo One in Pilar, Argentina where Michel and Matias will be teaming up again for some 14 goal action. Saturday also happened to be Juan Olivera’s birthday. There would have been a birthday cake for Juan…………… but the fire department would not issue a permit for a cake with that many candles. Thank you Matias and Michel for a super evening.
Both of Sunday’s games were cancelled as the predicted steady rain moved over the fields. Now that would send most players either back to the City or at least to the movies, but Bruce Colley was looking for redemption. He found it in our brand new arena. Bruce got on his cell phone and collected a handful of fellow members to do battle within the boards. Bruce was joined by Theresa, Woody Keesee, Felix, Julio Ezcurra, John Klopp, and James McBride. I gave the ring a drag and supplied them with a few of those bigger balls and then I played the role of the “crowd”. So for the first chukker of arena polo at Mashomack…………..it was standing room only…….not a single seat to be had…of course…there haven’t been any seats built as of yet.
But you know what the saying is around the cornfields…………………….if you build it………………………they………………………..will…………………….have to be assessed!
Bruce, James, Felix, and Theresa faced off against John, Julio, and Woody. They werent really keeping score…but I think Supersize has found their “house”. That “house” would be the new arena as Supersize were outgunning, outrunning, (and possibly out-fouling) the Smithfield/Deerfield boys. The horses were definitely wondering why those oversized outdoor balls were flying back at them from the walls….but they seem to adjust pretty quickly. What was interesting was that the group played thru a steady rain…and the footing was still perfect. The diet-mountain dew play of the day had to be the 25 yd score by Theresa.
So the arena in one short week has already proved its place by providing a group of members a place to play on a rainy day….not to mention an awesome place to short work the ponies.
The USPA 8 Goal and the sun will return for more action later this week. The finals are scheduled for this next Sunday…along with the Graduating Ceremony of our first class of students……………the class of ’06. Stay tuned for more later.
Amy Wisehart who worked for Woody this summer and has filled in for most of you at one time or another…….. is off to her new job at The Culver Academies where she will be teaching Horsemanship. We wish her well !!! It was just announced that Amy won the PTF Player of the Year in the Intercollegiates for 2006. She will be honored in Aiken at a special dinner during the Gold Cup and the USPA meetings.
Have a great week everyone !!