The Polo Report
by Steve Crowder
As usual, it is a woman changing things. Dolores is roaring up the west coast of Mexico and creating a phenomenon in the driest place on Earth. It was not to be, as during the Junior Polo finals last night, we got a free light show. Nobody was in favor of hanging around and watching it. The area received about 2 tenths of an inch, which gives us more rain for the Summer than we had all winter. Not to say it is not welcome, but Monday would be a much better day for it.
The Junior Finals will have to be rescheduled. It was a great thing to see on Friday as some very talented kids are coming up so fast. Now we need the USPA to look at the American Rule or just look at “Mother Country” England. They have 5 times as many players in their high-goal league than we do. Now make that 20 times more money to play and have a stable full of high -goal players as well under 30 yrs old.
Polo in the America’s Cup here in Santa Barbara started on Friday with defending Champs Lucchese being beat by the 4 Commandos, all in about 90 years old. I think the oldest is 26, but they have a off-field leader keeping it flowing … Julio Macho Man Zavaleta. Julian Mannix, Robert J. and Santi T. look up to Sterling G. edged out Lucchese and in game 2, which was a prime example how not to play polo. It was Klentner Ranch taking out Farmers and Merchants to go to 1 and 0. It was not very entertaining to watch, but it was a win. Sunday the featured game has Farmers and Merchants taking on Ryan Gilbertson’s Wildcats. He has 2 bullets on the field in the form of Josey (Joseph Stuart) and Felipe, who will be runnin’ fast behind Ryan. It should be a close game. Due to wet fields, the last game will be at 4 pm and has Klenter Ranch taking on Lucchese.
Down south in Del Mar, Dolores ended the Spring Season for 2015. They will be back in early August.
So see you there.
see ya