FROM SANTA TO SCROOGE ……
Well its official we are in a recession, have been since December of 2007.
What does that mean to polo? Here at Eldorado we are living in a bubble, detached from the economics of life. We have raised playing fees, eliminated cross over fees, and raised stabling. These are not sound decisions; we need to adjust to the current economic crisis by trying to retain our polo playing community.
We are off 70%, compared to last year on stabling at Eldorado. The club is virtually a ghost town. When we shut out polo players who have patronized this club for many years because it’s just not affordable anymore, we risk losing those players forever. In these times it’s important that we reach out and try to retain our customer base.
As this recession starts to pound away we are seeing polo players selling their horses and rigs because they aren’t playing. Things are scary, I actually heard that someone believes that tearing down the stabling and putting in a stick & ball field will fix that problem. No horses, no problem.
Horses are very expensive to keep, especially if we are not using them. I am already seeing this as good friends are “out”, and many others are on the sidelines waiting, hoping, we can turn this around.
For the first time in 20 years I am not playing in a league, my husband who has played here for 30 years is not playing at all. The cost is more than we are willing to pay. With fees at $8,000.00 per player, plus a $1,000.00 league fee per person, per month, you are in $40,000.00 before you hire a pro. This represents 2 months playing and league fees in a six chukker league . Pro fees alone would be an additional 50k per month.
In these days where cash is king this doesn’t sound like a brilliant move.
Here is a solution, for this year only, fees should be $4,000.00 for a four chukker membership including four stalls. A six-chukker membership would be $6,000.00
including six stalls. I also favor bringing back the Amateur League where friends could play together without pro’s . In order to preserve the family environment, and support the growth of the sport, I suggest a Jr.Membership at $2500.00 for non-professional children of members. The numbers for January are misleading; we have a full 12 goal thanks to Crowder & Graham Bray working to bring La Quinta Polo Club over here in January. We have two patrons playing in two leagues. The other numbers represent a four goal and pro-pool membership.
I can already hear people say they are looking for” something for nothing”. I disagree, people here will be employing grooms, paying payroll taxes, workman’s compensation, renting homes, & hiring pro’s, thus stimulating the polo economy.
If we fill our polo club with happy people who will come back year after year we will be successful. The Cantina will do well as they need customers to survive .**
The tack shop will survive as we will have players , and grooms here working the horses, as will the mallet maker, and The Ludwig ‘s, who need players to teach & coach, and Chava & Mondo need to sell Hay.
We need to work with people to preserve the equestrian way of life, at least until we turn the corner on this economic crisis.
Even Obama is reconsidering the tax hike affecting our tax bracket for an additional year.
What can we at Eldorado do ? If you have any ideas let Bob Bradley know, he is our president.
This message was not approved by anyone, especially my husband…
Thanks for your time,
Geri Dardi
**As this went to press Cantina hours have been reduced on week days .
Thanks for listening,
Geri Dardi