It all got started around the USA on Wednesday night. The Argentine Open Polo Finals on National TV. It was well presented in format that showed just the highlights. They had a good announcer making it easy to understand. There were some great replays. Some non-polo viewers thought it was pretty cool, so I think it was a great media opportunity for the polo industry. ?Look at it this way . . . it was on the tube and that’s positive even at 10.30 pm. I doubt the U.S. Polo Assoc. had much, if anything to do with it, but hey, ESPN is looking at it.
Live polo action happened over the weekend in California and Florida. Things are not huge, but they are moving forward with lots of help from the Polo Clubs which is saving the game. We are struggling in the game today with the current economic crisis. The fact remains that polo is a luxury and it is very disposable, as most of us are in the game. Many of the leaders, most of whom pay for 90 % of Polo, are up in high places. They are the heads of major companies or high-profile businesses. It does not look good to their investors if they are out spending a ton of money playing high-goal polo.
Down south in Florida, Hector Galindo suffered a blow to the mouth in a 20-goal game and lost several teeth I am told, so that was bad. His team did, however, win. He is headed to the semis with a smile I am sure. Hector is one, very tough hombre.
In Indio, CA the 12-goal got off to a good start for The Hawk’s and Cotterel Farms. Both teams are continuing play without their sponsor. Julian Mannix is out and the Colorado Cow Girl, Jenny Luttrell is wounded with a busted wing. The fields were good and remarkably better than they have been in the last couple of years. I hear the grass is a little long, but real green. I also heard there were no boards on the International Field, not sure why, possibly a budget issue. The Cantina is much cleaner, but NOT safer. The Cantina needs lights and/or security for the parking lot. Maybe we will find a way to work with the Polo Leaders here in Indio. It is very sad that the Club here has not done anything to help teams and players during a bad economic crisis. There are no deals to keep people playing polo. It seems the attitude is either pay more or go away. As might be expected, especially this season, there are many going away. La Quinta Polo is stepping up to help the good polo and they have very good fields. They are creating a 10- to 12-goal league in February. It is limited to 6 teams and you will have a good time at a very good price. You will also have a smile on your face when you leave and money in your pocket. The whole thing in life is to BE HAPPY and we have 18 people with 22 shares who own our local polo world. Is it possible that two are so strong to make no one HAPPY? I doubt it, they just do not care anymore.
See ya.