Exciting real and like it is something people do because they can and want to . Houston has been the reason for 2 decades why American Polo is today and became the biggest place to be in the World ever Winter. Bill Ylvisacker started the high roller polo playground in Palm Beach Polo in Fl. as he followed John T Oxley in Boca Raton but it was Houston’s John Goodman who saved and built it to be the biggest show in the World with Isla Carroll who built Int. Polo Club the biggest of them all for 2 decades. The loss of Mr Goodman was huge in the World of Polo but his dreams still live on but just imagine what they would be if he was still in control . As there is no doubt he changed it totally to a elite event again . I am in Houston now and have seen the amazing growth here not seen anywhere else and in a place you never know when and if you can play. There are more obstacles here than anywhere and yet more superior facilities than anywhere other than Pilar in Buenos Aires ,Ar. This is a few reasons why I say this : 1. the worst weather in the world of polo; 1. rain sometimes a lot of it no Polo for weeks 2. heat and bugs 3 . Traffic like LA
But the reason they do ! Amazing fields and facilities you cannot believe the properties and an amazing number of just good people and these properties and sure I missed some but these I seen such as :
White Hall Ranch Isla Carroll ERG Tonkawa Farms Kim Kelley’s Old Pueblo San Saba Kristy Waters Houston Polo Club
A very popular place and perfect for both beginners and high goal finals with amazing location and Management . These places are mostly bigger than Santa Barbara and all on pvt. Ranches except the Houston polo club and it is not that big but very near the center of the city no matter what they have the edge if they just had the ability to schedule the Weather or maybe we just get like the UK and play POLO if grounds can handle it. There location is perfect for out of town Patrons middle of country and lots of airports pvt. or public and International. I know there are many other places in the US maybe not as big but very nice such as Sheridan, Wyo , Portland and Northern ,Ca. These are people who want to Play Polo because they can and want to and they like the competition , but they do not want to spend millions or even hundreds of thousands doing it as it is just a GAME. It is not just here but World Wide Argentina, Europe and Australia and New Zealand to name a few. Yes most of these Countries have a few who just want to be the Biggest and Baddest of them all and that is there call. However they should not rule the Game because of there willingness to spend whatever to win. There are a lot of Polo people who could afford to do this but they want to PLAY and be a part of a Team not just a Check writer and there are a lot of them and this is why I think some of Javier Tanoria’s ideas would make game so much better such as Limit # of horses per Player skip most throw inns . Polo finally took one of his ideas on new out of bound play out and you lose it same as most sports. These ideas will improve Patrons immediately they will become part of the Game other than leave it and take the man and will want to play as it was developed as a Team game for at 1 time all Patrons . I think and know we have lost a lot of Patrons and Amateurs who would pay own way and lost ability to develop player Patrons such as the Busch’s , Uihlien’s just because they were in the game to play and they did pay but reasonable. The properties are there all over the states and if they get to play and enjoy the game some will step up to bigger stuff. Cost will kill and does all things. Look at it this way if a pro and Patron had to take 25 horses to a tournament for a team and not 50 it immediately cuts cost in 1/2. Pros do not have to carry 12 to 20 horses have less everything shoeing,feed,stalls,grooms, housing and stalls and they get to play the game because no one is going to run wide open for 7 minutes he will have to pass and that means he has to use the team and make all players part of the GAME.. IF YOU HAVE 10 TEAMS WHO WANT TO DO IT THE OTHER WAY LET THEM BUT GUESS WHO WILL HAVE THE FUN AND BE PART OF THE TEAM. These ideas will build US Polo asap as we now have no reason for young people to continue they have no or very little chance to be in the Sport because they will never get a chance the way it is now.
In the World of Polo : Elerstina came back and won the Hurlingham so maybe the Domination of La Dolphina is dropping probably not for long but this is more of the same the big money is still only show in town they opened it up to 8 teams but look at scores 6 to 15 goals difference, make them all ride 8 horses see what happens the young guys will get better fast.
Anybody remember Peter Brandt well he is still a winner he just won the BREEDERS Cup Mares and Fillies with SISTER CHARLIEwell done MR B.
see ya