There was a time when US Polo seemed on the move in the early 90’s then went thru some tough times when Palm Beach Polo started to fizz and seemed to just stall after Ylvisaker left Palm Beach Polo and did not really get moving again until the savior John Goodman really lifted polo to new heights but it was not the greatest thing for US Polo players they began to disappear as the money started to really flow in first decade of the new century and this went to big boys who did not have time or desire to grow our own young players and Patrons slowly became pickers and leavers and in 15 years all of the good US Players aged out and older Patrons who played the game left because of cost,age and fact that they were not being a real part of team. This was time when the Wealthy no contact or people who were not bothered by not really growing there own abilities other than picking and playing out of the road , This is where the big money started taking over and that is why we are here now . However the move to finally lower the handicap had immediate results in the East as now 16 teams versus really only 3 teams last year . This is a big start and getting Americans back in it this year there are 28 American certified players in it vs 4 or 5 last couple of years that is huge. Now we need two US Players on ever team above 16 goals and 3 under . The real problem was addressed Sunday in an interview with Dale Schwetz and Mark Bellissimo head of IPC . We have been saying it for a couple of years as Javier Tanoria has been bringing it up for at least 3 years . Mark made it sound right and compared it to almost all other sports . Limits for all organizations like Basketball , Baseball, and Football they use Salary caps number of Players and other means to control one man shows who spends most usually wins . Javier has said limit Horses per player for games and this is definitely the key in polo for several reasons cuts cost asap current limit is as many as you can get on bring back to 6 per game per player as JT says and a spare if medically needed . I know they scream it will kill there horses that’s not true you will learn to play team Polo again and hit ball to your team it will be a must to work with Patron to make him a player and the game will be better as passes become important . I heard Toby say today both Pieres boys had 20 head each . Well a little History there Father Gonzalo was 10 goals for many years and probably never had 10 top horses in any country except maybe Arg. and won about 90 % of his games I would bet maybe more . Carlos Gracida Hector Galindo the same but they made Patrons players like Peter Brant, David Jamieson in UK Andy Billy Busch and they all WON.
Facts 8 horses cost a lot less than 15 to 20 in ever way feed shoeing grooms stabling trucking 6 horses per player will mean probably carry 8 that is the equalizer or limitation to improve every thing cost, enjoyment and improvement. Another idea of Javier’s to remove throw inns after goal scored is great, score you hit in shorten chukkar to 6 minutes faster action easier for fans. The one idea they have accepted proposed by Javier ages ago now being used hit it out of bounds other teams gets it quick finally put in use a year ago seems totally acceptable to all and really avoids the constant stopping and fighting that throw inns create .
Winter Polo on both coast have to very smart and motivating Men in charge The East Coast in Florida IPC the Man who savy’s life and sports Mark Bellissimo and Al Haagen the 3rd both have incredible facilities money and brains on how to make things happen but they are not going to give it away so Polo must pay for these theaters and to do that we need first teams second fans to cut Patrons cost and this can happen with numbers and true competition. For this to happen the USPA needs to lead the way and it can happen people will not flee to the outside leagues because the Patrons who want to play will PLAY. It is time to listen as both these venues are huge and in very important and popular area so they do not have to be Polo fields . We need them they do not need us
my opinion
see ya