Testimonials
For those of you who want to learn how to ride horses and play polo, Tom Goodspeed is one of the most respected instructors in the sport today. I have known Tom both on and off the polo field for over thirty years and in that time, he has personified passion and excellence in how he plays and teaches the game.
Tom’s teaching style moves the novice safely and securely from a walk to a gallop – all the while stressing that unique relationship between horse and rider.
New players will quickly realize that Tom becomes more mentor than teacher and that is why Tom has become so renowned as the man to see about learning to play and to enjoy polo.
Peter J. Rizzo
Executive Director
United States Polo Association
2/28/08
Tom Goodspeed is the best polo instructor I have ever witnessed. His orderly teaching style covering polo equitation, mallet skills, and team strategy is tempered with a terrific sense of humor that keeps students engaged while learning to become excellent polo players.
In the 1970’s and early 1980’s when I coached the Cornell team, I would annually have Tom give my students a clinic. I always felt I got just as much, if not more, out of Toms teachings than the students.
Tom has since that time gone on to achieve a nine goal arena rating, a five goal outdoor rating, produced the “video bible” of polo lesson
tapes and taught countless players how to play and improve their game.
Most recently he has done a fantastic job as a coach, bringing the Culver Academies interscholastic men’s and women’s teams back to the highest levels of interscholastic competition.
Danny Scheraga
Executive Director
Polo Training Foundation
3/12/08
“Tom Goodspeed’s Polo Clinic is among the most professional and thorough training and development I’ve received; business, military, and pleasure.
He started off the clinic asking our expectations – what we wanted. Then he established the syllabus around those specific learning needs. Each student’s desire was addressed. That was the very first thing he did. He immediately demonstrated his ability to deliver positive feedback – not criticism, and considerate coaching – not sarcasm.
After reviewing some of Tom’s video series – his clinic delivers “The Best Of”. I highly recommend Tom’s clinic to players at any level – indoor or outdoor”.
Jim Garner
Westchester Polo Club
Newport, Rhode Island
“I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the coaching and mentoring you provided for me. I think your program is a real winner. I can’t believe the progress I made in a few short months in my outdoor game. Your patience and organized approach to teaching was very much appreciated”
Bob Harman
San Diego, CA
“Tom has been very successful at starting new players, many of whom continue to play the game today.”
Fred Mannix
Fish Creek Polo
Calgary, Canada
“Tom has been helping new players into the sport of polo by way of clinics, lessons, private coaching, club management, and video instruction for several decades. His thorough understanding of the game combined with his professional presentation is a proven winner”.
Glen Holden, President
Federation of International Polo
Former USPA Pacific Coast Governor
“For anyone who wants to move their rating from a -1 to a +1, spend a month with Tom Goodspeed. If he can do it for me, he can do it for anyone”.
Phil Karber
Great Meadows Polo, Virginia
Tom’s teaching and training videos are a great benefit to the sport of polo. They demonstrate the plays and rules of the game so that new players gain understanding and amateurs gain experience.
Ron Bonaguidi
Hanalei Bay
1992 US Open Champions
Tom Goodspeed has the ability to demonstrate/explain the complicated game of polo in a manner that is understood by both beginning and experienced players. If you want to improve your game, polo knowledge and horsemanship, the time spent at a Tom Goodspeed Clinic is time very well spent.
A Tom Goodspeed clinic on Rules of play, Umpiring and overall understanding of polo gives a fresh outlook at the rules, the proper positioning of Umpires, what to look for, how to communicate between umpires, other players. Once you understand the basics of polo your game will continue to improve and be more enjoyable.
Russ Sheldon
USPA Governor
Poway Polo Club