The Polo Report
By Steve Crowder
Maybe or maybe not …
The British Open, as most high goal tournaments in the World, is seldom won without a 10-goal player, but this one may be a game changer. It has been a long time since this happened, but I think it will in the UK. It may have been over 5 years ago the last time a team won at this level without a 10-goaler on the team. Lets look at today and the Semis of the British Open. This is probably the most competitive tournament in the World.
Valiente vs King Power might have 4 of the best 6 goal players in the World in it. The Pieres Brothers, Facundo and Gonzalo, vs Cambiaso and Nero, who is not rated 10 in the US, but is everywhere else on the planet. The big thing about this game was not the 10-goalers, it was the low goal players … 1 and one 2 goal players. Rob and Hall made it happen for Valiante. For King Power it was Tal and Lewis. Seldom is there a goal scored that they did not assist with, if they weren’t making the goal themselves. This is what makes the UK so different and why I think it is the best polo in the world today.
In the other semis you have La Indiana, the Cinderella Team, and yes Roldan is playing amazing as well as Tincho. They all work for Lusarreta, who is 9-goals next week I am sure. M. Bicjford is in 50 % of the plays and they can never leave him alone. I think hats off to the low goal players. They deserve it and not only on these teams. Look at the Quarters. There were a lot of 10’s, but they all had their aces at 0 to 2. This is what will make polo what it was, a Super Sport. It makes everyone part of the team. If they control the horse count, it will be even better and become an amazing team sport.
Today’s games were amazing and very close. It will be a fantastic finals. I hope the weather is good. I do think La Indiana will win. Not that my opinion means anything, but this team has only 1 new guy on the block and he is equal to the young guns. KP is dealing with a double and they are great. To me they have the edge, but it is never easy to beat GP in the Finals. He has his Dad’s mojo.
Other news :
Nick Rennekamp Stables look it up. nickrennekampstables.com same name all lower case .com in the center of the horse world in KENTUCKY. They are putting on a sale for green horses. He knows the game and he does know horses. They will be the right type and bred to do it. Rennekamp is a top seller of the best we see so in somany places.
Also, if in Santa Barbara, look for Adam Snow’s book “Polo Life.” It is going off the charts in Europe, so take a look and then read it.
Down in San Diego, with all of their survival skills, they continue. Ashton is still on the run and Steve Pollack and team came out on top Sunday. They may not play high- goal, but they are high-goal in crowds. They just DO IT in Party Town. The races at Del Mar Racetrack, just down the road, start this weekend. Head to where the Surf meets the Turf. SD polo is big, but watch polochannel.com if not in the UK Sunday at 7 our time there will be 12,000 people at that game.
Need visas for players or grooms? We have a connection who has done it before. She gets it done fast and reasonable her name is Joyce Dilugos and her email polovisas@gmail.com. She can keep you horses happy with a great groom.
see ya @ POLO