The Polo Report
By Steve Crowder
Do not buy video and if it is free leave it behind. It was a beautiful day maybe 72 degrees with a light breeze and full sun, but the Polo was the type that makes people quit the sport. This was definitely not fashion or for that part really a sport. I do not know where to lay the blame, but it was a very important game and it was horrendous. I think there are few things that made it this way and if you remove the possibilities which are field conditions, which were not bad at all. The horses and they were very good. The players, well they were a bit silly, but to me this has to be the “stripes” or umpires. I know they did a pretty good job in the second game, so it is not that they cannot umpire well, but God only knows what caused the first game to be close to the worst 20-goal game on record.
The first problem was that it took 2 hours and 23 minutes to play which is great for an audience. Second, the red flags were flying, but no one was sat down, which I think has to be done. Otherwise the problems never stop and it did not stop in this game. The idea of a Ref. or Umpire waving a red flag in a players direction is stupid. It just enrages people. Think about it like this … you already know you did something stupid or you think someone else did and then you are told you are wrong and someone starts waving a flag at you. It is like saying “come on give me more.”
Use your head. If your fighting bulls maybe! When trying to make peace, I doubt it will work. There were 13 fouls in the first 2 chukkers plus several technicals. All but 3 were against one team, so take control and send the problem to the sideline. I doubt the problem will continue very long if you did that. I know these guys have a s—-y job but they took the job so it is your job.
About the game …
Farmers and Merchant jumped out quick and got the lead but Grant’s Farm just kept tying it up, usually with fouls shots. Actually they scored 3 of the 14 from the field. At the end of the first chukker it was 3 to 4 F&M up at the end of 2 now 7 to 6 GF. At the 1/2 it was still one goal as they tied in the 3rd. Grant’s Farm won the fourth, 3 to 1 and lost the 5th 3 to 2 and won by two due to the 4th. The game was long … 2 hours + 23 minutes and as described just not a game someone wants to be in or see. In the end Grant’s Farm goes to the PCO finals. The winner of next game may make both Thursday games practice games. I really think this is a game that should be studied as how not to run a game by the USPA.
Game 2 was 3 PM delayed by the long first game, but got underway before 4 pm by a little bit. It was Big Ben and Mansour trying to save their lives with a win as that was their only lifeline. It would be a tough day as they met Lucchese and Adolfo Cambiaso (AC) who they were about even with either tied or one down, but that was a while ago. AC is the Master and they did control the first 1/2 out in front by 3 and won the 4th by 2 and now lead by 3. Mansour came back in the 5th and closed the gap by one and had a brilliant start in the 6th and were within 1 with 2 plus to go. Andres Weise had a big run to bury the thought and Lucchese heads to their 3rd straight Pacific Coast Open final next Sunday . It should be fun, but it took Thursday out as it is now just a practice day. Ben Solemani of Mansour is not happy, but he played quite well even getting a foul from the Master in the 4th and added a lot at #1 for pulling the team.
I just know this is the place to be in June thru Sept. We have to show people that and we will become the Summer center of the planet for polo. See you @ the finals and Grant’s Farm will play even though they say we have no chance.
Be there we will!
see ya