Dr. Richard T. Caleel

The worldwide governing body of polo, the Federation of international Polo ( FIP) has a new President . Dr. Richard Caleel, the patriarch of a long time polo playing family relocated to the West Coast with his family part time some years ago and recently opened a FIP office in Santa Barbara, California USA. The annual FIP General Assembly meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina unanimously elected Dr. Caleel to take over the reins from the popular outgoing FIP President Eduardo Huergo from Argentina.

As a polo player and long time United States Polo Association member and International Committee Chairman, the sport has taken Dr. Caleel to polo events worldwide. FIP, recognizing his considerable expertise as a talented business man with refined organizational skills that can cross many borders, has now tapped into this experience by selecting him to represent their organization with a mission to promote polo throughout the world. The recent annual meetings this week in Buenos Aires brought representatives and players from many of the 48 countries participating.

Organizing tournaments with many countries and their various levels of players is no easy feat, but the mission is clear to bring the joy of polo to children and adults all over the world. The World Equestrian Games, Pan Am Games and Olympic Games are certainly in the sights of many. China is now an emerging country and although polo is renewed there in the last ten years, clubs and players are clamoring to be a part of this elegant and beautiful sport. The world wide implications are not lost on the new president and we are certain to see a greater international presence of polo in new and emerging societies.