The Polo Report
By Steve Crowder
May 23, 2010
In a game of Santiagos (there were 3 players named Santiago in this game) it was Ben Solemoni, the Mansour of La Kirina/Mansour, who shined today. He had a very good day adding 3 goals to the final results + playing a very good game. I had just given him a bit of lip about how he played last wee,k an today he made me eat my words. Ben did very well …. he lost the windmill and hit the ball straight to goal. He also made some big hooks and was easily the best Patron on the field today.
It was a good finals. L/K jumped to an early lead, but the opposition a came roaring back as Julio Gracida lit the board up big time with phenomenal runs down the field and scoring goals to put Antelope up. At at 1/2 time they were back at 7 to 7 and then it was L/M coming back and showing they didn’t go away. Santi Wolfe took control and he had a lot of help from Santi Von Wernich, the brother of the “Doctor” (Gaston Von Wernich). Ben led the charge as they went up in the end of the 5th by 3, at 13 to 10. They held of off a wild charge by Antelope and the 3rd Santi (Santi Trotz) to find the final bell by 1. Julio Gracida showed us how “not” to switch horses during the chukkar. Due to a broken piece of tack, he switched and on his way to field realized a problem went back to get original horse and both escaped. Then found a third nearby, but in the meantime the game went on. It was a bit humorous for us, however, I doubt J.G. found it entertaining.
It was a good fast clean game so all left the field happy on a very windy Santa Barbara Day. And that’s all the action in California for now. Get ready … the LIONS are back and EMPIRE POLO is getting ready for the most exciting season in the last decade in the DESERT in 2011.
Around the World ….
Maybe young people are what we need! In the last 10 days, well one of them took more than 10 days, a young New Zealand Lady made it around the world solo sailing at 16 yrs. old A 13 year old from California climbed Mount Everest and a 16 year old (or less) was like 16th in a major golf tournament. So maybe it is time for the old guard to step aside from the top and bottom and move on. As Tomorrow never comes and yesterday is gone so lets make it our future .
See ya.
Steve Crowder