Few people did remember Pearl Harbor and that’s sad because it was probably one of the most important days in our history. It was when as a country, we found we could unite and be so strong. This need not happen again as I am afraid there are too many big weapons for any of us to handle now. The World problems are really not so much from the wars, which I believe are also caused by our biggest problem . . . corruption. Look at oil prices. They went from $5.00 a gal. in Santa Barbara to $1.59. Tell me that was not crooked. The gas companies will probably want to be bailed out soon too like the banks, who stole all they could that the insurance company’s did not get. Now they need help and billion dollar parachutes for the CEO’s. We talk about Mexico and Argentina being corrupt, well our leaders learned from it.

All of the problems going on with our economy today has been hard on Polo. Most of the real thieves do not play polo. We have lost a lot of teams in the low goal and we are suffering in the high goal as well. The U.S. OPEN may have 6 teams this year which is a 50% reduction from last year. This is not any worse than many other locations. Argentina lost on the average 10 teams for their big tournaments such as the Gold and Silver Cup. The fall out in the United Kingdom is unknown at this time. We will see how things play out there soon enough. We also don’t know how this economy will effect Santa Barbara and Greenwich in Summer 2009 yet, but we have to change as the World does.

Polo has had a good time and a prosperous few years, now its time to tighten the belt. Polo is a sport people want to play. It is optional and a luxury. Polo patrons do not have to play polo as pros and support people do. We NEED the Patrons to survive as they do NOT need us. Along with this the clubs need to help as well. Gas has been reduced as well as diesel. Fertilizer and plastic are all down, so its a little cheaper to run the clubs. The big thing Clubs need to remember is that once a Polo player sells out he probably will not be back. It is easier to keep existing customers (Polo Players) than it is to bring in a brand new player. Once they leave and sell their horses, trucks, trailers and tack it will take 10 times more effort to bring them back in. Why not spend the time and make the effort NOW to keep them in polo. Offer them deals and show them why they should stay in polo.

Some clubs are doing things to help keep players playing polo. John Goodman at IPC has frozen prices for the last two years and people are coming back. Outback League is freezing their fees as well. If people work together it usually works for everyone. Out west we have to think along the same lines. We are less expensive and we should be as we do not have the facilities like they do in Florida. This is mainly because it will freeze here and we have to play on grass that is for color, not growing Bermuda. We also do not have the Country Club mentality. As a group we need to stand up and speak to keep our game alive because there is no bailout for POLO. Even if some think we do not need it. A man, who is very wealthy, told me on Saturday that the economy is effecting billionaires as well as millionaires and ten dollar an hour people as well. So why is this bad economy not effecting some of our leaders? Who knows? Maybe they are not leaders. The big three CEO’s show up in 3 private jets and ask for money.
Very Interesting Quote:

In light of the present financial crisis, it’s interesting to read what
Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:

‘I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties
than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to
control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by
deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks
will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up
homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.

On the polo side its just another time and it is not the economy. Adolfo Cambiaso is doing what he
does best . . . Winning. Many may say its over, as they did last year, and the year before, but is it? Can Ellerstina really beat him in the finals of the Open? Maybe the age difference is there, but hey, La Dolfina is still 40 goals in Argentina and there is a reason he is going for a four-peat. In other news down south Young Fred Mannix and his Alegria team had a fantastic showing in the Copa de Camara and lost the semis in overtime. They were beaten in the finals of the Pilara earlier . . . well done Gringos + 1. Sometimes we just have to do IT and hope for the best. So lets all get together and DO IT.

See ya.