The Polo Report
By Steve Crowder
Approximately 99% of the people in the world do not know what polo is. That means 377 million do and 1 % of them may like the sport of polo. That would translate into 377, 000 individuals who like the sport. Only 1% of those who like the sport actually play it. This makes sense as there are approximately 3700 people who do play polo or who have played polo in the U.S.A.
The U.S. is probably one of the top 5 countries in the world that has organized polo at the second highest level played. However, seldom is there an American on the field if he is not paying to play. That is another statistic rarely uttered by an American. I was told recently why we do not have 2 or any Americans on most teams in high-goal polo. The reason is because after a study, it showed we do not have enough rated players to do it. An average Patron is 0- to 2-goals. Lets add it up. There are 30 American players rated 6-goals or higher and only 13 are at 6-goals. We have never had more than 13 teams at the 26-goal level in the U.S. Open. So write that story somewhere else.
England made it work with only 30% of the polo-playing population that we have in the U.S. Why did they do do it? Because they care. England still got screwed when Europe came in. Otherwise they would have had 30 more players from the U.K. who could be involved if Euopeans had not found that loophole.
Much like Soccer in the U.S., several million kids play it. Without Women’s soccer our country would be unknown in the sport. There is no reason for a local resident to chase the dream of becoming a famous soccer player. He will never get the chance to be a professional player or make a living doing it in the U.S. Why it is the American way to help someone else first? This is same concept as our foreign policy. Forget about educating Americans, lets give Iran or Iraq 200 million dollars to better their world so they can shoot us or blow up a couple hundred of working American troops. We have improved and we have youth programs, but that is just a show and no tell deal. We give people hope, but so long and you are on your own after class. Go play at home and try to buy a good horse and eat as well.
Well, Crowder I agree that we do not support our potential players. Polo is a luxury..plain and simple. I played professionally because I would not take “no you’ll never make it.”..no family money, name, or horse gifts, and I’m a woman, so it can be done. The player has to want it more than anything in the world and be willing to start at the stall cleaning level to get there. How many young players, boys or girls, are willing to start there and stick with it, year after year, crap job after crap job grooming or whatever, until they get there???? Very few I’d guess..