The Polo Report
by Steve Crowder
Wednesday is showtime and it is all about survival for some teams to get to the semis. One team is out even and has to be a shootout. Tomorrow you have Twin Palms at 1 and 0 taking on Antelope, who should be through with a 2 and 0 record with a win. Twin Palms will most likely continue in game 2. It will be at 4 pm. The first game is at 2 pm. Highwood without headman Mr. Ron M. and sporting a 0 and 1 taking on Klentner Ranch, who are in a hole with a 0 and 2 record. They do need a win or watch on Friday. Should be fun on a Wed. In Santa Barbara this does not happen often, so come on by and watch the sparks fly. It will probably be cool so bring your sweater.
I was talking to the Governor yesterday, Mr. Nesbitt, and sounds to me like there may be the best mind in the world of Polo for the future with some great ideas again.
His Name is Javier Tanoria, and he is a seven goal player and son of 10-goal player ( the late Gonzalo Tanoria). It was Tanoria, who came up with many of the ideas in place today. He changed the game for spectators taking away the tip a tac crap that was going on a few years ago. He made Polo a speed game again. Now he has an idea which may well save polo. As costs have spiraled out of sight and are creating a fast growing void in the sport. COST: Polo has probably increased 10 times what it was in the last 10 years. This is because of the numbers, not on the field, but to get there.
Reasons: you no longer can go to the field with 6 horses and quite often need 10 or more. No one who wins plays a tired horse. They just get another one and that cost is double from what it was 10 years ago or maybe less and more like 6 years ago. Most players are carrying 12, so this is almost double expenses for the pro. They need 2 or 3 grooms, housing for them, double the feed, stalls, vet services, shoeing and shipping. These costs are all passed on to the Patrons, who are dwindling as well as new players. I was told the past weekend by a very able Patron that to play 5 to 6 months of 12-goal polo you are looking at 750,000 to a million dollars to do it. That’s a bit more than pocket change to anyone.
Javier’s idea is, as I understand it, is to stop 10 -12 horses per player, per game. Instead, bring the number to 6 or less, and only those 6 can play in a game. Stop some things like throw ins after each goal. If a team scores, they knock in from where they scored. It would be like it is done in practice games without an Umpire. It is the little things that will bring a lot of cost down for everyone.
Less horses will be the biggest change. It will hurt that market, but may lift the price on the premiere horses. Least of all, it will also make a faster game. There won’t be constant delays due to changes, which are sometimes needed, but usually a stall to get a fresh horse. No changes may be tough on some, but it will be a clear and real reason if a change is needed. Mainly due to an injury to a horse. Remember, you will only have 6 horses or less anyway, so you will think more and create a more equal situation for players and teams. The best horses will still shine, but they will be used differently and will the Patrons and low goal players on a team. You cannot say “leave it” and fly for 3 minutes knowing you can get on another one asap, so you will pass and save your mount.This is what I believe. Yes, maybe we are going back to early 90’s, but without new Patrons we may go much further back.
Always remember if a Patron can afford to play Polo he or She can definitely afford not to play polo. We need them, they do not need us. Think about it. Maybe it will save the game. You cannot tell me cost is not hurting polo. Even the UK is feeling it with a drop from 18 to 12 teams in the Super Polo. U.S. Open was down from 16 to 9, Pacific Coast Open from 8 to maybe 5 and the handicap of the tournament was lowered. Houston, probably the most successful in the US for new Patrons, has no 20-goal polo, which is the same situation as Santa Barbara Polo Club. It is the future, if we are to have ONE.
I will try to get the whole plan and publish it, because I have no doubt that Javier Tanoria may have the best mind when it comes to seeing polo as the whole picture from a pro’s perspective, spectator and polo horse farm owner as the patrons side. We are seeing much more attention to the game. There is a base of fans, especially where they have knowledgeable people marketing … Indio 3 to 5 thousand people every Sunday at both clubs, San Diego 3000 for 4-goal polo. Brants Polo in NY and Greenwich is the same … it is all marketing. Joe Muldoon used to do the same in DC. It is just knowing how to get it done and who can get it done. Some food for thought for the USPA. WE have a tool for TV coverage especially with the drone. It brings so much to the TV side for the game. Along with Javier’s ideas, it may take a lot of the time wasted with constant reliving every chukkar with the UMPS and constant ranting of announcers, which is burning up time for calls to be dealt with. Just an opinion, WHATS YOURS ?
see ya