Tom Goodspeed rocks! As well as Ursula Pari, Liz Holson and Lindsay Dolan who all spoke today during the 3rd and final day of the annual 2013 USPA Polo Development, LLC Instructors Forum presented by Mike Ellis of Professional Images.
It was sad to see them go, but 68 club owners, managers and instructors left Tonkawa Farms this afternoon after participating extensively in the 3-day forum and networking with fellow polo instructors. Todays highlights included Irving Polo Club manager and SMU Polo Coach, Tom Goodspeed who offered a genuine perspective on the differences and similarities of Coaching vs Teaching, Lindsay Dolan of the USPA reviewed the easy on line membership sign up process for new members, Liz Holson discussed how to teach a an effective clinic to a large group and the beautiful/talented Polo player/Newscaster, Ursula Pari, gave a helpful power point on how to entice media to report on a polo news story from your club and then what to do with the production crews once they arrive on property.
If you own a polo club and or teach the sport this was the forum for you. “Ideas That Work” is an annual effort by Kris Bowman’s USPA Polo Development, LLC team, that includes Amanda Snow and Justin Powers the coordinators who organize and strategize this year’s forum schedule of events. Thank so much to Jeff Hildebrand of Tonkawa Farm, ERG, Isla Carroll and the Houston Polo Club for their support and venue donations.
Tom’s talk was amazing! He told inspiring stories from his days of playing with Corky Linfoot and Joe Henderson, plus the many effective teachers/coaches he experienced throughout his career as a polo player. His perspective on being sensitive to different student’s personalities and how they receive information was a reminder that not all students are built the same. Just like riding green horses he commented, you have to shift your teaching style toward your audience. “While one student will buck up to a Vince Lambardi type coaching, another will shut down.” Tom mentioned. What an gift to the polo community!