Three American Patrons are competing in the first “Big One” in the UK the Queens Cup and two of them are undefeated and on a collision course. Like this Saturday, RH and Ben Soleimani who are defending champs, will meet Rob Jornayvaz and Valiente at 3 pm. Both undefeated and rolling along, Ben has some big boys in Sapo Casset and Rodrigo Andrade from Brazil and they face Mr AC or Adolfo Cambiaso and Rob’s Valiente. It should be a dandy and they are both finals material so we shall see. Another Yank over there is Michael Bickford who has been to a couple of finals as well in his 3rd year and they only have 1 loss so also are still in it. The team name is La Indiana and they actually do have an American pro on their team – Nick Roldan – so should be a very interesting weekend.
Here in Santa Barbara it is the Graber Cup getting underway – a 12 goal and is the 3rd tournament of the season which could use some Gold Coast weather but has not topped 70 very much this year. We have been having nice attendance so far with very ugly weather. The bad news is June is here so maybe we will see a weather change like no June Gloom!!!!!!
Polo is flying in many places like Texas and South Carolina and is underway in New York and Greenwich and Chicago. It’s on as well in Milwaukee and St. Louis.
On the down side, the USPA program for young Americans to get into the game, continues to surprise me at their thought process. The new team has 3 patrons and one professional player’s siblings. HOW DOES THIS HELP GROW POLO???? They will play anyway if they want to. Maybe we are taking our advice from somewhere else – keep the patrons so they can hire pros from somewhere else because none are going to get a chance that were born and live here. I saw a Facebook article the other day and it was asking for donations for the US Team in The UK and said no practice no horses. That sounds just like the USPA, do not make it a good show we do not have any money, so send 20 USPA officials to the UK and wine and dine but lets get help for players from you. REAL GOOD. Sort of like US Soccer – we’re not in Russia. Why we have 10 million kids playing soccer but as soon as they get old enough to see there is nowhere to go they leave to live another life where they can survive – sounds familiar. At one time we had American pros living like good players should when we had high goal Patrons at least 4 or 5 goals, some better, now in the last 10 years we had ONE – Jared Zenni – who is a great player but brought up in the old environment, learnt with a steady pro, who worked year-round with him. Nowadays it is just “see you in the Winter send me money and take our picture but do not hit the ball, pick and leave it, I will do the rest.” I really do not know how Patrons think today? It was only 10 years ago we had 20 Patrons from 3 to 5 goals and part of the team. WHY THE USPA? How many Americans have passed 6 goals in the last 5 years???? Now you know why. There is no chance and they will not change if we do not help the system to grow US kids. Follow an Argentine’s idea – Javier Tanoira – he is more intelligent than all our leaders and is trying to help the sport survive. Polo is way too expensive for average rich and NO REWARDS other than ego. Look at all the big games today – the Patron is a spectator. Maybe a good seat but little else. It’s pick block and LEAVE IT. There are no Buschs, Uihliens, Orthweins, or Walkers anymore in the High goal because they played Polo, not watched.
Javiers Ideas Make too much sense !
6 horses for 6 chukkar polo
Why? Cuts costs immediately. No need for 12-15 horses, stalls, two grooms and shoeing, vets, trailers, etc.. The Patron becomes part of the team – they have to, in order to win. They will improve and will enjoy the game and be seen as a player not a payer. Pros will teach and help the Patron because they must be a player to win. Take a lesson from the UK – 2 Americans on every team, 20 goals or more, 3 on anything else. We might see something not seen since the 90’s – American PROS
Just my opinion, lets hear yours.
See ya