By Danny Scheraga
Polo is a microcosm of society.  Anheuser-Busch just announced that the company was being sold to a Belgian company owned by Brazilians.  The Empire State Building was just sold by a German company to an Arabian company.  Our manufacturing has mostly been shipped overseas.  The Morning Line printed the teams in a 12 goal tournament at an American Club in July.  Out of ten teams entered, only one team had more Americans than the sponsor.  Polo like our economy is being outsourced.  John Rosene and Peter Rizzo have written articles in this the past two months addressing this issue.  Where are American players, and what can be done to produce more?

 Rosene observed that the USPA is not keeping up with the population growth and postulated that if the influx of foreign members were deducted from the total membership, perhaps the number of American players had actually decreased.  He also correctly observed that a strong organization needs a strong base and the way to do that is to introduce many new players a few of whom will rise to the top as either professionals or team sponsors.  He closed by recommending a marketing strategy mainly though television to attract the horse oriented youth from established horse farms and ranches who already had  a support system in place to make polo affordable.

Rizzo addressed the changes that have occurred in American polo over the past 40 years.  He addressed how the rise of professionalism has changed how the game is played.  With the growth of professionalism has come a growth in foreign players and their support network of trainers, grooms, horse-shoers, etc. He mentioned that the USPA is considering an affirmative action rule to require one American player in addition to the sponsor on every team.  He fairly pointed out that this may or may not work to redevelop American polo players.  He also mentioned a key point that the cost/reward ratio in the United States might simply be too high for young American players to justify the effort to become a higher level player.

What does the Polo Training Foundation have to do with all of this?   Marketing the sport as suggested by John Rosene and the rule changes that Peter Rizzo mentioned are the bailiwick of the USPA.  The Polo Training Foundation is there to do exactly what the name implies.  Train polo players and umpires.  As the foundation has grown more resources have been used to broaden the base that Rosene aptly pointed out is necessary for a strong foundation.   The USPA Intercollegiate-Interscholastic tournament program has grown by leaps and bounds as have several junior programs at polo clubs across North America because the PTF working closely with the clubs that host these programs has encouraged teaching more young polo players.   Now the PTF and the USPA working closely with member clubs plan to expand that teaching concept by developing five regional teaching centers in major population areas across the continent.  The long range plan is to get them up and running successfully with a combination of grants, endowments, and fees for usage and then move on to create more until there are learning centers in every city where it is practical to play polo.  This plan will broaden the base from which the better players and sponsors will rise to the top and play higher goal polo. 

The process of establishing training centers is a long slow one, however, so what can be done to address the immediate problem?  Rizzo, in his article talked about, “in the good old days”;   if you were and adequate player for your handicap, and had a reputation of honoring your commitments to play, that you would be given the opportunity to play on teams with higher rated players and thereby through the necessity of creating good team chemistry be mentored by those players.  Mentoring is happening in spots across the country, but it needs to be encouraged more.  One example of such a program is the ECAT tournament at the Brandywine Polo Club mentioned later in this column.  Another example is the Young player’s tournament that was held at Steve Orthwein’s Port Mayaca Polo Club in Florida this past winter.   This concept needs to be expanded further by encouraging professional polo players to give back to the sport, by helping younger players along, whether it be merely talking with them about polo or letting them apprentice in their training operations with the chance to get some great pointers on the practice field and perhaps eventually the game field.

Peter Rizzo concluded by stating that the changes that have occurred in polo may be inevitable.  If, however, we don’t begin to try to redevelop our base, then it will be inevitable and there will be fewer and fewer American players.  If however, the PTF, the USPA and most importantly the polo playing public work together on all fronts perhaps we can re-energize our base and begin to re-grow our American base. Then we’ll have the best of both worlds, an strong American playing population with international interaction.   Perhaps the fact that so many people in polo are addressing the issue, an amalgamation of all these ideas will lead to better solutions.  And if you extrapolate that to the opening paragraph comparing polo to society, maybe, just maybe, there will be enough people out there that America’s outsourcing will evolve back into more stateside production, creating an equilibrium with the world economy.

Brandywine Polo Academy  is this month’s featured school as the  PTF strives to recognize the clubs across the country, which have built strong polo schools on their own, carrying out the mission to grow the sport through education.  Started three years ago by Scott and Kathy Brown at Dixon Stroud’s Brandywine Polo Club, the Brandywine Polo Academy introduces new polo players of all ages to polo in the regulation size arena at the club.  They have accumulated twenty lesson horses for the program.   There are twenty juniors, and twenty-seven adults participating in this year’s program.   Junior’s practice on Tuesday and Thurday nights and play their games on the weekends.  On Wednesday night there is a seven week long “Orientation to Polo” for adults who ride that want to learn to play polo.  Friday nights are reserved for more advanced adult chukkers.  Scott and his daughter Martha along with club manager Juan Martinez and pro Pablo Avalos volunteer their time for the instruction.

The highlight of the summer for the youth program is the East Coast Arena Tournament (ECAT) now in it’s third year.  At this writing the 2008 version scheduled for July 25 – 27 had not been played, but 66 kids (22 teams) were signed up.  The tournament is divided into four levels of playing ability and two volunteer coaches/umpires are assigned to each group. Coaches meet with their teams before and after their chukkers for organizational and instructional purposes.  Chukkers are videoed and the coaches then review strategy and skills with their charges.  In addition to polo playing and instruction from coaches, lectures are offered on lameness, massage therapy, basic equine care, hoof care, arena tactics and hitting techniques. Most of the players set up tents and camp out on the Brown’s farm.   The organizational skills of the Brown family are phenomenal.  In 2007 with 16 teams participating everything ran like clockwork.  Games were on time and everyone had a blast. 

For more information on the Branywine Polo Academy email Scott Brown at scottwbrown@verizon.net.

The Polo Training Foundation elected a new slate of officers at their Annual Meeting April 18, 2008 in Lake Worth, Florida.   Orrin Ingram stepped down after three years of wonderful service as Chairman.   Gene Burk was elected to the Chairmanship.  Ian Angus President, Gillian Johnston Vice President, Glenn Holden, Sr. Treasurer, Chrys Beal Secretary. Board members elected to serve until 2011 were Chrys Beal, Tom Biddle, Sr., Julie Boyle, William Busch, Glen Holden, Sr., Jesse Pruitt, Lynn Thompson, and John Walsh.  Orrin was thanked for his long term dedication as a Board member and officer of the PTF.   Because Orrin could not attend the meeting Gene Burk and Danny Scheraga visited with him and his wife Lee Ann at their Riverview Farm in Franklin, Tennessee where they presented him with the Roenisch bronze titled "Thank You".

The PTF would like to recognize the clubs across the country, which have built strong polo schools on their own carrying out the mission to grow the sport through education.  The Santa Barbara Polo Club is a premier example of this.   Polo Instructor John Westley has done a marvelous job at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racket Club teaching polo players from the very young juniors who evolve into Interscholastic players.  They have also encouraged several Intercollegiate teams to base at the Santa Barbara Polo Club.  This past 2008 Intercollegiate season their Westmont men’s and Santa Barbara City College women’s squads qualified for the National Intercollegiate Tournament.  They also have a year round lesson program where they encourage adults to learn the game and eventually become members of the Santa Barbara Polo Club. If you would like more information about the Santa Barbara International Polo School, contact John Westley via email at sbpoloschool@gmail.com. 

Kris Bowman had overwhelming success at the St. Louis Polo Club National Club Development Clinic May 15th - 17th. Over 35 participants attended the "intro to Polo" clinic co-taught by Kris and club manager Scott Lancaster. This intro clinic will then leave a great contact list for Scott and the St. Louis club with which to start their new polo school. The weekend began with a steering committee meeting with Kris and the leadership members of the club to discuss growth and goals that the club was working towards. On Saturday , the Intro to Polo clinic was held at Billy Busch's arena and the success was largely due to the club's efforts of inviting participants and showing up to help with the clinic. Tina Natorp and Jack Chopp were instrumental in this clinic. Saturday night there was a bar-b-que with club president, Jason Rauselbach wielding the grill. Sunday chukkers were rained out but the hearty group played on in Billy Busch's arena.

While out in the mid-west Kris drove on to work with the Des Moines Polo Club. These members gathered together to talk about the future of their club as they have faced a steep decline in membership. Great strides were made at this meeting as one of the field owners, Britt Baker, offered to board new member’s horses if the promise of a polo school for next year proved fruitful. Kris gave the members many ideas on how to aquire a manager/instructor for their polo club next year. In attendance and on an entirely different path was the newly formed Quad Cities Polo Club. These attendees were awestruck with the machinations of the PTF and USPA and had a huge learning curve. This club proposed that they needed quite a bit of help from the PTF and Kris will be working with them in the future.

Kris then headed for the west coast where she met with Bonni McGill at the Sutter Buttes polo club.   They have an arena that acts as one two home bases for the UC Davis team and they have an outdoor field.   Sutter Buttes is reviving their membership working with the UC Davis program using their horses for an introductory lesson course.  Kris also quickly became educated about the plight of college programs struggling to make their budgets just to feed and care for their horses.  She and Robin Sanchez are developing a wish list for college programs to let the USPA membership understand their needs and possibly donate to those programs.

Kris then hopped over from the Central Valley to Napa and met up with Steve Lane who was teaching an umpire clinic (he had visited Menlo the week before)   Kris helped Steve with his clinic and also worked with club management to strengthen club committee structure. 

Then it was on down to Menlo Park where they have a flourishing club with many enthusiastic polo players, but are hemmed into one small field.  Kris worked with the club on future plans.  Across the valley she visited the Horse Park Polo arena club where she discussed league development.  After that it was on down the Pacific Coast highway to the Central Coast Polo Club where she met with Meagan Judge who has done a remarkable job keeping the Cal Poly program strong. 

 
On her way back east but after this article went to press, Kris stopped and visited clubs in the Denver, Colorado region, Nashville, Tennessee, and then headed to Northern Virginia to visit the hotbed of developing clubs and schools in the Eastern Circuit.

Kris was encouraged to see all these clubs and both the volunteers and professionals who were striving to help bring new players into the game.  Her hope is that the large clubs will reach out to the smaller clubs which can become feeders like farm clubs in baseball as players improve and move up the ladder of competition.

Announcing Summer Camps at Brushy Creek

June 3-8
June 10-15
June 17-22
June 24-29
July 8-13
July 15-20


Includes: Horses, Housing and Instruction.  Get a leg up on the 2008 Spring Season!

Contact PTF for an application at 888.783.7656 or Robin Sanchez 717.645.8778,  polodutoit@yahoo.com.  Space is limited, so sign up now!

KIDS RULE - Jennifer Poor does a great job with children in junior polo

Jennifer Poor has done a wonderful job taking over management of Florida Junior Polo. She has spent her life developing the skills to run a junior program. Jennifer, the daughter of USPA Northeast Circuit Gov. Peter Poor, grew up helping her dad run his polo school in Massachusetts. As a youngster she played in the Florida Junior Program, including the Avendano Tournament. She has since gone on to manage polo at major clubs, including Greenwich, Bridgehampton and International Polo Club Palm Beach. With anywhere from 40 to 80 kids participating in Florida Junior Polo, it’s like managing one of the bigger clubs in the country. She has attracted good coaches, among them high-goal players such as Jeff Hall and Nacho Figueras. They have complemented her loyal regulars, Russell Corey, Leighann Fischer, the Quraeshi brothers, Mauricio Devrient ... the list goes on. Former 3-goal patron Brad Alexander was even drawn out of polo retirement to help the youngsters.

February is Avendano Tournament month, the oldest and largest junior tournament in North America. In addition to the 70-plus regular entrants, this year the Floridians had invited a contingent from the Eldorado Junior Program in California to spend the weekend in South Florida. Scotty Mac Cunningham, Daniel Galindo, Andy Garcia and Ryan and Riley Uretz and their parents made the trek across the country. The plan was to have the Westerners fly in Friday night, practice with the Florida kids on Saturday, attend the Polo Player’s Support Group 40-Goal benefit game Saturday afternoon, play two exhibition chukkers Sunday on the No. 1 field before the 3 p.m. game at International and finally end up participating in the Avendano on Monday.

Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate as rains deluged South Florida early in the week, leaving fields sopped. There was no way the kids were going to be able to play on Saturday. Jennifer, however, through the generosity of Roberto Narvaja was able to secure his arena so that the California group could have a practice that day and finish up in time to watch the 40- goal exhibition tournament. Sunday turned out to be a gorgeous day, and 16 players were divided into four teams to play two exhibition chukkers.

As the trophies were handed out by Ambassador Holden, Russell Corey and Jennifer after the match, the clouds rolled in and the rains came once again. There was concern that the Avendano might have to be canceled. Monday, however, was beautiful and the tournament was played as usual on the South Shore field generously donated by Mark and Katherine Bellissimo. The California exchange was suggested by Russell Corey, who contacted Janet Ludwig and Ambassador Glen Holden of Eldorado Polo Club after clearing the concept with the PTF and the Florida Junior Polo group. Jennifer then organized all the logistics of mounting and housing the Westerners. From all reports the kids had a wonderful time and it is hoped these exchanges will continue in the future. The PTF would like to thank those who helped out by mounting the California players and for taking them into their homes, allowing the youth from both coasts to better get to know each other. The following Florida families housed the California kids: Ganzis, Coppolas, L. Escobar family, D. Gonzalez family and the Galindo family.

The following lent mounts for the California kids: Ganzis, Coppolas, Escobars, Gonzalezes, Quareshis.

Roberto Narvaja lent the arena; the Bellissimo family lent their fields; and International Polo Club lent use of facilities for the exhibition. The PTF extends thanks to all who volunteered during the Avendano: Mauricio Devrient, Omar Sosa, Shahmir Quraeshi, Gavin Guinan, Amber Owen, Clarissa Echezarreta, Claire Newman, Jesse Coppola, Perry Palmer, Mario Chaira, Melanja Jones, Brad Alexander, Silvia Firestone, Haley Bryan, and Leighann Fischer.

Florida Junior Polo is pleased to announce their new coordinator for the 2008 season, Jennifer Poor.

Jennifer is a graduate of the Florida Junior Polo Program. She grew up playing polo at Myopia Polo Club in Hamilton, Mass., with her father and two sisters. She has worked at the Aiken Polo Club, the New Bridge Polo Club, the International Polo Club, and currently manages both the Greenwich and the Bridgehampton Polo Clubs during the Spring and Summer.

For more information about the Florida Junior Polo Program, contact Jennifer at 203.550.3814 or the PTF at 888.783.7656.

INDIAN WELLS—Derek and Deborah Wolstenholme hosted a wonderful reception for the Polo Training Foundation in this polo stronghold Thursday as Coachella Valley patrons turned out to support development programs for future generations.

The foundation’s 12th annual live and silent auction at Eldorado Country Club raised $220,000 at the hands of featured auctioneers Bill Devane, Alex Jacoy and Andy Smith. Some 120 supporters bumped elbows to signal bids inside the increasingly cramped anteroom as the trio whipped up enthusiasm—and competition—for the 27 live auction items and 27 others in the silent auction

Wolstenholme’s charms inspired the goodwill of polo aficionados, retailers and philanthropists who comprised the more than 106 donors credited for their contributions. A tour of the silent auction tables revealed a marvelously diverse mélange—a Dr. Cosgrove cosmetic laser treatment, a haystack courtesy of Desi Keck, a magenta bag from Escada, and a three-day romp at the Grand Paw Doggie Dude Ranch—for a lucky dog.

Martha Brown and Larry Lichliter gave up four days and three nights at The Boulders resort and polo for two at the Costa Careyes Polo Club in Mexico was ponied up by Giorgio Brignone. Jennifer Johnson offered to come to your home and cook for six, and the Geiler Family extended a three-night stay in a spa villa at La Quinta Hotel. Susan Meyer put up bath and body products and Glen & Gloria Holden gave away the Magic Kingdom with a $1,000 gift card. Tiffany Mark Watches were given by Michelle Butler and Bill Nolan of Tiffany Pasadena and Palm Desert respectively. There was also a lovely getaway to Brocket Hall & Golf Club in the United Kingdom donated by Brocket Hall International, as well as three nights at any Ritz Carlton in the World donated by Bryan Ingrande, Director of Sports Marketing.

At the main event, Jacoy rallied the crowd, and a mysterious cadre of bidders by phone, on the first opportunity off the block. A bevy of bejeweled hands filled the air to be counted in for $1,000 lots to name a Junior Polo team and benefit the Eldorado Junior Polo Advisory Fund.

“All right, everyone, you’ve seen these kids on the field, come on and give ‘em a name. Counts for one year and I’ve already got a bid from John Leary,” he barked. Fifteen people bit.

Humor and generosity sparked a sense of giving that seemed to settle equally about the room. When Jacoy trotted out the four tickets to the Coachella Fest, bidders quickly upped the ante from $2,000 to $5,000. A lively rivalry between Greg Renker and Glen Holden ensued, and Jacoy offered up another set to please them both.

Dick Garber, bidding for Chrys and Kelly Beal, snagged three nights at Canada’s Queen Charlotte Lodge fishing camp, on the trio’s fishing recommendations. “If you know fishing, you know what we’re talking about,” Devane said. Bids jumped from $5,000 to $7,000. “Von Gontard told me the fishing is so good up there you get tired of catching fish,” Jacoy said. Numbers climbed higher on the lure of fine food and wine at Fred Mannix’s harbor hideaway. Free transportation from Vancouver was thrown in as an extra. “It’s one of my favorites,” Smith chimed in. Too much for Garber to let get away, he won the trip for $11,000.

A lovely black Chanel clutch donated by Saks fetched $1,600. Appealing to the women in the room, Smith gave the sleek leather bag a respectable pitch. For the men, Smith threw in, “It’s a purse, guys, but the girls know what it is.” Laughter rumbled. Susan Myers who had flown in with husband Joe from Atlanta won the bid.

Servers bustled around the standing-room-only crowd, maneuvering around photographers, a roving model and reached across rows of filled banquet chairs to offer trays of petite sandwiches and shrimp, keeping the crowd riveted to their seats. Alcohol flowed as fast as the bling, the baubles and exquisitely planned trips to Costa Careyes, Mammoth, Hotel Bora Bora, Salmon River and Santa Ynez.

Generating the most buzz during the two-hour spend-a-thon was a stay at actor Robert Duvall’s Virginia guesthouse and a Golden Russian Crown Sable stole donated by Donna Pappas and Somper Furs of Beverly Hills.

Billed as the Assassination Tango Package, Devane hawked the two-night adventure donated by Duvall and his wife Luciana. The holiday, at an undisclosed location, featured Tango lessons with the couple, a signed copy of their film, a signed movie poster and flipbook as well as a signed photo of the two. Duvall wrote and directed the 2003 film set in Buenos Aires starring Duvall and Ruben Blades. Bidding hiked quickly.

After another round of drinks. More hands shot up. Bidding escalated to $7,000.

“Wake up that guy on the phone! Can’t pass this up. Who wouldn’t pay $7,000 to dance with Bobby D?” Devane said. His banter rocked the house.

Not a soul would outbid the Pacific Coast’s circuit governor Tango aficionado Pat Nesbitt, who locked it up with an $8,500 donation.

Ahh, the stole. Modeled tastefully throughout the night by a lithe classic beauty, who was there for the evening compliments of Saks Fifth Avenue, Palm Desert, this to-die-for sable brought out the competitiveness in this group.

“I’ve been looking at this sable all night,” Devane said slyly. The model gave bidders a close-up look, and feel.

She offered it to Stacie Renker to give it a whirl. Bids flew higher. Dina Stuart wrapped it around her shoulders. Women poked their escorts, husbands and boyfriends as Jacoy and Smith worked to manage a flurry of signals.

“Don’t just sit there and rub it! Bid first, rub later,” Devane said dryly.

But when Ursala Krebes draped the velvety soft siena brown wrap around her shoulders, the attraction was most certainly fatal. Pat Nesbitt cast the final bid for $6500 that went unchallenged.

The last item on the live agenda were offers of sponsorship lots at $1,000 to support FIP teams USA and Canada for the 2010 World Cup and Team Canada who has qualified for the April 2008 final in Mexico City. FIP Ambassadors Nesbitt, Holden, and Wolstenholme spoke of the need to help this international competition recounting their arduous battle to return polo to Olympic status. While that goal has yet to be scored, the sport has been recognized and the pair endeavors to work some magic in Mexico that could potentially land a spot for polo in the Pan Am Games. Fifteen more donors raised their hands emphatically in solidarity.

All funds raised by the PTF are dedicated to support polo in collegiate or scholastic sports curriculums, promote international goodwill through competition, and encourage development and sportsmanship through teaching young people the principles of the game. However, for those who may have expressed doubt about the distribution and management of funds raised in this West Coast fundraiser, PTF President Burk delivered these words concerning the Pacific Coast polo progeny.

“People have said that the money that’s raised here doesn’t stay here. That is simply not true,” Burk said. “If it is suggested by anyone, and you hear of it, send them to me. We open our books for all to see.

Wolstenholme ended the evening with a thank you for the faithful support, acknowledging the power of the community in the success of the PTF’s mission.

Article by Diane Hensley