THE ROAD 2 THE U.S. OPEN STARTED TODAY!

Game one: Audi vs. La Fe–a new team built to compete, but with a plan to do it. I had heard 2 days ago there was going to be a switch after the game started; another player to sub for a listed player, and the rumor was correct–it happened. It reminded me of an incident that happened years ago. White Birch was accused of playing a “beaten horse” in the Gold Cup that had previously played with another team in the tournament, but even though the horse (California I think her name was) did play with another team, it was in a winning game so technically she wasn’t “beaten” as the USPA rules worded, so it was legal and White Birch won the case. This created a rule change: horses played in a tournament cannot play on any other team. This must also be addressed by the USPA, because it’s going to happen throughout this tournament again and again, since it is legal by Bluebook standards at the moment. La Fe did win, and by 4 goals. It was an outstanding performance and Audi seemed a little unprepared, and sad to say, but my Son was part of it. I lost my stat sheet, but I do remember Audi missed 13 shots at goal and I believe La Fe 8, so that tells a story. Audi might be better off bringing the ball in closer I think than trying to make huge goal bombs. They’re easier to make when you’re 10ft away rather than 200. Anyway, there are a lot of games to go and we are on the road to the finals .

Game 2 on the opening day was Dutta vs. Old Hickory, and it was an exciting game on one of the oldest fields in Wellington, built in ’93 by Mr. Goodman, who forever changed POLO to an international form like nowhere else in the world, but who may soon be surpassed by The Ganzis. They are growing so fast, and changing many things just like John G. changed the POLO world. Anyway back to Polo. Dutta seemed in control for 4 chukkars with outstanding performances from Tim Dutta and Mr. Del Rio, but they must have had lunch at half time while Old Hickory ate some hot chillies because they came out smoking and never looked back–catching up in the 5th and laying it down with outstanding plays from Hilario Figureas and old Man Magrini, who lit up the big sticks for the other side. Steve Orthwein must have ate the most peppers because he was on fire as well, and must have made Mom proud with both defense and shooting at goal. They won by 2 after trailing by 4 .

Some thoughts for USPA Rules committee: taking 18 minutes to start a game because of an illegal helmet is ridiculous and a penalty from center is even worse. What is that? First they should be checked at the line 3 to 5 minutes before and start the game on time and if a player has an illegal helmet they should sit out the first chukkar. Enforce rules that are that easy to the max. You see the difference in polo since you enforced a 10 yr old one tap and hit or it’s turned over rule. It works. Make rules and enforce them. If they do not work, change them, but don’t let them set in the library for years. Polo is night and day in last 12 months since they enforced the one tap, or is it the Castagnola Boys playing old time polo hit, run and never stop? Either one has changed the game– it’s a hell of a lot more fun to watch than tap tap crap. The rule to stop this was put in ages ago, but just recently enforced. If you want to make rules, use them. Adolpho started the tap tap and he was so damn fast no one could stop him, but he did not start doing that until the late 90’s, instead he utilized Patrons for years. Linderman, George Rawlins, Tim Gannon. But that all changed over the last 2 decades–they don’t use patrons in the game anymore. Every new player thought they were the next AC. They have tried and polo has become a star sport instead of a team sport. And AC still wins 70% of the time, now at 40 + yrs. Yes he is Tom B of Polo. Think about it. POLO was called the Sport of Kings with no Pros, later the Sport of Kings became the King of Sports. It was the only sport Patrons and owners could own and compete in, and that was what made it The King Sport. But it changed– the patrons became the bank, not part of the game, and in the last 2 yrs we have had no Patrons in America raised above 5 goals, except Jared Zemi. WHY we let it happen is BULL S_ _ _ T

Cya