The USPA: is it really in the US POLO interest? Or a money making machine for who knows what? The answer is always: for the future of US POLO. Well, when and where is the future? I have been in Polo since 1975 and after nearly 50 yrs, the “future” is like tomorrow: it never comes. In this year’s Open, maybe 25 born and raised Americans were involved in 20 teams (80 players). 20% ? How is that helping US POLO? At least 10 of those were Patrons, so that lowers it to about 10%. Why hasn’t the USPA done anything to support young Americans prosper in our sport? Yes, they help young players get to 2 goals, but then for the majority, you’re on your own. And try to buy horses as a 2 goaler to compete at a high level, when there are 30 kids at the same age with relatives helping from out of of the country.
Why is this bad for polo? Because it turns this into a spectator sport for the young who want to play. Do you want to spend a million + and get to hit 3 balls in 6 chukkars? The old guys who want the Glory are growing short in supply.
It is not a difficult fix. It’s a 3 fold cure and comes from an Argentine Pro, Javier Tanoria. It is so simple: restrict the player to 7 horses per game, not 15. This way it becomes a TEAM sport, not just 1 or 2 pros going coast to coast, because it becomes necessary to use the whole team to improve. Conditioning of horses improve, and best of all, Polo would cost 40% less of what it does today. Patrons and young players become part of the game. Why? Because no matter how good one is, they can’t run the whole chukkar and not pass the ball. They’d have to teach their team and therefore become a team game again. A team new patrons will want to be a part of. We may then again have sponsors like the Buschs, Orthweins, Oxleys, Goses, Walkers–reaching 3 to 6 goals, because they get to play. Bring POLO back to a team sport. Also, it is time to follow an English Idea and protect American players: 4 goal players or less must be American. And I don’t just mean they pay taxes in U.S.A. I have nothing against any other countries–I brought a lot of players from elsewhere here, but in the last 20 yrs, I know I did nothing for our children and I feel bad. I know things can change, as have players have when you look back. Gonzalo Pieres, the best player in my era, never told John Oxley to leave it, and won. Memo Gracida took Steve and Tom Gose to 3 and 4 goals using them, working with them. As did Hector Galindo and the Busch Boys. So do not give me bullshit. It is all up to the USPA, Stand up USPA this is the future :::
cya if you do not like it call me 805 896 4406
internationalpoloconnection.com 