thu305am08, Nove03beWed, 05 Mar 2008 08:53:44 +0000 11, 2007...08:46p03
Establish an International Polo Presence Again
Years ago the United States reigned supreme in the area of international polo. It had a national coach who selected the players, through test matches. The players would then represent the United States in international competition. That practice has disappeared over the years as national team selections seem to rely upon patrons or USPA insiders to fill out the team. Examples: John Goodman, the first pure patron to play on a Westchester Cup team (1997), with the US losing the cup for the first time in over 80 years! In 1973 and 1974 Bill Ylvisaker played with the US team in Coronation Cup play. Why, because he was the best available player? I don’t think so. In 1974 Camacho Cup competition, Bill Sinclair played on the US team, a political payoff or the best player for the team?
I don’t remember Steve Gose asking to play in the Cup of the America series he sponsored in 1979 and 1980.
And when was the last time any test matches were held? Too expensive? That was the old chorus, but the USPA funding looks pretty solid today, thanks to Polo Properties.
Now you might ask why would we want to spend money to sponsor a national team, aside from the tradition and international prestige it brings our association? Well, possibly because it would not only get our high-goal players competing internationally again, but in the course of these competitions, Polo Properties might find that the exposure aids in their marketing efforts. Strange concept? It shouldn’t be. It’s the same approach we use when we try to get Ralph Lauren to sponsor a team or Piaget to sponsor a tournament. If it’s a good argument for other sponsors then it would be a natural for Polo Properties.
As for a national coach, we have a number of top players who have evidently been classified as over-the-hill, veteran players who are encyclopedias of knowledge waiting to be asked to assist in such efforts. Players like Tommy Wayman, Bart Evans, Roy Barry, Red Armour, Corky Linfoot, Charles Smith and Dale Smicklas.
The first step, however, will have to be taken by the USPA and any leadership it might be able to rally.
1 Comment
thu310pm08, Nove03beMon, 10 Mar 2008 23:25:46 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p03
I personally played in the Camacho Cup in 1988 with Tommy Wayman, Owen Rinehart and Rob Walton. Yes they beat us but it wasn”t a bad game at 11-8. I was very excited about being in that match with those guys and it is still suprising to me we don’t continue that tradition. In todays polo we have an excellent chance of winning the Camacho Cup if it was still played, which has nothing to do with why we should play it again but it is true none the less. Does anyone know which country IS considered the 2nd best polo playing country in the World?
I played in what I believe was the last Cup of the Americas in Greenwich in ‘89(?) with Tommy, Owen and Mike Azzaro. We played Gonzalo and Alfonso Pieres, Ernesto Trotz and Benjamin Araya.
They were 39 goals and we were 32. The game was obviously played on the open and we did lose. It was televised on CBS sports on a sunday afternoon with Tom Gose and Jim Nantz commentating. For us the only consolation was they beat us by 4. We felt pretty good about that, but the picture is much larger. Once again it was a tremendous feeling to play for your country. The 1989 Coronation Cup was just another example of the thrill it is to be considered one of the best players in your country and to represent it in International high goal competition. Please, if anyone considers anything, it should be the re-installation of International competition. Those competitions were so thrilling and so stimulating to a pro… I can’t say enough about that aspect. Sure when we go up against Argentina they will usually dominate us but what better venue to learn from. I know I came away with a better respect for teamwork and most of all ball control. I came away knowing what we had to work on, and it was stimulating to say the least. It remains the closest thing to the Argentine Open most of our pros will ever experience. Bring on International high goal competions again! They are nothing if not totally positive for the entire body of the sport and as I said, they mean so much to pros. I know the value of top horseflesh has gone thru the roof and maybe some pros would be hesitant to put them on the line for a match that reaps no financial reward. Bragging rights are still bragging rights! I believe if it was for true International competition that most if not all would be on board. Lets at least try and see if I’m right.
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