thu412pm08, Nove04beSat, 12 Apr 2008 18:38:10 +0000 11, 2007...08:46p04
Save American High-Goal Polo
In case no one is watching, Argentina is in the process of using a slight of hand move to replace its top tier of professionals in the United States with a second or third tier of players as they continue to promote their Argentine Polo Tour.
The effort, and a good one I might add, is designed to grow the economy in Argentina while allowing their top professionals to be able to spend more time at home.
A great number of European patrons (keep in mind the current strength of European currency in comparison to the US dollar) are scrambling to go to Argentina for the opportunity to play with some of the best players in the game and enjoy a friendly economy as well.
Developments in Pilar and Lobos are offering luxurious settings for polo and vacation homes whose income will allow its players to earn a substantial income without having to leave home.
But if you think for one moment that they are going to give up the ground they have gained in the US over the last twenty years, you’re wrong.
They will continue to send their players to America to stem the growth of our own players. They will continue to stunt the growth of aspiring young players in America so that we will continue to rely on the Argentines for our high-goal polo.
It’s time to remap the future of high-goal polo in America in an effort to protect and grow our own players.
2 Comments
thu412pm08, Nove04beSat, 12 Apr 2008 22:33:21 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p04
As unfortunate as it is, what the Argentines are doing, have done and will continue to do is simply to take advantage of the situation that is presented to them. Thats it, no more no less.
They are not to blame for the current situation any more than they were 20 years ago. If they are offered jobs what possible reason would they have not to take advantage. One of the most consistent and significant problems we are faced with(as I have addressed before) is the lack of International competion. While I was coming up one could look forward to the Cup of the Americas, the Camacho Cup and the World Cup. Today, without any of those venues how do we expect our top young guns to get exposed to that type of polo? The young Argentines you speak of come to this country already experienced in 20+ goal polo. They play it in thier backyards. It is simply not possible for our young players to be as ready to play high-goal as it is them. As I have previously stated it is good for polo to be exposed to the best players in the world. For years it has been thought that that same theory holds true for young pros coming from the west coast. When they get to Florida they haven’t been exposed to enough high-goal polo to be ready to compete. With some time I am certain they would eventually get up to speed. The problem is they might not get another chance. Example; Player A comes from California and is rated 3 or 4 goals. He is competing against a couple Argentines of the same handicap and probably a few years younger. The first time both players hit the field one thing will be consistently evident and that is that the young argentines will show they are ready for the speed. The young pro from the west coast will more than likely show he needs some time to get up to that speed. I also previously commented on my first season in Florida at 3 goals and playing against a 9 goal player for the first time. No one but that 9-goaler touched the ball. The speed of that chukker was too much for all of us, and we were on a winning 8-goal team. That being said, fortunately my sponsor could see talent in me and fortunately we weren’t playing highgoal at that time so I didn’t lose my job. Therefore I was able to participate in enough better polo that I finally did get up to speed and I did become a good high-goal player. Its the same story if you ask me. We need them and they need us. Once again , as previously stated we need sponsors to be motivated to hire Americans. Keep in mind that sponsors want to win and they want to win now. Thats where we need help. We cannot expect sponsors to pay what they pay and wait a year or two or more to see thier teams become successful. So what can be done? Re-instate high-goal International competietion. Re-instate International competition period, both mens and womens, both medium and high-goal. When we work as hard as we can to get our young players the exposure to good polo at those levels then their games should improve. If we are playing against the best players in the world at both those levels we will only benefit from it. It is up to the young up and coming players to be as disciplined as possible on improving thier game and thier string. If they expect to be protected and therefore have a shot at a job they are wasting time. I could go on and on but the point is simple, and it is this. We have to bring back as much International competition as we possibly can. If we do, those venues will create a situation whereby the best players at those levels will play against the best players from other country’, and Argentina needs to be included. We must play against the best if we ever expect to have a shot at becoming the best. It will be those competitions that give us our only shot. Most high-goal pros from America will never have a chance to play in the best polo in the world, the Argentine Open. Without International competiton I am certain the downward spiral will only continue. As far as marketing polo we are missing the boat. Wouldn’t the average person that knows nothing of our sport be more inclined to watch USA vs Argentina in a highly publicized match than to watch “Revlon” vs “Michelob”? Absolutely they would. I must also say that the idea of a REAL polo boot camp or academy as some have called it is an interesting idea that we should consider putting in place. That, however, is a bigger undertaking but none the less it would certainly help address our short comings as up and coming pros. It would also allow for amateurs and patrons to be involved if they chose to and maybe we really could improve everyones polo at the same time.
I will say this one more time… bring back International competition at both the medium and high-goal levels and do it fast. Otherwise that downward spiral we are witnessing today will only continue. We have no one to blame but ourselves, our association, and maybe our closed minds. Lets open up and lets open up now.
thu418pm08, Nove04beFri, 18 Apr 2008 19:17:32 +0000 11, 2007 at 08:46p04
I agree completely and thank you for remembering to include International FEM or woman’s polo competitions in your analysis. Let Argentina do what is best for their polo and its future and each country follow suit doing what will be best for their countries polo and its future - Medium and High Goal Men and FEM International competion and eventually Olympic competition. Firstly, because of the higher parity FEM Olympic Competion. The idea of an Olympic International 80 Goal (70+) exhibition in order to; introduce today’s polo superstars; inspire the worlds young players; promote growth in worldwide national polo associations; and gain International Publicity and Sponsors for Pulu. gracias………
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