Wednesday is showtime and just about survival for some to get to the semis as one team is out even if has to be a shootout . Tomorrow you have Twin Palms at 1 and 0 taking on Antelope who should be through with a 2 and 0 record with a win Twin Palms will most likely continue in game 2 it will be at 4 pm the first by the way is at 2 pm Highwood without headman Mr Ron M and sporting a 0 and 1 taking on Klentner Ranch who are in a hole with a 0 and 2 record so they do need a win or watch on Friday . Should be fun on a Wed in SB does not happen often , so come on by and watch the sparks and it will probably be cool so bring your sweater . I was talking to the Governor yesterday Mr Nesbitt and sounds like maybe the best mind in the World of Polo for the future has some great ideas again .
His Name is Javier Tanoria seven goal player and Son of 10 goal player the late Gonzalo Tanoria . It was him who came up with many of the ideas in place today and changed the game for spectators taking away the tip a tac crap going on a few years ago and made Polo a speed game again. Now he has an idea which may well save Polo as cost have spiraled out of sight and are creating a fast growing void in the sport COST. Polo has probably went up 10 times in the last 10 years in cost and it is because of the numbers not on the field but to get there . Reasons : you no longer can go to the field with 6 horses and quite often need 10 or more as no one who wins plays a tired horse they just get another one and that cost double of 10 years ago maybe less 6 years ago . Most players are carrying 12 so this is almost double expenses for the pro . 2 or 3 grooms housing for them , double the feed stalls and vet and shoeing, shipping all passed on to the Patrons which are dwindling as well as new players. I was told the past weekend by a very able Patron that to play 5 to 6 months of 12 goal Polo you are looking at 750 to a million dollars, that’s a bit more than pocket change to anyone. Javier’s idea s I understand it is stop 10 12 horses per player per game, bring it to 6 or less and only those 6 can play in a game and stop some things like throw inns after ea. goal. Team scores he knocks in from where he scored much like done in practice games without an Ump. little things that will bring a lot of cost down for everyone. Less horses will be the biggest it will hurt that market but may lift price on the premiere ones and less of all the above it will also make a faster game in many ways as you will not have constant delays do to changes which are sometimes needed but usually a stall to get a fresh Horse. No changes maybe tough on some but it will be a clear and real reason if a change is needed mainly injury to a horse I would think and remember you will only have 6 or less anyway so you will think more and create a more equal situation for players and teams. The best Horses will still shine but they will be used differently as well as the Patrons and low goal players on a team because you cannot say leave it and fly for 3 minutes knowing you can get on another one asap so you will pass and save your mount I believe. Yes maybe we are going back to early 90’s but without new Patrons we may go much further back. Always remember if a Patron can afford to play Polo he or She can definitely afford not to play Polo . We need them they do not need us. Think about it maybe it will save the Game and do not tell me cost is not hurting . Even the UK is feeling it from 18 to 12 teams in the Super Polo US Open down from 16 to 9, PCO 8 to maybe 5 and Handicap lowered . Houston probably the most successful in the US for new Patrons no 20 goal Polo same as SB. It is the future if we are to have ONE. I will try to get the whole plan and publish it because I have no doubt Javier Tanoria may have the best mind when it comes to seeing Polo in the whole picture as a Pro , Spectator and Polo horse Farm owner through many eyes as well as the Patrons side. We are seeing much more attention to the game base of Fans especially where they have knowledgeable people marketing Indio 3 to 5 thousand people ever Sunday at both clubs San Diego 3000 for 4 goal polo. Brants Polo in NY and Greenwich the same it is all marketing . Joe Muldoon used to do the same in DC just knowing how to get it done and who can get it done. some food for thought for USPA. WE have a tool for TV coverage especially with the Drone it brings so much to the TV side for the game and with Javier’s ideas it may take a lot of the time wasted with constant reliving ever chukkar with the UMPS and constant ranting of announcers burning up time for calls to be dealt with . Just an opinion , WHATS YOURS .
see ya