The Florida star., 1901-05-31


fore In the history of the game has po-
70 entered on a season with prospects
more brilliant than those at present
held out by 1901.
During the last few years public in
terest in the magnificent old game OF
polo lapsed to some extent. Golf. bi-
cycling and Kindred pastimes attaining
popularity with the American people
attracted thousands OF the devotees OF
various other sports. Polo suffered
with the rest. Now. however. the game
Is reclaiming its own In no uncertain
fashion. Clubs have arranged series
or tournaments. players have got out
their mallets, and the wiry. broncho-
like polo ponies have been brought into
splendid form for the exhausting ma
neuvers Of the summers work en- the
many well kept grounds throughout
the length and breadth OF the United
States.
Dedham has an unusual interest in
polo this year. The crack team from
this city Won the championship OF
America I'm the tourney at Prospect
park, Brooklyn. last summer. The gen.
eral expectation hereabOuts is that the
New England mallet wielders will be
able 10 stand of their competitors from
| the middle. southern and western states
again when the championships are
played later on in Brookline. Mass,
| MI
The revival OF polo In this country
will bring back into prominence the
many characteristic and attractive fea-
lures OF the game for which it was
formerly distinguished
Polo is pre-eminently game for soci-
ETY. folk. The excessive cost OF the
paraphernalla required for the diver
slOn-as in yachting, horse racing and
autOmObiling-debars the majority or
sport lovers from participation therein.
The scenes at a popular polo ground
while a match is on are fascinating
and kaleidoscope in the extreme. Tai
lyhOs, smart traps. blOOded horses
beautiful women gayly attlred in
many hued summer gowns and hosts
green caTpeted. Oblong inclOsure.
The efforts OF the players To drive the
wooden ball between the goal posts at
the ends OF the scene of conflict pro
duce intense excitement. Accidents
are frequent. Broken legs and arms
are commonplace injuries TO the vet
eran pOloist. The ponies. game little
fellows. take their punishment like
stOics, never ceasing their speedy dash
es. headlOng plunges and quick turns
while the 10 minute periods are in
| progress
The pony is one of the unique fea-
lures OF polo. He must have capa-
| billties. the lack OF which renders him
entirely unsuited 10 the purpose. The
pony bred for the game has TO be
trained and broken for the game. He
must learn To turn in his own length.
to stop quickly, to start instantaneous
ly from Il walk TO cantcr.
In England where polo is favorite
recreation among the well TO do, the
players make" their ponies them
selves. A pOloist will buy colt and will
train him with the greatest OF care.
Here in America. however, the max
ing" OF polo ponies is in large meas
ure left To the breeder. who has not the
time TO bring them to perfection.
The American polo ponies have a
much harder life than their English
| counterparts. because the major part
of their training is administered 10
them at a time when they are much
older. Oftentimes they arc wild bron-
chos. Iassoed out OF an unbroken herd,
| saddled and bridled by force and the
next day started 1T guarding cattle.
After pony has had several months
experience in herding. cutting and
driving cattle he becomes a good candi-
date for the ranks OF polo. If he Is
sound. under II hands . inches and has
done commendahle work among the
cattle in Texas or Mexico. he is shipped
10 the east. the polo center OF America,
where he becomes acquainted with
shoes and also finds out the meaning OF
docked tails and clipped names. An
English saddle and bride are placed OH
him. and there is an American polo
pOny ready for action.
He is not so fast perhaps, neither so
good looking. as his English cousin. but
he is handler. able 10 carry more
weight. harder and much cheaper.