El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-05-13
Incursion Of English Team
to international Contest
StirS Interest.

New York, N. Y, May 13.-Polo, the
idol of the "plute'' and the envy Of the
plebe, by virtue of the international con-
test, to be held on the Georgian court
grounds at Lakewood, n. j., May 81,
June and Z, is making stronger Did
for public attention than ever before
On both sides of the Atlantic, those
whose bank accounts permit them TO
take more than passing interest IN the
game are watching daily Lakewood dis
patches telling of the tryouts between
the rival American and English teams
with an avidity that was hitherto ac-
corded only to the international yacht
! races.
King George, himself a rabid pololst
sanctioned the invasion of the British
team selecting the best players OF the
army, entertaining them at me royal
palace. bidding them do their utmost to
regain the challenge cup, Whach 1or the
first time in % years reposes in Amer
lea, and even making elaborate arrange
ments to be kept informed as to the
nrogresS of the practice, together with
special cable advices after the close
! of each period of play during the inter-
/ national match.
American Interest Great.
In America no less an interest has
been manifest. August Belmont, known
| throughout the United States for ms
interest in things equestrian, Is a con-
slant visitor at the Meadoworook camp
| taking an interest in the practice games
! between the visitors and the Americans
which rivals that formerly shown In
his famous race horses. George ]. Gould,
on whose estates the teams are playing,
i has given orders that the famous poio
field. Georgian court be put IN per-
| feet condition for the coming meet ana
| has. it Is said, cancelled proposed Trip
/ to England in order to be present al
| the International clash.
polo. always a game requiring OAR
inc skill and hardihood, is q, the same
time one of the oldest and one OF the
most restricted pastimes in the WoTlu.
IT'S origin is traced back to the ancient
courts of pagan Asia. and 1t is SAID u
! bave been played hundreds of years be-
/ fore the Christian era. In fact some de-
voices of the sport claim that thal Ia
| mons traveller Marco Polo, When re-
turning from one of his famous eApeui
tions during the misdle ages 1lrs'
| hrorqbt with him the news of the game
! hence its name. Whether this be true
! or not is a matter of conjecture, pu'
certain it Is that the game as play ca
| todav has a distinctly eastern orlSih
for II was first made known to modern
| times through it's adoption oy meIhpel
! of the British East indla company ~
| the middle of the 18th century. fIoln
| the indian tea merchants the game
| ranidly spread to the army, where DON
| the leisure and the means OF prosecu-
| ton were at hand.
| It's introduction into the army mar
the nucleus of a popularity that mas
! snread all over the world, thoush W
| 70 a short time ago comparatively
Great Britain's wealthy military claim
ed the game as distinct1Vely It's ."
| is Expensive Game.
THAT this game of daring and ski
hoe never become popular with the pro-
letariat whose sporting Instincts have
| for ages Toasted upon other forms o.
! sport. IL explained by the prohlpltNe
! expense. Polo, like no other game
known to humanity, is the game OF the
| r,cb It's very accoutrements are redo
lent with wealth. First there Is the
Dolo pony. When the game was YOUNG
in this country, it was considered ina
onv old hack would do so long as ne pt
| voung. wiry and of good character. I'
| tbis end the mustang of the plain seem
ed peculiarly fitted, and hundreds o.
his breed were introduced in the east
If was soon found however, that there
was one other requisite with wh1ch u
reckon-intelligen Without this at
tribute in the pony both player ano
mount were not only below grade pu
in actual danger of life and limb
The tenure of the mustang was short
| Wealthy Americans imported careful!