Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-03-18
BRITISH POLO
MEN TRAINING
HARD in spain
But America Sets Record by
Sending Expert to Hawaii
for Mounts

While the men who are engineering
the defense OF the international polo
trophy are securing the country for
ponies of championship class, and fig
uring on different combinations OF
players to upheld the prowess of the
Stars and Stripes on the polo field,
the British players are gathering at
Madrid fer a long series of practice
and elimination games. The pick of
British polo will play in Spain. and
from comments in the English papers
IN would seem that the European
training trip is considered the last
word in preparedness 1t would be
an eye opener to many polo enthusi
aSts abroad to know that high-priced
trainer had been sent all the way from
New York to Honolulu. on the mere
chance of securing the loan of two
mounts. That this mission was sue
cessful, will be good news indeed for
the American defenders, for accord
ing to Trainer Cashell, Carrythe-N News
and Helen c. which left yesterday for
the mainland, cut big figure in last
years internationals.
The London Times gives the follow
ing news Of the British team:
The English polo players are grad
ually assembling at Madrid and Lord
Ashby st. Ledgers may be said to be
entering upon the first phase of his
advance on Meadowbrook. Last month
some so ponies left their English sta
bles for Madrid, and Lord Ashby st.
Ledgers and Captain Barrett have
been busily engaged in looking after
their condition and education.
The king of Spain-who is himself
a very keen players taking the
greatest interest in the enterprise. He
has extended royal hospitality to the
ponies. for nearly all of which accom-
mediation has been found in the royal
stables. to which the king had con-
siderable additions made in order to
provide sufficient loose boxes for the
ponies. He has also placed his two
private polo grounds at the disposal
of the English players, and he will
take part himself in the practice
games. The English players have
been given the use Of the Hippodrome
grounds SO that, given reasonable
weather, they should enjoy plenty of
galloping on fast, true surface. The
grounds are OF sandy nature and
the rain causes little or no inconveni.
ence except while it is actually fall
ing.
Lord Ashby st. Ledgers hopes to
secure four days week practice for
the next two months or SO, during
which the strongest combination of
men and ponies should be ascertained
beyond doubt. Mr. Buekmaster has
promised to organize the strongest
team available In order to test the
challenging team on its return to
England early In May, and the match
es which will be played during this
process should prove extremely inter
csting.
The English ponies, which are final
" selected to do battle at Meadow
brook, are to sail on May IS, and the
first international match is to be play.
ed at Meadowbrook on June g. IL will
be seen that Lord Ashby st. Ledgers
is allowing very shall margin for
practice on the other side of the At.
lantic; and IL may be assumed that
he considers it preferable to train his
team Of men and ponies up to the
highest possible point of efficiency on
this side Of the Atlantic, and to rely
upon this training to carry them sue.
cessfully through the ordeals at Mea-
dowbrook. 1t can not be said that
the Englishmen were fortunate in their
preliminary practice in America either
in 1911 on in 1919 In 1911 owing to
a lack of ponies they we're unable to
enjoy a really galloping game before
the international matches and last
year. it will be remembered. owing to
the domestic difficulties of America
in selecting her team, the English.
men were again equally unfortunate.
II all goes reasonably well with Lord
Ashby st. Ledgers' plans and his side
can play two really fast galioping
games against the strongest possible
American combination, short of an in.
ternational team, on the ground at
Meadowbrook before June 9, it may be
expected-without undue optimism
that nothing in the way of. foresight
or pains will have been lacking in
the organization of the English team.
The English Players for Madrid.
The players who have accepted Lord
Ashby st. Ledgers' invitation to take
part in the practice at Madrid are:
Captain Barrett, Captain Vivian Lock
EFT, Major Mathew-LannoWe, Major c.
r. Hunter, Captain Railston, Captain
Palmes. and Captain H. Tomkinson.
In addition to these players the duke
Of Alba, the duke of Peneranda, and
ether well-known Spanish players will
take part in the practice games. and
Captain Badger. of the 18th Lancers,
will also play at Madrid.
The. high northwest wind cause