The sun., 1919-01-26
International Polo body.

neIS lIOin I%ASIhiiu
International Polo body.
II is quite likely that before another
International series is played there Will
be an international polo association. The
demand for such a body Is explained in
an article in the London Field. as fol-
lows:
The close OF hostilities gives US an OPP
portunity TO consider the reconstruction
of our sports while we still have breath
ing time. There may be some games ard
sports which may revive slowly. but as
far as polo is concerned all those People
who write home tell us that the game Is
being keenly looked forward to. not only
by many who hope TO learn. II can be
imagined that this Is likely.
There are many young soldiers and
others who will return to England with
both money and energies. These are not
only. perhaps not chiefly. the profess
sional soldiers, but also the many men
who will have to exchange the active
life Of war for business. Those who
have watched the growth Of polo have
known that II the game was In its be-
ginning a sport for warriors that it has
been no less an outlet fo- the energies
OF men of business. and that some of the
greatest and keenest players have been
among those who found In the concen-
trated moments of polo relief after the
sedentary hours OF the working day.
Polo has the ADVANTAGE which must al
ways make II a game for the busy man
1T take US less time than any other.
Must standardi.e Rules.
There are indeed signs of the coming
>vival of the game. not only in the mes
- ~ hA l,,,, ,tria affa
ponies or even in the fact that one OF
the London polo clubs is already setting
ats grounds In order. but that there has
never been a war in our time which has
not been followed by a growth in the
popularity and a development OF the
rules of polo.
The last year before peace was a
great one for the game. AS 1t happened,
every tournament OF the season was Of
unusual interest; the future OF the game
and Its possible improvement was
eagerly discussed. and that polo was
attracting interest was shown by the
space allowed for the game In the daily
papers. The war came and polo closed
down in this country. in America and
almost in India. but there is a clear
course before US. There is now an op-
portunity to set the rules of polo on
side. There are certain points at which
firm foundation, and thus enable the
game to develop freely on the practical
We had arrived when the war came.
First that polo was an international
game, that 1t stood almost alone In
being suited for East and West. for
home and for the Colonies, therefore an
International code Of rules was to be de-
sired. Common laws are wanted for
the game. modified by local bylaws
to suit different local customs, but for
tournament play there should be uni
versal rules. 1t follows from the first
there should be an international polo
association, and that each country
should have its own association. which
should send representatives to the in
ternational association There are GER
tain points which 1t is desirable all
polo playing countries should have in
common.
PenaliEe the Reckless.
For example, the following seem to
be the most necessary !. The regu-
1ation of the handicap system. It
should not be open to individual clubs
TO alter the handicap system. II the
handicap system is sound 1t should be
worked. and II not 1t should be revised.
but in no case should tournaments with
a modified handicap be allowed. 2
There should be a uniform system OF
penalties based on two leading prin-
c.ples, (a) the prevention OF dangerous,
reckless or selfish play; OBJ that a
game should not be stopped when in
full action more than is necessary.
Perhaps this could be best managed
by making the penalties tend to the
elimination OF persistently dangerous or
reckless players from the game. The
main strength Of polo, both as a game
and as training. is team play. Nearly
all dangerous play Is the outcome OF
selfshness. Dash. pace. quickness and
sound tactics would not be in the least
diminished by the elimination OF the
Belhshly reckless player. 3, There
should be a common system OF securing
and appointing umpires The presence
OF official umpires should be compulsory
at every first class tournament and the
expenses OF this should be met by the
club on whose ground the tournament
Is played
In England the County Polo Assoca-
ton should take up its work again at
once. and take council about the future
without delay. II will be good thing
81 the scope and influence of this body
could be largely Increased. But this de-
ponds On itself The most difficult aues-
tion of all has been left until the last.
There should be an accepted height for
poio poHics' II ever poio utcdyb IL Will
DO the big ponies that Will be the cause.
1t Is difficult, perhaps impossible. TO sug-
sest any improvement on the present
system of measurement.
After twenty years as a measuring
steward for the National Pony Society,
can see no possible improvement in the
system followed by Sir Henry Simpson
and Mr.. Sheather. The alternative is
undoubtedly the reduction OF the stand
ard height by an inch. that is. ponies
would have to measure III. according