The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-06-05
Supremacy in Polo Ponies
May Be Deciding Factor
Critic Declares British Have Better Mounts Than Re-
ported-Ony Half of American Stable
Can Be Counted On.
BY CAPT. II. H. HOLMES.

by CAPT. II. III. HOLMES.
Special Correspondence to The NEW YORK
HERALD
LONDON, England. June An De-
cember of last year the American Polo
Association shipped fifty ponies on the
Steamship Old North state. from New
York. for the use of the challenging
team. These ponies, the pick of the
best that had played in the big polo
tournaments, arrived. with only few
minor casualties in good shape and
made their headquarters in his Majesty S
stables at Hampton Court, on the
Thames, about fifteen miles from the
centre of London.
1t will be remembered that on the de-
parture of the ponies from New York
the steamship owners gave a sendoff
banquet to the players, American Polo
Association committee and other guests.
The ponies were tucked away in spe-
cially made stalls.
The second week in May the ponies
arrived at the birmingham Club from
Hampton Court, and were then quar-
tered under very excellent conditions in
stables which are Immediately back of
the royal box, on the west side of the
polo field, that will be the battling
ground of the Anglo American games.
Major r. e. Strawbridge of Bryn
Mawr, Philadelphia, is the officer COM
handing ponies, and he has the as
sistance Of Mr.. H. V. Colt, well known
hunting man In the Genesee Valley.
The stud groom--or we might call him
the sergeant-major, because in peace.
as In war, it's the non-commissioned
officer that does the works. Johnny"
Lambert. for many years associated
~..tkv Ii axa1 r,Aln CO. lne,
on Long Island. The ponies reflect great
credit on all concerned, but whether they
are the equal of the English ponies is
another question.
Mistaken Valuation.
The English writers and the polo
public concede supremacy in ponies to
America. and several of the most promi-
seen both in action are of the same
opinion, but 1t Is a mistaken valuation
of the ponies that will have much to
say about the results of these games.
Naturally both teams will be excel
lently mounted, but America has only
fifty ponies to select from, while Eng
land could produce If necessary six
times that number of mounts that are
really of international calibre.
OF the fifty ponies that left America
only half that number are really being
considered as participants In the big
games. In mentioning these favored
ponies, I am not using my own judy
ment or imagination. for they are the
result Of the Survival of the fittest."
the tried and not found wanting In
the practice and preliminary matches:
Perhaps pony or two may eventually
play that have not mentioned In the
following brief resume of the twenty
six that have earned the right to play
the game for America.
The analysis of the breeding OF these
ponies shows the regrettable fact that
eleven of them we're bred and trained in
England Taking the American bred
ponies first, 1t is extremely probable
that fifteen may be seen in action. Not
one Of these ponies has ever played in
former international games, while four
of the English bred ponies, namely.
Tenby. Harkaway, Royal Diamond and
Corker, were seen previously at Meadow
Brook In 1918 and 1914.
The American bred ponies. all well
known on Eastern and Western polo
fields, comprise IT. c. Tricks Mary.
Alvin Untermyer's Matilda. @. M.
Heckscher's Hanseletta, winner OF the
championship ribbon at the last years
Polo Pony Show at the Meadow Brook
Club, Long Island. This beautiful mare.
bred in South Carolina. plays as well
as she looks.
Carleton +. Burke will be represented
by two ponies, both bred in California,
the better known being Natalie. con-
spicuously good performer for several
seasons, and Teddy. Possibly Irish Rose
will also represent this owner.
II c. Phipps's Peggy, bred In Texas,
will bar accidents, make polo history,
and Howard Phipps' lola. Californian
bred pony, will also assist. Lucky Strike,
owned and will be eventually ridden.
by Devereux Milburn at Nottingham, Is
Texas bred. Belle of All. by cunard ex
Star Shoot mare, belonging TO Louis Il.
Stoddard, was reserve champion TO Mr..
Heckscher's Hanseletta at the National
Polo Pony Show. This charming mare
was bred in Kentucky. Another one OF
Mr.. Stoddard's fine stable will be used.
nanely. Nance Oldham, by Arch Old
ham. Selma. n California mare by Or
sini. and once owned by the Duke OF
Westminster and played in 1913 and
1914. Is showing still so much promise
that II Is possible she will be played.
Among the English bred ponies will be
found another one belonging to this
same player.
r. p. Strawbridge's Sonora is another
Texas bred pony that will be put TO the
test while G. G. Rumsey will ride his
own pony, Sugar Babe, born and raised
in South Carolina. The polo committed
Major may In all probability be the
only pony that VIII represent IT, #.
9. Won stade's Sandy II. will carry the
American colors. bar accidents, as will
r. r. Strawbridges Sandy.