The New York herald., 1921-03-28
ENGLAND SELECTS
POLO CANDIDATES
Three Teams Are Named for
Cup Defence Tryout
Matches.
RATE AMERICANS STRONG
Officials Advise Concentration
on Preparation for Inter
national Matches.
ny SAMUEL ). BRooKMAN.

ny SAMUEL J. BRooKMAN.
Americas coming polo invasion Of
England in quest of the international
CUP is being taken far more seriously
by the British players and officials than
earlier reports appeared to indicate
Recent advices from England express
tho more or less unanimous opinion that
the United States team is a very for
midable combination and that IL be-
hooves the British cup holders to spare
ro trouble in selecting and preparing
the best team available
Those who have the interest of the
game at heart in England are sug-
gesting that the cup defenders con-
centrate on preparation for the inter
national matches and that IL need be
all the usual early season tournaments
In London and vicinity be called off. BY
the time the season Is well under way
the Americans will be on hand and II
win be far more important 10 play
against the challengers in practice
matches than to attempt to carry out
the usual programme OF sanctioned
tournaments.
England polo officials have adopted
the plan of organizing three teams OF
their candidates and or arranging a
that will simplify the work OF Major
w. v. Lockett the team captain, In the
selection of his international four. At
present the leading candidates for the
frst team appear to be Major Lockett.
Lord Wodehouse, Lord Dalmeny and
Col Tomkinson. On the form shown
late last season they undoubtedly de-
serve to be chosen as the most capable
squad. Since then great things have
boo ~ ~ rt yNif1ior1c Of India
and many critics in England who have
seen him In action assert that he has
splendid chance of replacing either Lord
Dalmeny or Col. Tonkinson in one OF
the forward positions.
The second team In all probability
win be captained by Walter Buckmaster
who win play back. and the temporary
selection of the other three members
includes Lork Rocksavage, MajUr
Wise and the Duke of Penaranda.
The last named Is considered by some
to be the equal of any OF the forwards
on the first team and his work will be
watched very closely by Major Lockett
The third team is likely to be COM
posed of soldiers. The plan is to have
Major Harrison act as captain with
Col. Ashton. Major Hurndall and Major
ndTItIl- III ls the lUlGilLlOn VI tue
British officials not only to have these
teams play each other but to pit each
one separately against the United
States poloists in the preliminary prac-
tice matches as on the occasion OF the
previous visit Of an American challeng-
ing team. Although neither side will
announce its final lineup until just be-
fore the international matches are
played 1t Is fairly certain that the rival
tx,$o ff.v fcfo xryf1I gaf
fdea of their comparative strength by
the time they take the field for the cup
contests.
After studying the records and expert
opinion of the American candidates some
OF the leading British critics have come
to the conclusion that Devereaux Mil
burn will play the back position for the
challengers, that J. Watson Webb will
be at No. 3, Tommy Hitchcock at No. 2
and either Louis Stoddard or G. c. Rum
sey at No. /. Stoddard and Rufnsey
appear to be rated on a par, but not as
strong as any OF the other three. No
mention appears to be made of Earl w.
Hopping. OF whom the British know
little.
Regard American Ponies Best.
AS regards ponies, Lleut.-Col. Il. d.
Miller. an authority on the sport, de-
ciares that the Americans probably will
have the pull. We are much handi-
capped in that respect. OF course dur
ing the war no ponies were trained and
thousands were used up on service, in
cluding potential brood mares. The
Americans lost none on service and,
moreover, added TO their studs some of
our best Few ponies are fit for inter-
national polo until their third season.
so II has been found very difficult to
buy sufficient ponies of the requisite
class and experienced enough for the
purpose.
However, there are now nearly thirty
down at Tidworth. / hear that Lord
Stalbridge Capt Alan Spencer and Mr.
J. Montague have already most kindly
handed over their ponies and others
have done the same. Doubtless when
the time comes every one with a pony
good enough will lend It, but the i'm
portant matter is to get the ponies early,
20 as to fit the player and let him play
In his practice matches"
General polo activity in England for
tho time being appears to be handi-
capped by this lack Of suitable ponies.
Few people appear to be breeding from
polo mares. with the result that the STAN
dard height OF the ponies has been raised
and small horses are being introduced
into the game instead OF pony-bred
animals.
The expense OF keeping ponies is SO
great that few civilians are taking TO
the game In England, and most OF the
cavalry soldiers are In Ireland Officials
hope 70 see an Improvement when forage
gets cheaper and wages come down to
certain extent
BIG FRENCH CHASE