New-York tribune., 1922-09-17
Four HOrserrlerl
OF Rio Platte
In Spotlight
Sensational Rise TO Fame Of
Argentine Polo Players
Described by Capt. Lasey
By John w. Lyman

they far exceed the vivid description
tbanez gives in his famous novel, and
it now locks as if the gentlemen of
the pampas stand an excellent chance
to carry back to Argentina the worlds
polo Championship. Less than year
ago who in American polo circles ever
heard of the famous Argentine four
and who was Luis Lacey?
day tells q different story. This
whirlwind four are on the lips of every
polo lover and Americans at large are
beginning to look upon the Latin
Americans in new light. The dash,
vim and true sportsmanship of the
visitors have won the admiration of
every polo lover, and if the champion
ship must change hands tho newcom-
ers are the ones to be favored.
Luis Lacey, the captain Of the Ar
| gcntine four, is looked upon by many
American polo experts as the greatest
player in the game to-day. AS a horse
man few have ever seen his equal,
and for shooting goals from all angles
OF the field he seems to stand in class
| by himself. But listen to what he has
to say about Devereux Milburn: "Mil-
burn is q devil. He is the greatest
oa<h ih eae "ohio, anu every HemOer
of our team is of that opinion. We
all love Devereux Miburn and look
forward to his coming to the Argen-
tine in the near future. What an at
traction he would be in Buenos Ayres
and the other cities! ! have never seen
such wonderful player, and never
expect to see another like him
1--WE have been wonderfully received
in the United States," continued Lacey
Everything has been done to make us
feel perfectly ut home. The members
of the Rumson Country Club have not
only entertained us in q most royal
manner, but they have been most con-
siderate of our purpose. They know
that to play our best game we must
keep in the best condition, and for that
reason have not thrust too many social
affairs upon us. We have been left
much to ourselves, to 60 and come as
we please.
| An International Team,
Lacey then went on to explain that
Whlie the team was known as the Ar
gentlne four, the players did not rep
resent Argentina. eve are an inter.
national team" he says. 81 was born
in Montreal, Canada, and was one of
the first to enlist in the World War.
have lived in Buenos Ayres thirty-two
years and have been in business with
my father. | have played polo several
years. AS boy used to visit friends
owning large ranches, and it was there
learned to ride the wild Argentine
pony: have always liked ranch life,
ana just as soon as the games are over,
with the rest of the boys we are going
to one of your big Western ranches and
get glimpse of the famous cowbovs
You know we have seen many of them
IN the movies, but now we want to see
them in real life"
=, When asked to what he attribute
the success of his team ths Argentine
captain said: "The American style of
pray We always play a fast game
we Keep galloping, galloping all the
elme. we know just what our ponies
can 40, and we expect them to do it,
You Will notice that ours is an open
game, not the close military formation
that one OF your sporting writers cred
1ted US with playing. We like to play
long shots, making our goals from as
great a distance as possible. | think
you have seen that our ponies are eoual
to any in the world, and here is ONE
point want to bring out. Within lit.
Tie over year our ponies have played
IN n, four different ountries-Argentina
Chlle, England and the United States
we mad many things to overcome
SO 1ar as our ponies are concerned. Ir
Inc Hrst place our seasons are just the
reverse from here. When Won are hav,
ing summer, in Argentina it is winfe,
and our mounts are growing their win.
ter coats. Upon our arrival in EMO.
land every pony had to be shorn ei
MS natural coat, and this played havoc
with their physical condition
Then again the climate was differ.
ent ana the ponies had to become ac.
cllmated. The same thing took nIace
upon our arrival here. In our frst
game , with the Orange County four
al OF the ponies had colds ana
coula not 40 their best. AS for our
sI5;ives' we, too, were not used to the
climatic conditions. But that 10 ',o ne
excuse for our first defeat. W. ,ost ~" no
cause the Orange County bovs oDt ~
played ,us-not outlucked us. as SOM q
people have said. 'oi'ie
! IN the Argentine" explained Can.
IAN Lacey, polo has long been graat
epoIe. lhere are about twenty cInhs
an having excellent teams. The oan'e
~ growing every year More ponies
are being trained and better ridinr is
eStaent. sSo @ we play the game mostly. in
A. "iaitei' put am becoming such an
american since being here | feel that
oetter games could be PLAYED in tho
summer. Our winters are cold dan,n
ana raw and the horses are suhiect = =
iameness. Your fields are the f;nest
1n W., ehe world | never saw such greens.
Wnen you hit ball on an American
neId no one need have fear OF Il hit.
ting a stubble and going off the line Of
alrectlon. Upon my return home
nope TO be able to see that such field
IS constructed in Buenos Ayres, and
know the Miles boys will do the same
in Rosario" '"'A'
Eiated Over Their Victory
In telling about the organizin. If
the Argentine four Lacey stated that
the team was very young. Until thev
went to England they had ALWAYS
played against each other. Also that
every man was trained in a different
position than that he is playing to-
day. 1t was after their arrival in
England that the boys got together
and really organized Of course thev
are elated over the victory with fhe
Meadow Brook players, which included
Milburn. =
They always expect to win. but not
by such score--14 to 7. This gives
them confidence they stand good
chance of winning the American cham
pionship, and if they do SO it will he
because Of their knowledge of the
American style of play.