Evening star., 1924-09-05

this country and for many years
thereafter We turned to Ireland, to
England and to Arabia for mounts.
But in the course Of the years Cali
fornia and Texas bred mounts and
later Arizona gained a we'll deserved
popularity. Perhaps the Arab strain
still is the best, but the wiry Irish :
breds bear them close rivalry. So do
the Argentines.
Argentine Horses Are Good.
Argentina, with her great natural
facilities for stock raising, not to say
her traditions, has done extraordi-
nary work in the breeding and train
ing of polo mounts. and when the ia
nous Argentine team was here in
1921 American horsemen observed
their horses with the greatest inter-
est. and so attracted were they that
when the South Americans left for
home they departed without their
string Of mounts. having sold every
last one OF them.
On both the British and American
teams that are playing in the series,
which begins tomorrow, are not d few
Argentine horses.
1t seems to be the opinion that the
United States breeders. after a period
in which American-bred polo mounts
were beginning to be favored, have
been neglecting the industry in this
country.
At the present time it is estimated
that nearly 300 polo teams are play
ing In the United States and the
problem of supplying them with high
grade mounts, save at an exorbitant
price. due to purchase in foreign
countries and importing them here. is
getting to be rather a serious one
In Arizona recently they have been
experimenting with cavalry mounts
and other breeds. but the best type
of pony has not been evolved, and un-
less American breeders take the sit
uation seriously il looks as though
eventually Argentina would be sup
plying the world with horses for polo
5000 Horses = Year Needed.
The United States at the present
time. according to estimates. needs
about 5000 horses a year for polo
This is not so much because of the
wear and tear of the game-although
that is considerable-as because of
the frequent casualties. Broken legs
are not ipfrequent and other injuries
always are occurring. Many a brave
polo mount is shot on the field or by
the sweating out tents. while at the
same time If an injury is amenable to
treatment the horse as rule has
ended his polo playing days.
The average string of the average
polo player will consist of eight
horses. one for each period. although
many players get along with four.
Internationalists will have as many
as sixteen at their call. But polosts
have their favorites and very often,
even in an international match, you
will see a player take the field in
later period mounted on pony he
has used in an earlier chukker. or
period. But in the usual club
matches. or even more important
games, mount may be used every
other period. or every two periods,
as it's condition seems to warrant.
But this is rather rare.
Cavalry Breeds Much Used.
The United States Army has been
mounting its regimental teams out of
cavalry breeds that are being adapt
ed for polo purposes. and while some
officers of private means mount them
selves. the majority must depend
upon service horses, just as the COL
leges and universities that are going
in for polo do, the mounts being pro-
vided under the terms of the Officers'
Reserve training act.
In past years. except in 1914 and
beginning with 1911, American
mounts have on the whole been su-
perior to the British horses. and this
has meant much to us, although it
should be noted that in 1909, when
the first big four defeated the British
at Hurlingham, the British mounts.
contrary to general belief, were held
to be superior to ours; albeit not
enough SO to discount the superiority
Of American methods.
(Copyrisht, 1924)