Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-07

couple of words where the United States and
England are fighting it out for polo supremacy
this month.
For although the selection of a team to
represent America has been of major i'm
portance the ponies being used in the games
have been given more consideration than any
International string ever sent out to Meadow
Brook.
EFT would be extremely difficult to say just
Row large share the ponies have in making or
marring gamer said A. C. Schwartz, mem
Der of the committee in charge of the matches
and one of the most prominent horsemen In the
country, in recent interview during the
practice games at Sands Point Long Island.
MIR. SCHWARTZ, who owns Jack Horner
the spectacular jumper which won the
Grand National Steeplechase in England this
year. is an active member Of the United States
Polo Association and spokesman for the team.
"AI the mounts to be used in the inter-
nationals have been thoroughly trained" he
explained. "They have had many days in try
outs as members of the Red and White teams
used in the elimination matches.
"They not youngsters, for polo pony
becomes good only after long practice, but
they are the very best mounts available.
I'VE have been lucky in having the as
sistance Of Tommy Hitchcock's father, dis
tinguished horseman, whose judgment of horse
flesh is second to none.
He has been at the field every day during
the practice meets, watching the performance
of the animals, and he will have the final
word on the ponies to be used in each Of the
cup games.
dition to these Mr.. Hitchcock has borrowed a
number of other well-trained animals whose
owners would not sell them, but who were good
enough to lend them TO u.s.
In the American string are several "old
timers who have seen service in other inter-
national matches and wise" to all the
tricks of edging into the smallest available space
and showing the other horses out.
Since polo is distinctly England's own game
and Englishmen have written some of the finest
pages in polo history, the sturdy animals that
have been brought to America are the pick of
the breed of the British Empire. In the opinion
Of Capt Maurice Kingscote, the official horse
master appointed by the birmingham Club to
be responsible for the purchase Of the ponies
and their care, they are the best lot of polo
mounts ever got together"
CEVENTY OF them were sent to America a
month ago on the liner Minnetonka, in
charge of Capt. Kingscote. They were put
aboard at Southampton. Each pony was given
the most expert medical examination before
going aboard the ship. The blankets and
harness were specially disinfected to prevent
skin infections and each locked into a
special cabin with his own food.
Forty Of the animals belong to the interna-
tonal stud and thirty are privately owned and,
like some of the American string. loaned for
the matches
The American team which is not to be
picked until the eve of each game, is making
its gamble for success on the fact that it has
available this year the very best men in the
history of the game in America.
After weeks Of intensive training and con-
centration, after shifts and requirements, the
great four which will ride out against the
British in the Meadow Brook contests has been
evolved from the "pick of the polo youth"
Its chances of winning?
with the men at our disposal" said young
Tommy Hitchcock, jr., captain of the United
States team, in an interview shortly before the
opening match, 1--WE have more than an even
chance to keep the Westminster Cup.
The team We will send against the British
Is the best ever in the history of international
polo"
The eyes of the world, especially those de-
votes of 'the millionaires sport" have been
focused on the youthful head of the American
riders for weeks past Through ruling of the
United States Polo Association he was made
chairman of the Defense Committee, as well as
captain, and at 80 years of age has been given
practically the full responsibility of handling
the 1880 defense OF the cup.
Hitchcock succeeds Louis E. Stoddard, who
was chairman of the Defense Committee and is
now chairman of the Executive Committee OF
the polo association. He captain of the
1928 team, which met the great outfit from
Argentina and beat them for the trophy.
With the added authority given him by the
committee Tommy Hitchcock looms as the
the success or failure of the United States