Post by horseguy on Dec 28, 2016 13:18:36 GMT
Now is the time of year that major league polo traditionally begins in Florida. Not long ago this season kickoff was met with world wide interest. Some of the best players in the world found their way to Wellington FL outside West Palm Beach, sponsored by Budweiser, Out Back Steak House, PEMEX (Mexico's national oil company) and by personal fortunes with origins in companies like Standard Oil and a paper company that has sold newsprint to the New York Times for generations. Now, not so much. The International Polo Club in Wellington is in the process of negotiations with the USPA to keep major tournaments at the IPC.
Times have changed. Budweiser is now owned by a Belgium conglomerate disinterested in polo. Other polo corporate sponsors have moved on to social media for greater recognition. The old Wellington polo club has been sold to a wealthy couple with no ties to polo (perhaps the have plans for a clothing line?). Globalization, internet real time and generational change have largely reduced this centuries old equestrian sport to an "atmosphere" of wealth and elitism without much of its former substance.
The US Polo Association, not to be left behind by social change, has instituted a gay polo league and a youth outreach program www.uspolo.org/news-social/news/uspa-polo-development-llc-young-player-outreach-clinic-in-aiken-south-carolina . But as an old player, I have to wonder if the sport has simply lost its base of support.
I believe it was in 1982 that there was a rule change that disallowed a player from bumping an opponent's horse such that all four legs of the bumped horse left the ground, the only way to knock an Argie pro off his game for a moment. My old teammate Bob Sturtzbecker, head of the USPA Umpires Committee had a one word comment, "women". Yes, the 1980's was when women were joining the sport in unprecedented numbers. There were accommodations. The sport evolved. Now 30 plus years later, it continues its evolution. I used to think I knew what would keep this traditional equestrian sport going, but I no longer do. I do think it will take more than a concept of identity politics of inclusion. I think it will require greater exposure to more riders.
Just some thoughts as the "high goal" season begins.
Times have changed. Budweiser is now owned by a Belgium conglomerate disinterested in polo. Other polo corporate sponsors have moved on to social media for greater recognition. The old Wellington polo club has been sold to a wealthy couple with no ties to polo (perhaps the have plans for a clothing line?). Globalization, internet real time and generational change have largely reduced this centuries old equestrian sport to an "atmosphere" of wealth and elitism without much of its former substance.
The US Polo Association, not to be left behind by social change, has instituted a gay polo league and a youth outreach program www.uspolo.org/news-social/news/uspa-polo-development-llc-young-player-outreach-clinic-in-aiken-south-carolina . But as an old player, I have to wonder if the sport has simply lost its base of support.
I believe it was in 1982 that there was a rule change that disallowed a player from bumping an opponent's horse such that all four legs of the bumped horse left the ground, the only way to knock an Argie pro off his game for a moment. My old teammate Bob Sturtzbecker, head of the USPA Umpires Committee had a one word comment, "women". Yes, the 1980's was when women were joining the sport in unprecedented numbers. There were accommodations. The sport evolved. Now 30 plus years later, it continues its evolution. I used to think I knew what would keep this traditional equestrian sport going, but I no longer do. I do think it will take more than a concept of identity politics of inclusion. I think it will require greater exposure to more riders.
Just some thoughts as the "high goal" season begins.