West Coast Polo - Steve Crowder Polo Report Jan.'05

Jan 30^th, ’05: Rookies Are Bronzed - There are not many, but there are a few Rookies. They say “It’s time to move on fellas. Were are new to town, but were here to stay. So hit the road or the highway.” My hat is off to them all. They made their mettel as they would say I’m jolly "o." It started at 10 a.m. The sun was shining, the horses a running and the snow glowing on the mountains. The Outback blimp was also flying. It was polo time. The undefeated White Oak minus their Mr. Polo Laif Alsarraf, who was watching from the sidelines with a broken wing. He is a nice guy who wants to make it happened, but the Good Eyes needed his smooth demeanor on the field today. They had a young gun and he was great, but it’s a team game and you need that edge that Laith provides. They all played good. The “Good Eyes” Ernie Ezcurra and Daniel Fernandez were awesome, but they were seldom alone. Lady Susan became a very good companion of Danny Boy as he needed her less, but that was neither said or done. Young Gun Gutti, Jr. (Juan Martin Gutierrez) played well, but seasoning is around the corner. The Beaver State sent a missile to town. He is a Rocket on a roll as the “Master of the plan.” He did take a man, but he also was a man on a mission because when he headed to goal it was fast, quick and accurate. He sunk ‘em in the flag waving ceremony and a couple of silly fouls followed and it was history. As the undefeated White Oak minus Laith had their first loss and it was Lady Susan and Sir Sean standing on the trophy stand with the mighty bronze .

Dandy Danny Fernandez should have stayed at the Int. Field as field one was no place to go. Bones (Ron Bonaguidi) did not show Krista Hawley how it’s done, but maybe undone as SOS was flying and Bullet Bob Bradley were looking for another Rob Roenisch piece of hardware and they got it. SOS was hungry JS was whining about the tomatoes so SS brought him a bronze to simmer him down as they took a 7 to 1 lead and never quite felt the pressure of a finals. So it was Fish Creek II doing a tap dance on the Hawaiian Lea's from HANAELI Bay, BUT HEY KRYSTA IS A ROOKIE AND SHE DID SOOO GOOOD FOR THE FIRST TIME. in the 4-goal /6 chukker it was Old Bilo taking home the Rob Roenisch hardware. He had more people on the stand than in the clubhouse as they had about 3 subs for the past 3 weeks. He is, by the way, such a good guy. He is giving Bolko his bronze I hear.

In the 2-goal finals it was Wild Man Bill Freeman taking a lesson from Sir Sean and hiring him as a consultant and then joining him and kicking the northern neighbors around as they said “lets fill the house with winners.”

In the big one it was another rookie Justin Klentner showing he is here to stay as he did what the Hawaiians could not do, kept the fish in the tank. Dan Walker, the banker, shut the vault door and said no more as he led the Klentner Ranch Cuatro out of the bunkhouse and into the clubhouse as they were too much for the dual of Surfer (Diego Cossio) and Macho Man (Julio Zavaleta) who were a lonely couple as they saw blue until it was black and blue. They never found the rock from the Big Mac (Fred Mannix) and Danny's Mom (Julie Roenisch) as they were always looking at # 3 in line. When it’s 3 to 2 its adios unless your name starts with Ca . Justin played very well. Tim Rudy and a Guti (Mariano Gutierre) played very well, but for me the player of the month and the day was Dear old Dad, Dan Walker. He made it happen. Just ask Fish Creek, Stone Canyon/Hanalei Bay and Anteloope/Windsor and they will all agree with Friendly Chevrolet he is the bullet in this gun from the Ranch. The sun has set on Jan. 05 so saddle up. It means nothing in Feb. You had better be R E A D Y. It starts Friday morning. See ya

Jan. 30^th, ’05: Desert Rats Doing Well In The Swamp - Many of the former desert players are doing well this week in Florida. We know the Wolf Pack (Millarville with Frederick Mannix and Daniel Roenisch) have done well. They won again and Hector the Detector (Hector Galindo) is still blowing their doors off. He added the Doctor from here last year Gaston Von Wernich. Pablo Spinacci is running around the swamp as well and he speaks English sort of now. The Midget (Tomas Pieres) from many years in the desert has turned up with Black Watch and playing well his first week on the job. Here in the desert it is FINALS TIME. It starts with the 8-goal as Laith sits down to let friends play. Not really. He broke his arm in a daring and dangerous attempt to save a goal the other day. He left the Good Eyes on the field and Ernie Ezcurra and Danny Fernandez will be seeing well on an absolutely perfect day here in Indio, CA. They know Hector Monserrat will be working in the front line, so whomever they get will be in a very good seat. Lady Figi will be trying to take it away as the Surfer (Diego Cossio) is looking at 2 finals (8-goal and 12-goal). He knows that he has the hard working Ratty Bray willing to move them down the line and Sir Sean, who despite it all according to Graham, is not gay. As he will never take his man, but he loves that ball and he can hit it. The older 1/2 of the B's boys, Bilo Zarif, will takes home the 6 chukker/ 4-goal bronze. He is trying to get up the nerve to play the next level without Bolko, who is sitting by Laith on the side with 1 wing down also. In the 4-goal /4 chukker it is the start of the Canadian Invasion as Fish Creek 2 take on MISS Krista Hawley and the Bones (Ron Bonaguidi) who just happen to have one of the “Good Eyes” Danny Boy (Daniel Fernandez) with them and another Sean (Mcloud) who has been silent but deadly up to this point. They will try to have a Fish Fry on field 1, but those Fish will keep coming no matter what. Macho Man (Julio Zavaleta) and the Big Mac (Fred Mannix) are back on field one in the finals for the 12-goal for maybe the 50th time in ten years. They will also have there hands full as the “Nurses” Dad (Dan Walker) came back to town and he did not bring her horses. He brought the machines. Dan will let them run as he tries to help Justin Klentner see the trophy table with a bronze in his hand on Sunday PM. They will have some help as the young gun named Guti (Mariano Gutierrez) will be running and Tim Rudy will try to shut the door. You will find Justin everywhere, but the ranch as he will be hunting a man and that man will know he is not Sir). He may have to take a woman if Danny's Mom is around. They both may be charged with harassment by the end of the day. But it will be a GOOD TIME

So be there. See ya.

Jan. 28th, ’05: Four No Mas – It’s down to two and yes Dudley's house is on fire and is really burning as White Oak caught them and really waved the fire on. It looks like the only consolation CasaBlanca has is that Laith Alsarraf, the star of the White Oak Squad, cannot play the finals. He broke his arm, but he found a young gun named Juan Martin Gutierrez or Guti 2 to take his place. Guti 2 did his job well. The good eyes were on fire and the Danny and Ernie (Daniel Fernandez & Ernie Ezcurra) show continued as they blew by Casa Blanca and headed undefeated to the finals on Sunday. There they will meet Lady Susan Figi. It could be a war as they will be 4 pros on one side and 2 on the other, but will there be game? Yes. Suzanne has no problem taking on anyone and Sir Sean has done well as a rookie from Oregon, so it will be a war for a while. They did their job well today as they took no prisoners. Gypsy/Corleone did shoot Broadway/Moon early and often. It was a very good game so I hear. It was close in the end. I drove by at the end of second and it was 4 or 5 difference, but I hear Broadway/Shoot 4 The Moon came roaring back, but the Gypsy/Corleone group went back to work and sealed the deal.

Down South in Florida it was 1/2 the Wolf Pack devouring Old Pueblo as Millarville shook off their Sunday blues and rolled by them by 3. I hear Daniel Roenisch is resting and there 4th player for the 26 is becoming familiar with the squad.

I guess some people are whining about my comments on Little Mac’s horses. I said he needed to change horses. That means get off a tired horse and not sell ‘em all. And yes I do think he needs better horses. Who doesn’t? You never have the best, but in the story my comment was that as I hear it FM2 is slow to get off the tired horse as he goes the distance of all 3 others. He should as his job is to take out the best player on the other team, but no one has the horse to run against the best 2 horses under the best two players on the other team. It is not scientific, it’s polo.

Be at the finals. We will. See ya.

Jan. 27th, '05: The Final Four – It’s down to 4 in the 8-goal and 2 in the 12-goal. There’s still work to be done in the 4-goal, but here is the scoop in the others.

At 12 noon on Friday in the 8-goal it will be Gypsy/Corleone and Lady Susan Figi and Sir Sean Keyes trying to keep their eyes wide open and flying down Broadway to Shoot 4 the Moon as they take on Michael Rothbard and the hard running Moon & Broadway team. Both teams are in the mode to go for the bronze, but only one will it be. A battle in the middle very likely, but the ends will be the justice of it all. You have the Surfer Diego Cossio and Ratty on one side tough and quick. On the other team it is Aloe & Pedro Orellana and they will need all their A game to get there as Sir Sean is a force and Lady Susan takes no prisoners. They also have a Wall Street legend to deal with in Michael and The Moon is the Moon full sometimes and a cresent other times. It should be fun.

In the other 8-goal semi it’s the unstoppable Laith Alsarraf as he shows all signs of being Mr. Amateur and he has power and speed behind him. They may only have 2 eyes but they seem like 8 as they fly down the field with Hector delivering the power and the good eyes doing the stick work. They have speed to burn I guess they seldom miss because they only have to direct 1 to the ball as Ernie Ezcurra and Daniel Fernandez have seen the flag fly often thus far and their victims may be 2 in a row or not. This one counts the most as Dudley's house is on the line. He needs Casa Blanca to weather the storm and fight back as they took a hiding from this group last week. White Oak set fire to the house and MR. White does not like smoke in the house, so be there. Ernie and Daniel will be close behind Laith and some how there will be a Galindo nearby.

The 12-goal finals are set as Fish Creek and the Big Mac (Fred Mannix) are back in the trophy round and it will be a Sunday showdown against the cowboys of Klentner Ranch. For Klentner it will be trail boss Justin Klentner riding herd on young Gun Guti (Mariano Gutierrez) and they got the old hands behind them Tim Rudy. The best player to date this January is Mr. Walker as he seems to be the comeback kid at 50 and going 90 most of the time. The Cowboys of Klentner Ranch will try to avenge their only loss of the season which was to Macho Man Julio Zavaleta this week. The Big Mac will be ready and he will have the horse power, but will it be enough to stop manpower of Klentner? Nobody knows.

Be there. It will be the Friday fights and the Sunday finals at Eldorado Polo Club. See ya.

Jan. 23, ’05 – Big Day of Polo - Here at Eldorado it was a big day of polo on a very pretty day and the fields are awesome. At least it was very warm and so nice not like PA. and FL. At 10 a.m. it was Ore-Pac getting their first win and it was a bad omen as they sat down Playa Grande in OT. In the 8-goal it was The Moon & Broadway doing it to Mansour as Ben & BenJi stayed home to look at the ladies. Mc Polo with young gun Eric Dix doing a job on Dandy Dan Horn and crew from Palm Desert. In another 8-goal game with a lame Laith Alsarraf who turned over the hero line to Ernie Ezcurra who scored 5 goals. This team heads to the medal round on a mission to win. They are rocking and they are White Oak #1. Over on his home grounds it was big Al Hagen saying it’s my house and Paneno Farms leaving knowing it was his house. Empire got a win. It was Trish Fitzgerald getting on honey to work and Tack Mart slid by DMI in OT, but they get the Win and that’s what matters. Sir Sean finally got to work as even with Bill F in town or maybe because of BF he was on fire today and he racked up 9 goals today and maybe buried his handicap but he also buried the Silver Fox Harry Collins while he was at it. So it was Gypsy/Corleone over La Valencia. Bad Brad and Bones were out for work today as they stood tall in the saddle and rode hard. They stuffed the Governor and Mr PCO in the 12-goal. It was Fish Creek II showing Rancho Esperanza it’s been a rainy year and the fish are feeding. It was the midget Bilo taking care of business as Bolko is sitting around eating bon bons and helping Summerland stay in the big picture for the medal round. Friday will be fun. Some will make it and some will not. So be there. See ya .

Jan. 23^rd, ’05: Polo Isn’t Always The Best - It was bad luck for the Wolf Pack (aka Millarville) down south in Florida. They lost the Joe Barry Cup Finals to Lechuza today, a very strong team well seasoned and with one of the best players in the world today ten-goaler Pite Merlos. The stories I hear are similar to about 1992 when a kid named Cambiaso hit the East Coast. No one doubted his ability, just his game sense and with that comes horse sense. At that time, he was the fastest man or boy on a horse anyone had ever seen. Well they lost to a team with more power, meaning horses. Adam Linderman decided we have the best driver, we just need the horsepower and he was right. It happened and quick. He put the horsepower under AC and the rest is history. He has been 10 goals for 12 years and is not 30 yet. It is horses and like race cars they cost money. Like a Rolls Royce, you do not get them in the used car lot. From all I have heard Frederick Mannix, Jr. is as good as that and he just needs that horse power. I think why the hell can he not have it? He can have it . They are not Cambiaso they do not have to wait for Adam they just do it. Here is the most talented kid on the planet riding Chevy's and this is a land of Ferrari's. It’s time to look in the mirror. I know Dad and he rides Ferrari's and I am sure he does not say “son take Jose's car to the finals.” I was coach against AC 3 yrs ago and he played 15 good horses in 6 chukkers. Why? Because he is fast and he changesfast and it takes that to beat the best in the business. Just ask Tim Gannon. He has done it often and he KNOWS you leave the cowboys and jalopies home in the finals then you go to Outback Steak house for dinner. If you are that fast and can do it, then do it. If you can, and he can, if 1 on 1 you can match the best in the World and you need horse power, get it. We need a North American Hero right now. See ya.

Jan. 22, ’05: Saturday Is History - It was a full day of polo. It started fast and ended in OT. Just the way we like it with fields playing so well, fouls were few and goals were on the menu. At 10 AM there were 3 games. Broadway on the stick of Manny Questel and the hard charging gang from Playa Grande, but it was not over until overtime. It was a very good game. On the Holden Field it was Eric and Steve getting back to speed and showing they have been here before and are now ready to rock and roll. And they did as they set La Mancha down without the Silver Ghost (Dempsey Mork) who is fighting Mother nature with the flu. It was 1/2 of the B brothers with Bilo leading the charge. Ernesto filled in well for the man with 1 arm (Bolko Kissling). Bolko watched and they went on to stop Big Al and crew by 1. At noon there were 3 more and it was DMI just putting the whip to Rancho Esperanza as they rolled to a big win over at the Cantina field. It was a real close one as Laith was sore from a bad back and only played 3 chukkers, but it was enough to hold off the hard charging Michael from NY for a big win to keep them on only w's at this time. Ben & Benny the rug team of Mansour continued to have a not so carpet time as they again went down to the line and lost to Dandy Dan and Handy Andy of Palm Desert to give them a lift.

At 2 PM there were 3 more games. Curt Hughes showed he is getting in shape as they took it to Klentner Ranch and had them in big time worry, but could not finish the sale as they went down, but it was OT. That makes all but 3 games of the 12 goal in OT. The Bones (Ron Bonaguidi) was too much for a team without the Laser Laith Alsarraf. Bones showed honey (Krista Hawley) how to do it and won again to stay undefeated. Krista must be doing a lot of work. Dudley's camp of Casa Blanca will get fed tonight as they stayed out in front of the Silver Fox (Harry Collins) of Rancho Valencia and beat them by 1 in a low scoring, but tough game to keep the win column growing.

See ya tomorrow. They will all be there

Hey overtime is the flavor of the day as it was La Valencia coming back to catch Dandy Andy Maze without Dandy Dan Horn and sent it into OT. Palm Desert, playing their best game of the short season, just missing the win and then seeing it all go wrong in OT. It was fast and extremely quick 8-goal polo and the Silver Fox (Harry Collins) did not want the Big Mac to be the only winner on Inauguration Day. Lots of thrills and probably a few spills coming on Friday so be there. It all starts at 10 a.m. See ya.

Jan. 20^th, ’05: Bad Brad Is Back - I know it’s been a while, but Bad Brad Schlei got rolling and so did Hanalei Bay/Stone Canyon. They were slow moving early in the game, but got it smoking in the 5^th. Hanalei Bay/Stone Canyon rocked over and out on Friendly Chevrolet. It was an odd game in absolutely perfect weather as Tony Gregg would say. It was HB/SC up by 2 early and then Max Marina stepped up and made it a game 100% on penalties and shaking up the field play to help give them a 7 - 3 lead at 1/2 time. Bones (Ron Bonaguidi) decided to take on Max and did his job as the Palomino (Jason Crowder) and Augi (Agustin Zavaleta) started to get free and to make big runs to goal. Bad Brad set out and did a couple himself as he powered down the turf on the nearside and stuffed it in for a flag raising as HB/SC got their first win and also evened out their net goals if they need them. It was only the second 12-goal game not in OT so it was good. Curt Hughes played today and played well for a man who 1 year ago was playing dead as the Doctors pulled out his heart and redid his valves. This boy is tough and he is not from Texas. Congratulations Curt. Well done.

See ya Friday it starts at 10 a.m. See ya.

Jan. 16^th, ’05: Handicaps Are Right At The Moment - There is a lot of whining about handicaps and some are always distorted by circumstances of one kind or another. After 5 games in the 12-goal at Eldorado Polo Club there were 4 overtimes and 1 blowout. Not bad at all. It was a great day for POLO and the weather was awesome. Sounds like Mother Nature went East as Florida had a couple of bad days for the weekend.

The league play started Friday and it was just peachy. Here are the results from Sat. & Sun. Saturday it was sunny as a day in the Caribbean but with snow on the surrounding mountains and 75 degrees in the Palm Trees. It was the Gray Ghost (Demsey Mork) and La Mancha taking the silver as he and Mr. Hagen traded goals and old silver beat them. Mr. New York, Michael Rothbard and company, who came in on the red eye and saw the red flag waved up the most took the "w" against Mc Polo. It was Mr. Super Patron Laith Alsarraf doing his number on Dandy Dan of Palm Desert and came away with a big and burning win to head to 2 & 0. Casa Blanca kept Dudley White happy as they won over the Rug Man Ben Solemani and company. It was Tack Mart sliding over Playa Grande to rack up a “w” on the day. Fish Creek 2 with out Macho Man took it to Broadway and rolled on down the road to win it. The Governor and Mr. Pacific Coast Open (Geoff Palmer)laid it out in the OT, but did it to slide by Friendly Chevrolet to a big win as FAST-ETTa (Mariano Fassetta) was rockin’. They hung on to stop young Lance Hughes who is playing lights out in this league. Hanalei Bay were just better than DMI and put up a “w.”

On Sunday the fireworks were early and action at 10 AM was Lady Susan and her Gypsy/Corleone burying the Rugman and company as they go to 0 & 2 and Gypsy's get a “w” to go to 1 –1. Fish Creek || also went to 2 & 0 as they skid by Ore Pac. Bones (Ron Bonaguidi) is showing Honey how good he is as he led them to a win (# 2 ) against Playa Grande. Casa Blanca stayed at the win line and got by McPolo in the 8-goal. Michael Rothbard got a full night sleep and shook off the jet lag and stayed on course as he and Shoot 4 the Moon laid it in for win # 2 against the Silver Fox Harry Collins and camp from La Valencia. In a real thriller in the 12-goal, Fish Creek jumped all over Stone Canyon early at 5 to 1 and then went down by one in the 4^th. They then came back, but it was two awesome plays by the Big Mac (Fred Mannix) who blew through all to score the goal to tie it up. Then they took the throw in at 135 yds. down the field, got a foul and went up. Bones paid him back with 1 of his own. Then in overtime it was the # 4 gone wide converted by the surfer to send Fish Creek to 2 & 0 all alone in the 12-goal. Stone Canyon to 0 & 2 with a ways to go. The “B” boys Bolko & Bilo got off to a nice start on Saturday and followed it up with a big win today. Bolko watched the end with a hurt wing, but still getting the “W’ so Bilo was sipping Champagne at the end of the day. Michael Rothbard put another “W” on his flight schedule as they rolled by DMI for a big win in the 4-goal. Trish showed Carlos where to go and sent Tack Mart up to the “W “column as they slid by Ranch0 Esperanza. Then it was time for the worst game of the day as Klentner Ranch & Danny Walker just blind sided Windsor/Antelope and blew the doors off and won by 9 over them (15-6) to break the overtime streak by the 12 goal teams. It is far from over as it only means there are 3 teams 1 & 1 and 1 team 2 & 0 and 1 team 0 & 2 and a whole lot of polo to go. With the shining sun and growing bermuda we will have action Jackson from now on.

See ya this Friday morning at ELDPC.

Jan. 13, ’05: The Cost of Hiring A Pro. It is what it is. It is during this time of the year when I hear all the whining about how much it costs to play polo. These are things I often hear some comments probably came from you. Click here to read article.

Jan. 12^th, ’04: Polo Is Back In The Desert- Believe it or not, after 3 days of solid rain. Big George will have the fields ready this week. We practice on Thursday and its show time on Friday.

Mother Nature is in a good mood and says lets play polo, just not in Santa Barbara. If you could get there. It’s odd how tough she really is. There is more money in that area than most everywhere in this USA and they are locked in mudslides. They had to close 101 and bridge removals closed Ojai escape. So if you want to go somewhere its North an hour, East an hour and then South an hour and that’s if the traffic gets through. You will be in North L.A. still an hour and 1/2 from the airport on a good day. So if you live in S.B. and have to go to the airport at LAX, it’s about 10 hrs. roundtrip. Oh, and that is If you have a private plane. There is no jet fuel in town to leave with since they cannot deliver it. Not to mention the railroad is also blocked, so it is by sea or the scenic route. Be glad you are in the desert. It’s just a wash here and there gone, not a lifestyle.

So come and see us here in the desert. We will have polo, Beverly will serve cold drinks and the ponies will run. They still get fed everyday.

Friday starts at 10 AM. The recorder in the office is out due to bad lines, so just show up. There will be flying hooves and screaming polo players somewhere nearby.

Down South in Palm Beach the Little Mac (Frederick Mannix) scored 5 goals as Millerville scored their second big win of 2005 in the Joe Barry Memorial. They are looking good for the semis.

See ya.

Jan. 11, 05: The Sound Of Thunder - I hear the thunder and it’s not from the clouds. It is coming from the New Year’s polo players and horses coming at a dead gallop on the best fields in Eldorado in many years, with good reason I might add. There has been no polo since Jan 2, 2005 and it was slow practice. We have had a very solid water program in effect. Alex Jacoy has spoken to George and the job has been well done with some help from Mother Nature so this Friday, barring a Tsunamis OR A MUD SLIDE AND MAYBE AN EARTHQUAKE things will rock and roll with the high-enders hitting the fields first. The Governor and Mr. PCO (Geoff Palmer) hit the field with the Fast-Etta (Mariano Fassetta) and the Mig (Miguelito Torres) as they take on The Construction crew of Klentner Ranch. There should be some major labor taking place in this one. The Big Mac (Fred Mannix) gets back to town with Macho Man (Julio Zavaleta) and they add the Surfer (Diego Cossio) to take on Bad Brad Schlei and Augi (Agustin Zavaleta) and the Palomino (Jason Crowder) along with “come back kid Bones” (Ron Bonaguidi) who is living right in his second childhood. He should be flying if he can reach Mother Earth from his Darth Vader. In the other action the Silver Fox (Harry Collins) returns to the desert to ruin Dandy Dan Horns desert holiday in the 8-goal. Two of the best newcomers, Sir Sean Keyes and Laith Alsarraf. Laith is very good and fairly new to polo. He is not into second place. These boys will tangle often over the next decade as they have winning on their minds and plan on it. Sir Sean has a Gypsy’s edge as he brings the Lady (Suzanne Figi) who just hardly ever loses along for luck and a golden edge.

Well Mother Nature decided to give polo a boost today as she started whistling at about 9.30 at 30 mph. She is shinning down on us and we are ready to roll. So we will see you Friday.

See ya.

Jan. 9^th, ’05: It Does Not Rain In The Desert! That’s the advertisement we used to run about polo in the desert. Well guess what? It has not stopped raining in the desert since ‘05 started and that’s a fact not printed by the tourism journal. It did not rain much at all on Sunday, but it has not stopped since it got dark on Sunday night. It is an old fashioned downpour. So if you thought it was a mess today come on out tomorrow it will be real nice and muddy. They said on TV the other day we had equaled the last two years rainfall in the first 5 days of the new year . Well we doubled it.

Down South the Canadian Wolves (Millarville) led by Little Mac (Frederick Mannix, Jr.) took their road show to IPC (International Polo Club) and did it well. Millarville stopped Skeeterville in their first run at the 22-goal in West Palm Beach, a club where they do polo in the old fashion way. Fashionable.

It looks like the forecast may allow us to start a brand new year in the desert this coming week, so buckle up and be ready. The horses are rank and the players a little crazy after 2 months of rest. The last big game in Ca. was Oct. 14th in San Diego and Santa Barbara, so let it rip. Come on out and see the new barns at Eldorado. There are 3 of them and they are a very nice touch to the future. Now we have barns. We may have a stadium on the way look out IPC. We are really thinking you might have hurricanes, but we have monsoons in Indio and they make things grow.

See ya at POLO in ’05.

Jan. 6 '04: Looking For '05 Schedule? Hang on so are we. We are very smart but we do not control Mother Nature and we never will. As soon as we know so will you as everthing is on hold at this time. There will be POLO sometime soon, maybe Friday, maybe not. There will be no tournament or league games on Friday as we protect the horses first and without practice we can not and will not risk them at any cost. So hang on if the biggest storm of the year misses we will play polo. If it does not we will not play POLO, but we will see Beverly in the cantina as we have the obligation to support polo.

See ya. Hopefully the rain stays near Lake Hodges since it needs it we do NOT.

Jan 2 '04: Double O4 Is History - It could be said double 004 is a year of Mother Nature. We ended ‘03 with fire and smoke and we ended ‘04 in water and mud. Around the globe it was Mother Nature who let us know the fact "DON'T MESS WITH MOTHER NATURE." California learned that last Fall as fires just kicked the heck out of technology and burned whatever it wanted. This year Hurricanes on the East coast, tornadoes in the middle and rain on the West have been big news for a while, but nothing like the title waves and Tsunami. There were more in Japan and that area than ever before. Then the one during Christmas in Indonesia which will be the biggest natural disaster known to man. It’s just a message . . . life is short, so live it and enjoy it as you can. So on that note play Polo. It speeds up boring days. It lets off steam and sets you free of stress. It also gets your heart a working and fills your lungs with air, some good some dusty some smoggy, but all moving on to make your heart work.

Polo has seen some good times. A lot of old timers came back to conquer , more Mother nature I guess saying age is good. Memo Gracida won the U.S. Open again at 45 +. Carlos Gracida won the Gold Cup and returned to 10 goals at 44 and counting. Geoff Palmer won the Pacific Coast Open and even Robert Fell came back to make history and won again after a long break. In Argentina Eduardo showed it ain't over until its over as they returned to head of the table after a long break. Their clock has been ticking for quite a while. Look out Big Mac (Fred Mannix) & The Governor (Pat Nesbitt) may be coming back to take charge of the polo world in the West. It could be POLO is moving North and looking for mountains as Wyoming and Calgary may be the hottest places in the game soon in the summer time. They will call it the Rocky Mountain Open. Calgary is already the prettiest Club in the World and has more fields than the State of California. Now, Mr Johnson is building a section of polo fields in the Cowboy state. If they get some management to the North there may be big time polo in the Rockies. Down South in Florida Big John Goodman has taken the Polo out of the Bunkhouse and made it just cool to put on the Gucci's, set your tie and head to the Club in your Caddy with your honey wrapped in silk. It is big time.

Polo changes like your horses and people do not, but there are so many good people in Polo. All you have to do is ignore the bad ones. They will usually go away. As they say Polo is the Passport to good people around the World. So say goodbye to 2004 and get ready to say happy New Year from Argentina to Australia and Pakistan to Canada .

Happy NEW YEAR lets play POLO . See ya somewhere there playing POLO