Oct. 31st, ’05: The Ranch no match for the "Go Train" - On a beautiful Sunday afternoon at a very nice property called California Polo Club we had the Lan Airline finals.  It was a very fun game and clean except for one, but it did no good as the Northwest Freight Train called Eric Dix pushed the pedal to the medal.  A hard-hitting Palomino (Jason Crowder) and Mr. Hyde (Steven) just kept on following the Freight.  Goclothing was the name of the winning team and they are on their way to Bunos Aires by plane (Lan Airlines), so the train stops here in LA.  Goclothing.com stopped the JV Ranch squad, but it was a good battle for the crowd as Go Clothing were behind in the first 2 minutes,  but never again and sometimes up by 5, but more to be left behind. Lolo Payan and Danny Brown battled on a lot of fouls and a lot of conversions by the Go Squad.  They kept goclothing.com out front and it was only in the last 2.30 the score got close.  It was exciting and the crowd loved it. Best horse I saw out there was a

Orange-looking cold blood played by Dan Brown 2-chukkars.  and he scored 3 goals on the little thing. (this was my pick for BBP) one of Claudio Manfrin’s horses won the official BBP  MVP was The Palomino (Jason Crowder), but he had a lot of help as The Hyde-man (Steve Hyde) and the Northwest Freight were always working.  It was a great tournament and easily the best prize I have heard about in Polo this year. 

There was a real indoor player there as well 9-goal superstar Tom Goodspeed was wandering around, so there maybe some real deal happening again on the Western front. The goclothing.com team and I would like to thank the people who made this event happen.  To name a few as I am sure there were others Leo, Rodney, Carlos, and Max.  I did not see him, but I am sure he is still around, Ralph that is.  The wonderful crowd was involved in it all this was very good idea for a prize.  I believe if it became annual it would bring so many teams from all around this could be like really BIG. Before the recession hit in the early 90's we had an 8-goal tournament in San Diegoith the same prize and it was really fun.  We went to Argentina as the winners Matt Gonzalez, Billy Mudra and Penny.  We met some really nice people and were treated at the top of the list.  It was cool. So hope this is the same.  

Over in Texas they got to meet Fast-etta and he just did the same.  He won as they stopped the Makarrow roll and sent their squad to the title with MR. Pruitt and a smile.  They stopped the undefeated run of Mr. Alan Martinez and Del

Carrol who have been unstoppable since the U.S. Open, but no mass. Dallas is closing now, but they know the Fast_etta the same as we do. The winners of the 2005 are Brent Mirikitani, Bill Mudra, Mariano Fassetta and Lone Star Bossman Jessie Pruitt.  Well done!!  

Down South in Argentina it was a made up team substituting for the suspended Merlos's (Chapaleufu II with subsitutes were Stuart “Sugar” Erskine, Milo Fernandez Araujo, Gaston Laulhe and Marcos Di Paola) and losing to La Aguada.  La Aguada is on the way to the finals vs. the unstoppable kids who are named Pieres and Mac Donough for Ellerstina.  If they do not stop them it could be a generation before they do.  Remember Pop? His name was and is Gonzalo yes Pieres The English Squad Centauros Beaufort got their first victory today as they beat the other qualifiers in an upset I would think, but that’s POLO.  See ya.

Oct. 29^th, ’05: Suspend them!  Argentina takes a big step.  We seldom suspend anyone in U.S. Polo and there is no way in He_ _ they would suspend a pro umpire. So maybe we can take a lesson in the 2nd biggest Open in Argentina, the Hurlingham Open.  The AAP (Polo Association of Argentina) suspended 6 players, several are rated  10-goals. Ignacio Heguy will be suspended for three games. Agustin Merlos, Sebastian Merlos, Juan Ignacio Merlos and Alberto Heguy and Eduardo Heguy will be out for one game. Umpires Juan Jose Alberdi and Martin Haurie were suspended for 3 games. This is a big hit to a sponsor, but best of all they finally said the simple fact I have argued for years.  If you pay umpires then you should be able to fire them or cut pay when they make mistakes or do not do their job.  That’s what they did.  Their umpires are paid as ours in the U.S. are to keep the game safe and

Honest, not be the Gods of the field. Well obviously it was not done and they were suspended for 3 games.  That means in English or Spanish NO PAY. Maybe our higher ups will see the need in someone other than one of the “good old boys” being in charge of our umpire crews.  It is that way in all other sports and now polo as well.  You do you job or you do not get paid.  Did you see the World Series?  There was a major crack down on those boys in stripes.  When your wrong, you are wrong and when its your job to be right you better be sure. I hope the FIP was watching because they need to.  Other that the Argentinean Open, things seem to be going well with very few weather problems.  Maybe all the bad weather was in Florida for a while.

On another note it sounds like the Lakes Farms Owners are getting money hungry which may be spell the end of Eldorado Polo Club soon. We better be nice to Big Al.  Maybe buy him some sand and move East.  Its a thought.

See ya.

 

Oct. 23^rd, ’05: Lan Chile was Go Clothing Day. It was a very unsociable day for Centaur Polo as they needed to see GO Clothing go somewhere else.  Centaur took a hyding from Mr Hyde and team as a real Northerner, Eric Dix of Spokane, blew in and had a Palomino (Jason Crowder) on the run as they blew by Centaur to where they thought Wicked Wilma was on the West Coast. 

It was a bit overcast and drizzly in San Diego so could not turn Wildman Williams  (Jim Williams) loose two days in a row, but Saturday was a great day for new people mixing with the San Diego Polo Club Members.  We are seeing a great interest in many of these people.  One team featured a bevy of beauties with the Wolfman called Ashton Wolf & the Ladies all new to polo including  MRS. Gooding from Colorado and 2 wild women from Rancho Heather Fogarty and a brand new Pretty Lady like today named Joy B.  She did very well for her 3rd time in the saddle with a mallet as they took on Ms. Wilson and birthday girl by the name of Mrs. Ellen Greenhill who looks 30, but I hear that’s not quite right.  As Graham Bray says I am off by a couple of decades, but sure looks good.  Anyway happy b-day Ellen.  There was also a round robin with some definite speed as Mr. Williams was cruising and another old face Ross Neglia showed up too.  He must of got a deal from Graham Bray and Susan must of loaned him something, but it was good to see him there.  Silent Chris Maloney

was showing his stick work to the new people, but all had fun as SDPC works hard to increase the polo community.  So grab your horse or if no horse your boots and come on out.  We will find a horse for you. We just want YOU to PLAY POLO.  See ya.

Oct. 20^th, ’05: A Woman is ruling Polo in Florida. Yes, its a mean Lady running things in Florida and her name is WILMA.  She is not even there yet, but they are hauling a_ _ to miss her entry. In the last 3 weeks 100's of horses have started arriving in south Fl and some horses must be wondering as they are being loaded up and hitting the road back North with good reason. WILMA is the worst storm ever registered thus far and she has not even made land.  So if she is that mean in the water good God what will she do on the ground?  Hopefully she finds a wide-open Alantic and disappears. However, by all accounts its not likely. Well we complain about an early rain and a 4. shaker.  We could be in the North East or the South East so quit whining.  Our gas is the most expensive, our houses are the most expensive and its very dry often.  We have the weakest polo, but at least we play polo each time we want to. So get your team ready for the big Desert season they have not sold it yet .  

Down South in Argentina it was a downer for the.  They ran into a problem playing a test match against Argentina. It was a failing score as they were soundly beaten by a similar rated Argentinean team. Neither Daniel Roenisch or Ted Offen played.  They used Mike Matz instead and it still did not save them. In other news, the young Ellerstina team who is playing in the Open seems to be the real deal thus far as they continue to roll on the + side.  Ellerstina has the Pieres Boys (Gonzalo (9 goals) and Facundo), but one person on that team impresses me much more.  He was here in Santa Barbara 2 years ago  and in FL last winter.  His name is Pablo Mac Donough.  He is a true copy of Gonzalo Pieres in his heyday in my opinion.   Oh yes, there is polo in San Diego this Sat & Sun. so come on down.  They will not be Open-style, but they will have a lot of fun.  See ya.

Oct. 19^th, ’05: Desert storm is back - The definition of a desert says less than 10 inches or 250 ml of water annually.  As of Oct. 18^th the desert in Indio has had nearly 3 times that much rain,  so maybe in the global warming its turning tropic there. One thing for sure its going to be a very green XMAS in the desert again this year after over 3 inches of rain it will look so good. I hope San Diego survives as very tricky Government rules have left that resevoir  just North of the Club very full  in the form of Lake Hodges. I am sure they know what they are doing after all they handle hurricanes and wildfires very well in the recent past .  Maybe they have the water rerouted to the new Lake in Hemet.  I know its uphill, but so are they. 

THE DESERT SEASON SHOULD BE DANDY as its been a warm Fall and a wet one as well.  That will make the grass easy to grow.  It is time to make your teams. You know your handicap so build a team to win  or  for a good  learning experience, but do build.  We want POLO to grow and its perfect time to grow.

 I also know of a great place to go if your going to Argy Land soon for the big

boys polo. Today is a repeat of the finals last Sat. with the first games of the Hurlingham Open.  We will see if the youth movement of Ellerstina is for real as they meet a man seldom beat twice Adolfo Cambiaso.  It would be a great time to be there.  See ya.

Oct. 17^th, ’05: There is snow on those mountains - Yes it was snow on the Baldy & Big Bear yesterday, so it must be time to head to the Desert or further South to Florida  or whatever your desires may be. It was 1 year ago the wettest winter in 100 yrs . started, but as far as I know the only real rain was in the desert as San Diego had a touch and Santa Barbara just got cloudy . Santa Barbara closed its doors on the 2005 season Sunday and it was the finals of the 8-goa.  From all signs it needs a rest as the fields were very tired looking and the polo choppy. Not sure who won, but I will find out . It was a good year for California POLO in many ways.  Some grew some did not, but it was a good summer nearly everywhere.

San Diego has another week or so as they strive to get new people in the game through pro pools and coaching leagues.  It is working!  Nearly 25 people showed up for the first one and it was also the return of the original speed demon of San Diego Polo.   Jim Williams is back and he says he is not in a hurry, but after scoring 6 to 8 goals over the weekend he is looking for guess what ??? Faster horses.  They do not have to fly, just be sure no one passes me is the order. Along with Jim were some new people from the North.  Eric Monk , Jim Raeder (one of the threesome of indoor fame – Tres Amigos) Peter Picthes, a talented young fellow named David Flowers who is also ready to rock and roll and several others who I did not get their names.  Come and see them run at San Diego next Sat & Sun and hey bring your horses too.  Like they say {{{{{{{{{{ WE GOT POLO }}}}}}}}}}}}.  Bryan Ward is another one who snuck back in the public like Jim Williams.  He is a veteran who knows the game. Its great to see the men & ladies of San Diego Polo Club helping build this into a fun time.  It makes Polo the game we know it is. So thanks to Chris & Kelly Maloney, Scott Dlugos, Colleen Wilson, Ashton Wolf, Ellen Greenhill and all the other Members helping polo grow and most of all The Management Team . . . Heather, Graham, Joe & crew.  They make it happen.  Lets keep Kelly's Tavern (Tiki Bar ) open.  Also thank you to Heather Schuberth and all the great people from El Toro (Playa Grande Polo Club).  See ya next weekend and I hear there is a blond Bombshell name Joy on her way with Cindy & Heather they were born to be the THREE AMIGAS.  

Down south the Mac Donough's and Pieres cousins (Ellerstina) stamped them big time with a big win in the Tortugas Open Finals beating Adolfo Cambiaso and La Dolfina.  Guess who they drew in the first round of the Hurlingham Open?  Your right La Dolfina.  It already seems to happen back to back. On Thursday Canada takes on Argentina in a test match in Argentina.  And yes I was wrong Brandon Phillips is starting for Canada and D. Roenisch is the alternate.  Hey,  I have proably been wrong before.  See ya at SDPC this Friday night!

Oct. 16^th, ’05: Down South Ellerstina is back - It was a very dominant name in polo in the World for a decade and it went with

the Pieres who named Gonzalo Pieres who was mostly believed as the best player in the World for about 20 yrs. (80's & 90's). Well he turns out to be a very good sire as well as his two oldest sons about 22 & 18 -19 yrs old just won their

first Open tournament (Las Tortugas) on a team called Ellerstina.   The Pieres brothers paired up with another pair of brothers the Mac Donough’s.   Is this a magic moment?  One will not know for a while,  but it could be.  It was in the 90's when Gonzalo picked a youngster to play 1 for his team.  That young man’s name was Adolpho Cambiaso, who would soon replace Gonzalo as the next best player in the World, which he probably still is.  There are some definite family names on nearly all the high-goal teams in Argentina.  The biggest name is the Heguy's who are also sons of 10-goalers.  Then there is the emerging brilliant family of Astradas who were the triple crown winners two years ago and they are young as well.  So they may not be done yet.  There is the one key that so few understand and its horsepower.  It is not that different than Kurt Bush or Young Earnhart.  If you look under the hood you have to have power.  It is what Gonzalo has been famous for, finding the horsepower.  So we shall see.  Its all about the real warriors of this game and they are called HORSES!   Without them you are nothing. 

There is a very special test match in Argentina this Thursday.  It is a match between Canada and Argentina.  It  should be a real good time to see where the rest of the World stacks up.  The highest-rated Amateur in North America and maybe the World, Little Mac Frederick Mannix at 21 yrs. old will lead a team of Canadians.  Todd the Sergeant Offen and sidekick of the Northern Wolf Pack Daniel Roenisch and they have Steve Dalton directing the traffic.  I suppose Brandon Phillips is near by as well.   We also have a touch of Calgary where most of these players come from down in Santa Barbara for the weekend.  She is easy to look at and she likes to run fast and hit the ball.  Her name is Amanda Hamilton and she had her first game on Sat. and did very well.  She also improved the scenery as the Nurse (Christine Walker)  is on the sidelines with a polo injury. 

OH and great news LILLIAN Heller is looking around now.  She is slowly coming out of a coma.  It was reported that she opened one eye, recognized family photos, and moved her foot upon doctor’s requests.  That is special news as its nearly a month now that she has been hiding, so lets hope she can spend Halloween at home. This is great news for all of us and hope it continues to

improve for her husband EDDY & family.  See ya.

Oct. 14^th, ’05: Two teams qualified with a CA touch -  We know about the 3 Gringos from the British Empire qualified for the Hurlingham and Palermo Open High-Goal tournaments in Argentina this past weekend.  It will be very tough for them, but nobody knows the other team who qualified.  Is it a possible game breaker for some of the super powers?  The name of the other qualifying team is El Metejon. This team carries a Calfornia touch in the form of the Cabazon or “big head” also known as Mariano Gonzalez.  Mariano has played a lot more Polo in the state of Calfiornia than he has in Argy Land.  Its cool to know he made it.  They are no flukes either. They have some big stars and some jilted ones as well including Santiago Chavanne, who was dropped from 1 team,  U.S. Open Star Lucas Criado, Mariano Gonzalez who has had some big years on the West Coast and Alex Agote who played in Santa Barbara recently in the 12-goal with Chuck Lande. So we wish them luck in the big one.  Remember pass on the left and hook on the right and you will be alright.  See ya.

Oct. 12, ’05: Little Mac’s run on the Open ended. The run to qualify for the Argentine Open came to an end for Frederick Mannix, Jr.  He showed well by all accounts heard.  The former British Empire is still going to be represented as 2 Brothers from the UK and one Aussie are going to the big show. Mark and Luke Tomlinson of the famous Tomlinson Clan are headed to the Hurlingham and Palermo Open Tournaments.  Along their side will be Ruki Jack Bailliei who was a star in Santa Barbara this past summer.  It is quite a feat as few foreigners ever make it to the Open that are not 10-goalsm but they did. Mark is 6 and Luke 7 and Ruki is 8 goals here and there.  They are teamed up with Jaime Garcia Huidobro from Chile who is

also 7 goals.  They have a very tough road ahead, but who knows Boston won the World Series last year and they are from strong stock.   Luke and Mark’s Mother was the first lady to reach 5-goals and did so in 22-goal company.  For many years she was considered the best Woman player in the World.  She is also coach for UK'S

World Cup Team and a huge supporter of polo!  It should be fun so keep in touch.  See ya.

Oct. 12, ’05:  Governor’s Cup Played - We have all seen a lot of neat polo places some have real distinction like the following Clubs . . .

Prettiest place to play polo - Calgary Polo Club in Canada, Ellerstina in Australia.

Best Fields - Houston Texas

Greatest Crowd - British Coronation Cup in England and Palermo in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Best Polo -  Palermo in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Best Polo Vacation -- Dipaola Ranch in Buenos Aires, Argentina

But there is one place in polo that has all these in one except huge crowds and this was not the best polo in the World, but it does have a Ocean view of 180 degrees.  It has the best field you can find.  It has mountains in the other 1/2 of the view and its 200 ft. above the Pacific Coast Ocean on the Gold Coast.  If your looking for splendor just look to the West and you will see a Mansion on

the mountain and its called Bella Vista and its home of a Governor of the Pacific Coast Circuit Mr. Pat Nesbitt.  It has a barn unequaled in the Polo World,  a World-Class polo field and the best view in polo.  Then theres the Mansion on the Mountain.  A scene of an awesome party last week and if you are someone and could be there

you were. They would have huge crowds if they could just get there, but this is well on its way to be a must see to anyone coming West.   I hope the agenda worked for the Governors of polo they were from everywhere so we will see.  They came from Texas, Kansas, Kentucky, NewYork, Washington, Florida, Illinois, South Carolina and a few other places.  We were glad to have them. See you all next year at the Mansion.  

Oct. 11^th, ’05:  Women rule the Western polo fields- It was Women Only out where the surf meets the turf at San Diego Polo Club.  It was the Chicks a Clicking and the speed was very good.  There were no ladies on side-saddles.  They were smoking down the lawn.  In the lower flight it was The Tavern Lady Kelly Maloney and her Fandago squad squishing the other 2 teams, but not a run away.  Kelly had Mrs. Jessica Bailey Mano running the team and she was in control most of the time.  They played with Sue Landis from Kiwi Land and Jane Anderson who was packing the mail at a high-rate of speed up front and delivering often.  Kelly was a very hard working # 2 and closing the door was Kim Garsed from LA and sinking the goals often. They had to deal with Storming Norma and Owen Polo who were led by Rich Lady Norma. She had Pretty Susan Harris running to goal and Ms. Kate Islas hitting it up.  They had Captain Jocelyn Parker running the show and Polo  Central had the wild women as they were mostly rookies, but ready to rumble as Cindy Gooding who come out from Colorado.  She was picking them and laying them down as she let them run and they did very well for their first time at the surf & turf.  They scored goals, rode-off and fought to the end.  She had sidekick Heather Fogarty out running at # 1 and she stood up and hit them like a real woman.  She likes to let them run as well.  Closing the back door was Shantell Humphries who kept them on their toes as she hustled all day long.  They had Heather Schuberth running the show as the green team made them

work to beat the opposition.  Then it was time to saddle up as the Finals was bound to be good.  Monte Verde and Lady Ellen Greenhill fresh off some tough losses in the Spreckles was not planning on

it in Oct.  She had a pair of rock stars in the middle with the school teacher Jocelyn Parker and Jessica Bailey Mano.  Jocelyn likes to boogey and Jessica can get it to here and did. Ellen slammed the door and the other team still headed to goal often. They had

big support from Tracee Mulvaney and across the line there stood a formidable force in the form of Shelley Geiler who can mix it with anyone.  Heather Schuberth was back in action closing the door.  Running for them was Alisha Wray at high speed and Ms. Wilson as

she hit them and let them run, but the champs of 2005 are Monte Verde and Lady Ellen Greenhill is happy. Congratulations to the Ladies on a very big show and HOLD them HIGH FOR

THE CHAMPS. 

 B FLIGHT                                            A FLIGHT 

JANE ANDERSON/SUE LANDIS             TRACEE MULVANEY
KELLY MALONEY                                  JOCELYN PARKER
JESSICA BAILEY                                  JESSICA BAILEY MANO
KIMBERLY GARSTED                           LADY ELLEN GREENHILL

SEE YA

Oct. 8^th, ’05: Babes are blazing in San Diego – It is late in Oct. (8^th) and most polo has come to a stand still.  It is not the same for the ladies and thy are not at a standstill.  They were flying and its not on a broom.  They are flying on 4 legs and they were burning the grass up at the surf & turf club . . . San Diego Polo Club. They come from all over the country. We have Mrs. Cindy Gooding from Colorado, Kim Garsted from LA Polo, Heather Fogarty from the Del Mar and they were all blazing down the fields. 

Ladies from California are know to be some of the best in the World and many are normal housewives and mothers holding down jobs like Kelly Maloney, Jocelyn Parker.  Others are executives like Shelley Geiler, Colleen Wilson, Kate Islas, and Jessica Bailey.  Some are rich Girls like Norma, but they all have one thing in common.  They like to go fast and danger is not their concern. They are living this way and they always have.  Its fun to see and lovely to listen to them screaming orders on the field.  Some I have missed are also on the field like Jane Anderson who scored 3 goals on her birthday today and Sue Landis who was strong all day. Shontell Humphries, Heather Schubert and Tracee Mulvaney who were born to be wild women and they are.  Sso come and see us. Where the chicks are clicking not clucking.  See ya.

Oct. 6^th, ’05: Little Mac wins in Argentina - While Millarvile was conquering the Gold  Cup in Aiken, Frederick Mannix was training in Buenos Aires, Argentina for the big one (Argentinean Open). He won on Monday and needs 2 more to qualify for the ultimate Open in Palermo.   I am sure he will be the first Canadianto ever play in it.  We are also looking for 2 to 4 young players 14 or under to play in Argentina in Feb.-Mar. time period in a very interesting and great situation.  There will be 3 Argentinean youths and 1 foreign player on each team like the big boys do, but you do not have to pay to play.  You do, however,  have to be serious about playing.  These kids are machines who want to be the best in the World.  So if you are 14 or under  and serious about your polo contact us for info.  This is a dream come true for a youngster and the winners play at Palermo where few have ever played.  This will be very well organized and players will be well mounted. This is being done by Tolo Polo so you can expect nothing but the best.   Other news about The Silver Fox (Harry Collins) is doing well.  Lillian Heller is still waiting to get up, but hopefully coming soon.  Santi Torres is playing in the 18-goal in Aiken.  The real Governors (USPA Governors) are all playing in Nesbitt Wonderland (Santa Barbara) and Big Jack Shelton is still booming them down the field and the Windsor Mansion was the scene out of Fantasyland on a moonless evening easy to describe AWESOME.........

Sad news from the South (Argentina). The Padre of the Astradas passed away a few days ago and the Grandsons Played in his honor and won game which was one of the Tortugas Open matches. 

Other news. . . Memo Gracida is coaching Ellerstina they say in the Open tournaments.  Over at San Diego women are taking over this week in the 2nd annual Ladies Polo Tournament.  There will be lots of ladies and lots of teams, so come on down.  See ya. 

Oct. 3^rd, ’05:  Spreckels Champs – Madison Square.  It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and no one guessed how good it would be, but they had their fun and fill of very good polo at a very fun place to be San Digo Polo Club. There were 2 finals on field 1.  It was the Big RED MACHINE of Corleone continuing to roll as they smoked MS. Wilson and ADEPTUS who had been undefeated, but they had not met Sir SEAN and CORLEONE who were 9 & 0 going into the finals.  Now they are the 2005 champs and 10 and 0.  Corleone is led by SEAN KEYS & ANDY MAZE with DANNY ROLANDS and NICK GALINDO.  They were very good.

This all led to the finals of the SPRECKELS CUP and it was a wild, wild affair before it was over.  The SILVER FOX (Harry Collins) was not there to see his Rancho Valencia squad in action, but his son (Chris Collins) led the charge with Miguel Torres, Jr. the missile, Dan Juarez and lean man Pedro Orellana.  They faced Madison Square with the only lady in the 14-goal tournament pretty Lisa Bosstick.  She rode with a hard-charging Josey (Joesph Stuart) and the Palomino (Jason Crowder) with super FAST-ETTA (Mariano Fassetta). Madison Square came out slow down by 3 to 1 when the 1 was by handicap then it was the Palomino (Jason Crowder) getting two quick goals in the second chukker and 1 by Josey (Joseph Stuart).  They then they took the lead in the third chukker by 2 on good goals by Josey and Fast -etta (Mariano Fassetta).  At 1/2 time it was 6 to 4 and after a huge crowd finally cleared the field they got underway and it was Madison Square going up by 2 more,  then up by 5 in the end of the fifth and maybe a little too content. Then someone lit the fire under Rancho Valencia, I think the Silver Fox (Harry Collins) must have sent a message.  In the thrown in Rancho Valencia went right to goal and scored and then did a repeat on the next throw in and then again.  They scored 3 goals in a row in 2 and a 1/2 minutes and in 2 more minutes they tied it up.  Madison Square touched the ball maybe twice in 5 minutes, but then they stopped Rancho Valencia after 5 straight goals, but its all tied up and a brand new game and the crowd was going wild and both teams had some narrow misses. Lisa goes by the stands on a run and headed for goal and it sounded like you were at the Charger Game.  It was exciting to say the least.  It ended the game in regulation near the Madison Square's goal and it was in overtime.  In polo its called SUDDEN DEATH.  The  first team to score wins.  Rancho Valencia wins another throw in to go down field and miss.  Then Madison Square makes a run and miss 2 more knock ins and everybody is screaming.  The Palomino (Jason Crowder) steals a pass then fires it to Josey (Joseph Stuart) and he buries it with only 3.16 left in the 7th chukker and it was all over.  A thriller for sure. The MADISON SQUARE SQUAD IS THE 2005 CHAMPS OF THE SPRECKELS CUP.

Madison Square . . .

LISA BOSSTICK
JOSEPH STUART
MARIANO FASSETTA
JASON CROWDER

Jason was the MVP. Dan Juarez’ gray mare was Best Playing Pony.  It was just a perfect polo day and one heck of a fun time. Thanks San Diego Polo Club.  What a party too!

Elsewhere in the nation it was PEE WEE Polo getting a huge boost as Jeff Hall

won the Texas Open and Silver Cup in Houston. He started his polo playing in the PEE WEE circuit years ago.  Over in Aiken, SC in a big one, the USPA

GOLD CUP, it was Daniel Roenisch winning the Cup with West Coast Team MILLARVILLE.  If Little Mac (Frederick Mannix, Jr.) wins in Argentina it would be something for Jr. Polo everywhere.

Oct. 1^st, ’05: PM The Red Machine continues to roll.  They had a scare today as the Palomino (Jason Crowder) and company (Princeps) had them on the ropes, but like most really good teams they kept coming and in the end it was enough.  Corleone they had a great game out of Dandy Andy and he never quite lost his cool and kept the team in a forward direction at all times.  The refs were one way at 14 to 5 in calls I think, but the Red Machine (Corleone) missed two open-goals and still won, so it was not all their fault.  Maybe they felt guilty at the calls.  It was a very good game for 6 goal polo and both teams had their chances.  I would say today was really the finals, but old one-eye (Daniel Fernandez) is lurking and he has won more than a few of these and he did today.  Daniel controlled the field as Long Lady (Dr. Colleen Wilson of Adeptus) ruled today despite a huge effort from Lady Ellen Greenhill of Monte Verde) who worked her buns off all day long for second place.  A a fair guess would be Ms. Wilson will know that feeling on Sunday as the Red Machine of Corleone is now 9 & 0 and still on a roll as Sir Sean likes to stay involved.  He played 4 chukkers of practice to get ready. He maybe off Sunday.  They want him to save himself for the finals. Well be there and you should be to as Coreleone Polo takes on Adeptus.  There is a showdown at  3 between Rancho Valencia & Madison Square in the 14-goal.  It will be a repeat of last Sunday, but this time its for all the marbles and it will be a war so be there. Also as usual in SD there's a party.  See ya.In the USPA Gold Cup Finals, Millarville got off fast and were up by 6 before the Bendabout squad led by another Woman in polo, Gillian Johnston, got on the board.  They could not rally like the Rancho Valencia squad and Millarville is the 2005 Champs of the USPA Gold Cup.  Well done!  Congratulations to Fish Creek’s and Millarville’s leader the BIg Mac FRED MANNIX, Sr. See ya.

Oct. 1st, ’05: AM Awards Night. There were a lot of awards given away last night and they were well deserved and done very well by Steve Lewandowski, the winner of the Golden Mike award and the star of the show Julio Juan Clemente Chris Enrezeta or something like that who is a 10 T polo player from Pakistan. Julio is a well known lover of something.  This 10 T man won the Sportsmanship Award and I believe  also a non-equestrian award for something.  Other big winners were . . .

Best Lady Amateur Lady Lisa Bosstick
Best Man Amateur Sir Sean Keys

MOST Improved New Player Traveling Man Dirk Wray

Most Helpful non-playing award went to Scott Dlugos ER Doc -  (who fixes and stitches players up so they can play again)

Young Player of the year?
Leading crash section and getting Jackets . . . 

SUSAN FIGI

BILL Zeiring (Crashed 5 times this season – high score award)
ASHTON WOLF (DRIVING AWARD)

JASON CROWDER ( BEST TRAINED DOG AWARD )

LUCKY ( RUNNER-UP TO ASHTON )

Steve Hyde - ( INDOOR CRASH AWARD)

ALL THIS LEADS UP TO A GUN AND RUN DAY AS SIR SEAN and his red machine try to destroy Princeps Too again today in the semis.  On the other field it will be 2 Ladies trying to mop up each other, but only one can use her broom to fly on Sunday either Mrs. Ellen and her Monte Verde squad will go forward or MS Wilson will lead her undefeated Adeptus through to the finals.  It should be a very good day for polo maybe not a lot of speed at the barns early, but moving on later.  So be there and all you Ladies remember your the main attraction next weekend as the official SAN DIEGO LADIES PACFIC COAST COMES TO TOWN so get your team   R E A D Y   TO RUMBLE.  SEE YA.